Tag: a sin
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Initial Statements About Slaves- Exodus 21:1-11
God instructs Israel concerning slavery and the appropriate times to free slaves. I always found it difficult to recognize that God gave instruction concerning slaves. Like we just saw in Chapter 20, the Law is not the standard for ethics. The Law is meant to bring longevity and prosperity for Israel. Thus, some laws were…
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Daily Devotional: Romans 8:1-9
Paul clarifies what he means when he states that the Law is fulfilled. Paul has a high view of the Law. He is a Jew. He already clarified that he did not mean the Law was abolished. Since all people have transgressed the Law, all people stood condemned. Now there is no condemnation for those…
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Concerning Virgins
Paul wrote to the local church, admonishing the local congregation toward unity. According to Paul, unity comes through maturity in the faith. Paul believes that, without admonition, there is no sanctification within the local body of believers—a growing into the likeness of Christ. In Chapter 7, we learn that maturity comes only in contentment. Contentment…
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Jesus Broke The Rules
Jesus is teaching about the kingdom of Heaven. He has opposed legalism. He has invited those who are burdened by legalistic religion or expectations and their inability to keep the Law into His rest. After Matthew mentions Christ’s rest, he records Jesus’s teachings about the Sabbath, or the official day of rest according to Mosaic…
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Ethics: Drinking and Gambling
As we continue in our ethics series, we will consider drinking and gambling together. We remember that the Gospel is not a ‘how-to’ process by which we can be saved. We know that salvation is entirely a work of Christ and, in response to the gift of salvation, we seek to be holy. Let us…
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God’s Purpose or Ours?
Over the past two weeks, we have seen a common theme come up. Evangelism is necessary for those who wish to live as God’s image. This idea speaks boldly about the state of many churches in the modern world. Conflict is prominent in too many congregations. Churches are split. People cannot get over their disagreements.…