Along with patience, we need long-suffering. This word means “self-restraint” and is the opposite of revenge. Patience has to do primarily with circumstances, while long-suffering has to do with people. God is long-suffering toward people because of His love and grace. Long-suffering is one fruit of the Spirit. It is...
The Word of God has in it the power to accomplish the will of God. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, NIV). It has well been said, “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.” Jesus commanded the crippled man to stretch out his hand—the very thing the man could not...
Our word conscience comes from two Latin words: con, meaning “with,” and scio, meaning “to know.” We “know with” the conscience. It is the internal judge that witnesses to us, that either approves our actions or accuses us. Conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light...
God wants us to turn loose from the things of this world and stop depending on them. He wants us to center our attention on the world to come. This means that we “hang loose” as far as this world is concerned, and start living for the eternal values of...
In New Testament times, the national and religious pride of the Jews encouraged them to despise the “Gentile dogs” and have nothing to do with them. Paul used this judgmental attitude to prove the guilt of the seemingly pious; the very things they condemned in the Gentiles, they themselves were...
Patience is an important characteristic of the maturing Christian life. If we do not learn to be patient, we are not likely to learn anything else. As believers, we are able to rejoice even in our tribulations, because we know that tribulation brings about patience; and patience, experience; and experience,...
The Lord Jesus repeatedly warned people about the wrong kind of hearing, and His warnings are still needed. “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9). In other words, “Take heed that you hear.” Use every opportunity you have to hear the Word of God. But He...
The Flood of Noah’s day pictures death, burial, and resurrection. The waters buried the earth in judgment, but they also lifted Noah and his family up to safety. The early church saw in the ark a picture of salvation. Noah and his family were saved by faith because they believed...
Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, is enthroned in heaven. He is also ministering mercy and grace to those who come for help. Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve; grace means that He gives us what we do not deserve. As believers in Jesus...
“My wife is going to have plastic surgery,” a man said to his friend. “I’m taking away all her credit cards!” How easy it is to purchase things we do not need with money we do not have. Then we lose not only our credit, but also our good Christian...