"Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:1-3)

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas continued boldly proclaiming the message of the cross.  Throughout this journey, the gospel was received in two ways.  In Iconium it was no different.

Paul and Barnabas declared the gospel of God’s grace in the synagogue of the Jews.  They urged the truth with fearless vigor.  Their confidence was grounded in God’s presence and support.  This bold proclamation was backed by signs and wonders which proved the authenticity of the message.

When the gospel is preached in its simplicity and power it gets results.  This was certainly the case in this city of Asia Minor.  A multitude of Jews and Greeks received the gospel.  When the seed is planted, God gives the increase.  There is no greater joy to the sincere teacher than to witness a harvest of souls.

This passage also reminds us of the pain of rejection.  The unbelieving Jews “poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers”.  Like adding arsenic to water these false teachers tainted the truth with error.  Thus, the city was divided – some siding with the believers and others siding with the unbelievers!  Such opposition grieves the heart of Christian teachers.

Today, the powerful gospel will get the same results.  Some will receive it. Others will reject it.  However, the soldier of Christ must prove faithful, ready to encounter the contempt, or the ridicule, or the slander of the evil minded, so long as there is any good to accomplish by his steadfastness.

George Slover
 

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5)

This simple praise Psalm has been a favorite of mine for a long time.  It has been used to help me prepare my mind for worship.  Consider some of its important features.

There are two parts to this Psalm.  The first section is (vs. 1-4) an exhortation to praise.  Section two supplies (vs. 3-5) the reason for this exhortation.  Then, intertwined in the context are some important details about praising God.

The first section (vs.1-4) calls for “all ye lands” to offer their thanksgiving to God.  Such praise is to be done heartily, with a joyful shout. (vs.11)  This is to be a cheerful activity.  It is accepted when the worshiper is aware of God’s presence (vs.2).  The psalmist calls upon those involved to intelligently acknowledge who God is (vs.3) and to come before Him with gratitude (vs.4).  This praise is to be offered frequently and in His “gates” and “court”.

In section two (vs. 3-5) the reason for such devotion is grounded in the nature of God, for Jehovah is God (Elohim) – thus, he is the only one worthy of worship.  He is our Creator (vs.3).  He has graciously called upon us to be His people (vs.3).  That we might be drawn to worship him, the Psalmist reminds us of Gods’ “goodness” (vs.5) from which flows his “mercy” (vs.5) and “truth” (faithfulness).  And that we might have greater confidence in him, God’s mercy and truth are constant in every change of life and extended to all generations.

God is so good.  He will save any who will come to Him through Christ. Therefore, be thankful and speak well of God’s name.

By George Slover

 

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33)

The above is Paul’s grand conclusion to this section of the Roman letter.  He has demonstrated how man, by God’s providence, can proceed from “the role call of the damned” (Robert Turner) to the blessed state of righteousness.  (Rm.5:1,2)  Paul marvels at how God has so worked in the history men and nations so that he could offer such a wonderful gift to Jews and Gentiles.

The apostle has three subjects of admiration – the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God.  Paul admires the depth of these three- “depth” meaning vast, incomprehensible, or unfathomable.  Words cannot express nor can one fully comprehend the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God!

Riches denotes God’s abundant blessings and mercy.  The pardon of sin, the gift of Christ, and hope of heaven are vast and wonderful!  That God would offer such great gifts to one as wretched as I is unimaginable.  Such incites the praise of Paul.

Wisdom acknowledges the method God chose to accomplish his mission.  Certainly, man was not wise enough to devise his own plan.  By a cross (I Cor. 1:18-25) which seems so weak and foolish, God confounded all the experts!  When all of this is contemplated and history is traced Paul greatly esteems the wisdom of God who fulfilled his mission!

Knowledge has foreknowledge in mind.  God so worked in the history of man (Hb.9:26) to bring the Savior into the world at just the right time.  By his wisdom the whole world heard the gospel in 30 years! (Col 1:6,23)  God worked in the lives of men and rulers of nations and overcame every obstacle to make his grace available. (Tit.2:11-16)

Indeed, how unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!  Certainly, no man can counsel the Lord.  He is left to do nothing, but to stand in awe and humbly submit to God’s wishes!

By George Slover
 

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age," (Titus 2:11-12)

Experiencing the grace of God is life changing.  It has the power to turn one from a course of rebellion and destruction to a path of obedience and hope.  The Cretans were a powerful example of the ability of God’s grace.

The reputation of the Cretans was not good.  Paul says,” One of them, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’" (Titus 1:12)  In chapter 3 Paul reminds them of their past life.  They were known for their foolishness and disobedience following their own passions and pursuing selfish pleasures.  Accepting God’s grace involved a renunciation of this past life.  “Ungodliness” and “worldly lusts” (Titus 2:12) express the epitome of all that is sinful and wrong!  This kind of life was to be renounced!

A rejection of the worldly life is not enough!  Grace compels one to adopt the right course of life.  In chapter 3 Paul reminds them to live lives that are submissive, obedient, gentle, and ready for every good work.  To live “soberly” (2:12) is to hold a mastery over our passions and impulses.  To be “godly” is a claim of the presence of God in our everyday life.

This means a radical change took place in the lives if the Cretans.  Old habits are hard to break and new ones difficult to begin, but God’s grace and kindness was the life changing motive that prompted them to take this painful step.  “Hope” (Titus 3:13) would encourage them to persevere!

As we grow in our appreciation of God’s love, it will prompt us to live God approved lives.

By George Slover, Jr.

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (1 Peter 1:13)

Prior to verse 13 Peter speaks of the great salvation and inheritance God had promised to his children.  The anticipation of such a wonderful, heavenly home brings “inexpressible joy” (1:8) to these suffering pilgrims.  But what are they to do in the mean time?  The rest of the letter is devoted to this very proposition.  I want to focus on the admonition found in verse 13: rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The word “therefore” is the transition word that moves the reader from thoughts about salvation to the application section.  God emphatically commands duty!  Among the many duties is the command to live in hope!  Hope is our attitude toward the future.  It involves believing and trusting!  It is a confident expectation of the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Peter says: “ rest (fix) your hope fully” – i.e. completely- upon the God’s promises.   This is not a half-hearted endeavor, but “to the hilt!”  It means selling out to God, to place their lives unreservedly in the hands of God and the better things he has promised!  God provides sufficient evidence to give them such confidence.  In verse 3 he states that their living hope is based upon the resurrection of Christ.

Next, Peter tells them they must look forward to the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  He also alludes to this in chapter 4:13: but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13)  Do you really look forward to that day?  What a great day it will be when Jesus comes in all of his glory.  “Heaven will surely be worth it all”.

God emphatically commands us to fully believe in better things to come.  Such confidence is spiritually healthy.  It lifts us up above the mundane, doom and gloom of this world.  By this hope we glorify God, because we tell the world that we really believe in his promises!  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 
(Colossians 3:2-4)

By George Slover