August 6, 2025

Steps to Achieving Righteousness

Walking Up Stairs

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

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April 14, 2025

Big Words in the Bible (Part 4): Justification

Big Words in the Bible

We have already discussed how we are reconciled to God and set apart as His special people (sanctified). This means we can be in a right standing before God. Yet it is important to understand how this comes about. Paul used the example of Abraham to explain this.

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…” (Romans 4:1-5).

The Greek word for justification (dikaiosis), which is used in verses that follow our text (Romans 4:25; 5:18), refers to God declaring man to be free from guilt and right before Him. The word in our text (dikaioo) means that one is declared to be acceptable to God. The words translated righteous (dikaios) and righteousness (dikaiosyne) are related to this. God can declare us to be right before Him because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Without His sacrifice, we could not be right (justified) before God.Continue Reading

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November 1, 2023

Sowing and Reaping

Sowing

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

God created this world, which operates according to the rules He has established. This was part of the foundation of His promise to Noah after the flood: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). Each of these represented a natural cycle that God established in His creation. Yet one of these cycles – “seedtime and harvest” – referred to more than just a period of time. Harvest indeed follows seedtime or sowing. Yet the outcome of the harvest would depend – at least in part – on what was planted, when it was done, and how it was conducted.

This idea is universally familiar to us. Even if we do not engage in the work of farming, we understand this principle. So this illustration of sowing and reaping is used throughout the Bible to discuss more than just agriculture. We will notice a few passages that teach us about sowing and reaping to see what we are to do, what we are to avoid, and what the consequences are of our choices.Continue Reading

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December 28, 2022

Hope for the Future

Lighthouse against the night sky

Throughout the book of Proverbs, a contrast is made between wisdom and foolishness. Since the wisdom described in the book comes from above, those who follow after this and live according to its precepts will be righteous. Conversely, those who reject the way of wisdom will inevitably find themselves engaged in wickedness.

Despite their rejection of godly wisdom, the wicked often prosper in life. They may appear to be better off than the righteous. Not only that but the apparent prosperity and success of the wicked often seem to come at the expense of the righteous.

This sense of injustice is nothing new. We often see those who reject the wisdom from above seem to escape the negative consequences of their sin, laziness, wastefulness, ignorance, and more. The same was true when the wise man wrote the Proverbs. Yet notice what he wrote:

“My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place; for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; or the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn His anger away from him. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked; for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 24:13-20).

In the passage above, Solomon explained that the righteous who follow after wisdom have hope for the future. Therefore, rather than getting discouraged about their current situation (or that of the wicked), there were certain things they were told to do and not do. Let us consider his points and see what we can learn from them.Continue Reading

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May 7, 2019

Righteousness Exalts a Nation (Season 13, Episode 1)

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Righteousness Exalts a Nation (Season 13, Episode 1)

In this season, we’re discussing social issues – problems that are facing our society and what the Bible has to say about these issues.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). As we discuss issues that face our society, we must seek to determine what is righteous. The standard of righteousness is found in the word of God (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, we need to consider the Scriptures as we try to navigate the wicked and difficult world in which we live.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • Plain Bible Teaching Quarterly Review – Free PDF for Plain Bible Teaching subscribers. Sign up here!

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October 3, 2018

Confident of Salvation

Man at Sunrise

The Scriptures teach that the Lord will return to judge the world (Matthew 25:31-32; Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10). We will be judged based upon His word (John 12:48) and He will determine our eternal fate. We will either be welcomed into “eternal life” or sentenced to “eternal punishment” (Matthew 25:46).

Knowing this, is it possible for us to have confidence in our eternal salvation? Must we live our lives without knowing whether our final home will be in heaven or in hell? Notice what the apostle John wrote:

“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:28-29).

John described a confidence that we can have as we anticipate the Lord’s return. He did not describe the Christian as one who is wishing for salvation but not knowing whether he will be saved. Yet how are we able to have such confidence, especially when we can recognize how much we have yet to grow in our walk with the Lord? Let us consider a few points that will help us answer this question.Continue Reading

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August 13, 2018

The Way (Part 2): Learning About The Way

The Way: What it Means to Be a Disciple of Jesus

“But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case’” (Acts 24:22).

When Paul stood before rulers on trial, some knew nothing of the background of his teaching or the church. However, Felix had “a more exact knowledge of the Way.” Because of this knowledge, he was in a better position than others to believe Paul’s message and accept the gospel as the truth. As far as we know, Felix never did obey the gospel (cf. Acts 24:24-27); but he did start in a better position than many others did when they first heard the gospel.

In order for “the Way” to be of any benefit to us, we must know of it. What people had to know in the first century about “the Way” is the same as what we need to know about it. As we noticed in the previous lesson, Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6). Furthermore, He does not change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, “the Way” has not changed.

“The Way” described to us in the New Testament is still “the Way” we are to go. We need to develop “a more exact knowledge about the Way” (Acts 24:22). So let us notice what the Scriptures teach us about “the Way.”Continue Reading

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