“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert” means to be alert…
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.: Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace” indicates God’s generous mercy toward the undeserving. Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source…
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 “Brothers” is a term not exclusive to men; it includes all siblings. An affectionate greeting (used 10 times in Romans) showing Paul’s…
“For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the Word that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 The term “flesh” simply means our unredeemed existence. Bodily life…
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 “The word of God” remains forever and always accomplishes the work that it is sent to do. The person…
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul emphasizes the preeminence of all Scripture. Given by inspiration is literally “God-breathed.” In this verse, Paul teaches that God was actively involved…
“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 Here “foolish talk” (from earlier in verse 4) is replaced by wholesome words of…
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 “Fear of the Lord” is the central theme of the Book of Proverbs. The only appropriate way to approach the Lord is with fear, that is, reverence. The “fear of the Lord” is reverence for…
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 The term “burdens” specifically means “loads” that temptations and sin bring upon fellow Christians, but in principle could include all burdens. However, the Greek word for “burdens” refers to something beyond the normal capacity to carry, as opposed…
“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word.” Proverbs 15:23 Words are powerful since they can either build up or destroy. Solomon devoted many of his proverbs to the consequences of speech. Just as foolish words can bring about a person’s own destruction, a wise word…