Month: October 2011

What a strange verse, yet the Romans would understand it. One of their punishments was that a murderer would have the corpse he had murdered strapped to his back and would be forced to carry it until it decomposed or he died. That would be a wretched man. Paul uses this to illustrate that the old man we were in Adam was crucified with Christ and was buried. We should not dig him up and carry him. We are to reckon that we are dead to that old man and alive to the Lord Jesus. —Harold G. Smith

One of the famous landmarks of Pollensa on the Spanish Island of Majorca is Calvary Hill. The top is reached by way of a long, steep and winding path which has 365 stone steps cut out of the hill. One day each year, at Easter, pilgrims make their way to the top for a memorial service. For true believers, ought we not to journey by faith to that place called Calvary every day? Then corporately, on the Lord's day may we heed His command and be ready to come together to remember Him. —Brian Powlesland

In times of pain and hardship people often lay the blame on God. The Israelites blamed Him for their thirst, yet He knew of their need before they did, and ordained a spiritual rock to follow them and meet their needs (1 Cor. 10:4). Rather than blame God for our problems, we ought to thank Him for the good things He provides and take our requests to Him in prayer (Phil. 4:6). —K. R. Keyser