matthew-6:12-14:15

"Forgive us our sins — as we have forgiven those who sin against us." Matthew 6:12 The first part of this petition, "forgive us our sins" is not so hard to say. Most people are willing to confess, at least in a general way — that they have sinned. But the second part is harder to repeat: "as we have... Read More

VI. 1. In the foregoing chapter our Lord particularly described the nature of inward holiness. In this he describes that purity of intention without which none of our outward actions are holy. This chapter contains four parts, 1. The right intention and manner of giving alms, verse 1-4. 2. The right... Read More

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: Otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Ve... Read More

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” vv. 1–4 With what request did our Lord’s disciples come to Him? What was it awakened in them such a desire? Do we need to be taught how to pray? (James 4:3, Ro. 8:26.) Will He teach us? How? (Ro. 8:26, 27.) In what different connection in Matthew d... Read More

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. How to Deal with an Offending Brother, vv. 15–20 What are Christ’s directions as to the first step to take if a brother sin against us? Should we talk to others about the fault? Why will probably be the result in such a case? Suppose we are quite sure that he will not hear,... Read More

Coming to Romans 8 we may first summarize the argument of our second section of the letter from chapter 5. 12 to chapter 8. 39 in two phrases, each containing a contrast and each marking an aspect of Christian experience. They are: Romans 5.12 to 6.23: In Adam' and 'in Christ'. Romans 7.1 to 8. 39: ... Read More

The Bible gives us much help with respect to the prayer that accuses Satan. Now we want to briefly consider a few passages in the Scriptures that show us the prayer that opposes Satan. We recall that in Genesis 3 the devil worked for the first time. Later, God judged him and cursed him. From this we... Read More

"When you pray, you are not to be as the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners, in order to be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to... Read More

"Every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation (change)" (James. 1:17). God never makes a mistake, He never changes and He gives only perfect gifts. Therefore when He gave the gift of "speaking in unknown languages" ("tongues") to the church... Read More

We are commanded in the Scriptures to pay close attention to ourselves and to our teaching, for only thus can we ensure salvation for ourselves and for those we preach to (1 Tim.4:16). Our life and our doctrine are like two legs that give stability to our Christian life. Both legs should be equally ... Read More