“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 The believer who is constantly “praying” will be “joyful” in hope and “patient” (or enduring) in affliction. Here is what that life of looks like in specific detail. It is a life that follows Christ’s example. Of course, we all fail to live…
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 “Confidence in approaching God” produces assurance in prayer and an active concern…
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God” is simply saying that only people who are saved by their faith and trust in Christ…
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 “Speaking the truth in love” shows a concern for truth from the Bible and love for one another. It suggests that what all believers say or do…
“I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Job 19:25 Redeemer here is comparable to “arbiter” or “witness”. The Redeemer is God. Job appeals to God against God. In light of the fuller biblical revelation, we know that Christ, the God-man, fulfills the description of the…
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in…
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 This is the whole reason that God’s Son became Incarnate (born as a man) and was walking to Jerusalem. Followers of Jesus dare never to begrudge the mercy others have received from Him. The Gospel saves all sinners who repent…
“Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 “Come to God through Him” means through faith and trust in Christ, we have access to all the Father’s gifts and promises. The Greek verb for “come” is in the present…
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:27-28 The description “Christ in…
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19 “Redeemed” … Christ bought our freedom from…