Zane Hodges Library

Professor Hodges explains his methodology for understanding problem passages in the New Testament, by demonstrating his method on Romans 10:9-10. Other passages: The Epistle of Romans.

Other passages: Matthew 27:38, 44; Mark 15:27; Luke 16:19-31.

There are a lot of Christians who at one time were competing for the Lord Jesus Christ, but who have now turned their back on that competition. Our minds tend to focus on our own difficulties, frustrations and problems and everything else around us tends to fade into the background. If there was ever a man who had a right to focus on his own troubles, difficulties, frustrations and problems to the exclusion of everything else, that man was our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, Jesus tells the women mourners, "Do not weep for Me." Happy is the Christian man or woman who in the midst of trial is so confident in the goodness of God, that no matter what that trial may be, they can say, "Do not weep for me." Jesus was not preoccupied with Himself but was concerned for other people in the midst of His darkest and most dangerous hour. We must never be caught up in our own problems and concerns, that we forget about the desperate need of the people we meet every day. Bearing witness to Jesus Christ is the most important game in town. One of our most wonderful privileges is to stand up and speak up for the Son of God, our glorious and wonderful and coming Savior.

Other passages: Luke 22-23:1-26; Matthew 27:26-31; John 19:1-3; Revelation 6:12-17; Psalms 1:3; 1 Peter 4:17

The experience of Simon of Cyrenia presents us with one of the most remarkable examples and striking illustrations of the real significance and meaning of Christian living. Simon becomes a part of the Calvary experience of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. The Christian life is a process of cross bearing. It is taking up the burden and carrying that burden in fidelity to Jesus Christ. There is a sense that every dedicated disciple is compelled and forced to follow Jesus Christ. You won't last as a disciple unless the driving force of your discipleship is the love of Jesus Christ for you.

Other passages mentioned: Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:27; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

One of the hardest things we have to do in life sometimes is to stand alone and to stand up by ourselves when the opposition is coming at us at every side. Every Christian will sooner or later confront a crowd that doesn't want to do the right thing. If you are a believer in Christ, sooner or later the will of the crowd will clash with the will of God, and you will have to make the decision. The decision you make should be guided by a very basic principle: Where the crowd leads don't follow. Even though our eternal salvation is a free gift from God, the Christian life is for people who say I will defend my Christian commitment whatever the cost, and I will never surrender to the crowd.

Other passages John 18:28; Luke 23:1-12.

In Herod we find one of the most superficial people in the Bible. Herod is an example of a person who is more concerned with looking good in front of other people than in doing what is right. There are probably many people in church whose experience with God is shallow and superficial. Sometimes when Christians do not get what they want from God, they end up turning their backs to God or walking away from Him, simply because God didn't do it their way. Until our commitment to Jesus Christ becomes real and deep, we won't progress as Christians, and we won't enter into the rich experience of fellowship and friendship with the Son of God.

Other passages: Matthew 14:1-11; Mark 6:14-29; John 14:6; John 5:24; 1 Corinthians 1:9.

Have we been avoiding a necessary examination? There are times in our lives when we are unprepared for an examination. That is what happened to the Roman governor, Pontus Pilate. Pilate faced one of the most basic issues of human life, that is the authority of Jesus Christ. Do you accept the authority of Jesus Christ? After you are saved, the major issue in your life is the authority of Jesus Christ. Sometimes Christians acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ, but that is not the same as obeying Him. Do we obey the authority of Jesus Christ? The only way to have a home where Jesus lives is to have a home where the authority of Jesus Christ is acted on in obedience to His will.

Other passages mentioned: Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11; John 6:47; John 14:23.

One of the most lovely statements in the Bible is that "the Lord is my shepherd", but we quickly forget that the shepherd has a rod and a staff, which he disciplines and chastens his sheep. If we forget the longsuffering of God and we go on our own way and pretend that He is not there, sooner or later, we pay. If you are a disobedient parent, you cannot protect yourself or your children from the consequences of disobedience in your own lives.

Other passages mentioned: Galatians 6:7; John 11:33-35; Luke 19:34-38; Hebrews 12:6; Psalm 23:1,4; Zechariah 9:9; John 19:15; Matthew 27:22-25.

When you and I are treated unfairly and unjustly, usually silence is not our strong point on occasions like that. However, the Lord Jesus Christ did not respond with even a single harsh word when being reviled and treated unjustly. When you confront injustice, unfairness and cruelty, the very wisest thing you can do is to commit your case to God, who is the righteous Judge. When you confront the cruelty and injustice of men in obedience to God, it may leave scars. Some of them may be physical and others may be emotional, but those scars can be a badge of honor. They can be a mark of your obedience to God and your faithfulness to Him, and in due time He will vindicate you. When you have been done wrong, be sure that you do right and leave the outcome to God, just as our Lord Jesus Christ Himself did.

Other passages: Acts 2:33-35; John 3:16.