Have mercy upon me, O God. Psalms 51:1-4 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against … Read more
Am I too bad to be saved? No. Paul answers our question: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 … Read more
Is feeling guilty a good thing? Our conscience is like a thermostat for how we are measuring up to a standard of right and wrong. If our conscience is determined by God’s word it can properly commend or rebuke us and our behavior. Note Romans 2:15: “…who show the work of the law written in … Read more
Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. All have sinned. Nobody is worthy of heaven. Notice, however, the need for real change to happen in the lives of those who would come to Christ for salvation by grace. Paul writes to the “saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi” (Philippians 1:1). These … Read more
We do not live without consequence. Science has taught us that “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” I am convinced that is true in our physical world. It reminds me of the equally certain spiritual truth of consequences. I am, and will be, held accountable for my actions in this … Read more
God made man upright… “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). From the beginning people have turned against God in disobedience. Eve at the fruit that God had forbidden and when she gave it to Adam, he ate it too. At the … Read more
Saved from Sin Means …What? What does it mean to be saved from sin? There are two very different parts to our salvation from sin. Romans chapter 6 covers both, with an emphasis on the second part. When one sins, he bears the guilt of that sin and, therefore, the consequences of that sin. “The … Read more
Another Peaceful Protest When Jesus began His ministry, he launched His own “peaceful protest.” It was called preaching the kingdom of God. He called for change. He called for love of one’s enemies. He called for forgiveness. He called for kindness toward strangers. He called for a uniting of all people in one body. … Read more
“Blessed are those who mourn.” How? “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The blessing is not in the pain, burden or grief. The blessing is in the comfort that mourners receive. There is much pain and grief in this life for which there is no relief. Time has a … Read more
