Inner Rebellion

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are…

Living the Dream

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24 NASB Tutor – My friend Jerry, a devoted Catholic priest, once told me that an addiction was the way we stayed alive while God was engineering our redemption. Anesthetizing the guilt and shame…

Rules of Engagement

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NASB Require – Has YHVH gotten your attention? Has His announcement riveted your interest? Do you really, truly want to know what…

Love and Obligation

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:3 NASB Love of God – Whom do you love? Visualize that person sitting in front of you. His or her presence makes your heart feel a bit lighter. You have a smile on your…

Fair Warning

For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB Another Jesus – Paul is afraid. He’s afraid that the Corinthians will be deceived…

A Rabbi Speaks

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASB End of the law – “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law…

Our Inheritance

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASB End of the law – In 1876, Charles Spurgeon, perhaps the world’s most famous preacher of that day, delivered a sermon titled, “Christ the End of the Law.” His message reflected the current theological view, a view that…

Redefining the Word

Every one who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.  1 John 3:4  NASB Lawlessness – The Greek word for “lawlessness” is anomos.  We have English derivatives from this Greek word like antinomian.  But it isn’t the Greek background of the word that matters most when we want to understand what John is…

The Consequences of Indecision

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law.  Psalm 119:113  NASB Double-minded – Who is the double-minded man?  You might think that it is the person who just can’t decide, the one who seems constantly torn between alternatives.  Years ago a friend of mine called this person (referring to me, by the…