Some directives in the Christian life are role-specific. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives are to submit to their husbands’ loving spiritual leadership and show them respect (Eph 5:22, 25, 33; 1 Pet 3:1-2). Children are to obey and honor their parents (Eph 6:1-4). Employees are to serve their supervisors with sincerity (Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:23-24), and supervisors are to treat their workers with fairness and integrity (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1; Jam 5:4). Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be pure and sensible (Tit 2:3-5), while older men are to be dignified, temperate, and sound in faith (Tit 2:2). Younger men are to be self-controlled, an example of good deeds, and sound in doctrine (Tit 2:6-8). Church members are instructed to support their pastors materially and respectfully (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18), and to use their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Pet 4:10).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

The Christian faith begins the moment a person believes in Jesus Christ as Savior, trusting Him alone for the free gift of eternal life (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Eph 2:8-9). At that instant, God forgives sins, declares the believer righteous (Rom 3:28; 5:1), and grants eternal security (John 10:28). This starting point is not achieved by works, reform, or religious ritual, but by faith alone in Christ alone. The Christian life then continues by walking with God daily through faith, learning and applying His Word, and living in dependence on the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 5:7; Gal 5:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17). Growth in grace is a lifelong process as the believer renews the mind (Rom 12:2), pursues godliness (Tit 2:11-12), and serves others in love (Gal 5:13). Failures and setbacks do not undo salvation, but God disciplines and restores His children, calling them back to fellowship with Him (1 John 1:9; Heb 12:6). Thus, the Christian faith begins with a decisive act of faith in Christ for salvation and continues with a lifelong walk of faith, obedience, and spiritual growth until the believer is perfected in the presence of the Lord (Phil 1:6; 1 John 3:2).

When reading through the New Testament, we see that God provides both general and specific directives to Christians. General directives include learning and applying God’s Word (Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2; Jam 1:22), loving others as Christ has loved us (John 13:34), being filled with and walking by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16), submitting to governing authorities and paying taxes (Rom 13:1, 6), stimulating one another to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24), and not forsaking our assembling together (Heb 10:25). Believers are also called to live by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6), seek godly wisdom (Jam 1:5), pursue peace with others (Rom 12:18), forgive one another (Col 3:13), speak graciously (Col 4:6), and show kindness (Eph 4:32; cf. Prov 3:3-4). Additional directives include edifying others (Rom 14:19; 1 Th 5:11), serving in love (Gal 5:13), doing good to all (Gal 6:10), seeking the best interests of others (Phil 2:3-4), rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in everything (1 Th 5:16-18), and doing all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Other instructions involve the inward spiritual life. Believers are to abide in Christ (John 15:4-5), present their bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), and renew their minds through Scripture so that they are transformed and not conformed to this world (Rom 12:2; Eph 4:23). We are to set our minds on things above (Col 3:1-2), and put on the new self—marked by compassion, humility, gentleness, patience, and love (Col 3:10-14). Paul urges believers to live without grumbling or disputing, so that we shine as lights in the world (Phil 2:14-15). We are also to restore sinning believers in gentleness (Gal 6:1), bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2), and practice hospitality without complaint (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9). The Christian life is marked by moral purity—fleeing sexual immorality, glorifying God with our bodies (1 Cor 6:18-20; 1 Th 4:3-5), and remaining spiritually vigilant and prayerful (1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:10-18).

Some directives are role-specific. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives are to submit to their husbands’ loving spiritual leadership and show them respect (Eph 5:22, 25, 33; 1 Pet 3:1-2). Children are to obey and honor their parents (Eph 6:1-4). Employees are to serve their supervisors with sincerity (Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:23-24), and supervisors are to treat their workers with fairness and integrity (Eph 6:9; Col 4:1; Jam 5:4). Older women are to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, and to be pure and sensible (Tit 2:3-5), while older men are to be dignified, temperate, and sound in faith (Tit 2:2). Younger men are to be self-controlled, an example of good deeds, and sound in doctrine (Tit 2:6-8). Church members are instructed to support their pastors materially and respectfully (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18), and to use their spiritual gifts for the edification of the body (Rom 12:4-8; 1 Pet 4:10). We are to sing with thankfulness (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), care for orphans and widows (Jam 1:27; 1 Tim 5:3-16), pray for all people—including leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2), and carry out church discipline when needed, with love and humility (1 Cor 5:1-13). Finally, Paul urges believers to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with a pure heart (2 Tim 2:22).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

These audio lectures accompany BE302, Genesis through Ruth, a graduate-level course at Chafer Theological Seminary. The class serves students in programs such as the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Theology (Th.M.), though it may also be taken on an audit basis. My lecture notes are available here: https://thinkingonscripture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BE302-Genesis-to-Ruth-Complete-Study-Notes.pdf

Students seeking academic credit must formally register through Chafer Theological Seminary and secure the required materials from the seminary. Work submitted by non-enrolled individuals will not count toward degree credit. Further details are available at www.chafer.edu.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

These audio lectures accompany BE302, Genesis through Ruth, a graduate-level course at Chafer Theological Seminary. The class serves students in programs such as the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Theology (Th.M.), though it may also be taken on an audit basis. My lecture notes are available here: https://thinkingonscripture.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/BE302-Genesis-to-Ruth-Complete-Study-Notes.pdf

Students seeking academic credit must formally register through Chafer Theological Seminary and secure the required materials from the seminary. Work submitted by non-enrolled individuals will not count toward degree credit. Further details are available at www.chafer.edu.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

Trials are not accidents in the Christian life; rather, they are divine appointments. Paul learned this when God allowed “a thorn in the flesh” to keep him from exalting himself (2 Cor 12:7-10). Instead of removing the trial, the Lord assured him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul’s response was to “boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” Likewise, we are told that suffering produces perseverance, proven character, and hope (Rom 5:3-4), and that we are to “consider it all joy…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (Jam 1:2-4). God’s hand is at work, as it was in Joseph’s life, turning what others meant for evil into good (Gen 50:20).

Such trials teach us lessons we could learn no other way. The Psalmist wrote, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71). In hardship, God promises His presence, saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isa 41:10), and His help, for “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa 46:1). We can rest in the truth that “God causes all things to work together for good” (Rom 8:28) and respond by choosing joy, prayer, and gratitude in all circumstances (1 Th 5:16-18). Trials may press us down, but in Christ they also lift us up, shaping us into people who reflect His strength, wisdom, and steadfast love.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

When reading through the New Testament, we see that God provides both general and specific directives to Christians. General directives include learning and applying God’s Word (Rom 12:1-2; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Pet 2:2; Jam 1:22), loving others as Christ has loved us (John 13:34), being filled with and walking by the Spirit (Eph 5:18; Gal 5:16), submitting to governing authorities and paying taxes (Rom 13:1, 6), stimulating one another to love and good deeds (Heb 10:24), and not forsaking our assembling together (Heb 10:25). Believers are also called to live by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6), seek godly wisdom (Jam 1:5), pursue peace with others (Rom 12:18), forgive one another (Col 3:13), speak graciously (Col 4:6), and show kindness (Eph 4:32; cf. Prov 3:3-4). Additional directives include edifying others (Rom 14:19; 1 Th 5:11), serving in love (Gal 5:13), doing good to all (Gal 6:10), seeking the best interests of others (Phil 2:3-4), rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in everything (1 Th 5:16-18), and doing all for the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

The Lord directs us to obedience and tests us by providing opportunities to follow His Word, whether through His commands, His provisions, or the circumstances He ordains (Ex 16:4; Deut 8:2; 13:3; Judg 2:21-22; 3:4; John 6:5-6; Heb 11:17; Rev 2:10). In Scripture, testing is consistently purposeful, designed to reveal the true condition of our hearts, whether we will love and obey Him above all else (Deut 8:2; 13:3). Like a refiner’s fire, divine testing burns away weakness and exposes sin so that our faith may be strengthened and our character purified (Psa 66:10; Prov 17:3).

Testing, however, is not confined to adversity but also arises through prosperity. Israel was warned that when they entered the land and experienced abundance, they must not forget the Lord (Deut 8:11-16). Agur likewise prayed for moderation, recognizing that riches could lead to denial of God (Prov 30:8-9). Paul issued a similar caution, warning that “those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap” (1 Tim 6:9). In this sense, blessings themselves are tests, exposing whether our hearts will remain humble in gratitude to God or whether abundance will foster pride and forgetfulness.

Through both trial and blessing, the Lord works to produce endurance, humility, and godliness in us, shaping us to walk faithfully and bear fruit to His glory (Ex 16:4; Jam 1:2-4). Divine testing is God’s means of refining us so that our faith may grow strong (Rom 4:19-21), our character be strengthened, and our lives conformed to His will. As growing Christians, we should strive to be obedient-to-the-Word believers who are daily learning and living His Word (1 Pet 2:2; Jam 1:22).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.