“My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (Jas. 2:1). Favoritism, according to Merriam-Webster, is “the unfair practice of treating some people better than others.” The Greek word translated favoritism in James 2 literally means to “receive according to the face.” In…
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You’ll not find the word sanctification in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. The process of sanctification, however, is what Paul describes in chapter 5 as the outworking of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. One of the Holy Spirit’s functions in the believer’s life is to cultivate Christian character, to transform us more and…
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Paul and Barnabas travelled to the cities of Galatia, preaching the gospel of salvation by faith in Christ (Acts 13). God blessed their work. Many new believers were won to Jesus. New churches were started. Then something tragic happened. Whenever God is moving in a powerful way in the church, Satan will always work to…
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Have you noticed this recurring theme in 2 Samuel? Sin brings consequences. Always. God’s discipline of His sinful people is a theme that extends beyond 2 Samuel and the life of David. The Book of Proverbs admonishes: “Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline” (Prov. 3:11). The next…
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Words are powerful. Consider the account of the wise woman in 2 Samuel 20. Joab, commander of David’s army, brought all his military might to bear against the city of Abel (v. 15). The unnamed woman, armed only with her words (v. 16), prevailed over the military commander. Proverbs 18:21 states that “Death and life…
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