Concerning Monastic Vows – part 31
Scripture Text: Mark 10:29–30
I have known people who refused to work on Sunday. Some employers understood; others did not. I heard of one man who would not work on the Lord’s Day and as a result, lost his job.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 30
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:33
God does not command certain pietistic practices of giving up property, friends, family, food, and clothing. Indeed, Jesus tells us to not be anxious about such things.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 29
Scripture Text: John 12:25–26
We must not forsake the gospel, even if it means loss of property, family, or even life. What is it that keeps you from following Jesus?
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 28
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:29
God’s commandments forbid the forsaking of parents. Yet in this teaching of Jesus about leaving one’s family—even children—for him, it is clear that Jesus is using hyperbole to make his point.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 27
Scripture Text: 2 Peter 1:3–8
Does our virtuous lifestyle add anything to faith? To be sure, we are to furnish our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, and brotherly and godly love.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 26
Scripture Text: Philippians 2:3–5
We are not justified before God because of a particular lifestyle, no matter how holy or special it may seem. God is able to make a child holy while that child, as yet, has no occupation.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 25
Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3:14–18
How may a person of faith be found on that Day “without spot or blemish”? Even more, how may one be certain that their life is so blameless that they are at peace with God?
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 24
Scripture Text: Romans 6:5–8
As we are not made impure by physical things that enter us from the outside, so we do not purge our impurity by doing physical things.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 23
Scripture Text: Luke 17:5–6
How much faith is enough? Is there an admittance fee to heaven, but then you have to pay for any extras? Does a little more get you more once you get inside?
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 21
Scripture Text: Psalm 16:1–2
Where is your confidence, your trust? Is it your bank account or perhaps, your pension? Maybe it is the government, its promise to protect you while lowering taxes and providing new jobs.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 20
Scripture Text: Romans 11:5–6
What a joy it is to realize that God’s forgiveness and eternal life are gifts. Now, we all understand that one does not work for a gift; otherwise it is not a gift at all. Instead of a gift, it has become something we earned.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 20
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 4:3–4
Those who who do not believe in salvation for Christ’s sake, in other words, because of what God has done through his Son, are not only blind and witless, they have refused grace.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 19
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:12
Does Jesus mean that dishonoring parents and dismissing the fourth commandment are of such great virtue that they merit eternal life? How absurd.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 18
Scripture Text: Philippians 3:12–16
I take a bit of exception to Melancthon’s verb choice—although I agree with him if I understand what he intended to say. I do not wish, however, to put my words in his mouth.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 17
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 4:1–5
We easily see that Paul, himself of the pharisaic tradition, taught that Christians leave the faith when they devote themselves to legal requirements such as those under consideration.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 16
Scripture Text: Mark 12:30
The most important commandment is greater than people are capable of apprehending in thought, let alone action. It is the height of theology.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 15
Scripture Text: Colossians 2:6–8
There are good religious traditions, and those that are no good at all. The good ones found and construct you in the faith. These traditions are learned in the pure Word of God.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 14
Scripture Text: Romans 14:1–12
Adiaphora are matters in which we should look for neither sin nor righteousness. They are non-essentials, things that have nothing to do with one’s standing before God. These non-essentials are typically traditions or customs.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 13
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 4:5–7
The “power belongs to God.” We are incapable of securing our own forgiveness and salvation. Imagine the person who looks in the mirror and declares, “I forgive you of your sins.”
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 12
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:21–24
Before the advent of radio, television, and internet, news traveled slowly. In some circles, it travels more slowly today.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 11
Scripture Text: Galatians 5:2–4
Scripture is clear: those who try to justify their sin by their works have fallen from grace. We cannot balance the scales by placing good works against bad works. It is not a matter of weights and measures.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 10
Scripture Text: Galatians 6:1–2
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Paul then said, “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 9
Scripture Text: Colossians 2:16–19
If our religion is one that earns forgiveness of sin and eternal life through religious devotion, services, and other good works, then we slander faith in Christ, just as the religious authorities in Jerusalem spurned Christ himself.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 8
Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:8–9
Years ago, my Dad took me to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game. On the way, we ate at a restaurant he liked. Over his protests, I bought my meal.
Concerning Monastic Vows – part 7
Scripture Text: Exodus 20:2–3
What does God want? What does he want more than anything? What does God want from us “above all things”? He wants us. He wants our hearts, our trust, so that he may bless us.
Click Here For Archives