“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13 ESV). The writer of Hebrews, echoing Psalm 95, warns believers not to harden their hearts when they hear God’s voice “Today.” In Psalm 95, Israel’s wilderness generation turned
Chapter: 3
DON’T GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD
“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ESV). Paul’s words come near the close of his second letter to the Thessalonian believers. Some among them had grown idle, refusing to work, meddling in others’ affairs, and living off the generosity of the faithful. Rather than laboring quietly and
DOES THE WORD OF CHRIST LIVE IN YOU?
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16 ESV). Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Colossae to affirm the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ and to protect them
THE LOVE THAT SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE
“…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19 ESV). Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers might know the love of Christ, even though this love surpassed mere human knowledge. He had already prayed that they be strengthened with power through
The Habit of Bible Study
Americans today have more access to the Bible than any previous generation. Most us have several copies in various versions. We even Bible apps on our phones. Yet according to recent polls the overwhelming majority do not actually read those Bibles regularly, much less study or deeply engage with the Bible.
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he charged him to remain faithful to the study and preaching of God’s Word that God’s people might be thoroughly equipped for every good work. We can practice the spiritual habit of Bible study that we might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
OUR SUFFICIENCY IS FROM GOD
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV). Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that his confidence did not rest in himself. He claimed no self-sufficiency, no self-confidence, and no self-empowerment. His calling, message, and authority all came from
WORLDLY WISDOM IS FOLLY WITH GOD
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.” (1 Corinthians 3:18–19 ESV). Paul warned the Corinthian believers not to be deceived by the values of the
THE CARNAL CHRISTIANITY OF CORINTH
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1 ESV). After contrasting the difference between the “natural man” and the “spiritual man” in chapter two, Paul addressed a troubling third spiritual condition, the “carnal man” (“fleshly”). This person has received Christ
HAVE YOU EVER CRIED OUT TO THE LORD?
“I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill” (Psalm 3:4 ESV). David wrote this psalm while fleeing from his son Absalom. Though surrounded by enemies and betrayed by those closest to him, he did not despair. Instead, he cried out to the Lord. David’s prayer was not silent or
WHEN DO YOU TIURN TO GOD?
“And Elisha said to the king of Israel, ‘What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.’ But the king of Israel said to him, ‘No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of