Holiness

By Al Felder Children need to learn modesty. That lesson should not begin when they are nearly grown. It should begin early, in simple, age-appropriate ways, as parents teach their children how to think about the body, clothing, attention, purity, shamefacedness, and respect for God’s design. Modesty is often treated as if it only concerns clothing. Clothing matters, but modesty reaches deeper than fabric. It begins with the heart. It involves humility, self-control, reverenc

By Al Felder Obedience is one of the first lessons a child must learn. Before a child understands many of life’s deeper responsibilities, he must learn to listen, submit, and do what is right. This is not merely a matter of household order. It is spiritual training. A child who learns proper obedience in the home is being prepared to understand authority, responsibility, discipline, and ultimately obedience to God. The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for

By Al Felder Children are growing up in a world filled with voices. Some voices come from friends. Some come from teachers. Some come from entertainment. Some come from social media. Some come from culture. Some come from their own desires. Every voice is trying to shape how they think, what they value, what they believe, and how they live. That is why parents must teach their children one of life’s most important truths: God’s word is the final authority. This lesson must no

By Al Felder Every parent teaches something. Some lessons are spoken plainly. Others are taught by habit, example, discipline, priorities, tone, worship, conversation, and daily choices. Children learn what matters by watching what their parents love, what they fear, what they excuse, what they pursue, and what they refuse to compromise. That is why one of the most important things parents can teach their children is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is not merely be

By Al Felder John wrote, “And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). That statement reaches to the heart of who Jesus is and why He came. It tells us that the incarnation was not only about God coming near, but about God making His glory known in the Son. But what should we see when we behold His glory? That is an important question, because many people think of glory only in terms of visible brightness, ove

By Al Felder Righteous Living Includes Order When Paul describes the righteous life in Ephesians, he does not limit righteousness to private devotion or internal character alone. Righteousness shows up in relationships—especially in the places where life is most demanding: the home and the daily responsibilities of society. That is why the Scriptures give clear teaching about an ordered life. God is not the author of confusion. He is the God of purpose, design, and peace. And

True Piety What Real Devotion Looks Like The word piety is often misunderstood. Some people use it to describe a religious “look”—the right vocabulary, the right habits, the right outward image. But Scripture teaches that true piety is deeper than appearance. It is devotion that is sincere, steady, and shaped by the will of God. In Ephesians 5:15–21, Paul ties the Christian life to careful, intentional living. He urges God’s people to walk wisely, redeem the time, understand

By Al Felder Faithfulness Is a Required Response Ephesians begins by describing God’s blessings for the church—blessings prepared by God, secured in Christ, and offered to all who come to Him. But Paul does not end the letter by leaving those blessings as mere information. He closes by calling the church to live in a way that matches what God has given. Unity. Righteousness. And finally, faithfulness. Faithfulness is not simply a personality trait. It is an obligation placed

By Al Felder Called to Live Differently When Paul turns to the practical section of Ephesians, he makes it plain that the blessings of salvation are meant to change the way God’s people live. The church is not only called to believe certain truths. It is called to walk in a way that reflects those truths. That is why one of the great obligations laid upon the church is righteousness. This obligation is rooted in the character of God Himself. God is holy, and the people who be

By Al Felder Called to Walk Worthy Ephesians 4 begins with a call for God’s people to live in a way that matches the grace they have received. Paul had already explained what God had done through Christ. Now he turns to what God expects from His people in response. One of the clearest obligations placed upon the church is the obligation of unity. This is not a minor issue. Unity is not an optional extra for especially peaceful Christians. It is part of walking worthy of the c

By Al Felder Brought to Life by the Mercy of God Ephesians 2 begins with a hard truth about the condition of man apart from Christ. Paul does not describe sinners as merely wounded or struggling. He says they were dead in trespasses and sins. That is the real condition of every person outside of Christ. Sin separates man from God, leaves him under condemnation, and places him in a condition he cannot fix by his own power. Paul describes that old life in unmistakable terms. It

Grace is more than just a comforting word—it’s the active, powerful favor of God that changes everything about the way we live. The apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 1:3–25 that grace doesn’t simply save us; it transforms us, producing a life of clarity, purpose, and holiness. Peter paints a vivid picture: salvation isn’t something flimsy or temporary—it’s a secure inheritance, “incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven” (v. 4). This security in

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:48 In a world that either idolizes perfection or dismisses it as unattainable, Scripture calls Christians to pursue something far greater than self-improvement: spiritual perfection in Christ. This pursuit isn’t about flawless performance—it’s about transformation, sanctification, and faithfully walking in the Spirit. Perfection Begins with Obedience to the Gospel When we obey the gospel