Listen to The Daily Word online. Have you prayed for the salvation of Osama bin Laden today?  I ask this deliberately provocative question because I fear that American Christians are failing to act distinctively Christian during our nation’s War on Terror. Militant Islamic terrorists mean to do us Americans harm. They are our enemies. Simple justice requires that they be stopped. And according to Romans 13.4, government is God’s agent for doing precisely that.  For he [that is, the government] is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the … Continue reading Reciprocity and Reconciliation (Romans 12.17-21)

 Listen to The Daily Word online. In Romans 12.9-16, Paul teaches us twelve imperatives of Christian community. If we put these imperatives into practice, our relationships will be healthy and our church life vibrant and strong. John Stott provides a one-word summary of each imperative, so let’s use his outline for sake of ease.  First, sincerity: “Love must be sincere.”  Second, discernment: “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” I discussed these two imperatives in a previous devotional, so I won’t repeat what I wrote there, except to say that the more we love one another, the more … Continue reading Twelve Imperatives of Christian Community (Romans 12.9-16)