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There are different reasons why we don’t obey. Sometimes, our sinful hearts desire evil more than good. Sometimes, we’re tired and weary. But sometimes, we’re afraid—afraid that obedience is too hard, too costly, or too unsafe. For example, the Israelites…
Paul was aware that the church at Rome was threatened by shadowy persons and Satan himself. He was aware of the possibility of church crisis. This warning deserves more focus than it receives in study of Romans. It reminds us that from apostolic times, congregations are not only havens of blessedness but also cauldrons where controversies simmer.
Sola Scriptura does not mean that we refuse to value and learn from the collective mind of the church down through the ages. It does mean that everything we think we know must be evaluated in light of Scripture. Scripture has the final word because it is God’s inspired Word to us.
How is it possible to have sound doctrine, a good devotional life, and yet still be unholy? Very easily. You just need to forget something very basic about holiness.
When the Bible speaks about God and salvation, it tells the truth. It also tells the truth when it speaks about the natural world—like honey.
Sometimes we are quick to criticize the Pharisees for their questions to Jesus, but end up imitating them with our actions. In this short article, Dr. Sklar encourages us to consider how those who follow Jesus can imitate him well by loving well those who do not know him.
In Judaism to this day, the Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur—is a significant event. And no wonder: According to Leviticus 16, it was on this day, once a year, that the whole nation of Israel stopped work and joined together to repent of their wrongs. In Jesus, the Lord has provided the ultimate Day of Atonement.
I wasn’t sure whether I was awake or asleep: It seemed too real to be a dream. A vision, perhaps? I was in a great crowd of people radiating out in every direction, as far as the eye could see. At the center of the crowd was a circle of space, and in that circle was a huge throne—a massive throne—fit for a king of unspeakable power.
Each time I prepare to eat the bread and drink the wine, I find myself—perhaps surprisingly to most!—repeating a verse from Leviticus. Why?
Scripture teaches us to “wait” on the Lord. This does not mean he is absent or tardy. It means he wants us to look to him expectantly. That’s why the Psalmist (see verse above) says, “My hope is in you.” In the midst of all of life’s activities, his heart was set and his eyes were fixed on God.
