3-Day Bible Reading Plan: “The Pain That Saves”
“Good things are worth losing if it means we can gain eternal life. Sadly, we lose sight of the deadly nature of sin. Sin didn’t just reach our hearts; it started there. It is intertwined with our very nature and gradually siphons life from our souls. One day, it will drain us completely and leave us dead under the judgment of God unless we cut it out of our lives.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 2/16/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: Matthew 5:27-30 - “It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.”
Cross References:
Psalm 119:9 - “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word.”
How does the concept of purity extend beyond physical or moral behavior to include thoughts, motives, and spiritual devotion, especially in light of the guidance provided by God's Word?
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 - “Flee from sexual immorality.”
How might this command challenge believers to rethink their attitudes toward sexuality, relationships, and media consumption, especially in light of the body being a temple of the Holy Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”
To what extent does the call to avoid sexual immorality and pursue holiness reflect the broader process of sanctification in a believer's life, especially in a world that often normalizes lustful behavior?
“Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it whilst you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.” - John Owen
“Either sin must be mortified, or the sinner will be damned. There is no way to heaven but through the valley of tears, and the field of battle against sin.” - Thomas Watson
Day 2
Featured Verse: Romans 8:13 - “Put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Cross References:
Colossians 3:5-6 - “Put to death…sexual immorality, impurity, passion.”
What does it mean to "put to death" the earthly nature?
Galatians 5:16 - “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
What role does human responsibility play alongside divine empowerment in overcoming sinful desires?
Galatians 5:24 - “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh.”
How does this imagery of crucifixion reflect the believer's union with Christ in both a theological and practical sense, particularly in the ongoing battle against sin?
“The mortification of sin is a continued act, a constant warfare; the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and in this conflict lies much of the Christian’s duty, and no small part of his trouble.” - John Flavel
The best way to be kept from sin is to be much in the mortifying of sin; he that neglects the one, will hardly escape the other." - Thomas Brooks
Day 3
Featured Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - “He will also provide the way of escape.”
Cross References:
2 Peter 2:9 - “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.”
How does the concept of God "knowing how to rescue" the godly from trials challenge or deepen our trust in His sovereignty, especially in situations where deliverance seems delayed or unclear?
Psalm 50:15 - “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.”
By what means does the promise of deliverance in this verse challenge or expand our theological perspective on the purpose of suffering, and how might it encourage believers to approach trials as opportunities for deeper trust and glorification of God?
Romans 6:13-14 - “Present…your members to God as instruments for righteousness.”
In what ways does the call to offer ourselves as "instruments of righteousness" challenge modern notions of individualism and self-determination?
“Sin is not mortified by a lazy wish, or a cold endeavour; it must be a lively, active faith, and a vigorous opposition, that must do the work, or it will never be done.” - William Gurnall
“We must not judge of ourselves by what we were, but by what our resolutions are, and what our endeavors are to subdue the corruptions of our hearts, and to mortify our sinful lusts.” - Richard Sibbes