Reformation Theology Blog

Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt - Jude 5

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 5 (ESV)

Jude 5 is a fascinating textual variant in the New Testament, with significant theological and textual implications. The main issue concerns whether the original text refers to "Jesus" (Ἰησοῦς) or "Lord" (Κύριος) as the one who delivered Israel from Egypt.

Shadow and Substance

A religion of notions is but a shadow; true godliness is engraved upon the heart by the Spirit. This highlights the crucial difference between intellectual assent to Christianity and true, Spirit-wrought godliness. A "religion of notions" refers to a faith that exists merely in the mind—one that acknowledges doctrine but lacks spiritual transformation. Such a faith is external, superficial, and powerless to save. It is compared to a "shadow" because, like a shadow, it has the form of religion but lacks its substance (2 Timothy 3:5).

The Failure of Job’s Friends: A Warning Against Misrepresenting God

One of the most striking elements of the book of Job is the way in which Job’s friends attempt to console him, only to earn the rebuke of God. Their words, though often clothed in the language of wisdom, ultimately misrepresented the nature of divine justice and providence. At the conclusion of the book, the Lord speaks directly to Eliphaz, one of the friends, and declares, “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7). These are sobering words.

Is Jesus's Intercession is Always Answered and Efficacious?

A visitor asked, "If Jesus's intercession is always answered and efficacious and infallible why many christians lose the faith and return to sin? Since Judas is lost that mean the Jesus 's intercession for Judas was a failure or it mean Jesus never prayed for Judas? If a christian backslide it mean Jesus's intercession for him was a failure or it mean Jesus never prayed for him?"

Delivered From the Law

"We are delivered from the law, not by its abrogation, but by its execution through Christ, who bore our sins in His own body on the tree." - Charles Hodge

"We are delivered from the law": This means that believers are no longer under the condemning power or penalty of God’s law. The law, which demands perfect obedience and pronounces judgment on sinners (Galatians 3:10), no longer holds its curse over those who are in Christ.

Seven Ways in which Christ's Riches Surpass All Other Riches (Summary)

by Thomas Brooks

Incomparable Riches – The riches found in Christ far surpass all worldly wealth. Even the smallest measure of grace is of greater value than all the treasures of the earth because it leads the soul to eternal satisfaction and true contentment.

Inexhaustible Riches – Christ’s riches are infinite and cannot be depleted. Unlike worldly wealth that can be spent or exhausted, the spiritual riches in Christ remain full, no matter how much is drawn from them by believers.

The Irresistible Call: How John 6 Proclaims God's Sovereign Grace in Salvation

Reason with the Scripture: Jesus declares, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him..." (John 6:44). Strangely, many overlook the fact that just prior to saying this, Jesus uses the same phrase, "come to me" (showing He is talking about the same thing), when He says, "All that the Father gives me will come to me" (John 6:37). So, read in its immediate context, we can only conclude that Jesus is telling His hearers that all whom the Father draws will come to faith in Him.

The Only Hope for Sinners

This points to the biblical reality that, because of the universality of sin, no human being can stand before a holy God based on their own merit or moral efforts (Romans 3:10-12). Our best deeds are stained with sin and fall short of God’s perfect standard (Isaiah 64:6). However, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are united with Him, and His perfect righteousness is imputed—or credited—to them (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Who shall separate us

by John Calvin

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? - R0mans 8:35

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