We continue our discussion of 2 Peter 1 and the seven virtues that we are to add to our faith. We look at the issue of "self-control" and think about what this means as an attitude of submission.

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Tags: grace | knowledge | self control

Diagnosing our fallen condition is the first step in engaging effective spiritual formation. Dallas Willard diagnoses our key issue as "radical evil in the ruined soul." Before we can understand the knowledge, power and wisdom that are available to us in Christ, we must first own the fact that we are completely lost without Him.

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Tags: fallen condition | grace

This week we get back into our discussion by talking about spiritual formation. Talk about spiritual formation is finally making some headway into evangelical circles. In order to understand this important aspect of our spiritual growth, we need to understand the reality of God's work in us from the inside out.

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Tags: spirit | spiritual formation | growth | grace

Why did God save us? Why does God do what He does? Why would He send His one unique Son to be killed for us? In Ephesians Paul makes it clear that God has blessed us to the "glory of His grace." When God acts for the sake of His glory, it results in the greatest blessing for His people. God's grace toward us is almost incomprehensible. Nevertheless, as we think on all that He has done for us in Christ, we are moved to the only proper response - joy and gratitude.

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Tags: grace | glory

Too often, the eternal aspects of God's choosing and predestination of those who will be saved is discussed apart from the reality of the Cross of Christ. Before we can fully grasp the implications of God's gracious work of choosing in salvation, we must first see ourselves from the perspective of being the very people who first despised, mocked, beat, spat upon and crucified Christ. God chooses to redeem His enemies; in this lies the scandal of His grace.

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Tags: election | salvation | jesus | grace

This week we continue our discussion of Philippians 3 by considering the the main goal of keeping our eyes focused on the main goal - Christ. In this passage Paul says, "One thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and looking to what's ahead I press on..." Our past, whether good or bad, is behind us and in the present God wants us to keep looking toward our goal - being fully transformed and conformed to Christ's glorious image.

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Tags: jesus | grace | vision

What does Jesus mean when He says, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged." This week, our exploration of the 12 Aspects of the Gospel leads to a lively class discussion about the nature of God condemning our sin in truth but also displaying His grace to us in and through Jesus Christ.

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Tags: judgment | grace | jesus

This week, we begin to explore how Jesus' "one act of righteousness" on the Cross heals our fallen condition. We begin to look at 12 aspects of Christ's work as the means to providing eternal redemption. We will continue this discussion next week.

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Tags: cross | jesus | grace | redemption

This week we begin to explore what Christ has accomplished for us by observing Paul's teaching in Romans 5:12-21. Here we see that Adam (our first human father, the father of us all) made choices that have had disastrous consequences for the rest of us. In the same sense, Jesus has made choices that have provided an alternative to Adam's rebellion. We also take a brief overiew of Jesus' time on the Cross as His "one act of righteousness."

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Tags: jesus | grace | righteousness