In Ephesians 5, Paul shows us that even on earth Jesus did not use his power to oppress us but sacrificed everything to bring us into union with him. And this takes us beyond the philosophical to the personal and the practical. If God had the gospel of Jesus's salvation in mind when he established marriage, then marriage only 'works' to the degree that approximates the pattern of God's self-giving love in Christ.

Only if God can say things that make you struggle will you know that you have met a real God and not a figment of your imagination.

If you are trying to live a life in accordance with the Bible, the concept and call to justice are inescapable. We do justice when we give all human beings their due as creations of God. Doing justice includes not only the righting of wrongs but generosity and social concern, especially toward the poor and vulnerable.

The most liberating act of free, unconditional grace demands that the recipient give up control of his or her life.

Unless you believe the gospel, everything you do will be driven by either pride or fear.

If you have to run away from something that used to be an idol, you're actually still enslaved by it. It's still controlling you.

The essence of forgiveness is absorbing pain instead of giving it.