His Word Today

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Seven: Of God’s Covenant with Man. Part 2.

4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance, with all things belonging to it, therein bequeathed.^a

a. Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; Heb 7:22; 9:15-17.

5. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the law and in the time of the gospel:^a under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come,^b which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah,^c by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal salvation; and is called the Old Testament.^d

a. 2 Cor 3:6-9. • b. Rom 4:11; Col 2:11-12; 1 Cor 5:7; Hebrews 8-10 throughout. • c. John 8:56; 1 Cor 10:1-4; Heb 11:13. • d. Gal 3:7-9, 14.

6. Under the gospel, when Christ the substance^a was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed are the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper;^b which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fulness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy,^c to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles;^d and is called the New Testament.^e There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations.^f

a. Col 2:17. • b. Mat 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25. • c. Jer 31:33-34; Heb 12:22-28. • d. Mat 28:19; Eph 2:15-19. • e. Luke 22:20. • f. Psa 32:1 with Rom 4:3; Acts 15:11; Rom 3:21-23, 30; 4:6, 16-17, 23-24; Gal 3:14, 16; Heb 13:8.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

^“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1:2 (ESV)

As with all of the Apostle Paul’s New Testament letters, he always includes the same greeting contained in today’s text. Let’s examine the text in detail.

To begin with, there is the familiar phrase Grace to you. Grace (χάρις; charis) means unmerited favor towards someone by someone, who is under no obligation to be gracious to the recipients of grace.

Within this particular context, the grace giver is God (Ephesians 2:1-10). The particular recipients of grace to whom Paul refers are the Ephesians Christians. However, all believers in Christ are objects of God’s amazing grace.

What always follows grace is peace. Peace (εἰρήνη; eirene) is tranquility and freedom from worry. It is also the absence of conflict between two parties. In this context, the two parties who are at peace are God and those who are justified by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 5:1-5).

Peace with God, along with the peace of God and from God, is the product of grace. Peace is the result of grace. Sinners cannot have peace with God unless they have received the grace from God.

The source of grace and peace is solely from God our Father and solely from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul identifies both as members of the Godhead. He does so by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), the third member of the Godhead.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “From them (God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ) came the authority with which Paul spoke (v. 1) as well as the blessings of grace and peace to all believers. The conjunction “and” indicates equivalence; that is, the Lord Jesus Christ is equally divine with the Father.”

Bible scholar and theologian Charles Hodge (1797-1878) writes, “Jesus Christ is our supreme and absolute Lord and proprietor. The word κύριος (kyrios) is indeed used in Scripture in the sense of master. But on the other hand, it is the translation of Adonai, supreme Lord, an incommunicable name of God, and the substitute of Jehovah, a name the Jews would not pronounce. It is in this sense that Christ is, the Lord, the Lord of Lords, The Lord God; Lord in the sense in which God alone can be Lord-having a dominion of which divine perfection is the only adequate or possible foundation.”

He is Lord, he is Lord. He is risen from dead, and He is Lord. Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.  

Soli deo Gloria!

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 1:1 (ESV)

Immediately following identification that he was the author of the letter to the Ephesians church, he then identified the recipients of the letter: “To the saints who are in Ephesus.”

The word saints (ἅγιος; hagios) means God’s people who are holy and dedicated to Him. It also means “called out ones.”  These were people who were consecrated to the Lord because He had set them apart from sin and declared them righteous by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

There is some dispute as to whether this epistle was a circular letter destined to many churches, or specifically intended for the church in Ephesus. The reason for the dispute is because some early manuscripts omit the phrase “who are in Ephesus.”  

Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “The words “in Ephesus” are omitted by some early manuscripts, but strong external and internal evidence support their inclusion. If this epistle were a circular letter, it seems that Ephesus, such a strategic city in Asia Minor, would have certainly received it first.”

The Ephesians were not only called saints, an indication of the position in Christ, but Paul also said they were faithful in Christ Jesus, a likely reference to their daily dedication to the Lord. The word faithful (πιστός; pistos) means trustworthy, dependable, committed and reliable. The reason they were saints, and faithful ones at that, was because they were in Christ Jesus. They were in union with Christ. All Christians, throughout church history, enjoy this status and responsibility.

Take time today to thank the Lord that not only do you possess the position of saints, but also the responsibility of being faithful.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1a)

In beginning this expository examination of the Book of Ephesians, let us not overlook the first word the epistle: Paul. The Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21) used the apostle to produce this inerrant portion of Scripture. Ephesians is one of thirteen New Testament books written by the Apostle Paul. Most likely, Ephesians was written while Paul experienced his first imprisonment by the Roman government (Acts 28:30-31).

How does Paul identify himself to the believers in Ephesus? He said that he was an apostle. An apostle (ἀπόστολος; apostolos) was a special messenger. He was God’s special representative who was commissioned and called to communicate the Lord’s message and revelation. An apostle did not originate the news he proclaimed. He was a herald of the king he served charged with preaching the King’s good news.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “An apostle was an authorized delegate commissioned and sent by the risen Lord Jesus with the authority to receive and declare His special revelation.”

Paul continued by saying that he was an apostle of Christ Jesus. This meant that Paul was exclusively a messenger for the Lord. He was an apostle for no one else. He was an apostle who solely belonged to Christ Jesus and whose apostleship originated solely in Christ Jesus. The title Christ means the only Anointed One and Jesus means the only Savior.

Paul was not only an apostle solely belonging to Christ Jesus, but also by the will of God the Father. The apostle solely served God the Father’s purpose, plan and intent.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Paul was made an apostle of Christ Jesus through God’s will or decision. It was not his own choosing or plan. Thus he had God’s authority behind him. As an apostle Paul was commissioned and sent by God with the gospel message.”

The Apostle Paul clearly stated what the Lord’s purpose was for him: to be an apostle. What about you? What is God’s purpose and plan for you? Whatever it may be, carry out God’s purpose with a passion for God to be glorified through you (I Corinthians 10:31).

Soli deo Gloria!

“If Romans is, humanly speaking, the most impressive of Paul’s letters, then Ephesians is probably the most elegant. In its opening doxology blessings cascade down upon the reader. In its closing verses the smell of the battlefield lies heavily in the air and through the smoke of war we see Christians, fully clad in the armor of spiritual warfare, still standing. From beginning to end Ephesians sets before us the wonder of God’s grace, the privilege of belonging to the church, and the pattern of life-transformation the gospel produces.” Dr. Sinclair Ferguson

The structure of Ephesians is simple. The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing biblical doctrine, whereas the last three chapters are practical and focus on Christian conduct.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Perhaps, above all, this is a letter of encouragement and admonition, written to remind believers of their immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ; and not only to be thankful for those blessings, but also to live in a manner worthy of them. Despite, and partly even because of, a Christian’s great blessings in Jesus Christ, he is sure to be tempted by Satan to self-satisfaction and complacency. It was for that reason that, in the last chapter, Paul reminds believers of the full and sufficient spiritual armor supplied to them through God’s word and by his Spirit (6:10–17) and of their need for vigilant and persistent prayer (6:18).”

A key theme in Ephesians is the mystery (meaning a previous unrevealed truth) of the church, which is “that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (3:6), a truth completely hidden from the OT saints (cf. 3:5, 9). All believers in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, are equal before the Lord as his children by grace alone, through faith alone in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. Both people groups are citizens of God’s eternal kingdom. Paul also speaks of the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ (5:32; cf. Rev. 21:9).

Another truth in Ephesians is that of the church as Christ’s present spiritual, earthly body, also a distinct and formerly unrevealed truth about God’s people. This metaphor depicts the church, not as an organization, but as a living organism composed of mutually related and interdependent parts. Christ is head of the body and the Holy Spirit is its lifeblood, as it were. The body functions through the faithful use of its members’ various spiritual gifts, sovereignly and uniquely bestowed by the Holy Spirit on each believer.

Other major themes include the riches and fullness of blessing to believers. Paul writes of “the riches of his [God’s] grace” (Eph. 1:7), “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (3:8), and “the riches of his glory” (3:16).

Paul also admonishes believers to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (3:19), to “attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (4:13), and to “be filled with the Spirit” (5:18).

The church’s riches in Christ are based on His grace (1:2, 6–7; 2:7), His peace (1:2), His will (1:5), His pleasure and purpose (1:9), His glory (1:12, 14),His calling and inheritance (1:18), His power and strength (1:19; 6:10), his love (2:4), his workmanship (2:10), his Holy Spirit (3:16), his offering and sacrifice (5:2), and His armor (6:11, 13). The word “riches” is used five times in this letter; “grace” is used 12 times; “glory” six times; “fullness” or “filled” six times; and the key phrase “in Christ” (or “in him”) some 22 times.

I encourage you to begin reading Ephesians. Begin with Paul’s masterful extended paragraph concerning the work of the Trinity in the sinner’s salvation (Ephesians 1:3-14). Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!  

“When Christ redeemed us from sin and death, He incorporated all believers into His body. It is therefore critical to understand the nature and calling of the church that we might be effective members of the one body that is called to bear witness to God’s grace in this world.” Dr. R. C. Sproul  

In beginning a study of the Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, one of the first things we notice is that the Paul’s authorship is unquestionable. He is indicated as author in the opening salutation (1:1; 3:1). The letter was written from prison in Rome (Acts 28:16–31) sometime between A.D. 60–62 and is, therefore, often referred to as a Prison Epistle (along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon).

Ephesians may have been composed at the same time with Colossians and initially sent with that epistle and Philemon by Tychicus (Eph. 6:21–22; Col. 4:7–8). Due to the similar nature of theme and content in both epistles, they are often referred to as the Twin Epistles.

The gospel was first brought to Ephesus by Priscilla and Aquila (see Acts 18:26) who were left there by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:18–19). Ephesus was located at the mouth of the Cayster River, on the east side of the Aegean Sea. It was perhaps best known for its magnificent temple of Artemis, or Diana, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was also an important political, educational, and commercial center in southern Asia Minor during the first century.

The church was later firmly strengthened by Paul on his third missionary journey (Acts 19) and he pastored there for approximately three years. After Paul left, Timothy pastored the congregation for perhaps a year and a half, primarily to counter the false teaching of a few influential men (such as Hymenaeus and Alexander), who were probably elders in the congregation (1 Tim. 1:3, 20). Because of those men, the church at Ephesus was plagued by “myths and endless genealogies” (1 Tim. 1:4) and by such ascetic and unscriptural ideas as the forbidding of marriage and abstaining from certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3).

Although those false teachers did not rightly understand Scripture, they boldly communicated their ungodly interpretations (1 Tim. 1:7), which produced in the church harmful “speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (1 Tim. 1:4). Thirty years or so later, the Apostle John wrote a letter to this church indicating its people had left their first love of, and for, Christ (Rev. 2:1–7).

More to come. I encourage you to begin reading the Book of Ephesians. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

^14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  (Romans 12:14–21 (ESV)

One way to handle conflict at work, along with following proper established protocol by the company or institution for which you work, is to follow the guidelines set forth in Romans 12:14-21. While these commands and encouragements are applicable for the home, personal relationships, church and when engaging the public, they also contain practical wisdom for the work place.

Today, we examine Romans 12:19-21. The text says, “¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Let’s examine the verses.

I’m sure you have heard the popular adage, “I don’t get mad, I get even.” This saying means to not be angry when another person has upset you, but instead do something that will upset that person even more than they upset you. In other words, the worldly culture advises a victim to retaliate and to seek revenge for wrongs done to them by someone else.

However, the Bible is always counter cultural. The Scriptures repeatedly advise, encourage and command believers in Christ to live lives in contrast with the world’s values (I John 2:15-17). This is clearly apparent in today’s text.

Rather than seek our own personal vengeance, we are to leave judgment for wrongs suffered into the sovereign authority of God (Proverbs 20:22). He will justly repay.

What, if anything, is the believer to do when suffering unjustly by a fellow co-worker, member of one’s family, or even from a member of one’s church family? God’s counsel is clear: “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

What does the phrase “heap burning coals on his head” mean in this context? Dr. John Walvoord explains that, “Heaping burning coals on his head, along with the first part of Romans 12:20, is a quotation from Proverbs 25:21–22. The coals on the head may refer to a ritual in Egypt in which a person showed his repentance by carrying a pan of burning charcoal on his head. Helping rather than cursing an enemy may cause him to be ashamed and penitent.”

What if the wrongdoer feels no shame or repentance for the wrong they have done to you? Again leave it in the Lord’s hands.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “The Christian must be free from the desire to ‘get even.’ Such release from the instinct of revenge is possible because the believer knows that God will right all wrongs in His own perfect judgment (Deuteronomy 32:35). Moreover, Scripture urges us to show grace to the wrongdoer because God is patient with him (Proverbs 25:21-22).”

Finally, Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Let’s unpack the verse.

The word overcome (νικάω; nikao) is found twice in this verse. In both instances, God gives the believer in Christ a command. In the first instance, the command is to not allow evil to prevail, or be victorious, in the believer’s life and living for Christ. On the contrary, the believer is to be victorious over evil by obeying God’s command to display godly, moral qualities. Both commands, the positive and the negative are equally important.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Seven: Of God’s Covenant with Man. Part 1.

1. The distance between God and the creature is so great that although reasonable creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward but by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he hath been pleased to express by way of covenant.^a

a. 1 Sam 2:25; Job 9:32-33; 22:2-3; 35:7-8; Psa 100:2-3; 113:5-6; Isa 40:13-17; Luke 17:10; Acts 17:24-25.

2. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works,^a wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity,^b upon condition of perfect and personal obedience.^c

a. Gal 3:12. • b. Rom 5:12-20; 10:5. • c. Gen 2:17; Gal 3:10.

3. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second,^a commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein he freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in him that they may be saved,^b and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.^c

a. Gen 3:15; Isa 42:6; Rom 3:20-21; 8:3; Gal 3:21. • b. Mark 16:15-16; John 3:16; Rom 10:6, 9; Gal 3:11. • c. Ezek 36:26-27; John 6:44-45.

I encourage you to read the portions of Scripture listed in this post.

Have a blessed Lord’s Day.

\Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by ^14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. In so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:14–21 (ESV)

One way to handle conflict at work, along with following proper established protocol by the company or institution for which you work, is to follow the guidelines set forth in Romans 12:14-21. While these commands and encouragements are applicable for the home, personal relationships, church and when engaging the public, they also contain practical wisdom for the work place.

Today, we examine Romans 12:18. The text says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Let’s examine the verse.

Even when you and I have attempted to do all which Romans 12:15-17 commands, we may still encounter individuals who are sources of conflict in our lives. What do we do if, or when, that happens? Romans 12:18 provides us with the biblical answer.

Romans 12:18 begins with the following two words: “If possible.” These two words introduce us to a conditional statement by the word if. The word possible (δυνατός; dynatos) means ability and capability. It refers to the believer’s know-how, competency, aptitude and skill.

To do what? To “live peaceably with all.” This is to be our goal at home, church, school, in public and especially at work. The phrase live peaceably (εἰρηνεύω; eireneuo) is one word in the Greek language. It means to live and behave in a way which promotes peace and harmony (cf. Mark 9:50; 2 Corinthians 13:11; I Thessalonians 5:13).

This continuous and active behavior by believers is to be displayed towards all people: fellow believers and unbelievers. There are no exceptions.

However, there is one qualifier found in the verse. It is the statement, “so far as it depends on you.” Peaceable harmony, in whatever situation, is dependent upon the believer taking the lead and initiative. It is not the believer waiting for someone else to initiate the steps leading to harmony, but rather for the believer to take the first step.

What happens if when you make the attempt to be a peacemaker, you receive further rejection and continued conflict? Then you leave it in the Lord’s hands. You have done all you are responsible to do. It is then that it is best to walk away but to continue to lift the particular individual up in prayer.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “Live at peace with everyone” (cf. “live in harmony with one another,” Rom. 12:16). But recognizing that limits exist, Paul included the words, “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you.” Harmony with others may not always be achievable, but believers should not be responsible for that lack of peace (cf. Matt. 5:9).”   

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by ^14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. In so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:14–21 (ESV)

One way to handle conflict at work, along with following proper established protocol by the company or institution for which you work, is to follow the guidelines set forth in Romans 12:14-21. While these commands and encouragements are applicable for the home, personal relationships, church and when engaging the public, they also contain practical wisdom for the work place.

Today, we examine Romans 12:17. The text says, ^“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” Let’s examine the verse.

I’m tired! I’ve just completed a particularly long and exhausting week of work and I’m physically tired. I am not tired of doing the work I do, but I’m tired because of the work I do. There is a difference. I have experienced the former and am presently feeling the latter.

Sometimes, we may become tired of applying the Lord’s Word into our everyday lives and experiences. It is then that we must remember to not become weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).

We must never become tired in doing what God requires, even when it becomes difficult. Case in point would be with regard to today’s text. Romans 12:17 says, “Repay no one evil for evil.” When believers in Christ receive evil treatment by other people, including co-workers, they are not to repay the individual with harsh and wrong behavior.

In contrast, the text continues to say, “…but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” The word honorable (καλός; kalos) means that which is praiseworthy, fitting and beautiful. It is behavior which provides the recipient with something of superior benefit.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “The OT law of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” was never intended to be applied by individuals in the OT or NT; but it was a standard for the collective society to use to enforce good conduct among people (1 Thess. 5:15; Ex. 21:23–24; cf. Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21; 1 Pet. 3:8–9). Christians are to respect what is intrinsically proper and honest and have the right behavior when they are around others, especially unbelievers.”

Dear Lord, please give all of us the strength, when we are weary, to do that which is excellent in your sight. You are our strength and our Redeemer. Amen!

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!