John 3:19 says, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” This verse comes in the midst of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to Jesus at night with questions. In this discourse, Jesus speaks about being born again, eternal life, and God’s love in sending His Son into the world. John 3:19 explains why some reject Jesus – because their deeds are evil and they love darkness rather than light. This verse teaches us several things: There is a…
Author: Matt Primack
Love is one of the central themes of the Bible. The apostle Paul touches on this in 2 Timothy 1:7 when he refers to the “spirit of love.” To fully understand what Paul means here, we must explore the broader biblical context regarding love. The most well-known verse about love is likely John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (ESV). This demonstrates the sacrificial nature of God’s love toward humanity. He loved us so deeply that He sent His Son Jesus…
1 John 2:27 refers to the anointing that all believers in Jesus Christ receive from God. This verse says: “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” Let’s break down what this verse teaches about the anointing believers receive: The Anointing Comes from God This verse makes it clear that the anointing comes “from him,” meaning from God. When we put our faith in…
The term “church coffers” refers to the finances and monetary funds of a church. Specifically, it is talking about the money that a church receives through donations, tithes, and offerings from its members and attendees. This money is then used by the church leadership to cover operating costs, staff salaries, benevolence ministries, missions support, building maintenance, and other expenses related to the programs and ministries of the church. The Bible has a lot to say about money and giving when it comes to supporting the work of ministry. Here are some key biblical principles related to church coffers: Giving is…
Keeping in Step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” This verse comes in the context of Paul’s exhortation to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. But what exactly does it mean to “keep in step” with the Spirit? Here is a detailed 9000 word explanation of how we can align our lives to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. What Does It Mean to Keep in Step with the Spirit?…
What is the marvelous light in 1 Peter 2:9? 1 Peter 2:9 refers to believers in Christ as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” This verse indicates that through faith in Christ, believers are called out of spiritual darkness and into God’s marvelous light. Let’s explore what this “marvelous light” represents according to the context of 1 Peter and other Scripture. Called Out of Darkness When people place their faith in Christ, they…
To understand what it means to test God, we must first understand who God is according to the Bible. God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Creator of the universe. He is infinite, eternal, and unchanging. God is sovereign over all things and perfectly holy, righteous, and just. The Bible makes clear that God desires a personal relationship with us, but also that He is to be respected, honored, and obeyed. With this understanding of God in mind, to “test God” means to push the limits of His patience and grace purposefully. It means demanding that God prove His presence, power,…
Understanding the differences between iniquity, sin, and transgression is important for every Christian. While these three words are related, they have distinct meanings in the Bible. Iniquity In the Bible, iniquity refers to wickedness or immoral behavior that goes against God’s laws. The Hebrew word translated as “iniquity” in the Old Testament is avon which means perversity, moral evil, fault, or depravity. Iniquity refers to an underlying condition of sinfulness and rebellion against God. Here are some verses that illustrate the meaning of iniquity: “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts…
Jesus Christ stands alone as the most significant person in human history. While there have been many influential people that have come and gone, none compare to the profound impact that Jesus has made on the world. Here are some key reasons why Jesus is greater than all the other great figures throughout history: Jesus claimed to be God incarnate A stunning claim that sets Jesus apart is that he did not simply claim to be a prophet or great teacher, but God himself in human flesh. Jesus made statements like “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and…
The issue of suicide is a difficult one for Christians. On one hand, suicide goes against God’s commandment “Thou shalt not murder” (Exodus 20:13). On the other hand, many Christians who commit suicide are struggling with mental health issues like depression and feel they have no other way out. So what does the Bible say about Christians who take their own life? Can they still go to heaven? Let’s take a thorough look at what Scripture says. 1. Life and Death Belong to God First, we need to recognize that life and death belong to God alone. Our lives are…