The statement “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” comes from Joshua 24:15 in the Bible. It’s spoken by Joshua near the end of his life after leading the Israelites into the promised land. This verse has become a popular saying among Christians to affirm their commitment to following God. To understand the meaning behind this verse, it’s helpful to look at the context. In Joshua 24, Joshua has gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem. He reminds them of all that God has done for them – rescuing them from Egypt, giving them…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Rebuking another believer is a delicate matter that requires wisdom, discernment, and care. The Bible offers guidance on when rebuke may be warranted, how it should be handled, and the spirit in which it should be given. While we are called to gently restore those caught in sin, rebuke is not to be our default response to a struggling Christian. Here are some biblical principles on when and how to lovingly rebuke a fellow believer: Rebuke should be used sparingly and only for serious unrepentant sin The Bible teaches that Christians should be patient, gentle, and humble in their relationships…
The Bible does not directly address left-handedness very much. However, there are a few passages that give some insight into how left-handedness was viewed in biblical times. Overall, the Bible seems to present a neutral or ambivalent perspective on left-handedness. Left-handedness in the Bible Here are some of the main biblical passages that mention left-handedness: Ehud, one of the judges of Israel, was left-handed and used this to his advantage when assassinating the Moabite king Eglon (Judges 3:15-22). The Benjamites were known for having many left-handed warriors who could “sling a stone at a hair and not miss” (Judges 20:16).…
When Jesus says “Peace I leave with you” in John 14:27, He is referring to the inner peace and comfort He wants to give His followers through the Holy Spirit. This verse comes within the context of Jesus’ farewell discourse to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. He knows He is about to leave them physically, so He promises them a supernatural peace that the world cannot give or take away. There are a few key things to understand about the peace Jesus is promising: 1. It’s a gift from Him Jesus says “Peace I leave with you,…
Believing in God provides meaning, purpose, hope, and fulfillment in life. Here are some key reasons to consider believing in God according to the Bible: Evidence of God’s Existence The Bible states that the existence of God is evident within creation. The intricacy, complexity, order, and beauty of the natural world point to an intelligent Designer behind it all. As Romans 1:20 states, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” The fact that…
What does it mean to have a seared conscience? Having a seared conscience refers to having a conscience that has been spiritually damaged or compromised, resulting in an inability to sense between right and wrong. This term comes from 1 Timothy 4:1-2, which states “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.” The conscience is like a moral compass within each person that convicts and guides them towards righteousness. It can be thought of…
Sandemanianism was a religious movement within Protestant Christianity named after its founder, Robert Sandeman. It emerged in the 18th century in Scotland and England and was part of the wider Calvinist tradition. Here is a 9000 word overview of Sandemanianism’s history, beliefs, practices and legacy: History of Sandemanianism Robert Sandeman (1718-1771) was originally part of the Church of Scotland but later separated and founded his own denomination. He was influenced by the teachings of John Glas who started the Glasite church. Sandeman developed Glas’s views further, especially on saving faith and church governance. In 1755, Sandeman published his Letters on…
Paul’s exhortation to the Romans to present their bodies as a living sacrifice is one of the most well-known and profound passages in Scripture. Yet what exactly does it mean to be a living sacrifice? This critical verse contains a wealth of meaning for how followers of Christ are called to live. The Background of Romans 12:1 To fully understand Romans 12:1, we must first look at the context surrounding it. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans to introduce himself and share the gospel message with the church in Rome (Romans 1:1-17). In chapters 1-11, Paul lays out the…
Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This verse teaches an important truth about how faith in Christ comes about in a person’s life. Let’s explore the meaning of this verse and why it’s significant. The Context of Romans 10:17 To properly understand any verse, it’s important to see it in context. Romans 10 comes in the broader context of Romans 9-11, where Paul wrestles with the question of why more of his fellow Jews have not believed in Jesus as their Messiah. This moves him to elaborate on the nature of…
The phrase “manifold wisdom of God” comes from Ephesians 3:10 which says, “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” This verse points to the grand purpose of God’s wisdom being displayed through the church. The word “manifold” means multi-faceted, diverse, or having many sides. God’s wisdom is far beyond human understanding – it is infinitely complex and multidimensional. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). The manifold wisdom of God encompasses all of creation and human history, weaving them together…