Scripture: Romans 6: 6-9

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: ⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Scripture Commentary:

Do you serve sin or God? There are two masters: death, which is sin, or eternal life with God, our Father. One gives you the earthly gifts you ask for and the required payment is your soul in hell for eternity. The other is Jesus Christ who paid for your sins on the cross because He loves you so much. This is a free gift of love that God gives each of us.

Do you accept this gift or will you return it? Christ paid the price for you so don’t put a price on it by trying to pay it back. Because you can’t.

In the Old Testament, the people had the law and they could not live up to it. So God sent His Son to show us how to live, obey, and love one another. In the New Testament Paul tells us that salvation cannot be obtained by following the law. Salvation is God’s gift to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted God’s gift or are you trying to pay God for it?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans 6

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Romans:

God Has Made It Plain

Jesus Delivered Us and Teaches Us Love

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5: 4-6

⁴ But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.^[b]5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. ⁶ So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 

Scripture Commentary: Be clearheaded in thought and deed.

A drunken person has no control of him/herself. They have no idea what they are saying or doing. If you show them what they did, once clearheaded, they wouldn’t believe their eyes. This is the same with a sinner who has repented, accepted Christ, and has left their old lifestyle behind.

God destroys the old record of our life. He knows we are weak, sinful people, and He waits patiently for us to come to Him, asking for forgiveness. And He does forgive.

But some remain in their drunken stupor, never coming out into the light. They stumble and fall deeper into a cavern of sin. The day of reckoning will come. We are to help the lost through the aid of the Holy Spirit. If we don’t, then we are as lost as they are.

Are you trying to help someone?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Thessalonians 5

Read More Commentary From Thessalonians:

Don’t Suffer the Delusion to Believe a Lie

Scripture: Matthew 23: 25-26

²⁵ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! ²⁶ You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish,^[i] and then the outside will become clean, too.

Scripture Commentary:

After we eat, we take the dishes into the kitchen to wash. We don’t just wash the outside of the dish; we also wash the inside where the meal was placed. This is done so bacteria that causes disease can be washed away.

Jesus is saying that when you are portraying something you aren’t, like pretending to be a follower of Christ while living a self-serving life, you are like dishes that have not been properly washed. He condemns the Pharisees and church leaders for appearing holy but underneath remain corrupt and full of greed and selfishness.

These same leaders crucified Jesus and killed the disciples. They were powerful and respected but had lost sight of who they were serving. We also have church leaders today who have forgotten who they are supposed to be serving. They miss God in their self-centered journey.

Beware of false teachers with false messages. The message today is the same as yesterday. Love one another.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew 23

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Matthew:

The Wise Take Time to Prepare

What Favor Do You Ask of Jesus?