PSALM 96
Sing to the LORD verse 1- 2
O sing to the LORD a new song
sing to the LORD – all the earth
sing to the LORD – bless HIS name
show forth HIS salvation from day to day
Speak of the LORD verse 3- 4
Declare HIS glory among the heathen
HIS wonders among all people
for the LORD is great – and greatly to be praised
HE is to be feared above all gods
Worship only the Creator verse 5- 6
For all the gods of the nations are idols
BUT the LORD made the heavens
honor and majesty are before HIM
strength and beauty are in HIS sanctuary
Nations need to recognize the LORD verse 7- 8
Give to the LORD – O you kindreds of the people
give to the LORD glory and strength
give to the LORD the glory due unto HIS name
bring an offering – and come into HIS courts
Nations need to know the LORD is Judge verse 9- 10
O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness
fear before HIM – all the earth
say among the heathen that the LORD reigns
the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved
HE shall judge the people righteously
Creation needs to praise the LORD verse 11- 13
Let the heavens rejoice – and let the earth be glad
let the sea roar – and the fullness thereof
let the field be joyful – and all that is therein
THEN shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the LORD
for HE comes – for HE comes to judge the earth
HE shall judge the world with righteousness
and the people with HIS truth
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; show forth his salvation from day to day. (1319 “show forth” [basar] means to be fresh, to announce, messenger, preach, publish, or tell good tidings.)
DEVOTION: Each day we wake up as a believer we represent the LORD. People who see us should notice something different in the way we talk and act. Our actions represent what a Christian should look like. People love to find fault with all those who say they are believers. They are looking for something to tell us that we are not really believers.
The psalmist wants everyone to sing unto the LORD. He repeats it, so that, everyone understands that it is his responsibility to sing unto the LORD. They are to declare the glory of the LORD. They are to declare the wonders or miracles of the LORD. They had the privilege of giving unto the LORD honor, majesty, strength, glory and beauty. They were to worship the LORD with all their being. They are to give their Creator daily praise.
One day the LORD is coming to judge the world with righteousness. Our response to this psalm should be to sing. Each day we have a responsibility to tell the good tiding of our LORD’S salvation to others. One way we tell of HIS salvation is to sing. We have a new song that goes along with the new life we received.
HIS salvation needs to be fresh with us each morning. That is only possible if we are in HIS presence each morning. On our way to the office or into the kitchen we need to publish the good news of our salvation.
So often we look and act like it is really not a big thing to be talking about to others in our family or to our friends. Our salvation is a great big thing with God. HE sent HIS son to die, so that, we can tell others of HIS GREAT SALVATION.
Did you spread the WORD this morning? Are we going around singing praise to the LORD each day? Do we look like we have sucked sour lemons or have the joy of the LORD in our heart? Do people see the joy of the LORD in our presence?
CHALLENGE: The Word of God proclaims that all followers of the LORD are to witness to those in their world. It is said that only five percent of believers witness for the LORD – be one of the five percent.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols; but the LORD made the heavens. (457 “idols” [eliyl] means image, things of nought, false gods, empty, vain, or no value)
DEVOTION: It seems that since the beginning of creation there have been false gods to worship. Adam and Eve wanted more knowledge than the LORD had even them so they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were judged for their disobedience. Even today we have individuals who are not satisfied with what the LORD has given them in this world and so they look for more instead of being satisfied with what the LORD has given.
The Old Testament children of Israel were given promises from the LORD of blessings if they would only worship HIM alone. They thought they should receive more from HIM. This caused HIM to have to judge them for their disobedience.
HE is doing the same today. Those who are followers of the LORD seem to think that what HE has given them is not enough and so they ask for more and if HE doesn’t give it they go out and seek it anyways. Contentment is not part of the vocabulary of even believers today. What is enough? It is always a little bit more.
This causes dissatisfaction amongst those who claim to be followers of the LORD and makes them easy prey for false teachers and false teachings. The LORD is still on the throne. HE wants us to be satisfied with what HE provides and not look for more.
HE created the world and gives us all we need. HE wants to teach us contentment just like the children of Israel needed to learn. However, we are just like them looking for a different god who will give us all we want and not just all we need.
CHALLENGE: Are we following the example of false teachers who promise more than the LORD wants to provide? Do we understand that HE knows what we need and because of our obedience HE will provide it?
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: 8 Give to the LORD the glory due to HIS name: bring an offering and come into HIS courts. (4503 “offering” [minchah] means present, gift, oblation, sacrifice, tribute, thanksgiving, homage, an offering made to the God of Israel whether the sacrificial offering of an animal or produce.)
DEVOTION: Why do we take some money to church with us each Sunday? Is it necessary to put money in the offering plate when it is passed? Do we owe the LORD anything for our salvation? Can we honestly pay HIM back for dying on the cross for our sins?
Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament we see that the LORD’S people were to bring gifts to the LORD. HE wants offerings to be brought to the Temple. HE wanted special offering to be brought throughout the year.
Does the LORD need our money? The answer to that is NO! HE is the one who provides us with the strength to earn money. HE gives us the ability to learn how to do certain jobs. HE wants us to know that HE is the provider of all that we have and HE can take everything we have away in a short time.
Too often we think that we are the ones who earn the money and so it belongs to us. We are wrong. Everything in this world belongs to the LORD.
If we remember these facts we will be blessed of the LORD but if we are holding on to our possessions too much HE will show us that we are wrong. The discipline is not something we want but it can be what we deserve if we are not faithful in our giving to HIM of our time and finances.
CHALLENGE: Bring your offerings regularly to the LORD and HE will bless you beyond your beliefs. Keep your offerings to yourself and see what will happen!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before HIM, all the earth. (1927 “beauty” [hadarah] means adornment, glory, ornament, the quality of being magnificent or splendid, adorning, attire, or grandeur.)
DEVOTION: When we go to church what is our attitude toward the LORD? Are going someplace just like any other place except for the way we dress or attitude?
Sometimes we might come to church with the wrong attitude. Sometimes we might think “What am I doing here?” I have so many other places I could be. Is this worth my time and effort?
If we were worship at times in the Old Testament and entered into the Temple with the wrong attitude we could be killed immediately. This happened at times during the time when the priest would enter the HOLY of HOLIES on the day of Atonement. Remember he had a rope tided around his leg and if the bells stopped ringing that was on him those outside of the Holy of Holies had to put his dead body out. A wrong attitude would cause his death.
When we go into a worship service today this would not happen because we have no rope tided around our leg. It would be interesting if at the entrance of the church there were men there tying a rope around the ones entering and if some of the ropes started being pulled during a message on the passage explaining what happened on the day of Atonement when a priest entered with sin in his heart.
What would the people think if their rope started getting pulled? Would they get up and start running? It would be interesting.
Do you ever into the church worship service with sin on your heart that you have not confessed? We are to come into every worship service with our attitude right toward the LORD or confessed before we entered the church.
Our daily walk with the LORD needs to be one in which we daily confess our sins and ask the LORD to forgive us and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we understand that we are in tune with the LORD and praising HIS name.
We are to have a reverence toward the LORD at all times.
CHALLENGE: We need to think about each day as one in which we are entering the Holy of Holies to talk to the LORD.
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: 13 “For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with His truth.” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). Coming – 935 בֹּוא, לָבֹא [bowʾ /bo/] v. A primitive root; TWOT 212; GK 995 and 4215; 2577 occurrences; AV translates as “come” 1435 times, “bring” 487 times, “… in” 233 times, “enter” 125 times, “go” 123 times, “carry” 17 times, “… down” 23 times, “pass” 13 times, “… out” 12 times, and translated miscellaneously 109 times. 1 to go in, enter, come, go, come in. 1A (Qal). 1A1 to enter, come in. 1A2 to come. 1A2A to come with. 1A2B to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy). 1A2C to come to pass. 1A3 to attain to. 1A4 to be enumerated. 1A5 to go. 1B (Hiphil). 1B1 to lead in. 1B2 to carry in. 1B3 to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon. 1B4 to bring to pass. 1C (Hophal). 1C1 to be brought, brought in. 1C2 to be introduced, be put. James Strong, Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001).
DEVOTION: The expectation of someone that is important in your life coming to visit can be intense. The anticipation and preparation all combines to make the event a huge event for you! Whether it be a friend, relative or someone vital to your occupation, their coming is exciting. The psalmist brings this out in the psalm as he exclaims with joy, excitement, and anticipation the coming of the King!
This truth is also brought out in the New Testament when John cries out in Revelation 22:20 “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” After looking at the horrors of the Revelation and the judgement that awaits the earth the apostle desires for the Lord to return and set things right! As we look at all the challenges of this world do we long for the Lord to return and right things? Are you ready for His coming? It could happen at any moment!
CHALLENGE: The Lord is coming to earth again and He will judge with righteousness and truth, are you prepared for His return by knowing Him personally as your Savior? “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12) (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Sing verse 1, 2
New song verse 1
Bless HIS name verse 2
Greatly praise the LORD verse 4
Strength and beauty are in HIS sanctuary verse 6
Give glory to the LORD verse 7, 8
Offering verse 8
Come into HIS courts verse 8
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness verse 9
Heavens rejoice verse 11
Earth be glad verse 11
Field be joyful verse 12
Trees of the wood rejoice verse 12
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 1, 2, 4, 5,
7- 10, 13
LORD is great verse 4
Creator of the heavens verse 5
Honor and majesty are before HIM verse 6
LORD reigns verse 10
Judge righteously verse 10, 13
Truth verse 13
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Coming of the LORD verse 13
HE comes to judge the earth verse 13
Judge righteously verse 13
Judge people with HIS truth verse 13
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
All the earth verse 1, 9
All people verse 3, 10
Nations verse 5
World verse 10
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Heathen verse 3, 10
False gods verse 4
Worshiping idols verse 5
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Sing verse 1, 2
Bless the LORD verse 2
Show HIS salvation from day to day verse 2
Declare HIS glory verse 3
Show wonders among HIS people verse 3
Fear of the LORD verse 4, 9
Give to the LORD glory and strength verse 7, 8
Worship verse 9
Heavens rejoice verse 11
Truth verse 13
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
God’s sanctuary verse 6
Kindreds of People verse 7
Courts verse 8
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
4, 5. There are places in the Psalter where gods are a term for angels and potentates (see on Psalm 82; also on 8:5; 95:3), but here they are clearly the unreal gods of the heathen. The term idols is ʾĕlîlîm, which the Old Testament treats as a mere parody of ʾĕlōhîm (God). It is the word translated ‘worthless’ in Job 13:4 (‘worthless physicians’) and Jeremiah 14:14 (‘worthless divination’). Its robust challenge to the accepted ideas of the day invites the Christian to be equally unimpressed by currently revered nonsense, whatever its pedigree or patronage. The second line of verse 5 is still a valid retort to those who would shelve the question of creation,and start their thinking at some secondary point. (Kidner, D. (1975). Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 16, p. 380). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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The first point the psalmist makes about God’s glory—why he is “most worthy of praise”—is that “he is to be feared above all gods” (v. 4). Some commentators spend significant time discussing whether the writer thought of the heathen gods as actual (demon) gods or not. But it is hard to imagine why there should be any question about this since the next sentence goes on to state: “for all the gods of the nations are idols.” In Hebrew the word idol means “a no-thing,” that is, a nonentity or nothing. So verse 4 can only mean that God is to be praised and feared above those who are only thought to be gods by the heathen nations. Actually, there is a play on words in this stanza. The word for “gods” is elohim, and the word for “idols” is elilim. So what the writer is saying is that the elohim of the Gentiles are elilim. This word occurs only two places in the psalms, here and in Psalm 97:7.
It also occurs in two classic passages in Isaiah, which is one of several reasons some of the commentators think the psalm is from Isaiah’s time or later. In one of these passages Isaiah mocks the “no gods” of the heathen by describing how an artisan makes an idol with one part of a piece of wood while he uses the other to make a fire and cook his dinner. Then he falls down and worships the manufactured idol (Isa. 44:9–20). In the other passage Isaiah challenges the handmade heathen “gods” to do something, something either good or evil, that one might fear them:
“Present your case,” says the Lord.
“Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.
“Bring in your idols to tell us
what is going to happen.
Tell us what the former things were,
so that we may consider them
and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,
tell us what the future holds,
so that we may know that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,
so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
But you are less than nothing
and your words are utterly worthless;
he who chooses you is detestable” (Isa. 41:21–24).
Paul expressed the same thought when he declared, “We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4). (Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 42–106: An Expositional Commentary (pp. 784–785). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.)
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96:4–6. The Lord is worthy of the praise called for in verses 1–3 because He is greater than all gods (cf. comments on 95:3; also note 97:9). Those gods, worshiped among the nations, are only idols. He is the One who made everything and is therefore superior. Moreover, His temple (the sanctuary) is characterized by splendor (cf. 96:9 and comments on 29:2; also called majesty and glory) and strength (cf. 96:7). In other words He is glorious and strong in the midst of His people. (Ross, A. P. (1985). Psalms. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 863). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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This term comes perhaps from a root meaning “to be weak, deficient.” It is used primarily in Scripture to describe vain objects of worship, i.e. the gods of this world, whether literal idols made with hands, riches, or deceitful men.
In Lev 19:4, its first appearance, the word is parallel to “molten gods” (cf. 26:1). It is also applied to any works of one’s hands as an object of worship (Isa 2:8; Hab 2:18).
In Isaiah’s day, Jerusalem and Samaria were described as kingdoms of idols, i.e. a people who worshipped vain things (Isa 10:10–11). Such idols were classed along with divination and lies (Jer 14:14). They were clearly good for nothing (Isa 2:20; 31:7).
They even included people in whom men trusted but who were deceitful and of no value (Job 13:4; Isa 19:3; Zech 11:17).
In Scripture they are contrasted to the true God, the Lord, the Creator (Ps 96:5) and before him they tremble (Isa 19:1), are put to shame (Ps 97:7), and are destroyed (Isa 2:18). (Scott, J. B. (1999). 99 אלל. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 46). Chicago: Moody Press.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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My point is this: Attitudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. Wrong attitudes are hard to change because they are habitual, harmful ways of thinking about life and circumstances. (p. 31)
My point is only that complaining hurts far more than just you. It hurts God and those who hear it, and that’s not right. So, no doubt about it, complaining is a sin. (p. 33)
Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with a circumstance that is not wrong and about which I’m doing nothing to correct. (p. 33)
Everyone of us has a measure of adversity, and God Himself is the one who measured it out. And for that reason, every person has something in his or her life that God doesn’t want to hear complaints about. (p. 37)
Realize this: That very adversity that you so often complain about is the thing God wants to use to keep your heart close to His. (p. 38)
And in His infinite transcendence, God can both love us extravagantly and hate our sin passionately at the same time. (p. 39) (From: LORD, Change My Attitude (before it’s too late) by James MacDonald)
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The word mediocre comes from two Latin words and literally means “halfway to the peak.” This makes it an apt description of the progress of many Christians. They are halfway up to the peak. They are not halfway to heaven but halfway up to where they ought to be, halfway between the valley and the peak. They are morally above the hardened sinner but they are spiritually beneath the shining saint.
Many have settled down right there, and the tragedy is that years ago some of you said, “ I am not going to fail God. I am going to push my way up the mountain until I am at the top of the peak, at the highest possible point of experience with God in this mortal life!”
But you have done nothing about it. If anything, you have lost spiritual ground since that day. You are now a halfway Christian! You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. You are halfway up to the peak, halfway to where you could have been if you had pressed on.
Do we really think that this halfway Christian life is the best that Christ offers – the best that we can know? In the face of what Christ offers us, how can we settle for so little? Think of all that He offers us by His blood and by His Spirit, by His sacrificial death on the cross, by His resurrection from the dead, by His ascension to the right hand of the Father, by His sending forth of the Holy Ghost! (p. 46-7, I Talk Back to the Devil by A. W. Tozer)
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Ezekiel has a vision of a huge valley filled with dry bones.
INSIGHT
The apostle John writes: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1, 4). God is life–and not just life for today–but forever. Timothy writes that God alone possesses immortality (1 Timothy 6:16). God is life, and He is the giver of life. He can make dead things live. In Ezekiel’s vision, a huge valley is filled with dead men’s bones. Then God begins to move. The bones form skeletons upon which form flesh and clothes. Then God breathes into that valley of bodies the breath of life, and the bodies come alive. That is a picture of what God will do with Israel: give her life again. That is what He will do with anyone who believes in Him and asks Him for life. Have you asked God for eternal life? (Quiet Walk)
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To Die Is to Live
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:35)
The principle expressed in this verse must be of paramount importance, for it is found repeated in one way or another probably more often than any other single principle in the New Testament. Note the following examples representing at least four separate messages from the Lord Jesus:
Matthew 10:39: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
Matthew 16:25: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”
Luke 9:24: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
Luke 17:33: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
John 12:25: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”
This remarkable divine paradox—that to die means to live—is also found expressed in many other ways in the epistles. Paul says, for example: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live” (Galatians 2:20). Note also such Scriptures as Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 6:9-10;Philippians 1:21-24; 2 Timothy 2:11-12.
There are many pietistic Christians who interpret such passages as implying a so-called “deeper life” that is attained by certain Christians and not by others through some mystical experience. However, Jesus did not say to lose one’s life for a deeper life, but for “my sake and the gospel’s”! Christ wants us to live in simple obedience to His will as recorded in His Word, proclaiming in all we say and do that He is Creator, Savior, and coming King. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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Jacob’s son, Joseph, is sold by his brothers.-
INSIGHT
Feeling loved is one of life’s greatest needs. When we do not feel loved, we often will go to great lengths to try to earn love or retaliate against those who keep us from being loved.
Joseph’s brothers contemplated murder but instead kidnapped Joseph to get rid of him. His brothers thought of him as a threat — all because Jacob displayed his preference for Joseph.
Jacob’s preferential treatment of Joseph in no way condones the actions of the brothers, but it points out to us as Christians that we should love all men as Christ would. When individuals feel that love, it makes it easier for them to love others in return.
(Quiet Walk)
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THE NEW BIRTH
No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:29
If you are regenerate, you will remain regenerate. It seems to me that this is absolutely inevitable because regeneration is the work of God. Yet there are those who seem to think that people can be born again as the result of believing the truth, and then if they backslide or fall into sin or deny the truth, they lose their regeneration, but if they come back again and believe again, then they are regenerate again—as if one can be born again and die and be born again and die an endless number of times!
How important doctrine is! How important it is that we should be clear as to what the Scripture teaches about these things! It tells us that regeneration is the work of God Himself in the depths of the soul and that He does it in such a way that it is permanent. “No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29).
“I am persuaded,” says Paul, and let us notice this, “I am persuaded”—he is certain—“that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). And when Paul says that, he is expounding regeneration. It is not merely the relationship between us—it is because He has put this life in me that nothing can separate me from Him. And when we come to deal with the mystical union that follows directly from this, we see how still more inevitable this must be. This is a permanent work, and nothing can ever bring it to an end.
Regenerate people cannot go on sinning because they are born of God (1 John 3:9). They may backslide temporarily, but if they are born of God they will come back. It is as certain as that they have been born again. This is the way to test whether or not someone is born again.
A Thought to Ponder
Regeneration is the work of God Himself in the depths of the soul, and it is permanent.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 93-94, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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