Jesus
Jesus Matters
Do black lives “matter”? John 3:16 is answer enough. Selah. But John 3:16 demonstrates something infinitely more “dope” than any particular cultural movement. This verse reveals that ultimately, Jesus matters…the One who demonstrated that the pinnacle of the human condition is suffering to the glory of God. Contrary to the culture of His day, the…
Read MoreWhy the Doctrine of “Christ Alone” is Vital to Christianity
To trust in (πείθω, be persuaded in, won over to) Jesus Christ is to be convinced that He alone can rescue, He alone can save. The key phrase in the question above is “Jesus Christ alone”. “Alone” means that I trust in Jesus Christ and no one else, including myself. Neither my willpower nor my…
Read MorePreferring & Serving Others: The Antidote to Selfishness and Pride
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” In these verses, Paul expresses the antidote to selfishness and pride: considering others more significant than ourselves. Then in…
Read MoreWhy – Primarily – Did Jesus Come?
Scripture records several answers to the question, “Why did Jesus come?” Here are several reasons from Jesus’ own lips: – That His people would have abundant life (John 10:10) – To seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) – To destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) – To serve and give His…
Read MoreHe Opened Not His Mouth
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) Isaiah uses the phrase “he opened not his mouth” twice in this sentence, and I…
Read MoreWhat is the Gospel?
The most succinct definition of the gospel is found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For…
Read MoreGod’s Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
In the moment of anger, consider the great mercy God extended to you. Isaiah wrote that God pardons abundantly (Isaiah 55:7). Considering what God did for you in Christ in the moment of anger will help your response to others. Because God has been merciful to you, you can be a merciful person. Even if you’ve…
Read MoreAre Christ’s Afflictions Lacking?
Are Christ’s Afflictions Lacking? Colossians 1:24: ” Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church” In a previous post, I explained that God grants us suffering, thereby blessing us greatly.…
Read MoreHope in Depression
According to the WHO, 300 million people worldwide are affected by depression. Depression comes at different levels and forms, and can come from physical illness, abuse, moving, death of a loved one and a variety of other reasons. Psalms 42 reflects the struggles of depression. In 42:5, the Psalmist as this question: “Why are you cast…
Read MoreDoes Jesus have a body, and why is this important?
Jesus had a body (Luke 24:39, John 20:24-26, Matthew 24:30, Acts 1:9) while on earth. The apostle John wrote that “The Word became flesh”, John 1:14. This fact established, the question still persists: does Jesus currently have a body? In 1 John 4:2, the apostle John wrote “By this you know the Spirit of God:…
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