“And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:2). 

Does forgiveness enable sin?

Probably the most frequent go-to verse for assurance of pardon in a worship service is 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This assurance is honey to our flagging spirits when they are weighed down by the guilt of sin. It bathes the guilty conscience with the refreshing waters of God’s grace. Continue reading →

9 But the Lord God called to the man, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 Who said, I heard thy voice in the garden and was afraid: because I was naked, therefore I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 Then the man said, The woman which thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said to the woman, Why hast thou done this? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 ¶ Then the Lord God said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. 15 I will also put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed. He shall break thine head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:9-15 Read Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43 on the site.

When I lived in the Kansas City area, I had a preacher ask me what a tare was. He knew that I was from Oklahoma and he thought I would know. I am no country boy, but when I was a young man, I worked in a grain elevator. Actually, most wheat farmers I knew complained about a weed, which grew in their fields, they called “Cheat.”… Continue reading →

29 On the next day he sees  Jesus coming to him and he says, “Look the Lamb of God, the one taking away the sin of the world.” John 1:29 (translated from the NA28 Greek text to English)

In my Nave’s Topical Bible there is a subsection under “Atonement” titled “Atonement – Made by Jesus.” It covers half of page 85 and runs through half of page 88. I find it interesting that the post-modern leaders in the emergent church such as the late Brian McLaren focus so much of their energies on trying to deny that the Lord Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the Cross to atone for the sins of His people was the primary mission of His incarnation…. Continue reading →

Sola Scriptura – In Sacred scripture alone

Sola Gratia – Salvation is by grace alone

Sola Fide – Through faith alone

Solus Christus – In Christ alone

Soli Deo Gloria! – For the glory of God alone!

1 Then was Jesus led aside of the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days, and forty nights, he was afterward hungry. 3 Then came to him the tempter, and said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answering, said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:1-4 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Unbelief is the fruit of arrogance. I hear nearly every day from some Emergent/Post-Modern know-it-all that certainty is the product of pride and the only ones who are truly humble are those who view uncertainty in all things as a virtue. What is unbelief in this context? To define it we must first define its opposite, belief. Continue reading →

I am reading a book by J.C. Ryle right now. It is awesome if you like Biblical exegetical studies, that is. In any case, the name of the book is Expository thoughts on The Gospel of John. This post is born out of my reading the chapter titled “John 1:15-18”, which I read this afternoon as I was parked in the parking lot at the school where my two grandsons are enrolled. I was waiting for them to exit the building so I could drive them home. I finished the chapter about 5 minutes before I started seeing students coming out. I knew right then that I was going to put something together this evening about what I read. I pray this blesses you my brethren. Continue reading →

¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. and we gazed upon his glory, glory as of the only one from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

Read Psalm 23 on the site.

I write this motivated from my Lord’s own work in my heart over the past several days to “restore my soul” (Psalm 23:2). The battle against apostasy and seeing how the visible church is becoming more and more symbolic and less and less genuinely focused on what the Apostle John calls “Spirit and Truth” has caused me to become susceptible to attacks from the enemy all designed to discourage and distract…. Continue reading →

10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, 11 Persecutions, and afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. 13 But the evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

“Christians” in the United States and other “civilized” countries do not exist in a climate of a fear of persecution like those in China and India (for now). Some would say that is because of our culture or that there are huge numbers of Christians here. However, the truth of the matter is that Christians who live in total obedience to their Lord will be persecuted…. Continue reading →

21 Foolishness is joy to him that is destitute of understanding: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Proverbs 15:21 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

15 Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the season: for the days are evil. 17 Wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-21 (translated from the NA28 Greek text) Read verses 18-21 and Greek text on the site.

This “walking,” this περιπατεῖτε is the present, indicative, active form of the verb περιπατέω, which, in this context, is speaking of ‘walking concerning something.’ It is describing a certain way in which a Christian walks through each day…. Continue reading →

10 ¶ But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, 11 Persecutions, and afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered: but from them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. 13 But the evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:10-13 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Receiving Christ’s Word and becoming like Him in our conduct will unavoidably mean being treated by the world in the way it treated Christ. “I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14)…. Continue reading →

28 And now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may be bold, and not be ashamed before him, at his coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, know ye that he which doeth righteously, is born of him. 1 John 2:28-29 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

All who are truly in Christ must admit that this walk is fraught with doubt as well as pressure to conform to a form of godliness that has no power, to be faithful at doing church as the primary indicator of our genuineness, as well as to live up to the idea that lost people have of what a Christian must be…. Continue reading →

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the Apostles’ hands the holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay the hands, he may receive the holy Ghost. 20 Then said Peter unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou thinkest that the gift of God may be obtained with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor fellowship in this business: for thine heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, that if it be possible, the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts 8:18-23 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

In these times of the “Compromised Church” with very little knowledge of historical Christianity and what makes up what is truly Orthodox, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when I’m called a heretic and false teacher for teaching Reformation Theology and then revealing that my view of eschatology is (gasp) not dispensational/pre-millennialism…. Continue reading →

13 But the Publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

In our day it is not unusual to hear a man-centered version of the Gospel message that has everything turned around backward and is presented in such a way that is meant to appeal emotionally to unbelievers with a statement such as, “Christ’s crucifixion is proof of our worth to God!” The appeal is meant to show that if Christ was willing to go to Cross to save sinners like us then that proves we are of value to God…. Continue reading →

59 These things spake he in the Synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples (when they heard this) said, This is an hard saying: who can hear it? 61 But Jesus knowing in himself, that his disciples murmured at this, said unto them, Doth this offend you? John 6:59-61 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

One theologian that has helped me a great deal in my journey into the truth, out of darkness into light, is Dr. C. Matthew McMahon at A Puritan’s Mind. He was the pastor of Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church in South Florida…. Continue reading →

33 These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace: in the world ye shall have affliction, but be of good comfort: I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

The natural man in each of us wants to paint God as a combination of a spiritual Santa Claus and the Genie from Aladdin’s Lamp or at least a lesser deity whose will is subject to his. We tie our good works into how well our lives go. If we do good things then God will surely see to it that we don’t lose our jobs or we get a great raise each year or our health is good…. Continue reading →

1 In the year of the death of king Uzziah, I saw also the Lord sitting upon an high throne, and lifted up, and the lower parts thereof filled the Temple. 2 The Seraphims stood upon it, every one had six wings: with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole world is full of his glory. Isaiah 6:1-3 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

In most English translations of the Old Testament when we encounter the word “Lord” we are actually reading the Hebrew word “Adhōnāy.” On the other hand, when we read the word “LORD,” it is a completely different Hebrew word, “Yehōwāh.” “Adhōnāy” is actually a title for God meaning “sovereign one.”… Continue reading →

1 In the beginning was that Word, and that Word was with God, and that Word was God. 2 This same was in the beginning with God. 3 ,All things were made by it, and without it was made nothing that was made. 4 In it was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 And that light shineth in the wilderness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. John 1:1-5 (1599 Geneva Bible) 

Those who have a problem with the Doctrine of Original Sin and the Wrath of God against all sin attempt to paint the God of Reformation Theology as some sort of ogre full of anger with very little love manifest except in the case of a chosen few. In their examples of how God operates in saving people, sin is never the issue…. Continue reading →

1 Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received the same kind of faith as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Peter 1:1-15 Read verses 5-15 on the site.

In the 1960s, the premier football team in the NFL was the Green Bay Packers. They won the NFL title in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967. They also won the first two Super Bowls. Their coach through all of these winning seasons was Vince Lombardi. Continue reading →

1 God, having spoken long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days spoke to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds, 3 who is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power; who, having accomplished cleansing for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:1-4 (LSB) 

The Church in the early part of the 21st Century is very sick. This sickness has not happened all at once. Instead, it is the result of centuries of compromise after compromise on the part of Christian leaders and their followers to adapt the Gospel and the Church doctrines to conform to what men want…. Continue reading →

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (LSB) 

In the passage above (2 Timothy 4:1-4) the word “myths” translates the Greek noun μύθους (mythous), the Accusative, Plural of μῦθος (mythos). It is where we get the English words myth and mythology. In Classical Greek, this is a tale or fable that is “fabricated by the mind in contrast to reality.”…

Continue reading →

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Matthew 25:1-4 (LSB) 

Jesus is coming back soon. If that statement brought a surge of joy into your heart then more than likely, you are actively preparing for His return and are looking forward to it with eagerness…. Continue reading →

6 Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?” Genesis 43:6 (LSB) 

Unforgiveness is poison for the Soul as it ensnares those who refuse to forgive by binding them into the prison of bitterness. This world is not a peaceful, easy, benign place. It is fallen. The world system is the product of Man’s rebellion against God. There is war. There is crime. There is oppression. People wrong other people. They place their wants and desires and perceived needs ahead of the wants and desires of others…. Continue reading →

(West Bredenhof – Abounding Grace) Atheists and agnostics love to discredit God’s Word by trotting out Bible contradictions. You can easily find lists of them online. We shouldn’t be afraid of these “contradictions.”  The vast majority of them have simple explanations which easily defang them.  Let’s briefly look at one of these alleged contradictions. It involves these two passages:

Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Continue reading →