I agree we have enough books that attempt to explain why God allows suffering, presumably in a way that lets God off the hook. And while much smarter men than I have constructed elaborate systems in this pursuit, they are by definition exercises in speculation.

A preacher who doesn't believe he's that bad will attract people who don't think they're that bad. And that's bad.

Suffering reveals to us the two things that ultimately matter: that we are weak but He is strong.

The passive righteousness of faith frees me from passing final judgment on myself.

Self-righteousness is the fruit of a low view of God's law and a lite view of your own sin.

The gospel is not about a lifestyle that we live, it's about the law-fulfilling life that Christ lived.

Since Genesis 3 we have been addicted to setting our sights on something, someone, smaller than Jesus.