Category Archives: Biblical Studies

How God Justifies Sinners

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Justification is a key doctrine in Christianity.  The basic problem is: (1) all human beings are sinners and (2) God is holy and must judge sin.  Justification has to do with how God justifies sinners (declares them to be righteous) so that they can be accepted by Him.  The following is one of many verses that address this doctrine.

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Continue reading →

Resistance or Grace?

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James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

This verse is a paraphrase of Proverbs 3:34:

Proverbs 3:34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Pride, often manifested in scorn, will cause God to resist (oppose) us.  Pride is what caused Satan to be cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15).  Pride is one of the seven deadly sins (Proverbs 6:16-19).  If we desire God’s grace on our lives, we must be humble.  In short, we must resist pride or God will resist us.   Continue reading →

Getting Direction for Your Life

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

These two verses are among the more familiar ones in the Bible.  As I was reading these verses recently, one word jumped out at me.  Used twice in this passage, the word “all” is of particular importance. Continue reading →

Do You Have a Heart for God?

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When the Lord brought the children of Israel to the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of their commitments to Him before they crossed over to inhabit the land.  The Israelites had agreed to keep the Lord’s commandments and reaffirmed that promise.

Deuteronomy 5:27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

The Lord, Who knew their hearts, expressed His desire that they would indeed have a heart for Him to do all that they had committed.

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

God knew that His way was best.  His desire was that the Israelites experience the best He had to offer (“that it might be well with them”).  The blessings they could experience would pass on to their posterity as well (“and with their children for ever”).  However, He knew that their heart was not in the right place.  As history shows, they would disobey Him and receive just recompense for their sin.

The same is true with us.  God created life and He knows how life is best lived.  Why do we not trust Him in this?  God loves us as a parent loves his child.  He wants the best for us, but like wayward children, we all to often refuse to give up our own selfish desires.  We need to have a heart for God and obey Him.  Then we can expect His blessing upon our lives.

Try the Spirits

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In our world, there is a broad spectrum of religious systems.  Without being unkind, it is safe to say that they all cannot be right since they often have beliefs that contradict each other.  How do we know which is right and which is wrong?  The Bible provides us guidance in this area. Continue reading →