If We Die With Him We Will Live With Him

trustworthy statement” that Paul included in his second letter to Timothy was this: “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him” (2 Timothy 2:11). What does it mean to die with Jesus? This does not necessarily mean physical death – though this could certainly happen (Revelation 2:10, 13). Paul was talking about something else – something that we must do if we want to “live with Him.” Notice what he wrote to the saints in Rome: Continue reading →

Those Who Are Given to Change

“My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change, for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?” (Proverbs 24:21-22). There are times when change is necessary, both in religion and politics. The warning in this passage is not about necessary change, but change for the sake of change. There are some people who are not content, no matter what, and are always looking for something new, exciting, and different. The wise man says we are to avoid such people. Continue reading →

"Behold, I Thought"

“Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.’ But Naaman was furious and went away and said, ‘Behold, I thought, “He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.” Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ So he turned and went away in a rage” (2 Kings 5:10-12). Continue reading →

"Sin is Lawlessness"

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Sin is a violation of God’s law. When we do things that are contrary to God’s law, or do things that have not been authorized by God in His word, we sin. All of us have committed sin by violating God’s law (Romans 3:23). Continue reading →

Nothing Is Hidden From God

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13, NKJV). If we pay attention to the news, we periodically see examples – from our communities to national leaders – of those who are able to do wrong without penalty. This is frustrating; but sadly, it should not be surprising. This sort of thing has been around for a long time. Continue reading →

"Baptism Now Saves You"

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:18-21). Continue reading →