Hebrews 1:8

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“But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.” Hebrews 1:8.

In the previous verse devotion, Hebrews 1:1-7 (available here), the writer spoke about how God used prophets and Godly people to direct them in God’s ways, as well as declaring to them important information they had no other access to including future events, and the coming of the Christ who would ultimately die, paying the penalty for the sins of all mankind who accept Him. Throughout this next section, God refers to the Christ as His Son. Let me take a moment to speak about this.

Jesus is not the Son of God with the idea of a human father and a son. God did not get married and mate with Mary and have a son. Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God manifested in human form.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-2,14.

Jesus is called God’s Son in that He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. We see this clearly in the gospel of Luke.

“The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most-High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:35.

Now moving forward, we read verses 8 and 9.

“But of the Son He says, “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM. “YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS.” Hebrews 1:8-9.

But notice what we read in the psalms.

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.” Psalm 45:6-7.

We see here that this message in Hebrews 1:8-9 is taken from Psalm 45:6-7. The Father is telling His Son, that His kingship would be a never ending one.

Next, we read the following.

“And, ’YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS; THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY ALL WILL BECOME OLD LIKE A GARMENT, AND LIKE A MANTLE YOU WILL ROLL THEM UP; LIKE A GARMENT THEY WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT COME TO AN END.’” Hebrews 1:10-12.

Again, notice what we read in the psalms.

“Of old You founded the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. Even they will perish, but You endure; And all of them will wear out like a garment; Like clothing You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.” Psalm 102:25-27.

The writer of Hebrews used the Psalms at various times to validate his thoughts. In here we see that the creation of everything was by the Son. It was He who laid the foundation of everything created. But He also notes that all of this will cease to exist. This idea is also found in the Book of Matthew  where everything will be made new.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

As well as in Revelation.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2.

The basic idea here is that the new home of God’s people will not consist of anything that exists now, which includes the seas. Everything will be made totally new and will be perfect and last for eternity. We, as God’s people, will be changed into immortal beings that will live forever with Him, just like Jesus. And referring to Jesus,

“But you are the same, and your years will not come to an end.” Hebrews 1:12b.

And just as God; The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, will live forever, so shall we in His kingdom.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Then we read the final two verses in Hebrews 1.

“But to which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14.

For the seventh time in chapter 1, the author quotes the Hebrew Scriptures, this time to demonstrate that Jesus is greatly superior to any angelic being. He quoted Psalm 110 to show again that God the Father said things to Jesus He never said to angelic beings.

“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’” Psalm 110:1.

Angels are ministering spirits, not governing spirits. They are called to service and assist those who have accepted Christ as Savior. They are commanded to serve God, and He shares these servants with redeemed men and women. This shows the great love of God for us, and how He wants to share all things with us.

Quoting theologian F.F. Bruce:

“The most exalted angels are those whose privilege it is to “stand in the presence of God” like Gabriel (Luke 1:19), but none of them has ever been invited to sit before him, still less to sit in the place of unique honor at his right hand. Their standing posture betokens their promptness to execute his commands, or simply to abide his pleasure.” F.F. Bruce.

To go back to Hebrews 1:1-7, click the following link.

Hebrews 1:1

Verse Study Devotion – Hebrews 1:1

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,” Hebrews 1:1

First of all, I want to discuss who the author was. Many believe it was the Apostle Paul, however, I want you to notice how Paul begins his writings we know are his.

Romans – Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

! Corinthians – Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Corinthians – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:

Galatians – Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),

Ephesians – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Philippians – Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Colossians – Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

! Thessalonians – Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 Thessalonians – Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

2 Timothy – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,

Titus – Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Philemon – Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker,

Note how Paul starts all the books he wrote with his first name. In the Book of Hebrews, the author’s name is never mentioned. This leads me to believe that Paul did not write the Book of Hebrews. I may be wrong, but ultimately this is not all that important. What is important is what God is telling us through whoever He chose to write this book via the moving of the Holy Spirit.

Going now to verses 1 and 2 we see that God is a personal God, not one who created everything and went away, but who desires to interact with us.

“God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2.

In the Old Testament, God spoke to His people through the prophets. They were people God used to communicate His message to the world. In essence they acted as a mouthpiece for God, receiving and then proclaiming what God has told or shown them. And they shared these things according to God’s commandments to them. However, when ‘The Christ’ came into the world, God spoke to us through Him, His son. Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, meaning ‘anointed or chosen one’. This Greek word is equivalent to the Hebrew word Mashiach, or ‘Messiah.’ And the name ‘Jesus’ is the Lord’s human name given to Mary by the angel Gabriel.

” And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.” Luke 1:31.

His name was Jesus, but His title was Christ, for Jesus was sent by God to be a King and Deliverer. Christ is His title, the Messiah, also referred to as ‘The Anointed One.’

I love the way Theologian Charles Spurgeon described these two ideas.

“Saving the best for last is always God’s rule. You have kept the good wine until now. Prophets are a very blessed means of communication, but how much more sure, how much more condescending is it for God to speak to us by His Son!”

He uses a verse from the Book of John to help make his point regarding the prophets and the Christ.

“When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom, and said to him, ‘Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.’” John 2:10.

He spoke with those in Old Testament times through prophets, but in New Testament times, during our time through to the end, He speaks to us through His Son, The Christ. He literally saved the best for last.

And this one who is God’s Son made the worlds and everything that is. We see this more clearly stated by John in his gospel record.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. .. And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14.

Moving on to verse three.

“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3.

Hebrews 1:2-3 are incredible verses that show us the nature and work of Jesus Christ, putting together His divinity, His role in creation (as seen in Hebrews 1:2), and His work in redeeming mankind from the results of their sin. We then read in 1 John the following regarding salvation.

“If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7.

Jesus manages everything by His word, showing He not only created but upholds the universe. He provided a means to purify us from our sins, showing His work of redemption through cleansing us. He then sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in on high, that being God the Father. This shows Jesus’ exaltation and authority, as we see in Ephesians 1:19-21.

“And what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:19-21.

This verse reassures us of Jesus’ divine nature and ongoing role, offering comfort and hope in uncertain times.

Then in the next four verses we see the immense difference between all the angels and the Christ.

“Having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”? And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”? And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.” And of the angels He says, “WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.” Hebrews 1:4-7.

Looking at these verses, we see the phrase, ‘much better than the angels”. This refers to being exalted much above the angels. The word “better” here does not refer to moral character, but to exaltation of rank. In the Greek, the word is ‘kreitton’, which has the idea of stronger, more useful and noble. And because of this, He has a more excellent name. Instead of simply being an angel or servant, Jesus was declared the Son of God. No angel was given this position.

God the Father also spoke to God the Son and declared Him as begotten. The word begotten speaks of the equality of substance and essential nature between the Father and Son, because the Son came forth from the Father. It means that the Father and the Son share the same being. This verse also suggests that God sometimes delivers His message, via His angels, using them through the natural world. While angels have a flexible nature, sometimes appearing as flames or wind,

“He makes the winds His messengers, Flaming fire His ministers.” Psalm 104:4.

To go forward to Hebrews 1:8-14, click the following link.

Genesis 15:6

Verse Study Devotion, Genesis 15:6

“Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” – Genesis 15:6.

 In the first verse of chapter 15 we read the phrase, “After these things. What was meant by the words ‘After these things’? We see the answer in the previous chapter.

“And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply and departed. They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom. Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.” Genesis 14:8-16.

There were four kingdoms who came together to battle five other kingdoms. However, this would not have been as important an issue to Abram if his nephew Lot had not been taken captive. When he heard what had happened to Lot, he went after him to bring him home, with the assistance of 318 well trained men. They defeated the captors of Lot and brought him home along with all his property. And he brought back the women who were taken captive as well. The writer does not provide any details on how Abram and his men managed to fight them so successfully, except for the fact that it was a nighttime battle.

Now, after all these battles and rescues that occurred in chapter 14,  we read in chapter 15.

“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.’” Genesis 15:1.

The word of the LORD came to Abraham in a vision. It is probable that Jesus referred to this when He said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”  John 8:56.

God’s speaks to Abram saving: “Fear not!” God tells him this as assurance so that he would not be afraid. However, Abram does not have his back to the wall. Actually, he has just come back unscathed from a situation filled with danger. He could have given into fear, but he did not. God was speaking to the fearless one saying, “Fear not!” And this is somewhat similar to what would occur to Zacharias regarding John the Baptist.

“Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.” Luke 1:12-13.

God also tells him that He is both his shield, and his reward would be great. God was going to be with him and will protect him like a shield. He would also provide a reward greater than he could ever imagine. And what would that reward be? First, let us look at the next two verses.

“Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.” Genesis 15:2-3.

The one thing Abram was concerned about and needed most was an heir, a male heir. Rather than waiting for God to respond, Abram attempts to answer his own question: Will Eliezer his servant be his heir? Will Abram have to make his own solution because of a divine oversight? God has delivered his enemies into his hand, but is he able to deliver a son into Abram’s household? In essence the concern voiced by Abram in verse 2 is not advanced by his concern voiced in verse 3. In both verses Abram is perplexed as to why God has not given him a child. All that is different is a change in vocabulary when Abram addresses his lament to God. In verse 2 he laments that he is childless and in verse 3 that God has not given him any offspring. Nothing is mentioned regarding adoption, but it does declare that servants such as Eliezer could inherit property. We read something regarding this in the book of Proverbs.

“A servant who acts wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share in the inheritance among brothers.“ Proverbs 17:2.

Abram is concerned he will not be able to leave such an inheritance to a person in his line. He does not wish to leave behind him a situation fraught with legal complications. He would rather leave all he has to a son. However, he tells God that he has no son so he must give it to someone born in his house, his servant.

Next, we see God’s answer to Abram.

“Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.’ And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” Genesis 15:4-5.

God assures Abram that Eliezer will not be the heir. That role will be given to Abram’s own flesh and blood. Again, God speaks to Abram regarding a promise of a future son. This promise, however wonderful, will be severely challenged by a hurdle, Sarai’s inability to conceive. (See chapter 16 regarding this). We now discover that the words of God came to Abram while he was inside his home, for He took him outside. Also, this vision is received at night, for Abram is told to look up and count the stars. The emphasis here now shifts from “your own flesh and blood” (verse 4) to the many descendants (verse 5). This theme of mass numbers of offspring appears frequently in Genesis with comparisons to the stars, also sand at the seashore (Genesis 22:17), and the dust of the earth (Genesis 13:16). And this promise does mean that Israel was destined to become the most populous nation of the Mediterranean world.

Now we come to our focus verse.

“Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6.

 In response to these promises, Abram believed in the Lord, believed in the truth of that promise God had made to him, resting upon His power and faithfulness. In other words, Abram believed God could and would do what He promised. This, of course, was not the first time that Abram had put his trust in God’s word. Let’s look back at Genesis 12.

“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house to the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so, you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ So, Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” Genesis 12:1-4.

When God told Abram to leave Haran, his homeland, and go into a land He was leading him to, he did not question what God told him. He simply obeyed God and left, traveling to a land he did not know. What faith he had in the living God.

Back to verse 6, the action of faith had preceded the meaning of faith. That is, by virtue of his earlier obedient responses to the words from God, Abram was putting his faith in God. When Abram trusted in God, specifically in God’s promise to him regarding descendants leading to the Messiah, God credited/accounted this belief to Abram’s account as righteousness. God told him, and Abram believed Him.

Now we move on in chapter 15.

“And He said to him, ‘I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.’ He said, ‘O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?’” Genesis 15:7-8.

Now the Lord tells Abram He had taken him out of one land, Ur of the Chaldeans, to a land they will ultimately possess. And these words, along with His presence, perfectly satisfied Abram, which proved that He who spoke was supernatural and Divine.

Now, it is worthy of remark that Abram is the first man to whom God is said to have shown himself or appeared to. He asks a question of God; basically, how would he know He will possess this land? God then answers him in the next three verses.

“So, He said to him, ‘Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, and a three-year-old female goat, and a three-year-old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.’ Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.” Genesis 15:9-11.

When God called Abram out of his homeland and everything familiar to him, He gave him covenants. A covenant is a type of promise or contract, essentially a binding agreement between two parties. Therefore, He said to Abram, ‘Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.’ Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. Some birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and he drove them away. In ancient Near Eastern royal land grant treaties, this type of ritual was done to “seal” the promises or covenants made.

Then look what happened.

“It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates” Genesis 15:17-18.

What I find interesting is that there were two who were involved in the transaction, but only one, God, walked between the animal parts. This makes it clear this was a covenant God made with Abram. God was giving to Abram’s descendants the land promised to His people.

Now I want to go back to verse 6. Are we righteous of our own accord?

When Abram trusted and believed in God, specifically in God’s promise to him and his descendants leading to the Messiah, God credited/accounted this belief to Abram’s account as righteousness. There are essentially two types of righteousness.

  • Righteousness we accomplish by our own efforts,
  • Righteousness accounted to us by the work of God when we believe.

Since none of us can be good enough to accomplish perfect righteousness, we must have God’s righteousness accounted to us by doing just what Abram did, he believed in the LORD. And God’s accounting is not pretending. God does not account to us a pretended righteousness, but a real one in Jesus Christ. We see this in the Book of Romans.

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Romans 4:1-5.

As Christians, we must be careful not to fall into the error of believing our righteousness, along with our righteous acts, is enough. Remember what Isaiah said back in the day.

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence, As fire kindles the brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—To make Your name known to Your adversaries, That the nations may tremble at Your presence! When You did awesome things which we did not expect, You came down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him. You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. Behold, You were angry, for we sinned, We continued in them a long time; And shall we be saved? For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on Your name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us And have delivered us into the power of our iniquities. But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD, Nor remember iniquity forever; Behold, look now, all of us are Your people. Your holy cities have become a wilderness, Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful house, Where our fathers praised You, Has been burned by fire; And all our precious things have become a ruin. Will You restrain Yourself at these things, O LORD? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?” Isaiah 64:1-12.

Notice here what Isaiah says about our righteousness, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment. Basically, Isaiah is speaking here about “self-righteousness”. Though self-righteousness is condemned throughout the Bible, we are, in fact, commanded to do good works. Paul explains that we cannot do anything to save ourselves, for our salvation comes only as a result of God’s grace. However, good deeds are still what we are called for.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10.

Our salvation is not the result of any of our efforts, abilities, intelligent choices, personal characteristics, or acts of service. Our salvation comes from our faith in Christ Jesus. However, as believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works”, to help and serve others. While there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church. This reconciles the seeming conflict between faith and works. Our righteous acts do not produce salvation but are evidence of our salvation. In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, which is nothing more than “filthy rags.”

William Funkhouser, MDiv, ThD, President and Founder of True Devotion Ministries.

Galatians 5:9

Verse Study: Galatians 5:9 – 2024-07-14

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” – Galatians 5:9.

 In the first verse in Galatians 5 we read,

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1.

Paul is telling the believers in Galatia that they have been set free, by Christ, from slavery to the Law. We see this idea in more detail in chapter 4.

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also, we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.” Galatians 4:1-3. 

Before Christ came into the world, believers were like children in school with teachers and tutors in authority over them. They were kept under restraint, at this time, by the law. And then Christ came.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4-7.

Paul is stating in Galatians 5:1 that Christ, by God’s grace and through the Holy Spirit, has set believers free from slavery to the law. Then, in the next five verses he uses one part of the law to state his case: circumcision.

“Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:2-6.

Paul begins with a very strong statement that begins with the word ‘Behold’, and then tells them if they undergo circumcision, it will destroy their relationship with Christ. He is telling them something that was irreconcilable, being between circumcision and faith in Christ as two opposing methods of receiving benefit which are mutually exclusive. The solemn assurance of verse 2 constitutes Paul’s second statement. Paul has in view not the Jewish Christian only who was circumcised, but any and every Gentile Christian who would receive circumcision as a legal path to salvation. In essence, the cross would be nullified, and Christ as Lord and Savior loses any value for them. Paul stated,

“if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.” Galatians 5:2.

Their salvation would no longer be solidified in Christ but rather in circumcision. He also stated whoever receives circumcision in order to receive salvation is obligated to keep the entire law, since they have been cut off from Christ and His grace. In other words, if they receive circumcision in order to be saved by their works, they will need to be perfect in their works. And we know this is impossible.

Before Christ came into the world, circumcision was important. It was the seal of their covenant with God.

“This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.” Genesis 17:10-11.

The Lord had called it an outward act showing an inward possession of privileges received previously by Abraham. However, when Christ came, circumcision lost its power and had no advantage, for It had lost all spiritual meaning along with any spiritual blessing and benefit. Christ instituted other ordinances that showed the spiritual truth He came to reveal. Circumcision, therefore, no longer had any spiritual advantage in it, for it became a dead act, and Paul states it does not count for anything. Of course, it was in Paul’s day that it was an outward mark of their strong belief in Judaism. Any man who still held to the old faith would not to be led astray by the new teachings of Jesus Christ. But Paul says that circumcision does not count for anything. The outward is irrelevant, and the inward becomes all-important.

Then in verses 7-8, we read,

“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.” Galatians 5:7-8.

The Galatians had begun their Christian walk, and at first they did very well. They believed the truth Christ taught had set them free, and they obeyed it, enjoying the freedom which Christ provided. But something had hindered them. False teachers had put down the truth they had accepted. As a result, they had forsaken truth of Christ and fallen from grace. This concerned Paul greatly, and He wanted to address this.

Now we come to our focus verse.

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.” Galatians 5:9.

It is difficult to say whether “leaven” refers to the false teachers or to their teachings. However, I believe it addresses the teachings. It speaks of the hypocrisy of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. We read in Matthew the following,

“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘He said that because we did not bring any bread.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said, ‘You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? ‘Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? ‘Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? ‘How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6-16.

In Galatians 5:9, the phrase “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” emphasizes that a small amount of false teaching or untruth can spread very quickly. Just as leaven permeates an entire batch of dough, false teaching can affect an entire group. As believers, it is important to watch for and combat such falsehoods when they arise. It is important that when we hear a teaching that we have not heard before or does not make sense based on what has been said in other verses, that we take the time to check it out so that we are not led astray into false teachings. The last thing we want to succumb to are teachings that speak against the truth we know is real truth in God’s Word. This verse serves as a reminder to guard against any deviations from the truth, no matter how great or small it is.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Colossians 2:6

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,” – Colossians 2:6.

Up to this time Paul had never visited the Church in Colossae, as well as several other places where Christians were coming together at that time.

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:1-3.

He wrote here as you can see above that he wished the best for them. He desired,

  • That they would encourage each other in the faith with love,
  • That they would also assist each other to understand the truth regarding Christ,

This was important based on what we read in the next verse,

“So that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.” Colossians 2:4.

Pau had been addressing the problems of the Colossians indirectly, but here he faces them directly. Defection and distortion of the truth were his pastoral concerns, as well as for his co-workers. In fact, much of Paul’s letters engaged in encouraging  believers, which reminds us that the heart of apostolic work was spiritual, that being in prayer, listening, learning, and discussions with others about issues arising when the gospel helps them take root in a new community. Paul was concerned about Christians either falling away or falling into false doctrine. I came across this interesting quote from Plato to philosophers regarding cogent/factual proof.

“But you do not advance any cogent proof whatsoever; you base your statements on probability. If Theodorus, or any other geometrician, should base his geometry on probability, he would be of no account at all. So, you and Theodorus had better consider whether you will accept arguments founded on plausibility.”

Paul did not want believers in Colossae or any other place to leave the faith or fall into false doctrine. He says in verse five that even though he is not there physically, he was with them in Spirit.

“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5.

The strong warning in verse 4 is followed in verse 5 with a pastoral affirmation to the Colossians by announcing that Paul believes they will not believe false teachers who preach heresy. Even though he tells them he may not be with them physically, but he would be with them in spirit.” We see this also in his first letter to the Church in Corinth.

“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-3.

Now we come to our focus verse along with the following verse.

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:6-7.

 The main point in this letter is the philosophy/heresy that was being taught in Colossae. The Colossian philosophers and forms of Old Testament idolatry are spiritually empty and thus worthless. They were both human-made and inherently deceitful. Neither the Colossian philosophy nor Old Testament idolatry were positive and/or beneficial. Both involve false promises of glory to the people. Viewed in light of these comparisons, both biblical idolatry and false philosophies represent competing and heretical alternatives to being “rooted and built up” in Christ.

I want to close out this writing with a look at verses 8-12.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:8-12.

This word found in Colossians 2 is not speaking only to the Church in Colossae, but to the Church in this present time. We must be careful that we are not deceived into believing and accepting false beliefs that lead us away from the true God. We must watch that we are not ‘taken captive’ by them and ultimately turn away from Christ. Paul’s words do not simply declare God and Christ as one being but does deny there is deity to be found or known in a form other than Christ. While some philosophers reject this, claiming the Christian faith is exclusivist, others have called it “particularist.” That is, the primary claim of the Christian faith is a positive one, that God has become manifest in the particular person, Jesus of Nazareth, and is therefore known in the particular narrative of this man’s life, death, and resurrection. Therefore, a Christian understanding of the identity and character of God is inseparably linked to Jesus and his story. We must remain true to Christ and spread this truth to all we can. We must go out and help unbelievers and those trapped in any false religion to understand Christ is the only way. This is our calling, which is God’s calling to us.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

Acts 4:20

For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” – Act 4:20 

During this time, which was not long after the ascension of Jesus into Heaven, Peter and John were teaching the people about Jesus, stating He was miraculously raised from the dead. This, of course, angered the Jewish leadership because this could turn the people away from their teachings when they accept the doctrines taught by Jesus’ disciples. This especially angered the Sadducees, for they objected completely the doctrine of resurrection. So, they arrested Peter and John, putting them into prison, and during this time the leadership discussed the matter.

The next day, the two disciples were brought before the Jewish leadership. In verses 5-6 we read; “On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent.” Acts 4:5-6. When everyone was settled in, they placed Peter and John in the middle of the room and asked them by what authority did they tell others about Jesus’ resurrection which they did not at all believe. And Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, starts by saying the following:

“Rulers and elders of the people, if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name this man stands here before you in good health.” Acts 4:10.

Peter starts by addressing the healing of the man who was sick. If they were being questioned regarding the healing of a man who was crippled, if the court wanted to know how the man was healed, then he will let them know, as well as all Israel, that he was healed in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah. He also told them that salvation only comes from Jesus, the Christ.

Now the Jewish leaders saw confidence in both, even though they knew they were uneducated and never trained in the rabbinical schools. Yet they were amazed having recognized they had been with Jesus. But also, seeing this man had been healed, they had nothing to say regarding this, for they recognized him, having been lame from his mother’s womb. He used to set down every day at the gate of the temple called Beautiful in order to beg for donations from those who were entering the temple.

After a time, they were released, but with a warning.

“And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:18.

Here is Peter and John respond, which we ourselves should take to heart.

“Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20.

When we find ourselves in a position where we are told to stop speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is important that we show the absolute truth of this message, that being the message from Jesus saying,

“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

I want to encourage us all to be bold in reference to God’s message to this world. Jesus, the Son of God, gave His life for us so we could receive the salvation that comes through believing the message and receiving His grace. And He has called us to go out and preach the gospel to all. If we, as Christians, do not tell the unsaved the gospel, then do we truly love them? Do we really desire them to be saved? The only way they will understand this message as total truth is for someone to go out and tell them. We should not stop just because someone is offended. If someone chooses not to listen, then that is their issue. But if another says to stop sharing the gospel, we should do what we can to continue. For their salvation is far more important than how people see us. We should not be ashamed to read the Bible, pray, or share Jesus to a lost world. For this is our calling from Christ.

Are we willing to give our lives for this purpose? Jesus Himself said to them and also to us.

“It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

2 Peter 3:9

Verse Study: 2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 

Let us start by looking at the first two verses in 2 Peter 3.

“Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder, to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” 2 Peter 3:1-2.

Peter is calling on the disciples to remember the words spoken by the prophets of old, as well as by Jesus Christ during His time here. One example is Daniel, where it is written,

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:1-3.

And a second one is found in Zechariah.

“On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west forming a very large valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and the other half toward the south.” Zechariah 14:4.

Both of the above verses are quotes from Old Testament prophets. Then in the first chapter of Acts, two angels came and spoke to the disciples regarding Jesus’ ascension.

“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, and they said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11.

Now, moving on to the next three verses, Peter tells them that in these last days, there will be many who will mock the true believers.

“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’ For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:3-7.

What I find most interesting is that we are seeing this today, which shows we are in the final days. But to be honest, there have always been people calling out that they see no proof of Jesus and His second coming, believing either there is no God at all and thus everything has always existed as stated by many so-called scientists, or they believe in false gods who, in their beliefs, had nothing to do with creation as it actually happened. And both these groups, either internally or externally, mock us for believing such a ‘ridiculous’ concept. Now by believing these false ideas, they refuse to accept the idea of everything being created by an infinite God, and the world back in the time of Noah being destroyed by a worldwide flood of water. Therefore, they do not accept what is mentioned in verse seven, that the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Now we came to verse 8.

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” 2 Peter 3:8.

What is basically being said here is that what seems like forever in our view is but a short time in God’s view, just as an hour may seem to be an eternity for a child but a moment to an adult. We see this same image in the Book or Psalms.

“For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or like a watch in the night.” Psalm 90:4.

God is infinite and we are finite. The Lord is not subject to time as we are. He regards a thousand years the way we might think of a 24-hour period or a single watch during the night. The “watch” refers to a shift covered by a guard. There were three nighttime watches/shifts, each one being four hours. During the night, most people did not notice the guard keeping watch because they were asleep. Similarly, a thousand years pass almost like they didn’t happen when compared to eternity.

Next, we come to our focus verse.

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

We see here that the only reason God has not yet raptured His people is His patience. He does not desire anyone to perish but that all would repent. This is the time God has given all people to get right with Him.

In the days of Noah, God said,

“My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” Genesis 6:3.

There comes a time when even God’s patience with man will be ended. That day where the opportunity for grace is over and the unrepentant will face the awesome wrath of God. The world has heard this, and thus the scoffers will say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” These unrepentant people will use this question to renounce the idea of Jesus Christ coming here, also known as the  rapture of the church. God isn’t slack concerning the promise to come and take us to be with Him. He’s just patient, not wanting any to perish, but that all would repent and give themselves to God.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 Peter 4:8

Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

Let me start this with the first five verse of 1 Peter 4 “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:1-5.

Peter starts by using Christ as an example that Christians must follow. Essentially, by suffering Christ showed his opposition to sinful living. Therefore, persecuted Christians must follow his example and say a firm “NO” to their temptations. The thought is rather condensed, and verse one can be paraphrased more fully like this, a quote from Theologian Howard Marshalls.

“Persons who are prepared to suffer demonstrate that they have a particular attitude toward certain principles. Jesus was prepared to suffer, and therefore he must have had this attitude. Since you have been called to suffer like Jesus did, you should also adopt the same attitude as he had. (It would be foolish merely to suffer without holding the principles which his sufferings demonstrated he held.) You will find that this attitude acts like armor in protecting you from temptation. For the particular attitude which Christ had is related to sin. It can be summed up in the saying: A person who suffers in the flesh has ceased from sin.”

Essentially, we are no longer to live the rest of our life in the lusts of the flesh, but rather in obeying the will of God. For the time has ended in carrying out the desire of the flesh, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. Many are surprised when we do not pursue the same excesses of dissipation, and they find it strange that we have stopped. But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Now, we go to the next verse. “For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. ” 1 Peter 4:6-7. When we look back at those who have died while true Christians, it reminds us who are now alive that death is no more the end for us as it was for those now dead. People die a physical death under judgment that comes as a result of Adam’s sin. All are judged according to the way of men in regard to the body. This is the fate of all human beings. This is the way of men and women since sin entered the world they die in the body. It is only when Christ comes in glory that ‘there will be no more death. “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4. But the preaching of the gospel through history has brought with it the offer of salvation so that those who respond may live according to the way of God in regard to the spirit. The life that Christians will continue to live, even after they die, will be a life in the spiritual realm in which God lives as well. It is for this reason that the gospel is preached, so that people may live this way. Christians should take heart from the knowledge that those who have died having received the gospel do now live according to God in regard to the spirit. They live in his presence and enjoy all his blessings. This should further remove from Christians the fear of persecution and abuse and death. It is also worth noting that a more literal translation of this verse reads: ‘be clear minded and self-controlled with respect to prayers.’ Peter urges therefore that Christians who are members of the body of Christ must be clear minded and self-controlled so they can be properly at prayer. In this age while waiting for the end, the church suffers persecution and ridicule. The Church  must remain a faithful witness to the truth and this can only be achieved through the prayers of the people which demonstrate the church’s complete dependence on our Savior and Lord. As the church prays, her members find the support and encouragement they so desperately need as they love each other deeply and offer hospitality to each other without grumbling.

And now we come to our focus verse. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8. After Peter has written all that he has in this chapter, he states that above all that he has said before, we are to truly love each other, for if we love one another, then we will not focus on their faults, but on their good qualities. Pastor Chuck Smith put this so good. ”How true that is. How many things we can just overlook if we love hard enough. How many things we don’t see because we love, and how many things we can see when we hate. I mean, we watch like eagles. And every little thing we’re ready to pounce on. But love fervently in the body of Christ. Be hospitable one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” It is important that we do no spread the wrongs and faults of people to others. If we do, where is the love? Would we want our faults and wrongs spread around to others? If not, then we should not spread others faults. In closing, I want to put another quote on here that I believe sums up the idea found in verse eight. “ Love covers a multitude of sins. Yea, “love covers all things. He that loves another, covers his faults, how many soever they be. He turns away his own eyes from them; and, as far as is possible, hides them from others. And he continually prays that all the sinner’s iniquities may be forgiven and his sins covered. Meantime the God of love measures to him with the same measure into his bosom.” Theologian John Wesley.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries

1 Kings 8:61

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1Kings 8:61

“Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the LORD our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” – 1Kings 8:61  

1 Kings 8 is an account of the ark of the covenant being placed into the temple which had just been completed.  In the following verses we read,

“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ households of the sons of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the city of David, which is Zion. All the men of Israel assembled themselves to King Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.”  1 Kings 8:1-2.

After this, an enormous number of sacrifices were made to God, so many that they could not be adequately counted.

“And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen they could not be counted or numbered.” 1 Kings 8:5.

After this, the priests alone brought these into the inner sanctuary of the tempe, also known as the Holy of Holies. And it is important to note that there was nothing in the Ark except the two stones which Moses placed at Horeb when they came out of Egypt.

Next, he offered a prayer to the Lord asking that any requests given earnestly and humbly by Israelites or strangers would be accepted by God.  This is a prayer of dedication, which is found in 1 Kings 8:22-53. At the end of this prayer, Solomon asks for God’s blessing over the people of Israel plus an exhortation for them as well.  This exhortation is the focus of our verse today, which is as relevant to us today as it was for the Israelites back then.

First, let us look at verses 57-60.

“May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers. And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no one else.” 1 Kings 8:57-60.

The first part asks of God that He would be with them, as He was with their fathers. God promised to be with Israel, but Solomon knew it was important to ask God to fulfill His promise. He comes pleading the promises of God. And he made this plea so that not only the Israelites, but all the people of the earth may know and understand that the Lord their God is the true God, and that there is no other God but the true God of Israel. Solomon shows the missionary desire that was often neglected and desired in Israel. Blessing to Israel wasn’t meant to end with Israel; God wanted to bless the world through Israel.

Next, we come to our focus verse.

“Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:61.

Solomon was asking that His people would walk in God’s statutes, always striving to keep His commandments. He urges them to let their hearts be fully committed to the Lord. And this should be our focus and desire as well. Our obedience should be universal such that we keep all of His commandments and not just those we choose to. With this, I say His desires should take infinite precedence over our own.   All that we do, or think should follow the idea that He is supreme, and we are not.  We should not be divided in our loyalties.  We should be totally devoted to God in our ways and submissive to His commands. Jesus takes these two points in Solomon’s prayer and merges them into one concise statement.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15.

As always with Jesus, His position on this could not be clearer. If we love God, our goal will be to keep His commandment and follow His ways. And if we do not keep His commandments, then we must ask ourselves, do we truly love Him?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

1 John 1:9

Verse of the Day: 1John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

None of us are perfect, no matter what we think. However, as true Christians this should be our desire. Speaking for myself, there are times when I fail to do what God has commanded me to do, or I do what God has commanded me not to do.  Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this. And if we are honest, we all do.  The verse prior to our focus verse says, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Notice his wording, ‘If we say we have no sin’, present tense. Paul was clear in his letter to the Church in Rome that no one can say they have no sin. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ Romans 3:23.

What John is saying is as Christians we are to walk with God and devote ourselves totally to Him. We are to live a life that honors Christ, that is a perfect life. However, in our fleshly weakness we often do things we know are wrong. Paul put it like this regarding his own struggle, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.  For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” Romans 7:18-19. Paul understood that he was far from perfect. He knew that he did not always live in a way that honored God. In fact, he states that no one does. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12. And to say that we have no sin puts us in a dangerous place because God’s grace and mercy is extended to sinners, not to those who see these as mistakes, or who say, “I’m only human”. We need to realize the victory and forgiveness that comes from praying, “I am a sinner, even a great sinner, but I have a Savior who cleanses me from all sin.”

And this is laid out in our focus verse. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Though sin is present, it need not remain a hindrance to our relationship with God, we will find cleansing from all unrighteousness as we confess our sins. By confessing our sins, we are willing to say and believe the same thing about our sin that God says about it. The one who confesses his sin is the one who agrees with God about how bad he was. And if we deny the presence of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and are denying God’s Word. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” 1 John 1:10. And though sin is always present, so is its remedy, so sin need never be a hindrance to our relationship with God. We need to confess all sins to God, and this confession should be with the idea of knowing what you did was sin, hating having done it and desiring never to do it again but wanting to honor God in everything. In this, He is “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.