It offends our sense of justice to see the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. We may need to adjust our expectations for leading an easy life.

Christ's suffering was not confined to crucifixion, but also consisted of rejection, humiliation, and the duress of persecution. Glory follows suffering.

The best weapon against the evil of our human nature is to develop the mind of Christ within us to displace our carnal nature.

Jesus has already suffered the things we have, and now serves as our compassionate High Priest and Advocate. He provides the pattern we are to emulate.

Even though we have the free moral agency to run counter to God's purposes, we court disaster if we presumptuously plan against these purposes.

Liberty without guidelines will turn into chaos. We will be free only if we submit to the truth. All authority, even incompetent authority, derives from God.

As Christ's return nears, we must not allow our godly love to grow cold. Instead, we must maintain and even grow in love toward God and our fellow man.

We need to avoid the trap of self-justification, allowing our hasty words to lure us into sin. We must be quick to listen, and slow to speak.

Satan uses lies and disinformation to promote self-satisfaction over obedience to God. The way to the kingdom is through self-denial, even suffering unjustly.

Parents need to teach their children to consider the long-range consequences of current behaviors, chastening and disciplining them while there is hope.

Faithfulness is living continually by faith, acting even though doing so may cost us. Love is not primarily a feeling, but faithfulness in applying God's Word.

The entire life of Christ was a manifestation of God's grace, revealing the nature of God by means of a life lived to give us an example to follow.