October 19, 2014
We are born with a body, yet physical training is necessary to make it strong. When we are born again we receive eternal life, yet in like manner, we are to “train” to grow up in our salvation. Both the physical life and this new spiritual life are gifts from God. We cannot earn them. But we can yield ourselves to the Spirit’s work in us by certain spiritual disciplines that aid in our growth. Training the body is good for today. Training to grow in our salvation is better both today and tomorrow.
October 18, 2014
God told the prophet Jeremiah of a new covenant that He would make with His people in the future. That future is now. The law is no longer written on stone tablets, but it is written by grace on the hearts of those who have believed and received the righteousness of Christ.
October 17, 2014
Jesus Christ is unique. He is God incarnate, fully human and fully divine. He is the only One able to reconcile us to the Father through His sacrificial death and resurrection. He is both our Advocate and Lamb, standing before the Father in our place of judgment. He took our sin, separation and death. And offers His righteousness, sonship and eternal life in exchange. Without Christ, a great chasm of spiritual separation continues to exist between God and man. With Christ this chasm is bridged. This is our message: Christ, our only hope!
October 16, 2014
Paul taught Timothy the importance of guarding the gospel against those who would misuse the law, claiming its necessity for salvation. Human effort at law-keeping does not save, only believing the gospel saves. Those that teach law-keeping as a means of salvation are not using the law “correctly.” Yet, the law is not useless when used rightly. In fact, there are at least three right uses of the Law:
The Law is to… (3 “R”s – Gal. 3:19-26)
1. Restrain our sinful behavior (Like a guard rail).
2. Reflect our guilt (Like a mirror).
3. Reveal God’s righteous way (Like a teacher).
The law is useful when “used correctly,” but only faith in Christ saves.
October 15, 2014
God told the prophet Jeremiah to preach the “entire message.” God’s purpose was to warn His people of their sins, so that they might repent, not to tickle their ears. God’s instruction to Jeremiah is the same to those who would preach God’s Word today. We are to preach the whole Word, not leaving out the unpleasant parts. Medicine is ineffective absent its active ingredients. Preaching the entire gospel message is what opens people’s hearts to repentance and salvation.
October 14, 2014
Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to its promises in times of trouble. Do not let skeptics nor suffering snatch the Word of God from you. Base your life on it. Fill your mind with it. Cling to it at all times.
October 13, 2014
Paul prayed for the persecuted believers in Thessalonica that the God who called them would also “enable” them to live for Him. When we answer God’s call our faith begins to “prompt” us to act. This prompting comes from our new nature in Christ which gives us the will to do good. Yet, this new will power always moves us to attempt things so beyond our ability that we must totally rely on God’s power to accomplish them. The time between the prompting and the accomplishing of God’s call is a time of testing. It is a time when we finally die to self-effort and live to total dependence on God’s enabling power. As the missionary pioneer, William Carey said, “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
October 12, 2014
This is a description of how the prophet Jeremiah felt before he preached. The Word of God burned within him until he had to let it out. The disciples who encountered the risen Lord Jesus on the road to Emmaus described a similar feeling, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Does God’s Word set your heart ablaze?
October 11, 2014
Our faith is anchored in the historical fact of Christ’s death and resurrection, giving us a future hope in God’s power to “bring back” our believing brothers and sisters who have died. This is not myth nor make believe, but God’s revelation to us through Christ. As Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Christ defeated sin, death and the grave, so that we who believe might share in His victory. And this future life is not a non-corporeal existence that some imagine, but a real physical existence in a resurrection body. Christ is the prototype of this future existence, the firstborn from among the dead, and someday we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2).
October 10, 2014
The Bible is the very Word of God to those who bear His Name. His Word nourishes like real food. It’s promises, encourage and bring joy, filling our heart’s with delight. It’s admonitions, convict us and move us to yield to the Spirit’s correction and empowering. Those who attack the Bible, seek to lay siege to our faith, hoping to starve us out and cause our surrender. Yet, God’s Word has endured throughout the ages and it will outlast this generation of opponents as well. Those who bear the Name, believe the Book.