“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14, 16 Light is a universal symbol for what is beneficial to people. Jesus, the…
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Basically, the Apostle Paul is saying that we strain against our own sinful nature and against the world and the devil, even while we are at peace under God’s promises and grace. “Goal”…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Hebrews 12:1 The “cloud of witnesses” refers to the people of faith mentioned in Hebrews Chapter 11….
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 This verse is not a definition of “faith”, but more of a description of what faith does. “Confidence” is a Greek term that describes something substantive, meaning essence or reality. Faith treats things hoped for as…
“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” Psalm 119:60 The promise of this verse is the whole counsel of God’s Word and Law along with the certainty of His action. Here the Psalmist is undergoing mental anguish as he contemplates the fate of the ones who had forsaken God’s Law. For those…
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 Children must trust and receive the care of others, and only in that same way does the kingdom of God come to us. Jesus welcomes children and makes it…
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws.” Psalm 119:30 “I have chosen” indicates that the Psalmist chooses God’s way because God shows Himself to be trustworthy and gracious. “Faithfulness” means “to be steady, faithful, true,” from which our term “Amen” comes. This is an attribute of God…
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 The word “walk” is a common term that can describe one’s life or way of life. “Walk in the light” is…
“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:7 It is difficult to date this Psalm as no author is given. However, the Law’s central role in the author’s life and the opposition he faced fit well with the sixth or fifth century BC, so King David could…
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 “Not ashamed of the gospel” implies that the Gospel is foolishness to the world, which may ridicule or persecute Christians, but Paul (and…