The Ephesian believers were Gentiles. Paul tells them to make a clean break with their old ways of life and stop living by the standards of the unsaved people around them (v. 17). These pagan Gentiles had given themselves to a lifestyle without any personal standards. Their minds …
John, who presents Christ as the Son of God, begins his gospel in eternity past. He says that when time began, the Word (Christ) was already in existence (v. 1). Having established the eternity of the Word, John then pro¬ceeds to give a witness about Jesus’s involvement in creation …
Ezekiel found that the Word of God was not only very good for him but something he had a strong desire to read and meditate on (vv. 1-3). If we digest God’s Word we will find that it not only makes us stronger in our faith but in wisdom and makes us a sweeter person. Beli …
David sings praises to the Lord before all the people (v. 10). He says that the God of Israel is to be praised forever for His greatness, power, glory, majesty and victory. He tells the Lord how His power is great and His glory is seen everywhere; both in the heavens and in all t …
The servant took every advantage that he could to share about Isaac and to invite Rebekah to give herself to this unseen man who was dwelling far away (vv. 52- 57). However, he did not attempt to coerce or force her to make a decision. Rebekah could have had a hundred reasons why she …
Moses covers various laws in this chapter as it pertains to a man’s neighbors and his family: 1. Every man was required to help protect that which belonged to his neighbor (vv. 1-4). 2. The clothing of men and women was to maintain a distinction between the sexes (v. 5). During …
The Apostle Paul said: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor. 1:12-13). In chapter one we learned how circu …
At this point in the book, we find a change of emphasis. There is an extension of the theme of divine judgment from one specific enemy nation, Edom, to all the nations. A description is given of how all foreign nations hostile to the Lord’s people, will be consumed. Judgment is first …
It is possible to hate the sin but love the sinner. Effective rebuke is the kind that is given with the arm of love around the other person. Rebuke given in the spirit of anger may hurt and even terrify; but the rebuke given in a loving spirit can break the heart. When Paul rebuked, the last thing he …
It was three o’clock in the afternoon and a prayer meeting was about to start in the temple (v. 1). A new faith had come to Peter and John, but they still followed the law of Moses. For them, the new faith and the old discipline could walk hand in hand. Peter and John were opposites in their …