The book of Hebrews was written to first-century Jewish believers who were at a crossroads. They were believers secure in Christ yet deeply shaped by Jewish religious tradition, facing intense social and spiritual pressure to retreat to familiar forms. The writer of Hebrews exhorted the Jewish believers to move forward to maturity by faith in the finished work of Christ rather than drift back into the Mosaic Law.
Category: Suffering & Persecution
Grace for the Worst
A compelling example of divine mercy and grace is found in the life of King Manasseh of Judah—arguably one of the most stunning cases in Scripture of radical evil followed by radical grace (2 Chr 33:1-20). If ever there were a poster child for undeserved favor, Manasseh qualifies. He ascended the throne at the age of twelve and reigned for fifty-five years, the longest of any king in Judah. But his legacy was not longevity—it was depravity. He did “evil in the sight of the Lord” beyond measure (2 Chr 33:2).
Solomon: The Saved King Who Worshiped Idols
Solomon stands as one of the most fascinating and tragic figures in biblical history. His life began with divine favor and spiritual clarity, but ended in failure and divine discipline. Yet the biblical evidence supports the conclusion that Solomon was regenerate—a child of God who, despite his later-life apostasy, remained eternally secure in God’s grace. His story illustrates both the high privilege of being chosen by God and the severe consequences of spiritual compromise. But it also affirms the unbreakable nature of God’s saving promises—that a believer, once saved, is always saved (John 10:28; Rom 11:29; 2 Tim 2:13).
Spiritual Health in a Sick World
As Christians living in a fallen world, we should not be surprised when adversity comes. It is the natural consequence of living in a creation under the curse of sin (Gen 3:17-19), where “the whole creation groans” (Rom 8:22), and where spiritual warfare rages invisibly behind visible circumstances (Eph 6:12). Adversity takes many forms—physical illness, relational conflict, financial strain, social or political hostility, or simply the grind of daily pressures. Often, these difficulties are part of God’s training ground for spiritual growth (Rom 5:3-5; Jam 1:2-4). And we know that God is always in control of life, and when He turns up the heat, He never takes His hand off the thermostat. And it in this fallen world that we live, work, raise our families, and engage in Christian service.
Victors Rather Than Victims
Adopting a victim mentality is inherently self-defeating, even when we truly are victims. It shifts our focus to the injustice—real or imagined—rather than God’s solutions. A victim mentality places us in a position of weakness, not because of external circumstances, but because of an internal failure to apply divine truth by faith. If left unaddressed, the victim mentality leads to learned helplessness and a perpetual grievance mindset, making us bitter rather than better. Complaining solves nothing; instead, we must develop spiritual resilience through the intake and application of God’s Word (1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7), and be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jam 1:22).
The Price of Forgiveness
Forgiveness comes at a price. Though it may be offered freely to the offender, it always costs the giver something. The word “forgive” translates the Greek verb aphiemi (ἀφίημι), which means to let go, cancel, send away, or pardon. Forgiveness refers to the act of releasing someone from a debt or offense without demanding payment or retribution.
Trusting God in Unfair Situations
Let’s face it: life is not fair. Sometimes it is unfair to our disadvantage, but at other times, it is unfair to our advantage. It is interesting how we are prone to cry foul when life is unfair to our disadvantage but are more than glad to accept and rejoice when it is unfair to our benefit. This inconsistency highlights the human tendency to be self-centered and myopic rather than God-focused and biblically wise. Scripture reminds us that we are all undeserving of God’s goodness, for “There is no one righteous, not even one... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:10, 23). If God dealt with us strictly based on fairness, we would face His righteous judgment and eternal separation from Him.
Degrees of Sin and Eternal Punishment
The Bible teaches that some sins are more severe than others and that God administers varying degrees of punishment (Luke 20:47; John 19:11). Consequently, some unbelievers will endure greater suffering in the lake of fire than others.
When Hiding is Wise
Scripture provides examples where hiding to avoid unnecessary persecution was a wise and faithful response. From Moses’ parents and Rahab to Obadiah and even Jesus Himself, we see that such actions, when motivated by faith and aligned with God’s will, can be both prudent and righteous. At the same time, believers must discern the proper moments to stand courageously and face persecution, as exemplified by Paul, who endured great suffering while remaining faithful to his mission. While some may hide for sinful reasons, there are certainly times when hiding is both wise and valid.
Divine Discipline and Self Discipline
God’s discipline is His ongoing correction and training that results in His people living righteous lives that conform to His character and will. As God’s children, He expects us to learn self-discipline, which means exercising self-control and maintaining focus on the teachings and application of Scripture. Believers with positive volition have submissive hearts that align their wills with His.
Suffering that Leads to Maturity
From a biblical perspective, God uses trials as a means to shape us into the people He wants us to be because He loves us and desires what is best for us. He wants us to mature, and life’s difficulties are part of the process. We must walk by faith and choose to “count it all joy” (Jam 1:2) because we know that the testing of our faith will lead to spiritual maturity if we yield to the Lord (Jam 1:3-4).
Biblical Strategies for Dealing with a Toxic Supervisor
The content depicts the author's experience with a toxic boss, leading to emotional struggles. Seeking solace in faith, the author turns to biblical coping mechanisms and prioritizes life choices for stability, peace, and resilience. This account emphasizes forgiveness, integrity, and reliance on God's guidance during adversity, offering insight into handling difficult leadership situations.
When Jesus was Forsaken by the Father
Jesus, in His humanity, experienced a judicial separation from God the Father for three hours while bearing the punishment for our sins on the cross. Jesus’ judicial separation from the Father was necessary for Him to atone for humanity’s sins.
The Value of Jesus’ Death for God and Christians
Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross has both infinite and eternal value for both God the Father as well as those trust in Christ as their Savior. From the divine perspective, Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29), and this because He went to the cross as the Father directed (John 6:68; 12:27; cf., 26:39, 42), and died in our place (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3-4), “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18), and we are redeemed “with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Pet 1:19).
Jesus Died Twice on the Cross
This article discusses the significance of Jesus experiencing spiritual and physical death on the cross to atone for humanity's sins. It explains that spiritual death means separation from God in time, and how Jesus bore both types of death to fully represent and redeem humanity. The separation from God was temporary and necessary for atonement.
What Jesus Suffered in the Hours Prior to His Crucifixion
Jesus loved the Father (John 14:31) and submitted Himself to do the Father’s will (Matt 26:39-44; cf. Rom 5:19; Phil 2:5-8), which included enduring the illegal trials of His accusers, as well as the eventual mockings, beatings, and crucifixion. All that Jesus suffered was prophesied in Scripture (Gen 3:15; Psa 22:16-18; Isa 50:4-7; 52:14; 53:3-12; Matt 26:67-68; Mark 10:32-34). God the Father was in complete control of the circumstances surrounding the trials and crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). Though unjustly attacked, Jesus knew He was doing the Father’s will (John 6:38; 10:14-18; 12:27; 18:11) and did not retaliate against His attackers (1 Pet 2:21-23).
Who Crucified Jesus?
Who crucified Jesus? According to the testimony of Scripture, Jesus’ death on the cross was the result of: 1) God the Father who sent Him, 2) Jesus who willingly went to the cross, 3), Satan who worked through others to help crucify Him, 4) unbelieving Jews, and 5) unbelieving Gentiles.
The Suffering of Jesus Christ
When God the Son added perfect humanity to Himself, this enabled Him to experience suffering and death with, and on behalf of, humanity. The suffering of Christ may be viewed in at least two ways: 1) His suffering during His time on earth prior to the cross, and 2) the suffering of the cross. As the God-Man, Jesus was perfectly holy in all His thoughts, words, and actions. Such perfect holiness brought with it a special form of suffering in this world that the rest of us could never know, since we are capable of yielding to the pressures of sinful temptation. When the time of His death was nearing, Jesus told His disciples “that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day” (Matt 16:21; cf., Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22).
Jesus’ Substitutionary Atonement in Salvation
Jesus’ atonement for sins is the basis for reconciliation, because God has judged our sins in the Person of Christ who died on the cross in our place. The death of Christ has forever satisfied God’s righteous demands for our sin and it is on this basis that He can accept sinners into heaven. The blood of Christ is the only coin in the heavenly realm that God accepts as payment for our sin-debt, and Christ paid our sin debt in full.
The Purposeful Suffering of Christ: A Look at Isaiah 53
It is in the understanding of the suffering and death of Christ that the sinner appreciates God’s great love and the price that was paid for our salvation. Christ suffered in our place, bearing the penalty that rightfully belongs to us. Scripture tells us that “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18a). Perhaps no section of Scripture in the Old Testament bears greater testimony to this truth than Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12, in which the prophet reveals the Messiah as the Suffering Servant.
Two Fathers, Two Kingdoms: Understanding Spiritual Identity in a Divided World
Everyone we meet has two fathers. Everyone. They have a biological father and a spiritual father. Biblically, their spiritual father is either God or Satan. The Pharisees incorrectly thought they were children of God, and said to Jesus, “The only Father we have is God himself” (John 8:41). Here’s an example were perception was not equal to reality. Jesus refuted them, saying, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23), and “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44a). According to William Hendriksen, “Identity of inner passions and desires establishes spiritual descent: they are constantly desiring to carry out the wishes of the devil; so he must be their father. The devil desires to kill and to lie, and so do they.”[2] We live in a divided world where “the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38; cf., 1 John 3:10).
The Lord is Slow to Anger
Though God does get angry and righteously judges sin and sinners, there are a number of Scriptures that tell us He is “slow to anger.” The Lord described Himself to Moses, saying, “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth” (Ex 34:6). Moses picked up on God’s language and repeated it back to Him in a prayer, saying, “The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Num 14:18). Based on these qualities in God, Moses prayed for Israel, saying, “Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now” (Num 14:19). And the Lord heard Moses’ prayer and forgave His people (Num 14:20). Being slow to anger is another way of describing God’s patience toward us.
God is our Refuge and Strength – Psalm 46:1-11
Psalm 46 is classified as one of the Psalms of Zion. The others include Psalm 48, 76, 84, 87, and 122. These songs of Zion celebrate Jerusalem as the place where God dwells with His people (i.e., the city of God). Psalm 46 focuses on God as the refuge and strength of His people when they turn to Him in a time of distress. This psalm is very personal. God is declared to be “our refuge and strength” (Psa 46:1b), and “is with us” and “is our refuge” (Psa 46:7, 11). The theme of God as a refuge and strength is repeated throughout the psalms where the Lord is the source of His people’s strength (Psa 29:11; 68:35), their refuge (Psa 14:6; 61:3; 62:7-8; 71:7; 73:28; 91:2; 142:5), and their stronghold (Psa 9:9; 18:2; 48:3; 59:9, 16-17). The wise seek Him because they are a people in need (Psa 22:19; 27:9; 40:13; 44:26; 63:7). This Psalm inspired Martin Luther to write his hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God.
Divine Discipline for the Christian
It is possible for a Christian to sin, and to sin as badly as any unbeliever. However, unlike the unbeliever, God disciplines His own (Heb 12:5-11), and, if necessary, disciplines to the point of death (1 Cor 11:30; 1 John 5:16). This need not be the case. The Christian is called to a life of holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16), and this means learning to walk with God and do His will. Though we still possess a sin nature, Christians know victory because of our union with Christ (Rom 6:6, 11-13), and our walk of faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6). When filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), and walking by means of the Spirit (Gal 5:16), we can learn to embrace trials and even rejoice in them (Rom 5:3-5; Jam 1:2-4).
Suffering that Builds Christian Character
No one likes suffering, and generally, we try to avoid it. However, some suffering is unavoidable, as there are people and circumstances beyond our ability to influence. This is part of the human experience. But we are not neutral, and though suffering is inevitable, how we handle it is optional. If we greatly fear suffering, then we may be tempted to avoid it at all costs, and the weakening instinct of self-preservation might handicap us from maturing in life. God wants us to grow up and become mature Christians (1 Cor 14:20; Eph 4:11-14), and suffering is sometimes the vehicle He uses to help get us there.
Biblical Encouragement
God’s people need ongoing encouragement in order to strengthen them within so they can continue to do His will. God encourages us directly, through His Word, and through His people. As Christians, we can help to strengthen our souls by ongoing study and application of Scripture, as this provides divine viewpoint and a basis for faith. And, we can make conscious choices to be an encouragement to others who are struggling to do God’s will in a fallen world.
A Survey of Mobs and Riots in Scripture
Mobs and riots are nothing new to human experience. What the Scriptures reveal is that sometimes they are the result of a larger reality that includes God, angels, demons, believers and unbelievers. Sometimes the conflicts arise when cherished but faulty theological ideas and livelihoods are threatened by the believer who advances the gospel of grace. Biblically, there is no example of a believer doing God’s will by means of forming a mob and starting a riot. Such ill behavior is indicative of those who operate on sinful values.
The Lesson in the Storm
During His time of ministry on earth, Jesus was constantly teaching His disciples and developing their walk with Him. This development required testing. Some of the situations the disciples faced were turbulent, which exposed their weaknesses and provided teachable moments. Because of positive volition, Jesus’ disciples would, over time, learn His lessons and advance to spiritual maturity.
Why God Judges Nations
When individuals, groups, cities and nations turn away from God, He will judge them according to His righteous character and moral laws. The Bible reveals “God is the King of all the earth…He reigns over the nations; He sits on His holy throne” (Psa 47:7-8). It is God “who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings” (Dan 2:21), and “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 4:17). The Bible reveals “The LORD is King forever and ever” (Psa 10:16a), and the “LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psa 103:19), and He “works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:11b). God is supreme over all His creation, for “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps” (Psa 135:6), and “He 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). As sovereign God, He judges His world in righteousness.
When Christians Die
When Christians die, they go straight to heaven, and there they will live forever. God must let them in. He does not have a choice in the matter. The Lord has integrity, and He promised that whoever believes in Jesus as Savior will be forgiven all their sins (Eph 1:7) and have eternal life (John 3:16; 10:28). He made the provision for salvation, and He will honor His Word. In fact, God is bound to His Word, for “it is impossible for God to lie” (Heb 6:18; cf. Tit 1:2). By faith, we trust Him when He promises to do something (Heb 11:6). We believe He speaks truthfully and will keep His Word.
Where Satan is Attacking in America
Satan’s tactics are employed globally, with all the nations of the world. His globalist mindset and tactics are intended to weaken nations in order to keep them under his control. America is an exception to most nations because it was founded—for the most part—on biblical values. As a result, God has blessed our country greatly. We know more freedom and prosperity than any other nation on the planet at this time. However, America is under attack, and if Satan can undermine the nation’s values, convincing the majority to turn from God and live selfishly and sinfully, then we’ll forfeit our freedoms and blessings. Much of this article will focus on those areas where Satan is attacking to undermine those biblical values that make for stability in a nation.
Faith Strengthening Techniques
When facing opposition to doing God’s will, the believer must stand on truth. When fear rises among believers, there are faith-strengthening techniques we can apply to our situation that will fortify our walk with God. These techniques are all learned from Scripture and applied by faith.
Satan’s Strategies to Defeat God’s People
In this article, we will consider six major strategies Satan employs to attack God’s people and hinder spiritual growth and ministry. The purpose of this study is that we might learn how Satan attacks, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor 2:11). Knowing Satan’s strategies of war enables us to identify an attack and to defend ourselves by taking up the armor of God. Learning God’s Word and living by faith is the key to victory.
The Life of Faith
Living by faith is the Christian way. God expects us to trust Him at His word, which is plainly understood, believed, and applied. Studying the Bible and applying it to life are comparable to breathing in and breathing out, as both are necessary for living. Much of our mental and social stability depends on how well we know the Word of God and apply it to life. The Lord states, “My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb 10:38). And we know that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6).
The Effects of Sin Upon Our World
This article is intended is to show how the historic fall of Adam and Eve fundamentally changed the human race and the world, resulting in disease, decay and death among all living things, and that the tendency of humanity is to behave in a spiritually and morally corrupt manner, suppressing God’s truth and rejecting His solutions to life’s problems. Understanding this helps us make sense of the world in which we live and why people behave the way they do.
Demons and How They Influence Mankind
Angels are basically classified as either righteous or evil. The former retain their holy state and service to God and are called elect angels (1 Tim 5:21), whereas the latter have defected from their original state and continue in constant rebellion against God. Satan is the leader of all fallen angels (Matt 25:41; cf. Rev 12:7, 9), which Scripture designates as evil spirits (1 Sam 16:14; Luke 7:21), demons (Matt 8:31), and unclean spirits (Mark 5:1-4). These have been operating for millennia trying to frustrate the purposes of God.
Satan’s Evil World-System
The Bible recognizes Satan’s world-system and warns us not to love it (1 John 2:15-16). When John writes and tells the Christian “do not love the world”, he’s not talking about the physical planet. The Greek word κόσμος kosmos as it is used by the apostle John and others most often refers to “that which is hostile to God…lost in sin, wholly at odds with anything divine, ruined and depraved.” (BDAG) Satan’s world-system consists of those philosophies and values that perpetually influence humanity to think and behave contrary to God and His Word. This operating apart from God is first and foremost a way of thinking that is antithetical to God and His Word, a way of thinking motivated by a desire to be free from God and the authority of Scripture, a freedom most will accept, even though it is accompanied by all sorts of inconsistencies and absurdities.
David – A Better King
David was a good king who reigned in Israel from roughly 1010 to 970 B.C. David’s life was intermingled with Saul, Israel’s first king, who failed to walk with God and do His will. David was better than Saul. He was better because he was a man of faith, and faith always pleases the Lord (Heb 11:6).
When Life Gets Tough
When life gets tough, sometimes God reassures and comforts us (Psa 23:4; 2 Cor 1:3-5; 2 Th 2:16-17), sometimes we comfort each other (Eph 6:22; 1 Th 4:18), and sometimes we comfort ourselves with His Word (Psa 119:50, 52; Lam 3:21-23). But there are times in Scripture when God does not give comfort—at least not in the way we might expect—but informs His people that things will get worse, and that they need to prepare themselves for the challenges and suffering ahead (Matt 10:16, 23; John 15:20; 16:1-2; Acts 9:15-16; 20:22-23).
They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
The biblical principle of blessing and cursing by association highlights the consequences of Israel's choices between faith and fear. As they chose fear following negative reports from spies, they not only suffered spiritually but also imposed penalties upon their children. Living faithfully impacts others positively; thus, individuals should model a life grounded in faith to leave a lasting legacy.
Choosing the Faithful Way – Psalm 119:25-32
In Psalm 119:25-32, the psalmist expressed himself as one who faced great distress and who cried out to the Lord for strength. Though faced with conflict, he committed himself to pursue God and to run in His ways. His desire was to have enhanced knowledge of God’s Word, which would strengthen his soul and increase his capacity for righteous living. The benefit was a soul set free to run with God and a knowledge and capacity to do His will.
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.
Alexander the Coppersmith
Paul warned his friend Timothy about a hostile man named Alexander, who had harmed him. Although Paul didn't seek revenge, he advised Timothy to guard against Alexander, as he vigorously opposed their teaching. Christians are urged not to seek vengeance but to trust in God's justice. This cautionary account demonstrates the need to warn others of potential harm.
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.
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.
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.
The Faithfulness of the Lord
The strength of the believer is in God, as we trust His Word, believing He will sustain us as we face life’s difficulties.
The Lord is My Shepherd – Psalm 23
The 23rd psalm is known and appreciated by many, but it belongs personally only to those who call God their shepherd. It is a song of David’s confidence in God who faithfully provides for him. David pictures God as a shepherd who guides, provides, and protects (vss. 1-4), and as a dinner host who nourishes and refreshes His guest (vs. 5-6). One gets the impression that David wrote this psalm at a time when he was experiencing hardship (perhaps when he was fleeing in the wilderness from Absalom). The psalm reveals a confidence in David’s soul, no doubt the result of his relationship with God and his trust in the LORD’s goodness and loyal-love. Whatever threat David was facing, he could rely on God’s goodness and lovingkindness, and David knew the end of his life would be “in the house of the LORD forever” (vs. 6).
The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53
It is in the understanding of the suffering and death of Christ that the sinner appreciates God’s great love and the price that was paid for his salvation. Christ suffered in place of the sinner, bearing the penalty that rightfully belonged to him. Scripture tells us that “Christ also died for sins … Continue reading The Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53