1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. " There are three parts to this important declaration of faith that the Spirit of God causes the child of God to acknowledge, before both God and men. "If we confess our sins." The "if" here may better be translated as "when" or "as." It is certain that the child of God does, and will continue to confess their sinfulness before the LORD. This is the ongoing work of the Spirit in their heart, from the moment of their first cry at their new birth to their last breath as they depart from this world in death, by God's appointment. Confession of sin is not just about us admitting wrongs but coming before God with a humble heart, recognizing the sinfulness of our sin before a Holy God and our need for His continual grace in Christ Jesus, the only Advocate for sin between God and the child of God (1 John 2:1,2). The writer to the Hebrews wrote: "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16). To confess means "to say the same thing as." Therefore, to confess one's sinfulness before God is to see our sinfulness as God sees it and not to hide any of it before Him. Whether we confess the sin or not, the LORD knows what we are already, and its just a matter of Him bringing us to confess it before Him. When the Spirit of God declares us to be what we are, our only response can be, "Yes, LORD!" When shown the truth of Christ by the Spirit of God, the child of God will despise and abhor their flesh. The apostle Paul declared, late in his converted life, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18). Job was caused to confess, "Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:6). When God grants repentance to the sinner, it is never a one-time act, and it has nothing to do with a supposed free will, which is not free but completely bound by sin. Only God, by His Holy Spirit, can and does give true repentance. And when true repentance is given, it is by the revelation of Jesus Christ in the soul first, from which repentance is the fruit. "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." Since forgiveness of sins is the effect of Christ having died and paid the sin debt, it is not the act of confessing sin that brings forgiveness. Rather, confessing sin is the result of having had our sins already forgiven in the death of the LORD Jesus at the cross. As the redeemed sinner is continually made to see and acknowledge the sinfulness of their sin, God is faithful to His Son and His accomplished work at the cross to continue forgiving (present tense). Because Christ has paid the sin debt, there can never be any sin for which God the Father cannot forgive. "And to cleanse from all unrighteousness." Here again, it is the blood that the LORD Jesus shed unto death at the cross that has cleansed and continues to cleanse from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7) . So complete was the work of the LORD Jesus at the cross that there remained nothing but for God the Father to impute righteousness once and forever to the spiritual account of every one of God's children. He elected them from eternity and sent the LORD Jesus to die in their stead. Their sins, past, present, and future, were all put away at the cross. Every elect child since the cross has already had their sins put away, so all of their sins would still be future, yet to be committed, and yet already forgiven ( Colossians 2:13). No one can ever call themselves just or justified before God outside the Person of Christ and His finished work at the cross. Praise God for His gracious, justifying work of His elect, purposed from eternity, accomplished at the cross, and revealed in time in the hearts of each of them. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

Psalm 51:7 "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Here is a Spirit-inspired prayer of repentance from King David, expressing his deep longing for forgiveness and gracious renewal after his sin with Bathsheba. The imagery of being cleansed with hyssop, a plant used in ancient purification rituals, reflects both the severity of sin and the profound grace of God’s cleansing power through the shed blood unto death of the accepted Sacrifice before the LORD. Pause and consider the significance of true purification before God, and the restoration that comes through His forgiveness, and the hope that even the deepest stains of sin are washed away, leaving the justified sinner pure before Him. David, a man after God's own heart (God having set His heart on him in saving grace- 1 Samuel 13:14 ), was, nonetheless, a miserable sinner who had grievously sinned before the LORD. This prayer was recorded after he had taken Bathsheba, the wife of one of his generals, and then aggravated that sin with murder. To cover up his sin, David put his general in a position where his troops were ordered to withdraw, resulting in the general's death. David believed he had gotten away with the perfect murder and cover-up. Yet, even as dark and sinister as this plot was, we find David, after the LORD pointed him out as THE SINNER , looking nowhere else but to the blood of the Lamb, pleading for mercy and grace. In 2 Samuel 12:9-12, we find the story behind Psalm 51 , where the Lord did not leave David alone. He sent one of His prophets, Nathan, to speak to him about what he had done to Uriah. "And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die" (2 Samuel 12:13). Before David was aware of the forgiveness of the LORD on his behalf, the prophet assured him that the LORD had put away his sin. Since we know that no sin could be put away until Christ had come and paid the debt, the way David's sin was put away, just like all the Old Testament believers, was by God not charging them with the sin (the non-imputation of their sin- Romans 4:8 ) and having purposed to lay it on the LORD Jesus Christ, the TRUE LAMB SLAIN, when He would come and pay the sin debt of all the elect together at one time, Hebrews 9:15. Why hyssop? Hyssop is a small plant, about 12 to 15 inches tall at its largest point. Some believe it is of the mint family, though it was a bush used in the sacrifices that God required of Israel in the Old Testament. It is mentioned in the Passover feast in Exodus 12, where it was part of the ritual: the blood of the lamb was to be placed on the doorposts and lintels, and God, seeing the blood, would pass over the children of Israel. Could it be that David was thinking of this when he said, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean?” More importantly, it likely pointed forward to the cross of the Lord Jesus. In John 19:29, when our LORD Jesus hung on the cross and was about to lay down His life, it says they filled a sponge with vinegar, put it on hyssop, and offered it to His mouth. After receiving the vinegar, Jesus declared, "It is finished," and then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. Literally, He pillowed His head in submission to the death on the cross that the Father had required of Him as the Substitute of His people. How we need the Spirit of God to turn our hearts and minds away from ourselves to the remedy, as with David, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean." Two Key Thoughts There are two thoughts to underscore in this portion of scripture: one negative, and the other positive. David says, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." First , note that though sin is put away by the Lord in the court of heaven, the poor sinner may not enjoy the comfort of this in his conscience. This is the negative aspect. We may not always know in our hearts and minds whether the Lord Jesus Christ ever died for us, but we can know that if He did, in God's time, He will cause His Spirit to teach us of our sinfulness. In the meantime we may labor under the weight of our sin until He is pleased to turn our eyes to the Only Remedy, and cause us to cry out for mercy and grace, looking to the LORD Jesus Christ and His shed blood for our only Hope. Second , the positive aspect is the utmost efficacy of the blood sacrifice. "Efficacy" means the power to get the job done. Faith ascribes this power to One Person—the Lord Jesus Christ and His blood that was shed unto death. David did not try to purge himself; he prayed that God would be pleased to purge him, and he was confident that if God did so, "I shall be clean." "I shall" is an expression of certainty because of Whose Blood it is. David looked forward to the time when the LORD Jesus would come to put away his sin once and for all. He says, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Faith’s object—Christ and Him crucified—is the only remedy for the condemned sinner, cleansing him from all iniquity. Yet, even after this cleansing, the soul is left to cry out under the weight of sin, "Wash me..." It is not our tears of repentance that cleanse us, but the precious blood of the Lamb of God that alone can wash the guilty sinner. What a precious word! "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Here is the only cleansing by the blood of Jesus Christ that is whiter than anything our minds or hearts can imagine. Pure because His blood and righteousness make the sinner, for whom Christ died, as Holy and Righteous as God Himself. He is saying, "I shall be whiter than snow." I shall be as free and as pure from the least stain of sin in God's sight as if I had always obeyed. "That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27).

Ecclesiastes 9:7 "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works." If this particular verse were to fall into the hands of most people today who are in the world and yet without Christ, they might think it’s a license to go out and live however they want—living for the flesh and themselves. However, every scripture is set in context, and any verse taken out of context is a pretext. This verse is not addressed to just anyone. Most people in the world already have their fill of eating bread and drinking wine. They serve their flesh far too much, and outside of Christ, their works are certainly not accepted. It cannot be said of them, “God now accepts thy works.” No, these words are addressed to the child of God in Christ. Now, who is a true child of God? He has been made so by God Himself—one whom God has chosen in His grace and mercy to save. The Lord Jesus Christ, when He came to earth, lived and died as their Substitute, in their place. They have been redeemed and justified by the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only are they redeemed and justified, but they are also called to Christ, made alive by the Holy Spirit, and brought to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith. As it is written: "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Peter 1:2). To be elected means that someone did the choosing. It’s not the sinner who chooses God; it’s God who has chosen those sinners He purposed to save in His eternal decree—elect before the foundation of the world, elect according to the foreknowledge of God. As Acts 13:48 states, " And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed." In the Apostle Paul’s day, religion was already setting up standards that led people to believe that by abstaining from certain things—even things God had ordained for the good of His elect—they could make themselves closer to God, or have a greater spiritual experience or some sort of spiritual benefit by what they did or didn’t do. Colossians 2:21-23 says, "(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men. Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh." It’s like some today encouraging fasting, or advocating a life in a monastery, or saying that it's more spiritual not to marry. All of these things are taught by religion, but here it says that God has given them to His people to enjoy (1 Timothy 4:1-5). There are two things in this text that the believer in Christ may do. i. First, to “go his way.” It says, “Go thy way,” which implies peace, forgiveness, and right standing. How can that be? How can God say to the sinner, "Go thy way"? ii. Second, it says, "Eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works." To eat and drink, not just for refreshment, but for enjoyment—enjoying this life. Only the believer can truly enjoy this life because of what Christ has done for him. Not just out of necessity but out of pleasure. This does not mean gluttony or drunkenness, but it does mean taking what God has created and enjoying it with thanksgiving. It says, "thy bread and thy wine.” The Bread and the Wine of the redeemed child of God is the LORD Jesus Christ, of whom they partake joyfully and freely every day (John 6:55,56, Matthew 26:26). Now, on what basis can a sinner hope to hear these words of grace from the Lord? What is the basis on which I can hope to hear my LORD saying to me, "Go your way, for God now accepteth thy works"? The first reason is that the power of salvation, the authority of salvation, is in Christ’s hands. "As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him" (John 17:2). The second reason is that the LORD Jesus Christ, by His life and death, obtained perfect redemption for those sinners He came to save. Did He accomplish their redemption, or didn’t He? To hear preachers today, it sounds like He made a down payment, but now it’s up to the sinner to finish it. No! He accomplished redemption for His people, and therefore, He can rightly speak peace to them, having paid their complete sin debt. The Lord Jesus Christ paid it all for His people. "And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Colossians 1:20). The third reason is that, having accepted Christ’s work as the Substitute for His people, the Father now accepts the works of His people. Believers enjoy the fruit of Christ’s work in every aspect of their lives. They are not trying to appease God with their works, gifts, prayers, or personal devotion. No, if anyone is trying to do this, they’ll never make it because God is a holy God. He’s a just God. He cannot accept anything that is not 100% righteous, as righteous as He is. Every time someone does something, every time they give something, every time they open their mouth to address God, their very words are tainted by the sinful nature within them and, therefore, cannot please God. God can’t accept these things from their hands, but He can accept them from the Hand of Christ. He’s able to save to the uttermost all who come to Him through Christ (Hebrews 7:25) , and those who, by His Spirit, have been brought to Christ are in the LORD Jesus Christ, having their hope in Him alone.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Even though this particular verse is probably one of the most well-known throughout the world, it is also one of the most misunderstood. In the context of John 3 , Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler among the Jews, came to Christ by night. Many people make a big deal about him coming at night, implying he was cowardly. However, if you have ever lived in a Middle Eastern culture, nighttime is simply the time for visits, not daytime. In addition, his coming was according to the direction of the LORD Jesus Himself. He was being drawn by the LORD Jesus, and he came inquiring because the LORD was drawing him. While it is clear he came in ignorance, we do not find the Lord belittling him for his questions. Even so, those of us that the LORD has drawn to Himself. There are things we may not understand about Him, but we come, and we come with a desire to learn from Him. The Reason for Christ's Death "For God so loved the world." If you entered a conversation where someone started a sentence with "For," you might be wondering, "What did I miss?" This indicates they are concluding a point. So, don't begin with John 3:16 . Go back and start with John 3:14. In verse 14, you have the Remedy: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." Here, you have the basis upon which God can be both just and justify sinners. Just as the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up. Salvation lies in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 16 , you have the reason for Christ coming and dying. The little word "so"  in this verse is the same word used in verse 14 . In verse 14 , the phrase reads, "As Moses..." or, in other words, "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so." The word "so"   means "in this manner."  In this manner, "God loved the world." It’s not a general love for everyone in the world, as some interpretations suggest. This interpretation contradicts the rest of Scripture, where it says, "Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated " (Romans 9:14). Interpreting John 3:16 as a blanket statement for everyone creates more confusion than it resolves. You often hear people ask, "How could God love someone and then send them to hell?" This interpretation suggests that God loves someone up to a point and then suddenly decides to send them to hell, which doesn't reflect the nature of true love. Or, consider this: if God truly sent His Son to die for everyone, why would He not send a preacher to reach those people? Think about the millions of people who die every day without ever hearing the name of Christ. Are we to believe that God loves them? If He loved them, wouldn’t He ensure they hear about Christ? No, God loved the world in this manner . The question is: how did He love the world? Well, it says He gave His only begotten Son. And then the text clarifies that it's not for everyone. It doesn’t say "anybody might believe," but rather, "those who do believe," meaning there is a people whom God will cause to believe, and those who believe will not perish but have everlasting life. The Result of Christ's Death In verse 15, you have the Result: "That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." This is the effect of Christ being lifted up. If Christ died for you, then, in time, you will have faith. God will grant it. He will cause you to see Christ, and you will believe on Him. You will renounce any righteousness of your own and submit to Him as the only way of righteousness. That’s the result. And you won’t perish—not because of your belief, but because He died for you. It is His death that enables you to believe. And, of course, the result is everlasting life, which comes from Christ Himself and His blood. i. Consider how dear to God the Father the Lord Jesus Christ is.  It says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." As the "only-begotten," what does that mean? The Son is the heir to all things (Hebrews 1:3) —how precious is that? He is the only Object of His Father’s love, and that love has existed from all eternity. He is the express image of His Father's person. Colossians 1:13 says, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." The focus is on the fact that God gave His only-begotten Son. He gave Him as a the Sacrifice. He gave Him to die, even to the death of the cross, to become a curse for His people. He endured the scorn and contempt of sinners and the most cruel sufferings ever borne by any human. No one has suffered as the Son of God suffered. And yet, it was God Himself Who ordained it. Christ understood that everything He came to do was for the honor of His Father. Just as the Son is the dearest to the Father, the Father is the dearest to the Son. His Father’s glory is paramount. ii. Consider for whom He manifests such love.  This is where many people trip up. They say, "Well, the Bible says 'the world,' so it means the world." But the word "world" is used in different ways in Scripture. Are we talking about the physical world? The word "world" can also refer to an age or a time period. In Scripture, the world is sometimes split between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a Jew, and when Nicodemus heard the word "world," he likely understood it to mean the Gentiles. What Jesus was essentially saying is, "The very people you, as a Jew, look down on—that’s the kind of sinner I came to save." The Jews were caught up in their self-righteousness, but the Scripture says, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). That’s who He came for—sinners from every tribe, nation, and tongue. In Revelation 5:9 , it says, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." These are those whom God has set apart in electing grace even before Christ came. They are those for whom Christ died and whom the Spirit of God will call in time. God's not in the business of trying to get everyone saved. Imagine if He were. That would imply He’s a failure. No! He’s saving everyone He has purposed to save, for whom Christ died. Christ prayed in John 17:9, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine." And in John 6:37 , Christ said, "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." He will not cast them out because it is God Who is drawing them. It is God Who did the giving, and it was through the death of His Son. iii. Don’t confuse the Remedy with the Result.  Many people make this mistake today when they say, "It’s in my looking that I’m saved." No! It is the Savior who saves. They say, "It’s my faith that saves me." No! it’s the Object of faith that saves. God cannot accept a sinner in His presence unless the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased them and His righteousness has been imputed to their account. It’s not your righteousness—it’s the righteousness of Another put to your account that gives you perfect standing with God. That’s why He was lifted up (John 3:14).

Jonah 2:9 "Salvation is of the LORD." This verse concludes Jonah’s prayer from within the belly of the great fish, as he reflects on his dire circumstances and experiences. After crying out to God in distress and acknowledging His Sovereignty and Mercy, Jonah's prayer culminates in a vow of thanksgiving and praise. Here, Jonah declares that "Salvation is of the LORD." No truer words could have been spoken, as this declaration, prompted by the Spirit of God within Jonah, expresses the essence of THE FAITH revealed in all Scripture. It is the foundational truth of the God of the Bible and the confession of every elect child of God, in whom the Spirit of Christ is revealed. This acknowledgment of God’s ultimate Authority and Power highlights His ability to deliver His elect from the depths of sin and the legal demands of the Law. This verse encapsulates the message of Redemption throughout all Scripture, emphasizing God’s grace in saving sinners. Jonah’s experience in the belly of the fish foreshadows or acts as a "type" of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Jonah's "Death" and Jesus' Burial:  Jonah’s three days and three nights in the belly of the fish can be compared to Jesus' burial for three days after His death (Jonah 1:17). Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish, seemingly "dead" or separated from life, Jesus was in the tomb, separated from the world for three days before His resurrection. His Soul was in Sheol, the place of the dead, while His body rested in the tomb. During Jonah's time in the belly of the great fish, his body was neither diminished nor digested by the fluids in the fish's belly. Similarly, Christ's body could not see corruption, even though He was in the grave for three days and nights (Acts 2:29-31). Jonah's Rescue and Jesus' Resurrection:  After Jonah spent three days and three nights in the fish, he was miraculously delivered, vomited onto dry land (Jonah 2:10) . This can be seen as a picture of Jesus' resurrection from the grave. Just as Jonah was "released" from the fish, Jesus was raised from the dead after His death. Some argue that Jonah did not die while in the fish’s belly, but the language used to describe his time there suggests death, even if only symbolically. While Jonah's experience is a type, Jesus, in fulfilling the Scriptures, did die and was resurrected by the Spirit of God. Jesus' Reference to Jonah:  Jesus Himself draws a direct parallel between Jonah and His death and resurrection. In Matthew 12:40 , Jesus says, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." This statement explicitly connects Jonah’s experience with the sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection of the LORD Jesus. Jonah as a Sign:  In Matthew 12:39-41 , the LORD Jesus refers to Jonah as a "sign" for the people of His time. Jonah’s experience of being swallowed by the fish and then emerging from it is seen as a sign pointing to the greater miracle of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, which would bring Salvation to sinners worldwide. While many in Christ’s day rejected the sign and denied Jesus as the Fulfillment of it, those whom God purposed to hear did hear and rejoiced in His coming, doing, and dying to save His people. Substitution and Satisfaction:  Jonah’s time in the fish is most clearly a symbol of the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus, foundational to redemption. Jonah's willingness to be cast into the deep to spare the sailors' lives (Jonah 1:12) mirrors how Jesus willingly laid down His life to save those the Father purposed to save. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead by His power, called here the sign of the prophet Jonah, was the great proof of His Messiahship. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish and then came out alive, so would Christ be in the grave for three days and then rise again. While the Jews of Christ's day would not believe in Him and continue in unbelief to this day, those chosen by God the Father from before the foundation of the world do believe, having been given eyes by the Spirit of God. 1 Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Mark 1:24 "Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee Who Thou art, the Holy One of God." Here is a man possessed by an unclean spirit, whom the LORD Jesus confronted and called out while visiting a synagogue, where he was doubtless a member. This verse highlights the authority and power of the LORD Jesus over evil spirits. It also shows the enmity between the seed of the serpent (Satan) and the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the "Holy One of God," acknowledging His divine nature. This moment foreshadows the ongoing confrontation between Jesus and the forces of darkness throughout the Gospel. The words spoken by the demon serve to establish the identity of the LORD Jesus as the Holy One, a term that points to His Holiness, Power, and Deity. This unclean spirit knew who Jesus of Nazareth was, calling Him the Holy One of God, thereby glorifying Him—though that was not the demon's intent. It’s similar to how some people use Scripture for their own purposes. They may know that God is Sovereign and worthy of all Glory, yet they use Scripture to seek their own glory. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble" (James 2:19). Either someone has the Spirit of Christ or the spirit of anti-Christ. The spirit of anti-Christ leads the wicked to seek their own glory, often doing anything to obtain it. They may appear humble to those they pursue, but in reality, they hate God and anyone whom God has chosen and loved eternally in Christ. God grants His children discernment to see through those who serve their lusts, filled with the spirit of anti-Christ. They preach and propagate a works-based religion in opposition to the LORD Jesus Christ and His singular, sufficient work, which fully satisfies God the Father. All such individuals will be uprooted, as they have not been planted by God the Father. “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). "Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them" (Jeremiah 12:14). Amazingly, the man with the evil spirit was found comfortably among the other worshipers in the synagogue, yet he was not exposed until the LORD Jesus Christ appeared to address him and call him out. The spirit of anti-Christ was within him, but it was hidden behind the garments of false religion, like those around him, all of whom were in darkness and unbelief. While the man with the evil spirit was exposed by Christ, the others in the synagogue were just as self-serving. They did not have Christ in their hearts, no matter how many times they spoke His name. The evil spirit in this man recognized the LORD Jesus, both in His humanity (Jesus of Nazareth) and His Deity ( "thou Holy One of God"), yet it was still a rebel against the very one whose name it proclaimed. There are many professing Christians who take Christ's name on their lips, but there is no revelation of Him in their hearts. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). Those who, by the Spirit of God, acknowledge Jesus Christ as the "Holy One of God" do so in truth, not in hypocrisy, as did this demon. The phrase "Holy One of God" signifies Jesus' divine purity, sanctity, and separation from all evil. It highlights His unique status as the Son of God, set apart to fulfill God’s purpose of the salvation of His people on earth. In the context of the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus’ identity is gradually revealed, this declaration by the demon serves as a clear recognition of Jesus’ divine nature, even though the people around Him did not fully understand it yet. The term "Holy One" is often associated with God in the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., Isaiah 6:3). By calling Jesus by this title, the demon is forced by the LORD Jesus to acknowledge that Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet, but the divine Son of God—distinct and separate from all sin and evil. The demon’s declaration also points to Jesus' power and authority over the spiritual realm, as demons, in particular, fear His presence and His mission to defeat them. Therefore, the title "Holy One of God" in Mark 1:24 affirms that Jesus is the Divine, Sinless Messiah who has authority and power over evil and will bring God's salvation to those elected sinners that the Father gave Him to save.

Malachi 4:2 "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." Malachi, God's prophet, speaks to the people of Israel, addressing their spiritual condition and calling them to repentance. The prophet Malachi is believed to have prophesied during the Persian period, after the reconstruction and dedication of the second temple in 516 BC, generally thought to be around 450 BC in Jerusalem. As the final chapter of the Old Testament's prophetic writings, Malachi 4:2 carries great significance, promising healing and restoration for the remnant of God's grace (Romans 11:5) . The imagery of the "sun of righteousness" arising with healing symbolizes God's intervention and the coming of a new era of justice and peace with the arrival of the promised Messiah, who will save His people, described as "those that fear God's name." The effects of the sun may be twofold. For the righteous, it rises with healing because of Christ's completed work before God the Father. To the righteous, it shall be the advent of the gladdening Sun, not of condemnation, but "of righteousness" ; not destroying, but "healing" (Jeremiah 23:6) . However, this is contrasted with its effect on the wicked (Malachi 4:1) . To the wicked, it shall be like an oven that consumes the stubble (Matthew 6:30) . The LORD Jesus Christ is THE "SON OF RIGHTEOUSNESS," sent to satisfy God's law and justice on behalf of an elect remnant. Just as the sun rises at the dawn of a new day, so the coming of the LORD Jesus is described as the Dayspring from on High. "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us" (Luke 1:78). The fulfillment of this promise was in the coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ), who brought light and healing for those whom God had elected by His grace, and for whom the LORD Jesus would pay their sin debt—chosen out of a world of darkness. The phrase "leap like calves released from the stall" evokes the joy and freedom that God's people would experience once they were restored to a right relationship with God through the sacrificial death of the LORD Jesus on their behalf. So complete would be His work in satisfying God's law and justice that there would remain nothing but righteousness to impute to their spiritual account, along with the peace of God that passes all understanding. "Therefore, being justified, by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). What a beautiful depiction that showcases God's sovereign mercy and grace in Christ, which, at the time Malachi wrote it, was still forward-looking to His coming as God in the flesh. What was still 450 years away at that time has now been fulfilled. The imagery of "healing in His wings" reveals the comprehensive nature of Christ’s redemption: spiritual healing from sin, brokenness, and the condemnation of the law of God. Yes, there was a physical aspect to the ministry of the LORD Jesus, healing many diseases that were a consequence of the fall. Yet, the physical healing was only a demonstration of His ability to heal the spiritual effects of the fall, which would have eternal consequences had the LORD Jesus not taken on Himself the spiritual debt of His people. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" (1 Peter 2:24). Malachi 4:2 is rooted in God’s eternal covenantal love for His Son and for those sinners whom the Father chose out of fallen humanity to give to Him to save by His sacrificial death. It underscores the mercy and grace shown through Christ's life and death. He earned and established the righteousness necessary to satisfy a Holy God, and then laid down His life to redeem and justify them, whereby they are now declared righteous, in the beams of the "sun of righteousness," ever shining with favor on them. Salvation, then, is a gift to those whom God has chosen, who trust in His name, and who, through Christ, experience the fullness of God's redemptive grace. This is glorious GOOD NEWS: the LORD Jesus Christ came to save—and did save—not based on human merit, but on God's sovereign purpose of grace, granting His mercy freely to those He has chosen to redeem, and has redeemed and justified once and for all (Hebrews 10:10, 14).

Hebrews 12:3 "For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Here is a powerful verse encouraging believers to look to the Lord Jesus as their ultimate example amid trials and difficulties. This verse calls the believer to consider the perseverance of Christ and the hardships He endured, particularly the suffering and opposition He faced, and to reflect on how these challenges were part of His faithful obedience to God’s will for their salvation. In doing so, the Holy Spirit, through the writer to the Hebrews, urges each of the Lord's redeemed ones not to grow weary or lose heart, but to find strength and encouragement in the example of the LORD Jesus as their Substitute. He is both the Source and the Perfecter of the Faith. It serves as a reminder that enduring faithfulness, even in the face of hardship, is integral to the earthly journey of the LORD'S redeemed ones. When men of renown pass from this world, much attention is given to their lives and successes. There is a fascination with how they spent their last days, said their farewells, and how they want to be remembered. Yet, how much time, praise, and consideration is given to mere mortals who are but dust and whose end is to return to dust! How often have we stood and stared at a little whirlwind on a hot, dusty summer day, watching it move along, picking up leaves, dust, and dirt, spinning its way on a path for a while before dying down to nothing? We gaze in amazement at something temporary, that moves at the will and direction of the LORD and is but for a brief moment before passing. If we are taken up with these earthly matters, how much more should we consider Him, Who is no mere mortal, but God in the flesh: "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1 Timothy 3:16). Whenever we become wearied and faint in our minds over the opposition and hardness of men’s hearts regarding the Truth, the Gospel, and the doctrine of Christ, let us remember how Christ Jesus the LORD endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. Yet through it all, He was submitted to the will of His Father, never wavering from the cross, and fulfilling all that the Father purposed, so that He would be the Just Justifier of His people. Peter declared of Him, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:23). Often, in reviewing and remembering the lives of mere mortals, much attention is given to their struggles, failures, and difficulties before they become rich and famous. Yet all of that pales in comparison to what the Lord Jesus Christ endured in the flesh, and the Price He paid in His life and death, to satisfy law and justice for those sinners the Father gave Him from eternity. Consider Him who loves His children unto the end unconditionally: "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:20).

1 Corinthians 1:23 "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth addresses divisions and challenges within the congregation. In this particular verse, Paul emphasizes the contrasting reactions to the message of Christ: "but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." Paul highlights the necessity of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus as essential to the faith revealed once and for all to all of God’s chosen children throughout time (Jude 1:3 ) . To the Jews, the idea of a Messiah who would suffer and die was a stumbling block, as it did not align with their expectations of a triumphant, conquering King who would come to overthrow the Roman government and establish an earthly Jewish kingdom. To the Gentiles, who often viewed divine power and wisdom in terms of philosophical superiority, the notion of a crucified Savior seemed foolish. Yet, for those who believe, according to God's electing grace, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus represents the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Christ crucified was a stumbling block to the Jews (religious moral men). They presumed themselves to be the children of God based on their heritage— "we have Abraham as our father" (John 8:33-39). They thought themselves righteous based on their attempts at observing the law and, therefore, not in need of the work of Christ for them (Romans 10:1–2). However, the cross of Christ declares none righteous, NO, NOT ONE (Romans 3:10) . Like the Jews of old, most people today see themselves as basically good and just in need of a little help, rather than totally depraved and condemned and in need of Christ’s effectual death alone to save them. Such would be our own natural conceit but for the grace of God. Christ crucified was foolishness to the Greeks. There is nothing in the plain doctrine of the cross to suit natural men’s taste. They find it distasteful to trust in one who was condemned and crucified as a malefactor, a man of low birth and poor in life, and cut off by so vile and reproachful a death! Such is the pride of sinful human reason, and therefore, they find such a doctrine repulsive. But to those who are saved by His blood shed unto death and called, He is the wisdom of God and the power of God. By the Spirit of God, they rejoice in HIM, whose blood and righteousness alone are ALL their salvation! There is a universal nature to Christ’s work on the cross set forth here by the apostle Paul, but not as false preachers declare that He died to save every single sinner. No! The cross represents the work of the Lord Jesus for a world of elect sinners, representing both Jews and Gentiles. However, therein lies the offense of the cross: the Lord Jesus did not die to save everybody, but rather those that the Father gave Him before time (John 17:1-3) . The apostle Paul was calling believers to embrace a faith that might appear foolish to the world but is, in fact, the wisdom and power of God. The unbelief against the clear declaration of Scripture regarding the cross and Who died there reveals the depravity and hardness of men’s hearts. 1 Corinthians 1:18 declares, "To those who perish, the message of the cross is foolishness, but to those who are saved, it is the power of God." To the Jews, who thought themselves morally upright, and to the Greeks, who thought themselves wise, the cross is an offense. Only the Holy Spirit can grant " repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:21) and cause those sinners for whom He died to believe on Him and His finished work for all their salvation. Otherwise, they will continue in their rebellion and unbelief to their condemnation. They will continue to say that God is unfair in not having given every sinner a 'chance' at salvation. The problem is that salvation is not by chance, but rather the clear choice of God to save whom He wills, by the death of the LORD Jesus alone. Thank God there are those sinners that He has chosen to save and has saved by the death of His Son to the satisfaction of His law and justice, otherwise none would believe and would continue to trust in their works and attempts at salvation, rather than come to Christ and rest in Him alone.

2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent warning about deceivers and the danger of being deceived. Everything must be weighed according to the Word because many deceivers have gone out into the world, handling the Word of Christ deceitfully. "Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time" (1 John 2:18). Failing to give all glory to Christ, failing to exalt Him in His Word—He is the Word—is to be a deceiver. John emphasizes this again in 2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Many people are preoccupied with identifying the antichrist, yet they unknowingly give him a place to stand in their pulpits because the preachers that they hire do not point sinners to Christ (2 Peter 2:1-2) . They are preachers that have never been taught of Christ by His Spirit, do not know Him and, therefore, cannot point others to Him. This deception goes deeper than simply acknowledging that Jesus came in the flesh—it is about understanding who He is, why He came, and what He accomplished in the flesh. The Number of Deceivers One of the first things to note in John’s writing is the sheer number of deceivers. Many do not fully realize the extent of this deception. John warns , "For many deceivers are entered into the world." These are individuals who use the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but do so deceitfully. Jesus Himself addressed them, saying: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). This is a sobering reality. Many assume that the man standing in the pulpit week after week preaching to them is truly of God, yet he may be among those to whom Christ will one day say, "I never knew you." Jesus also warns: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" (Matthew 7:13). The Character of Deceivers Beyond their number, John highlights the character of these deceivers: "Who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh."  This is where many are misled. These deceivers often appear to be good and moral men by human standards. They show kindness, visit the sick, comfort grieving families, and perform acts of charity. However, what sets them apart is not their outward conduct but their message. They do not confess the truth of Christ’s coming. Being deceivers, they are also seducers, drawing people to themselves rather than pointing them to Christ. They present themselves as examples of morality, living upright lives and preaching morality as righteousness. However, many outwardly moral people are ignorant of the Righteousness of God. They have not submitted to the Righteousness that the Lord Jesus earned and established, which God imputed to the spiritual account of His children when Christ died on the cross. Instead, they seek to establish their own righteousness: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Romans 10:3-4). The Danger of This Deception What makes this deception so dangerous? The greatest counterfeits are those that most closely resemble the truth. That is why they are imperceptible to the undiscerning. The LORD Jesus compared this deception to leaven: a perversion of the truth that, like yeast in dough, spreads subtly until it permeates everything. Its effects are not immediately visible, but over time, they become evident. This is why, in the parable of the wheat and the tares, when the workers asked if they should uproot the tares, the Lord responded: "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them" (Matthew 13:29). Some who appear to be wheat are, in reality, nothing but tares. The Need for Discernment We are called to be discerning and cautious. Even among those who preach grace, deception is often found not just in what is explicitly stated, but in what is implied or how the truth is applied. Consider these examples: Justification by Faith Misunderstood  – Some preach that we are justified by our belief rather than understanding that faith is Christ, the Object of faith. We are justified by Him, not by our act of believing. Sanctification as Human Effort  – Many teach that sanctification is something we work out in our flesh in cooperation with the Holy Spirit. In truth, sanctification is entirely found in Christ and His finished work at Calvary. The life we live is simply the fruit of what He has already accomplished. Redemption as a Mere Covering  – Some reduce Christ’s redemption to merely covering sin, rather than being a full propitiation for those for whom He paid the debt. They claim that Christ’s blood was shed at the cross, but is not effective until a sinner believes. This suggests that Christ died for some who remain under God's wrath—a contradiction to the sufficiency of His death on the cross. Misunderstanding God's Sovereignty  – Some attempt to reconcile God's sovereignty with man's responsibility by making God’s sovereignty conditional upon man's actions. They claim that God's blessings depend on human obedience, creating a framework where man becomes a rival to God's sovereignty. This is nothing more than free-will theology disguised as obedience to God. Conclusion This is why we desperately need the Spirit of God to illuminate our hearts and reveal to us the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only by His grace can we discern truth from deception and remain steadfast in the gospel.

Titus 2:14 "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." In this verse, Paul addresses Titus, his fellow laborer, emphasizing the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice in the salvation of sinners—specifically, those chosen by the Father before the foundation of the world (a peculiar people) . It underscores that the Lord Jesus willingly gave Himself to redeem His elect from sin. He did not merely offer salvation but obtained it, creating a people declared righteous through the imputed righteousness He earned and established and God the Father imputed to their spiritual account at the cross. These redeemed and called sinners are eager to glorify God for their salvation, which is evidenced by good works produced in and through them by the Spirit of Grace. This passage also reflects the sanctifying work of Christ’s death, setting His people apart according to God’s purpose and glory, enabling them to live in a way that reflects His grace. The Gospel presents Christ as the victorious Savior, who gave Himself—not out of mere sympathy for sinners, but because of the mercy and grace of God the Father and the necessity of establishing a just satisfaction for sin. This satisfaction was for those whom the Father purposed to save before the foundation of the world. The Good News is that Christ’s death was not merely an attempt to save as many as possible, but rather the redemption of every individual whom the Father purposed to save and gave to His Son. Christ Himself declared, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day” (John 6:39). When Scripture states “that He might redeem us from all iniquity,"  the word " that"   reveals the purpose of His coming. His mission was not to attempt to save everyone indiscriminately, but rather to redeem us —God’s elect (Titus 1:1) . The phrase "that He might redeem"  does not imply uncertainty. In Greek, this entire phrase consists of just two words, which could be better translated as "in order to redeem"  or "with the purpose of redeeming."  Has God ever failed in what He has purposed to do? There is no doctrine more dishonoring than one suggesting that God intended to save sinners who, in the end, are not delivered. That could never be! (Isaiah 42:1-4). However, there is another crucial aspect of this text that deserves careful attention. Christ’s death not only redeems from the curse of sin but also its power and, ultimately, from its presence in glory ( 2 Corinthians 1:10). Scripture declares, "...and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  To purify  means that believers are both justified (declared righteous) before a holy God by the death of His Son and sanctified (set apart unto holiness) by the gracious work of the Spirit of God in their hearts. This sanctification is founded in Christ's death, Who has already set them apart by His shed blood (John 17:19) . The term "peculiar people"  does not mean " odd"  but rather " purchased."   Because they have been bought with a Price, they are not their own (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23) . These purchased people are identified as those whose minds, wills, and affections belong to Christ. Their thoughts are drawn to Him; their affections are fixed on Him; their hope and expectation rest entirely in Him. Their joy is not dependent on anything in themselves or this sin-marred world, but rather, it is found in Christ alone. Thus, they live their lives for His honor, praise, and glory.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." This scripture is a strong encouragement that promises hope to those who remain steadfast in the Faith that was revealed in them by the Spirit of Christ to enable them to endure trials and opposition against them for Christ's sake. It highlights the blessing that comes from enduring hardships with perseverance, promising the ultimate reward—eternal life—to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This scripture harmonizes with the subject treated in James 1, which emphasizes the value of trials in strengthening faith and producing spiritual maturity. James reminds God’s children that trials are not without purpose; rather, they are designed by God to cause them to grow in steadfastness and receive His promised Reward, Christ. Perseverance through trials is the pathway purposed by God for His children. While this directly addresses children of God as chosen, redeemed, and called, it also reflects the tribulations that the Lord Jesus would have endured in His coming in the flesh to suffer and die to save those sinners that the Father sent Him to save. For that reason, He is the truly blessed Man, through whom all spiritual blessings flow. " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). In this one scripture, there are four particular descriptions of the LORD Jesus and what He would have endured as God the Father's suffering Servant, not just as an example to follow, but as their Substitute to suffer in their place for God to justify them once and for all. Steadfast Perseverance – The LORD Jesus endured immense suffering, including rejection, temptation, persecution, and finally the cross. His steadfastness in perfect obedience to the Father is unlike any other that any mere man could endure. If righteousness could have been earned and established by any other, then the LORD Jesus would not have come. But He came to this earth, already blessed of the Father for the work He was given to do, which was to endure the contraction of sinners against Himself, but more importantly the very wrath of God, not for His own, but of that people that He came to save. The Greatest Trial  –The LORD Jesus underwent the greatest trial ever known to man—His suffering and crucifixion—standing firm in His mission to redeem an elect people once and for all from their sin. His endurance was not just for personal victory but for the salvation of the many sinners that the Father gave Him to save from eternity. The Crown of Life  – The LORD Jesus, after enduring suffering and death, was resurrected and glorified, receiving the ultimate "crown" of life in His exaltation at the right hand of God (Philippians 2:8-11). The crown of life is not an actual ornamental headdress, but a symbolic representation of God’s recognition for having spiritually triumphed in this life. In the original Greek, the word rendered “crown” in this scripture denotes a prize. The term does not refer to a royal crown like those worn by kings and rulers. This crown describes a garland or wreath of laurel foliage that, in ancient times, was placed upon the head of a victorious athlete as an emblem of honor and triumph in a contest. The LORD Jesus ran the race in His life and death, and is now crowned with glory and honor for being faithful. An Example for Believers  – The tribulations our LORD endured serve as the highest example of enduring trials by His faithfulness. Believers are called to follow in His footsteps, knowing that steadfast faith leads to eternal life, as promised here. " But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13). Enduring unto the end is not the cause of God saving those who endure, but rather those who endure, God has already saved, and continues to keep by His grace. "For by grace are ye saved," [literally saved and being kept saved] (Ephesians 2:8). Even as James 1:12 reflects the life of Christ, who perfectly exemplified endurance and was ultimately crowned with glory, he also encourages believers to remain faithful under trials, looking unto the LORD Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their Faith (Hebrews 11:1-2).