To truly follow Christ means dedicating one’s life to imitating Jesus’ teachings and example. It involves repenting of sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christ’s image. True followers of Jesus commit to living lives of holiness, service, sacrifice, love, and obedience to God’s word. Repenting of Sin An essential starting point for following Jesus is repenting of sin. Jesus began His ministry by declaring, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). To repent means turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves recognizing our sinfulness,…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The topic of LGBTQ+ issues and Christianity is complex, with several distinct viewpoints among Christians. Broadly speaking, there are four main perspectives that Christians take: Side A – Affirming Christians who take a Side A view fully affirm LGBTQ+ identities and relationships as valid before God. Side A believers argue that the Bible does not condemn loving, committed same-sex relationships as we understand them today. They point to biblical passages that demonstrate God’s expansive love and acceptance of all people. Side A Christians believe that LGBTQ+ people can live out their sexuality and gender identity while following Christ faithfully. Key…
Revelation 22:15 refers to a group of people who will be excluded from the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21-22. In the final verses of Revelation, after describing the glories of the New Jerusalem, it says: “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:15 ESV) This verse has sparked much discussion about who exactly these people are that are “outside” the city gates. Looking at the context and the rest of Scripture, we can gain some insight into this group. 1. They are characterized by…
Is it Allowable for a Christian to Have a Life Partner Without a Civil Marriage? Introduction The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or condone romantic partnerships outside of legal marriage. However, through examining relevant scriptural principles and themes, we can develop a biblical perspective on whether Christians may morally have life partners without pursuing civil marriage. This approximately 9,000 word article will explore the key considerations around this issue. What Does the Bible Say About Marriage? Marriage is an institution created by God, first mentioned in Genesis 2:18-24. According to this passage, God designed marriage to meet human needs for…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and teachings about how to live a godly life. One of these teachings is found in Proverbs 20:13, which says “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” This verse advises against loving sleep too much and encourages being diligent and hardworking instead. There are a few key reasons why the Bible warns against loving sleep too much: 1. Sleeping too much can lead to poverty and lack The first part of Proverbs 20:13 directly states that loving sleep…
Jesus showed great love and care for children during his ministry on earth. Here is an overview of how Jesus interacted with children based on accounts in the Gospels: Jesus welcomed children Jesus welcomed children and did not view them as unimportant or a nuisance. When his disciples tried to shoo children away, Jesus corrected them saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Jesus wanted children to feel welcomed and loved in his presence. Jesus took time for children Jesus made time for children…
The phrase “handed over to Satan” appears only once in the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 5:5. In this verse, Paul instructs the Corinthian church to hand over an unrepentant sinner in their midst to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. This is a difficult verse to understand, but with careful study we can grasp the meaning and significance of Paul’s instruction. The Context of 1 Corinthians 5 In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addresses a case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church. A man in the…
The verse Proverbs 23:23 says “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” This verse encourages us to highly value truth and wisdom, pursuing them at any cost. Let’s explore the meaning of this verse in more depth: Buying Truth “Buying” truth means seeking it out diligently, regardless of the effort or sacrifice required. Just as we would pay money to obtain something valuable in the marketplace, we should be willing to give up our time, energy, comfort, and even possessions to gain truth and wisdom from God’s word (Proverbs 2:1-5). This requires actively reading Scripture,…
The Easter season is a time of joy and celebration in the Christian church as we remember Jesus’ resurrection and victory over sin and death. As we approach the 40th day of the Easter season, let’s reflect on some key biblical passages that reveal the significance of this joyful time. Luke 24:1-12 – The Empty Tomb On the first Easter morning, some of Jesus’ female followers went to his tomb to anoint his body with spices, only to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two angels appeared and proclaimed that Jesus had risen, just as he said…
As we approach Easter Sunday, it’s important that we reflect on the significance of this holiday and what the Bible teaches us about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This reading plan focuses on several key passages and themes to help us prepare our hearts and minds for Easter. Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-44) On what we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. The people welcomed Him by spreading out palm branches and shouting “Hosanna!” This triumphant entry contrasts sharply with Jesus’ humble birth in a…