Watching Daily At Wisdom's Gates

  Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honour. Proverbs 18:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.18.12.ESV There's a down, up; down up pattern to this Proverb. It goes from God to us; and us to God. God will bring us down if we're haughty. As Johnny Cash sang, God's gonna cut you down. It doesn't matter whether we're paupers or princes; beggars or billionaires. We will all give an account of ourselves to the Almighty. We would do well to humble ourselves before the one who could destroy us. The humbling truth is that if we humble ourselves, God will honour us. We're not naturally honourable, but God delights to honour repentant sinners. Humility might not be honoured in the world. The meek might get trampled upon by the haughty. In eternity however wrongs are righted and we get our just deserts. 'High and exalted One, please humble us, so that we might be graciously honoured by You. For Your glory we pray, amen

  Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." John 20:21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.20.21.ESV If we saw someone alive three days after their death, I'm sure we would need him to call us to peace a couple of times to settle our nerves at such an unheard of thing! The disciples were no exception. Jesus reassured them that He wasn't a ghost. Jesus's resurrection wasn't the happily ever after of life. Although it wasn't the end, it was the beginning of the end for sin and death and the devil. So it was the happiest event in history. Happily, because of Christ's resurrection, we can enjoy eternal life. We can't just sit back and relax however. He has commissioned us to work for Him. As the Father sent His Son to give His life for us, so He calls us to devote our lives to Him, to make Him famous. It won't be any easier for us than it was for Him. He who called us though is faithful

  Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:27 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.19.27.ESV Jesus's final words on the cross are deeply profound, such as 'it is finished/accomplished', referring to the salvation He won for us when He was crucified. This final word in today's verse is deeply personal and human, but no less profound than some of His more famous statements. Jesus wasn't so much thinking of Himself on the cross as others. From 'Father forgive them' to this verse, Jesus was thinking of others. He thought of His natural mother Mary, likely widowed and shortly to be bereaved of Him. He asked His beloved friend John to adopt her as his mother. John obeyed Jesus's final charge, and took Mary into his home as his mother. Jesus created a new family in His body and blood. We're united by faith in Him and His sacrifice on our behalf. Final words are revea

  Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, "I find no guilt in him. John 18:38 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.18.38.ESV Jesus told Pilate that all who are on the side of truth listen to Him. This verse reveals Pilate's scornful answer. He didn't even stop for a response to his question, betraying the fact he wasn't on the side of truth. For Pilate, if he had thought about it, the truth was what was selfishly expedient. So although he found no guilt in Christ, he condemned Him to death anyway to avoid a riot breaking out against him. He was clearly more interested in his own position than in doing the right thing. Pilate famously washed his hands of Jesus, and handed Him over to be crucified. Hand washing isn't going to cut it before God's throne however. There is no indication that Pilate repented of the ultimate sin of deicide. The religious leaders knew how to push Pilate&

  Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance. Proverbs 14:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.14.9.ESV It's foolish to mock sacrifice. In our modern, rational age, the idea of offering for sin is scoffed at. We live in a cancel culture, where comments deemed inappropriate are deemed unforgiveable. So many people are foolish, they scoff at the apparent folly of Christ crucified, little knowing that it is the wisdom of God for our salvation. God forbid that we should scoff at the only way of salvation. If we don't repent it won't bode well for us. How do the upright enjoy acceptance? Aren't we all naturally bent, broken, and fallen? Yes, but God can raise us up and set us upright, through faith in His Son's sacrifice. Christ crucified is folly to the world, and a stumbling block to the religious, but we who are being saved know it is God's most wise plan for our deliverance from destruction. We will always rejoice in Him. Forever we

  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.15.4.ESV In who or what do we abide? Do we live for work or women; food or family? Or do we, as He calls us to, abide in Christ? Abiding in Christ is a two way street. It's not just about us abiding in Him, but about Him abiding in us by His Holy Spirit. As such, we should walk worthily of Him. We might think we can bear the fruit of the Spirit without Christ's Spirit within us. We might think we can be loving without Him. Can we love our enemies however without supernatural help? Insofar as we can display the likes of love, joy and peace without God, they are wild fruits. We need to allow God to cultivate such things in our hearts, so that we become increasingly fruitful for Him. Without Him, we can do nothing. 'Dear Lord, may we abide in You and You abide in us. So may we bear muc

  And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. Exodus 35:21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.35.21.ESV The Lord has always loved a cheerful giver, not just in the new testament. After all, He Himself is a cheerful Giver. He doesn't begrudgingly give us all we need, but has offered Himself for us. God stirred people's hearts to generosity even in the old testament. How much more generous should we be, who God has revealed His Saviour to? If they gave tithes and offerings in the old testament, we should outdo them in generosity nowadays. God's work still requires contributions today. When we invest in God's Kingdom, we're not throwing our wealth away. Instead we're investing treasures in heaven. Jesus would question what the point is of hording up wealth in this life. We take nothing with u

  "Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. Exodus 34:21 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.34.21.ESV 'You've got to make hay while the sun shines' isn't necessarily a Biblical principle. The Bible would add a caveat: 'unless it's a day of rest'. The Bible takes rest so seriously that even when we could be at our most productive, we need to take a break sometimes. Even in plowing time and in harvest, we need to take a rest. We're not machines, we're fallible humans. Even Almighty God took a rest to set a precedent for us. In this new covenant age, we don't need to be legalistic about a day of rest. Jesus Himself is our Sabbath rest. We don't need to be working to earn our salvation, we can simply rest in Him. Having said the above, it is good to take the Lord's Day, upon which He defeated death, as a day of rest. On this day we should be meeting with our bret

  Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Exodus 33:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.33.11.ESV The fact the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face is astounding. How can sinful people like us face a Holy God? Moses had murdered someone: how could he look God in the face? The tent of meeting offers a clue. Just as there was a place where people could meet with God in the old testament, so Jesus came down to earth to 'pitch up tent' amongst us. Now He has poured out His Holy Spirit into our hearts, as living temples to Almighty God. The tent of meeting was a place of sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us. We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, in the light of God's mercy, to be holy and pleasing to Him. The reason Moses could face God is the same reason we will be able to one day face Him

  When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:4 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.10.4.ESV I heard about a tour of Israel where the holidaymakers noted someone driving sheep. 'Look at the shepherd!' they said. The tour guide corrected them. The shepherd leads. The one who drives the sheep is the butcher! Jesus is an exceptionally good Shepherd. Not only does He lead His sheep, He lays down His life for them. Not only so, but He rose again victorious over death. As the sheep of God, we might be treated by the world as sheep for the slaughter. In many parts of the world, Christians are severely persecuted. Thankfully we have a wonderful eternity to look forward to. Jesus, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God the Father. We follow where He is leading us, to eternal glory. We can endure some temporary trouble until He calls us home. &#

  There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: Proverbs 6:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.6.16.ESV God hating things and finding things abominable? Isn't He a God of love? Yes, but love hates what is hateful. If God was to shrug His shoulders at all the unlovely things we do, that wouldn't be loving, that would be hateful. It's interesting that many of the things God hates we would shrug our shoulders at, but that shows how complacently hateful we are. We don't rate bad motives; God does. 'As long as we don't hurt anyone', we excusingly say of ourselves. What if we are hurting ourselves? What if we are damaging our relationship with God? Thankfully, there is hope for hateful sinners like us. While we we still sinners, Christ died for us, such is God's love for us, even as He hates our wrongdoing.  We need to turn from our sins to Him. 'O Lord, please have mercy upon us for our hateful sinfulness. May we

  She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."]] John 8:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.8.11.ESV No one condemned the adulterous woman. From a moment of high drama where she was dragged before Jesus, all her accusers slipped away at Jesus's challenge. He said the one without sin could cast the first stone of the punishment according to the Mosaic Law. Even the religious opponents of Jesus had to admit that they were sinners. They didn't have authority to condemn. When we feel condemned by our sins, we can remind ourselves of the popular saying 'only God can judge' (unless we're guilty of a criminal offense of course!). The religious leaders who brought the woman caught in adultery weren't interested in justice. After all, where was the guilty man? They just wanted to trap Jesus. If Jesus condemned the woman according to the Mosaic Law, He'd get in trouble with the Roman

  Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.4.26.ESV It's easy to just breeze through life, drifting along without a thought as to where it's all headed. That's not how we should be. We should be pondering through path of our feet. If we ponder the path of our feet, we will reflect that we often go through dark times, the valley of the shadow of death as it were. How do we make it through? God's word is a torch for our path and a light to our feet. We're naturally on the wide road that leads to destruction. We need God to realign us to the narrow path that leads to eternal life. It isn't any easier, but Solomon promises that all our ways will be sure if we thoughtfully go God's way. If God is for us, what can be against us? We are sure and safe. Nothing in life, in heaven, earth or under the earth can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 'O Lord our G

  then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:5 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.2.5.ESV When will we understand the fear of the Lord? When will we find the knowledge of God? When we seek after wisdom. Seeking after wisdom isn't just seeking intellectual knowledge. It's about knowing how to apply what we know to best effect. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fool says in his heart, 'there is no God'. We do well to fear the One who can cast soul and body into hell. When we get to know Him, we get to know His saving love which casts out fear. Fear of God might be the beginning of wisdom, but the love of God is the eternal end of wisdom. It's not enough to have a doctorate in Divinity. We need to know God personally as our loving heavenly Father. 'Loving Father God, please help us to fear You as we ought. May we know You as the gracious Lord You are to all who cry out to You, in Christ's na

  Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." John 4:26 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.4.26.ESV One of Jesus's clearest revelations of Himself as the Jewish Messiah, the Christ, the Saviour, wasn't even to a Jew. She was a Samaritan woman who'd been pretty prodigal in how many men she'd had. She wasn't even married when Jesus met her, just cohabiting. Devout Jewish men wouldn't talk to women outside their tight knit circles, never mind foreign ones. Samaritans were a bit like the traveller, or 'Gypsy' communities in the UK- not very well respected. Jesus wasn't afraid to break social taboos however. What started off with Him innocently asking for a drink ended with Him declaring Himself the Saviour. He must have seemed an unlikely Saviour, tired as He was from His journey, and dependant on the Samaritan woman to quench His thirst. Still, Jesus promised to quench her spiritual thirst, a void she was clearly trying in vain to fil

  And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. John 3:19 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.19.ESV The Man who told us not to judge (or we will be judged) isn't afraid to judged. His judgement is that even though He came into the world as a light, people loved darkness rather than light. Why? Because their works were evil. Jesus isn't talking about natural light. There were no electric lights in His earthly days. He's referring to spiritual light, or goodness. The light of goodness is contrasted with the darkness of evil. Jesus came so that evil people can be reconciled to God. Sadly, most of universally sinful humanity has rejected Him. Most people admit that Jesus is good. But they refuse to come into the light and live for Him. They would rather pursue evil. Those who do come to Him, He will in no way cast out. 'Light of the world, may we come to You and Your g

  This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.2.11.ESV Jesus, humble Mary's Son, is the glorious Son of God. Yet He lived most of His life in obscurity, in all likelihood working His stepdad's trade as a carpenter. It was appropriate that He should begin to manifest His glory at a wedding. Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom, came to earth to die for His bride, the church. So it was fitting that His first miraculous sign was at a wedding. He always comes across as the life and soul of the party, to the extent that religious people accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard. Even the MC of the wedding admitted that people usually served the best wine first, when people were sober enough to taste the difference. He was impressed when Jesus came up with surely the tastiest wine ever, although it's unclear whether he initially realised it was a miracle.

  The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.9.ESV Jesus is the Word of God through whom everything was made, including natural light. Not only so, but He is also the true light, the spiritual light, the source of all light and goodness. He didn't begin at Bethlehem, He is begotten of God, but not created. Jesus isn't just pure light in and of Himself. He is also the Light of the world. In His light we see light. He came into the world to bring light into the world. Now that He has ascended to the Father, He describes His people as the light of the world. We are the body of Christ on earth. We need to come out of the darkness of sin into the light of Christ. His light exposes our sinfulness so that it can be dealt with by His blood. We just need to cry out to Him to brighten our lives. 'Light of the world, please help us shine brightly for You in this dark world. Thank You for brightening up

  that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." Luke 24:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.24.7.ESV The word of the Lord is so sure that the angel said that everything that happened to Him 'must' have happened as He promised it would. His word is sure. His promises are never broken by Him. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, was delivered into the hands of sinful men. They aren't even described by their worldly titles of king, governor, chief priests and Sanhedrin. They're described by God's view of them, sinful men, falling far short of His glory. 'It's mystery all, t'Immortal dies'. What a profound truth, that the Everlasting Lord of glory should be executed for us and our sins! Thankfully, that wasn't the end of the story. On the third day, as promised, Jesus rose again, victorious over death. Because He lives, we can face all that life throws at us knowing

  You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.20.3.ESV We might not think we're guilty of worshipping false gods. Maybe we don't worship Islamic or Hindu gods. The first and second of the ten commandments are linked however. Idolatry, which the second commandment prohibits, has been described as 'turning a good thing into a god thing'. There's not necessarily anything wrong with the likes of health, wealth and happiness. If we idolise them however, they are like gods to us. The one true God is alone worthy of our worship. If we live for other things, even if they're good things like family and friends; food and fun, we are guilty of breaking the ten commandments. Even if we only break one law, it's like a ladder to heaven whereby even if we miss one rung, we fall flat on our faces, back to square one. Science is a god to many nowadays. We have slavishly 'followed the science' of soothsaying forecasters

  You will be hated by all for my name's sake. Luke 21:17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.21.17.ESV If this verse was all we had to go on as to what the Christian life is like, we would be tempted to pack up and go home. Jesus pulls no punches. He doesn't pull the wool over our eyes. It's not like Jesus was universally loved Himself. In fact, even those who claimed to love Him deserted Him at the end of His earthly pilgrimage. If the world hated Him, why should we expect to be treated any differently? Jesus tells us we're blessed if we're persecuted, because great is our reward in heaven. Furthermore, He pronounces woe on those who everyone speaks well of, because they spoke well of false prophets too. 'It's not an easy road we are travelling to heaven'. Jesus, for the joy set before Him endured the cross and scorned its shame. We would do well to endure the hatred of the world for the joy set before us by our Lord. We who endure to the end will

  He answered them, "I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, Luke 20:3 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.20.3.ESV Jesus often asked questions. In fact, He often responded to questions with questions, as in this instant. Why did He not always give a straight answer? Because He perceives the motives of the questioners. If someone is sincere, often Jesus would give them a straight answer, although often it was in the form of a story to illustrate His point. When the disciples asked Him if many would be saved, He simply replied to make every effort to enter through the narrow gate onto the narrow way, because only a few will find it. His answers might not always be direct, but they're always appropriate. The religious leaders were trying to catch Jesus out. They were trying to frame Him. They would seemingly succeed when they condemned Him for blasphemy, and treason against the Romans. In this verse however, Jesus's time had not yet come. So He turned their questio

  "I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'" Exodus 16:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.16.12.ESV God starts off graciously with His grumbling people. They're hungry, so He provides them food. This doesn't justify grumbling however! Instead of grumbling, we should humbly pray. Complaint is a form of prayer that is acceptable to God. Grumbling 'behind God's back' is a sin. If we've got a perceived problem with God, we should take it to Him in prayer, instead of moaning about Him. This time God might have been gracious. As their grumbling persisted however, His sanctions became heavy. This grumbling generation of Israelites never made the promised land. If our lives are defined by grumpiness and moaning, we would do well to doubt whether we'll ever make the promised new creati

  You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode. Exodus 15:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.15.13.ESV I love the faith and hope in this verse, as well as the love. The children of Israel had only made it to the other side of the Red Sea on their way to the promised land. Still, having miraculously parted the Red Sea, it was a done deal that they would make it to God's holy abode. Similarly, we talk about being saved. Our salvation doesn't reach full fruition until we enter eternity. It's already a done deal however through the death and resurrection of Christ. Why does God bother leading and guiding us, when we so readily grumble and wander astray? It's because of His unfailing love for us in the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us, and gave Himself for us. We need to keep in step with His Spirit. 'I'm redeemed, yes I am, by the blood of the Lamb: Jesus Christ has done it al

  Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, Luke 17:20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.17.20.ESV The Kingdom of God isn't a worldly kingdom. Our King is enthroned in heaven, He's the King of kings and the Lord of lords. As He told Roman governor Pilate, 'My Kingdom is not of this world'. Jesus told religious leaders to give Caesar his coins, but to give to God what is God's. God doesn't exact taxes for His Kingdom as such. He does however expect us to give our everything to Him. There's no flag as such in God's Kingdom, although the Song of Songs prophetically says that His banner over us is love. We can't visit God's Kingdom's capital, although the new Jerusalem will descend to us. We have entry at any time to the throneroom of heaven through prayer. If we belong to Jesus, our hearts are outposts of His Kingdom. We are ambas

  For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty. Job 31:23 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/job.31.23.ESV We might often hear of the exemplary Proverbs thirty one woman, but we don't hear nearly enough of her male counterpart: the Job thirty one man. This verse gives us the secret of his success. He had so much integrity because of his fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Job was a wise man, who promised himself not to lust after women, to defraud his workers, to worship anything other than God etc. In every area of his life he displayed integrity. Was Job's fear of the Lord misplaced? After all, He faced calamity anyway, never mind trying to avoid it by living well! Maybe his motivation wasn't perfect, but he avoided the everlasting calamity of hell. Even as it was, Job could barely face his Majesty, the Lord. It was only because his Redeemer lives that he could face God. Even so, he would find the experi

  And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. Luke 15:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.15.11.ESV The parable we know as being about the prodigal son is actually about two sons. We might remember the prodigal returning to his father, but what of his older brother who never left? We might assume the elder brother was close to his dad, but his response to his brother's return betrayed his cold heart. The older son is actually the one who has the greatest lesson for Jesus's original audience. He told these stories of lostness to religious leaders who thought everyone other than themselves were lost. The older brother reveals that he is in fact more lost than his brother who was found. Jesus is the prodigious Saviour who comes down to us and draws us back to the Father. The people who appear never to have left God, the religious ones, are in fact the ones a million miles from His heart, whose refusal to rejoice at lost ones' returns betrays the fact that they

  Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Exodus 10:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.10.16.ESV Was this Pharoah's Damascene conversion? Or should that be locust-ian conversion? He suffered a plague of the critters and wanted rid of them! Sadly, Pharoah's confession before Moses and Aaron was only skin deep. He wasn't concerned with the fact he'd sinned against God. He was more preoccupied with getting rid of the locusts that plagued his land. Pharoah might be a bad example, but the world today is even worse. The plague of coronavirus hasn't led to world leaders admitting guilt before a holy God. Instead, they seek human solutions rather than crying out to God for respite. Revelation reveals that the plagues that plague the world don't lead to wholesale conversions, just like the Egyptian plagues didn't. Instead, people curse God. We should be bowing prostrate before His

  And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. [Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.] Mark 16:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.16.8.ESV There are a number of possible explanations for some of the earliest of Mark's manuscripts ending on this cliffhanger. Maybe Mark was martyred before he could conclude his gospel. In that case it would have been left to his successors to conclude the gospel as widely known. There's nothing in the conclusion that contradicts the other gospels. Another theory is that Peter, the main Apostolic source for Mark's gospel was martyred before Mark could finish scribing (we know Peter was martyred, so this is very plausible). The final verses could be Mark's conclusion which neatly round off his gospel. However we make sense of Mark's conclusion, I don't think we should throw the last few verses out. If Mark di

  So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and Lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 45:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.45.8.ESV I love Joseph's divine perspective on his roller coaster ride of a life. From spoilt son to slave; from prison to prince, God was with Joseph every step of the way and helped him to never lose heart. So when he finally had a reunion with his brothers who sold him into slavery, he made it clear he wasn't out for revenge. Joseph may have been arrogant as a boy, but not as prime minister. He knew that God had put him where he was 'for such a time as this' as Mordecai put a comparable situation to Esther. God sovereignly worked through the good and the bad to save many lives through Joseph. Pharoah may have been leader of the world superpower, worshipped as a god by his people. But Joseph was like a god to him, running the country on his behalf whilst he simply remaine

  For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father." Genesis 44:34 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.44.34.ESV Judah's attitude towards Benjamin is reminiscent of the attitude of his greatest Descendant Jesus towards sinners like us. Judah offered the Egyptian Prime Minister to stand in Benjamin's place, to be His substitute. Jesus is the Substitute of all who trust in Him. One of the most famous verses says that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to us. The Son, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, didn't come to us under duress. He willingly offered Himself up as the slain Lamb of God on our behalf. Jesus didn't ascend to heaven empty-handed. By giving His life for His people, He has saved an innumerable throng. He ever lives to make intercession for us. Judah came a long way from an incestuous apostate to the ancestor of the Messiah. We too can become Christlike, through faith in Him. We can

  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. Mark 14:35 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.14.35.ESV Jesus might be fully God, but He was also fully human during His incarnation. Deep down He knew He had to suffer torture and murder for our sakes. Still, when it came to the hour, He didn't relish it. Jesus wasn't some kind of sadist. The cross was something to endure in the hope of the joy that was to come. Anticipating excruciating pain and separation from His Father in heaven wasn't something He took lightly at all. We're told that at this time Jesus sweat drops of blood, a mark of extreme stress. As God, He knew what was coming. As a Man He dreaded it. So why wasn't it possible for Jesus to avoid such a tortuous hour? Because it was necessary for Him to suffer such things for our salvation. Such is the depths of God's love for us. 'Sovereign Lord, how we praise You for all Y

  And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.13.13.ESV We all want to be loved. People don't tend to set out to get people to hate them. Even Jesus, the most divisive figure in history, didn't go out of His way to make people hate Him. We can't say Jesus didn't warn us. They hated Him; they will hate us His people. They killed Him; many who kill Christians think they're doing God a service. Why would we do anything for Jesus's sake if it's going to bring hatred our way? Because if we endure to the end, we will be saved. Eternity in glory is worth a lifetime of hatred. Here's a concerning thought. What if people don't hate us? If the persecuted are blessed, what if people speak well of us? In that case, we must be doing something wrong. 'Blessed God, we seek Your blessing, knowing that it comes to the persecuted and despised of the worl

  He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong." Mark 12:27 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.12.27.ESV In Jesus' day there were religious people who didn't believe in an afterlife. Even today, such a demographic is a small one. The Sadducees as they were known were a small but powerful sect within Judaism in Roman Palestine. As Solomon said, God has set eternity in the hearts of mankind, so most people cling to hope of heaven, if not fear of hell. The Sadducees still believed in the torah, the books of Moses. So Jesus challenged their understanding of it. The Sadducees claimed belief in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but in their rationality, believed they were dead. Jesus challenged this belief with His statement about God being the God of the living. If we trust in the triune God, we become spiritually alive for eternity, we receive eternal life. So even if we physically die like our forefathers in the faith, we will rise again for eternity. Physi

  Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? Job 4:6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/job.4.6.ESV The best thing Job's friends did for him was to sit in silent solidarity with him. Once they started speaking they started pontificating about why he was suffering. They ended up simply compounding his grief. 'Job's comforters' have become synonymous with ineffectual and unhelpful counsel. Eliphaz here is no exception. He makes groundless assumptions about Job and his faith. Eliphaz assumed that Job's confidence was in his fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord by definition is the opposite. We fear the Lord because we have no confidence in ourselves. Instead we trust God to be gracious to us. Eliphaz assumed Job's integrity was his hope. Job however made clear his awareness of his need for a Redeemer, and that his hope was in God. We should never second guess people's hearts. 'God our Redeemer, please help us fear Yo

  So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:28 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mrk.2.28.ESV If we want to know what God expects of us in regard to work and rest, we need look no further than the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, He declared Himself as Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath, or day of rest, isn't Lord, Jesus is. We shouldn't absolutise God's laws. We shouldn't add to them, hedging them around with manmade regulations to try and ensure we don't break them. Adding to God's law is as bad as taking away from it. As Lord of the Sabbath, why did Jesus institute it at all? For the sake of mankind. The Sabbath was made for mankind, not the other way round. God knows we need rest. So He graciously introduced a day of rest within the week for us. We're not to get legalistic about it however. 'Lord our God, thank You for the rest that we can enjoy in You. Please help us to work hard but to rest well. In Christ's name, amen'

  Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Genesis 11:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.11.9.ESV The world is still pretty Babel-onian, and not just for the multiplicity of languages. People are confused as to the meaning of life. Many people think they have to construct their own meaning. Others follow established systems that claim to build meaning into their lives. Religion however always demands the impossible. We can't keep our own standards, never mind God's. Thankfully, there is another principle at work in the world today other than the Babel-onian one of confusion. There is the Pentecostal principle of gospel clarity. On the day of Pentecost, the outpoured Spirit of God enabled miraculous speaking of different languages. How did the good news of Jesus spread so quickly through the world? Thanks in large part to the gift of tongues,

  And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." Matthew 8:25 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.8.25.ESV Actors often portray Jesus as some kind of unflappable spirit being as though nothing phased Him. The gospels however refuse to gloss over His humanity. This verse shows just how exhausted Jesus must have been physically. You don't have a nap on a boat in a storm unless you're shattered! Often, we pine after celebrity status for ourselves, but clearly Jesus's celebrity status was wearing Him out humanly speaking. Even His closest followers gave Him no rest! His disciples, seasoned fishermen though many of them were, went to the right place for help in a raging storm. Jesus spoke, and the storm was stilled. He has authority even over the natural elements. It's not just literal storms that Jesus can calm. Whatever storms we may be going through in our lives, Jesus can calm them with a word. Even if He doesn't immediately sti

  "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Matthew 7:6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.7.6.ESV Much of what Jesus had to teach was to His followers. To those outside He spoke in parables. This verse hints at why. Jesus was eventually attacked by the Jewish leaders and Roman powers in jealousy at His spiritual authority. So it's as though He didn't take His own advice. Still, He managed around three years of ministry before they crucified Him on trumped up charges of treason and blasphemy. Traditionally, devout, zealous Jews might have referred to Gentiles as dogs and pigs. Jesus however created a new dichotomy between those who accepted Him as Messiah and Christ, and those who didn't. We need to accept Him as the only Saviour of mankind, otherwise we're dogs and pigs! Just as Jesus was persecuted to death, so there's an inevitability about the persecution of Chris

  And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and celebrating, and she despised him in her heart. 1 Chronicles 15:29 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ch.15.29.ESV To play devil's advocate, David was dancing around in his underwear. Michal clearly didn't think this was behaviour becoming of a king. It was certainly highly unconventional behaviour from the anointed of the Lord. The contrast between David and his wife Michal was stark. Michal despised David in her heart. David on the other hand was a man after God's own heart. David illustrates that we don't have to be in our Sunday best, and all dour, to worship the Lord. God is the source of joy and celebration. It is only right that we should joyfully and exuberantly worship Him. Singing, raising hands, shouting and dancing are all godly responses to the God who loves us and gives of Himself to us. God doesn

  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.12.ESV Of course, the man in this verse is representative of any member of mankind- man, woman or child- who perseveres through difficulties. Jesus is the supreme example. Having gone before us into glory, we can expect similar for ourselves if we endure. God might not tempt us to sin, but He does allow troubles to come our way, to test the authenticity of our faith. Of course, He knows who are truly His. Testing us though allows Him to prove our genuineness. One of the great beauties of the Christian faith is that suffering isn't meaningless, in fact, God can and does bring good out of it. The worst suffering of all, the most heinous miscarriage of justice ever, the crucifixion of Christ, is the means by which God pardons guilty sinners like us. Then Jesus rose in

  And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ch.11.9.ESV What is the secret of success? This verse gives it. If God is for us, Paul asks in Romans eight, who can be against us? Greatness isn't by might or power, the strength of a man's arm. It is by the Holy Spirit of God that we can succeed. God is the God of the angel armies. Does this verse mean that if we believe in God, we will all become mighty warrior kings? No! David had his calling from God, each one of us have our own callings. David was the greatest king of Israel, because the Lord of the angel armies was with him. We could be the greatest street sweeper the world has ever seen, if God is with us. It doesn't matter who we are, with God we can be our best selves. 'God of the angel armies, please be with us as we seek to be the best we can be. To the praise of Your glorious grace we pray, amen'

  for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.12.29.ESV People sometimes ignorantly assume that the God of the old testament is an angry judge, whilst the God of the new testament is a kindly grandfatherly figure. Here in the new testament God is described as a consuming fire. Shortly, the writer to the Hebrews will state that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God doesn't change between the old and new testaments. He's always been a consuming fire and He always will be. What about Moses and the burning bush, which wasn't consumed by fire? God Himself isn't consumed by fire. He does however consume those who aren't at peace with Him. The wrath of God burns most fiercely in the fires of hell. To avoid that we need to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. If we come to Him, we will gain eternal life. If we attempt to flee, we will be consumed. 'Almighty Lord, how fearsome the thought that we could fa

  By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.11.7.ESV Noah might seem archaic and antediluvian, but he has lessons for us today. Jesus warned us that as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when He Himself returns. So we would do well to learn from him. Like Noah, God warns us of events to come, especially the day of judgment when Christ returns. Like Noah, we ought to display some healthy fear at this prospect. We don't need to live in nuclear bunkers. We just need to warn people to be reconciled with God before it's too late. We don't need to construct arks or bomb shelters or anything like that. We do however need to spiritually hide ourselves in Christ. We need to trust in Him for salvation. By living for the next world, we beco

  For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.10.14.ESV The blood of animals cannot deal with our sins. The blood of the God-man Jesus however does cover our wrongs. As a man He bore our punishment, and as God He is our perfect Substitute. In the old testament countless animals were sacrificed as a sign and reminder that sin requires a blood sacrifice. When Jesus came however, His sacrifice once and for all has dealt with our sin. We simply need to trust in Him. Through faith in Jesus we can be perfected. When we belong to Him, God looks at us and sees Jesus's perfection. We are credited as righteous in Him. We might not be perfect yet. We are, however, being sanctified. We are being made holy. By the time Christ returns or we go to meet Him, we will be perfected. 'God our Father, how we thank You for the gift of Your Son, and His sacrifice on our behalf. We're grateful for be

  And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:9 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ch.11.9.ESV What is the secret of success? This verse gives it. If God is for us, Paul asks in Romans eight, who can be against us? Greatness isn't by might or power, the strength of a man's arm. It is by the Holy Spirit of God that we can succeed. God is the God of the angel armies. Does this verse mean that if we believe in God, we will all become mighty warrior kings? No! David had his calling from God, each one of us have our own callings. David was the greatest king of Israel, because the Lord of the angel armies was with him. We could be the greatest street sweeper the world has ever seen, if God is with us. It doesn't matter who we are, with God we can be our best selves. 'God of the angel armies, please be with us as we seek to be the best we can be. To the praise of Your glorious grace we pray, amen'

  Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!" And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ch.4.10.ESV Poor Jabez's name means 'pain'. Presumably his mum had an especially painful labour with him! The previous verse however says he was more honourable than his siblings. I love his prayer, which according to my reading of the Hebrew transliteration into English seems to be that he asked God that he wouldn't be a pain. You can imagine his less honourable siblings mocking him for his name. He didn't want to live up to his name however. Most parents give their children positive names, that children then have to try and live up to. Jabez however strove his whole life not to be a pain, instead that he might be successful in all he did. In a way our forefather a

  God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: Psalm 82:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.82.1.ESV What a primitive verse, we might be tempted to scoff. It smacks of polytheism. 'The only difference between me and a Christian is that I believe in just one god less than them' scoffs the scoffer. We might think we're enlightened and secular nowadays. We have gods of our own however. The rich, the powerful, and scientists are all gods to many of us common folk. They say 'jump' and we ask 'how high'. Well in these cabinet meetings of the high and mighty, God metaphorically pulls up a chair. What does the One True God have to say to the gods of our technological aid? We need to read on in the Psalm to find out. God challenges the injustices of the 'gods' of our age, and speaks up for the rights of the poor and marginalised. How refreshing in a dog eat dog world where might is seen to be right and the

  (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:19 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.7.19.ESV The law of the Lord- to love Him and one another- is perfect. It is, however, impotent to make us perfect. The problem isn't with the law, the problem is with us. If we've created a problem by our law breaking, it isn't the law that's going to fix it. The fact we don't love God and others as we ought isn't fixed by telling ourselves that we need to do so. We don't need more law, we need more grace! Thankfully, a better hope is introduced. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ can be ours through faith in Him. He kept the law perfectly so that we, through His perfection, can be justified by God. God doesn't have to be simply a distant and imposing Judge. We can know Him as our loving heavenly Father. Through faith in Jesus and the receipt of the Holy Spirit, a sure and cert

  Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. 2 Kings 19:16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.19.16.ESV I love the Shai Linne song, 'Jesus is Alive'. It lists a load of famous people who are now dead, but triumphantly asserts that Jesus is alive. Sennacherib, leader of the world superpower of his day, and mocker of the living God, is dead. Jesus however is alive. Leaders of world superpowers tend to get arrogant. They think they're invincible. God tends to humble them, if not in life, then assuredly in death. A solitary angel of the Lord destroyed the entirety of the Assyrian army. Sennacherib returned home with his tail between his legs. He ended up getting murdered in a coup. King Hezekiah of Judah had no earthly resources to rely upon. He could only cry out to the living God to restore the honour of His name, mocked as it was by Sennacherib. Thankfully, the Lord g

  and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/phm.1.6.ESV If no-one shared their faith in Christ, no-one would come to faith in Christ. God has decreed that the means by which people come to faith in Him is through people making Him known to one another. That's how we came to faith, and that's how others will too. So sharing our faith isn't an option extra to the Christian life; it is a must. There's no such thing as secret believers, even in lands where it's illegal to be a Christian. We need to be prepared for persecution and mockery for our faith in Christ. Paul prayed that Philemon and his household wouldn't hide their lights under baskets as it were. Presumably that was a temptation to them. After all, it's hard to stick our heads above the parapet. Persecution was looming in the Roman Empire. Paul was alr

  Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ti.4.11.ESV Faithful Luke was the only one of Paul's ministry team who was left with him towards the end. Paul asked Timothy to get Mark and bring him to him. If we know some of the Acts of the Apostles by Luke, we might raise an eyebrow at this. Mark was famously, alongside Luke, a writer of a gospel. He had become part of Paul and Barnabas's mission team, but ran away when the going got touch. Paul then 'sacked' him from their ministry team, in sharp disagreement with Barnabas. Thankfully, Mark running off wasn't the end of his story. He was evidently restored to fellowship with Paul, as this verse illustrates. We should never write someone off. From inauspicious beginnings, Mark would become a gospel writer who was useful to Paul in his ministry. He must have got on with Luke too, despite the fact he immortalised

  Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ti.2.10.ESV Endurance is a trendy word nowadays, or at least its synonym resilience is. After all we're going through with this pandemic, it's clear how important it is to be resilient. We need to question why we should endure however. Paul endured tortures, imprisonments and probably martyrdom, for the sake of the elect. We don't need to selfishly look for easy ways out of suffering. We need to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul was keenly aware of the impact his actions would have upon his brethren, many of whom he had led to Christ. If he threw in the towel, they would be tempted to do the same. If he persevered through persecution, they would be encouraged to do likewise. Paul wasn't selfish with his resilience. It wasn't to make him look

  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 2 Timothy 1:8 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ti.1.8.ESV The testimony about our Lord is costly. It's the kind of thing that would get you locked up in many parts of the world even today. It is tempting to be ashamed of the suffering that accompanies faith in Jesus. Paul however, prisoner of the Lord, commands Timothy not to be ashamed of the good news, even as the world despises it. Our worth is fixed in heaven. It isn't to be found in the world's estimation. We know that Timothy was a naturally timid character. If we're honest, we all shy away from suffering. Paul tells Timothy however to share in suffering for the sake of Christ. Christ went to the cross for us. By the power of God He overcame the suffering He endured. By that same power, we too can overcome. 'Almighty God, please work powerfully in us to overcom

  But I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and I will save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow or by sword or by war or by horses or by horsemen.” Hosea 1:7 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/hos.1.7.ESV Hosea had a tough calling. He had to marry an adulterous woman who he ended up having to buy out of sexual slavery. There must have been doubts about the paternity of their children. Their poor children had tough names to bear for their lives. Their second child was called No-Mercy. Usually, we like to give our children positive names, but Hosea had to give a realistically negative name for the situation the Israelites were in. Sadly, the northern kingdom of Israel was going to receive no mercy. They were going to be obliterated by the Assyrian Empire. In our verse however, there's a glimmer of hope for the southern kingdom of Judah. The Jewish people would receive the privilege of the advent of their Messiah. They wouldn't be saved by military hardwar

  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The labourer deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ti.5.18.ESV The two Scriptures have pretty much the same meaning. The labouring ox deserves to eat some of the grain its treading out, just as a labourer deserves remuneration. It's no different in the church of Christ. I think because we freely receive the free gospel of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, we think we shouldn't have to pay for it. I think the emphasis should be that no one should charge for the gospel, because it is a free gift. However, having freely received, we should freely give, and reward those who labour over us in the gospel. Paul was special in that he didn't insist on his rights. He knew he had a right of remuneration. He didn't insist on it however because he knew that God would reward him more handsomely where stingy listeners refused to do so. Just because God rewa

  And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. Daniel 11:33 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/dan.11.33.ESV Many people interpret Daniel eleven as being about the days of the Greek Empire. I'm sure it is, but prophecy often has multiple meanings and applications. In the sense that the West is still influenced by Greco-Roman, Hellenistic culture, there's something for us to learn here for ourselves. Wise people aren't miserly with their wisdom. Wise people generously share their knowledge with those around them. As believers in Christ, we should warn people of His return to judge us. It's encouraging that the wise will make many understand. There's a difference between intellectual understanding and a heart belief. Still, people will be without excuse when Christ returns. The Bible never glosses over the persecutions that believers in Jesus face. But note that it'

  Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.6.17.ESV Elisha and his servant were in a besieged city. The situation seemed humanly hopeless. Elisha said not to fear, because those with them were more than those with the enemy. Elisha prayed for his servant's spiritual eyes to be opened, so that he could see the angelic army around him. God graciously answered his prayer. His servant could see they were going to be alright. If one angel can destroy an entire army, an army of angels could destroy the world! Jesus could have called down armies of angels to prevent His arrest, but He chose the cross to deliver us from the destruction we deserve. Angels are awesome allies, but fearsome foes. Angels are ministering spirits, they are servants of the Lord. He does

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  Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 2 Kings 5:12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2ki.5.12.ESV Leprous Syrian army commander Naaman was fuming with Elisha the Israelite prophet, for not doing things how he expected him to. Elisha didn't even go out to meet him, but sent a message to him. God doesn't show favouritism! Naaman was expecting something of a dramatic flourish to heal him. Instead, he was told to wash in the local river. He preferred his own rivers to the local waters, and stormed off in a huff. Before we judge him for his haughtiness, what of us? When we are told that for spiritual healing we must metaphorically wash in the blood of Jesus, how do we respond? It's a pretty gruesome picture! We might prefer to try and keep ten commandments, five pillars, or follow an eightfold path. It's all to no avail however. The only way w

  and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/1ti.1.14.ESV God was gracious to Saul of Tarsus, the Osama Bin Laden of his day. Grace is God being good to us when we don't deserve it. God isn't stingy with His grace. God didn't just give Paul a drop of grace. His grace to Paul overflowed. From the OBL of his day, Paul became the greatest follower of Christ the world has ever seen. Saul of Tarsus had been a zealous Jew. When Christ confronted him on the road to Damascus however, he received the free gift of faith in the Lord Jesus. His life was turned right side up. Saul of Tarsus had hated the Lord and His people, persecuting them to death. After his Damascus Road conversion however, he was filled with the love of God. God loved us so much that He sent Christ to save us. All praise to His holy name! 'Lord God Almighty, how we worship You for Your overflowing grace and l

  “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. Daniel 7:13 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/dan.7.13.ESV When Jesus, the humble carpenter turned teacher, referred to Himself as the Son of Man, He had this prophecy in mind. His message was to declare the arrival of the Kingdom of God, which the Ancient of Days, Father God, presented to the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ. He might not have looked an impressive King with His crown of thorns, enthroned upon a Roman cross, but that is who He is. Jesus isn't simply the King of the Jews, crucified by the Romans for treason. He's the King of all who trust in Him. His Kingdom is not of this world, but it will supplant every earthly polity. Son of Man might sound like a humble title for Jesus to give Himself. Daniel's prophecy however gives it a divine majesty. He isn't just the virgin born Son of Adam. H

  So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/2th.2.15.ESV As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are to stand firm, like any well functioning family. It doesn't matter what problems beset a good family. They stick together and support one another. We often might think of tradition as a negative thing, accruing the clutter of thousands of years of baggage. We might think of smells and bells, robes and dog collars and musty old buildings. That isn't what Paul is on about. Paul isn't referring to externals, but to the spiritual practices of the church. We are to pray, meditate, witness of our faith to outsiders, be baptised, take communion, and so on. These are the kinds of traditions Paul is referring to. Over the years, different interpretations of such things as baptism and communion have developed. We need to make sure our tradition