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Adultery of the Heart
Unfortunately, lust is rampant in the church today, and many are in bondage to pornography and other sexual sins. If this is a problem for you, cut off your access to outlets where you may find temptation. Whether or not ...Read More
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A Vow’s Intent
All of us have made promises that we do not intend to keep. We make vows all the while knowing that we have a way out if we want it. As we have seen today, however, such activity violates the ...Read More
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Blessed are the Meek
Dr. Sproul notes that all of us, no matter our position, have some kind of authority over other creatures — even if it is just over a pet. No matter the degree of authority we possess, the arrogant, selfish exercise of ...Read More
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Blessed are the Peacemakers
It is important to note that the peacemaking that reveals our status as God’s children is peacemaking concerned to promote an authentic, holy peace. The false prophets of Israel promised a fake, ungodly peace, and many people today want ...Read More
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Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Though Jesus was a man of sorrows, He was able to endure suffering and pain because He knew that “out of the anguish of his soul” He would “see and be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11). We will never have to ...Read More
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Divorce and Adultery
John Calvin reminds us that “the bond of marriage is too sacred to be dissolved at the will, or rather at the licentious pleasure, of men.” Many issues can drive spouses to despair and contemplate an unbiblical divorce. That is ...Read More
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Jesus’ Teaching on Oaths
Jesus’ teaching leads us to conclude that it is better not to make a vow than to swear an oath that we have no intention of keeping. It also reinforces the point that oaths and vows should not be made ...Read More
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Law and Gospel
Answer 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism emphasizes that we do good works because the God who justifies us also gives us His Spirit to conform us more and more to the image of Jesus Christ. Our Lord saves us from ...Read More
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Matthew’s Gospel
Take the time to look over Matthew in preparation for our study this year. Find one passage that you have not spent much time examining. Meditate on that text today and ask the Lord to help you focus on His ...Read More
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Meekness and Mourning
Meekness rejects any thought of self-sufficiency. It is antithetical to our aggressive, dog-eat-dog world that teaches people never to be satisfied with what they have and therefore to pursue more and more “stuff,” even if it means they lack the ...Read More
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Perfectly Perfect
To say God is the most perfect being is not simply to take an attribute like human goodness, for example, and assume that His goodness is exactly like ours, only developed to its highest degree. While human goodness and divine ...Read More
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Persecution and Reward
Matthew Henry writes: “There is no evil so black and horrid, which, at one time or other, has not been said falsely against Christ’s disciples and followers.” Rejoice and be glad if you are being slandered for obeying Jesus ...Read More
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Purity and Peacemaking
By the Holy Spirit, we are “sons of God” and partake of His nature (2 Peter 1:3–4). Since our Father loves peace so much that He sent His Son to reconcile Himself to His people, we have not ...Read More
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Retaliation and the Kingdom
The last point of Matthew Henry’s quote is important since there are times when seeking reparation may in fact be the best way to love our neighbor and keep him from sinning further. Such occasions, however, will be few ...Read More
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Righteousness and Mercy
Our passion for righteousness and mercy is one way we can measure our fervor for the Lord. There are innumerable ways we can pursue both of these actions. Thus, we are unable to complain to God that there have been ...Read More
