Theology / Man and Sin

  • The Drama of Redemption

    Psalm 85:10

    Today’s passage contains the beautiful imagery of justice and peace (or mercy, as other translations put it) kissing each other. Our Father graciously restores peace between Himself and us in Christ Jesus. This peace is permanent, for it is ...Read More

  • The Foolishness of Idolatry

    Isaiah 44:6–20

    Every form of idolatry manifests our doubts that God really has the ability to save. Counselors have long understood, for instance, that one of the main reasons people become drug, alcohol, and sex addicts is because they are looking for ...Read More

  • The Weakness of Men

    Isaiah 40:6–11

    One commentator describes the enduring message of today’s passage thusly: If I insist that I am permanent, I will fail. But if I confess God’s permanence—if I trust in His Word and believe it is sure—then ...Read More

  • Holiness and Justice

    Leviticus 10:1–3

    Many people complain that the doctrine of election is unfair and deny it because they think fairness demands that we all have the ability to believe the gospel. But if we are sinners, the one thing God would be fair ...Read More

  • Reasoning with the LORD

    Isaiah 1:18–31

    Isaiah 1:18 is a great promise indeed, assuring us that no matter how much sin has stained our souls, God can cleanse us completely and make us stand before Him as His holy people. But for this to happen ...Read More

  • Adam and Israel

    Hosea 6:6–7

    John Calvin comments on today’s passage: “God desires to be worshipped otherwise than sensual men [people who serve the flesh, not the Spirit] dream; they only display their rites, and neglect the spiritual worship of God, which stands in ...Read More

  • The Sixth Petition

    1 Corinthians 10:13

    Today’s study is based on question and answer 127 of the Heidelberg Catechism, which reminds us that the world, the flesh, and the Devil “never stop attacking us.” Until we are glorified, there is no point at which we ...Read More

  • The Seventh Commandment

    Deuteronomy 5:18

    Just as idolatry led to destructive consequences for the ancient Israelites, the analogous sin of adultery leads to destruction on an earthly level (2 Kings 17:6–23; Matt. 19:1–12). This should be enough to cause us to ...Read More

  • Dealing With Anger

    Proverbs 14:29

    We can avoid expressing our anger sinfully if we stop to think about how we are being treated and the relative importance of the situation. Often, we are so quick to show our ire that we forget that others may ...Read More

  • When Anger Destroys

    1 Samuel 25

    Uncontrolled anger is not merely a vice that can be overlooked. Instead, it can destroy lives, and we all know people who have impacted their futures for ill because they could not control their tempers. Sin always creates damage in ...Read More

  • Be Angry, Do Not Sin

    Ephesians 4:25–32

    It is easy for us to think we are being righteously angry when we are really just manifesting unjust ire. It is also easy for us to get so wrapped up in a righteous cause that we forget to pray ...Read More

  • Idolatry Defined

    Philippians 3:19

    Anything or anyone can become an idol in our lives because whatever we love more than the Lord is, by definition, an idol. Because our hearts are idol factories, as John Calvin taught us, we are all continually tempted to ...Read More

  • Dying to the Law in Christ

    Galatians 2:20

    Matthew Henry comments on today’s passage: “The doctrine of the gospel, instead of weakening the bond of duty, did but the more strengthen and confirm it; and therefore, though he was dead to the law, yet it was only ...Read More

  • Turning from Our Ungrateful Ways

    1 Corinthians 6:9–11

    Paul’s teaching in today’s passage actually leads us to expect that there should be former adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, blasphemers, alcoholics, and others in our congregations. The church of Jesus Christ must not close its door to any sinner ...Read More

  • Our New Lord and Master

    Romans 6:1–14

    Throughout the New Testament especially, we find that the evidence of true Christian faith is a life of gratitude in which our love for Jesus is proved by our willingness to obey Him (John 14:15). This does not mean ...Read More