I recently preached on Psalm 4 , and mentioned in my sermon that the emotion of anger is not always sinful (see Psalm 4:4 and Eph. 4:26; this was certainly Paul’s view of the issue). Anger itself is simply a strong feeling or emotion of displeasure brought about by a real or perceived unfulfilled desire (see James 4 for a description).

While it isn’t always sinful, our flesh very often turns the emotion into a sinful response. This is the danger with anger.

In an article on anger in The Journal of Biblical Counseling David Powlison provides an excellent list of tests to ask and apply in order to discern if your anger is righteous from beginning to end, according to biblical guidelines.

Click here to find out what they are!

In our last post we discussed the principle of tithing, and its applicability to the New Testament Christian. We concluded that a tithe “can’t be required and applied the same way in the church” as it was in the Old Testament, and we gave some reasons why. The principles of giving outlined in the NT emphasize cheerful, sacrificial, generous giving that is not dictated in its specifics (”not grudgingly or under compulsion” as Paul says in 2 Cor. 9:7).

However, we also concluded that giving can still legitimately be “quantified” in some way for the individual giver. The tithe (10%) is a logical choice as a starting point for what sacrificial and cheerful giving should look like, even if it is wrong to make tithing a mandate in the local church.

But can every Christian give that much? Is it really possible?

This is one of the biggest questions raised in regard to faithful, generous giving that is “shaped” (not “demanded”) by the tithe principle. Can financially strapped Christians really give 10%. Read the whole post to find out why I am convinced it is not only possible, it is dangerous not to.

Last spring we did a series on biblical giving at our church. You can find the sermon audio here if you’re interested. In one of the messages under the point that, “giving generously invites God’s abundant blessing,” I explained the principle of tithing and how it is to be understood and applied as a Christian. Because we get so many questions related to this topic, I thought it would be a good idea to post the information here so that we can refer people to it from time to time. Click here to read the whole article.

By the way, the principles of interpretation that I apply result in similar conclusions regarding the Sabbath, which you can link to here as well.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

Does right doctrine yield right living? Yes, unless that right doctrine is only an expression of a dead faith (James 2:14 reminds us that this is a sad possibility). We have to admit that true information can be inserted in the mind, without it being truly recieved for the life-transforming purpose for which God inspired it (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Phil Johnson provides an excellent comment on this topic on his blog Pyromanics. That qualification in hand, it is still true that every pattern of moral obedience is informed by a right understanding and embracing of the truth, and that every violation of God’s standards for living are a result of a wrong understanding or rejection of some truth (doctrine) of God’s Word.

I would like to illustrate this truism with one example. It is the moral obligation and command to “honor all men” (1 Peter 2:17)…

A few weeks ago I brought up the idea of dressing appropriately as Christians. I am not talking about modesty or cleanliness though. I am speaking metaphorically. Look at what the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:12-14.

Colossians 3:12-14
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Today, I would like to offer some help in putting on the garment of kindness. Perhaps you haven’t worn this garment in a while. Perhaps its dusty and hard to even find in your closet. Let me offer some help.

Last week I brought up the idea of dressing appropriately as Christians. I am speaking metaphorically, of course. Look at what the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:12-14.

Colossians 3:12-14
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Today, I would like to offer some help in putting on the garment of compassion. Perhaps you haven’t worn this garment in a while. Perhaps its dusty and hard to even find in your closet. Let me offer some help.

What does it take to put on the garment of compassion?

The Apostle Paul tells us how to dress appropriately for the Christian life. Take a look…

Colossians 3:12-14
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Today, I would like to offer some help in putting on the garment of patience. Perhaps you haven’t warn this garment very much lately and have a hard time fitting into it. Let me offer some help.

What does it take to put on the garment of patience?