Rooted in Jesus Grace

Understanding the Culture Behind the Message Over the past two articles, we’ve explored two questions: first, how modern language about “finding your calling” can unintentionally burden believers, and second, what Scripture actually means when it speaks about calling. But another question naturally follows: Why has the language of calling become so central in charismatic and Pentecostal churches in the first place? This emphasis did not appear randomly. It grew from deeply sincere theological instincts, historical movements, and ministry practices that shaped charismatic spirituality over generations. To understand the modern fixation on calling, we need to understand the culture that produced it. This is not an argument against charismatic faith or spiritual experience. Rather, it is an attempt to understand how certain emphases—good in themselves—can unintentionally reshape expectations about how God normally guides His people. A Spirituality Shaped by Encounter Charismatic Christian...

Few ideas shape modern Christian thinking more than the belief that each person must discover their unique calling. Christians are often encouraged to pray for clarity, wait for direction, and seek the one path God designed specifically for their lives. Calling is frequently described as something hidden — a divine assignment waiting to be uncovered. But before asking  how  to find our calling, a more basic question deserves attention: Does Scripture actually teach believers to search for a personalized life calling? When we examine the Bible carefully, the answer requires some theological recalibration. The modern concept of calling often assumes meanings the biblical authors themselves did not intend. Recovering the biblical meaning of calling does not remove purpose from the Christian life. Instead, it places purpose on firmer theological ground. The Biblical Meaning of Calling In the New Testament, the language of calling carries a consistent and specific meaning. The Gree...

Why the Church’s Obsession With Finding Your “Calling” Is Creating Anxiety in Christian Youth (And What the Bible Actually Teaches) In many modern churches, few ideas are emphasized more than “finding your calling.” It appears everywhere — sermons, youth retreats, conferences, testimonies, podcasts, and Christian books. The intention is good. Churches want young people to believe their lives matter and that God has purpose for them. But somewhere along the way, the church’s language about calling quietly shifted. What was meant to inspire confidence now often produces anxiety. Instead of freeing young believers to live faithful lives, many feel trapped in fear — afraid of choosing the wrong path, missing God’s will, or failing a hidden spiritual assignment. This is not merely a cultural issue. It is a theological one. Many young Christians today are not struggling because they lack purpose. They are struggling because they have been given a definition of calling the Bible itself does n...

If you’re anything like me, you probably feel the weight of how complicated our world has become. There’s global conflict on every newsfeed, families under strain, personal struggles that aren’t easy to name—let alone fix. And when life gets messy, the solutions we’re offered usually feel just as complicated. Self-improvement plans. Endless advice. Philosophies that take a lifetime to master. It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. But then Christmas comes along and, almost counter-intuitively, offers something radically  simple . Not simplistic or naïve—but beautifully simple in a way only God could design. At Christmas, God gives us a Savior. A single, astonishingly straightforward answer to the deepest problems of the human heart. And one of the clearest pictures of this simplicity is tucked into the familiar story of the shepherds in Luke 2. If we slow down long enough to really look at them, their experience becomes a surprisingly modern message: God’s answer to the com...

Every Christmas season, conversations about Jesus surface in predictable ways—nativity sets, carols, sermons, and the familiar story of Mary, Joseph, angels, and a manger. But beneath the nostalgia lies a serious question many people quietly ask:  Why does the virgin birth actually matter?  Isn’t it enough to believe Jesus was a great teacher, or even that He was the Son of God, without insisting on something as seemingly unbelievable as a miracle at His conception? For Christians throughout history, the virgin birth hasn’t been optional. It’s one of the core truths that has defined the faith from its earliest centuries. And understanding  why  it matters actually strengthens convictions about Scripture, about Jesus, and about salvation itself. Let’s explore four reasons the virgin birth isn’t just a theological side note—but a foundational truth of Christianity. 1.  The Virgin Birth Upholds the Truthfulness of the Bible The Bible doesn’t whisper about the virgi...

Have you ever seen someone who looks like the perfect Christian on the outside—always smiling, serving, quoting Scripture—but you wonder what’s really going on in their heart? Jesus warned against clean cups that are spotless on the outside but dirty inside. That’s the perfect picture of the difference between  conforming  and  transformed  faith. Spoiler alert:  looking good on the outside doesn’t mean you’re good on the inside. Conforming Faith: All About the Outside Conforming faith is what happens when Christianity becomes a checklist. You go to church, volunteer, smile at the right moments, and quote Scripture—but only because it looks good. Legalism is at the root of this kind of faith. Legalism whispers,  “If I do enough, God will approve me. If I look good, I am good.”  It’s about rules, appearances, and fitting in. You might find yourself thinking, “I never miss a Sunday, I serve on committees, I’m a good Christian.” On the surface, it’s all c...

Have you ever left a sermon feeling   weighed down , anxious, or even guilty—not because you were convicted of sin, but because the teaching left you   feeling small, fearful, or inadequate ? You’re not alone. Every believer experiences times when God’s Word feels like a weight rather than a call to life in Christ. Understanding the difference between   conviction and burden   is essential for walking faithfully without losing peace or assurance. Conviction vs. Burden: What’s the Difference? The Holy Spirit convicts, but He never crushes. Conviction is  gentle, illuminating, and life-giving . It points to areas where we fall short—not to condemn, but to guide us back into grace. It awakens our hearts to  our need for Christ , prompting repentance, trust, and obedience. A burden, on the other hand, is often  heavy, fear-driven, or legalistic . It can make you feel like your standing with God depends on your performance, knowledge, or vigilance. Burdens ...