Sin

  • Not Under the Law

    Galatians 5:16–17

    John Calvin comments, “If we would obey the Spirit, we must labor, and fight, and apply our utmost energy; and we must begin with self-denial.” Walking by the Holy Spirit is the denial of the self and one’s fleshly ...Read More

  • Opening Our Ears to Hear

    Ask God to open your ears to hear His voice, to clear your spiritual eyes, and to let you understand with your heart. Read More

  • Our First Federal Head

    Romans 5:13-14

    Federalism, Boice says, is “a proof of God’s grace,” for while the failure of our first federal head brought terrible results, federalism “was the only way it would later be possible for God to save us once we had ...Read More

  • Our Pattern for Holiness

    Leviticus 19:1–2

    We are often tempted to trivialize God’s demand for holiness and instead look to somebody or something other than God as the standard by which we measure ourselves. Remember, though, that the Lord has pronounced judgment on His image ...Read More

  • Our Union with Adam

    Romans 5:12

    Because Adam did not represent us well, we tend to grumble that God so worked. But we must be careful here, for our salvation is based on the perfect obedience of yet another representative—Christ. Continue to study through the ...Read More

  • Playing for Keeps

    Philippians 3:12–16

    Part of the discipline needed for spiritual growth is regular participation in the local church. Worship on Sunday wherein we hear the Word preached and see it made visible in the sacraments is vital to our long-term spiritual health. But ...Read More

  • Putting Off and Putting On

    Colossians 3:9-10

    Having been baptized into Christ we have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27), and a deceitful tongue has no place in those who belong to the Savior. All people should expect honesty from us, for we are followers of the ...Read More

  • Recalling Our Purpose

    Genesis 1:1–2:3

    We may not often think about it, but when we do good to others we are doing more than just obeying the Lord’s command. Since God is the one who pours out His common grace upon all creation, every ...Read More

  • Recognizing Our Enmity

    Think of the characteristics and qualities of intimate friendship, then apply these to your spiritual relationship with the heavenly Father. Are you truly a friend of God? Read More

  • Repenting of Our Righteousness

    Isaiah 64:6

    Today’s passage reminds us that God does not grade on a curve. We may consider ourselves better than others on a human level when we evaluate ourselves by imperfect human standards of justice, but the Lord evaluates us by ...Read More

  • Resisting the Sinful Nature

    Galatians 6:1–18

    As we finish our study of Galatians, consider anew Paul’s defense of the Gospel. All in whom the Spirit has worked must continue to fulfill the law of Christ. We are not redeemed to live independently. God gave the ...Read More

  • Seeking After God

    Are you seeking the benefits God can give you or seeking after God alone? Read More

  • Shades of Gray

    1 Corinthians 10:31

    Though the Spirit grants us new life in Christ, this does not mean we immediately overcome our ignorance of God’s ways. Instead, the Spirit works through Scripture, illuminating it as we read and hear it so that we might ...Read More

  • Sin and Judgment

    Psalm 38

    Spend some time today and through the weekend confessing your sins before God. Be specific. Recognize that you deserve God’s disciplines in your life and praise Him for the mercy He has extended to you. Thank Him for Christ ...Read More

  • Sinning Deliberately

    Hebrews 10:26–27

    Do you find yourself struggling with a particular sin that you just cannot overcome? Is there some violation of the law of God that you feel compelled to commit even though you believe in Christ? If so, repent, and find ...Read More