The Fullness of God’s Salvation (Romans 11:25–27)

Romans 11:25–27 provokes many questions for students of the Bible, including the phrase “And in this way all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26), which one commentator calls “the storm center in the interpretation of Rom. 9–11.”1 The following is but one attempt to summarize these questions and provide some answers. Romans 11:25 What is…

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The Salvation of Infants and the Mentally Disabled

Good people disagree over what happens to infants and the mentally disabled when they pass away before their “the age of accountability,” the age when a child can realize the difference between right and wrong. Some emphasize the justice of God as to how to deal with the sin of the deceased, and others emphasize…

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Tell Mother I’ll Be There

William McKinley was president of the United States during the Spanish American War and led the nation out of an economic depression into a season of prosperity. Still, he is little remembered, except for the tragic fact that early in his second term he was assassinated by an anarchist and was then succeeded by his…

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The Last Hymn at the Last Supper

The Passover meal had ended. Judas was well on his way to betray the Son of God. Bellies full, the remaining eleven prepared to sing the psalms they always sung before heading out for the evening. Matthew 26:30 reports that “when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” What…

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Only One Way Out of Temptation and Sin

Paul reminded the church at Corinth of the Israelites’ repeated disobedience to God in their journey through the wilderness. He warned them that they could easily fall into such careless living if they were not careful because these temptations are common to all men. While it is true that such temptations are common, it is…

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From Sorrow to Salvation (Psalm 69)

From David to God Above: Psalm 69 in Its Original Setting Sorrows overwhelm us from time to time—so many, that they seem to be a sea. David was almost drowning in them when he wrote Psalm 69, his lifeline to heaven to pull him safely back up? (cf. Ps 69:29). He startles us with an…

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Whatever Happened to Repentance?

Can I Keep My Sin and Go to Heaven? A while back, I was witnessing to a group of college-age guys. They were familiarity with Christianity, but they didn’t know the gospel. As I spoke of sin and judgment, one of the guys began squirming nervously. I could tell that he was troubled by what…

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What the Holy Spirit Does When We Believe the Gospel

Having the Spirit’s ministry within us is even greater than having Jesus’ physical presence among us (see John 16:7). That might sound hard to believe, but once you’ve understood the manifold ministries of the Spirit, you will see why Christ’s words are true. In today’s post, we will discover the Spirit’s primary purpose in all…

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Counsel for Those Struggling with Assurance

God intends for His people to enjoy the assurance and joy of their salvation. The ministry of the Spirit (cf. Rom 8:15-17) and promises of the gospel were provided so that believers can know beyond any doubt that they are fully and forever “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6). Assurance of salvation is “the birthright…

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