Category: Reflections Articles

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?” →

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” →

The triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem is so called because of the response of the people to Him.  This response is written by Mark in 11:9-10.

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”

The event is chronicled in all four gospels—Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12. The word Hosanna in the text above is a transliteration from the Hebrew into the  English translations, and is an expression of adoration with which the Jews were familiar.  The basic sentiment was an expression seeking to bring well being and victory to Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews.  A literal definition from the Hebrew would be something like — oh save! Continue reading “Hosanna!” →

The earliest manuscripts head the writing “the Hebrews”, which later was expanded to “The Epistle to the Hebrews.” It’s exact date of writing is not known, but there is strong internal and external evidence that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. AD 68 or AD 69 are dates commonly posited. We know from Clement of Rome in his writing that by the end of the first century he was in possession of the manuscript.

The exact audience is likewise unknown, but the title and content show that the audience was Jewish Christians. The book deals with a common problem early in the church, the Jewish struggle to know how exactly to place Jesus and His sacrifice in the context of God’s will for man. Continue reading “A Short Introduction to Hebrews” →

A fact of life we all face is our inevitable decline. The Bible says, “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). While some die due to unforeseen circumstances, most see it coming through age, or a failure of health.

It is not a surprise that God has accommodated this truth in His instructions to His children. His call for us to love one another is specially challenged when the object of that love becomes more vulnerable or needy. There are numerous examples found in scripture of such circumstances. And it often does not involve age, as other physical circumstances in life can impact our service to one another. Continue reading “(12 of 13) Physical Considerations in Our Relationship” →

Each of these articles in past weeks have emphasized our responsibility to help each other. At this point we recognize the importance of expressing love for our neighbor, and the emphasis that the Lord places on our good treatment of other brethren. The imperative of love is what divides the righteous from the unrighteous.  The Lord emphasized this truth, distinguishing between two groups as He talked of future judgment. His statement, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world” (Matthew 25:34), was directed at those who were benevolent and loving to others. A peculiar part of our culture is the pride (or perhaps other motivations) that cause some to refuse the help or friendship of others. This should never be the case with a Christian. Why would we ever put an obstacle in the way of another’s potential reward in Judgment?

Hopefully we will be quick to offer friendship, care, benevolence and hospitality to those we love. We should be quick to ask, “What can I do?” And to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Consider the very next verse of that context, where Paul admonishes the Romans, “Be of the same mind toward one another…” (16). If we are ready to help our brothers, but unwilling to ask for or receive the same from them, how can we be described as being of the same mind? Part of being gracious is our willing reception of the help offered by our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not let pride, or a desire “not to be burden” to impede their efforts to do what God expects of all of us. Continue reading “(13 of 13) My Individual Responsibility to Accept Your Friendship” →

1 Corinthians 4:1-4 relates an interesting sentiment by the great apostle Paul. “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.” There is too much in the passage to unpack it all in this short space. I want to emphasize one aspect of Paul’s declaration.

Paul was God’s servant, and he knew just how important it was for him to be faithful in his service to the Lord. How can we know whether we are faithful to the Lord? It requires diligence: seen in Bible study, self-reflection, and heeding the counsel of others. Of the three, Bible study is the standard we finally look to in determining our standing with God.  “…And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books” (Revelation 20:12). Continue reading ““He Who Judges Me”” →

Our discussion of the love we are to have for each other is continued with the consideration of hospitality. The Greek word for hospitable is philoxenos and consists of two parts: philo indicates love or affection; and xenos is the Greek word for stranger. A love for strangers. It was used in Bible times to indicate a fondness of guests, or to be given to hospitality.

This is a characteristic to which God gives great emphasis. It was an integral part of ancient culture, and its value is shown time and again in scripture. Both in teaching and example. “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). When we speak of hospitality, it is not limited only to strangers. In fact, it is an important part of our relationship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a part of the intimacy God wants us to develop. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9). Continue reading “(11 of 13) Hospitality!” →

“Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:9). Men have always understood and benefitted from the advice of others. That is, if it is good advice. You may remember Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, who inherited the reign of his father in Israel. When he ascended the throne, he was told by the “whole assembly of Israel” to “lighten the burdensome service of your father” with the promise if he did so, “we will serve you” (1 Kings 12:1-4).

Rehoboam asked his father’s advisors what to do. They told him to grant the people’s request, telling him if he did, “then they will be your servants forever” (7). Instead of following their sage advice, he instead listened to his peers, who lacked the wisdom the elders supplied.  The young men suggested he say, “And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!” (11). This was a direct cause of the northern tribes rejecting him in favor of Jeroboam. It led the chronicler of the Kings to write, “So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (19). Continue reading “(10 of 13) The Sweet Counsel of a Friend” →

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (4:1). He then goes on to describe aspects of that walk.  Consider:

It is a walk of lowliness: having a humble opinion of oneself, humility, modesty (Thayer).  “…But in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

It is a walk of gentleness: mildness, meekness (Thayer). “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:2). Continue reading “The Worthy Walk” →

The key to esteeming each other is humility. If I am proud, my attention and interest is in myself. Pride associates with selfishness. However, If I am humble, my attention and interest typically will be in others. I see their value equal to, even exceeding my own. My humility makes me selfless.  At least, that is God’s intention.

We are not talking here about self-hatred or despair. It is the realization that the value of another equals my own, and therefore my duty is to positively impact their lives. If you consider it, such actions reciprocated benefit all. I look out for multiple others, and all of them (having the same values) look out for me!

Consider the example Paul gave, writing about the care shown by a husband to his wife. “So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29). The husband’s love is to be selfless. He esteems and values his wife and makes her welfare and happiness his work.  This is an example of esteeming that should be common in the disciple’s life. Continue reading “(9 of 13) Esteeming Each Other” →

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian’s daily life. It has been said that the Bible is how God communicates to mankind, and prayer is how mankind communicates with God. It is through prayer that we praise God, we let God know of our needs, we intercede to Him on behalf of our fellow man, and we petition Him through the mediation of His Son. God expects, and requires such communication on our part. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

The book of Revelation has an interesting description of heaven with a mention of the prayers of the saints, in Revelation 5:8. The description is of God’s throne, with the Almighty at the center of all creation. Paul describes the moment the Lamb (God’s Son) takes a scroll depicting the Father’s will for man. “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Truly our prayers are taken to the very presence of God and our petitions to Him are heard. As we contemplate our imperative to love one another, it is difficult to think of any better way to practice that love than praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ to the Heavenly Father. Continue reading “(8 of 13) Praying for Each Other” →

The single most important characteristic that is to identify children of God is love for one another. This truth is revealed especially by the pen of the man known as the apostle of love — the apostle John. There are a number of reasons for the designation. First, it was a self-designation as John humbly referred to himself in the third person in his gospel, as a disciple “whom [He/Jesus] loved” (cf. John 19:26; 13:23; 20:2; 21:7). Too, love was a central theme of both John’s gospel and his letters.

“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).

“We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:19-21). Continue reading “(7 of 13) Loving Each Other” →

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1-4).

The Word references the Son of God. One of three in the beginning, with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John here affirms the place God’s Son had in creation. As He and the Father are One, God’s Son can truly and fully be referred to as the Creator of all things. He is described as “the light of men” (5).

After the first 5 verses, there is an ellipsis dealing the John the Baptist. John was the one who came to “bear witness of the Light” (6). Notice the word “Light” here is capitalized, emphasizing our point that the “light” is another designation for the “Word”, signifying God’s Son. Hence the capitalized word indicating deity. John the Baptist is not God’s Son. He is the forerunner of the “Light.” “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.’ ” (Matthew 3:1-3). Continue reading “The Incarnate Word” →