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Saturday, March 15, 2008
Daily Reading
Please notice that “there is one body.” That one body is the church. Please note that God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him, who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23). If the church is the body and there is one body, that means there is only one church which is approved by God. If there is but one church, then no man has any right to start another one. In fact, none of the churches founded by men have the approval of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ said: “Every plant, which My heavenly Father has not planted, will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13).
Friday, March 14, 2008
Daily Reading
There are thousands of different churches in the world, but the Bible knows only one. Hear the inspired Apostle Paul: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Daily Reading
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY CHURCHES?
The following statement is typical of many that we hear: “There is one God and one Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one Bible. Why are there so many different churches?” There are literally thousands of different religious organizations in the world today which claim to believe in Jesus Christ. The number of these organizations increases daily. It is not surprising that sincere seekers after truth are confused. Our Lord prayed for the unity of all who would believe in Him. In John 17:20-21, Jesus spoke to the Father these words: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” Many turn away from Christ in confusion because of the many different churches which claim to be following Him today.
The following statement is typical of many that we hear: “There is one God and one Lord Jesus Christ. There is only one Bible. Why are there so many different churches?” There are literally thousands of different religious organizations in the world today which claim to believe in Jesus Christ. The number of these organizations increases daily. It is not surprising that sincere seekers after truth are confused. Our Lord prayed for the unity of all who would believe in Him. In John 17:20-21, Jesus spoke to the Father these words: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent me.” Many turn away from Christ in confusion because of the many different churches which claim to be following Him today.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Daily Reading
Where do sinners go?
The answer to this question should motivate us to know all we can about sin. In Romans 6:23 Paul said, "For the wages of sin, is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Again in James 1:15, we read, "and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." The Bible clearly teaches that sin brings about death. This death is a spiritual separation from God and eternal punishment. In Revelation 21:7-8, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." The righteous will inherit Heaven, but the unrighteous will be cast into Hell (Revelation 20:10)! If we are of God, we will not commit sin, because a child of God is like his Father (1 John 3:9). The one who commits sin is of his father, the Devil (1 John 3:8).
The answer to this question should motivate us to know all we can about sin. In Romans 6:23 Paul said, "For the wages of sin, is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Again in James 1:15, we read, "and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." The Bible clearly teaches that sin brings about death. This death is a spiritual separation from God and eternal punishment. In Revelation 21:7-8, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." The righteous will inherit Heaven, but the unrighteous will be cast into Hell (Revelation 20:10)! If we are of God, we will not commit sin, because a child of God is like his Father (1 John 3:9). The one who commits sin is of his father, the Devil (1 John 3:8).
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Daily Reading
Why do we sin?
Many people today actually believe it is someone else's fault when they sin. We have all heard statements blaming the Devil or even God for our sins. In James 1:13 we read, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." Here we see that God does not tempt man. Then why do we sin? The answer is given in the same passage, James 1:14. "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." As people, we sin because of our own desires. It is our own human nature that causes us to be drawn away by desire and enticed to give into that desire. It is not even the fault of the devil. The devil may put temptation in our way, but we decide for ourselves to consider the temptations. Then we are enticed. When we give in to the desire we are sinning!
Many people today actually believe it is someone else's fault when they sin. We have all heard statements blaming the Devil or even God for our sins. In James 1:13 we read, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone." Here we see that God does not tempt man. Then why do we sin? The answer is given in the same passage, James 1:14. "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." As people, we sin because of our own desires. It is our own human nature that causes us to be drawn away by desire and enticed to give into that desire. It is not even the fault of the devil. The devil may put temptation in our way, but we decide for ourselves to consider the temptations. Then we are enticed. When we give in to the desire we are sinning!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Daily Reading
When do we sin?
This is one of the most difficult questions to understand about sin. When does one actually sin? To find the answer to this question, we must go to James 1:15. In this passage James said, "when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin." So we sin when we give in to desire. This means we are guilty of sin the moment we begin to engage in the sin. We are not sinning by just considering sin. For example, let us say that you are considering robbing a bank. Is it sinful to consider such? It obviously is not good, but it is just a thought in your mind. When you begin to prepare, or actually rob the bank, you have now sinned. So desire does not always mean you are sinning, but it is when that desire is acted upon. However, it is good to keep in mind that some thoughts in themselves are sinful. A person can actually sin by having certain types of thoughts. For example, lusting is a sin which is in the mind. Jesus said, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Therefore, sin is a result of wrong desire which has been acted upon, or in some cases, desires which are wrong in themselves.
This is one of the most difficult questions to understand about sin. When does one actually sin? To find the answer to this question, we must go to James 1:15. In this passage James said, "when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin." So we sin when we give in to desire. This means we are guilty of sin the moment we begin to engage in the sin. We are not sinning by just considering sin. For example, let us say that you are considering robbing a bank. Is it sinful to consider such? It obviously is not good, but it is just a thought in your mind. When you begin to prepare, or actually rob the bank, you have now sinned. So desire does not always mean you are sinning, but it is when that desire is acted upon. However, it is good to keep in mind that some thoughts in themselves are sinful. A person can actually sin by having certain types of thoughts. For example, lusting is a sin which is in the mind. Jesus said, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). Therefore, sin is a result of wrong desire which has been acted upon, or in some cases, desires which are wrong in themselves.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Daily Reading
Rom 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Daily Reading
What is sin?
If everyone is guilty of sin, what is sin? The Bible defines sin very clearly in the New Testament. In 1 John 5:17, John said, "All unrighteousness is sin." If righteousness describes God, then unrighteousness is just the opposite. So sin is doing the opposite of what God says. In Romans 6:13, Paul encouraged the brethren not to be instruments of unrighteousness, but rather instruments of righteousness. Paul continues the thought in chapter 9, verse 14 where he confirms there is no unrighteousness with God!
If everyone is guilty of sin, what is sin? The Bible defines sin very clearly in the New Testament. In 1 John 5:17, John said, "All unrighteousness is sin." If righteousness describes God, then unrighteousness is just the opposite. So sin is doing the opposite of what God says. In Romans 6:13, Paul encouraged the brethren not to be instruments of unrighteousness, but rather instruments of righteousness. Paul continues the thought in chapter 9, verse 14 where he confirms there is no unrighteousness with God!
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