surrender

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).

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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.

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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).

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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.

What God Has Called You To

July 17, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

Do you know what God has called you to do in this life? Many wrestle with attempting to discern God’s will, but it’s not as hidden or mysterious as many presume. One thing we know for certain is nowhere in God’s Word does He call you to be successful. That should take a load of pressure off you. Let the rest of the world pursue fame, wealth, and notoriety, but that is not what God has called you to.

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His calling is to a different mindset that has nothing to do with the things the culture tells you that you need (1 John 2:15–17). In the same way that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), neither is our race against flesh and blood (1 Corinthians 9:24–25). Our calling is to surrender, not to compete (Matthew 16:24–25).

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.

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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.

Following Jesus Is Hard

June 30, 2025 by Tim Sherfy

Let me state the obvious: following Jesus is hard. If you think following Jesus is easy, my bet is you aren’t following Him in the manner His Word prescribes. It’s easy to say you follow Jesus. It’s even easy to place your faith in Him. None of that requires anything on your part, and you can take it back whenever that decision becomes inconvenient.

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The difficult work comes in living for Christ every waking moment of your life. As people born into sin, we all have an innate and outsized portion of selfishness that dominates our motives and desires (Romans 7:18). Keeping that alone in check often takes what feels like a Herculean effort. There’s nothing easy about living a holy life, so there’s nothing easy about following Jesus.