Proverbs 31 is known for its description of the virtuous woman, also known as the excellent wife.* Job 31 provides a similar type of description for the man. It outlines what a man of integrity looks like.
Integrity is an uprightness of character that is displayed in every area of life. It is complete and consistent, not selective and sporadic. It is vital that men have integrity. By examining this chapter, we can see how to become men of integrity.Continue Reading
In the book of Ecclesiastes, the wise man spoke about the futility of life “under the sun.” One of the reasons why he saw his earthly existence as futile was that he would leave the fruit of his labor to someone else. In the passage below, he described the real possibility that his earthly possessions would be left to someone who would squander them or act foolishly with them.
“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.
“Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.
“Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.
“For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23).
What’s the point? In essence, this was what the wise man was asking. He viewed with despair the prospect of the material things he worked hard to obtain and maintain going to someone who would not appreciate or use them properly.
When we reach the age at which our time on earth is growing shorter, we will likely start having similar thoughts as the wise man. We may ask, What should happen with our wealth or possessions when we die? Are there principles and instructions in God’s word that will help us with this? Yes! We will consider some points in this article.Continue Reading
The book of James is filled with practical instructions for our lives as Christians. In the following passage, James discussed, in practical terms, how to be righteous.
“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:19-22).
Our aim is to “achieve the righteousness of God.” How do we do that? James outlined four steps we can take to reach this goal.Continue Reading
Plain Bible Teaching launched on August 1, 2005, so we have just completed twenty years and are now beginning year number twenty-one!
I am very thankful that I have been able to do this for so long. I enjoy the work that goes into writing articles and creating other content, which is published here and on other platforms. However, looking at website analytics and social media statistics, as well as reading emails and messages sent to me, I know that this work is benefiting people throughout the country and around the world. I am grateful for that and recognize that all of this is only possible because of the blessings of God, so He is the one worthy of praise for whatever good might be done here.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank each one of you for reading, listening, watching, following, and sharing this material. I am also appreciative of all of the emails, messages, and face-to-face comments offering words of encouragement to me in this work. Whether you have been following Plain Bible Teaching since the beginning, have recently discovered it, or are somewhere in between, I’m glad you are here.Continue Reading
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).
In the verses above, Paul encouraged the brethren in Colossae to remain faithful to Christ, while also warning them of the danger of being taken captive. In essence, there were two paths before them – the way of Christ and the way of the world.
It is just as true today as it was then that the world uses various tactics to make its way seem appealing (philosophy, deception, traditions of men, and the elementary principles of the world). In the verses that follow, Paul explained why Christ is better than the world, so that they would remain faithful to Him.
Let us consider the five reasons Paul gave to explain why Christ is better than the world.Continue Reading
In the nineteenth century, it was common for preachers to travel far and wide to proclaim the gospel, often being gone from home for extended periods of time. This made for a difficult life for the wives of these men, as they were left with the sole responsibility to take care of the household while their husbands were away preaching, sometimes for months at a time.
There were also instances in which these preachers lost their wives while they still had children at home. However, that did not necessarily stop them from continuing their work. But instead of leaving the children with their mother while he was away, he would leave them with others to care for them.
Two men who found themselves in this situation were Barton W. Stone (1772-1844) and Reuben Dooly (1773-1822). In 1810, when they were both widowers, they traveled together through Ohio preaching the gospel. The following year, during a similar trek to Tennessee, Stone spoke of the difficulty in raising their children while they were away traveling. This had an impact on Dooly and led him to make a change.
“In the year 1811, Brothers Dooly and Stone traveled to Tennessee in company. On their way the circumstances of their families came up in conversation. Brother Stone remarked that they were commanded to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and under existing circumstances, it was difficult to do it for their children were measurably under the tuition of others; and further observed that it was his opinion that if they could obtain suitable companions that it would be their duty to marry and situate themselves so that they could pay some particular attention to their children. This led Brother Dooly to reflect on the situation of his children: they were scattered and moved from place to place.
“Finally he addressed a letter to Miss Rachael Martin, daughter of Samuel and Mary Martin, all members of the Cane-Ridge church, and made a proposition of marriage: he succeeded, and they were married in September, 1811. In her he obtained a pleasant, agreeable, and intelligent companion, and a kind, affectionate, and attentive mother to his children. He now settled on a new farm in Preble County, Ohio. He was not able to hire his work done; and consequently had to labor with his own hands to support his family. He was one among the most industrious men, and when at home worked excessively hard, and as soon as he could spare the time from his family, he would be out in the gospel-field proclaiming salvation to a dying world.” (The Biography of Elder David Purviance, pp. 211-212)
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:3-5).
In the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples. Much of the time was spent teaching to prepare them for what was to come and how they were to carry out the work He called them to do (John 13-16). However, He also did something that likely seemed surprising, given the circumstances – He washed their feet. This was an act of humility that was designed to teach them a lesson:
“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you’” (John 13:12-15).
When Jesus told them to “do as [He] did” and “wash one another’s feet,” did He mean that this was a practice to be passed on to every future generation in the church? Are we to “wash one another’s feet” today?Continue Reading
What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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