Contrition is a feeling of deep regret and remorse over one’s sins. It involves grieving over the offense committed against God, as well as an acknowledgment of guilt and a willingness to make amends. The Bible has much to say about contrition and views it as an essential component of repentance. Contrition Starts with Conviction of Sin True contrition begins when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin (John 16:8). This conviction leads to godly sorrow over the guilt of sin, which leads us to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Conviction is an awareness that we have violated God’s holy…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Living for God can often feel difficult and challenging. There are several reasons why this may be the case according to the Bible. We Live in a Fallen World One major reason living for God can feel difficult is that we live in a fallen, sinful world. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world and corrupted all of creation (Genesis 3). Ever since then, we’ve lived in a world full of temptation, suffering, and evil forces that seek to turn us away from God (1 John 5:19). As believers, we’re called to be…
Jesus eating with sinners was highly significant and central to His ministry for several reasons: It demonstrated His love and acceptance of sinners One of the most prominent features of Jesus’ ministry was that He readily spent time with and showed love to those considered “sinners” and outcasts of society (Luke 15:1-2). At the time, the Pharisees harshly judged and avoided any contact with such people, considering themselves too holy to associate with sinners (Luke 18:9-14). However, Jesus actively sought them out and extended grace and mercy to them, demonstrating God’s heart of compassion. When Jesus ate with sinners, it…
The phrase “see face to face” comes from 1 Corinthians 13:12, which says “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” This verse points to a future time when our knowledge and understanding of God will be complete and perfect, compared to the limited understanding we have now. In our current earthly life, we only see an indirect reflection of spiritual realities, as if looking in a mirror. Our knowledge is incomplete and imperfect.…
This is an important question that many Christians wrestle with. On one hand, Jesus clearly told people to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Yet on the other hand, the Bible teaches that all people are sinners and no one is without sin (Romans 3:23). How do we reconcile these two truths? There are a few key things to understand here: 1. Jesus calls us to pursue holiness, even though sinlessness is impossible in this life Jesus sets the bar high for holiness. He wants His followers to strive to live holy lives, even though we will fall short…
Who was John Stott? John Stott was an influential evangelical Christian leader and Anglican cleric from England who lived from 1921 to 2011. He made significant contributions to the worldwide evangelical movement and wrote over 50 books on theology and the Christian faith. Here is an overview of his life and ministry: Early Life and Education John R.W. Stott was born in London on April 27, 1921 to Sir Arnold and Emily Stott. His father was a leading physician who served as president of the Medical Missionary Association. Stott grew up in a comfortable home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire and attended…
1 Corinthians 1:25 says, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” This verse points to a profound truth about God – that even His supposed “weakness” surpasses the greatest human strength. To properly understand this verse, we must first examine the context. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul is writing to a divided church in Corinth. The people were forming factions around different leaders and quarrelling about who was more important. In response, Paul points them towards Christ and reminds them that their faith rests on God’s power,…
This is a profound question that many have pondered. At surface level, it may seem that since God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely self-sufficient, He has no need for humanity. However, when we dig deeper into what the Bible says, we find that God does not “need” us in the typical sense of the word, but He deeply desires relationship with us. First, we must recognize that God created humanity out of His own joy and desire for relationship (Genesis 1:26-27). God was not lonely or lacking anything when He made people. Rather, out of the overflow of His love,…
Seeking the wisdom of God is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible tells us that true wisdom comes from God alone (Proverbs 2:6). As Christians, we can tap into divine wisdom through prayer, studying Scripture, and listening to godly counsel. Here are some key ways to connect with the wisdom of God: Pray for wisdom One of the best things we can do is simply ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Bring…
Marriage counseling can be a valuable resource for Christian couples who are struggling in their relationship. However, it’s not always clear when counseling is necessary or most helpful. Here are some signs that indicate a Christian couple would benefit from seeking outside support: Communication Breakdown One of the most common reasons couples pursue counseling is difficulty communicating. If a couple finds they are unable to have constructive conversations about important topics, it creates distance in the relationship. A counselor can help identify unhealthy communication patterns and teach tactics like active listening and speaking without criticism. With improved communication skills, Christian…