Posts by R.L. Wilson
Knowing God by His Names
When you think about God, what comes to your mind? Is He a grandfatherly figure who indulges the least little whim of His grandchildren?
Read MoreWalking on Water
Last week I wrote a rather lighthearted piece about anxiety in the face of natural disasters (Why Worry?). While I fully believe all God’s promises that I quoted in that piece, I was reminded over the weekend that we face things far more painful, far more devastating than tornadoes. You see, a dear friend has…
Read MoreA Proper Concept of God
One thing working at a Christian apologetics[1] ministry for nearly 40 years has taught me is that your idea of who God is, what He is like, is very important. If you think of Him only as the vengeful God of the Old Testament who went around smiting His enemies, you are hardly going to…
Read MoreWhy Worry?
As a child I used to sing the gospel chorus, “Why worry, when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He will be your stay. Don’t be a doubting Thomas, lean fully on His promise, Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray?”[1] But more often that I would like to admit, in my heart I…
Read MoreIf Easter is the Answer, What Was the Problem?
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’… So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female…. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed.” (Genesis 1: 26, 27, 31) Have…
Read MoreEaster: The Prelude
The Trinity was not caught off guard when Adam and Eve sinned. They knew it was coming. They expected it. They planned for it. They grieved over it. They overcame it—all long before it happened. Long before Jesus was nailed to the cross to die for our sins (John 19:17-18); Long before He sweat drops…
Read MoreA Preview of Easter: Prophecies, Pictures and Promises of the Redeemer
“And somewhere in the Garden of Eden the Lord took an innocent animal, and before the eyes of Eve and Adam, God slew that innocent animal and the ground drank up its blood. This is the beginning of ‘The Scarlet Thread Through the Bible.’ With the sacrifice of an innocent animal, God took coats of…
Read MoreBlessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9) Very likely everyone who reads this article understands the importance of working toward peace in our world. Peace at home; peace with our neighbors; peace in our church; racial reconciliation; and a whole host of other relationships. Among verses that could be…
Read MoreBlessed Are the Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God (Matthew 5:8) The Scriptures tell us that “no one can see [God] and live” (Exodus 33:20) and that “no one has seen or can see” Him (1 Timothy 6:16). So something quite extraordinary must take place for Jesus to promise that some will “see God.”…
Read MoreBlessed Are the Merciful
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 6:7 We have come to a turning point in our study of the Beatitudes. Arthur Pink explains, “First, there is a discovery of the fact that I am nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing—poverty of spirit. Second, there is conviction of sin, a…
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