COV LIFE BLOG
James 2:1-13 – Reasons Why God Hates Favoritism
So what exactly are the problems with favouritism? First, it is so unlike God himself who emphatically declares that He shows no favouritism. His plan of salvation is to bless all nations (Gen12:3, Acts 10:34). Everlasting life is for “whoever” believes (Jn 3:16). This was beautifully reflected in the ministry of the Lord Jesus whose […]
James 1:22-27 – Be Not Only Hearers of the Word
“Deceiving your own selves,” says James. What did they deceive themselves about? Why, probably they thought they were considerably better for being hearers—much to be commended and sure to get a blessing. They would not have been happy if they had not heard the Word on Sunday and they look with disgust upon their neighbors […]
James 1:19-21 – Hearing and Receiving The Word of God
Ponder now, my soul! Are these oracles of God, these testimonies and testaments of Jesus Christ, my heritage, the word upon which he hath caused me to hope? Are they my divine charter for my everlasting life? Are they even now my food, and the rejoicing of my heart? Are they sweeter than honey to […]
James 1:12-18 – Finding Encouragement in God To Endure Trials
If you are not on God’s redemptive agenda page, you will end up doubting his goodness. One of the most important questions you could ask is: “What is God doing in the here and now?” The follow-up question is also important: “How should I respond to it?” It is nearly impossible to think about life […]
James 1:9-11 – The Good Found In Humble Pursuits
Contentment is taking pleasure in God’s disposal. This is so when I am well pleased in what God does, in so far as I can see God in it, though, as I said, I may be sensible of the affliction, and may desire that God in his due time would remove it, and may use means to […]
James 1:5-8 – The Exceeding Generosity of God
James has an arrangement of words in the original which can scarcely be reproduced in an English translation, but which may be partially represented thus: ‘Let him ask of the giving God.’ That represents not so much the divine giving as an act, but, if I may so say, as a divine habit. It is […]
James 1:1-4 – The Purpose and the Glory Found In Trials
We cannot be tested without the knowledge and watchfulness of God. Just as the refiner of silver sits in the presence of the furnace, and with skilled eye watches until the fire has done its work, and then withdraws the precious metal; so God, in infinite care for His own, governs the heat, and the […]
Ephesians 4 – The Church Building Up One Another
The goal that we are headed towards, the final end, the destination of all the equipping and the building up of the body of Christ is three-fold. First of all, it is unto the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. That is number one. Number two, it is unto a mature […]
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – The Difference Between Worldly Grief and Godly Grief in the Hope for Change
The prodigal son saw that he not only had made a mess of his life, but he had sinned against his father, then one who loved him the most and gave him everything. This is exemplary. Too often we are simply sorry we got caught. Sorry we have to live with the consequences. Sorry we […]
Ephesians 4:20-24 – The Process of Change
This idea of exchange permeates Paul’s discussion on change. Not only must the sin cease, but righteousness must fill its place. If you thought change was hard only when it demanded you to stop the wrong, try adding the right as well. The job just got a ton harder. When is a thief not a […]