The Apostle Paul has already described our Christian walk as being one characterized by good works , full of the love of Christ, and luminous with the light of the glory of God; this is how we are to fulfill the command to walk worthy of our calling (Eph. 2:10; 4:1; 5:2; 5:8). Continuing this description, he now explains […]
While the psalmist has praised the Lord for his protection, strength, and victories won for his people in the first half of the psalm, he now calls for the gates of the temple to be opened that he may worship the Lord in his presence (Ps. 118:19). But even while God may have been the defense […]
In continuing his exhortation to the Ephesians to put off the old self and instead put on the new, the Apostle Paul addresses two issues that have the potential to destroy the bond of peace within the body of Christ if not completely put away from us: corrupting speech and unforgiveness. By allowing literally “rotten” talk to come […]
Though surrounded by the enemies of our God, nations hostile to his sovereign rule, and spiritual forces of evil within and without, we nevertheless rest in God’s infinite wisdom, perfect justice, unchanging character: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). We trust that his purposes will be accomplished and that his kingdom […]
The people of God, reconciled to him through the death of his Son, to whom we are united by faith, are to live in a manner fitting of God’s workmanship. In view of God’s mercy, having been called out from the world to belong instead to the family and kingdom of God, we are to no longer […]
Continuing to emphasize the importance of the Church in God’s plan of redemption and the life of the believer, Paul explains the diverse gifts of grace given to the body of Christ for its continued spiritual growth and sanctification. Each member of the household of God has a unique role to play in the edification of the body […]
“Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness” (Ps. 51:14). As we conclude this beautiful psalm of confession and repentance, we come finally to see the result of forgiveness: worship. David humbly acknowledges his sinfulness and rebellion against God; he understands the cost of his forgiveness as […]
In proclaiming to the known world the inexhaustible and unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus in the wondrous mystery of the gospel, the Apostle Paul served an extraordinary purpose. His calling, to be a minister of the good news, was “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known . . […]
Paul, called to be an apostle to the Gentiles and compelled by the love of Christ, gave his life to the stewardship of God’s grace that had been given to him (Eph. 3:1-2). Amidst persecution, suffering, and imprisonment for the sake of Christ, he continued to proclaim the mystery of the gospel to the known world. But why […]
