Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 13:18-23.

“Hear then the parable of the sower.  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.  This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.  The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.  And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it;  who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”  Matthew 13:18-23.

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Without the grace of God, no one would understand.

“as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”

Romans 3:10-12.

But, God does grant understanding to those whom He chooses.  Matthew 13:11.

Without the grace of God, all would fall away and produce no fruit when temptations, affliction, or persecution arose.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.

But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints of The Canons of Dordt.

All of this is God’s work from beginning to end:  from the beginning of “Unconditional Election” through “Limited Atonement” through “Irresistible Grace” through “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  The following is a good summary.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man; he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable; actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of The Canons of Dordt.

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain …” John 15:16.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 12:46-50.

“While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him.  Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.”  But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”  And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”  Matthew 12:46-50.

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Today’s Scripture does not teach us to neglect our duty to take care of our mother or father or even brothers or sisters.

Even with the weight of the world on Jesus at the pinnacle of His mission on earth at the cross, Jesus carefully took time to care for His mother by transferring the care of His mother from Himself before he died (and later resurrected and ascended to heaven) to His beloved disciple John.  John 19:26-27.

Jesus also prioritized the financial care of parents over offerings to the church.  “For God said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’  But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or his mother.’  And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”  Matthew 15:4-6.

In summary, consider these very strong words about the importance of financial care of our household family members.  “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Timothy 5:8.

Rather, today’s Scripture teach us of the oneness that we have with fellow Christians and the spiritual care that we should give fellow Christians.

The context of this Scripture is that Jesus was teaching the crowds.  He was providing spiritual care for the crowds.

Although Jesus did provide physical bread through His miracles, most importantly, He provided spiritual bread.

Yes, we can and should give to the poor.  “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10.  “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them;  but you do not always have Me.”  Mark 14:7.

But, in comparison, notice how specific and directed and emphasized is the spiritual care that we should give to fellow Christians in the following Ephesians chapter 4.  We and fellow Christians are one body of Christ, and we should spiritually build up this body of Christ.

Other doctrine seem to be social missions in which there is little difference between the secular and the religious.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees the primary mission of the church to provide spiritual care for fellow Christians.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.  …

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:4-6 and 11-13.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 12:30-37.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad;  for the tree is known by its fruit.  You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good?  For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good;  and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.”  Matthew 12:33-35.

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Other doctrine depend on man’s goodness, man’s wisdom, man’s skill, and man’s alleged free-will to produce good fruit.

But, Reformed Doctrine depends on the work of God the Father in electing those who will become good trees, the work of God the Son in making those elect new creations in Christ (good trees), and the work of the God the Spirit to produce the good fruit of the Spirit.

This is summarized by “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of The Canons of Dordt.

Without God’s “Irresistible Grace”, man remains in his natural condition of “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”.  In other words, without God’s “Irresistible Grace”, man remains a bad tree incapable of producing good fruit.

Article 3.  Therefore all men are conceived in sin, and by nature children of wrath, incapable of saving good, prone to evil, dead in sin, and in bondage thereto, and without the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit, they are neither able nor willing to return to God, to reform the depravity of their nature, nor to dispose themselves to reformation.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof of The Canons of Dordt.

“So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.”  Matthew 7:17-18.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 12:22-29.

“Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.  All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?”  But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”

And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste;  and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.  If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself;  how then will his kingdom stand?  If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?  For this reason they will be your judges.  But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.  Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man?  And then he will plunder his house.” Matthew 12:22-29.

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Other doctrine ignores God’s sovereignty, and its disciples are in constant fear of the devil and man.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees God’s sovereignty throughout Scripture, and its disciples are in peace that God is in total control.

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”  Verse 28.

Using Jesus’ explanation and analogy in verse 29, Jesus can cast out demons and otherwise destroy the works of the devil, because Jesus first bound the devil (dominated him) before He plundered his house (destroyed his works).

“… The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”  1 John 3:8.

Q.  1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?

A.  That I with body and soul,1 both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;  who, with His precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head;  yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto Him.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.  And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;  and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed;  after these things he must be released for a short time.

…

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also;  and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”  Revelation 20:1-3 and 10.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 12:1-21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat.  But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.”  But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone?  Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?  But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.

…

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Departing from there, He went into their synagogue.  And a man was there whose hand was withered.  And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” — so that they might accuse Him.  And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?  How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep!  So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”  Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!”  He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other.

…

“BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PLEASED;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,
AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
“HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;
NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
“A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,
AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.”  
“AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”  Matthew 12:1-6 and 8-13 and 18-21.

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“But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here.”  Verse 6.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Galatians 3:24-25.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:19-21.

“… HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.”  Verse 20.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew 11:25-27.

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.  Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.  All things have been handed over to Me by My Father;  and no one knows the Son except the Father;  nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”  Matthew 11:25-27.

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Why would God hide Himself and hide salvation as described in today’s Scripture?

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.”  1 Corinthians 1:21.

“… God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.”  1 Corinthians 1:27-28.

In other words, God hid Himself and hid salvation so that no man could boast of his wisdom in knowing God and knowing salvation.  God wants all the credit for man knowing God and knowing salvation.

Other doctrine just does not understand or accept God’s decision.

But, Reformed Doctrine understands and teaches God’s decision.

Other doctrine is focused on man and what man wants and has faith in man’s wisdom and allege free-will.

But, Reformed Doctrine is focused on God and what God wants and has faith in God’s wisdom and God’s will.

In regards to man, Reformed Doctrine teaches that man’s natural condition is “Total Depravity” , the “T” of “TULIP, the true doctrine of salvation.  Man is “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1.  None of us understands, and none of us seeks God.  Romans 3:10-11.  We are hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We are in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

“as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;  THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;  ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;  THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”  Romans 3:10-11.

The fallen condition of man is not that we are just affected or injured by the presence of sin.  Rather, “… you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.

Reformed Doctrine teaches us that our only chance to know God and salvation is God’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP, the true doctrine of salvation.

Because of this fallen condition, this total depravity, there is nothing in us that motivates God to choose us for salvation. His election of those He chooses to save is unconditional, namely that there is no condition supplied by man whether it be wisdom or works or will that motivates God to elect certain individuals for salvation.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  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 2:4-8.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.