Articles
Articles from Sola 5 Pastors
Fasting: A Neglected Spiritual Discipline
In his teaching on spiritual disciplines in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses three key practices: giving (Matthew 6:1–4), praying (Matthew 6:9–14), and fasting (Matthew 6:15–18). While Christians often focus on the first two, fasting remains perhaps the most...
In the World, Not of the World: Living as Faithful Disciples in a Secular Age
Christians often speak about the need to be in, but not of, the world. By this, we mean that while we necessarily live in and interact with the world, the world’s values, beliefs, and behaviours do not define us. One text that highlights this reality is John 17:14–16,...
Dealing with a Dangerous God: The Danger of Pride in Christian Discipleship
In our walk with Christ, we easily embrace the truth of God’s love, which is faithful to apostolic testimony (1 John 4:8). However, we sometimes forget that God is also dangerous in his holiness. Scripture reminds us, both through direct statements—“our God is a...
Living in the Light of Forgiveness
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the gospel. But forgiveness is not, as some have suggested, unconditional. In fact, there are at least three biblical conditions to forgiveness. First, forgiveness is conditioned on the finished work of Christ. God does not simply...
Transforming Speech: Using Our Words to Give Grace
In a world where language is often wielded as a weapon, Ephesians 4:29 calls Christians to a radically different approach to speech: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace...
Eat to Grow: Engaging Scripture as a Means to Maturing in Christ
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified...
Devoted to Prayer: A Call to Relational, Dependent, and Purposeful Communion with God
I have developed an unhealthy philosophy—I suspect from my father—that if I can’t do something alone, it can’t be done. My wife once asked me to move a bed-sized couch from the back porch to the bottom of our garden where we were having a bonfire. Rather than asking...
Seeing Clearly: A Christian Approach to Judgement and Discernment
In today’s cultural climate, few biblical phrases are quoted as frequently or misunderstood as profoundly as “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). Often used to deflect criticism or moral discernment, these words of Jesus are cited to shut down any...
Is God Angry with the World?
How do you think people in your town, city, or country would respond to a poll asking if God is angry at the world? Some might look at the suffering, injustice, and corruption around them and conclude that, if there is a God, he is either angry or, at the very least,...