“For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified.” 1 Corinthians "4":4 \"Who can discern his errors?” asks the psalmist. The answer is no one. By ourselves, we cannot accurately know our faults. If, as Jeremiah said so forcefully, our hearts are deceitful above all things, then how can our attempts at […]
“Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable . . . that the man of God may be complete.” 2 Timothy "3":16-17 From beginning to end, the Bible maintains an organic unity. It is no disorderly compilation of human minds, but is bound together by the working of the Spirit of God so that what
“And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew "26":75 In affirming that he would never be offended in Christ, Peter was contradicting his Lord; yet his doing so was no mere bravado. He was confident that he spoke the truth. It was because Peter so firmly believed in himself that Jesus reinforced his general statement
“Adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue.” 2 Peter "1":5 Peter is telling us here that a continual “adding” should characterize every Christian. We should cultivate a disposition which never ceases to explore fresh territory in the realm of divine things. Although Peter is an old man when he writes this,
“Did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith?” James "2":5 The goal and reward of temporal poverty is eternal enrichment. God never intended that tribulation and poverty should have no fruit. His purpose is that all pressure should lead to enlargement and that all poverty should
“I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich.” Revelation "3":18 If we desire to continue on the course of Philadelphia and not slip back into that of Laodicea, then we must learn to be humble before God. Sometimes I have heard brothers say, “The blessing of God
“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it.” Ephesians "5":25 The theme of this verse is not so much the coming of Christ to die for sinners as the giving of Himself to them in love. John tells us how at the cross, the soldiers came to examine Jesus. They found to
“A new spirit will I put within you … And I will put my Spirit within you.” Ezekiel "36":26-27 Note here how after the promise of “a new spirit,” there immediately follows the allusion to “my Spirit.” The first statement signifies the renewal of the dead spirit by an incoming of life in one who
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans "14":17 The Bible allows us great latitude in external things such as food. Why is it that you may eat or not eat as you like? Because from God’s viewpoint this is only a
“The fear of man bringeth a snare.” Proverbs "29":25 Once there were two men who worked in the same firm. One of them found Christ as his Savior; but it happened that both men were extremely timid. The one who was saved dared not tell the other that this had happened, while the other could
