Un-hardening the Heart

and the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Therefore they plundered the Egyptians. Exodus 12:36  NASB Let them have – Imagine you’re an Egyptian.  You’ve just had your crops ruined, your water made undrinkable, your livestock destroyed, and your sons killed.  And it’s all…

Underworld

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under [a]the Law but under grace? [b]Far from it!  Romans 6:15 NASB Not under the Law – When we took a long look at Romans 6:14 (March 12 and 13), we discovered that the English translation reveals serious theological bias.  There’s that capital “L,” the treatment of nómos…

Luther’s Law (1)

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under [a]the Law but under grace.  Romans 6:14  NASB But – There’s probably no more important verse for the Church than this line from Paul’s letter to the Romans.  In fact, as it is read in most English Bibles, it’s the ultimate justification for separating Christianity from Judaism. …

Audience Involvement

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will alsouphold you with My righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10  NASB Also – Let’s make sure we understand the context.  Isaiah 41:8 provides it.  “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I…

Safe Haven (Rewind)

In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be ashamed; in Your righteousness deliver me.  Psalm 31:1  NASB 1995 Never be ashamed – It’s been almost four years since I wrote this study of Psalm 31.  We covered every verse in that month.  Four years later I wonder if anything has really changed.  Maybe…

When?

Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel…

I Think I’ll Pass

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 NASB For a little while – Pie in the sky, by and by.  That’s what I really want, right?  Oh, sure, I’ll have to put up with some bad things before…

Divine Help!!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,   Titus 2:11-12  NASB Has appeared – Why do you suppose Paul chooses this verb (epiphaínō) rather than the related but more common verb, phaínō?  The common verb means almost…

A Pauline Paradox

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9  NASB Grace/works – I used to think I knew what Paul was writing about.  Decades ago, I had the right theological perspective on Paul.  He was…

What Happens Next

And He had to pass through Samaria.  John 4:4  NASB Pass through– In this brief interlude between teaching passages, John recounts that Yeshua left Judea when things became difficult.  During the journey, he encountered the woman at the well.  I’m sure he didn’t plan to encounter her, but when he did, the opportunity for some truly fascinating discussion…