Category: Reflections Articles

In 1 Corinthians 4:13, the apostle Paul referred to the constant criticism of the apostles, and their response.  “Being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.”

The Greek word translated entreat in the passage is parakaleo?.  It is define as a strong invitation or invocation, and is also translated beseech in various places in scripture.  Literally, “to call near”. It is a word of passion, that can rightly bring the image of begging.  Notice the use of the term in Romans 12:1-2:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Continue reading “The Passion of Gospel Preaching” →

Some religious people believe the Old Testament to still be in effect. If not for all men, then at least for the Jewish people. While we believe the Law to be from God, and an important part of our story of redemption, Paul made it very clear that its authority was only temporary. This truth is taught time and again in scripture, but a very interesting argument on the matter is made by Paul in Galatians 3:15-18:

“Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise” (Galatians 3:15-18).

Continue reading “A Mistaken View of the Old Testament” →

In Paul’s letter to Titus, he expressed the type of Christians that please God, categorized by age and gender.  Consider the following verses:

“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,  not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:1-10).

First, note the phrase “sound doctrine.” The word ‘sound’ means “to be well, to be healthy, figuratively, to be uncorrupt, true in doctrine.” These things are as they should be. They are God’s desires rather than the desires of men.  These are things we disregard at our own peril.  Consider further these thoughts: Continue reading “What Our Church Needs!” →

“Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. ²⁵ Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24-25),

The premise of Paul’s words here is very simple, you can’t hide either your obedience or disobedience from God! “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’”…  “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel” (Romans 2:5-6,16). Continue reading “Clearly Evident” →

The problem of pride is one with which we all struggle. It ultimately causes all sin. We want what we want, and we decide to do what we want rather than what God wants us to do. It is a struggle for all of us, and so the righteous strive to heed God’s admonition, “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” (Philippians 2:5-8). Continue reading “The Problem of Pride” →

I don’t think anyone would admit that he is God’s enemy.  We each want to consider ourselves “friend[s] of God”, like Abraham (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23).  Or one after God’s “own heart”, like David (1 Samuel 13:14). However, it can be safely said that most make themselves enemies of God because they embrace the world rather than righteousness.

“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). Continue reading “Are You an Enemy of God?” →

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” →