This is the reality about humanity. We are each born with an evil, God-hating heart. Genesis 8: 21 says that every inclination of man's heart is evil from childhood, and Jesus' words in Luke 11: 13 assume that we know we are evil.

Caring for the poor is one natural overflow and a necessary evidence of the presence of Christ in our hearts. If there is no sign of caring for the poor in our lives, then there is reason to at least question whether Christ is in our hearts.

Surrounded by the self -sufficiency of American culture, we can convince ourselves that we have what it takes to achieve something great.

And this is why Jesus came: to endure the holy wrath of God due us.

God has made a way of salvation for the lost. Not a way, but the way. And this is the good news - the gospel.

Christianity is radically different from every other religion in the world.

Salvation has absolutely nothing to do with human merit and absolutely everything to do with divine mercy.