Putting on Christ

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:26-27).  When one is baptized into Christ he is said to have put on Christ.  But what does “put on Christ” mean? The same word translated “put on” … [Read more…]

How Will You Respond?

The evangelist is charged to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).  It is a serious responsibility.  But what is the responsibility of those who hear that preaching?  What is the right engagement and response?  When Paul preached in Athens, … [Read more…]

Who Are The Judaizers Today?

One of the great challenges the church faced in the first century was Judaizing teachers.  Judaizing teachers tried to incorporate elements of Judaism into the gospel of Christ.  After the apostle Paul had taught the gospel of Christ and churches were established in Gentile areas, false teachers quickly followed, teaching the binding of circumcision and … [Read more…]

Mediocre

Mediocre is defined as “moderate or inferior in quality; ordinary” (AHD, 1992, p.1121).  We are familiar with things that are mediocre.  We may drive a car that is just mediocre.  We may choose to buy a product that is mediocre because it is good enough for the purpose for which we’re going to use it.  … [Read more…]

Are You Ready?

“Are you ready?” are the words of a song we sing to encourage us to ask ourselves whether we are prepared to meet the Lord on the judgment day.  To be ready is to be “prepared or available for service, action, or progress” (AHD, 1992, p.1504).  “Are you ready?” is a good question, and the … [Read more…]

Why Every Person Needs the Bible

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.  Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3).  We sometimes sing the song, “This is my Father’s world,” in which is the line, “He speaks … [Read more…]

Abstain from Fleshly Lusts

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).  Fleshly lusts are strong … [Read more…]

What a Day May Bring Forth

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). In 1 Samuel, 9, Saul of the tribe of Benjamin was sent out by his father, along with his father’s servants, to look for their donkeys.  Not finding them in their land, Saul was inclined to return … [Read more…]

2 Peter Against Calvinism

The doctrine of Calvinism teaches, among other things, “All those who are spiritually united to Christ through regeneration are eternally secure in Him…. They have been predestined unto eternal glory and are therefore assured of heaven” (The Five Points of Calvinism, p.56).  Simply put, the doctrine of Calvinism teaches that once one is saved, he … [Read more…]