Category Archives: Theology

“Right with God, RIGHT NOW!”

It is no small Savior that we worship. It is no small gospel that we offer. It is no tiny cross that we proclaim. Jesus has set the captives free through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. For all who come to Him there is rest, peace, forgiveness, and eternal life. It is certain, it is sure, for He has saved His people. Not one of all those whom the Father gave to the Son shall be lost.

This reality was certainly not lost on the “Prince of preachers,” C. Haddon Spurgeon. Listen to His words:

“Ah! what a mercy it is that it is not your hold of Christ that saves you, but his hold of you! What a sweet fact that it is not how you grasp his hand, but his grasp of yours, that saves you.“

In Romans 5:10-11, the Apostle Paul goes so far to say that we are saved by the life of Jesus:

“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

In Romans 5 Paul contrasts the work and results of two men, Adam, the first Adam, and Jesus, the last Adam. The first Adam disobeyed God and brought upon us judgment, condemnation, and death. His actions are greatly affecting us even now. Through him we are even conceived in sin.

However, there is another Adam, the Lord Jesus, who perfectly obeyed the Father. He did so not only for Himself, but for a new humanity. His sheep, given to Him before the foundation of the world. So, His actions resulted in justification, abundance of grace, and righteousness for many. Jesus perfectly fulfilled His calling and covenant.

Paul goes on to say in this chapter that not only are we saved by Jesus’ life, but we are made righteous through His obedience. So, rather than assessing ourselves as to how well we are behaving and living as if our righteousness were rooted in our actions and works, we should ask ourselves, “Where is my righteousness?” Well, according to Paul, my righteousness is seated at the right hand of God. This is the basis of my being right with God, RIGHT NOW! This is why I can obey God with joy and confidence.

Hope That Sustains (Pt 1)

How a Philosophy Class Stimulated My Growth in the Real Hope

The Challenge to Trust and Hope

When you buy a bottle of aspirin today, you will find that there is a seal covering the opening. This is a safety measure against contamination. If you buy a bottle with a broken seal, this means that the contents could be defiled and dangerous. Why do these bottles have such seals?

When I was a kid, there was a scandal concerning Tylenol, in which some disturbed employee working on the assembly line randomly poisoned the product so that several of the pills became contaminated with the poison. Unfortunately, many unsuspecting consumers died as a result of taking the poisoned pills.

As can be imagined, this caused quite a commotion in the country that expanded to many aspects of the US economy. Many began to question the reliability and trustworthiness of many consumer products, especially other OTC medications. Fear became rampant.

Fear, disillusionment, and cynicism naturally result when hope and trust diminish.
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Living the New Life

John 3:1–8 (ESV): Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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What Does It Mean to Be Biblically-based?

All that we do at KAINOS seeks to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word. We truly believe that all Scripture is “God-breathed,” or “expired” by God. While He used human agents to write His Word, God did not simply use the human writers as secretaries to whom he dictated His Word. No, God used their personalities, experiences, knowledge, and life circumstances. He did not in any way circumvent their humanness. They were all carried along by the Holy Spirit so that what they wrote was what God wanted them to write. So, Scripture truly covers the full gamut of life and human experience. So, we believe that Scripture is able to equip us for all we need to be effective servants of God and for all we need to enjoy God as our loving, steadfast Heavenly Father. Continue reading →

What Does It Mean to Be Christ-centered?

I realize that the question itself seems to be self-explanatory, but the focus of KAINOS is that of Union with Christ. This is a truth that is taught all over Scripture, but unfortunately, it is not focused on much at all or is simply ignored. Just consider a few of the many passages of Scripture that teach this great truth.

Ephesians 1:3–6– Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love  he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,  to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

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