Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called Apostle having been set apart for the gospel of God, ² which he promised before through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ concerning his Son – having come from the seed of David according the flesh, ⁴ – having been designated Son of God in power according to the Spirit of Holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, ⁵ through whom we received grace and Apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations on behalf of his name, ⁶ among whom you are also the called ones of Jesus Christ, ⁷ to all the ones in Rome, loved ones of God, called ones, saints, grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-7 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

In the passage above the word “faith” in v5 translates the noun πίστεως (pisteōs), which is the Genitive, Singular of πίστις (pistis), “faith, faithfulness.” The verb form of πίστις, πιστεύω (pisteuō) means, “to have faith in, trust; particularly, to be firmly persuaded to something.”…. Continue reading →

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Moreover of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Acts 20:29-30 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

I was asked by a commenter not long-ago what Rob Bell had done that has so upset me that I would post some articles about him on Possessing the Treasure. His stance was that even though he disagreed with much of what Rob Bell taught, he read him and listened to him anyway because he likes to “be stretched.” Should we open up our hearts to hear the teachings of people whose stance on Christian essentials is marked by shades of grey? That begs another question…. Continue reading →

5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died has been justified from sin. Romans 6:5-7 (LSB) 

Romans 6:6 clearly shows us that true believers become holy in Christ. However, there is confusion because many do not look correctly at the Greek verb tenses in this passage. If they simply read it in English or some other translation it is easy to not see that the all the verb tenses here are past tenses (aorist or perfect)…. Continue reading →

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (LSB) 

I have a Bible that was given to my grandfather by all his children as a gift after several life changing events took place in his life (the death of my grandmother, him having to retire from the pastorate for heath reasons, et cetera). He was born in 1877 and I was born in 1951 so my memory of him was always of a very old man. He became a Baptist preacher in the late 1800’s after his wife led him to Christ and taught him to read and write. Here is the note they wrote to him that is pasted to the inside cover. Continue reading →

 27 Woe be to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for ye are like unto whited tombs, which appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and all filthiness. 28 So are ye also: for outward ye appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:27-28 (1599 Geneva Bible)

Back in 2007 in January when my wife and I still lived in Kansas one Friday morning as I was preparing to drive to work, I was attempting to put my coffee mug and computer bag into my pickup via the passenger door, which I had already opened. I had not yet scraped the frost from the windows. I did not have my gloves on because I needed some dexterity to use my keys while holding my coffee mug in my right hand and my computer bag in my left. Also, I was standing on about 2-1/2 inches of very slick, uneven ice…. Continue reading →

13 “For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is greedy for gain, And from the prophet even to the priest Everyone practices lying. 14 They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace. 15 Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to feel dishonor. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says Yahweh. Jeremiah 6:13-15 (LSB) 

Genuine Christians are regenerate. They are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means a great deal, but what it does not mean is that Christians have instantaneous and complete victory over our enemy within, which is the flesh…. Continue reading →

51 Jesus said unto them, Understand ye all these things? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every Scribe which is taught unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things both new and old. Matthew 13:51-52 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Charles Spurgeon spent the last several years of his ministry contending with “liberalizing” efforts within the Evangelical churches in England in what came to be known as the “Great Downgrade Controversy.” That “downgrade” gained momentum not only in England, but here in the United States and around the world. It began in the 19th Century when Seminaries began embracing “higher criticism” of the Bible…. Continue reading →

1 This second Epistle I now write unto you, beloved, wherewith I stir up, and warn your pure minds, 2 To call to remembrance the words, which were told before of the holy Prophets, and also the commandment of us the Apostles of the Lord and Savior. 3 ,This first understand, that there shall come in the last days, mockers, which will walk after their lusts, 4 And say, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the Fathers died, all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:1-7 (1599 Geneva Bible) Read verses 5-7 on the site.

The Word of God is filled with references to testing and proving. During our Lord’s ministry his enemies asked him tough questions in order to “test” him. Jesus ordered lepers whom He had healed to show themselves to the Priests to “prove” that they were no longer unclean…. Continue reading →

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. 2 How shall we, that are dead to sin, live yet therein? Romans 6:1-2 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

No Lordship salvation teaches a form of grace that is weak and ineffectual. Some have referred to it as “sloppy grace.” Perhaps a more common name for it is “Cheap Grace.” Cheap Grace is that which appears free, but has little value. It has not the power to change lives. Its sole beneficence is that those who bestow it on themselves proclaim they are saved. On the other hand, Genuine Grace is that which is free, but it very costly. It is priceless…. Continue reading →

12 Therefore brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye mortify the deeds of the body by the Spirit, ye shall live. Romans 8:12-13 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

God is Holy. God is Righteous. God is Just. God is Sovereign. Yehōwāh (יהוה) our Adhōnāy (אדן אדון), God our sovereign one, our Lord, our Kurios (κύριος), is also Love, Mercy, and Grace. We must not have a view of God that emphasizes His love, mercy, or grace over His Holiness. We are commanded to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12)…. Continue reading →

 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26 Then you will begin saying, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ 27 And yet He will say, ‘I do not know where you are from; LEAVE ME, ALL YOU EVILDOERS.’ 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. 29 And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Luke 13:24-30 (NASB 2020)

Many who believe they are Christians are not. They have a form of righteousness, but it is not the righteousness born from above. It is self-righteousness. One group that contended with John the Baptist, our Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples, was the Pharisees. Who hasn’t heard believers accusing other believers of being Pharisees?… Continue reading →

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (LSB) 

12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come back.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 And it happened that when he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know how much they had made in business. Luke 19:12-15 (LSB) Read verses 26-27 on the site.

As we have been clarifying the Gospel over the last several days, months, years, I have had a deep conviction that I must address that element in Man’s heart that refuses to bow the knee to any god except one with whom it is comfortable…. Continue reading →

36 And there was a Prophetess, one Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, which was of a great age, after she had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity: 37 And she was widow about fourscore, and four years, and went not out of the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 She then coming at the same instant upon them, confessed likewise the Lord, and spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Continue reading →

6 But the righteousness which is of faith, speaketh on this wise, ,Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is to bring Christ from above.) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is to bring Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is near thee, even in thy mouth, and in thine heart. This is the word of faith which we preach. 9 For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth man confesseth to salvation. Romans 10:6-10 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Easter was just a few weeks ago as I write this. It’s over, but it seems like we are still in some sort of “Easter season.” Of all the markers we celebrate as Christians, Easter was the one I had the hardest time understanding when I was a small child. It seemed so wrapped up in chocolate bunnies and Easter baskets, Easter egg hunts, dressing up in new clothes for church, et cetera. My mother tried to help me see the Biblical connection with our Lord’s Resurrection, but I failed to make sense of it until I was older. I saw it as a teen and young adult, but did not really  “get it” until God had mercy on me, a sinner, and resurrected me unto new life as a Christian…. Continue reading →

113 I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. 115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God. 116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not put me to shame because of my hope. 117 Uphold me that I may be saved, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually. 118 You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is a lie. 119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120 My flesh quakes for dread of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. Psalms 119:112-120 (LSB) 

There are really only two religions in the world. The first is God-based Christianity. The other includes all other religions in the world including all forms of Man-based Christianity. Man-based Christianity is heretical. What is the difference? All religions except God-based Christianity are false. The false religions’ focus is on Man’s performance in an attempt to do good works to attain salvation. Continue reading →

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, having put me into service, 13 even though I was previously a blasphemer and persecutor and insolent man, but I received mercy, because being ignorant I did it in unbelief; 1 Timothy 1:12-13 (translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

The older I become as I journey down this narrow way the more that passes for Christianity seems more and more absurd. Why? I suppose it is that I have become very convicted that we are very guilty of taking God for granted. Instead of worshiping Him for who He is, we seem to be totally focused on His works. While we should worship Him for His works with a grateful heart, we are leaving out direct worship of our Wonderful, Awesome, and Majestic God for who He is. Continue reading →

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:5-6 (LSB)

This Christian walk is fraught with struggle against a deadly enemy. That enemy is the flesh. Our flesh is deceitful and has only one goal, which is, motivated by pride, to drive us to seek fulfillment through channels which will always result in the believer not walking in the Spirit, but according to it…. Continue reading →

“You can travel north to the Pole. But once passing the North Pole you are now traveling south. However, if you travel east, there is never a time when you are now traveling west. It is endless. You always travel east and never get to the west. It is a measureless distance. It is an infinite distance.”

(Elizabeth Prata – The End Time) Resurrection Sunday has just passed. I celebrated the monumental work of our Lord in His redemption of us to the Father. He will present a spotless bride thanks to Him living a sinless life, becoming sin for us, dying on the cross after exhausting God’s wrath for those sins. He paid the penalty we were due. Continue reading →

30 “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

I read the following paragraph from one of my devotions the other day:

“Visible disunity in the church is the worst it has ever been, but we must take care not to think that God’s people were once fully and visibly united on all matters of Christian living. Christians may have the Holy Spirit, but they are not free from sin in this life, and living in community with other believers always leads to disagreements…” Continue reading →

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word. (John 1:1 translated from the NA28 Greek text to English) 

Going back to Genesis 1:1, which says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” we understand that the Bible always assumes, and never argues, God’s existence. Although everything else had a beginning, God has always been (Psalm 90:2). In John 1:1-10 we see that the Apostle, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stresses the work of Christ in creation and opens in v1 (above) with the same phrase as in Genesis 1:1. In John 1:1, the word “Word” translates λόγος (logos)…. Continue reading →

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered and said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation eagerly seeks for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.Matthew 12:38-41 (LSB) 

Good Friday. Passover was a feast instituted by God to be held on Nisan 14 every year. Also, the Jewish day always began at sunset. Therefore, Nisan 14 began at sunset on Thursday and ran until sunset on Friday. At sunset Nisan 15 would begin. The next festival or feast after Passover was Unleavened Bread. This feast was eaten in the afternoon following the Seder, which was the Passover meal. Notice that this feast was held prior to sunset on Nisan 15 so it would still be Nisan 14. Continue reading →