The statement that the kingdom of God does not come with observation comes from Luke 17:20, where Jesus says to the Pharisees, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed.” This is an important verse that provides insight into the nature of God’s kingdom. There are a few key things to understand from this verse: The kingdom of God refers to God’s reign and rule over all creation. It is the sphere where God’s will is done and his authority is recognized. The kingdom is present wherever people submit to God’s rule. The Pharisees expected the…
Author: Aaron Chin
Why did God make salvation such a narrow path? God designed salvation to be through faith in Jesus Christ alone because He wants us to humble ourselves and recognize our need for a Savior. Though God desires all people to be saved, He requires us to acknowledge our sinfulness and trust in what Jesus did on the cross, not in our own goodness or works (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a free gift, but it must be received on God’s terms. The Bible makes clear that people are sinful by nature (Romans 3:23) and cannot save themselves…
How can I be a good Christian? Being a good Christian requires devoting your life to following Jesus Christ. This involves having faith in Him, repenting of sins, being baptized, reading the Bible, praying, attending church, serving others, sharing your faith, and living a holy life. Here is a more detailed look at what the Bible says about how to be a good Christian: Having Faith in Jesus Christ The starting point to being a Christian is having faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior (John 3:16). This means believing that He is the Son of God who…
The “all-seeing eye” is a symbolic motif that has appeared throughout history in various cultures and contexts. In a biblical sense, the all-seeing eye often refers to the omniscience and omnipresence of God, who sees and knows all things. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the all-seeing eye of God: God’s Omniscience The Bible clearly teaches that God is all-knowing and omniscient. 1 John 3:20 states that “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” Psalm 139:1-4 declares “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and…
Why Did Jesus Choose the Wedding at Cana for His First Miracle? The wedding at Cana is the very first miracle performed by Jesus Christ, as recorded in John 2:1-11. At a wedding feast in Cana, Galilee, the wine supply ran out. Upon the request of His mother Mary, Jesus miraculously turned water into wine – high quality wine – in six large stone jars. This astonishing sign marked the start of Jesus’ public ministry and revealed His glory. But why did Jesus choose this time and place for His inaugural miracle? As the incarnate Son of God beginning His…
Proverbs 30:15 says, “The leech has two daughters: ‘Give! Give!'” This proverb comes from the sayings of Agur son of Jakeh, who utters words of wisdom and confession to God (Proverbs 30:1). In this verse, Agur uses the metaphor of the leech and its “two daughters” to make a point about insatiable human nature. In the ancient world, leeches were seen as creatures that sucked blood continuously, never satisfied. As the ESV Study Bible notes, “The leech’s two daughters crying ‘Give’ and ‘Give’ represent insatiable human nature, always wanting more.” Just as the leech cries “give” for more blood, the…
Hebrews 4:12 states that “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” This verse indicates that God’s word has the power to penetrate deeply into our inner being, even to the point of dividing between our soul and spirit. But what exactly does this mean? Defining Soul and Spirit First, we must understand the biblical definitions of “soul” and “spirit.” The soul refers to our self-consciousness, mind, emotions, and will. It’s…
The existence of mysterious ape-like creatures like Bigfoot or Sasquatch has captivated the imagination of many people over the years. Hollywood movies, TV shows, and widespread eyewitness accounts have fueled fascination with these elusive beasts said to roam remote forests. But what does the Bible have to say about the possibility of such creatures? While the Bible does not directly address Bigfoot or Sasquatch by name, a careful examination of Scripture provides some helpful principles to consider. The Bible Affirms God’s Creative Power First, the Bible clearly affirms that God created all living creatures. Genesis 1-2 describes how God spoke…
The Passover lamb is a central symbol in the Bible, especially in relation to the Exodus story and the sacrificial system prescribed by God for the Israelites. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the Passover lamb: The Original Passover Lamb The Passover lamb was first instituted by God prior to the Exodus, when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God sent nine plagues to judged the Egyptians, but warned the Israelites that the tenth and final plague would involve the death of all firstborn sons in Egypt (Exodus 11:1-10). To protect themselves, God commanded each Israelite…
The book of James offers practical wisdom for Christians seeking to live out their faith. In James 5:7, the author encourages his readers to be patient in suffering, using the example of a farmer waiting for the early and latter rains. In the ancient Near East, including Israel, rainfall came at two key times of the year (Deut 11:14). The early rains came in the autumn, right after seed sowing, to enable the seeds to germinate and grow. The latter rains came in the spring, to enable the crops to mature and ripen before harvest time. A farmer in ancient…