Truly, Jesus came to do the will of God. This is evident in His words, and in His actions. From His baptism in the beginning of His ministry until His decision to carry through to the cross (“O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will,” Matthew 26:39), Jesus showed His willingness to “fulfill all righteousness.”
God has always required his disciples to go above and beyond in dealing righteously in all their relationships with others. This is true with family, their brethren, the lost, and even their enemies.
Sin is destructive. And the sinner who sins is destructive. We must recognize that when we sin, we do damage to our own lives, the lives of others, and our eternal standing before God.
Love is not defined as tolerance in scripture… rather obedience — to God and His Word. And if we love our brethren, we will seek to conform them to truth.
Jesus, the Son of God always knew who His Father truly was. And, even at such a young age, he was focused on the work that the Father had given him to do. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Anyone who truly believes that Christ will come again will live his life in accord with Christ’s commands. That way when Christ comes, he will be ready to join his Lord in heaven. Do you believe that Christ is coming? If so, are you living your life for him, “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God”?
Those who deny that a man must be baptized to be saved disregard the plain teaching of a multitude of scripture.
The Christian’s reward is not temporal. God’s accounts are not settled here on earth. The reward of the child of God is great because it is spiritual, future, heavenly and eternal.
Regardless of what a man may accomplish while here on earth, this life is a failure if not lived for God. Remember the conclusion of the wise man, “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14).
When we sin, we can not say that we are not responsible. It is not God’s fault, and the devil did not “make us do it.” It is not the fault of our mother or our father (cf. Ezekiel 18:20). It is our own fault.
As God is holy, and cannot countenance evil, it is required of his people that they be holy in all of their conduct as well. You can’t court the world and serve God!
The Christian should have joy in his life. Not the type of happiness that is dependent upon outward circumstances, but the true joy that comes from a right relationship with the Lord.
People often enjoying asking the question, “What If?” There are such questions we might ask regarding the spiritual life of God’s children. “What if God gave like you give?” What if God forgave like you forgive?” “What if every Christian studied like you study?” “What if every Christian grumbled and complained like you do?” “What if all Christians prayed like you pray?” This lesson considers those questions.
Congregations are to be made up of brethren who love one another. As such, those who foment strife and sow discord must be dealt with, and if necessary, marked and avoided.
Paul wrote the Ephesians to put on the “whole armor of God.” This lesson mentions the pieces of the armor, but emphasizes the importance and purpose of arming ourselves against Satan.
