by Michael J. Stamp

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

The scribes and Pharisees often plotted against Jesus. They sought to use the law of Moses to trap Him in a “no win” situation. On one such occasion, He was teaching at the crowded temple, and they brought to Him a woman who’d been caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses commanded she be stoned to death. Testing Him, they demanded that Jesus advise whether or not she should be stoned. If yes, then He’d appear cruel and unmerciful; if no, then He’d be contrary to the law.

But the scribes and Pharisees were dealing with the Son of God—the Savior of the world! “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17). Jesus answered them saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (our text). They had no counter to this surprising answer.

The accusers left the scene one by one until Jesus was left alone with the woman. He said to her, “Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?” She answered, “No man, Lord.” With merciful kindness Jesus replied, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (8:11).

Consider this. When Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you,” He was referring to Himself! Only He had the right to stone the woman. Only He had the right to execute judgment on her, but He set that right aside and replaced it with mercy and forgiveness.

On the cross, Jesus was executed instead; the Lamb took her place. The One “that is without sin” took the full brunt of the law for her and for us. Jesus didn’t come to throw rocks at us. His goal is to save, not to condemn. MJS

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Psalm 56:13)

Once a person receives Christ as his Savior, he must begin and then continue in the Christian life. There will be many temptations, sorrows, and difficulties along the way, however, as well as many pressures to recant. How is the “babe” in Christ to keep from stumbling and falling?

The answer, of course, is that we are kept by the same grace that saved us in the first place! The Lord Jesus died to save us from eternal death in hell; surely we can “be saved by his life” from falling while living (Romans 5:10). Our beautiful text verse anticipates this great New Testament truth. If the Lord can deliver my soul from death, surely He can keep my feet from falling! Other wonderful verses in the Psalms give the same assurance. For example, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23–24).

It is important that each person professing faith in Christ be sure that his faith is real, founded on the true Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeemer, and Lord, and not a sentimental faith in “another Jesus . . . or another gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:4). As Peter urges, “Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10).

And then, in the last words of the New Testament before the book of Revelation, we are directed again to Christ. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 1:24– 25). What a blessed assurance is this! HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24)

There are three wonderful doxologies in three New Testament epistles extolling the transcendent ability of God to accomplish and perfect our eternal salvation. One is our text above, assuring all who are “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21) that He is fully able to bring us joyfully into the presence of God in glory.

Then, look at Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Furthermore, His power is able to keep us forever. “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25).

Little wonder that the apostles exhort us to praise such a wonderful God and Savior! But in addition to the three doxologies, the Word of God contains many other testimonies to the omnipotent ability of the Lord on behalf of His people. “He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). “The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20–21).

With such a Savior and heavenly Father, we can join with Jude as he concludes his doxology: “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 1:25). HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25)

It is difficult to understand how it could be literally true that a complete biography of Christ’s works would be an earth-filling library. However, we must realize that His works did not end with His return to heaven. The events of His 33 years on Earth were only what “Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). When He prayed, it was not only for His 12 disciples “but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). When He sent the Holy Spirit, it was so that each believer could know that “Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20) and that by His Spirit He could fulfill His promise: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). He also promised to “build my church” (Matthew 16:18) in which each believer becomes a member of “his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Ephesians 1:23).

Thus, the life and work of every believing Christian is, in a very real sense, an extension of the life and work of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and an endless series of thrilling biographies could be written about them. In fact, the apostle Paul referred to his Christian converts as living books: “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3).

Each of our own lives, therefore, becomes one of “the books that should be written” about the “things which Jesus did.” How important it is that the deeds and words we record in our books are worthy of our divine Biographer! JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

This emotional stanza in Psalm 119 bursts with passion for the Word of God. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).

Previously, the psalm opened with praise for the “speech” and “knowledge” available in “the heavens” (Psalm 19:1–6) and gave David’s most open praise for the “perfect” laws (v. 7) of God that are “more to be desired . . . than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (v. 10).

The focus of this particular stanza (Psalm 119:97–104) is on the practical effect that knowledge of the Word of God has had on the psalmist’s ability to give a powerful witness.

• “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me” (v. 98).
• “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (v. 99).
• “I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts” (v. 100).

The excitement that comes with the love and the sweet taste of God’s Word in a believer’s life produces an assurance that results in a readiness to “give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Indeed, since it is clear that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4), we should be all the more committed (as is the psalmist) to refrain “from every evil way” (Psalm 119:101), being sure that we do not depart from the “judgments” (v. 102) and that our understanding of the precepts ensures we “hate every false way” (v. 104). HMM III

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

This is one of the key verses of Scripture for several reasons. In the first place, in the midst of a pantheistic and polytheistic society governed by the kings and rulers for whom Paul had just exhorted believers to pray, it was important to reemphasize that there was only one Creator God—the One to whom even kings must give account and the only One to whom we can rightfully pray.

Secondly, Christ Jesus, who was Himself “God . . . manifest in the flesh” and then “received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16), was nevertheless still “the man Christ Jesus” (our verse). He is still a man, even though His human body has been resurrected and glorified. Therefore, He can, indeed, “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and we can “come boldly” to His “throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15–16).

Then, because He is both omnipotent God and perfect man, “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (v. 15), He is uniquely able to serve as the one and only “mediator between God and men.” Furthermore, as the only God-man, fully and eternally both God and man, He is the only one through whom we can reach God’s throne in prayer. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” He said. “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

No one else—man or woman, saint or priest, angel or demon—has direct access to God, for the Son is the one mediator between God and man. We can come to God, however, for “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)

God’s Word reminds us that “every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12), “for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

These and similar verses apply specifically to Christians and relate to rewards for faithful service, not to salvation. At this judgment, “the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:13). The test of our works is not one of quantity but quality.

As stewards of Christ we have been entrusted not only with various material possessions but also with time, talents, opportunities, and all the blessings of His glorious gospel. We are, in fact, “the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1).

“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?” asked the Lord. “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” (Luke 12:42–43). But He also warned, “If ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12).

The Greek word for “faithful” means essentially “believable.” Can our Christian profession be trusted? Are we true to our word? This is what will really count when the Lord comes “to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). The greatest reward, of course, will be simply to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” (2 Timothy 3:14)

This encouraging exhortation by Paul is in the midst of a discouraging prophetic warning of things to come. “In the last days,” he said, “perilous times shall come” (v. 1). We may very well be entering those times, and, in any case, we do well to be alert for the signs of those times. The doleful description that follows seems to be a very accurate picture of the beliefs and practices of modern secular humanists, including those religionists who have “a form of godliness” but deny “the power thereof” (v. 5).

Moreover, there is little prospect that the situation will get better, for “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” and “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (vv. 13, 12). Should we, therefore, tremble and flee, perhaps compromise, or even surrender to such powerful and persuasive deceivers?

No, we should continue! Just keep on believing and obeying God’s Word. Even in the dark last days, the holy Scriptures are still able to make a man “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (v. 15). Since they are all “given by inspiration of God,” they are still just as powerful and just as profitable for every need, “that the man of God may be perfect” (that is, ready for whatever comes) and fully equipped “unto all good works” (vv. 16–17).

Paul himself set an inspiring example of “patient continuance in well doing” (Romans 2:7) under conditions of great trial. Awaiting execution in a Roman dungeon even as he wrote, he still requested his books and parchments that he might continue to study and prepare himself (2 Timothy 4:13). May God enable us also to continue, to remain, to abide, and to stand in His truth in these last days. HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.” (Deuteronomy 33:26)

Chapter 33 of Deuteronomy contains the last recorded words of a truly great man: Moses, “whom the LORD knew face to face” (34:10). Many times Moses had addressed the people of Israel with mixed blessing and warning, listing conditions for blessing and the inevitable results of rejecting God’s plan. But here, as he prepared for his impending death (32:48–52), Moses spoke only of God’s majestic character and the privileges of those who serve Him.

The God of Jeshurun (literally “upright,” here a symbolic name for Israel) is an active God, for He rides in His excellency across the heaven to help us, as we see in our text. He strongly acts on our behalf. “The eternal God is [our] refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (33:27). He is not like the gods of the heathen who do nothing.

Next, He is a God of grandeur. Here He rides across the sky and the heavens; elsewhere we are told that He “rideth upon the heavens of heavens” (Psalm 68:33). He walks (104:3) and flies “upon the wings of the wind” (18:10). “The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:3).

Finally, God is eternal. The “eternal God” with “everlasting arms” assures us of eternal victory (Deuteronomy 33:27). “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).

Such was Moses’ God and the God whom we serve today—the One who showers us with incomparable blessings. Indeed, “who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD” (Deuteronomy 33:29), to have such a One as our God? JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89)

Most who read the Bible regularly are probably familiar with these sweeping statements from the Scriptures.

• “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).
• “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).
• “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
• “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25).

On this foundation, the psalmist made additional promises to his Lord in this stanza (Psalm 119:89–96). He noted the affliction that almost took his life (v. 92) and the wicked who tried to destroy him (v. 95), which are common enough occurrences among the godly. But in spite of the troubles in life, this godly man knew that the evidence abounds for God’s faithfulness throughout the earth (vv. 90–91).

God’s 77 rhetorical questions to Job (Job 38–41) centered on the evidence of His control and care for the universe. This sovereignty of God prompted the psalmist to reiterate his commitment to a firm familiarity with God’s precepts and a continual effort to seek them (Psalm 119:93–94).

He knew that the wicked would continue trying to destroy and that human affairs limit the possibility of perfection. But the godly man would understand God’s testimonies, since they are sufficient to apply to all situations (v. 96). HMM III

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

The adjective “faithful” is usually applied either to God or to those godly men and women who remain true to their words and convictions. However, there are eight New Testament references to words (or “sayings”) that are faithful.

Six of the references to faithful sayings are found in Paul’s pastoral epistles as he gave counsel to young pastors Timothy and Titus, the first being our text for the day. Here are Paul’s faithful sayings: (1) “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”; (2) “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1); (3) “Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things” (1 Timothy 4:8); (4) “If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:11–12); (5) “They which have believed in God [should] be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:8). The sixth reference is a command that any “bishop” must continue “holding fast the faithful word [same as ‘saying’] as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9).

The final two references are in the Bible’s last two chapters, stressing that the words of Revelation are indeed true and believable. After stating His glorious promises for the future life, Christ told John, “Write: for these words [i.e., ‘sayings’] are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5). Then, after the magnificent description of the Holy City, the angel said, “These sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6).

All the Bible’s sayings are true, of course, but these that are specifically called “faithful” surely warrant our special attention. HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18)

When Adam rebelled against God, he experienced many new things—things that have haunted mankind ever since. All of these things were experienced by Christ in an intense way as He redeemed fallen mankind and the cursed creation.

Adam had never seen or experienced death (Genesis 2:17) until he sinned (3:19, 22). Adam and Eve had been naked and unashamed (2:25), but sin distorted everything (3:7, 21). Before sin, Adam and Eve had known only blessing (1:28), but the universal curse followed (3:14-19). They had known joy and fellowship, but then they knew sorrow (3:17) and separation (3:23). They had lived in a garden (2:8), but then the plants brought forth thorns (3:18). Prior to sin they had been given work (2:15), but because of sin they would sweat (3:19) as they toiled. The angel’s weapon kept them from returning to Eden (3:24), and outside violence reigned (4:8, 23; 6:13). Childbearing was originally created to be easy but then was accompanied by sorrow (1:28; 3:16).

Likewise, Christ experienced death on the cross (John 19:30), but by His resurrection He conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). He experienced nakedness (John 19:23; Psalm 22:18), the full thrust of the Curse (Galatians 3:13), sorrow (Isaiah 53:3), and separation from God (Matthew 27:46). Cruel thorns were placed on His head (John 19:2), and He sweat great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). The soldier’s weapon pierced Him (John 19:34), finally ending a series of violent acts (Luke 22:63; Matthew 27:26, 29-30; Isaiah 52:14; etc.). But through His suffering He overcame the Curse and redeemed His fallen creation. As a result, many children have been brought forth (Hebrews 2:9-10), reborn into a glorious state through His suffering. JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19)

This is the only verse in the New Testament describing the Creator as faithful. God had a very specific purpose in creating the universe and especially people, and He will surely accomplish that great purpose.

The Scriptures repeatedly stress God’s faithfulness. With respect to the physical universe, “for ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth” (Psalm 119:89-90). As far as His promises to His people are concerned, “know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9).

The faithful Creator is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, and He rebukes the compromising church of the last days with these majestic words: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God” (Revelation 3:14). Although many professing believers will prove unfaithful to Him, “yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

The triumphant book of Revelation comes directly “from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness” (Revelation 1:5). When He finally returns to Earth in power and glory, His very name shall be “called Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11). He is both Alpha and Omega, and thus all His “words are true and faithful” (Revelation 21:5). Our salvation is sure, therefore, because “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“[The Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

Each of the four verses of the majestic hymn “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” repeats the theme that Christ’s blood was shed on our behalf, and it is enough. Nothing else remains to be done. The final verse adds perspective to the other three.

My great Physician heals the sick, The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed, For me His life He gave.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.

Christ is certainly “the great physician,” for He “went about all Galilee…healing all manner of sickness” (Matthew 4:23). But His ministry was not only to the physically ill, for as He said, God “hast sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives” (Luke 4:18). His mission was a deeper one, that of healing the sin-sickness of the soul. “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

As we read in our text, “we have redemption through his blood” and through His blood alone. As a result, we have “forgiveness of sins,” we are “delivered from the power of darkness,” and we are given a home in “the kingdom of his dear Son.”

And there we will join in singing “a new song, saying, Thou art worthy…for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9). He has done it all, and He has done it “for me”! JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son….These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:11, 13)

Our salvation does not find its basis in an emotional experience of the heart, although our emotional tendencies are God-given and not to be denied. Indeed, the salvation experience may be sweet and memorable, but all sorts of religions, non-religions, and cults have emotional experiences, like the Mormon’s “burning of the bosom.” Experiences alone are subjective and easily misinterpreted. Our faith should be a faith from the heart, and it should be founded on the written Word of God. The third verse of our hymn, “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place,” presents this timeless truth.

My heart is leaning on the Word, the written Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s name, Salvation thru’ His blood.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, And that He died for me.

The Bible, God’s holy Word, is a book about Jesus and how God, through Jesus, deals with man. Much more could have been written: “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

And this is sufficient! Nothing else needs to be done or said or paid. Christ’s blood is enough. His Word tells us so. JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.” (John 9:30)

A “marvelous thing” in the Bible is something that generates awe or wonder. Sometimes it refers to a miracle but more often to something very unexpected and remarkable.

But the most marvelous thing of all is that unbelievers still persist in their unbelief. In our text passage the Lord Jesus Christ had just performed one of His most amazing miracles of creation—making perfect eyes for a man blind from birth. As the man testified to the frustrated Pharisees, “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind” (John 9:32). Yet, these religious intellectuals, so opinionated in their prejudices, refused to believe what they saw and heard. Similarly, “when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things [i.e., ‘marvelous things’] that he did…they were sore displeased” (Matthew 21:15).

There are none so blind as those who refuse to see. One of the saddest verses in the Bible is John 1:10: “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” And, “he came unto his own, and his own received him not” (v. 11). Even when He raised Lazarus from the dead, “the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus” (John 12:10-11).

Modern “intellectuals” are still the same, rejecting the overwhelming testimony of the created complexity in the cosmos to the fact of a personal Creator in favor of an impossible scenario of chance origin. “Herein is a marvelous thing!” Such people “willingly are ignorant” and “without excuse” (2 Peter 3:5; Romans 1:20). HMM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.” (Colossians 4:15)

Some Pauline epistles, which included the letter to the church at Colossae, were written during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, approximately from AD 60 to 62. Three cities (Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae) were close together and were near Laodicea. Paul instructs Nymphas to read the Colossians letter to the church at Laodicea.

There is a group labeled “fellow workers” (Colossians 4:11)—Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Marcus, and Justus. They were the men who ministered to Paul in Rome. There were also friends from the third missionary journey: Epaphras, Demas, Nymphas, and Archippus from the cities around Colossae who kept in close contact and probably supported Paul financially. Luke, the “beloved physician,” apparently joined Paul on the second missionary journey on the trip to Rome (Acts 16—the “we” passages).

Several godly attributes are identified with these men. “Beloved brother” is used to emphasize the intense relationship that Paul had with some of these men. “Faithful minister” (a “deacon”), along with “fellow servant” and “fellow worker,” stresses the service Paul enjoyed with them. “Fellow prisoner” is an obvious identification.

“Labouring fervently” (the Greek word agonizomai) is used to speak of Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), who was always praying for the church at Colossae with great zeal. This and other lists such as the sixteenth chapter of Romans give us precious insight into the lives of godly men and women who shared the lives of key leaders and made their ministry more effective.

May it please the Lord Jesus to have us so named in “the books” of eternity (Revelation 20:12). HMM III

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:5-6)

Time is the most precious resource available to us. Obviously, it becomes available moment by moment, and there is absolutely no way to recapture what has moved into the past. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Our lifestyle should be recognizable from the wisdom that comes from the “fear of the LORD” (Psalm 111:10), so much so that our everyday conversation should not be “in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).

“Every idle word that men shall speak” will one day be evaluated “in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). It is clear that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

That is why we are to “redeem the time.” The Greek term is exagoradzo, meaning to buy up or to make the most of time “because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Our speech must be consciously planned to “answer every man” in such a way that it is “alway with grace, seasoned with salt”—two apparently opposite characteristics.

Our words should be “as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24), “but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?” (Mark 9:50). It is the combined power that is important; “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). HMM III

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” (Colossians 4:2-3)

This strong command is composed of the Greek term gregoreuo, meaning “vigilant” or “alert.” A similar emphasis is at the end of the classic passage identifying the armor of God: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching [agrupneo, “be awake”] thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

Our watching must also be with a conscious attitude of thanksgiving during “every remembrance” of each other (Philippians 1:3), particularly since the intercessory request should be focused on asking our Lord Jesus to provide an open door (Revelation 3:8). The Lord is indeed the One who opens the door, but the process for obtaining His action is recorded in Luke 11:9-11. We must ask for the gift of the open door, seek to find the door that He is opening, and then knock once we are at the door that He is ready to open for us.

However, as Paul notes, when the Lord opens a “door of utterance,” the spoken Word of God conveys the power of God, and that message and its power will bring the attention of the enemy. “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9).

Any fear that might lurk in our minds should be overridden by the necessity to be spokespeople for this wonderful “mystery of Christ.” There is no “salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). HMM III

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

“To be” verbs, in their various forms and tenses, enjoy wide usage throughout Scripture. Verses employing them, as they relate to us, contain many of the greatest and most precious truths. Consider the following sampling.

Past tense: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God” (v. 10). “You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). “You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” (Colossians 1:21).

Present tense: “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven” (Romans 4:7). “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:5). “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” (1 John 3:2). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him” (Colossians 2:9-10). Note also our text verse.

Future tense: “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads…and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:3-5). JDM

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6