carried its people into exile, and scattered them among the nations—just as the LORD had long warned. 2 would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their fathers, who did not trust in the L ORD  their God. 15 Verses 14 & 15 show how it is that this infection so quickly spreads among God's people - Israel then Dig Deeper   The final sentence of verse 15 captures in a few words the entire essence of those who reject

Colossians 2:11-14 11  In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands This command was given in Genesis 17:10, “This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you The purpose for this circumcision is given in the following verse, Genesis 17:11, “You are to undergo

Philippians 2:12–13 (NIV) 12  Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity

Church discipline always works. Sometimes it also results in restoration. Read / Listen Listen to passage & devotional: Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 85 Q. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by Christian discipline? A. According to the command of Christ: Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond also to their admonition— such persons the officers exclude from the Christian fellowship by withholding the sacraments from them, and God himself excludes them from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of his church. Summary Yesterday we read about the ugly account in which a man who had been proudly sinning in a way that made the pagans blush. Paul took the Corinthian church to task for tolerating such an ugly sin and instructed them to "expel the wicked man from among you (1 Cor. 5.13)." Church discipline, while necessary, can often seem cold and callous. But when done faithfully, it always works. Sometimes it works by simply ridding the church of a cancerous sin which might infect others. But in this particular case, and many others since then, church discipline achieves its primary goal: bringing the wayward sinner into repentance. The man we read about yesterday is quite likely the same man we read about today, only this time he's characterized by overwhelming sorrow rather than sinful pride. Being put out from the church had the exact intended effect upon him, which the Holy Spirit used to open the man's eyes to see his sin and come to repentance. Paul's instructions regarding this man are quite different than what we read yesterday. Instead of "handing him over to Satan," the church must comfort him. Rather than expulsion, he must be forgiven. Dig Deeper The Belgic Confession is part of the Three Forms of Unity, which, along with the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt, gives expression to what Reformed churches believe the Bible says. It gives the Church three key tasks that it must perform in order to be considered a true church: Preach the pure gospel; Maintain the pure administration of the sacraments; Exercise church discipline to punish sin. In general, we're pretty good at these first two marks. But faithfully exercising church discipline is never easy. It's awkward, embarrassing, and can easily and quickly go off the rails. Besides, as upper midwesterners, we abhor confrontation, so it's way easier to just pretend we don't see the obvious. Maybe if we just work harder at the first two marks, we think to ourselves, the need for the third will vanish. But yet we've been commanded to keep the church pure. We're not interested in chasing out repentant sinners; in fact, we need to attract more of them! But those who willfully, continually, and unrepentantly put their own wants and desires ahead of the Kingdom have no business being in it. For our own good, and possibly even theirs, we must - after repeated brotherly counsel and pleading for them to repent - show them the door. AAA Prayer (About) ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who demands perfect obedience, but welcomes all those who repent of their sin; ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your church would be welcoming to repentant sinners, but hostile to those who unrepentantly cling to sin. ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 Corinthians 4

San Luis Obispo County, California 1 John 3:1–2 (NIV) 1   See what great love the Father has lavished The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2   Dear friends, now we are children Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Today: Revelation 2

faithful to these sinners, and so be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. 2 When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2  But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.” 15 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Total and complete confession is the key to experiencing total and complete forgiveness. 2) His theology

FreeDailyBibleStudy.com 2 Samuel 11:1–17 (NIV) 11 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war But David remained in Jerusalem. 2  One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof servants; he did not go home. 1 4  In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity honor his father and mother in that Bathsheba's father and grandfather were one of David's mighty men (2

Today's passage forms the basis for the classic hymn "I Know Whom I have Believed" 2 Timothy 1:9–12 ( Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Today: 2 Peter 1

FaithLife.com Ephesians 4:22–5:2 (NIV) 22  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2   Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity

Image credit 2 Corinthians 7:8–13 (NIV) 8  Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity