The story of Jesus and the rich young ruler is found in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23. This encounter provides insight into Jesus’ view of salvation and how it relates to following God’s commandments. The key aspects of the story are: A rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17, Luke 18:18). Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, and when asked which ones, Jesus lists some of the Ten Commandments related to loving your neighbor (Matthew 19:18-19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20). The young man claims he has kept…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
I am in the process of getting a divorce. Can I start dating? The end of a marriage can be an emotionally devastating time. As you go through the process of divorce, you may be wondering if it’s permissible to start dating while your divorce is still pending. What does the Bible say about this? Let’s take a thoughtful and prayerful look at what scripture teaches. Marriage Is Meant to Be Permanent First, it’s important to remember that in God’s perfect design, marriage is intended to be permanent and lifelong. Several passages affirm this truth: “For this reason a man…
Continuationism is the belief that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, did not cease after the time of the apostles but continue to this day. The continuationist position stands in contrast to cessationism, which argues that some or all of the charismatic gifts ceased with the end of the apostolic age. The continuationist position has several key biblical arguments: 1. There is no definitive biblical statement of when the gifts would cease. Nowhere does the New Testament state that the gifts of the Spirit were only for the apostolic age. Proponents…
Jonah 4:11 says “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (ESV). This verse comes at the end of the book of Jonah, after Jonah has preached to the people of Nineveh and they have repented. However, Jonah is displeased that God spared the Ninevites rather than destroying them as Jonah had prophesied. In this verse, God is rebuking Jonah for his hard-heartedness and lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh.…
The phrase “the heavens declare the glory of God” comes from Psalm 19:1, which states “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” This verse speaks to the fact that creation itself testifies to the existence, wisdom, power, and glory of God. As we observe the magnificence and intricacies of the cosmos, we are witnessing clear evidence of God’s creative abilities and divine nature. There are several key ways we see God’s glory revealed through the heavens: The Vastness of Space The sheer size and scope of the universe is astounding. Astronomers estimate there…
Jesus’ reference to “living water” is found in John 4:10-15. In this passage, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at a well and asks her for a drink. The woman is surprised that a Jew would speak to a Samaritan. Jesus responds by telling her that if she knew who He was, she would be asking Him for a drink instead. He then says that whoever drinks of the water from this well will thirst again, but “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. The water that I shall give him will become in him…
Vice refers to immoral or wicked behavior and habits. Vices are typically seen as the opposite of virtues. The Bible has a lot to say about vices and warns against falling into sinful patterns of behavior. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about vices: Common Vices Discussed in the Bible The Bible discusses many habits and behaviors that are considered sinful vices. Some of the most commonly addressed vices include: Drunkenness – Consuming too much alcohol and becoming drunk. Bible verses warn against drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 5:11, 1 Corinthians 6:10). Greed – An…
The story of Jonah is well known, but the reasons behind his initial disobedience are complex. When God called Jonah to go and preach to the people of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, Jonah instead fled in the opposite direction to the city of Tarshish. This seems like a very strange response for a prophet of God, so examining the context helps explain Jonah’s motivations. First, Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, one of Israel’s most hated and brutal enemies. The Assyrians were a constant threat to Israel, oppressing and attacking them for centuries. Jonah, as an Israelite,…
The phrase “a bruised reed He will not break” comes from Matthew 12:20, which says: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory.” This verse references Isaiah 42:3, which contains a prophecy about the gentle character of the coming Messiah. In its original context, this phrase paints a picture of the Messiah’s compassionate care for the weak and vulnerable. A “bruised reed” refers to a plant like a reed or stalk of grass that is bent, crushed, or weakened. Once bruised, a reed was essentially useless. Likewise,…
The sinner’s prayer, also known as the salvation prayer or confession prayer, is a Christian term for a prayer of repentance and faith that leads to salvation. It is a prayer in which a person admits their sinfulness, accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, and commits their life to following Him. The concept of a “sinner’s prayer” is founded on several biblical principles: – We are all sinners in need of salvation (Romans 3:23). – Salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6). – If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us (1 John…