Articles

The book of Amos contains a truth that is as unpalatable today as it was in Amos’s time: when God’s people begin to look and act like a culture that is defined by moral perversity, material prosperity, and religious hypocrisy, they will become alienated from their creator God. Persistent, unrepentant disobedience will lead to His judgment (Amos 3:13–15; cf. Rev. 2:12–29). Instead of living in the joy of fellowship with Him, those who profess to be God’s people will experience God turning away from them because of the sin they treasure.

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“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.” (2 Timothy 4:6)

When you read the Pastoral Epistles carefully, you will find that Paul mentions cities that are not mentioned in Acts. The inference is that after he was released from prison in Rome, he revisited Ephesus and also visited a few other places. At the end of that time, he was imprisoned once again, and he then wrote his final letters.

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In 1959, the Scottish theologian John Murray published the first volume of his commentary on the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. Commenting on this book, Alistair Begg has said, “This has been my favorite commentary on Romans for the past forty-seven years. It is a must for every serious student of the Bible.”

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When Jesus called the first disciples, He called them to leave everything and follow Him. In other words, He asked them to put their faith in Him. But they didn’t simply say they believed. They didn’t pull one bumper sticker off their boat and replace it with another. They left the boat behind. On the foundation of their faith, they stepped forward in obedience. What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means not only to call Him “Lord” but also to honor Him as Lord by obeying His commands.

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ROMANS 8:18“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

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“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” (Proverbs 10:9–11)

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Are you a grumbler or grateful? It's a question that requires some introspection. Does your mind gravitate towards what's good and what's working or do you first focus on problems and the next set of challenges to overcome?

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“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12)

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When you read the apostle Paul’s letters, it’s clear that some of his favorite metaphors and analogies for the Christian life come from the realm of athletics. For example, in Philippians, he speaks of pressing on like a runner toward the goal of knowing Christ (3:14). Near the end of his life, he describes his ministry as one in which he “fought the good fight” and “finished the race” (2 Tim. 4:7). And in 1 Corinthians 9:25–27, Paul draws a parallel—one that is worth our time and attention—between the self-control and discipline needed for both athletic competition and the Christian life.

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In the years of His earthly ministry, Jesus’ primary task was to proclaim God’s word. He also came to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and work wonders, but He Himself was clear about the highest priority: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God … for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43). At the heart of Christ’s ministry was His role as a teacher. In this, He is the model to all of us who are called to do the same. It is good—and humbling!—for us to learn from the example of Jesus so that we might assess ourselves against it.

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