We, the church of Jesus Christ, are the blessed recipients of God's gracious work of salvation. But we are also a divine display for the ages and for all creation of God's wisdom, grace, and love. These are the themes that run through the third chapter of Ephesians.
The depths of God's grace toward us can be most appreciated only when we see where we are in light of where we once were. Paul reminds us that we were dead; now we are alive. We were separated from God; now we have been brought near in Christ.
We may never be among the world's wealthiest people. But the Bible says that in Christ we possess the spiritual wealth of God's gracious blessings, which will result in His eternal praise. Paul gives us a glimpse of some of those blessings in the first chapter of Ephesians.
Christian character may be developed quietly as we learn God's Word, obey His commands, and resist the lure of sin. But as Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians, he offers some specific, practical ways Christlike character is to be revealed in the way we conduct our lives.
Many people claim the title of Christian. But what does a true follower of Christ look like? What are the marks of a believer? The apostle Paul answers in Galatians chapter 5, and it is all about being like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ we are free from the bondage of keeping laws and rules to attain and maintain God's approval. We are free through faith in Christ to truly follow Him and love one another, living a life that does not give in to either legalism or license.
We must be alert to the subtle temptation to ground our relationship with the Lord on our efforts and works. To adopt this position in any measure is to contradict the gospel of grace. The apostle Paul brings clarity to this issue in chapters 3 and 4 of Galatians.
If the doctrines we teach as Christians are not totally grounded in the Bible, we run the risk of perverting the truth and leading others astray. Paul's presentation and defense of the true gospel reminds us of how careful and thorough we must be in our study and teaching.
The gospel of grace is the true gospel of Paul, the apostles, and the Scriptures. To water down the message of salvation by grace alone is to challenge the effectiveness and even the necessity of Christ's death. Like Paul, we must make every effort to preserve the gospel.
As it was for the apostle Paul, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a message of human origin. It is the truth of God given to us by God. We can never compromise on it, for to do so is to surrender the only sure hope of salvation for humanity.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
