In Hebrews 6:1 we read “Therefore leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection”. Perfection here means completeness or maturity; it is like moving from first to second grade, not repeating the first over and over again, but building on the foundation that has already been laid. 2 […]
Our next stop in Hebrews is at 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest…Jesus the Son of God, Let us hold fast our confession.” Confession of Him, to Him, and of what His (God’s) word says about us, not our feelings nor our emotions, which can be very great, but can also […]
Dust and spirit In Genesis 2:7 God created our body out “of the dust of the ground” and then breathed into it “the breath of life”, we could say the spirit of life; remember “God is Spirit” John 4:24, and we were created “in the image of God” Genesis 1:27. Then God gave us […]
God does not violate the human will, but the Scripture makes it very clear that from start to finish our salvation depends on Him! Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” The Living Bible paraphrases it like this, “For God is […]
Ephesians 2:1, 5 speak of the time God, “when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ”. The Bible here is not speaking of our physical life, although to be certain this life is attributable to Him since it is He who “gives to all life, breath, and all things” Acts 17:25. […]
Having believed in Christ to salvation the Bible says “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13. There are two primary purposes for a seal, first it is a mark of authenticity such as a brand or trade mark, identifying it to anyone who looks upon it; second, it is a secure […]
Ephesians 1:11 says “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance…” this is a beneficiary, often called an heir, although technically in America the conditions under which a beneficiary and an heir receive the inheritance may differ, the benefits are the same; in either case it is receiving assets from a predecessor. We are promised […]
Continuing to look at what we are in Christ we come to Ephesians 1:4, “…He (God) chose us in Him (Christ) before the foundation of the world…” What security, what satisfaction, what a relationship, to be a chosen part of the family, no longer an outsider just looking in; rather to enjoy the fellowship, provisions, […]
Isaiah prophesied over Israel of a time when they would be in captivity in a foreign, pagan land and they would feel dejected and forsaken. In 40:27 they seem to be in that place feeling that God no longer saw them and no longer answered their prayers. But in chapter 41:13 God gives this assurance […]
The Psalmist asks the question “Why are you cast down [or Why do you sink in depression] O my soul?” He then asks a second question, “And why are you disquieted [or Why do you moan with such tumult and commotion] within me?” He then continues by giving a solution to both questions with the […]