Ministry to the poor is a crucial sign that we believe the gospel.

To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.

Because creation was made in the image of a God who is equally one and many, the human race will finally be reunited and our racial and cultural diversity will remain intact in the renewed world. The human race finally lives together in peace and interdependence. Glory to God in the highest goes with peace on earth.

Christians necessarily believe we depend on God for everything-a prayerless Christian, then, is a contradiction in terms.

The gospel has supernatural versatility to address the particular hopes, fears, and idols of every culture and every person.

How Religion Works: If I obey, then God will love and accept me. The Gospel: I'm loved and accepted, therefore I wish to obey.

We have to be careful not to elevate our preferences to moral standards and judge others by them. We only do so to feel superior.