“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 There are a whole host of people in this world who claim to be Christians. However, there are even fewer who actually attain to live a Christ-like life. If each Christian would remember that Christ gave His life to redeem us, it should make a difference. But more than that, we are to become the “peculiar people, zealous of good works” that He has called us to be. “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teachi ..read more

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10 There is a simple way to understand the separation of man from God, and the only way of redemption. However, there is a great necessity for one to recognize that apart from Christ, there is no hope. First, one must understand that everyone has sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God examines man’s heart and our deeds. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). He says that not one of us have met sinless perfection. “As it ..read more

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37 The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life, Year Three Quarter Two, Lesson 1”: “As Peter preached Jesus to the people, he initially directed his message to the Jews, for they had rejected Jesus, crucifying Him. ‘22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23. Him, bein ..read more

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5 In the Old Testament divided kingdom years, Israel had the form of worship (a religion) without the power (true nature) of that worship of God. King Jeroboam established two places of worship at Dan and Bethel, with golden calves in each city. They still performed sacrifices, but they were to idols — not to God. They “practiced” their religion as they always had, but they were denying the “power” of God because they replaced Him with the idols. Because of this, they never had a good king. We learne ..read more

“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” Psalm 1:6 As you read through Israel’s history during the divided kingdom, one cannot help but notice how important it is to God that He be kept first in one’s life and even in the nation. At any point in Israel’s history, the kings could have sought God (remember the prophets constantly preached for the people to seek God!). The kings of Israel could have remembered God’s laws and commandments — and kept them. Instead, we read that they continued in the sin of Jeroboam I, who made Israel to sin. When the ..read more

“As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.” Romans 9:25 Why is it important to read and understand the book of Hosea in the Old Testament? God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites). “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved” (Romans 9:25). (Osee is “Hosea”.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in t ..read more

“2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3 James did not become a Christian until after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. He finally understood that one must trust in Jesus by faith. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Once James ..read more

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Joel was a prophet of God. The name Joel means, “Jehovah is God.” The book of Joel begins with, “The word of the LORD that came to Joel ….” In the book of Joel, we recognize God spoke, and Joel relayed God’s message to the people. Joel spoke to Judah during a time when it seemed that the nation of Judah had forgotten God. At the beginning of the book of Joel, there is a cry to notice what was happening. God sent Joel to warn the people to wake up and pay attention t ..read more

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27 In the Old Testament, the Israelites were to reveal God to the world. All of the world was to recognize the Israelites belonged to God. One way this was revealed was that when the Israelites obeyed and followed God, they were blessed. However, when they walked contrary to God and His Word, the people would be cursed. This was displayed repeatedly in the Old Testament, especially during the times of the kings. When David was king, Israel ..read more

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” Matthew 7:22 Elisha sent one of the prophets to anoint a new king of Israel, Jehu, even while Jehoram was still king. When Jehu was anointed, he was also given a very grave message from God: he was to kill wicked King Ahab’s entire household. He went to Jezreel and killed King Jehoram. He continued by having Jezebel killed. Ahab had 70 sons living in Samaria, and they were also killed. Jehu did not stop there, he continued by killi ..read more