Bible teaching, encouragement, homiletics, exegesis, etc.

Walk worthy of the Lord in every way

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9 Therefore, we also from the day which we heard, do not cease praying for you and asking that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 to walk worthy of the Lord in every way pleasing to Him in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

It seems my life has become a continuous series of tests and trials, putting me into places of contention in which it is clearly apparent to me that the way I have gone before is not how God would have me go and be walking worthy of the Lord in every way pleasing to Him in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God…. Continue reading →

Simul Iustus et Peccator

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I began reading John Owen’s book Communion With The Triune God edited by Dr. Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor back in 2008 as we awaited the birth of our 1st grandson. I read it in the waiting rooms prior to the various ultra-sound tests and other doctor visits that go with that. On the day of his birth, I read a few pages and stopped as that blessed event finally arrived. For some reason, I put the book back on the shelf with the bookmark in place and left it there when I got back home. Then at the end of April of this year, I reached a level of mental and spiritual exhaustion that required that I take some time off…. Continue reading →

Who Giveth us richly all things to enjoy

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“Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.”—1 Timothy 6:17.

Our Lord Jesus is ever giving and does not for a solitary instant withdraw His hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever-shining; He is manna always falling round the camp; He is a rock in the desert, ever sending out streams of life from His smitten side; the rain of His grace is always dropping; the river of His bounty is ever-flowing, and the well-spring of His love is constantly overflowing…. Continue reading →

. . .Made Perfect

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The HTML processor for WordPress does not seem to like my HTML coding for using subscripts to mark the scripture passages in Spurgeon’s devotional. NO, it couldn’t be me and my confused state, right? [Mike suffered a stroke in April.] Please forgive me for the sloppiness. I tried for over an hour to get the subscripts to work, but it won’t do it. In any case, I rejoice that so many of you have been praying for me and have let me know you are going through your own trials or someone close to you is…. Continue reading →

The Patience of Faith

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With my ongoing recovery from my stroke [Mike had a stroke in April], and all that goes with that, I have found myself severely limited as far as resources and time in developing these posts. Things that I could handle in just a few minutes only a couple of weeks ago now seem to consume all my time. I sometimes feel like I have been demoted to the status of the youngest, least trusted child. As I stated in yesterday’s post, this is most definitely a faith step. Today I would like to post this devotional by Oswald Chambers from “My Utmost for His Highest for I agree that what has happened to me is part of God’s plan of stretching me and changing me for His purposes, for His glory. – Mike Ratliff Continue reading →

Tiptoeing into Apostasy

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Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

I’ve been a Christian long enough to have seen many people fall away from the faith. Some have been well-known ministers or speakers who built large organizations or churches before falling into outright unbelief or into impenitence for serious sin. Others have been close friends who have decided to abandon their profession of faith along with their spouses. Still others have been former students in Bible studies and Sunday school classes who embraced worldly values and never darkened the door of an orthodox, gospel-preaching church again even if they claimed some sort of Christian allegiance. Continue reading →

Antinomian teaching is centered in a misunderstanding of what is meant by ‘Christian Freedom’

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For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one. 31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. Romans 3:28-31 (NASB) 

Antinomianism: The doctrine or belief that the Gospel frees Christians from required obedience to any law, whether scriptural, civil, or moral, and that salvation is attained solely through faith and the gift of divine grace. Continue reading →

What We Need is Power

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“It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” 1 Peter 1:12

What is needed by the Christian today for the undergoing of all things experienced by the Christian today? Is it a newer model of worship? A new set of instructions? The latest innovation in religious technology? A handbook of tips and skills and troubleshooting flowcharts? Do we need more inspirational pick-me-ups? Do Christians need more classes, more diplomas, more specialized training? Continue reading →

Self-Righteousness vs. Inward Cleanness

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24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Matthew 23:24 (NASB) 

A huge trap that Christians can fall into is self-righteousness. It is a form of idolatry and that always causes spiritual blindness (Romans 1:24-25). Self-righteousness puts all effort towards godliness in the wrong place. It creates a form of piety that is all about outward appearances while putting little or no priority on matters of the heart. It is all about being concerned about appearances and what others think rather than being totally committed to abiding in Christ from within first…. Continue reading →

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of wickedness in the heavenly places

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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12 NASB)

As we study Ephesians 6:10-20, which in most New Testaments is labeled as “The Armor of God” or something similar, we need to pay close attention the reason God has given us this armor and, therefore, why it is necessary for us to put it on and keep it on at all time…. Continue reading →

Drawing near unto God means having a desire for holiness

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7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” Matthew 15:7-9 (NASB) 

What does it mean biblically to draw near to God? Obviously, the Jews our Lord confronted as Matthew recorded in the passage above were not doing so. However Hebrews 10:22 says to those who are truly born again:

22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 (NASB)

Continue reading →

Worthy of Worship

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“Men and women are ready to worship created beings while refusing to worship the living and true God.”

A number of years ago, Anna and I were at a concert to see one of our favorite singer-songwriters perform. During the break in between songs, someone in the crowd shouted, “You’re my hero. I worship you, man!” The performer stopped the show and said, “Don’t say that. You don’t know anything about me.”… Continue reading →

Could we be in the midst of God’s wrath of abandonment?

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17 “Ephraim is joined to idols, Let him alone. Hosea 4:17 (NKJV) 

Idolatry is the natural state of man. Left to themselves, people will worship or idolize someone or something. On the top of the list of those things we place on pedestals of idolatry is self. Professing Christians are not immune. They idolize Christian leaders, their churches, their doctrine, their liberty, their self-righteousness, their denomination, their particular translation of the Bible, and anything else they can view as something that gives them a sense of religious identity…. Continue reading →

Satan’s strategy is to kill our consciences

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5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. Romans 13:5 (NASB) 

Part of daily devotional time is to pray for personal holiness along with wisdom, discernment, and Christlikeness. Why do I do that? Just take an honest look at the visible church all around us. What is missing? Yes, we have religion. Yes, we have growing churches. But if you take a good, long, hard look at the spiritual maturity of most professing Christians in the U.S.A. what do we come up with?… Continue reading →

God Himself bears the pain, the hurt, and agony of our sins.

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The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).

Here is the beginning of animal sacrifices: God sheds blood in order to make clothing for Adam and Eve. He made them from the skins of animals, and therefore those animal lives were sacrificed to clothe Adam and Eve. This is but a picture, as all animal sacrifices are but pictures—a kind of kindergarten of grace—in order to teach us the great truth that God eternally attempts to communicate to us as men and women. Ultimately, it is God Himself who bears the pain, the hurt, and agony of our sins. As John the Baptist said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away [who is continually taking away] the sin of the world! (John 1:29)…. Continue reading →

Christian Suffering and Perseverance

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 PETER 1:3–7, ESV

Because of God’s grace and regeneration, believers are changed forever. However, they are not immediately at the spiritual maturity level that God desires for His people. Therefore, from that point until they go home to be with their Lord, all genuine Christians will go through a series of tests and trials that put pressure on their faith…. Continue reading →

The Mortification of Sin – Modernized Version

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Mike Ratliff, 5/27/2020

Several years ago I did a series on John Owen’s wonderful book, The Mortification of Sin. While a great number of people participated in that study they also struggled with John Owen’s 17th Century English. He was a wonderful preacher of God’s Word and a gifted teacher. He was also mightily used by God throughout his ministry, but in our time what he was teaching seems to have been largely ignored and lost. Continue reading →

The Joy of Christ’s Resurrection

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22 “And therefore, you now have grief, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and no one takes your joy from you.” John 16:22 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

According to my stats page, What is Joy?, is by far my most popular post. It was also one of the first ones I wrote when I started this ministry in 2006 and its focus has been the focus I have attempted to maintain since I started, which is the edification of the Body of Christ by pointing all to the true source of our joy instead of what the world attempts to sell us as a replacement, which is just temporal happiness…. Continue reading →

I’d Rather Have Jesus Than A Chocolate Easter Bunny

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(By Marsha West – Christian Research Network) Easter congers images of decorative baskets filled with all sorts of goodies, cool new clothes, church services, the annual Easter egg hunt, families and friends gathering together to enjoy a sumptuous meal.  Doesn’t it seem a bit odd that people will spend an entire day celebrating a make-believe rabbit?

Today when Easter Sunday rolls around a good many Christians spend more time participating in secular events than celebrating the Resurrection of their Savior.  Before I move on I should point out that “Easter” is now passé.  Wanting to remove the Christian origins of our language, secularists managed to change Resurrection Sunday to Easter Sunday and Easter break to spring break – all in the name of tolerance.  Fortunately a large number of believers have caught on to their shenanigans and have gone back to using Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter.

Just as our postmodern culture has secularized Christmas, likewise Easter has been secularized and now we incorporate the Easter Bunny, hunting for colorful eggs and binging on chocolate and jellybeans.  There’s nothing wrong with Easter festivities per se — but for Christians, Christ’s triumph over death ought to be the reason for the celebration.   What does a big bunny, a basket filled with plastic Easter eggs and decadently delicious goodies have to do with Jesus? Continue reading →

Jesus, Our Substitute

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The word vicarious is extremely important to our understanding of the atonement of Christ. The late Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that, in his judgment, the single most important word in all of the Greek New Testament is the minuscule word huper. This little word is translated by the English phrase “in behalf of.” Barth was clearly engaging in a bit of hyperbole in making this statement, because many words in the New Testament are arguably as important or even more important than huper, but he was simply seeking to call attention to the importance of what is known in theology as the vicarious aspect of the ministry of Jesus. Continue reading →

You Are of Your Father the Devil

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7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:7-8 (NASB) 

Relativism is the fatal disease of the unregenerate heart. Of course, it is a self-focused relativism. Everyone is unique, of course, but we have this built-in sense of ‘fairness’ that is antithetical to God’s Sovereignty. Several years ago, my late friend and colleague Ken Silva was the subject of a satirical article meant to attack his character. If you think through that then you should immediately recognize the tactics of our enemy…. Continue reading →

The Pelagian Captivity of the Church

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Shortly after the Reformation began, in the first few years after Martin Luther posted the Ninety-Five Theses on the church door at Wittenberg, he issued some short booklets on a variety of subjects. One of the most provocative was titled The Babylonian Captivity of the Church. In this book Luther was looking back to that period of Old Testament history when Jerusalem was destroyed by the invading armies of Babylon and the elite of the people were carried off into captivity. Continue reading →

Do You Participate In The Unfruitful Works Of Darkness?

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6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Ephesians 5:6-17 (NASB) Read verses 13-17 on the site.

What does it mean to “participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness”? Read the entire passage of Ephesians 5:6-17 (above), and then we will look at the word participate, and at what unfruitful deeds of darkness are. Continue reading →

What is the basis for Genuine Christian Living?

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“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He cleans it so that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1–2 Legacy Standard Bible)

Something has changed. Of course, I am sure the changes I am referring to have not suddenly taken place, but are, in fact, the result of years of God’s judgment upon nations, church groups (denominations), church leaders, and professing Christians because Christians at the core along with their leaders have compromised…. Continue reading →

‘Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit’. What Does It Mean?

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28 “Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:28-30 (NASB) 

I am sure most of those reading this have at one time or another become concerned to some degree that they had committed the unpardonable sin. Several people who I have witnessed to have told me that they couldn’t be saved because they had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Let’s look at the passage from the book of Matthew that parallels the one I placed at the top of this post. Continue reading →