Biblical Studies / Covenants

  • Covenant of Works, Part 1

    Genesis 2:15–17

    Fallen people can by no means get God to save them; He redeems according to the good pleasure of His will. Until the day we are fully and finally glorified, however, we who are in Christ are in a position ...Read More

  • Covenant of Works, Part 2

    Genesis 3

    Not only does God forgive us through Christ Jesus, He also works in the midst of our sin and failure to bring good out of evil. All of us can look back on times when we sinned against the Lord ...Read More

  • Creation Ordinances

    Genesis 1-2

    In this day and age, there is a great temptation for the church in the United States to think that its mission is coextensive with the platform of one or more of the political parties in this country. Yet while ...Read More

  • Cut Off

    Genesis 17:14

    The visible/invisible church distinction and the reality toward which circumcision points make this discussion all the more meaningful. Today, consider your thoughts on church discipline. Do you understand the authority elders have to discipline those in flagrant sin? Understand ...Read More

  • Davidic Covenant I

    2 Samuel 7:1-17

    Some people think that God never intended for there to be a king over His people. But the history of redemption shows us that although God alone is the ultimate ruler, He purposes to reign over His people through the ...Read More

  • Davidic Covenant II

    Amos 9:11-15

    God would have had every right to give up on the Davidic line. Most of the kings of ancient Israel led the people into sin and persecuted those who proclaimed the law of God. But God, because of His sworn ...Read More

  • David’s Fallen Booth Restored

    Amos 9:11–15

    All the aforementioned blessings were originally promised to Israel for obedience to God’s law (Deut. 28:1–14). That they would enjoy these blessings in the restoration points to a day when the people would obey the Lord fully ...Read More

  • Draw Near

    Hebrews 10:21–22

    Are you afraid to draw near to Christ? If you are, do not be afraid to draw near in times of doubt or sin because He has opened up the way into the presence of God. Come boldly before His ...Read More

  • Dull of Hearing

    Hebrews 5:11–12

    We must never forget the basic truths of the Christian faith because, if we do so, we will not go on to maturity. The cares of this world and confidence in our own wisdom can make us neglect these basics ...Read More

  • Expelled from the Land

    Leviticus 18:24–30

    Unrepentant sin against the Creator disturbs the creation itself. Though we cannot know today when a natural disaster is a sign of divine judgment, we can proclaim to all people that they will suffer a worse fate unless they turn ...Read More

  • Faith and the Means of Grace

    Colossians 2:11-12

    Baptism may, at its administration, mysteriously “increase the grace of God in the heart, if present, but may also be instrumental in augmenting faith later on, when the significance of baptism is understood” (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, p. 642). Believers ...Read More

  • Final Redemption

    Hebrews 8:11-12

    The fact that the restoration is taking longer than expected might be a surprise to us, but it is no surprise to God. He has determined that the world continue longer than we might have thought. All things are working ...Read More

  • Firstfruits and Pentecost

    Leviticus 23:9–22

    Paul says Jesus was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25), and so we often celebrate Jesus’ resurrection as proof that our sins have been fully atoned for and that we are now declared righteous in God’s sight. This ...Read More

  • For All Time

    Hebrews 10:11–14

    Though we long for the day when the created order will be renewed, we do not have to wait for Jesus to sit upon His throne. He is ruling today and gradually bringing all things into subjection. Look at your ...Read More

  • Fulfiling the Law

    Romans 13:8–10

    Matthew Henry comments on love, saying “more is implied than is expressed; it not only does no harm, but it does all the good that may be.” The kind of love that fulfills the Law is active and not just ...Read More