Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27 NASB Religion– A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away—we investigated thrēskeía, the Greek term James uses in this verse translated “religion.” The translation obscures some of the…
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8 NASB Shall see – Now that we have some appreciation for the meaning behind these words (see yesterday’s edition of Today’s Word), let’s ask another question. If purity of heart is a gift, why do we struggle so much to see God…
that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:15 ESV Without blemish – Are you ready to be sacrificed? Are you ready to climb onto the altar like Isaac? Are you ready…
watching diligently that not any lack from the grace of God, that no root of bitterness growing up may disturb you, and through this many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 (translation J. Green) Defiled – Does it seem like sometimes it’s just too much to continue on this path? Are you wearing down in your quest…
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV New – What are you? Not, “Who are you?” Paul doesn’t answer that question here. He answers the question, “What are you?” You are a new…
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB First – As you may know, the Greek word for “first” is proton. Not too hard to remember in this age of science and atoms. As we discovered, James made a…
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant, John; Revelation 1:1 NASB The End – There is hardly a single book in the Bible subject to greater contextual folly than…
but Rachel was beautiful and well favored Genesis 29:17 NASB Rachel – We know God doesn’t always choose the first. Jacob, not Esau. Abel, not Cain. Joseph. David. God’s choosing often crosses the boundaries of human protocol and expectation. We hold up these men as examples of God’s selection. But maybe we should hold up…
watching diligently that not any lack from the grace of God, that no root of bitterness growing up may disturb you, and through this many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 (translation J. Green) Defiled – Does it seem like sometimes it’s just too much to continue on this path? Are you wearing down in your quest…
1 Thessalonians 4:7-9 The implications of purity If you have ever felt as though your problems and trials just got left out, then katharos is a word for you. Most of the time the Greek word, katharos, is translated by some English word that implies purity. Christians talk a lot about purity. We are exhorted…
