Author: Stan Cox

In Psalm 82, the Psalmist begins his plea by noting that “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods” (vs. 1). The word “gods” here is a word that is often used to refer to God himself (elohim), but literally means “mighty ones” and in this passage refers to the mighty in the land. With the threat of God’s judgment upon them, he then writes, “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and the needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (3).

The mightiest of men still have a Judge before which they will stand in the final day. While mistreatment and oppression might gain for them power and control while here on earth, it will cost them in judgment! The Psalmist said that these mighty ones will “die like men, and fall like one of the princes” (7).

The sentiment here is very like the New Testament call of James, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (1:27). It is refreshing how much emphasis the Lord places on the protection of those who are weak, vulnerable or oppressed. While it is a special cause of judgment on those in power who refuse to protect them, it applies to each of us as well. The imperative to love requires the child of God to act in the best interest of the oppressed and vulnerable.

An examination of 3 passages where the phrase “stand still” is used, indicating the importance of contemplating God’s plan for redeeming man, His preeminence, and our obligations to ensure our standing with Him.

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An examination of the conversion of Cornelius, and what is revealed about the Gentile’s Holy Spirit baptism on that occasion. 

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People who enter their 60’s are generally looking forward to retirement from work – a typical goal that is sought with gladness, with the anticipation of a happy number of years to do what they want instead of what is required by an employer.

It is important to note that when it comes to the kingdom of God, there is no concept of retirement. As with all other things, if you desire to stop doing what you are doing, stop putting God first, it is an affront to the Creator and unacceptable to Him. Nothing is to come before the Lord. Continue reading ““They Shall Still Bear Fruit in Old Age”” →

The question, “Is grace limited?”, is a bit too obtuse to answer definitively one way or another. Let’s examine it a bit more closely.
The grace of God makes salvation available to all men. He sent His only begotten Son to the world as a propitiation for sin. The word propitiation indicates a sacrifice that is made to atone for or pay the penalty for sin. The Bible clearly establishes the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. “By that will [the will of God] we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Continue reading “Is Grace Limited?” →

Having established the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, “as a Son over His own house”, (6). The Hebrew writer begins to emphasize our need to be faithful to Him. This point is covered well in verses 7-15. He begins by quoting the Holy Spirit in Psalm 95.

The exhortation is simple, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” (7). This quote is direct, and references the hearts of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness of Judea. While they were cared for that entire time they constantly tested the Lord by their lack of faith and disobedience.

As such, God was “angry with that generation.” The entire generation fell in the wilderness, with none save Joshua and Caleb entering the promised land.

Our hearts can be hardened just as their’s. Again and again in scripture Christians are called to learn from the actions of the Israelites. There are examples of faith that we are to emulate (cf. Hebrew 11) . Here God wants us to heed the destruction that comes to the faithless (1 Cor. 1:10-11).

The 33rd Psalm talks of God’s preeminence from the point of view of the Israelite. The Psalmist calls for praise for God, and gives numerous reasons why the LORD is worthy of that praise. His word is right. He is righteous and just, and blesses the earth. He is the Creator. His will is inexorable, “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (9). From heaven he looks down upon all men and considers their works. No strength of man compares to His might. He is both willing and able to care for His own.

As such, we should consider verses 20-22 of the text, “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”

Just as the Psalmist, it is important that we recognize and meditate upon the greatness of the Lord. This will lead us to praise Him. It will also lead us both to understand His ability to help and protect us, and to be patient as we wait upon His intervention in our lives.

We must trust God! It is not our place to question either His timing or His ability to care for us. Instead may we pray, “Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in you” (22). Does your soul wait for the LORD?

The Questions:  Why does God allow suffering?  Why do evil people prosper? And, Why does God not intervene? Are all answered in this lesson taken from Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.

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Judges 7 (Gideon’s Army and its selection) is used to illustrate the idea of our calling and choosing by God discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

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The work of God toward man is stated succinctly by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” The problem of life is sin. God gave men free will, and men determined to sin (from Adam on). As such, God’s grace became necessary so that we might be born again, achieving new life through the Son.

While men have a tendency to minimize the significance of sin and its consequences, we see a very different record in the Bible. Let’s compare the two: men’s views VS God’s view.

The idea that men are born degenerate sinners is not true. We understand that sin is not biological (in our genes) nor an inescapable part of a fleshly nature. This is a view that is espoused by Reformed Theology (Calvinism). Without getting to a detailed treatment of the view, we note that the Bible paints a very different picture. Continue reading “Notable Facts About SIN” →

In Daniel 7 the prophet writes of a vision he received at night. The vision was of four great beasts. It was a dream that was vivid and it troubled and grieved Daniel. Think of a confusing and scary nightmare! The revelation of “One like the Son of Man” coming “with the clouds of heaven” to establish His own kingdom “which shall not pass away” (13-14) ended the vision. Attributes of this vision mirror closely the one that John experienced in Revelation 4 and 5 of the throne room of God. Continue reading “The Four Beasts” →

Peter’s admonition for his readers was to remember and consider what they already knew of their responsibilities toward God. This is an important part of preaching, reminding brethren of what they already know! Doing so helps to guard against regression (cf. Hebrews 5:12).

In this context, the specific problem potentially surrounded their confidence in Christ’s second coming. This second advent was promised to man at Jesus’ ascension following His resurrection. Two angels told His disciples “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
But time had passed and some were doubting that promise. Their claim was wrong, but it is one that carries weight in every generation. “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (4).

In the next section, Peter successfully argues against that doubt. Paul did as well, in 1 Corinthians 15. He wrote, “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (52).

It is time to take inventory – a new year has begun. There is nothing about the beginning of the new year that is anything special. New Year’s resolutions are entirely arbitrary. However, God does expect us to self-examine and adjust as needed to ensure that our standing with God is as it should be!

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:50).

This is key. We need to consider what is most important. Resolutions about our physical lives have merit and can lead to important lifestyle improvements. However, they do not compare to resolutions that are spiritual in nature. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Do you pray enough? Are your prayers the “effective, fervent prayer [-s] of a righteous man”? (cf. James 5:16). How about your fervency of faith? How about your Bible Study and reading? How about your worship and attendance habits? How about your love? Faithfulness? Faith? Virtue? Righteousness? Your relationship with your brethren? Your relationship with your family? Your relationship with the world? Are any changes needed?

The Bible makes a very clear contrast between wise behavior, and the characteristics of foolish action.  Don’t be a fool!

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Having established that “the Lord is gracious” (3), Peter additionally refers to Him as “a living stone.”  This refers to Jesus as a foundation stone promised by God, a Messianic prophecy (cf. Isaiah 28:16). Christ is the foundation upon which God’s redemptive promise is founded, though He was rejected by men.

The key here is to determine our responsibility to the One responsible for our reconciliation with the Father.  We have been told to  put off evil and desire His will (1-2), now Peter tells us to approach Jesus (the foundation stone) as living stones! We are called to action. It is our responsibility as Christians to live moral lives in service to God. The words Peter uses here “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” mirror the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2 calling us to be transformed in the lives we live.  No longer are we to live our lives for ourselves. We are to sacrificial, offering up ourselves in service to the Lord. God saved us through Jesus. Our response to Him should reflect that.