Category: Reflections Articles

We are often told the importance of counting the cost  before becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. While we want everyone to make the commitment, the idea that it is an important and substantial decision must not be forgotten.  Consider the words of Jesus Himself, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—  lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?  Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.  So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-33). Continue reading “A Simple Evaluation” →

“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth” (Isaiah 25:1).

“I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalms 18:1-3). Continue reading “Praise to God” →

There are many passages of scripture that tangentially teach principles of authority, even though the primary purpose of the text may concern something entirely different.

In Acts 19, we are told of the miracles that Paul did, powerful miracles that included healings and exorcisms. We are told that even pieces of clothing, aprons or handkerchiefs, that had touched Paul’s body, were brought to the sick and healed them (12). Such power was effective in proving Paul’s authority was from God, and caused many at Ephesus to believe in Jesus. We are told, “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed” (20). Continue reading “Seven Sons of Sceva” →

It is sad that a statement by Paul “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that race may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2), should need explanation and defense.  And yet, because of error and the current cultural climate, it certainly does.

Paul taught salvation by grace, which just about every religious person believes. He taught that sin precludes any individual being saved by perfect obedience, which just about every religious person accepts as a true statement. Here he taught that continuing to sin after being saved by grace was unacceptable. This truth, which is clearly stated, can’t be accepted by individuals who believe the Calvinistic precept of the Perseverance of the Saints, colloquially known as “Once saved always saved.” Continue reading “Continuing in Sin” →

Consider Romans 16:17-18:

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. ¹⁸ For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”

Paul here describes insidious actions by Christians.  They are insidious for two reasons. The first is that these actions are self-serving, and thus sinful. Those who engage in these behaviors have ulterior motives. They do not serve Jesus, but rather their own belly.  They are doing what they do because it serves their purpose. It is not to please Christ, to edify, to build up.  It is to accomplish their own desires, whatever those desires may be. Continue reading “Praise Or Flattery?” →

Ephesians 4:1-6 describes a basis for our unity as Christians.  Jesus prayed for His followers to be unified in John 17.  Paul relates that desire of our Lord by writing, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1,3).  He indicatesa the way that unity can be attained, by lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering and love (2).  But, the unity is not merely a “getting along”!  It is something that has a basis, a standard that all adhere to.  Unity would not be obtainable without this commonality.   Verses 4-6 describe that standard. Continue reading “The Platform of Unity” →

“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

Many articles have been written and sermons preached about the destructive nature of sin. It seems that the concept is accepted by other religions too. On Facebook the other day I came across a quote of Mahatma Ghandhi. Ghandi was Hindu, well known, a political activist and  successful leader in accomplishing India’s independence from British rule. The title of the meme attributed to him, is “7 blunders of the world that lead to violence.” Though the language of “sin” is not contained in the meme, the points mirror what is taught in the word of God. Consider the following: Continue reading “Sin Leading to Death” →

How do you feel about gospel preaching? Admonition? Chastisement? The Bible is replete with passages condemning sin, warning about sin, detailing what sin is, and discussing ad naseum the consequences of sin. Do you get tired of it? Do you wish the emphasis was different than it seems to be? Continue reading “Not Tedious, But Safe” →

The book of Haggai is a short work, a series of messages from the prophet to Zerubbabel (governor), Judah (high priest) and the remnant of Judah who had returned from Babylonian captivity. The people had returned to rebuild the temple, but years had passed with it unfinished. An introduction to the book indicated that Haggai’s message was a call for renewal, a renewal of courage, holiness, and faith. This seems to be a rather apt description of the message God gave to the prophet.

First, notice why the people had left the temple unfinished for several years. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’” (Haggai 1:4-5). The people had become distracted, shifting their priorities from the greater to the lesser. They were more concerned for their own comfort than for serving the Lord. Misplaced priorities are a big problem for just about every generation! In this the returned exiles were typical, “It is time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” The remedy is, as stated,  to “consider your ways!” Continue reading “Working on the House of the Lord” →

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, was appointed to be the first High Priest of the nation of Israel. This was an office established by God under the Old Covenant, the Law that God gave to Moses to govern the Jews. Aaron was the first of many men who served in this capacity before Jesus. He was a descendent of Levi, hence the priesthood is known as the Levitical or Aaronic priesthood. Put simply, these were mere men, themselves guilty of sin, who yearly had to offer the blood of bulls and goats for atonement, first for themselves, and then for the people of Israel, (cf. Leviticus 16:1-5).

In the letter to the Hebrews, the Holy Spirit makes clear the differences between Jesus as High Priest, and those who went on before. Consider the following: Continue reading “Comparing High Priests” →

I was asked to speak on a couple of passages in Luke 6 (in August), and while it is on my mind I would like to share with you some thoughts about the 21st and 25th verses. In the latter part of verse 21, our Lord says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” In the last part of verse 25 the thought is reversed, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.”

The initial thought I had is that these two principles are very clearly demonstrated in Luke 16. There, we have a contrast between the lives, deaths, and afterlives of a rich man, and a beggar named Lazarus. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores” (Luke 16:19-21). Continue reading “Weeping Now, or Laughing Now?” →

It is interesting to note what the scriptures say about where and when the Son of God has been.  For example, from the beginning.

(John 1:1-2), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”

Continue reading “God’s Son – Chronology and Location” →

The Christian life is a life of commitment. For example, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (1:4). When we become Christians, we have to change! “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

God does His part in our conversion. We are saved by His grace and love. Our faith brings access through Jesus Christ. But that access is only granted if we truly have purpose in our heart! It is seen in repentance, and obedience. God will not grant forgiveness, unless we repent (cf. Luke 13:5). That new life will not begin unless we submit to baptism (see Romans 6:4 above). Continue reading “Purpose in Your Heart” →

One of the best aspects of God’s word is the willingness of the Holy Spirit to reveal the faults of His people as well as their positive attributes. This helps us greatly, as we do not improperly elevate the efforts of men, knowing they are subject to frailties and sin as are we.

Because of this, the emphasis of salvation by grace has value for us as does the realization that the imperfection of all men preclude salvation by merit.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

These things are born out by the imperfections of Adam, Isaac, Jacob, Jacob’s children, Moses, Samson, Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, and a host of others throughout the Old Testament. They were all great men, to be honored and respected, but that is all they were — men. Subject to the same failures and mistakes that trouble us all. Continue reading “They Are Just Like Us!” →

This important lesson is illustrated in 1 Kings 18.  The prophet Elijah was in conflict with King Ahab. The conflict had led Elijah to proclaim a drought in the land which lasted for several years. “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). This was in response to Ahab’s sin.

During the drought (just before Elijah’s prayer brought it to an end, and before Ahab knew it was about to end), the Lord told Elijah to go and present himself to Ahab. Continue reading “It Takes All Kinds” →