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Recent Posts
- The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
- The Old and New Priesthood
- Authorial Intent
- King David – the Good and the Bad
- David – A Better King
- Saul – The King who Failed
- When Life Gets Tough
- Guard Your Heart
- Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks
- A Song of Ascent – Psalm 126
- God’s Imputed Righteousness
- A Song of Ascents – Psalm 123
- They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
- Seek Your Servant – Psalm 119:169-176
- Biblical Meditation
- The Christmas Holiday
- Establish Our Footsteps – Psalm 119:129-136
- No Distractions
- Theological Categories of God’s Justice
- God’s Word Sustains Us – Psalm 119:89-96
- Being the Good Boss
- Chasing After Donkeys
- Choosing the Faithful Way – Psalm 119:25-32
- Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective
- When God Gives Us a Test
- God’s Grace is Sufficient
- How to Deal with Jealousy
- When God Uses Evil Actions for His Good
- Alexander the Coppersmith
- Submission to Authority – Part III
- Submission to Authority – Part II
- Submission to Authority – Part I
- The Faithfulness of the Lord
- The Choice of Blessing or Cursing
- Twelve Ways to Deal with a Bad Boss
- The Wrath of God
- Babylonianism
- Contrasting Good and Bad Leaders
- Faith or Regeneration – Which Comes First?
- What is the Church?
- A Brief Analysis of the Millennial Kingdom
- A Brief Analysis of Israel in History and Prophecy
- The Lord is My Shepherd – Psalm 23
- Not of Works
- Reasons why we obey God
- A Commitment of the Heart
- When God Said “Do Not Pray”
- The Basics of Prayer
- The Meaning of Sin
- Treating Others with Dignity
Category Archives: Hot Topics
The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
The word tithe means “to give a tenth.” The tithe consisted of produce and livestock (Lev 27:30-32), and was given to the Levites for their support for ministry (Num 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave a tithe of the tithe to the Priests for their service (Num 18:25-28). Additionally, the worshipper could eat a portion of the sacrifice with his family and the Levites (Deut 12:17-19; 14:22-27). Lastly, a tithe was taken every third year to help the poor, the alien, the orphans and the widows. This tithe was comparable to a social welfare system for the most unfortunate in society. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Israel, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged biblical giving, biblical tithing, Christian giving, does the Christian have to tithe?, giving, giving or tithing, is tithing biblical?, Law of Christ, mosaic law, Should Christians tithe?, ten percent, The Biblical Teaching on Tithes, tithing, what did people in the OT tithe
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The Old and New Priesthood
Presently, in the church age, every Christian, at the moment of salvation, becomes a priest to God. Peter writes of Christians, saying, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5), and “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). This is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Rev 1:6), and “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” (Rev 5:10; cf. 20:6). Furthermore, we do not worship at a temple; rather, “we are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:16; cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17). And we do not bring animal sacrifices, but “offer up spiritual sacrifices” to God (1 Pet 2:5). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged A chosen race, A kingdom of priests, A living and holy sacrifice, a royal priesthood, Christ our High Priests, Every Christian is a priest, Offering spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual service of worship, The Christian Priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, the old and new priesthood, The priesthood of every believer, The sacrifice of praise, What did Jewish priests do?, Who is a priest?
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King David – the Good and the Bad
The Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14; cf. Acts 13:22). This is a huge compliment, but what does it mean? God certainly knew David’s heart and what kind of king he would be, for He informed His prophet, Samuel, saying, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). However, we should not conclude that David was perfectly obedient and kept the Lord’s will in all matters in his life. He did not. No believer ever does, for there are none who are sinless, except the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Jo 3:5). But David obeyed the Lord in important matters, and apart from a few major offences, he did not generally commit egregious sins. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Leadership
Tagged 1 Samuel 13:14, A man after God's own heart, David and Bathsheba, David confessed his sins, David has Uriah killed, David practiced polygamy, David practiced the sin of polygamy, David takes a census, David the good king, David was a man after God's own heart, David's affair with Bathsheba, David's humility, David's sins, God's grace, grace is a chief characteristic of God, He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Humility is a lowliness of mind, King David, Why could God call David a man after His own heart?
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God’s Imputed Righteousness
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hot Topics, Righteous Living, Salvation
Tagged Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, Are good works necessary for salvation?, Are we credited with God's righteousness?, do good works save?, Genesis 15:6, God's gift of righteousness, God's imputed righteousness, How are we made right with God?, how can a holy God justify unworthy sinners?, How does God justify sinners?, Imputed righteousness, On what basis are we made right with God?, Righteousness as a gift from God, Romans 4:1-5, Salvation is by grace alone, the gift of righteousness, three biblical imputations, What did Jesus accomplish at the cross?, what does the Bible say about imputed righteousness?, Why odes God justify sinners?
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They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
Numbers chapters 13 & 14 reveal the biblical concept of blessing and cursing by association. In this section of Scripture, God disciplined the Israelites in the wilderness because of their disobedience, and that discipline had direct impact on their children. The key verse in this article in Numbers 14:33, which reads, “But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness.” Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith
Tagged blessing and cursing by association, blessing and cursing by association is biblical, Choices have consequences, Choosing faith over fear, Choosing fear over faith, growing spiritually, how we live impacts the lives of others, Israel in the wilderness, Joshua and Caleb, Live by faith, Living by faith, My Godly grandmother, The spies in the land, They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness, Trust in the Lord, When bad choices impact others, Why children suffer for because of bad parents, Why Israel was denied entrance into the Promised Land
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Theological Categories of God’s Justice
The righteousness of God refers to the intrinsic, immutable, moral perfection of God, from which He commands all things, in heaven and earth, and declares as good that which conforms to His righteousness and as evil that which deviates. The righteousness and the justice of God work together. Whatever God’s righteousness requires, His justice executes; either to approve or reject, to bless or condemn. The various theological categories of God’s righteousness include rectoral justice, retributive justice, remunerative justice, redemptive justice, and restorative justice. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics
Tagged Aspects of God's justice, Biblical categories of God's justice, God's Justice, God's justice explained, God's righteousness, God's righteousness defined, God's sovereignty, How should we understand God's justice, rectoral justice, redemptive justice, remunerative justice, restorative justice, retributive justice, Theological aspects of God's justice, Theological categories of God's justice, What does the Bible say about God's justice?, What is God's justice?
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Chasing After Donkeys
God’s providence refers to His wise and personal acts, whereby He creates and controls circumstances in order to direct history according to His predetermined plan, all for His glory and the benefit of His people. As Christians, we live in the flow of history, and are moved by the circumstances He controls, for the Lord “does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan 4:35). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Leadership, Living by Faith
Tagged Chasing after donkeys, Does God direct us through circumstances, election, God's control over his creation, God's influence in the world, God's providence, God's sovereign control, how did Saul become King?, how do we know God's will?, How does God direct our lives?, How God directs our lives, How God directs our lvies, How God leads, King Saul, Knowing God's will, Providence, Providential control, Providential sovereignty, When Saul became king
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Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective
When Israel was a theocratic kingdom, God legislated certain benefits to the poor, widows, orphans and sojourners in order to meet their daily needs, and these were to be given by those whom He’d blessed with abundance. God instructed His leaders to uphold and defend the rights of the vulnerable, knowing there would be wicked persons who would seek to exploit them. Sadly, much of Israel’s history was marked by a breakdown among His people, as the leaders and wealthy in the land exploited the poor they were called to defend. Now, in the Church age, God provides care for the needy in society through human governments, as well as through individual Christians and local churches. Lastly, perfect government will come in the future when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His kingdom on earth and provides righteous reign and care for all. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged A Christian view of social justice, caring for the por, Christians and social justice, helping orphans, Helping the homeless, Helping the poor, helping widows, Scripture for social justice, social justice, social justice and Christians, Social justice and the Bible, Social justice and the church, Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective, The church and social justice, what does God say about social justice, what does the Bible say about helping the poor, What does the Bible say about social justice?, what is social justice
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When God Gives Us a Test
God tests His people. It’s a fact that is repeated throughout Scripture (Exo 16:4; 20:20; Deu 13:3; Jud 3:1-2; Isa 48:10). He tests us with difficult situations in order to humble us, so that we will not look to ourselves for strength, but to Him. In the end, the test reveals that it is God who provides for us. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Each day has enough trouble of its own, Faith for today, Faith for tomorrow, Jehovah Jireh, Learning to trust in God, Seek first His kingdom, Seek the Lord, The Lord will provide, The purpose of testing, the value of suffering, The value of testing, When Abraham offered Isaac, When God gives us a test, Why did God test Abraham?, Why does God test His people?, Why does the Lord test us?, Yahweh Yireh
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How to Deal with Jealousy
Jealousy can be either healthy or unhealthy, depending on the motivation of the heart. God is jealous. He is jealous to protect His glory (Isa 42:8), His name (Eze 39:25; cf. Isa 42:8), and His people (Zec 8:2). When we love what God loves, then we’ll possess a godly jealousy, like Elijah (1 Ki 19:10) and Paul (2 Cor 11:2). But when we care little about God, then sinful jealousy will dominate our hearts, and we’ll seek to destroy rather than protect and edify others, such as when Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him (Gen 37:11-28), or when the Sadducees attacked and imprisoned the apostles (Acts 5:17-18). We overcome sinful jealousy by: 1) placing God’s Word at the center of our lives and letting it direct our thoughts, words and actions (Psa 1:2; 2 Cor 10:5), 2) realizing the Lord owns everything (Psa 24:1; 89:11), and that He is free to leave or take whatever we have, including possessions, family, or health (Job 1:6-21), and, 3) that sinful jealousy cannot exist in a heart saturated with God’s love, for “Love…is not jealous” (1 Cor 13:4). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Living by Faith, Love, Marriage, Righteous Living
Tagged A definition of jealousy, Does God get jealous?, God's jealousy, godly jealousy, How to deal with jealousy, How to deal with sinful jealousy, Is envy and jealousy different?, Is jealousy a sin?, Is jealousy ever right?, Should Christians be jealous?, What does the Bible say about Godly jealousy?, what does the Bible say about jealousy?, what is sinful jealousy?, Why are we jealous?, Why is God jealous?
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When God Uses Evil Actions for His Good
Through Scripture, God gives His people the capacity to see all of life from His vantage point. Having God’s perspective allows us to rise about the daily grind of life and the petty actions of others and realize there is a sovereign God who rules over His creation and directs the activities of mankind—even evil activities—for His own good and the good of His people. For this reason, we can understand Paul’s words and know “that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged All Things Work Together for Good, Divine viewpoint, Genesis 50:20, God can use evil actions to bring about good, God meant it for good, God was with Joseph, God's providence, God's sovereignty, How did God use the evil actions of Joseph's brothers for good, human viewpoint, Joseph sold into slavery, Living by faith in adversity, living with the divine perspective, Providence, Romans 8:28, Seeing life from God's perspective, The story of Joseph
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Alexander the Coppersmith
There are times when it’s necessary to specifically name a person as hostile in order to warn others to avoid unnecessary harm. This was true of the apostle Paul, who warned his friend, Timothy, about a man named Alexander. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Alexander the Coppersmith, avoiding people who cause trouble, Avoiding trouble, God will repay, God will repay those who hurt us, Guard yourself from others who want to hurt you, Is it ok to name people and their faults?, Never seek retaliation, Never take your own revenge, Protect yourself from people who want to hurt you, When to avoid trouble, When to guard yourself from others
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Submission to Authority – Part III
Christians will, at times, suffer unjustly at the hands of those whom God has placed in authority over us, like the suffering Hagar experienced at the hand of Sarai. And, the harsh or immoral character of leaders should never dictate our response; rather, we should be governed by God’s Word, as we look to Christ as our example of unjust suffering. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged 1 Peter 2:18, Abram and Sarai and Hagar, Genesis 16, Jesus as our example of submitting to authority, Living by faith under a harsh boss, Should I submit to my boss when he's a jerk?, Should we submit to abusive authority?, Should we submit to harsh leaders?, Submission to authority, Submitting to the boss, The conception of Ishmael, When should we say "no" to authority?, Why did God make Hagar submit to Sarai?
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Submission to Authority – Part II
Rebellion against God’s authority started with Satan, an angelic creature who, at an unspecified time, led an angelic revolt against God and created a kingdom of darkness. Afterward, God created Adam and Eve to serve under His authority, as mediatorial administrators who cared for the earth. However, God permitted Satan to tempt Adam and Eve to rebel against His authority, and when they agreed to follow Satan, his kingdom of darkness was expanded and he became the temporary ruler of this world. According to God’s wise plan and sovereign will, He sent His Son into the world and the Son added humanity to Himself, lived an absolutely righteous life in obedience to His Father and went to the cross and died for sinful humanity. At the cross, Jesus reclaimed this world and pronounced judgment and sentencing for Satan, who will eventually be cast into the Lake of Fire forever. Until that time, Satan continues as a subversive living in God’s world, and he has many followers who are used by him to subvert God’s will on earth. These enemies of God seek to infiltrate governmental systems and command people—both saved and lost—to disobey God. Though Christians are commanded to obey human leaders, we can never obey a command that is contrary to God’s will. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Adam and Eve submitted to Satan, Civil disobedience, God intended Adam and Eve to rule over the earth, God is always sovereign, God permits Satan to act, God permits Satan to tempt His people, God's sovereignty, Good end evil coexist, Is Satan the god of this age?, Is Satan the god of this world?, Is Satan the ruler of this world?, Is there a time when Christians disobey authority?, Jesus reclaimed the world, Satan convinced Adam and Eve to rebel against God's authority, Satan has planted subversives in the world, Satan is the god of this age, Satan is the god of this world, Satan led an angelic revolt in heaven, Satan rebelled against God's authority, Satan's world system, Submission to authority, the fall of Satan, The parable of the wheat and the tares, When did Satan fall?, When should the Christian refuse to obey authority?, Why does good and evil coexist?
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Submission to Authority – Part I
God is the supreme Ruler of His creation, and He has established human governmental authorities to promote law and order. This means He has delegated authority to persons and groups who serve as administrative overseers to others. As Christians, we are commanded to submit to those in authority over us, whether it is the president, state governors, local city officials, police officers, employers, parents, teachers, etc. Failure to submit to human authority is regarded as failure to submit to God, Who has placed those persons over us. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged 1 Peter 2:13-14, Biblical examples of submission to authority, Christian citizenship, God delegates authority, God is the supreme ruler over creation, hupotasso, Pray of those in authority, Romans 13:1, Should believers submit to human authority?, Submission to authority, Submit to authority, what does it mean to submit to authority?, What does the Bible say about submission to authority?, when can the believer say no to authority?
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The Wrath of God
God’s wrath refers to His intense hatred of sin. God’s hatred of sin is primarily born out of His attributes of righteousness and love. Righteousness and love are eternal attributes, but wrath is not. God’s wrath is the natural response to that which is contrary to His righteousness and love. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged A definition of God's wrath, Be angry but do not sin, Be angy, Be slow to anger, Believers should be slow to anger, Does God get angry?, Examples of God's wrath, God's patience delays His wrath, God's wrath, God's wrath at the cross, Is anger a sin?, Reasons why God gets angry, Should believers get angry?, The reasons for God's wrath, The Wrath of God, What does the Bible say about God's anger?, What does the Bible say about God's wrath?, why does God get angry?, why God gets angry, Wrath at the cross
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Babylonianism
Babylonianism is a philosophy of human autonomy. It is a system of values that start and end with man, and is embraced by the vast majority of people who assign no serious thought of God to their discussions, plans, or projects, and who seek to use His resources independently of His wishes. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged Babylon is the birthplace of organized religion, Babylonian values, Babylonianism, Babylonianism is a philosophy of human autonomy, Living in Babylon, Satan's world system, The great harlot, The land of Shinar, The tower of Babel, What is Babylonianism?
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Faith or Regeneration – Which Comes First?
The ordo salutis refers to the order of salvation. Some believe regeneration precedes faith in Christ, and others that faith in Christ precedes regeneration. This article seeks to present a fair presentation of the subject. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Salvation
Tagged does faith precede regeneration?, Does regeneration precede faith?, faith precedes regeneration, John 3:3-8, Love, ordo salutis, regeneration precedes faith, spirituality, the meaning of regeneration, the order of salvation, the ordo salutis, to be born again, what does it mean to be born again?, what must I do to be saved
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What is the Church?
The church refers to the body of Christ which began on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. It is comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Jesus as Savior. The church exists universally as an organism, the global presence of Christians who form the body of Christ. The church also exists locally as an organization, a nearby assembly of believers who gather together for Bible study, worship, fellowship, and the practice of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Christian church is a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament and is separate from Israel, having a different identity and purpose. Continue reading
Posted in Church, Dispensationalism, Hermeneutics, Hot Topics, Israel
Tagged dispensational distinctions, Dispensationalism, dispensationalism and the church, Does the church replace Israel?, Ecclesiology, Gentile Christians, Israel and the church, Jewish Christians, Jews and Gentiles, The body of Christ, the church and Israel, the church as an organism, the church as an organizatio, The church as the body of Christ, The church in the New Testament, the early church, the first century church, the house church, the living church, the local church, the meaning of ecclesia, The meaning of ekklesia, The purpose of the church, the study of the Church, The universal church, What is dispe... dispe... dispensationalism?, what is the church, what is the ekklesia
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Not of Works
Christians are saved by what Jesus accomplished for us at the cross and not by any good works we produce. Good works should follow salvation, but they are never the condition of it. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hot Topics, Salvation
Tagged Are good works necessary for salvation?, do good works save?, Does God accept our good works?, God's riches at Christ's expense, good works do not save, How we are saved, Jesus paid it all, Must we do good works to be saved?, Not of works, we are not saved by good works, we are not saved by human works, We are saved by faith in Christ, We are saved by God's grace, We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, works do not save
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A Commitment of the Heart
Good and evil reflect a commitment of the heart, and this commitment determines our values and actions, either good or bad. Who are you? Are you one who has set your heart to turn away from God and live as you please? Is your will more important than His? Or, are you one who has an honest and good heart that welcomes God and His Word and who submits yourself to doing His will? I hope it’s the latter. Your words and actions will show it. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged a commitment of the heart, agapao, Good and evil, Hebrew ra, Is there a good heart?, is your heart bad?, is your heart evil, is your heart good?, Love for God, love of evil, love of good, the evil heart, the heart of man, the orientation of the heart, the reason for evil, the source of evil, the source of good, what comes out of the heart, who are you?, why do we disobey God?, why do we do evil?, why do we do good?, why do we sin, why is the heart bad?, why is the heart evil?, why we disobey God, why we love the approval of men and not God, why we love the darkness, why we obey God
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When God Said “Do Not Pray”
Three times God told Jeremiah, “do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you” (Jer. 7:16; cf. 11:14; 14:11). The reason behind God’s command was that He had decided to judge and punish His people (Jer. 7:20) because they’d repeatedly broken their covenant with Him by disobeying His commands and pursuing other gods, which He had forbidden (Ex. 20:2-4; cf. Ezek. 20:4-24). Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Prayer
Tagged be devoted to prayer, Do not pray, Does God ever say no to prayer?, Does God not hear our prayers?, Examples of divine discipline, Jeremiah 7:16, pray always, Pray without ceasing, The prayer of Moses, the sin of idolatry, The sin unto death, When God does not hear prayer, When God said do not pray, Why did God tell Jeremiah not to pray?
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The Meaning of Sin
The word sin is found throughout Scripture, and both the Hebrew and Greek share the same basic meaning. The Hebrew word חָטָא chata means “to miss the target, or to lose the way,” and the Greek word ἁμαρτάνω hamartano is defined as “miss the mark, err, or do wrong.” Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Salvation
Tagged a definition of sin, atonement for sin, biblical examples of sinners, can a Christian sin?, chata, Could Jesus Sin?, David had an affair with Bathsheba, Examples of sinners, God permits sin, hamaritia, hamartano, Moses struck the rock, original sin, Peter denied the Lord, Samson slept with prostitutes, sin, sin is lawlessness, Solomon worshipped idols, The Meaning of Sin, The noetic effects of sin, to miss the mark, What is sin?, what is the meaning of sin?, When Christians sin, Why does God permit sin?
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The Noetic Effects of Sin
The noetic effects of sin refers to the affect sin has on the mind of every person. Sin impacts our ability to think rationally, especially about God, Who has made Himself known through general revelation and special revelation. God’s revelation disrupts the mind of man, confronting wrong thoughts and inviting conformity to the mind of God. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged does sin affect our ability to think rationally?, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Genesis 6:5, how does sin affect the mind?, Jeremiah 17:9, Learning God's Word to live God's will, learning to think like God, Live sacrifically, Living bu faith, Matthew 15:19, original sin, Out of the heart come evil thoughts, renewing the mind, Satan's world system, sin and mind, Sin and rationality, sinful thinking, Steps to renew the mind, steps to spiritual growth, Submit to God, Tha natural man cannot know the things of God, the god of this world, the mind gvien over to sin, The noetic effects of sin, When God's People Sin
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Original Sin
Original sin refers to Adam’s sin in the garden in which he disobeyed God (Gen. 2:16-17; 3:1-24). Adam is the head of the human race. When Adam sinned, we all sinned with him. His fallen position is our fallen position. His guilt is our guilt. The pure image of God (imago Dei) that belonged to the first couple was marred when they sinned and all Adam’s children are born with a distorted image and a proclivity toward rebellion against God (Ps. 51:5; 58:3; Eph. 2:1-3). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged Am I guilty for Adam's sin?, do good works save?, is Adam's sin imputed to everyone?, Is humanity sinful?, original sin, the doctrine of original sin, total depravity, what does the Bible say baout total depravity?, what is meant by original sin?, What is original sin?, what is total depravity?, What was Adam's sin?, why do we sin
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The Worthless Person
In several places in the Bible there are references to worthless persons (Deut. 13:13; Judg. 19:22; 20:13; 1 Sam. 25:17; 1 Ki. 21:9-13; Prov. 6:12-14; 16:27; 19:28; Nah. 1:11). The term worthless translates the Hebrew בְּלִיָּעַל belial, which … Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged Are there wicked persons?, Are there worthless people?, Belial, Is there hope for the worthless person?, the meaning of belial, The worthless people in America, The worthless person, Violence in America, What does the Bible say about the wicked?, What does the Bible say about worthless people?, Who are the wicked?, who is the worthless person?, Worthless citizens
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God’s Righteousness in the Future
The future is bright because there is the hope of a good and righteous King who will bring in everlasting righteousness. This King is the Lord Jesus, the Christ, the Savior who will establish His kingdom upon the earth. Jesus will reign forever. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Israel, Prophecy, Righteous Living
Tagged God will establish His kingdom on earth, God will make a new heavens and new earth, God will reward Christians, God's righteousness in the future, Israel's rejection of the kingdom, Jesus the King, Jesus the son of David, Jesus will rule for a thousand years, Jesus' offer of God's kingdom to Israel, New heavens and earth, the Davidic covenant, the Davidic kingdom, The eternal state, the future kingdom of Israel, The Great White Throne judgment, The kingdom of Israel, The kingdom on earth, The kingdom promised to David, the millennial kingdom, The postponement of the kingdom, The resurrection of the righteous, The resurrection of the wicked, The second coming of Jesus, the seven year tribulation, The tribulation, The universal kingdom of God, What are the future rewards for Christians
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A Dispensational View of God’s Righteousness
God is forever righteous and the expectation of righteous behavior from His people is a timeless truth. God’s righteousness is manifest in the laws He gives, and He always expects righteousness from His people. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged A Dispensational View of God's Righteousness, A righteous life, continuity and discontinuity, Dispensations, Edenic Law, God's comamnds to the church, God's commands to Israel, God's commands to the church, God's righteousness, God's righteousness in Scripture, Should Christians keep the Mosaic Law?, The dispensation of Israel, the dispensation of the church, the dispensation of the Patriarchs, The fall of Adam, The Mosaic Law, What is the Law of Christ?, What is the Royal Law?
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God’s Favor Toward His People
God’s favor refers to the goodness and blessing He shows to others. God’s favor is based on His sovereignty, for He is under no compulsion to act, but does so according to His good pleasure, freely, from the bounty of His own goodness. His favor is often accomplished through the agency of other people as well as through circumstances. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, God's Grace, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged Daniel found favor in the eyes of God, Does God show favor?, Favor, God's favor, God's favor Noah, God's favor to Christians, God's favor to David, God's favor to Joseph, God's favor to us, God's favor toward His people, Noah found favor in the eyes of God, Should people show favor to others?, the Lord's favor, What does the Bible say about God's favor?, what the Bible say about showing favor?, Why does God show favor, Why does God show favor toward His people?
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When a Believer Perpetually Sins
The purpose of this article is to show that a child of God can simultaneously surrender some areas of his life to God and other areas not. Like train tracks that run parallel, a believer may be obedient in one thing and disobedient in another. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged Can a christian live in sin?, Can the sinning believer lose his salvation?, can the true believer live in continual sin?, Can the true believer live in perpetual sin?, David and Bathsheba, David's many wives, Do believers sin?, How many wives did David have?, How many wives did Solomon have?, Is polygamy a sin?, Polygamy in the Bible, Solomon's many wives, What is the sin unto death?, what were the names of David's wives?, when Christians live in sin, Why does God tolerate polygamy?
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What it Means to Follow Jesus
Jesus called men to follow Him (Matt. 4:18-19; 9:9; John 1:43), and He had many female followers as well, several of whom funded His earthly ministry (Luke 8:1-3). To follow Jesus means to learn His teaching, obey His commands and model our life after Him. Followers of Jesus were to share the gospel (Matt. 4:19), not be bound by the world’s values (Matt. 8:19-22), treasure Jesus above one’s profession (Matt. 9:9), be committed to Jesus above family (Matt. 10:34-38; cf. Mark 1:20), and deny self and take up one’s cross daily (Matt. 16:24; cf. Luke 9:23). There is no place for personal glory or selfishness in serving the Lord, as one’s life is given for His glory and the benefit of others (1 Cor. 10:32-33; Phil. 2:3-4). To follow Jesus is a lifelong pursuit. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Righteous Living
Tagged discipleship, Followers of Jesus, How to follow Jesus, The biblical Jesus, the cost of discipleship, the cost of following Jesus, the worldly Jesus, to follow Jesus, What does it mean to follow Jesus, what is a disciple?, What it Means to Follow Jesus
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The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus while celebrating the Passover meal on the night before His crucifixion. The unleavened bread symbolizes the perfect humanity of Christ, and the red juice symbolizes the blood of the New Covenant that was ratified on the cross. Christians who partake of the Lord’s Supper see themselves as the beneficiaries of the spiritual blessings of forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Spirituality
Tagged Consubstantiation, Does the Lord's Supper impute grace?, Four views of the Lord's Supper, How often should Christians partake of the Lord's Supper?, Is Christ actually present in the unleavened bread and red wine?, Is Jesus present in the Lord's Supper?, Paul's understanding of the Lord's Supper, The biblical teaching of the Lord's Supper, The Eucharist, The Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper, The Lord's Supper and the New Covenant, The meaning of Communion, The meaning of the Eucharist, The meaning of the Lord's Supper, The symbolic view of the Lord's Supper, Transubstantiation, What does the bread and red wine symbolize?, What does the Lord's Supper represent?, Why should Christians partake of the Lord's Supper?
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Honor the Lord From Your Wealth
Giving for the Lord’s work is legitimate. The issue for the Christian is not how much one gives, but rather, that one gives joyfully, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Spirituality
Tagged Are Christians required to tithe?, Give to the Lord, Giving to the poor, God loves a cheerful giver, Helping the homeless, helping the needy, Honor the Lord form your wealth, How much should Christians give?, is tithing biblical?, Should Christians tithe?, the Bible and giving, the Bible and money, What does the Bible say about giving?, What does the Bible say about tithing?
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God the King Maker
God is never neutral. He meddles in the affairs of mankind, political or otherwise. His unseen hand works behind all the activities of mankind, controlling and directing history as He wills. “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps” (Ps. 135:6). Ultimately, it is God “who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings” (Dan. 2:21a), for “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men” (Dan. 4:14). Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Hot Topics
Tagged 2016 Election, America, American politics, Biblical worldview, Christians in America, Does God meddle in politics?, Donald Trump, God and American politics, God and democracy, God and politics, God and the political process, God sets up rulers, God the king maker, Hillary Clinton, How should Christians vote?, Never Clinton?, Never Trump?, political worldview, Righteousness exalts a nation, Satan's world system, the Bible and politics, The Bible and the 2016 Election, The Bible and the presidential election, the king makers, Voting the Bible, what does the Bible say about politics?, worldview
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Religious Syncretism
Several years ago I had a strange conversation with a young woman who was in graduate school and finishing her degree in Social Work. The woman became excited when I mentioned I was in seminary and she proceeded … Continue reading
Posted in Hot Topics, Living by Faith, Spirituality
Tagged Chrislam, Christian Science, cult theology, cults, doctrines of demons, ecumenical movement, ecumenism, False doctrine, horoscopes, Interfaith Movement, Is reincarnation consistent with Christianity?, karma, New Age, reincarnation, Religious Syncretism, Scientology, Syncretism, what does the Bible say about horoscopes?, What is Christian science?, What is the interfaith movement?
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God the Holy Spirit
There is some confusion today among students of the Bible concerning the identity of the Holy Spirit. Some heretical groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Unitarians say the Holy Spirit is merely an impersonal force. Mormons recognize the … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics
Tagged Biblical facts about the Holy Spirit, Does the Bible teach the Holy Spirit is God?, Facts about the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Spirit, Is Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism is a cult, Mormonism is false, Mormons, The filling of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit is a Person, the Holy Spirit is God, The Person of the Holy Spirit, The Trinity, what does the Bible say about the Holy Spirit?
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Jesus is God
Does the Bible teach that Jesus is God? Yes, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus is God. He is properly identified as one of the three Persons of the Godhead, commonly referred to as the Trinity. There is … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hot Topics, Living by Faith
Tagged Does the Bible say Jesus is God?, does the Bible teach God as Trinity?, Does the Bible teach that Jesus is God?, Does the Bible teach the Trinity?, God as Trinity, God is Jesus, Is Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?, Is Jesus God?, Is Jesus just a man?, Is Mormonism a cult?, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is divine, Jesus is God, Jesus is Yahweh, JW, Mormons, The deity of Christ, the deity of Jesus, the divine nature of Jesus, The Trinity, What do Jehovah's Witnesses believe about Jesus?, What do Mormon's believe about Jesus?, What does the Bible say about Jesus being God?, what does the Bible say about the Trinity?
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The Doctrine of Simultaneity
Too often Christians struggle with understanding their position in Christ and why they continue to sin after salvation. The doctrine of simultaneity addresses this very relevant and practical doctrinal truth. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged Adam's sin, atonement for sin, Born sinners, do Christians sin?, Does the Christian have a new nature after salvation?, does the Christian have a sin nature?, Does the Christian have two natures?, forensic justification, Imputed righteousness, Martin Luter, original sin, redeemed from sin, simul iustus et peccator, simultaneously righteous and a sinner, simultaneously righteous and sinners, sin nature, The Doctrine of Simultaneity, the righteousness of Christ, The two natures within the Christian, why do Christians sin?
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The Sin of Idolatry
Idolatry is the selfish sin of substitution in which we devote ourselves to worship something or someone in the place of God. It is foremost a sin of a covetous heart that leads us to desire more than what God provides, and to trust something or someone lesser than God to satisfy our wants and needs. Continue reading
Posted in Hamartiology, Hot Topics
Tagged atonement for sin, Can Christians worship idols?, demons in the world, do Christians sin?, idol worship, idolatry, idols, idols and demons, Israel's history with idols, Israel's idolatry, monostheism, Solomon and idols, the sin of idolatry, Thou shalt have no other gods before Me, what are idols?, what does the Bible say about idolatry?, what is idolatry?, What is the sin of idolatry?, Worship of God alone, Worship of the golden calf, worshipping idols
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An Evangelical Response to Same-sex Marriage
God’s Word reveals marriage is a divine institution and not a human social construct. Marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman and is intended to be for a lifetime (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-6). Marriage began with the first humans—male and female—at the beginning of time-space-history (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-25). Concerning marriage, Moses wrote “a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Jesus Himself stated marriage began in the Garden of Eden and is between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:4-6). Continue reading
Posted in Hamartiology, Hot Topics, Marriage
Tagged A definition of marriage, An Evangelical Response to Same-sex Marriage, Can a person be a Christian and homosexual?, Does the Bible condemn homosexuality?, Does the Bible condemn same-sex marriage?, Gay marriage, God saves sinners, homosexual marriage, homosexual unions, How should Christians respond to same-sex marriage?, is marriage between one man and one woman?, Is marriage merely a social construct?, Is same-sex marriage biblical?, Pastors who perform same sex unions, same sex marriage, The Biblical definition of marriage, the meaning of marriage, what does the Bible say about gay marriage?, what does the Bible say about homosexuality?, what does the Bible say about same sex marriage
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The Purpose of Life
What is the purpose or meaning of life? It is a metaphysical question that pertains to ultimate reality. To answer the question, we must consider where we came from (origins), who/what we are (identity), and where we are going (eternity). There are two major ways to answers this question. Continue reading
