Category: Reflections Articles

When we talk about the home as God would have it  be, there are numerous admonitions given: to the husband/father, to the wife/mother, and to the children. Let’s look at a few passages, and make a few observations about each. Continue reading “The Home as God Would Have It” →

It is commonly known that the 119th Psalm is a discourse on the greatness of God’s will, at that time encompassed by the Law of Moses. It is 176 verses long, and verse after verse reveals how wonderful God’s ways, statutes, commands, instructions, testimonies, precepts, etc., truly are. They are the directions of life that bring God’s blessings.  As such they are to be meditated upon and obeyed in order to please Him. Continue reading “My Soul Melts” →

There is a text in Galatians 6 that begins in verse two by saying, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  Later in the same context, verse five, he said, “For each one shall bear his own load.”

Now it is obvious to anyone who accepts the inspiration of scripture that there must be a difference between a burden and a load. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself, and if the two are the same, the thought produced is nonsensical. There are two aspects of the writing that serve to give us the true sense of Paul’s teaching. The first is an understanding of the definitions of the two words. The second and most important is the context, both immediate and remote.  Let’s consider. Continue reading “Burdens and Loads” →

The question, “what is sound?” is an interesting one.  It may have to do with doctrine, congregations, minds, individuals, etc.  Some may object to the adjective, but it is a biblical concept.  In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul exhorted his younger friend to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”  The reason for such an admonition? “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Continue reading “Soundness” →

Church attendance, Bible study, prayer, gospel meetings, concern for brethren, sacrificial giving, volunteer duties, self-sacrifice, benevolence, hospitality, etc., etc., etc. It is a substantial commitment to become a Christian.

Of course, anything of importance and value takes commitment. A sports fan will spend hours and money following his team. Travels to away games, purchasing clothes and trinkets to “represent” their favorites. The cost of season tickets.  Hours spent at the stadium.  The tedium of traffic congestion, etc., etc., etc.  And yet, it is not considered burdensome, rather these are sacrifices born out of devotion and interest. Continue reading ““Oh what a weariness”” →

Philippians 2:5-11 contains the ultimate example of God’s reward offered to the humble, in the person of His own Son. It is a strong example of a paradox. What seems to be counter to reason is shown to be God’s way in the text, both for Jesus, and for us as well. 

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Note the instruction, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (5).  God has always blessed the humble, while men have a tendency to reward pride and arrogance. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3,5). Also, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, cf. Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Continue reading “Exaltation through Humiliation” →

The prophet Samuel served as the last accepted judge of Israel, as recorded in 1 Samuel. In chapter 8 of the text we are told that when he became old he appointed his sons as judges, but their behavior was unacceptable to the people who asked for a king. “Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5).

We find an interesting statement by the Lord in 1 Samuel 8:7, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” God had established the system of appointing judges, and by insisting for a king, the people basically had rejected God’s design. That in and of itself serves as an important lesson for us. Put simply the churches of today constitute changes to God’s design under the New Covenant. Denominationalism, the Social Gospel, instrumental music, women preachers, etc., all can be explained in this same way. “They have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” Continue reading “The Rise and Fall of Saul” →

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” →