What say we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may increase? Romans 6:1 NASB Increase – “Obviously, that standpoint is congenial to the notion that sin does not affect or pollute the deepest being of a man. It only impinges on the periphery of our living. Sin does not break down…
While I don’t usually talk about politics because my non-profit status prohibits it, it seems to me that the re-election of Obama marks a watershed in the American culture. I can’t help but notice the historical precedent. Alexander Tyler wrote about the Athenian Empire nearly 2500 years ago, “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of…
What say we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may increase? Romans 6:1 NASB Increase – I guess a “little” grace isn’t enough for some. God pours out His favor (in Hebrew, hen). He lifts away the deserved punishment. He designates us “Not Guilty.” He calls us His adopted children. But…
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 NASB Righteous – Now we reach the critical word of James’ statement about prayer. The Greek is dikaiou. This is a word derived from the concept of justice. The man who is just (righteous) is the man who has been declared “not guilty”…
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 NASB Prayer – The Greek word is deesis. It comes from the word deomai. What is important about this word is that it involves personal needs. The verse could be translated, “The very strong very personal petitions.” There is nothing general about these…
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 NASB Effective – This verse is so important that we need to pay attention to nearly every word. Today we look at the first word in English, which actually translates two words in Greek. The Greek text reveals an adjective and a verb…
The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man who He had formed. Genesis 2:8 NASB The boys had a day off school today, so I got to stay home. Which meant I got to go out and dig a considerable number of weeds out of my…
Beginning December 9 at the Winter Garden, FL, First Methodist Church, we will do a study of the book of James. Verse by verse, word by word. The plan is to be finished by the end of January. If you are in the area, please come along. 5PM to 7PM each Sunday at the usual…
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned – Romans 5:12 NASB Death – Why do we die? Before you quickly respond, “Because we are sinners,” let’s examine the cultural thinking during the time when Paul wrote these…
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Genesis 1:2 NASB Formless and void – tohu va-vohu reads the Hebrew text. But the key to understanding this verse is not simply to be found in…
