The Bible has a lot to say about loving one another. At its core, loving one another means treating others with patience, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, and selflessness. It is one of the primary virtues emphasized throughout Scripture. Jesus himself declared that the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He made it clear that loving God and loving others are foundational to the Christian faith. So what are some of the key aspects of…
Author: Erin Weitzman
Sexual sin is a major topic in the Bible that is addressed repeatedly throughout Scripture. There are several key reasons why God places such emphasis on sexual purity and warns so strongly against sexual immorality. Sexual Sin Distorts God’s Good Design for Sexuality God created sex and designed it to be an amazing gift to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage between a husband and wife (Genesis 2:24, Hebrews 13:4). Sex was meant to unite and strengthen the marital bond. When we engage in sexual activities outside of marriage, we distort God’s good plan for sexuality. Premarital sex, adultery,…
Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, as sin separates us from God and we need His forgiveness to be reconciled to Him. The Bible teaches that God is loving and merciful, eager to forgive those who repent and turn to Him (Psalm 86:5, Isaiah 55:7). Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, God made a way for our sins to be forgiven so we can have a restored relationship with Him (Colossians 1:13-14). As recipients of God’s great forgiveness, Christians are called to extend forgiveness to others, even enemies, just as God has forgiven us…
This is a difficult question that many believers grapple with. At first glance, it may seem unacceptable that God would use evil to accomplish His good purposes. However, a careful examination of Scripture reveals that God is sovereign over all things, including evil, and often uses the sinful free choices of human beings to fulfill His plans. The book of Habakkuk provides an example of this. Overview of Habakkuk Habakkuk was a prophet in Judah who likely ministered sometime between 610 and 586 BC, just prior to the Babylonian invasion. Habakkuk struggles with why God would use the evil Babylonian…
The question of whether a Christian should run for political office is one that has been debated extensively throughout history. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue, with thoughtful Christians landing on different conclusions. Looking at principles from Scripture can help provide wisdom for Christians considering pursuing elected office. Those who believe Christians should not pursue politics often point to verses emphasizing focusing on spiritual matters over worldly ones. Passages like Colossians 3:2, which tells believers to �Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,� seem to indicate politics should…
The Bible teaches that God is perfectly good. God’s goodness refers to His moral perfection, righteousness, justice, love, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. Here’s a 9000 word exploration of what the Bible says about God’s goodness: God’s goodness means He always does what is right, just, holy, and pleasing to Himself. God is the standard of goodness – He upholds moral perfection. Leviticus 19:2 states, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” 1 John 1:5 declares, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” God’s essence is completely pure, righteous, and true. Habakkuk…
How should Christians respond to someone with Asperger’s? Asperger’s syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It is considered an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). People with Asperger’s often have above-average intelligence but struggle with social skills and empathy. As Christians, how should we respond when encountering and interacting with someone who has Asperger’s? Here are some biblical principles to keep in mind: 1. Treat them with love and compassion The most important thing is to see them first as a person created…
The Bible provides important historical context for understanding the relationship between Israel and Palestine. Though the terms “Israel” and “Palestine” are modern political designations, the lands they currently define have a long and complex history according to the biblical narrative. In the Old Testament, God promises the land of Canaan (roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel and Palestine) to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15:18-21). The descendants of Abraham include the tribes that would later constitute the nation of Israel. After the exodus from Egypt, the Israelites conquered parts of Canaan under leaders like Joshua, but did not fully drive out…
Jesus’ birthplace has been a topic of much discussion and debate over the centuries. According to the biblical accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod the Great. The Gospel writers indicate that Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem shortly before Jesus was born to comply with a Roman census that required Joseph to register in his ancestral home town. Bethlehem is a small village about six miles southwest of Jerusalem. It had long been prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2). The…
Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who were prominent figures in the early Christian church. Here is an overview of what the Bible tells us about their lives and ministry: Their Background Priscilla and Aquila were Jewish Christians originally from Pontus, a province in Asia Minor (Acts 18:2). At some point they relocated to Rome, but were forced to leave when Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from the city around AD 49 (Acts 18:2). This is likely what brought them to Corinth in Greece, where they met the apostle Paul. Meeting Paul in Corinth Acts 18 describes how Paul…