Love Fulfilled Ministry

  Imputed Righteousness in Pauline Theology: Surrender, Faith, and the Gift of Righteousness Introduction: The Centrality of Righteousness in Pauline Thought The question of how humans are made right with God—how righteousness is obtained—lies at the very heart of New Testament theology. Nowhere is this question more thoroughly addressed than in the writings of the Apostle Paul, especially in his epistle to the Romans. Paul’s unique emphasis on imputed righteousness —the belief that God reckons or counts believers as righteous because of their faith in Jesus Christ, not because of their adherence to the Mosaic Law—shaped Christian doctrine decisively, drawing sharp contrasts with both Jewish legalism and later Christian movements that have sought to emphasize human cooperation in salvation. This essay systematically explores the concept of imputed righteousness as presented in Paul’s writings, with Romans as the focal text, integrating its relationship to surrender, faith, the...

  The Persuasion of Faith: Theological Foundations of Trust, Persuasion, and Transformation Introduction The interconnectedness of faith and trust lies at the very heart of Christian theology, yet these terms are frequently conflated or oversimplified in both personal devotion and academic discourse. The Greek root of "faith," πείθω ( peithō ), meaning "to be persuaded," provides critical insight into biblical faith, suggesting that faith involves a process where conviction is formed through persuasion—one that originates from the trustworthy character and actions of God. Contrary to interpretations that require blind obedience or uncritical acceptance, the Christian Scriptures depict trust not as a demand, but as a relational response to God’s persuasive self-revelation. This dynamic is embodied in the ministry of Jesus, who consistently subverts authority structures by exalting humility, service, and self-giving love as prerequisites for true greatness—a recurr...

Eternal Election and the Accepted Sacrifice: The Security of the Elect in the Eternal Covenant “The Sacrifice Has Been Accepted.” —Charles Spurgeon, The Promises of God 🩸 The Father’s Pleasure in the Son’s Sacrifice The foundation of eternal election rests not in the merit of the elect but in the eternal pleasure of the Father in the Son. Spurgeon’s declaration—“The Sacrifice Has Been Accepted”—is not a sentimental affirmation but a theological cornerstone. The Father’s acceptance of Christ’s offering means wrath has been satisfied, justice upheld, and mercy unleashed. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, ESV) If the Father is eternally pleased with the Son, then the covenant sealed in His blood is not provisional. It is eternal, immutable, and irrevocable. 📜 The Eternal Covenant and Its Promises The New Testament affirms the eternal nature of the covenant: “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the g...

  🕊️ Persuasion and Free Will in the New Testament: A God Who Wins Hearts, Not Controls Them Introduction The New Testament presents a radical vision of divine-human relationship—one not built on coercion or fear, but on persuasion, transformation, and love. At the heart of this vision lies the Greek word πίστις ( pistis ), commonly translated as "faith," but etymologically rooted in the idea of being persuaded. This nuance reframes faith not as blind submission, but as a reasoned, Spirit-led transformation of ones mind. It suggests that God, rather than demanding robotic obedience, lovingly persuades us of His goodness, inviting us into willing devotion. Faith as Persuasion: The Divine Appeal Paul’s declaration in Ephesians 2:7 (MOUNCE) captures the persuasive nature of God’s grace: “... so that in the ages to come he might show the incomparable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus .” This is not the language of domination—it is the language...

Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity Introduction The theological concept of surrender—or giving control to God—occupies a prominent place in the modern Christian consciousness. From pulpits, in devotional material, songs, and across a multitude of Christian traditions, believers are often exhorted to “surrender their lives to Christ,” to “give up control." This is often expressed as a “come to the end of yourselves,” experience. These exhortations, frequently couched in emotive and urgent language, invite believers to a posture of yielding, releasing, and letting go. Yet, when this language is measured against the actual vocabulary, teachings, and emphases of the Greek New Testament, important questions emerge:  How biblically grounded are the concepts of “surrender” and “giving control”? Does such language reflect the spiritual vision of the earliest Christian church and scripture, or...