Values

Religion Will Not Take You to Heaven - Romans 2:17 – 2:24 (commentary)

Few people were more religious than young Paul of Tarsus. He knew all about religious orthodoxy and how it can make a sincere and zealous person the very enemy of Christ. Orthodoxy in religion requires both access to the truth and accountability to the truth. Paul was speaking to …

What The Kingdom of Heaven is Like - Matthew 13:44 – 13:52 (commentary)

In this fifth parable Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to “a treasureā€ hidden in a field (v. 44). Since the Lord did not explain this parable there are various interpretations of how it can be applied. Since the Word of God makes it very clear in m …

The Perspective of Rich and Poor - James 1:9 – 1:11 (commentary)

Having been given the resources needed to deal with the trials of life we are introduced to two specific examples of trials: The test of poverty (v. 9). James speaks first of the man of “low degree”. This is not refer­ring to spiritual condition but to earthl …

Jesus Selects the Twelve Apostles - Luke 6:12 – 6:26 (commentary)

The selection of the twelve Apostles was made after Jesus spent a night in prayer (v. 12). Jesus had a large number of disciples and from those He picked 12 who were to be Apostles (vv. 13-16). A disciple is a learner or an apprentice, while an apostle is a chosen messenger sent …

Wisdom Makes Sense - Ecclesiastes 2:12 – 2:26 (commentary)

This passage reveals a deeper investigation into the relative values of wisdom and folly. Solomon has found out from experience that wisdom and pleasure does not have the answer. Now he reasons that maybe if I just put my nose to the grindstone and really stay on the job I …

The Value of True Religion to a Nation - I Chronicles 9:1 – 9:44 (commentary)

1. Babylonian Exiles Who Returned to Jerusalem (vv. 1-9). The people of Judah were taken to Babylon as prisoners because they sinned against God. When they returned there were 690 people from the Judah tribe who settled in Jerusalem ...

Manassah And Amon’s Reign - II Kings 21:1 – 21:26 (commentary)

The Southern Kingdom was to be ruled by six kings (five bad and one good) before the end would come. Manasseh’s reign began when, as a youngster of twelve, he was placed on the throne as a co-ruler with his father Hezekiah. His reign lasted for 55 years which was the longest rei …