I recently watched a BBC documentary detailing the rising suicide rate among Kenyan men. The report, which is ‘part of a series of reports on modern masculinity in Africa’ told of how in Nyandarua County, Kenya, ‘70 people – almost all of them men – killed themselves last year.’
Opulence naturally appeals to us. Poverty repels. Therefore, prosperity preaching is as popular as it is perilous.
Adultery and idolatry reveal the nature of our allegiance. The one, to our spouse, and the other, to our God. The two are so intertwined that the Bible describes our idolatry as adultery (Jer. 3:8–9; Ezek. 16:32; 23:37; Rev. 2:22). Monogamy and monotheism are entwined because both are a call to fully devote one’s heart to the covenanted ‘other.’
I was about to sleep. Then I picked up my Greek New Testament Bible and turned to Titus 2. As I read, I pondered, considering the grace of God which Paul lays out in this chapter.
Jesus died. For you. Let this sip and sink into your heart as percolating water irrigating the dry land. Do not resist it. Do not rush it. Meditate, in silence.
Romans crucified criminals. The cross was the cruellest torturous tool for execution. Unlike now, crosses in the ancient world were not donned as necklaces but dreaded as demons.
Tithing is not a new concept. It has existed for over 4,000 years, predating the Patriarchs. As an ancient practice, it existed in Babylon, Persia, Egypt, and even China before Israel was ever commanded to tithe.
Should you or should you not tithe? I am sure you have mused to yourself a couple of times, wondering whether perhaps you are missing the point by tithing or disobedient by not so doing.
1 John 4:17 excites many who find in it a liberation from the seeming insignificance of being human.
The phrase ‘irresistible grace’ resounded in my ears with echoes of beautiful complexity since I heard of it. Hard to believe and yet freeing, it spoke of the relentless pursuit by God for me, a rebel unaware of his need and unmoved to repentance by self-will.
