Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:1-4.

 

“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad:  Greetings.

 

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:1-4.

 

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So often, we do have what we need and even want.  Our lives are full of the abundance of God’s lovingkindness.

 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”  Psalm 103:2-5.

 

“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man’s heart.”  Psalm 104:14-15.

 

 

It seems to me that most of the various trials that I have experienced have been in the area of finances.  As I became anxious about how I would pay my bills, I would read past Gold Mines, Click here: Gold Mining « Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions, and I would be reminded of Scriptures and personal times of God’s deliverance and God’s faithfulness.  At these times, God would remind me again that faith pleases Him.  God would comfort me and build up my faith and endurance.

 

If I always had everything I needed or wanted, I would have no need for faith. I would not need to think of God, pray to Him, think of His promises, or trust Him.

 

“…hope that is seen is not hope;  for why does one also hope for what he sees?”  Romans 8:24.

 

When we have everything, we do not have hope nor faith, because we see what we have.  But when we do not have everything, we need to look to God for deliverance.  We need hope or faith because we do not see what we need or want.

 

Although we squirm and are anxious when we do not see what we need or want, such uncomfortable feeling is not bad if it leads us to faith in God.  Faith pleases God.

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Such lack of sight and need for faith should not be seen as an aberration or withholding of God’s blessing.  The righteous live by faith.  The righteous live by the lack of sight and the need for faith.  Abraham did not see his children, and he needed faith that God would fulfill His promise and give him children. See Romans 4.

Hebrews 11 contain the Hall of Fame of the righteous who had faith.  “And all these having gained approval through their faith, …”  Hebrews 11:39.  They did not have what they wanted, but they were certainly blessed by God.  They had faith.  Later, God fulfilled His promises to them.

All who gained approval of God experienced lack of sight as to what they need or wanted.

Does that mean that they were not blessed?  On the contrary, their faith gave them the assurance and conviction that they would receive what they could not see.  Hebrews 11:1. 

And their faith was reckoned to them as righteousness.  In regards to Abraham, Romans 4:20-22 states:  “yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.  Therefore also IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

In conclusion, we should not feel that lack of sight is strange and harmful.  We should feel that it is part of life of the righteous.  We should feel that lack of sight gives us an opportunity to have faith which pleases God.

We please God when we lack sight yet still trust Him.  Let us thank God not only for what we receive but also for the opportunity to have faith when we do not see what we want or need.

“that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”  I Peter 1:7.

The various trials that we experience are opportunities for gold mining.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  Verses 2-4.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:20-25.

 

“²⁰ Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, ²¹ equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

 

²² But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.  ²³ Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you.  ²⁴ Greet all of your leaders and all the saints.  Those from Italy greet you.

 

²⁵ Grace be with you all.”  Hebrews 13:20-25.

 

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God equips you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.

 

“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 2:13.

“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.

How comforting!

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

Answer.  That I with body and soul, 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.  The Heidelberg Catechism.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:17-18.

 

“¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

 

¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.  ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.”  Hebrews 13:17-18.

 

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There are government leaders like judges, city and county commissioners, mayors, state legislators, state governor, the Congress, and the President.

There are church leaders like ministers, elders, and deacons.

There are family leaders like father and mother.

There are employment leaders like owners, bosses, managers, and supervisors.   

And, there are other leaders.  

All our leaders are due our respect, obedience, and submission.  

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God;  and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.  Do you want to have no fear of authority?  Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;  for it is a minister of God to you for good.  But if you do what is evil, be afraid;  for it does not bear the sword for nothing;  for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.  Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.  For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.  Render to all what is due them:  tax to whom tax is due;  custom to whom custom;  fear to whom fear;  honor to whom honor.”  Romans 13:1-7.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:1-3.

“Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;  in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.  Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.”  Titus 2:6-10. 

“In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”  Acts 24:16.

In summary, Question and Answer 104 of the Heidelberg Catechism summarizes it well.  

Question 104.  What doth God require in the fifth commandment?

Answer.  That I show all honor, love and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and  submit myself to their good instruction and correction, with due obedience;  and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:15-16.

 

“¹⁵ Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.  ¹⁶ And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  Hebrews 13:15-16.

 

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Because Christ offered His life as the ultimate sacrifice for us, it is reasonable that we reciprocate by  continually offering up a sacrifice of praise to God and that we do good and share.  “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  Romans 12:1. 

 

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!
Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And tell of His works with joyful singing.”  Psalm 107:21-22.

 

 

“I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”  Isaiah 61:10.

                                    

Although we have the duty to do so, we are only able to make such sacrifices “Through Him“.  Verse 1.  We see a similar duty and grace to do so in Philippians 2:12-13.  “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;  for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” 

 

We may not feel like giving praise.  But, there is hope!

 

“For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
“I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.

                          

Creating the praise of the lips.
Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near,”
Says the Lord, “and I will heal him.”  Isaiah Chapter 57, Verses 15 and 19. 

 

“For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, And as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise To spring up before all the nations.”  Isaiah 61:11

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:10-14.

 

“¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.  ¹² Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  ¹³ So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  ¹⁴ For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”  Hebrews 13:10-14.

 

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The Law provided its priests with the right to eat some of their specific offerings brought to the altar.  “You shall take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place.  Aaron and his sons shall eat the flesh of the ram and the bread that is in the basket, at the doorway of the tent of meeting.  Thus they shall eat those things by which atonement was made at their ordination and consecration;  but a layman shall not eat them, because they are holy.”  Exodus 29:31-33. 

 

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.”  Verse 10.  Grace does not allow those priests of the Law to eat at its altar.  Although the priests of Law may bring an offering to the altar of the Law with right to eat according to the Law, they have not brought an offering to the altar of Grace according to Grace.  Only Christ has brought such a satisfactory offering according to Grace which offering is His blood.  

 

“For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp.”  Verse 11.  The Law provided for the sin offering:  “But the flesh of the bull and its hide and its refuse, you shall burn with fire outside the camp;  it is a sin offering.”  Exodus 29:14. 

 

We see in today’s Scripture that Jesus, as a sin offering also suffered outside the camp, thus fulfilling this requirement of the Law.  “Therefore Jesus also (as a sin offering of Grace), that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”  Verse 12.

 

“So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”  Verse 13.  That is, let us go outside the camp of the Law with all of its “fleshly” beauty, comfort, prestige, and security to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

The people of the Law ridicule and persecute those people of Grace.  “And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.  But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.”  Galatians 4:28-29. 

 

And so, as children of promise, as children who rely on Grace alone, we stay outside the camp of the Law to be with Christ alone, and we bear Christ’s reproach.

 

But, there is hope outside the Law.  “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.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:24-26.  “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.”  Romans 7:4.   

 

“For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”   Verse 14.

 

There is the Law, and all of it comforting routine appealing to self-righteousness and admiration of those in the city, the Law.   

 

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”  Hebrews 12:23-24.  

 

^“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.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:7-9.

 

“⁷ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you;  and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

 

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

⁹ Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings;  for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.”  Hebrews 13:7-9.

 

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Follow Christ, Christians, and Creeds to stay on the straight path to salvation.

 

Christ is like a lighthouse which does not change nor shift (move).  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Verse 8.  We can stay on the straight path to salvation by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, like a navigator of a ship fixes his eyes on the lighthouse to proceed on a straight path toward the lighthouse to safe harbor.  

 

Christians led us and spoke the word of God to us.  Think of the apostles and those in the Hall of Fame of Faith in Hebrews Chapter 11, “imitate their faith”.  Verse 7.  Think of those Christians in your church who led you and spoke the word of God to you, “imitate their faith”.   You can stay on the straight path to salvation by following “those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you”.

 

Creeds, particularly the Reformed Creeds like the Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminister Larger Catechism, keep our doctrine pure.  Reformed Creeds teach us grace.  What is more graceful than “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation which teach us the grace of God in providing all that we need for salvation?!  Creeds protect us, so that we will not get “carried away by varied and strange teachings;  for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace”.  Verse 9.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 13:1-6.

 

“Let love of the brethren continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.  Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled;  for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.  Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have;  for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say,

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 12:25-29.

 

“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.  For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.  And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.”  This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;  for our God is a consuming fire.”  Hebrews 12:25-29.

 

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Despite the vivid contrast between Sinai and Zion which we read in yesterday’s devotion and the awesome description of heaven (Zion), there may be those who are hesitant to commit to grace and rely on God rather than commit to the Law and rely on themselves.  Today’s Scripture adds bookend warnings to the description in the middle of today’s Scripture of heaven as an unshaken kingdom.  

 

Today’s Scripture starts with the warning:  “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.  For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.”  Today’s Scripture ends with the warning:  “our God is a consuming fire”.

 

We may think that the unshaken kingdom is awesome.  But, how much more awesome is the King of that kingdom!   

 

Luke 12:5
“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!”

 

Deuteronomy 4:24
“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

 

Deuteronomy 9:3
“Know therefore today that it is the LORD your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire.  He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the LORD has spoken to you.”

 

Isaiah 29:6
“From the LORD of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, With whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire.”

 

Isaiah 30:27
“Behold, the name of the LORD comes from a remote place;  Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation And His tongue is like a consuming fire;”

 

Isaiah 30:30
“And the LORD will cause His voice of authority to be heard, And the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, And in the flame of a consuming fire In cloudburst, downpour and hailstones.”

 

Isaiah 33:14
“Sinners in Zion are terrified;  Trembling has seized the godless.  “Who among us can live with the consuming fire?  Who among us can live with continual burning?”

 

Lamentations 2:3
“In fierce anger He has cut off All the strength of Israel;  He has drawn back His right hand From before the enemy.  And He has burned in Jacob like a flaming fire Consuming round about.”

 

 

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.  Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.  How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”  Hebrews 10:26-32.

 

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;  for our God is a consuming fire.”  Verses 28-29.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 12:18-24.

 

“For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.   For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.”   And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.”

 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”  Hebrews 12:18-24.

 

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Previously, in the Book of Hebrews, Peter explained in great detail how the Law (a/k/a the old covenant a/k/a Sinai, the place were the Ten Commandments were handed down from God to Moses) was unable to “perfect those who draw near”.  For example, see Hebrews 10:1. 

 

Here, in today’s Scripture, Peter warns those who still want to be under the Law by vivid and scary descriptions of the Law represented by Sinai.  Although the Law is holy and good, we are not holy and good.  Because of our sinful nature, the holy Law will condemn us, and the result is our fear and trembling and eventual death. 

 

“So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”  Romans 7:12.  “But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:8-11. 

 

But, after giving this warning of what the Law represents, Peter assures us that we have come to Grace (a/k/a the new covenant a/k/a Zion a/k/a heaven). 

 

There is a sharp contrast between the two.  The Law represents the desert, gloom, darkness, whirlwind, fear, and condemnation.  Grace represents the heavenly city, joy, light, peace, comfort, and commendation.

 

We have seen a similar sharp contrast between the Law and Grace by the use of another allegory in Galatians 4:21-28.

                        

^“Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman.  But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.  This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves;  she is Hagar.  Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.  But the Jerusalem above is free;  she is our mother.  For it is written,

And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.”  Galatians 4:21-28.

Therefore, be warned.  Don’t go back to the Law.  Cling to the Grace that you have in Christ.

“See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking.  For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.”  Hebrews 12:25.

Today’s devotion comes from Hebrews 12:14-17.

 

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.  See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;  that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;  that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”  Hebrews 12:14-17.

 

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By grace alone, we who were born of God were given the right to be children of God.  This is our birthright.   

 

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:12-13. 

 

Rather than embrace this birthright, there are some who are content to be like everyone else.  In a sense by their actions, they have sold their birthright.

 

Rather than embrace the distinctiveness of Reformed Doctrine and “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, in which they were raised, they are content to be like every other Christian.  They act as if they are ashamed of predestination and will not mention it, or they will obscure or minimalize it.

 

The only grace that there is a particular grace originating in God’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”.  The only “chance” for salvation that we have is predestination.  God unconditionally elected some to receive salvation.  Only those were born of God.  There is no common grace that should cause us to seek to be like everyone else.

 

 

So, you believe in the Word of God?  Good.  So does everyone else who claims to be a Christian. 

 

So, you try to live according to the Word of God?  Good.  So does everyone else who claims to be a Christian. 

 

So, you believe in Christ and claim that He is all you need?  Good.  So does everyone else who claims to be a Christian. 

 

Reformed believers, “You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13 

 

What is your birthright?

 

You don’t know?  You already lost it??

 

At one time, I didn’t know my birthright.  In a sense, I lost it.