Jesus warns in Matthew 7:13 that the gate leading to destruction is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction. This imagery conveys an important spiritual truth – the path of sin and unbelief is much easier and more tempting than the narrow path of faith and obedience. Let’s explore why this is the case. 1. Sin appeals to our natural desires Human beings are born with a sinful nature that is drawn to selfishness, pride, lust, greed and other sins. Because of our fallen state, behaviors like lying, cheating, overindulging in pleasure, or living for self just…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Legalism is a term used to describe a doctrinal position emphasizing a system of rules and regulations for achieving both salvation and spiritual growth. Legalists believe in and demand a strict literal adherence to rules and ritual especially as a way to salvation. The Bible does have quite a bit to say about legalism. The core problem with legalism is that it represents an improper understanding of the relationship between law and grace. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is God’s free gift to us, not something we earn…
Rizpah was an important figure in the Bible, though not much is said about her. She appears in 2 Samuel chapters 3, 21, and 24. Here is an overview of who Rizpah was and her significance in the Bible: Rizpah was King Saul’s Concubine Rizpah was one of King Saul’s concubines. This means she was a secondary wife or mistress to Saul, who was the first king of Israel. Though not Saul’s primary wife, Rizpah still held status as mother to two of Saul’s sons: Armoni and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 21:8). Rizpah Protected the Bodies of Saul’s Heirs After Saul’s…
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” This verse comes in the context of Jesus describing himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The abundance of life Jesus offers is in contrast to the destruction brought by “the thief,” referring to Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. So what does it mean when Jesus says he came that we “may have life and have it abundantly”? Let’s explore a few key aspects of the abundant…
In the Old Testament, a father’s blessing was seen as incredibly important and valuable. There are a few key reasons why: 1. A father’s blessing passed on the family inheritance and leadership The blessing given by the father over his sons formally passed on the inheritance and leadership of the family or clan to the next generation (Gen 27:1-40). The father’s blessing conferred birthright privileges and responsibilities. The firstborn son especially was given a double portion of the inheritance and was expected to take on leadership responsibilities after the father died or stepped down (Deut 21:15-17). The blessing ceremonially conferred…
The fall of the walls of Jericho is one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, the Israelites finally arrived at the border of the Promised Land. The first city they had to conquer was Jericho, a heavily fortified city with massive walls surrounding it. By all military standards, this was an impossible task. Yet God had a plan to deliver Jericho into the hands of His people in a remarkable way. What can we learn from this amazing story that can apply to our lives today? First, we learn that…
Living for Jesus means dedicating one’s life to following and serving Him. This involves accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, seeking an intimate relationship with Him through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, and living in obedience to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The meaning of living for Jesus can be summed up in these key points: Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior The starting point of living for Jesus is acknowledging Him as the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again, and accepting His free gift of salvation by…
The story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 44 involves an interesting case of divination or fortune-telling. In Genesis 44:5 and 44:15, Joseph has his servants place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack to see if his brothers will abandon Benjamin as they had abandoned Joseph years earlier. This appears to be a test or trick that Joseph devises to assess his brothers’ character and loyalty to each other. Specifically, in Genesis 44:5, Joseph tells his servant: “Is not this it in which my lord drinks, and by which indeed he divines? You have done wrong in doing so.”…
Determining the oldest book in the Bible is not a straightforward task. There are a few different ways scholars look at this question: Oldest Book by Composition If we go by the date when scholars believe the books were originally composed, most agree that the Book of Job is likely the oldest book in the Bible. Job is part of the Wisdom Literature and is estimated to have been written around 2000-1800 BC. The events described in Job probably occurred during the patriarchal period (Genesis 12-50), so the composition dates back to that time even if it was written down…
Jansenism is a theological movement within Roman Catholicism that emphasizes original sin, human depravity, the necessity of divine grace, and predestination. The movement originated from the writings of Cornelius Jansen, who was Bishop of Ypres in the early 17th century. Jansen’s major work, Augustinus, was published posthumously in 1640 and caused significant controversy within the Catholic Church. Here is an overview of Jansenism and an analysis of how biblical its teachings are: Overview of Jansenism The key teachings of Jansenism include: Human nature is profoundly corrupted by original sin. Humans are depraved and inclined toward evil. Salvation is entirely dependent…