Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 28:1-15.

“Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem;  and he did not do right in the sight of the LORD as David his father had done.  But he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel; he also made molten images for the Baals.  Moreover, he burned incense in the valley of Ben-hinnom and burned his sons in fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD had driven out before the sons of Israel.  He sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills and under every green tree.

Wherefore, the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Aram; and they defeated him and carried away from him a great number of captives and brought them to Damascus.  And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who inflicted him with heavy casualties.  For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah 120,000 in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.  And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king’s son and Azrikam the ruler of the house and Elkanah the second to the king.

The sons of Israel carried away captive of their brethren 200,000 women, sons and daughters;  and they took also a great deal of spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria.  But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded;  and he went out to meet the army which came to Samaria and said to them, “Behold, because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand, and you have slain them in a rage which has even reached heaven.  Now you are proposing to subjugate for yourselves the people of Judah and Jerusalem for male and female slaves.  Surely, do you not have transgressions of your own against the LORD your God?  Now therefore, listen to me and return the captives whom you captured from your brothers, for the burning anger of the LORD is against you.”  Then some of the heads of the sons of Ephraim—Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai—arose against those who were coming from the battle, and said to them, “You must not bring the captives in here, for you are proposing to bring upon us guilt against the LORD adding to our sins and our guilt;  for our guilt is great so that His burning anger is against Israel.”  So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the officers and all the assembly.  Then the men who were designated by name arose, took the captives, and they clothed all their naked ones from the spoil;  and they gave them clothes and sandals, fed them and gave them drink, anointed them with oil, led all their feeble ones on donkeys, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brothers;  then they returned to Samaria.”  2 Chronicles 28:1-15. 

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We read of the sins of Ahaz king of Judah and the punishment of Judah through both Aram (occupying present day Syria and surrounding countries) and Israel.  But, the theme of today’s devotion is the action of Israel to their enemy Judah in verse 15 highlighted above.  It leads us to meditate on the following Scriptures.

“21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22.

“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.  “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK;  FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:19-21.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven;  for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43-48.

Who can do these things?!  

But, there is hope!

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8.

So, let us go back to the “Therefore you are to be perfect” verse.  You will be perfect, because “your heavenly Father is perfect” and He will provide everything that you need to be perfect.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  … ”  Ephesians 1:3-4.  

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:2-3.

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:10-11.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:12-13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6. 

“For by one offering He (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14. 

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:14-28.

“Now after Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them and burned incense to them.  Then the anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?” As he was talking with him, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you a royal counselor?  Stop!  Why should you be struck down?”  Then the prophet stopped and said, “I know that God has planned to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, the king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us face each other.”  Joash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thorn bush which was in Lebanon sent to the cedar which was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’  But there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon and trampled the thorn bush.  You said, ‘Behold, you have defeated Edom.’  And your heart has become proud in boasting.  Now stay at home;  for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, would fall and Judah with you?”

But Amaziah would not listen, for it was from God, that He might deliver them into the hand of Joash because they had sought the gods of Edom.  So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth-shemesh, which belonged to Judah.  Judah was defeated by Israel, and they fled each to his tent.  Then Joash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem and tore down the wall of Jerusalem from the Gate of Ephraim to the Corner Gate, 400 cubits.  He took all the gold and silver and all the utensils which were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

And Amaziah, the son of Joash king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash, son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel.  Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, from first to last, behold, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?  From the time that Amaziah turned away from following the LORD they conspired against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish;  but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.  Then they brought him on horses and buried him with his fathers in the city of Judah.”  2 Chronicles 25:14-28.

———

Amaziah committed idolatry which can be most plainly understood by bringing home the gods of the sons of Seir and setting them up as his gods, bowing down before them, and burning incense to them. 

But, Amaziah also committed idolatry by becoming proud in himself to the extent that he provoked trouble by picking a fight with Israel.  

In summary, Amaziah turned away from following the LORD.  And, we see how the LORD punished him.

We should not lightly dismiss this Scripture.  Rather, we should take care that we do not act like Amaziah.  

“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  1 Corinthians 10:11-12.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 95.  What is idolatry?

A.  Idolatry is, instead of, or besides that one true God, who has manifested himself in his word, to contrive, or have any other object, in which men place their trust.  Eph.5:5;  1 Chron.16:26;  Philip.3:19;  Gal.4:8;  Eph.2:12;  1 John 2:23;  2 John 1:9;  John 5:23.

Idols can be more than just silver and gold or other material objects made by man.  Idols can include ourselves or others whom we trust instead of God.

“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.” Jeremiah 17:5-6.

“25 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.” 1 Chronicles 16:25-26.

“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”  Ephesians 5:5.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them;  for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Exodus 20:4-5.

“You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him;  and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”  Deuteronomy 13:4. 

But, there is hope!

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man;  and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”  1 Corinthians 10:13-14. 

“7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8.

“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. 

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:5-13.

“Moreover, Amaziah assembled Judah and appointed them according to their fathers’ households under commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds throughout Judah and Benjamin;  and he took a census of those from twenty years old and upward and found them to be 300,000 choice men, able to go to war and handle spear and shield.  He hired also 100,000 valiant warriors out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver.  But a man of God came to him saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel nor with any of the sons of Ephraim.  But if you do go, do it, be strong for the battle;  yet God will bring you down before the enemy, for God has power to help and to bring down.”  Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”  And the man of God answered, “The LORD has much more to give you than this.”  Then Amaziah dismissed them, the troops which came to him from Ephraim, to go home;  so their anger burned against Judah and they returned home in fierce anger.

Now Amaziah strengthened himself and led his people forth, and went to the Valley of Salt and struck down 10,000 of the sons of Seir.  The sons of Judah also captured 10,000 alive and brought them to the top of the cliff and threw them down from the top of the cliff, so that they were all dashed to pieces.  But the troops whom Amaziah sent back from going with him to battle, raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon, and struck down 3,000 of them and plundered much spoil.”  2 Chronicles 25:5-13.

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We may have questions.  But, we do not need to speculate.  Let us use two quotes from the man of God that we understand, that is supported by Scripture, and that we can use.  

First, let us meditate on “God has power to help and to bring down.”  God is sovereign and rules over all.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1.

“‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,” Jeremiah 32:17.

“6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 “The LORD makes poor and rich;
He brings low, He also exalts.
8 “He raises the poor from the dust,
He lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with nobles,
And inherit a seat of honor;
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S,
And He set the world on them.
9 “He keeps the feet of His godly ones,
But the wicked ones are silenced in darkness;
For not by might shall a man prevail.
10 “Those who contend with the LORD will be shattered;
Against them He will thunder in the heavens,
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
And He will give strength to His king,
And will exalt the horn of His anointed.” 1 Samuel 2:6-10.

Second, let us meditate on “The LORD has much more to give you than this.”  We may be fearful of obeying the LORD, thinking that if we do so, we will not have resources to do what we need to do.  But, the LORD has all the resources that we need.

“… For the world is Mine, and all it contains.” Psalm 50:12.

“11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD gives grace and glory;
No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
How blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Psalm 84:11-12.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32. 

“In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end.  Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’  But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  Deuteronomy 8:16-18.

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:31-34.

“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;  as it is written,

“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 25:1-4.

“Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem.  And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.  He did right in the sight of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.  Now it came about as soon as the kingdom was firmly in his grasp, that he killed his servants who had slain his father the king.  However, he did not put their children to death, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, which the LORD commanded, saying, “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, nor sons be put to death for fathers, but each shall be put to death for his own sin.”  2 Chronicles 25:1-4.

———–     

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 4.  What does the law of God require of us?

A.  Christ teaches us that briefly, Matt. 22:37-40, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great commandment; and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Deut.6:5; Lev.19:18; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27.

Q. 5.  Canst thou keep all these things perfectly?

A.  In no wise;  (a) for I am prone by nature to hate God and my neighbour. (b)

(a) Rom.3:10,20,23; 1 John 1:8,10. (b) Rom.8:7; Eph.2:3; Tit.3:3; Gen.6:5; Gen.8:21; Jer.17:9; Rom.7:23.

But, there is hope!

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:3-4. 

“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 3:4-7.

“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 2:4-9. 

“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.

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:13-15.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”  2 Corinthians 2:14. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 24.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2024&version=NASB1995

Due to the length and importance of this devotion, I currently do not intend on posting another devotion until next Monday in my hope that the extra time will lead the reader to meditate on this subject matter before turning attention to the next devotion which, God willing, will be posted next Monday, July 21, 2025. 

I quote only the following verses.

“Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem;  and his mother’s name was Zibiah from Beersheba.  Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.   …

Now it came about after this that Joash decided to restore the house of the LORD.  …

…  When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada;  and it was made into utensils for the house of the LORD, utensils for the service and the burnt offering, and pans and utensils of gold and silver.  And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.

Now when Jehoiada reached a ripe old age he died;  he was one hundred and thirty years old at his death.  They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done well in Israel and to God and His house.

But after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them.  They abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols;  so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their guilt.  Yet He sent prophets to them to bring them back to the LORD;  though they testified against them, they would not listen.

Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest;  and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD and do not prosper?  Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has also forsaken you.’”  So they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD.  Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which his father Jehoiada had shown him, but he murdered his son.  And as he died he said, “May the LORD see and avenge!”

Now it happened at the turn of the year that the army of the Arameans came up against him;  and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, destroyed all the officials of the people from among the people, and sent all their spoil to the king of Damascus.  Indeed the army of the Arameans came with a small number of men;  yet the LORD delivered a very great army into their hands, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.  Thus they executed judgment on Joash.

When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and murdered him on his bed.  So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.”  2 Chronicles 24:1-2 and 4 and 14-25.

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Today’s Scripture teaches us the danger of basing our unity and faith in only one man.  The pastor may be good like Jehoiada the priest.  But, what happens when the pastor dies or moves somewhere else?

Singular Pastor or Singular Doctrine in a Creed?

I use the term “singular pastor” to refer to a pastor who stands alone without any creed or any denomination supporting him.  

Every pastor claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  A singular pastor does not get a pass from being judged by Scripture just because he claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  

Many churches also hide the name of the denomination to which they belong or their doctrine by simply calling themselves a “fellowship” or “community church” They prefer to show young beautiful happy people on their website rather than show their doctrine.

But, doctrine is simply teachings. Therefore, doctrine cannot be avoided unless a preacher or teacher just quotes Scripture without making any summary or other comment which just does not happen.

So, doctrine can not be avoided. We can only have false doctrine or true doctrine.

True doctrine accurately summarizes Scripture. False doctrine does not accurately summarize Scripture. True creeds present true doctrine.

In fact, one should be even more careful about the sermon of a singular pastor who claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.  By making such a claim, he often portrays doctrine as unnecessary, divisive, or worse in order to avoid close comparison of his sermon to what Scripture and creeds do teach.  There is no protection of his sermon fitting within the truth of well-accepted doctrine through creeds that have been taught by many pastors and by many churches and by many denominations throughout history.  

The singular pastor stands alone by shunning doctrine and creeds and denominations.  That Pastor could also more easily lead his sheep astray when there is no oversight by creeds or by a denomination.

And, even if the church does have a creed, how often does the singular Pastor refer to it?!

And, even if the Pastor is good, that Pastor could die or move to a new church.  

Danger of Only Following a Singular Pastor

“Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.”  Matthew 24:11. 

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?”  Matthew 7:15-16.

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;  which is really not another;  only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”  Galatians 1:6-7. 

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;  but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”  2 Timothy 4:3-4. 

Scripture emphasizes the importance of truth.

“‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24.

Not any kind of worship is sufficient, but worship in truth is needed.

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:1-3.

Not any kind of zeal is sufficient, but zeal “in accordance with knowledge”, or in other words, in accordance with truth, is needed.

There are those who “did not receive the love of truth so as to be saved”. 2 Thessalonians 2:10.

Not any kind of love is sufficient, but “the love of truth” is needed to be saved.

A Plea for Creeds

Rev. Ronald Hanko, a minister of the Protestant Reformed Churches, in his article “A Plea for Creeds”, states the importance of doctrine and creeds.

Here is a brief quote from the article explaining what happens when a denomination or church dismisses or minimizes the importance of doctrine:  ” …  by cutting herself off from the church of past, the church today says in effect that every generation must start all over in its searching of the Scriptures and pursuit of the truth.  Thus she sets herself an impossible task – a task that is either set aside as too great so that there is little knowledge of the truth in the church, or which leaves her no time for other things.”

‘This is well-stated by the Presbyterian author, G.I. Williamson:

“The Bible contains a great wealth of information.  It isn’t easy to master it all – in fact, no one has ever mastered it completely.  It would therefore be foolish for us to try to do it on our own, starting from scratch.  We would be ignoring all the study of the Word of God that other people have done down through the centuries.  That is exactly why we have creeds.  They are the product of many centuries of Bible study by a great company of believers.  They are a kind of spiritual “road map” of the teaching of the Bible, already worked out and proved by others before us.  

He adds:

And right here we see one of the most important things about a creed that is true to the Bible – it remains true down through the ages.  It does not need to be changed again and again, with each generation, because it deals with things that are unchanging.  Thus, an accurate creed binds the generations together.  It reminds us that the church of Jesus Christ is not confined to one age, just as it is not confined to any one place.  In other words, there is a unity in what Christians have believed, right down through the ages.  Just think of it:  when we confess our faith together . . . we join with all those believers who have gone before us.  Does not this demonstrate that there is indeed just one Lord and one true faith?” 

Conclusion and Summary of Reformed Creeds by Bill Hornbeck

The Reformed creeds used by Reformed churches are Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, and Heidelberg Catechism which the Protestant Reformed Churches denomination labels collectively as the “Three Forms of Unity”, which is a good name consistent with the purpose of unity of creeds. In other words, the people of the Protestant Reformed Churches do not base their unity in a singular pastor, but rather, the people of the Protestant Reformed Churches base their unity on those three Reformed creeds.

The creed used by Presbyterian churches is the Westminster Larger Confession.

Creeds are not on the same infallible level as Scripture.  But, they are good and helpful summaries of Scripture.  The creeds needs to be judged by Scripture.  But, so does every sermon of every pastor need to be judged by Scripture. As stated above, a singular pastor does not get a pass from judgment by Scripture just because he claims his sermons are Bible-based and Christ-centered.

With both sermons and even creeds, the reader is advised to follow the example set forth in Acts 17:11: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

These creeds are all organized and easily readable. You can find them in the right margin under “Links”.

In conclusion, our unity should include the Canons of Dordt, because it focuses on the specific and most important subject of salvation which is the distinctive heart of Reformed Doctrine. The Canons of Dordt is the creed which provides the best summary of the truth of salvation a/k/a the Gospel from Scripture.  The Canons of Dordt best unites believers in truth:  “just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith”.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30.

“He who has the Son has the life;  he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:12.

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:24.

“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.” Ephesians 4:4-6.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 23:12-21.

“When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into the house of the LORD to the people. She looked, and behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters were beside the king.  And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets, the singers with their musical instruments leading the praise.  Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, “Treason!  Treason!”  Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks;  and whoever follows her, put to death with the sword.”  For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”  So they seized her, and when she arrived at the entrance of the Horse Gate of the king’s house, they put her to death there.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king, that they would be the LORD’S people.  And all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down, and they broke in pieces his altars and his images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.  Moreover, Jehoiada placed the offices of the house of the LORD under the authority of the Levitical priests, whom David had assigned over the house of the LORD, to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD, as it is written in the law of Moses—with rejoicing and singing according to the order of David.  He stationed the gatekeepers of the house of the LORD, so that no one would enter who was in any way unclean.  He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the rulers of the people and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from the house of the LORD, and came through the upper gate to the king’s house.  And they placed the king upon the royal throne.  So all of the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet.  For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword.”  2 Chronicles 23:12-21.  

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“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.” Proverbs 29:2.

“For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:12-13.

“113 I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
115 Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
118 You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.” Psalm 119:113-120.

“But I will warn you whom to fear:  fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell;  yes, I tell you, fear Him!”  Luke 12:5.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10.

“The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.” Psalm 147:11.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 23:1-11.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%2023&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Now in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took captains of hundreds:  Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Johanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, and they entered into a covenant with him.  They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah, and the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.  Then all the assembly made a covenant with the king in the house of God.  And Jehoiada said to them, “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David.  …”

So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded.  And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, for Jehoiada the priest did not dismiss any of the divisions.  Then Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and the large and small shields which had been King David’s, which were in the house of God.  He stationed all the people, each man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king.  Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony and made him king.  And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, “Long live the king!”  2 Chronicles 23:1-3 and 8-11.

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Here is a quote from “what the the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David.”

“When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.  …  Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever;  your throne shall be established forever.”’”  2 Samuel 7:12 and 16.

The hope in “what the the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David” and today’s Scripture is Christ.

“6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7.