Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:17-18.

 

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”  James 1:17-18.

 

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Today’s Scripture teaches that with God, “there is no variation or shifting shadow”.  Verse 17.  God does not change.

 

In comparison, we are fickle.  We change.  We like people one day and may give them gifts, then later we dislike them and distance ourselves from them and say bad things about them and may even hurt them.

 

But, God is not fickle.  God does not change.  His elect remain His beloved to the very end, and He preserves them so that they obtain His good gift of salvation.

 

Despite our election, we sin greatly and often.  But, God does not throw us away.  “For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:6

 

Article 8.  Thus, it is not in consequence of their own merits, or strength, but of God’s free mercy, that they do not totally fall from faith and grace, nor continue and perish finally in their backslidings;  which, with respect to themselves, is not only possible, but would undoubtedly happen;  but with respect to God, it is utterly impossible, since his counsel cannot be changed, nor his promise fail, neither can the call according to his purpose be revoked, nor the merit, intercession and preservation of Christ be rendered ineffectual, nor the sealing of the Holy Spirit be frustrated or obliterated.  Canons of Dordt – FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

“In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”  Verse 18. 

“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.

 

“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.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.”  Ephesians 1:3-6.

 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:13-16.

 

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”;  for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin;  and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.”  James 1:13-16.

 

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“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”  1 John 2:16

 

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;  for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  Galatians 6:7-8.

 

“Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness;  Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you.”  Hosea 10:12

 

“What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  May it never be!  Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?  But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.  For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.

                                         

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death.  But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:15-23.

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:9-12.

 

“But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;  and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.  For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass;  and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed;  so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

 

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;  for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  James 1:9-12.

 

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“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;  for He has prepared a city for them.”  Hebrews 11:13-16.

 

“But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;  and those who weep, as though they did not weep;  and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice;  and those who buy, as though they did not possess;  and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it;  for the form of this world is passing away.”  1 Corinthians 7:29-31.

 

“A voice says, “Call out.”
Then he answered, “What shall I call out?”
All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
When the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.”  Isaiah 40:7-8. 

 

“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.

 

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;  in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

 

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:8-14.

Today’s devotion comes from James 1:5-8.

                                 

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:5-8.

                               

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Let us start off with the well known story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:7-13.                                      

 

Solomon’s Request

“Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child;  I do not know how to go out or come in.  Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.  So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your peopleto discern between good and evil.  For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

God’s Response

^“It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing.  God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words.  Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.  I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.”  1 Kings 3:7-13.

Next, let us look at some Scriptures from the Book of Proverbs.

“¹ My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
² Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
³ For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
⁴ If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵ Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God.
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
⁷ He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
⁸ Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
⁹ Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.”  Proverbs 2:1-9.

“¹⁰ Take my instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
¹¹ “For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

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.