Four times in the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit spoke this: “The just shall live by faith.” An eternal principle since the beginning, the statement declares the way man must live to please God. In each case where it is written, we can see, by way of contrast in the context, an emphasis upon a particular … [Read more…]
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:20-21). “Follow the science” has become a popular mantra during the debate about masks and vaccines. Putting COVID … [Read more…]
“For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). There is great joy in being a citizen of the kingdom of God. Consider several reasons we can rejoice. There is great joy in being saved from our past sins. “But now having … [Read more…]
It is not unusual to have someone ask, “What does your church offer?” Or, “what programs do you have for the young?” An advertisement from a community church offers humorous singing vegetables, free sports posters, coffee with a variety of creamer flavors, rock music, music videos, food, and coffee mugs. Other churches pride themselves in … [Read more…]
In Genesis 18, when the Lord determined that He would go down and see whether the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had “done altogether according to the outcry against it” (verse 21), Abraham stood still before the Lord and petitioned Him repeatedly on behalf of his nephew Lot, not wanting to see the righteous destroyed … [Read more…]
“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said … [Read more…]
When purchasing an item, we are usually concerned with the cost of it. When taking on a home improvement project, we want to determine the cost. Jesus taught that the cost of being His disciple deserves consideration: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, … [Read more…]
There are three things every man must recognize and resolve in his mind about the commands of the Lord if he is going to do the will of the Lord. First, every man needs to come to this point about the commands of the Lord: “I must.” A “must” is a requirement, an obligation. By … [Read more…]
According to the first chapter of Proverbs, the book provides instruction (verses 2, 3), knowledge (verse 4), understanding (verse 5), prudence and discretion (verse 4). Indeed, the Proverbs are part of the Old Testament, and we know that the Law of Moses was nailed to the cross, abolished at the death of Christ (Colossians 2:14). … [Read more…]
The New Testament is filled with instructions to the Christian to watch, to be attentive, to beware. Paul admonished the Corinthians to “watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (I Cor. 16:13). Spiritual alertness must characterize the Christian. But watchfulness is not always easy or popular. Watchfulness is required to avoid being … [Read more…]