August 25, 2026
One of the most important verses in the entire Bible is found in Genesis 15, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6 NASB95). These words were spoken about Abraham on the night that God took him outside, told him to look up at the stars of heaven, and said to him, “So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5). Abraham believed God’s promise, and because he believed, God credited righteousness to Abraham. He was declared righteous—justified—in that moment.
This verse is quoted on multiple occasions in the New Testament which tells us that it is of great significance. And it holds an incredibly important promise for you and I today. It tells us that we too can be counted as righteous in the eyes of God if we will believe in God’s promises—particularly, His promise of forgiveness and eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We, like Abraham, can be justified by faith (Romans 4:3-5, 22-24).
But what is faith? Is it merely a profession of belief in God? Is it intellectual agreement with the major tenets of Christianity?
This is the question that James sets before us in James chapter 2. What is true faith? James is clear that it is more than words spoken. It is more than holding to orthodox beliefs. Real faith is a faith which responds to the word of God in obedience. James points to Abraham as an example of this kind of faith. James writes, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21). It is critical to understand that Abraham offered up Isaac some 30 years after God justified Abraham back in Genesis 15. So which is it? Was Abraham justified when he looked up at the stars and believed God’s promise, or was he justified when he offered up Isaac?
It is in this question that we see the correlation between what Paul and James say about faith and justification. They are using the term “justified” in different—but complementary—ways. Abraham was, in fact, justified by God when he believed in God’s promise. And he was, in fact, justified 30 years later when he offered his son. In the former case, justification means that Abraham was declared righteous by God. In the latter case, justification means something like “vindicated” or “proven to be real.” Abraham was justified in the sense that his faith was proven to be more than just words. The work that he did in offering Isaac completed his faith and fulfilled the earlier words spoken about Abraham (James 2:22-23).
So what is real, saving faith? Paul and James agree. It is trust in God that is demonstrated in action and obedience. Paul speaks of how a sinner is made right with God through faith; James speaks of how that faith is shown to be real.
What about you and me? Is your faith just words spoken or is it real? Like Abraham, let us show the genuineness of our faith through obedience to our Lord.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
August 14, 2026
Where does temptation come from? If we could find the answer to this question, it would help us to overcome sin in our lives. James addresses this important question in his letter. Interestingly, he speaks of both trials and temptations with the same root word. This tells us that trials and temptations are closely related.
I think we can understand this intuitively from our own life experiences. With almost every trial, there is also a temptation lurking. If I have financial trials, there is the temptation to love money. If my patience is tested, there is the temptation to sin with my tongue. If I face the trial of being mistreated by someone, there is the temptation to be unforgiving and bitter.
James tells us that God allows us to go through trials so that we will grow in endurance and become spiritually mature. But if God allows us to face trials, and if temptation comes with the trials, then should we conclude that temptation comes from God?
The answer to that is a resounding, “No!” Listen to the inspired words of James: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:13-15 NASB95). God cannot be tempted and He does not tempt anyone. Yes, God does allow trials to come upon us. Trials that show the genuineness of our faith, that purify us, and that help us to grow spiritually. But God would never entice anyone to sin or desire that anyone commit sin. That is not in His nature.
So then, where does temptation come from? As we see in this passage, temptation comes from within us. It is born out of our desires. It comes when we respond with a poor attitude to the trials that we face. They do not come from God. This is important to realize because if we can win the battle against temptation, we can prevent sin from being conceived and the birth of sin and death.
The trials we face can either be an opportunity for our growth or a cause of sin. It all depends on our attitude and response. When we are tried, may God help us to turn away from temptation before it can overtake us. May we set our desires on His will rather than our own, ask for His wisdom, and rely on His strength to overcome.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
July 21, 2026
Why do bad things happen to Christians? Couldn’t God step in and spare His children from all suffering? Is there a reason behind our suffering?
Yes, God could shield us from every trial, but He doesn’t. As we go about our lives we fall into the trials that are common to all people. But as the people of God, we need to realize that there is a wonderful, divine purpose behind those trials. What is that purpose?
In the opening sentences of James, we read: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 NASB95).
Notice what God is trying to do in us. He is trying to bring us to perfection and completion— that we would be spiritually mature and full-grown. How can we ever reach such a state? One might say it is through study, prayer, self-control and other spiritual disciplines. These are certainly key ingredients of spiritual growth, but there is another necessary ingredient. Trials.
Do you see the connection? Various trials test our faith. Testing of faith produces endurance (if we pass the test). Endurance then leads to spiritual maturity and fullness. But it starts with trials! The trials we go through are working something wonderful in us! This is why James can tell us to rejoice when we face them.
And if this is true, then we can look at adversity in a way that no one else in the world can. We face the same types of problems in life as everyone else, but as followers of Christ, we can see trials as a reason to rejoice rather than despair. We can see opportunity rather than hopelessness. Yes, we will struggle. Yes, we will feel sadness and disappointment at times. But in the end, we can trust that our loving Father is working something beautiful within us.
The trials of life will certainly come. May God help us to face them joyfully, knowing His divine purpose.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
May 5, 2026
Last week, we saw that baptism is a response of faith in Christ that is intimately tied to our salvation. This week, we will see a number of very profound things that happen at the moment of baptism.
First, baptism is the point in time at which, through faith, a person comes into Christ. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3 NASB95. See also Galatians 3:26-27) Notice that baptism is “into Christ.” It is of utmost importance that we be “in Christ” because it is only in Him that we find spiritual blessings from God—blessings like forgiveness and redemption (Ephesians 1:7). Baptism is the God-ordained response of faith that transfers a person into Jesus where these glorious blessings are found.
Second, baptism is the moment at which, through faith in Christ, we die to our old selves and become a new creation. “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4) In baptism, we die with Jesus, are buried with Him, and are raised up again. This is beautifully symbolized in the act of baptism. But baptism is not merely symbolic. By the power of God, these profound spiritual changes are actually happening to the one being baptized.
Third, baptism is the moment at which, through faith, we are freed from the power of sin. Paul continues, “Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7) Sin is a powerful force that reigns over people. Baptism is the moment that we die with Jesus so that we can be freed from sin’s horrible grasp.
Fourth, baptism is the moment at which, through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven. “Now why do you delay, Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). These words were spoken to Saul of Tarsus (who became the apostle Paul). Saul had seen a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus, and in that moment, he was powerfully convicted of the truth. Saul was so struck by His encounter with Jesus that he didn’t eat or drink for 3 days. Yet, despite his newfound belief in Jesus, Saul was still in his sins. It was only through baptism that his sins could be washed away.
Finally, baptism is the moment at which, through faith in Christ, one receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As Peter told the crowd in Acts chapter 2, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). If we do not have the Spirit, we are not children of God (Romans 8:9). When does the Spirit come? At baptism. In that moment we become forgiven children of God.
And there is more we could discuss. For example, baptism is the point in time at which we die to the law so that we can live to Christ (Romans 7:4). It is also the moment at which we are added to Jesus’ church (Acts 2:41). But the question for each of us is, have you been baptized into Jesus? If not, why do you delay?
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
April 28, 2026
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB95).
We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We must never forget this precious fact. There was nothing we could have done to earn our way to God. No amount of good works could have saved us. Our salvation is entirely through God’s grace—His undeserved, unmerited favor. That grace is accessed through a true faith in Jesus Christ that expresses itself in trusting obedience and allegiance to Him.
What about baptism? Is it connected in any way to our salvation? Many in the religious world answer with an emphatic, “No!” But the scriptures clearly and consistently link baptism to our salvation. These scriptures must be taken very seriously. For example, we read:
“Repent and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). There is no salvation without forgiveness of sins. There is no salvation without the Spirit’s indwelling (Romans 8:9).
“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism is “into Christ.” There is no salvation without being in Him, where every spiritual blessing is found. There is no salvation without sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection. These marvelous things happen in baptism.
“Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). The apostle Peter leaves us with no doubt. Baptism is directly tied to salvation.
There are many more scriptures that teach us of the important connection of baptism to salvation. To name a few: Mark 16:15-16; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 3:26-27; Colossians 2:11-12. See also all the conversion examples in the book of Acts.
Therefore, if we are saved through faith in Jesus, and yet we see clearly that baptism is necessary for salvation, we must conclude that baptism is a part of faith. It is faith responding to God’s promise of salvation in Christ. It is not a work that we do to earn salvation. No, in baptism, God is doing the work of saving the penitent believer (Colossians 2:12). Faith is how we are saved and baptism is when we are saved through our faith in Christ.
Have you been baptized into Jesus? If you believe in Him and wish to live for Him, why do you delay? “Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16)
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
March 31, 2026
A common and serious threat to our faith is allowing ourselves to be moved away from confidence in the word of God. There are many people out there—even people who seem like believers—who plant doubts in others about the reliability and authority of scripture. Statements are made such as, “The Bible is not entirely the word of God, but also the word of man.” Or “The Bible is a good book, but it’s just a collection of wise sayings of men.” Or even, “The Bible is a nice guide, but it can’t be fully relied upon because it is full of contradictions.” When Christians begin to believe these things, they crack open the door to all kinds of damaging falsehoods that can lead them away from God. These kinds of falsehoods about the word of God will lead to picking and choosing what parts of scripture we want to believe. It will lead to reliance on our own very fallible thinking. It will lead to an acceptance of the philosophies of man and a turning away from the truth of God. People’s faith is destroyed. Sadly, I’ve seen it happen many times.
I want to remind you and encourage you with this. The Bible is the word of God. And as such, it is reliable and authoritative as a guide for our lives and for the practice of our faith. There is much external evidence (evidence outside of the Bible itself) to convince us of this fact—evidence we can discuss at some other time. But there is also the internal evidence—the testimony of the writers of scripture themselves. What did they say about their own writings?
The apostle Paul claimed that the things he received, he received from the Spirit of God. He tells the church in Corinth that the hidden wisdom of God was revealed to Him by the Holy Spirit, and that it is the words of the Spirit that he speaks and writes. Speaking of himself and the other apostles, Paul says, “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God… which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 2:11, 13 NASB95). You see, the words Paul spoke were not of human origin, they were words taught by the Spirit!
The apostle Peter says something similar in the letter of 2 Peter. “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)
The words of scripture are the words of God. They came from the mind of God. They flowed from the mouth of God. We can and should trust this. Let us take the God-breathed words of scripture and hold them fast. Don’t let the uninformed or unbelieving move you away from this vital truth! —Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
March 17, 2026
When it is said that the church today should be more like the first century church, most people aren’t referring to the church at Corinth. The church there had some very serious issues. They were divided over their favorite preachers. There was jealousy and strife among them. Some were bringing lawsuits against their own brethren. Some arrogantly stood by while a man in the congregation had an ongoing incestuous relationship with his father’s wife. Some acted unlovingly toward one another. Some made a mockery of the Lord’s Supper with their unloving attitudes. Some of them even questioned the reality of a bodily resurrection. This is quite a list!
What would you say about a congregation with so many serious issues? Would you see them as brethren? Would you associate with them?
What does the Lord say about them?
This may be a little bit shocking to our ears, but listen to the inspired words of Paul about the Corinthians: “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours…” (1 Corinthians 1:2 NASB95)Listen to the words Paul uses to describe who these people are. They have been sanctified (set apart, made holy) in Jesus. They are saints (holy ones)! They are a part of the universal church who call on the name of the Lord Jesus!
Paul goes on to describe not only who they are, but also what their future holds, reminding them that the Lord Jesus Christ “will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) Jesus will confirm and establish them. They will stand before the Lord blameless!
In these words, we have a beautiful reminder about why the Corinthians, or you or I, or anyone else, can be in right standing with God. It is because of Jesus Christ! It is because of what He did! It is because God called us through the gospel into a relationship with Him! The blood of Jesus is what has sanctified us, not our own goodness. Not our knowledge. Not our doctrinal purity. Not our morality. None of these is what brought us into right standing with God. Everything is because of Christ!
Are we saying that the Corinthian brethren didn’t need to repent? Are we saying that they could defiantly go on in their sinful ways and still be right with God? Of course not! The promises are for those who are walking in faith. As one author put it, “We’re not talking about open decadents, but struggling penitents.”1 For such people—people like you and me—we can be assured that God will be faithful to His promises to sanctify us, establish us, and make us able to stand in His presence without blame.
—Scott Colvin
1. Jim McGuiggan, 1 Corinthians.
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Posted by Scott Colvin
February 24, 2026
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB95)
Paul was quickly nearing the end of his life when he penned these words to the young preacher, Timothy. He lays before Timothy a very solemn charge in the strongest possible terms about a matter of extraordinary importance. It is a charge in the presence of God. It is a charge in the presence of Christ, the judge of the living and the dead. It is a charge by the appearing of Christ and by His kingdom. What is the charge? Preach the word! Preach the word when it is popular and when it isn’t. Preach the word whether people want to hear it or not. Preach the word to both correct and to encourage. Preach the word patiently to instruct those who hear.
Those who preach and teach today have the same charge, and there is a great need in the church for biblical preaching and teaching. Why is it so important? Because it is the word of God that breathes life into us. It is the word of God that will renew our minds and transform us with the Spirit’s help. There is nothing else in the world that can do that. When we faithfully preach the word, we are hearing the voice of God! What an amazing thought that we have the words of God Himself handed down to us. And what a tragedy it is when the word of God is not proclaimed! When the church is not fed with the word, spiritual malnourishment quickly begins to set in.
I remind myself of this often, and ask myself: what is biblical preaching and teaching? What is it not? I have observed over the years that there is a type of preaching that seems biblical at first glance but is not very biblical at all. This type of preaching (and teaching) gives a nod to the word of God and then goes its own way. It is a type of preaching that only uses the Bible to prove what we think we already know. There is very little actual listening to God. There is very little dealing with the text and wrestling with its meaning. The listeners can come away with a good feeling that “God agrees with us,” but we never carefully listened to what God had to say. Instead, we passed over the scripture like a stone skipping over the water—touching upon it here and there but never getting into its wonderful depths.
To those who preach and teach among us: let us heed the solemn charge of God. Preach the word! To all of us who assemble to hear the word of God proclaimed: cherish the word and take it into your heart! May God bless us all in this endeavor.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
February 17, 2026
Do you love Jesus? I mean really love Him? It is of utmost importance that we develop a true love for Jesus, because loving Him is the key to a deeper, more satisfying, more obedient spiritual life. Here is what I mean: Jesus said to His apostles in John 14, “…If anyone loves me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23 NASB95). What tremendous promises flow from loving Jesus! Loving Jesus leads us to obeying Jesus. Loving Jesus leads to receiving a special love from the Father Himself. Loving Jesus leads to the Father and Son coming into us to live within us. But it all starts with love!
Let us examine the first part of Jesus’ statement: “If anyone loves me, he will keep My word.” Notice that love comes first and obedience is the result. If we love Him, then we will obey Him.
And don’t we have every reason to love Jesus? We love Jesus because of what He has done. It was Jesus who loved us first. It was Jesus who sought us out while we were yet sinners. It was Jesus who gave His life for us when we had nothing to offer Him in return. His death on our behalf was the ultimate expression of love for us. Not only this, but we love Jesus because of who He is. We marvel at His power, His grace, His humility, His compassion. As we think of these attributes of Jesus, how could we not love Him?
And what does it mean to love Him? It may be helpful to think about what it means to love the special people in your life. We delight in the people we love. We are drawn to them because of their qualities. We want to be near to them. In a similar way, to love Jesus is to cherish Him for who He is, to delight in Him, and to desire a close relationship with Him.
And this kind of love for Jesus is the key to living a life of obedience. Think about this: the next time you are faced with temptation, think about your love for Jesus. Say to Him, “Lord, I will turn away from my sinful desires because I love you so much.” Say to yourself, “How could I hurt my Lord Jesus by continuing in this sin?” Our love for Him is a powerful motivator to keep walking with Him.
Today, let us reflect on all the many reasons we have for loving Jesus. May our love for Him control every aspect of our lives and empower a willing, joyful obedience to Him that comes from the heart.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
February 11, 2026
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1 NASB95)
Jesus’ disciples were extremely troubled. Jesus had just dropped three bombshells on them: 1) One of their group is going to betray Jesus, 2) Peter, a leader among the group, is going to deny Jesus three times, and 3) Jesus, the one for whom they gave up everything, will be leaving them. It is in this context that Jesus speaks these tender words to them: “Do not let your heart be troubled.”
Sometimes our hearts are greatly troubled, too. We face difficulties, tragedies, and sorrows at times in this life that deeply shake us. And yet, I think we too should hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” How is that even possible?
Jesus gives us the answer to a troubled heart. Believe in God! Believe also in Me! Trust in God is the remedy for a troubled heart! But many times (more times than I care to count) I hear the people of God say something like this, “Don’t tell me to just trust in God!” Or “Telling me to trust in God is not really helping anything!” Are we really hearing the words of the Master?
Let me offer some suggestions that may help us understand how trust in God will help us. I need to hear these reminders, too. We need to realize that trust in God is not just saying words. No, the kind of trust that will help us is an active, intentional trust in Him. How can we develop that kind of trust? First, we need to take the time, often, to really reflect on the promises God has made to us. Do you believe that you are forgiven? That you have a home in heaven reserved for you? That God will provide everything you need if you will seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness? The list goes on and on. Do you believe His promises? Second, we need to spend some serious time reflecting on all the ways God has blessed us and all the ways that He has helped us in the past. Counting our blessings will help us to trust Him more. Third, we need to meditate on God’s love for us and His nearness to us. God has said that He will never leave us and never forsake us. Finally, with these things in mind, we need to look to Him with confidence in times of trouble. Don’t look to yourself. Don’t look at your problems. Don’t dwell on your fears. Look at God! Trust Him and Him alone!
Trust is the remedy for a troubled heart. May we all learn to trust God and Jesus Christ more deeply.
—Scott Colvin
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Posted by Scott Colvin
while today 