Faithful Sayings

What are some defining characteristics of wise leaders according to Solomon?

You can’t solve a problem, until you understand the issue, and you can’t properly answer a question until you understand what’s asked. These brethren in Rome had a problem. If we can understand what the problem was and how Paul went about correcting it, then we can use Romans 14 to fix the same problems in our time. If we can understand the issue that hindered these brethren, we’ll be less likely to misapply Paul’s solution to problems he does not address in Romans 14.

God says the rod and reproof give wisdom. I want to spend a moment thinking about that second part of the equation–reproof–the verbal instruction we give to train our children in godliness.

How should a Christian relate to civil authorities? What is his or her responsibility? What if that government is evil and opposed to Christ and His will? Let's consider these questions as we read Romans 13.

He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently – Solomon (Pro. 13:24) Scripture reveals hatred as the driving force behind parents’ neglect to discipline their children. No father can passively allow his kids to do whatever they want to do and, at the same time say, “I really love them.” Apathetic, non-interventionist styles of parenting (aka lazy parenting), yields a host of terrible consequences.

Romans Part XXI: Overcome Evil With Good by Leon Valley Church of Christ

In this portion of our Proverbs series, we’re going to focus on parenting–guiding and training our children in godly wisdom, so that they may live in the fear of the Lord from a young age.

Be transformed. It's a command, meaning spiritual growth will not happen by accident. How does the Bible say we can be transformed?

We can use words to comfort, convict, teach, encourage, bless, and communicate the Gospel to the lost. Yet, words also have the potential to inflict great harm–to curse, insult, blaspheme, etc. Scripture teaches us everything about using words wisely and righteously–Proverbs alone addresses the issue 150 times in 915 verses. That’s one-sixth of the book.

To borrow and modify something Emerson once said: You cannot obey the Gospel too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late. That’s one of the messages we find within Romans 11.

Too many folks spend money they don’t have for stuff they don’t need to impress people they don’t like. – Will Rogers

“Ignorance is one of the scariest things out there, because those of us who are most ignorant are also the ones who often don't know it or don't want to admit it,” said Vera Nazarian. The Bible distinguishes between willful and unwitting ignorance (cf. Num. 15:27; 2 Pet. 3:5), but makes no distinction in the consequences of ignorance. Whether we’re talking about ignorance of sin or ignorance of God’s will (the two are inseparable, are they not?), the end result is condemnation. Never once in Scripture do we find that there is blessing to be had in ignorance.

We have a tendency to think it’s always someone else’s fault–Adam pointed to Eve, Eve pointed to the devil, but at the end of the day we’re all responsible for our own choices. No amount of self-pity or complaining that we were “duped” will remove our accountability to God.

We’re overrun with ads and commercials encouraging us to chase all kinds of products. What’s worse is that such marketing usually promises happiness and “worry free living” if you buy said product or service. I mean, c’mon, really? Worry free? Talk about overpromising and underdelivering. Biblical wisdom calls us to be content with what we have. How many of us have overextended ourselves financially because we weren't content?

God affords all people the opportunity to find salvation through Jesus Christ–to find a place in His glorious kingdom forever. Why would anyone be upset about this, especially people who expected such a kingdom? Paul explains why even religious people reject Christ, and the sad consequences of their bitter response to God.

How important is the spiritual discipline of daily Bible reading and study? Let's answer that question by looking at Paul's words to Timothy, a young man whom he personally trained and sent to Ephesus to preach the Gospel.

The Bible is beautifully consistent in calling God’s people to see suffering for what it is–preparation and progress, not punishment and defeat. “For momentary, light affliction is PRODUCING for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison...” (2 Cor. 4:17)

We might wonder why the language of Scripture can be so cryptic at times. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, and it is made up of several different genres, including poetry and prophecy. The apostle Peter himself acknowledged there are "some things that are difficult to understand" (1 Pet. 3:16ff), so why didn't God make them plain? Why did Jesus use parables to reveal so much about His kingdom? Scripture offers us the answer if we have the patience to find it.

As we conclude this section of Romans we find more words imparting great comfort and hope to God’s people–those “in Christ Jesus” (8:1). We come to see that even though we are finite, sinful people who cannot give adequate (or even intelligible) words to our sufferings, God still understands the groaning of our hearts (vv. 26-27). We find assurance that God can use all things Paul has afore mentioned–the law of the spirit of life, putting to death the deeds of the body, being led by the Spirit of God, present sufferings, our hope, etc.–all these things He causes to serve our redemption (i.e. our spiritual good, v. 28). Furthermore, those who conform to the image of His Son are justified (righteous) and will be glorified when He comes in judgement (vv. 1, 29-30). Finally, there is no earthly or demonic force powerful enough to separate us from the love our God (vv. 31-39). Let’s meditate on these these points in more detail.

Having money isn’t wrong, neither is having a lot of money. The prevailing formula from some in our society seems to be: Rich = Evil. This simply isn’t biblical. One can be wealthy and righteous just as one can be poor and sinful. Abraham, Job, and David, among others were wealthy people, but these men are also remembered for their faith. The Bible is not so concerned about wealth as it is one’s attitude towards it. The love of money, not money itself, is the root of all sorts of evil (cf. 1 Tim. 6:10). Money can be used wisely to glorify God, or it can be used to dishonor and spent in pursuit of pleasure.