Versaday

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. Galatians 2:19

God’s standard for our conduct is perfection. He cannot accept a little lying, a little cheating, a little hatred, or any form of sinful conduct. God’s law holds up a perfect standard for our conduct, but since we are wayward, rebellious, and sinful, the law can only point out our defects and condemn us. So under the law, we stand condemned. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law,” Gal.4:4. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3. Christ is our substitute. God placed our sins on Him at Calvary, and places Christ’s righteousness on us. Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Eternity will not be long enough to sing your praise.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 1 Samuel 2:7

This verse teaches us that God is on the throne and governs people and events according to His sovereign will. Considering that He is infinitely good, wise, and just, we should rejoice that He disposes all things according to His judgment, realizing that whatever seeming imbalance or unfair conditions might exist, He will make everything right. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

In this ninth chapter of 2^nd Corinthians, Paul is writing concerning a collection to help some needy Christians in Jerusalem. He tells the Corinthians that God loves a cheerful giver, and uses an agrarian illustration saying that they that sow bountifully will reap bountifully. Then he ends the discussion with this beautiful verse: “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” What might this unspeakable gift be? Paul didn’t even need to specify. He was referring to God’s gift to the world of His Son to suffer and die as payment for our sins. And how shall we describe the greatness of this gift? No words can do it. The gift is “unspeakable”. Words fail and speech is totally inadequate. The apostle Peter said that knowing Jesus and believing in Him causes us to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Thank you Father.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6

Abraham was old and childless when God promised to give him a son and an enormous amount of descendants. Gen. 15:5. He believed this amazing promise, and God counted his belief as personal righteousness. Paul says in Romans: “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:19-25. So if you believe in Jesus as your Savior, God counts you as righteous, because Christ paid the penalty for your sins. Do you savingly believe in Him in such a way as to receive Him as your Savior?

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians. 3:11

Paul compares The Church (all the born again Christians) to an edifice or building. In his teaching he said that the foundation of this building is Jesus Christ; not some other religious figure, not a new teaching or doctrine, not our own good works, but Christ crucified for our sins, buried and resurrected and now at the right hand of the Father. The foundation for our faith is that Jesus died in our place, for our sins and there is no salvation in any other, for “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. I counsel you therefore to build a strong edifice, build on the bed rock of Christ crucified  for our sins, and resurrected for our justification, and not to build on the shifting sands and changing opinions and doctrines of men. “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Judges 6:23

Having just seen the Angel of the Lord, Gideon was astonished and fearful of death so God comforted him with these words, “Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” This is great news! How would you like to be told by the Lord that you shall not die? But this was merely a postponement of physical death. Gideon did die later on. Now here is some REALLY good news. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” John 11:25,26. Now this IS good news! This is heel-clicking, foot stomping, jump up and down, and run around the block good news! Forget about Nirvana, meditation, and self-reformation. Just take Jesus’ promise, call on Him for salvation and cling to Him until you make contact. And let us know if you did. God bless you. Amen.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

There are two laws mentioned here. The first one, the law of sin and death, is our natural state before conversion, or coming to know Christ. In this unconverted state we sin easily and naturally without being taught, just like a thorn tree bears thorns naturally. This is because in our natural, unconverted state there is no spiritual life. We may see what we should do; may even admire the good, the true, and the beautiful, but our career is one of disobedience and sin against God. When we come to Christ and open our heart to Him, we become born a second time, that is, born of the Spirit and a new dynamic comes into play; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Our sins have been forgiven, and we begin to follow Christ and obey the Lord. But we are still in the flesh and in this world so sometimes we sin, sometimes grievously so, but under the law of the Spirit of life, we can call on the Lord, receive pardon and renew our fellowship with God. Our general path is upward; It may zigzag, go up and down, but our march and direction is toward the Celestial City, The New Jerusalem.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD God. Joshua 23:11

Joshua here commands the Israelites to love the Lord. Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment and He answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” Mark 12:30. To love God we must learn about His attributes; His mercy, His love, His kindness, His grace and gentleness. And how can we better do this than to learn of His Son, because Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt. 11:29. Song of Solomon 5:16 says, “He is altogether lovely.” Have you found Him to be so? If not, you don’t know Him, because to really know Him is to Love Him.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris  

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31

The Philippian jailer had gone to sleep after hearing Paul and Silas praying and singing praises to God. Awakened by an earthquake, and seeing the jail doors open, he was under deep conviction by the Holy Spirit and asked THE question; the most important question anyone can ask: “What must I do to be saved?” They told him briefly;  “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” He did truly place his trust in Jesus as his Savior, because after further instruction he and his household were baptized at the same hour of the night. What will you do with Jesus? Your eternal destiny is determined by your answer. “As many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

Facing many enemies as they were about to enter the promised land, the Israelites were faint-hearted, and needed these words of encouragement from Moses. Sometimes we need encouragement too. What problems are you facing, or what foes must you deal with? Call upon God and turn your problems over to Him asking His help and blessing. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1. If you call upon Him, whatever dragons you are facing, “Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

Commentary by Francis L. Harris