Author: Stan Cox

Even in the face of Jerusalem’s ruin, some in Judea persisted in their belief they would be delivered from the Chaldeans. They said, “Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession” (Ezekiel 33:24).

They were wrong. Why? Because their confident assertion was given despite a lack of repentance on their part. God’s judgment was visited upon Judea wholly as a result of her sin. The prophet reminded them of this. “Thus says the Lord God: ‘You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then posses the land?” (vs. 25). He further noted their reliance upon the sword, their abominations and infidelities.

Finally, God proclaimed, “For I will make the land most desolate, her arrogant strength shall cease, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that no one will pass through” (vs. 28).

Today, many show the same “arrogant strength” in their unwillingness to place their trust in the Almighty God. God rules in the affairs of men. He determines the rise and fall of nations (cf. Acts 17:26). Any people who persist in “arrogant strength,” opposing the will of God, will not stand. We pray our nation will learn this truth sooner rather than later.

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1 Samuel 13:8-15 records a difficult time in the reign of King Saul, that he handled poorly. He sinned against God, and the excuses he offered to Samuel have beneficial applications to each of us.

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In Psalm 119:18, the writer prays to God for discernment regarding the wonderful things contained in His law. Such discernment (the opening of our eyes) is needed, and worthy of our petitions to God.

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In Ephesians 3, Paul’s prayer for them was that they might know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

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“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Paul noted instances of corruption during his ministry. They included:

• Judaizing teachers who sought to impose circumcision upon the Gentiles (cf. Acts 15:1).
• A sectarian spirit at work among fellow Christians (1 Corinthians 11).
• A corruption of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-21).
• A denial of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12).
• A contention that the resurrection was already past (2 Timothy 2:16-18).

Consider first Paul’s fear. Consider second that his fear was not unfounded. Do not be deceived by any who would seek to minimize or explain away any departure from truth in our time.

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In ancient times, wealthy Romans and Greeks commissioned a slave to care for the well being and morals of their sons. This trusted slave was called a pedagogue (from the Greek pais – a boy; and ago – to lead).

In Galatians 3:23-24, Paul used the term to refer to the Old Covenant that God had with Israel. The NKJV translates the term “tutor.”

“But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

The purpose of the pedagogue (the law) was to guard, protect, and lead to the Christ. It served its purpose well. Faith has come, and Christ is our Teacher, Savior and Lord.

Much can be gleaned about God and His interactions with men even today by perusing that previous covenant. But, it is the previous covenant. Verse 25 states, “But after faith has come, we are no longer under the tutor.”

Some Jewish Christians were seeking justification by an appeal to that previous covenant. With these words, Paul explained clearly that such efforts were vain and misguided. In chapter 5, Paul wrote, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (vs. 4).

Some today seek similar justification from that covenant. Whether it be the observance of the Sabbath, tithing, or the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship, they should consider carefully the words of Paul before seeking such validation.

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A discussion of Romans 12:1-8, indicating the need for self examination to ensure we are diligently sacrificing ourselves to our Lord as transformed individuals. This requires us to be active in our service to Him.

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The views that men hold regarding what is right and what is wrong often are at odds with what the Bible teaches. This lesson seeks to note those differences in the realm of man’s treatment of animals. Emphasis is made on what the word of God teaches regarding man’s responsibility toward the rest of creation.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul expresses the immediate nature of the need to get right with God, “Behold, now is the day of salvation.”

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Some people have a problem with truth. Not all truth, just truth they find objectionable. By refusing to listen to it, they fail to hear what is needed to convict and convert them from sin to righteousness. Are you one of those people? Am I?

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In 2 Peter 1:9, Peter describes a state of spiritual myopia. Those who have this condition have trouble seeing far behind or ahead, which is necessary to see far within, and effect change that will benefit their soul.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

James describes rich individuals in James 5 who were guilty of oppressing the poor, and perpetrating fraud. He assures their righteous victims that the Lord will settle accounts in eternity. We, as they, must simply be patient.

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