Category: Reflections Articles

There is much we can learn from the life of Paul. His previous life, his apostleship and his writings contain much to encourage, teach and admonish us in our own lives.

While our examination of his epistles supply us with much of the doctrine that accords with Christ, there is likewise much to be taken from Luke’s account of his life and ministry. Here we wish to consider his final address to the Ephesian elders in Miletus before going on to Jerusalem. He had spent much time in Ephesus (cf. Acts 19), and no doubt had a close relationship with these men to whom he spoke in Acts 20:18-35. Continue reading “Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians Elders” →

What makes God happy?  This is an important question, and one that most people do not understand.  In fact, such misunderstanding has been used as an argument against either God’s existence, or at the least His goodness.  Such arguments are shallow, and do not accord  with what we understand and apply to other parts of our society.  Regardless, a proper discussion of the matter is important to establish some important truths. Continue reading “The Pleasure of God” →

The apostle Paul was always quick to acknowledge from where he came. He was a Pharisee, and one who sought to do violence to those who followed Jesus. He serves as a significant witness of the Christ, as one who formerly fought against Jesus, who became His Savior.

Paul knew that his position as one of the redeemed came despite the evil he did as a young man. One of the places where he made this clear is in his first letter to Timothy. In the first chapter, he wrote the following: Continue reading “Abundant Grace” →

The text of 2 Chronicles 1:11-17 gives the Biblical view of the glory of Solomon’s reign in Israel.  The son of David, and the last king to reign over a united Israel, was rich.  We are told “he made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as sone, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland” (15).  He was powerful.  He had 1,400 chariots, 12,000 horsemen.  His fame went forth over the world at that time.  The queen of Sheba visited him, enthralled by his reputation.  She said, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard” (2 Chronicles 9:5-6). Continue reading “Solomon and Modern Criticism” →

This past week I taught six elderly ladies the 5^th chapter of Proverbs. While the truths are important, and they appreciated the hour of study, the lessons are of greater importance to the young, so I share them with you here.  Also, with our society changing so clearly and quickly, the truths are important and applicable in other ways.

The book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom. A father is teaching his son its importance, so that he will avoid conflicts and errors in his life. He wrote in verse 1-2, “My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge” (Proverbs 5:1-2). This is the universal plea of fathers to their sons. Listen to what I say so that you don’t make mistakes. Those mistakes are often mistakes the father has already made. Continue reading “The Peril of Adultery” →

There is a section of Paul’s first letter to Thessalonica where he praises their faith and example to others.  It is found in the latter part of the first chapter, and is an interesting read.  “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Consider some truths found in the text. Continue reading “The Example of Those in Thessalonica” →

Paul always had a purpose in his writing. When writing to the churches in the province of Galatia, he sought to correct some errors they had been led to, by men who opposed Paul just about everywhere he went.

These men were Judaizers, desiring to bind the covenant of circumcision and adherence to the law upon the Gentiles. They opposed what Paul taught, and sought to both contradict him, and delegitimize him in the eyes of others.

So, Paul began by defending his apostleship. He was not a usurper, but had been chosen by Jesus Himself (cf. Acts 9). What he taught had been accepted by the church in Jerusalem, and sanctioned by God (cf. Acts 15:1-35).

Continue reading “Paul’s Letter to the Galatians” →

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been called the roll call of faith. It lists a great number of luminaries who obeyed God, motivated by their faith toward Him.

We are told in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Each of these individuals heard God’s word and believed it. This led to their actions and their acceptance by God. Continue reading “By Faith” →

“A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs 26:28).

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6).

Flattery, as seen by the texts above, is not a positive attribute. The idea is that flattering words are used to gain an advantage. They are not sincere. They can’t be trusted.  Flattery comes from a “lying tongue.” When one who is your “enemy” seeks to curry your favor or flatter, they do not have your best interests at heart. Continue reading “Paul’s Praise” →

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, ² who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. ³ For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. ⁵ And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, ⁶ but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:1-6).

The book of Hebrews seeks to contrast all that surrounds Christ and His covenant with what came before. In every comparison made, Christ, and all that surrounds His life, ministry, death, covenant and body is better. It is fuller, more powerful, more important, more effective, more sublime.

The reason for this comparison was that Jews who had accepted Jesus as their Christ and Lord were reluctant to move on from the Law of Moses. This was unfortunate, and something that put their standing with God in jeopardy. This the writer made clear: “For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹ for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bring in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19).

One of the obvious comparisons would be between Moses and Jesus.  Moses was the lawgiver.  He would be considered by the Jews as the most important messenger from God. He was given the responsibility of shepherding Israel out of Egyptian bondage, leading them through the wilderness for a generation, and ushering them to the borders of Canaan. In all ways Moses was “faithful in His house” (Hebrews 3:2). Whose house? Not his own.  Moses was a servant in the house of God.

The distinction is easy to see.  “He who built the house has more honor than the house” (3). There is a great deal of difference between the Master of the house, its owner — and the servant.  Jesus Christ is “a Son over His own house” (6) in contrast to the position of faithful servant attributed to Moses.

• Moses was a prophet, Jesus is the Son. “God, who at various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (1:1-2).
• Moses’ covenant was ushered in on the blood of animals, Jesus’ on His own blood. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (10:4). “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (13:12).
• No justification was to be found under Moses’ law, it comes through faith in Christ. “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. ²¹ But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe…” (Romans 3:20-22).
• The intent of Moses’ law was to precede “those things which would be spoken afterward” (3:5), but Christ’s law is that which was spoken last (1:2). “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. ²⁴ Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:23-25).
• The Law of Moses ushered in an inferior priesthood to Christ, who is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹² Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³ For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴ how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).

It is disheartening that even in our time religious people do not understand the significance of this contrast. There is a desire to make the appeal to the Law of Moses for authority and standing, not knowing that it abrogates our justification by faith in Christ Jesus. “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4). There is a difference between Moses and Jesus—The servant and the SON!

In John 17 we have recorded the prayer Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, just before He was accosted and arrested in the Garden of Eden.  Best estimates put His time of death between 12 and 15 hours later. As Jesus began His prayer to God, He said, “Father, the hour has come.” (17:1).

Consider that the events which culminated in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, securing the possibility of redemption to all sinners, had been in God’s mind since before the beginning of the universe.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3-7). Continue reading “The Hour Has Come” →

In the first century spiritual gifts were common.  Paul wrote at length to the Corinthians regarding the practice of these gifts. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

It was necessary that he make this point, that all might understand how to utilize the gift given specifically to them.  Some were given “the word of wisdom”, others “the word of knowledge”, or “faith”, or “gifts of healings”, “miracles”, “prophecy”, “discerning of spirits”, “different kinds of tongues”, and “interpretations of tongues” (12:7-10). Regardless of the actual gift, the intent was emphasized again in verse 11, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Continue reading “For the Profit of All” →

In the beginning of his letter to the Romans, Paul described a culture that had forgotten God.  They no longer glorified Him, had darkened hearts, and so were given up to uncleanness by the Creator.

This purposeful rebellion and its descent into ignorance led men to engage in despicable behavior. Paul especially noted the depraved nature of their sexual appetites. They dishonored their “bodies among themselves” (1:24) through homosexual acts. Paul described it as “vile passions” (1:26).  “For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (1:26-27).

Continue reading “The Depraved Mind” →

Doctrine is not important to many religious people today. A common belief distinguishes between the gospel of Christ and Christian doctrine.  One is necessary to hold to and be in agreement about, the other is not. Others emphasize the “Man” rather than the “Plan,” and call those who advocate for unity in doctrine to be “legalists.” They emphasize a relationship and deemphasize the necessity of adhering to scriptural precepts.  In their words, they serve “the Living Word [Christ}, and not a bunch of dead words on paper.”

The apostle Paul felt differently.  In his words to Timothy, he denounced some in his time that were causing disputes, straying from the “purpose of the commandment.” He noted the “ungodly and sinners” the “unholy and profane” who were guilty of various listed sins like murder, fornication, homosexuality and lying.  He ended the list with “any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust” (1 Timothy 1:3-11). Continue reading “Sound Doctrine” →

Early in Jesus’ Galilean ministry, he went up on a mountain where he taught His disciples. The first section of the discourse, which covers chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew, is referred to as the Beatitudes.

The word “beatitude” is defined as “supreme blessedness.” It is an appropriate description of the blessings that Jesus pronounced upon the righteous in these first 11 verses of Matthew 5. I appreciate the words of McGarvey about these righteous characteristics listed in the text: Continue reading “The Beatitudes of Christ” →