Paul often contrasted the righteousness that faith could obtain with righteousness based on the law. Righteousness obtained by faith has been made available by Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. This is why the Bible affirms that we are justified by faith, as well as by the blood of Christ. Romans 5:1 (ESV) […]
“Please yourself” seems to be the mantra echoing through society today. While helping others is praised, prioritizing ourselves is the practical choice, or at least that’s what the world suggests. The shelves of bookstores are filled with books on self (self-love, self-care, self-improvement, self-development, self-made, etc.). Predictably, this emphasis on self leads to selfishness, culminating […]
This parable condemns those who are self-righteous and who treat others with contempt. Self-righteousness was a common trait among the Pharisees, and it continues to plague people today. When a person is self-righteous, he thinks he is not only better than he really is, but also better than the people around him. In this parable, […]
Hezekiah was a godly man, doing what was right in the eyes of God (2 Kings 18:3). But what specifically did he do? Believing that there is only one true and living God, he removed the places of idolatry from the land. 2 Kings 18:4 (ESV) 4 He removed the high places and broke the […]
I have always promoted the position that we can be sure of our salvation. We should have 100% confidence in the fact that if we, as Christians, died today, our ultimate end would be a home in heaven. This is what hope fundamentally is—desire and confident expectation. Having said that, we need to consider the […]
That obedience is essential to the salvation of the soul is a foregone conclusion in scripture. Anyone with a sliver of Bible knowledge knows that one cannot go to heaven without living in obedience to God. Hebrews 5:8-9 (ESV) 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being […]
What a joy it is to know that if we die today, heaven would be our final destination. How can we be so sure about that? By believing Paul. It is just that simple. Paul said we are now in a state of no condemnation. Remember, the word “condemnation” means a damnable sentence. In Christ, […]
If you are a Christian, how does God see you? This question is important because it is imperative that we see ourselves the same way God does. Do you know the answer? You should because Paul tells us. Romans 8:3-4 (ESV) 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not […]
Romans 8:3 (ESV) 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, I like the way this verse begins. Every blessing that we enjoy due to the relationship we […]
Romans 8:2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Paul begins the verse with the conjunction “gar,” which introduces a reason or explanation for something. Why are we as Christians in a state of “no condemnation?” It is because […]