This isn’t a state for elite Christians but should be the experience of us all. So let us make a habit of thanking God for it.
Read More
Whatever, we know God has planned work for every one of his children to do (Eph 2:10), and therefore we have failed our Lord if we don’t listen.
Read More
As Christians we must display similar effort (perseverance) so serious and severe that Paul calls it suffering, if we are to behave consistently (i.e. display the right character) and always be obedient, as God requires of us.
Read More
So here Paul is telling us that in due course we will see the glory of God.
Read More
Let us never forget how important our example is to our children, and to others. No singing about that.
Read More
Paul begins his defence of his position by admitting that we earn some of the good things we receive: our wages, for example.
Read More
Does it matter? Surely, if we have been justified through faith we ought have peace with God. But do we, always?
Read More
Are we any better? No. Paul graciously aligns himself with everyone else; after all, we are all sinners, saved by grace.
Read More
Hypocrisy is bad because it deceives the hypocrite, damages unbelievers and dishonours God. It deceives the hypocrite because he knows the truth but doesn’t obey it.
Read More
Our business is to obey Jesus’ command to spread the gospel, because as v 16 says, a day of judgment is coming for all of us.
Read More
Godlessness and wickedness are the terrible twins; for as long as Godlessness is vaunted wickedness will be flaunted, as we see around us very day.
Read More
In the OT we find righteousness, salvation and justice close together, with many examples in Psalms, in Isaiah, and elsewhere.
Read More
He prayed for the Roman church, as he did for Christians everywhere. How did a busy man actually do that?
Read More
It’s hard to define grace; graceful is easier to understand. Think of Thai dancers, and the beauty of their movement. All our conduct must demonstrate a similar kind of beauty in a spiritual sense.
Read More
If we judge a book by the influence it has had on Christian history, Paul’s letter to the Romans stands out as the most important. About 350 AD it transformed the man some know as Saint Augustine. He was a priest, a university lecturer and a notorious womaniser until God spoke to him through Ro 13:13-14.
Read More
A critical verse, verse 15 says: “But what about you”, he asked. “Who do you say that I am?” Then verse 16 says: Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Read More
The seven loaves and seven baskets left over may be a sign about the “completeness” of Jesus' ministry or a reference to the historic seven surrounding Gentile nations.
Jesus taught that our hearts are naturally drawn to evil and spiritual uncleanliness. He made clear that it is not how well we observe outward codes that draws us closer to God.
The disciples had just seen Jesus miraculously feed thousands of people, something only God had done in Moses' time. They had then seen Jesus walking on water. Again this was something the Jews believed only God could do (Job 38:16, Habakkuk 3:15).
We noted that Jesus had just suffered rejection in his home town of Nazareth (13:53-58) and now mourns the death of his rejected great messenger John the Baptist. Yet he continues his vital work for the care of souls.