TJ Johnson

When we recite the Apostles’ Creed, one of the truths we affirm is our belief in the communion of saints . This statement refers to our shared participation in Christ and one another. When we are united to Christ by faith, we are also united to His people. Scripture uses the analogy of a head and a body to describe this union (Col. 1:18). Yet Western culture prizes personal autonomy, self-expression, and individualism. As a result, the communion of saints  aspect of the Christian faith is...

In Colossians 1, the apostle Paul identifies one of the defining aims of Christian ministry: “to present everyone mature in Christ” (v. 28). This goal, Paul says, is worth toiling and struggling with all God’s energy that powerfully works within him. A similar emphasis appears in Ephesians 4, where Paul teaches that gospel ministry exists to build up the church until the saints attain “mature manhood” (v. 13). These passages raise an essential question: what is Christian maturity? What Is...

As a new year begins, many of us write down or at least think about New Year’s resolutions. Some of these are practical and good, such as pursuing a healthier lifestyle, better stewardship of time, or greater consistency in prayer and Scripture. Yet resolutions can also expose a deeper problem. We often aim too low, drift too quickly, and forget why we resolved anything in the first place. At least, that has been my experience. That is why, toward the end of December, I like to return to...