We Must Hate Every False Way

September 15, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“From Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:104).

The world wants us to be tolerant toward sin and error to the point that we cannot even call anything sin and error. Yet David said that his understanding of God’s precepts led him to “hate every false way.”

The same should be true for us. We should “hate every false way” because God hates it. The psalmist wrote elsewhere, “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; the Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit” (Psalm 5:4-6).

Furthermore, we should also “hate every false way” because sin causes souls to be lost. Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:2) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). If we understand God’s word, we cannot help but hate what is false.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Creation Proves the Power and Faithfulness of God

September 13, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, for all things are Your servants” (Psalm 119:90-91).

The opening words of Scripture contain this fundamental fact: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Jesus was instrumental in this. John wrote, “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3). This physical world continues “according to [His] ordinances” (Psalm 119:91). Paul said of Christ, “All things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17).

Immediately after the flood, God promised that His providential care would continue perpetually: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). His care “throughout all generations” (Psalm 119:90) is a “witness” of Him to “all the nations” (Acts 14:16-17).

If the earth can stand as long as it has, we can trust God’s word to stand. The psalmist said that heaven and earth “stand this day according to [God’s] ordinances” (Psalm 119:91). This is important to remember because it also pertains to our spiritual well-being. Just as physical birth continues through God’s providence (Genesis 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:15), spiritual rebirth continues through His word. Peter wrote, “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). God continues to give us spiritual life if we will trust and obey Him. His ongoing care in matters of this life are enough to prove to us that we can safely trust in Him.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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We Must Avoid Sin and Keep a Clear Conscience

September 8, 2016 by

The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

“They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways” (Psalm 119:3).

“Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments” (Psalm 119:6).

Many believe that Christians can “continue in sin” (Romans 6:1) without concern. Paul refuted this error and asked the question: “How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:2). Jude indicated that those who teach this error have perverted the word of God by turning it into a “license for immorality” (Jude 4, NIV).

Our goal must be to “do no unrighteousness” (Psalm 119:3). John said that his first epistle – and by principle, all of the Bible – was written “so that you may not sin” (1 John 2:1). God’s “commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172). Paul wrote, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). In order to “do no unrighteousness” (Psalm 119:3) and “not sin” (1 John 2:1), we must follow the righteous instructions found in God’s word.

David also indicated that God’s people should keep a clear conscience (Psalm 119:6). However, this does not mean that we keep ourselves free from guilt by ignoring God’s word and adopting a human standard. Paul persecuted Christians in good conscience (Acts 23:1). Our conscience must be trained by the word of God (Hebrews 5:13-14). Once our conscience is properly trained and we observe the commandments of God, we will not need to be ashamed as we examine our lives by God’s perfect standard.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Why Have the Class at All?

August 26, 2016 by

Success at Bible Teaching

As ridiculous as it may seem, there are many times when we conduct classes without ever really deciding exactly what it is we’re trying to accomplish. It may be that someone says, “We ought to have a class for the young married couples. After all, we’ve got so many of them, it would make a good class.” This isn’t to say that it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a class for the young couples, but it is to say that there ought to be a better reason for having it than just that “we’ve got a lot of them.” Other classes fall into the same category. We have ladies’ Bible classes sometimes for no better reason than that “We’ve always had them.”

Ideally, there should be a need before we have the class. If there is, then there should also be some idea of what is going to be covered, what the group can expect to learn, how long it will take to get there, and when they can expect to finish the course.

For example, if we’re going to have a young married couples’ class, we should decide ahead of time what it is they need, either from a look at what they’ve studied before, from their background, or from talking to them. We should be thinking about making up a weakness in their Bible background or solving problems they might have in their newly married status. It isn’t likely that we should start the class then decide that this would be a good time to study the book of Acts, 2 Samuel or Hebrews. To get the excitement needed to launch the class to keep the enthusiasm going to a successful conclusion, they should know that they are going to study a specific subject like “The Christian Home” or “Bible Couples” or “Young Men and Women in the Bible.” If material isn’t available, this is an excellent time to let the group do some good Bible searching. Assign different ones to come up with a family each week or report on different aspects of the Christian home. With just a little guidance, they can have a “funtime” and learn a tremendous amount at the same time. As we have said, though, there needs to be a projected purpose and stated ending time for the study whether six weeks or six months. That way, they can keep their enthusiasm up and know that they are learning a specific thing in a specific time frame.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, Success at Bible Teaching. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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Error Can Be Taught Innocently

August 24, 2016 by

Success at Bible Teaching

Not everyone who teaches error sets out to do so deliberately. It is possible for one to teach error without knowing that it is error. Apollos was an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, but he knew only the baptism of John until Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and taught him the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:24-26). Paul was in ignorance when he was opposing Christ (1 Tim. 1:13). There are doubtless a great number of people today who believe they are teaching the truth, but who are in reality teaching error. For this reason Bible teachers continually need to take heed unto ourselves and the doctrine that we may be able to save ourselves and others (1 Tim. 4:16).

The responsibility of Bible teachers is great. Our own souls are at stake and so are the souls of those we teach. Therefore we need to know the difference between the truth which saves (John 8:32; 1 Pet. 1:22) and the errors of men which damn the soul (2 Thess. 2:10-12). We also need to help our students to be able to make this distinction and follow truth in the face of all opposition.

The above post is an excerpt from the book, Success at Bible Teaching. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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