John

Downplaying the Devil

August 11, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

Christians spend too much time downplaying the Devil. I’m sure you are familiar with the old adage, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” The typical response to hearing that is a smile and a knowing nod. Did you ever consider how ridiculous that statement is? Hell has no fury like a fallen human? Are we serious? It’s one more example of how flippant we can be when discussing things we should take with the utmost seriousness.

commitment,fear,focus,discipline,salvation,downplaying the devil

We’ve reduced the power of Satan to that of a byline or a joke. This is where it is typical for a writer to give the caveat of something like, “We have to be careful not to take this to extremes, or fall into legalism.” But you know what? I hate caveats. Truth is truth, and the fact it makes some uncomfortable is no reason to soften it. We need to treat the power of Satan and the power of God with the respect and trepidation both deserve.

Redeemed from Sin

August 7, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

There is nothing in this world we need or should even desire that has any connection with sin. Sin is a great offense to God, and if we love Him, we will do nothing against Him on purpose. Why would we, being redeemed from sin, desire to continue to dabble in it (Romans 6:1-2)? In his first epistle, John remarks that if we love God, we will not indulge in habitual sin (1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:18).

redeemed from sin,commitment,discipleship,forgiveness,redemption,salvation,sin,surrender

When God transforms your heart, you no longer desire your old life (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are a new creation with new dreams and desires. Those dreams and desires will align with the will of our King and Savior (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13). True repentance leads to real transformation, and real transformation cannot result in a heart that continues to burn for sin.

[Read more…] about Redeemed from Sin

God’s Call to Holiness

July 24, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

God’s call to holiness is not optional for any believer. Holiness is the standard God set for us in the beginning and continues to expect from us (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15–16). When we love the Father, we will desire to do what pleases Him because we all want to be counted like Paul when we die (2 Timothy 4:7).

commitment,discipleship,discipline,focus,holiness,lordship,sanctification,surrender,holy

We all want to run the race well and hear Jesus speak the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant; enter into my rest” (Matthew 25:21). We dare not approach Heaven with stained garments uncleansed by the sacrificial blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Sanctification always follows true repentance, so if we aren’t concerned with holiness, it is hard to conceive of our repentance as genuine.

He Chose to Save You

July 14, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

There is perhaps no greater beauty than the fact that God chose to save you. Out of the billions of people who have ever lived, He chose to save you. Let that sink in. How can we do anything except praise the Lord and fall on our face in thankfulness at this most astounding and irrational truth? So many will live their lives without Jesus and die with their sins unforgiven (John 8:24).

grace,mercy,salvation,holiness,He chose to save you

That could have been you or me. But for some reason, He spares us the agony and torment of an eternal Hell and gifts us eternity in the presence of our precious and loving Savior (Revelation 21:3-4). To our finite minds, in some ways, this doesn’t seem fair.

[Read more…] about He Chose to Save You

Who Do You Say He Is?

July 7, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

When Jesus walked the earth as a man, almost all the people of His day had an opinion about who He was. Rumors swirled about a man who was becoming both more popular and controversial. Two sides formed, one believing He was from God and the other from the pits of Hell (John 7:12; Matthew 9:34). Within the two camps were many more divisions.

commitment,discipleship,faith,surrender,salvation,who do you say he is

King Herod believed Jesus was John the Baptist back from the dead. He fell into the camp of those who believed Jesus was a man of God, but stopped well short of believing Jesus was the Messiah. At least Herod had an answer when anyone asked about Jesus, “Who do you say He is?” But to his eternal damnation, his answer fell short.