To desire spiritual gifts is good. To desire the good of the church is better. To hold both together with wisdom is the mark of maturity.

It deliberately crafts strategies to attract outsiders by anticipating what they want and offering it to them.

The apostles would say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” There was a desire in them for the manifestation of God’s kingdom. It is hard to say the same about our generation.

The Corinthians thought they were the epitome of wisdom. They considered themselves enlightened, analytical,  intellectually superior and wise. They had little patience for fools.

Do we presume to be smart enough to compute the parameters for our own existence, or will we trust in the timeless wisdom of God to govern our lives?

For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

We are not made holy by clever ideas or comforting sentiments, but by truth that cuts, cleanses, and consecrates.

I think I was in my second or third year of university when I was first encouraged to command my angels to “get to work.”

I suspect that many christians do not even believe in God.

With all the weight of apostolic urgency, James lays down this principle: if you would walk as Christ walked, watch your mouth.