O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Galatians 3:1 As we study the book of John we have come to chapter six. In this chapter we see that many deserted Christ. How could this happen? Even in our own church we have seen folks come and go who claimed to be believes but when tested by the trials of life after deserted the faith. There is nothing that breaks my heart more than to see someone walk away from the faith. John MacArthur writes the following from his commentary o

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 Every day I hear another story of the magnitude of the ungodliness of our nation. I am reminded by John that the world lies in the power of the evil one. We should never be surprised how the ungodly act because we know they belong to Satan. Peter wrote to all believers, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:4-5 I was having a discussion with Pastor Jamie the other day about the conversion of Charles Spurgeon. It reminded me that it is not by flowery words or convincing arguments that we come to Christ. It is by God’s grace and His sovereignty that we c

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 What does the life of a Christian look like? Being crucified with Christ means that our old nature has been nailed to the cross and is replaced by a new nature which is Christ’s. He who loved and died for us now lives in us, and the life we live is by faith in Him. It means sacrific

Scripture records that Jesus spoke seven times from the cross during His six hours of crucifixion. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34a) Those who crucified Jesus were not aware of the full scope of what they were doing because they did not recognize Him as the Messiah. While their ignorance of divine truth did not mean they deserved forgiveness, Christ’s prayer in the midst of their mocking Him is an expression of the limitless compa

Do not be surprised brothers if the world hates you. 1 John 3:13 In writing his first epistle, John gave us a clear picture of how a believer should behave and act. He also clearly showed how an unbeliever behaves and acts. A believer will, walk in the light (1:7), confess their sins (1:9), keep His commandments (2:3), abide in Christ (2:6), love his brother (2:9), do the will of God (2:17), not love the world (2:15), not practice sin (3:4), and practice righteousness (3:7).

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 If you are a Christian, saved by grace, through faith, in Christ alone you are a child of God. Because we are His children we are expected to live a certain way, behave, and act a certain way. We are commanded to be like obedient children. As a father

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy he was in prison in Rome waiting for his execution. In a very short time after writing this letter Paul would lose his life for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel. He is writing to encourage Timothy to stand firm in the faith, not to be ashamed of Christ, and to live a life without fear. The Greek word translated “fear”, basically means cowardice,

…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10 What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord? When we see the word walk in the bible it refers our everyday conduct. A mind controlled by the knowledge of God’s word, His wisdom, and His understanding produces a life worthy of the Lord. Although it may seem to you impossible that anyone could walk worthy of