How can I change? This is a question that arises when we consider the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The apostle Paul points us to the twofold answer of the cross and the Spirit. He speaks not to condemn but to call us back to the basics of the Christian faith. We must trust in Christ who bore the cross in the place of sinners and heed His call to put to death the flesh and inviting the powerful influence of the Spirit of truth to dictate our thoughts and our affections. May the Lord tame the wolf of our flesh as the lion of the Spirit is enthroned in our minds and hearts.
John completes his gospel with these three safeguards against false ideas regarding the only Savior who can rescue us from sin, death, and hell. In this final study from the gospel of John, we also look back at the entire book to answer the question: “Who is Jesus Christ?”
How would Simon ever become the rock of a disciple and martyr John’s audience knew him to be? John answers with the twenty-first chapter that by the grace of God Simon became who he was known for. The Lord gave him the certainty of His word, His discipleship, and His sovereignty. He persuaded Simon to follow Him.
The cross where the Savior died is also where Jesus calls us to crucify the flesh and follow Him.
John assures us this is true to embolden our faith. All who truly believe follow the Savior and find life; all who deny Him face death.
In his state of uncertainty, the Lord gave Simon Peter assurance. He gave him His incontrovertible word of promise, the guarantee that He can transform him, and that He sovereignly takes care of all things.
Suffering is an unavoidable reality for Christian sojourners living in a fallen world. In this passage, Peter teaches that enduring unjust suffering with righteousness and patience is not meaningless, but finds favor with God when done for the sake of conscience toward Him. This lesson calls believers to live righteously, endure patiently, and seek God’s favor as we await our eternal home.
Christian freedom is not a license for self-rule, but a calling to obedience to God. In these verses, Peter shows how believers—though free in Christ—are to live as God’s bondservants, using their freedom to honor Him rather than to conceal sin. This lesson clarifies how right submission to God’s Word shapes every relationship in life: honoring all people, loving the brethren, respecting governing authorities, and living in reverent fear before God.
As sojourners in this world, Christians are called to maintain a good testimony through humble submission and faithful obedience. This passage teaches believers to have a right view of governing authorities under God’s sovereignty, to do what is right by submitting to them for the Lord’s sake, and to seek above all to please God. This lesson reminds us that submission and righteous living are powerful witnesses that silence opposition and point others to Christ.
Aside from being careful to give offerings in the right way, was there anything else that God commanded Israel to do to be holy? Yes! In this lesson, we will take a look at some of what God says to Israel about holy living.
God gives Aaron, the high priest, a special duty once every year that only the high priest can perform. He will meet God in the holy place behind the curtain in the tent!
Now that God has taught Israel how to give offerings, what would some of those first offerings be? Does God accept them?
