Being a student of the Bible is great, but it is useless apart from obedience. Some have become smug and complacent, critical and argumentative, loud and proud, but they refuse to serve God. They are students but not servants. They love to learn but they never learn that the learning is for living! Having been the pastor of a great many Bible college students I’ve seen this over and over again. Some of them get so excited about Bible study that they lose sight of why they’re doing it. By the time they graduate they feel they are ready to go back home and enlighten their poor ignorant pastor–or take his place. They are forever studying the word, but they never get around to living out the “pure religion” mentioned in James 1:27, which is “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

“Christ sent me…to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect“– 1 Corinthians 1:17

Preachers sent from Christ are sent to preach the gospel, the good news of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.

The fact that they are sent to preach the gospel reveals that there is a need for declaration and explanation of the cross of Christ. This was not a self-explanatory event. It is only because of the inspired commentary on the crucifixion — including the commentary of Jesus himself — that we are able to understand the majesty of this tragedy.

To the bystanders at Calvary (including Christ’s disciples) this was the deepest grief imaginable, the death of all their joys, the end of all hope. But through the resurrection, ascension, and explanation of Jesus Christ we come to see that the cross is in fact our highest consolation, the death of all our sorrows, and the consummation of all hope.

Through His death sinners are reconciled to God and given eternal life. How could such an astounding display of love and mercy possibly be rendered ineffective? Paul says the cross is made of none effect when we get in the way.

It was therefore Paul’s determination not to let the message of the cross be obscured behind his own personality or his own talents or his own shortcomings. May we likewise resolve to hold up the cross, to point to the cross, with as little of ourselves showing as possible.–Baptist Bible Hour

“Now the just shall live by faith.” – Hebrews 10:38

As I read this I can still hear old brother Lester Roloff singing “Living by faith”. Having spent time with him and watching his life for many years I can tell you he lived as the song says and the scriptures states. Although I didn’t agree with him on everything it was refreshing to see someone committed to a life of faith. Dear friend, that is what God requires from all of us. It is the only way to please Him (Heb. 11:6). We do not have to be rich, highly educated, or greatly talented to please God, but we must trust Him. It is a horrible offense not to do so.

Adrian Rogers said, “This great statement, so abundantly true, actually was first stated in the book of Habakkuk. The writer of Hebrews is quoting the prophet Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was perplexed. He lived in a day of violence, degradation, apostasy and danger. He bombarded Heaven, asking God to answer—to explain things so he could make sense of it all. But God said, “Habakkuk, you couldn’t understand it anyway, if I told you what I’m up to. You think I’m not working? I’m working, and Habakkuk, here is your responsibility. You are to live in this uncertain age by faith. You want me to tell you how to live? Don’t live by explanations. Live by faith.”

Now, that’s not hocus-pocus or smoke and mirrors. That has spiritual steel and concrete in it…“the just shall live by faith.”

This is the only way to live. In fact, this verse is quoted three times in the Word of God. I wonder if God is trying to tell us something. I know He is. The challenge for us today—and every day—is to live by faith.”

As we grow in grace, we are sure to grow in charity, sympathy, and love. We shall, as we ripen in grace, have greater sweetness towards our fellow Christians. Bitter spirited Christians may know a great deal, but they are immature.

Those who are quick to censure may be very acute in judgment, but they are as yet very immature in heart.

He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more.

He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it.

When our virtues become more mature, we shall not be more tolerant of evil; but we shall be more tolerant of infirmity, more hopeful for the people of God, and certainly less arrogant in our criticisms.– Charles Spurgeon

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.“–James 1:2-4

Trials are not given to make us weak, but to make us learn to wait.  Jesus Christ wants to develop our faith, and He rarely develops it in the normal circumstances of life. It is most often  through the interruptions, the heartbreaks, and the discouragements that our faith progresses.

A young black girl living in the poverty section of Philadelphia enjoyed singing in her Union Baptist Church choir. The adults noticed latent talent in her voice and began “The Fund for Marian Anderson’s Future.” They raised one hundred twenty-six dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes, and she began taking singing lessons.

When she was eighteen she auditioned with a famous instructor, but was rejected. Those who continued to believe in her planned a concert in a town hall in New York City. However, the critics were brutal in their reviews. While on a European concert tour, she was well-received, but in Washington, D.C., she was not allowed to sing in Constitution Hall because of her race.

For many years, Marian Anderson wallowed in self-pity. Her mother finally said, “Marian, I want you to think about your troubles and your failures a little—and pray a lot.” Then her mother said something that Marian never forgot: “Marian, you must learn that grace comes before greatness.”

Marian Anderson became a well-known opera singer, performing for the Eisenhowers and their guests in the White House, being appointed a delegate to the United Nations, and winning a Medal of Freedom. All of this came only after learning the valuable lesson that her mother had taught her.

This is the same lesson delivered throughout Scripture. Learning to fail, yet to persevere, comes as we learn to live a life of faith. Times of trial are not only necessary to teach us humility, but they remind us where our true possessions lie—in Christ.

What better example than Christ—the Model—who shows us that grace comes before greatness . . . humility before honor.

Take time to do the unthinkable: thank God for something painful in your life, whether a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, a failing grade, an illness, or a difficult circumstance. Pray that God will give you strength to persevere during the test, no matter how long it takes—even a lifetime. Remember that trials are given for your good, and even the painful times are a gift from God.–Stephen Davey