Category: Faith

A discussion of Lydia’s conversion to Christ, and her acts of hospitality, recorded in Acts 16:11-15.

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A Discussion of Hebrews 11 & 12 as we look to these Old Testament characters whose faith teaches us important lessons!

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In his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul spoke of the failure of Israel to repent at the appearance of the Christ. Even so, under that New Covenant, God promised salvation to a remnant. Paul wrote, “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).

Later in the chapter, Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles. The salvation of the Gentiles was a primary concern of Paul. It was a component of his mission, given by the Lord at his conversion. The preacher Ananias was sent to Paul by the Lord, who told Ananias, “Go, for her is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Continue reading “The Grafted Branches” →

Hebrews 3:7-19 has some very important thoughts regarding Our call to be faithful to God.  The reason for our call, the consequence of unfaithfulness, and instructions on how to be faithful to Him.

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God made a covenant with Abraham, noted first in Genesis 12. This covenant included the promise of a great nation, and a land in which they would dwell. This land — Canaan — was given as an inheritance to the Israelite nation. Under that Old Covenant, the Jews were Abraham’s seed and heirs. “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass” (Joshua 21:43-45).  In fact, the very word is used to describe this gift. “These are the areas which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan” (14:1).

Things have changed with Christ. No longer is the physical Jew the heir of God’s promises. As Paul explained in his epistle to the Romans, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Continue reading “The Value of Heirship” →

A discussion of what God requires of man as a part of His covenant with man to be their God.  In other words, man’s obligations in God’s scheme of Redemption.

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The foolishness of the Galatians can be seen in their willingness to turn away from the fundamental principle of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Because of false teachers, the Galatians had turned away from the truth Paul had proclaimed to them, and had begun to depend upon their standing upon the law of Moses to justify themselves before God.

Paul argues against this throughout his epistle to the Galatians, but here he is simply stating his incredulity regarding such a backward move. He states, “Are you so foolish?” (3). Paul had taught them their standing with God was dependent upon their faith in Christ. They had started off so well. But their conversion, (which causes conflict and suffering with an ungodly world), seemed to be in vain because they were now rejecting what they once accepted.

The law of Moses can’t and never could bring the perfection that comes in Christ. This can only come through faith in Him.

Peter affirms here that God’s plan for redeeming man was formulated before the creation. This was not an effort to mitigate any mistake, God knew that free will would bring about disobedience. As such, a means of reconciliation between Him and man was necessary. The same sentiment is expressed in Ephesians 1:3-14.

This scheme of redeeming man came to a climax in the first century, the latter days, when Jesus was manifest to man.  He came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, taught His will, died on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended back into heaven.  This was done, as Peter wrote, “to you who through Him believe in God.”

Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the point of death (cf. Philippians 2:8), was given glory by His Father, as He raised Jesus to sit at His right hand on heaven’s throne.  In this it can truly be said that in Jesus, (and in Him alone, cf. John 14:6), reside our faith and hope for an eternity as the redeemed in heaven!

In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren.  Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).

In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).

This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ.  He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!

This what the apostle Paul claims, when he wrote to the Romans about the failures of the Jews, “Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.  As it is written: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 9:32-33).

Paul here referred to Psalm 118:22-24, a clear reference to the Messiah of Israel, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalms 118:22-24).

And so we see Paul’s point.  The Jews, did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God.  This was predicted by the psalmist, so it was no surprise.  Yes, Jesus is the Savior, He is the King, He is a wonderful Teacher, He was God on the earth, He is our eternal Intercessor.

This is the means of salvation the Jew AND ALSO for the Gentile. Faith in Christ is what makes Jesus positive to you, rather than you being one who stumbles “at that stumbling stone.” Paul stated the “fragrance of Christ” was an aroma of death to those who reject, but a precious “aroma to life” for those who are being saved, (2 Cor. 2:15-16a). What is He to you?

A discussion of Romans 5:1-11, discussing salvation, obtained by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, bringing us a firm hope of eternity with God.

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Stan talks about the need for faith to grow, and shows via 2 Peter 1:5-8, the eternal consequences of a strong faith. Then actions and resources are examined to show how faith can be strengthened.

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In the last chapter of Colossians, after giving some specific instruction regarding familial responsibilities, the great apostle ended his admonitions to his readers with some general instruction in living the Christian life.  Note the following, in Colossians 4:2-6:

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

These verses serve as an inspired explanation of James’ contention, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).  These admonitions of Paul in Colossians 4 begin to flesh out that of which a life of faith should consist. Continue reading “The Practice of Your Faith” →

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” →

The Bible indeed teaches that we must receive the gift of God’s grace to be saved. How do we receive it? Scripture reveals that it IS NOT by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer.”

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