The verse Romans 8:38 states “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This profound statement assures believers that nothing can separate us from God’s love. But what does it really mean? Let’s explore this verse in depth. The Context of Romans 8 To fully understand Romans 8:38, we must first look at the context of the entire chapter. Romans…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The question of whether Jesus was a refugee is an interesting one that deserves careful examination of the biblical text. The Bible does not directly state that Jesus and his family were refugees, but it provides some clues that allow us to reasonably infer they may have been refugees at certain points in Jesus’ early life. First, it is important to define what constitutes a refugee. The 1951 Refugee Convention defines a refugee as someone who “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is…
The phrase “image of God” comes from the creation account in Genesis 1:26-27, which states: “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Being made in the image of God is a foundational concept for understanding what it…
Jesus’ comforting words recorded in John 14:18 – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” – are incredibly meaningful for all believers. This promise from our Lord and Savior gives us tremendous hope, especially when we face difficult circumstances. The Context of Jesus’ Statement To properly understand the significance of this verse, we must first examine the context. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. The disciples were fearful and troubled because Jesus had told them that He was going away and they could not follow (John 13:33-36). Peter…
The question of whether it is sinful to share, download or pirate copyrighted material like music, movies and software on the internet is a complex one that requires careful examination of what the Bible teaches. At around 9000 words, this article will provide an in-depth look at the relevant biblical principles and perspectives that pertain to this issue. The Eighth Commandment The most fundamental biblical principle related to copyright infringement is the Eighth Commandment which states, “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). This raises the question – does illegally obtaining copyrighted material constitute stealing? To answer this, we must understand…
Lust is a strong desire for something, often used in a negative sense to refer to sexual desire outside of marriage. The Bible has a lot to say about lust and controlling our desires. Definitions of Lust in the Bible The Greek word translated “lust” in the New Testament is “epithymia.” This word is used to refer to strong desires, not just for sex, but also for food, possessions, and other things. However, it is often used in the context of sinful desire. Lust is related to covetousness – wanting something that is not rightfully yours. Covetousness is listed as…
The “rose of Sharon” is mentioned in the Bible once, in Song of Solomon 2:1 – “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.” To understand what this means, we need to examine the context. The Song of Solomon is a book of the Bible that emphasizes the love between a husband and wife. It contains beautiful poetic language depicting the intimacy in marriage. In Song of Solomon 2:1, the woman is speaking, identifying herself as “the rose of Sharon.” Sharon was a fertile plain along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. It was known for its…
Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” This verse teaches us that children are a blessing and gift from God. There are several important implications we can draw from this verse: Children Are a Gift from God First, children are described as a “heritage” and “reward” from the Lord. These words indicate that children are a precious gift given by God. Just as a valuable inheritance is passed down from generation to generation, children are given to parents as a treasure to care for. This teaches us that every…
The offertory is an important part of many Christian church services and worship. The word “offertory” comes from the Latin “offerre” meaning “to bring or bear an offering.” In a church context, the offertory refers to the portion of a worship service when offerings and gifts are collected from the congregation. The practice of receiving financial offerings during worship services has ancient biblical roots. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel were commanded to bring required offerings and sacrifices to the tabernacle and temple. These offerings supported the priests and Levites who served in the temple, as well as…
Faith is a central theme in the Bible and is emphasized numerous times throughout Scripture. Hebrews 11:1 provides a concise yet profound definition of faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse reveals two key aspects of biblical faith: 1. Faith is being sure of what we hope for. Faith means having complete confidence and assurance in things that have been promised to us by God but have not yet come to pass. This includes eternal life, resurrection, and inheritance in the kingdom of God. 2. Faith is being certain…