Romans 3:10-31

For Reading and Meditation:     Romans 11:1-24

We continue reflecting on the meaning of grace. Illion T. Jones, a famous Welsh preacher, said that "The word 'grace' is unquestionably the most significant single word in the Bible." I agree. But it must be understood right away that grace is a characteristic of God which is exercized only toward those who are seen as...

For Reading and Meditation:     Romans 3:21-31

Herbert Spencer, whom we quoted earlier, wrote: "The task of religion is at-one-ment: atonement. If it fails to do this it fails at the vital point." Its ritual may be beautiful, its sanctions may be ancient, its precepts may be good, but if it fails to bring men and women into correspondence with God it fails vitally...

For Reading and Meditation:     1 Corinthians 6:1-11

In his book Conversion - Christian and Non-Christian, C. Underwood says that the future of religion lies with the religions of the East, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, where conversions seem to occur. He hears followers discussing such things as self-sacrifice and the practice of good works and labels that as...

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 76:1-12

We touched yesterday on the truth that the reason why the ungodly are set in eminent places is because God arranges it. The psalmist goes on to say that not only does God raise up the ungodly, but He also brings them down: "You cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed –" (

PEACE is an invaluable blessing, whether we consider it as reconciliation to God, or tranquillity and comfort of mind. It is not to be obtained by the works of the law, but if we would obtain peace, it must be by receiving the Saviour's word into our heart; by believing on Him as able and willing to save; by trusting the testimony God hath given of His Son; by renouncing self, as loathsome in the sight of God; by relying simply and always on Jesus for all we need; and by daily making a...

IT was a solemn question which was proposed in the days of old, "How can man be just with God?" Man is without righteousness, he is chargeable with many crimes, he is brought in guilty, and condemned by God's holy law; and he has no excuse to make. His mouth is stopped. We feel this to be our situation by nature. But the Lord who is our Judge, hath devised a way by which He can be just, and yet justify us. It is by grace. He justifies, or acquits us from all charges, pronounces us righteous,...

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet with no dread of any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of his people to the last jot and tittle, and received the divine receipt; and unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into...

When the believer is adopted into the Lord's family, his relationship to old Adam and the law ceases at once; but then he is under a new rule, and a new covenant. Believer, you are God's child; it is your first duty to obey your heavenly Father. A servile spirit you have nothing to do with: you are not a slave, but a child; and now, inasmuch as you are a beloved child, you are bound to obey your Father's faintest wish, the least intimation of his will. Does he bid you fulfil a sacred...

The grace of God is His favor and acceptance to those who do not deserve it; who, in fact, deserve the very opposite; but who trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Four of the better known verses on grace are these! "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans...

James does not say that the man in today's verse has faith. The man himself says he has faith, but if he really had saving faith, he would have works also. His faith is a matter of words only, and that kind of faith cannot save anyone. Words without works are dead.

Salvation is not by works. Neither is it by faith plus works. Rather it is by the kind of faith that results in good works.

Why then does James say in verse 24 that a man is justified by works? Isn't this a flat...