God has revealed many things to us, but there are also many things God has withheld that remain mysteries. But one mystery, that of the Messiah, has been fully revealed. So, if that’s true, what did Paul mean when he wrote about the “mystery of Christ?” And are there important truths about Christ in the Bible for which God intentionally withholds understanding?
The Mystery of Christ in the Bible Read More »
Believers in Christ belong to each other as members of his body, with each member being interdependent on the others. They all share God’s love, and that love is expressed in many ways. How they relate to each other within the church is important to the Lord, and that’s why the apostles admonish us in every one of their letters on how to love our brothers and sisters. Many of these admonitions are expressed as “one another” or “each other” commands.
Loving One Another in the Church Read More »
God is transcendent and exists beyond the physical universe we live in. His ways are higher than ours and his thoughts are high above ours. But in what way are his thoughts and ways higher? Can we ever hope to understand him? Do his ways even make any sense to us? Or does he operate by a completely different logic as some Bible teachers claim?
God’s ways are higher than ours Read More »
During the 8th century B.C. God sent the prophet Hosea to the house of Israel. Hosea’s mission was to call the people to repent of their idolatry, cruelty, and injustice, and to return to God. His impassioned pleas to this wayward people reflected his own tragic relationship with his wife, who he was trying to bring back from a life of adultery and prostitution.
Let us return to the Lord: Hosea’s plea Read More »
Jesus taught that God hears and answers our prayers because he cares for us. But how does God answer prayer? In other words, how do we know when he is answering? Does he always answer in the way we expect?
How God Answers Prayer Read More »
Throughout history misguided religion has been the source of much evil in the world. We find strange, questionable, or fruitless practices even among Christians. Is there such a thing as pure religion? The Bible says that there is, and it’s described in James 1:27.
Pure and Faultless Religion-James 1:27 Read More »
Is your name written in God’s book of life? If so, you are blessed beyond measure. You will live forever. How do you know if your name is there? Jesus tells us.
What is the book of life in the Bible? Read More »
The parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most touching of Jesus’ parables. It’s the story of a wayward son and his reconciliation with his father. Jesus told it to illustrate how a sinful person is reconciled to God. But it just rebellious and irresponsible people that need to hear this? Or does the story relate to everyone?
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son Read More »
The world is so full of human conflicts, failure, and negativity. And personal problems and disappointments can assault our lives. How can we be free from the constant chaos that floods human existence? Is there a way we can rise above it all and live in peace? A good start would be to heed the apostle Paul’s practical wisdom in Philippians 4:8—thinking about whatever is true, noble, right, and pure.
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure: Philippians 4:8 Read More »
Jesus was the master teacher, and as such, he used stories to illustrate his teachings. One of his most familiar is the parable of the seeds and soils. For many of Jesus’ parables, his explanation is not recorded. But he explained this one privately to his disciples. But even with Jesus’ explanation, there have been various interpretations. So, how should we interpret and apply this most important story?
Jesus’ Parable of the Seeds and Soils Read More »