December 3, 2012

“Stop Sinning” (12/3)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 15-16.

Many in the religious world believe that sin, though not necessarily desirable, is acceptable. They may not use the term acceptable, but when they affirm that God accepts one in sin before meeting His terms of forgiveness, or that Christians should accept one in sin without regard to what God’s word teaches about the bounds of fellowship, their point is essentially the same. To them, sin is acceptable, tolerable, or of no consequence. Yet this is not what the Scriptures teach.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

Paul warned the saints in Corinth not to allow evil influences to corrupt their “good morals.” These evil influences would entice them to sin, trying to persuade them that there were no consequences for sinful behavior. Paul did not say that such corrupting of good morals was tolerable because God’s grace will unconditionally cover all sins. This is the deception that threatened the Corinthians and that threatens people of faith today.
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November 30, 2012

“You Have Become Arrogant and Have Not Mourned Instead” (11/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from 1 Corinthians 5-8.

The popularity of the “grace-unity” movement has led many to tolerate sin within their congregations. This was happening in Corinth when Paul wrote to them. He rebuked them for it.

“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).

The Corinthians were being more tolerant than God allows within the bounds of fellowship. They accepted one with whom they had been told not to associate (1 Corinthians 5:11). Yet Paul did not just rebuke them for being too tolerant. He rebuked them for arrogance.
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November 26, 2012

“His Spirit Was Being Provoked Within Him” (11/26)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 17:1-18:18.

When Paul came to Athens, he preached the gospel just as he did wherever he went. But it is noteworthy to consider what provoked him to preach there.

“Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present” (Acts 17:16-17).

Paul’s “spirit was being provoked within him” by the idolatry that existed in the city. It bothered him to see the people devoting themselves to so many false gods instead of worshipping the one, true, living God.
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November 22, 2012

“He Who Turns a Sinner from the Error of His Way” (11/22)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from James 1-5.

“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

James closed his letter with a reminder of the concern that fellow Christians were to have for one another. In these verses we learn a few lessons about sin.
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November 16, 2012

“You Acted in Ignorance” (11/16)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Acts 1-3.

After healing a lame man at the gate of the temple, Peter had the opportunity to preach the second gospel sermon recorded in the book of Acts. As he did with the first, he condemned his audience for their part in the death of Christ (Acts 3:14-15). However, he acknowledged that they acted in ignorance.

“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:17-19).

Jesus’ mission was part of God’s “predetermined plan” (Acts 2:23). The Old Law, which the Jews had access to, told them about the coming Christ (John 5:46; Galatians 3:24). Yet they missed the point of these prophecies. Therefore, because they were in ignorance about what God revealed, they rejected Christ.
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November 7, 2012

Did God Put Barack Obama in the White House?

Many Christians are disappointed in the outcome of the recent Presidential election in which Barack Obama was reelected for another four year term. But despite their disappointment, many have concluded that it must have been God’s will for the President to be reelected. They believe that the Lord must have some plan and a reason why He put Barack Obama back in the White House. The passage often cited by those who speak this way is in Daniel.

“This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men” (Daniel 4:17, NKJV).

However, it is important to note that the time in which Daniel prophesied was different than the time in which we live. While God had a direct hand in raising rulers and overthrowing governments in the time of Daniel, we should not immediately conclude that He is working in the same way today. I wrote about this in a previous article. For the sake of time, I will quote from a portion of that article here:
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October 30, 2012

Those Who Trusted in Themselves (10/30)

Thought from today’s Bible reading from Luke 17:11-18:14.

Jesus told a parable of two men – a Pharisee and a tax collector – in order to teach a lesson about attitudes and how one perceived himself before God.

“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: ‘Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.” But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted’” (Luke 18:9-14).

The Pharisee would have been recognized by others as being righteous. The tax collector acknowledged that he was a sinner. Yet he was justified, and the Pharisee was not. Why? Notice the two problems with the Pharisee:
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