“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).
In the verse above, Paul told the Galatians that they were not to “lose heart in doing good” (NASB). Yet this often happens. We become exhausted through the activities, pressures, and obligations of life. This is something that everyone faces. However, as Christians, we need to deal with this feeling appropriately and not allow ourselves to “lose heart.”Continue Reading
Contemporary “Christian” music has grown in acceptance and popularity over the last several decades. During this time, artists in more and more genres – including rock and hip hop – have been writing songs with lyrics that are more spiritual than secular. For many religious people, this is seen as an unquestionably positive development.
Before we consider whether these songs are ones that Christians should listen to, let us start with a definition of what we mean by Contemporary “Christian” music.
“Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and stylistically rooted in Christian music. …the term is typically used to refer to pop, but also includes rock, alternative rock, hip hop, metal, contemporary worship, punk, hardcore punk, Latin, electronic dance music, R&B-influenced gospel, and country styles.” (Wikipedia)
During the apostle Paul’s second preaching tour, he met a young man named Timothy. Paul was so impressed with him that he wanted Timothy to accompany him on his journey (Acts 16:3). As Luke introduced Timothy in this passage, we can see that it was not just Paul who held this young man in high regard.
“Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium” (Acts 16:1-2).
What made Timothy such an outstanding young man? The passage above does not give us much information (other than the fact that he was “a disciple”), yet we learn more from Paul’s second letter to Timothy about what set him apart from others.Continue Reading
The above phrase is an expression used to describe a secret from one’s past that, if discovered, would have a negative impact on that person. It might cause them shame, a loss of credibility, or even legal trouble. During a contentious political campaign season, it is not uncommon to hear reports and allegations about the secret past of the candidates as their opponents are looking for anything – even these “skeletons in the closet” – to discredit them.
When Jesus was on the earth teaching, many opposed Him – particularly the leaders of the people. The leaders were concerned that if Jesus continued to “go on like this, all men will believe in Him” (John 11:48). This was not what they wanted. It would be very convenient for them if they could find some “skeleton in the closet” in Jesus’ life. Then, they could discredit Him and turn people away from Him. Unfortunately for them, they could not do this. They could only produce false witnesses with inconsistent testimony (Mark 14:56).Continue Reading
Sadly, most people in the world do not recognize God. Therefore, it is unsurprising that they do not obey Him. Yet for those who claim to be Christians, obedience ought to be a way of life. But why should we live a life of obedience?
The New Testament clearly indicates that we do not obey God in order to earn our salvation. Because all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), the only thing we have earned is eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). Jesus said, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:10). Even if we could perfectly carry out every command the Lord has given, we are still “unworthy slaves” who are dependent upon the grace of God.
At the same time, Jesus implied in the statement above that His people would obey Him (“when” – not IF – “you do all the things which are commanded…”). When He commissioned His apostles to go out and make disciples, they were to teach them “to observe all that I commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Obedience is expected of those who would be Jesus’ disciples.
That brings us back to our question: Why do we obey God? There are a few reasons presented to us in the Scriptures:Continue Reading
When we study “church” history, we are limited to what has been recorded in the past and preserved until the present. Because of this, there are religious groups from various times and places that we know little or nothing about. I recently learned about one of these groups while browsing Barton W. Stone’s journal, The Christian Messenger. An excerpt titled, A Christian Church among the Arabs, Turks & Persians, described a “Christian Church” in the Middle East.
“On the shores of the River Tigris, there exists a Christian Church, the members of which call themselves Chaldeans, and trace their origin to the time of the Apostles. It is supposed that they number 500,000 souls. But little is known of these people. The Papists attempted to make an impression on them some years ago, but failed, and that because of the Bible, of which they had many manuscript copies. Since it has been discovered that these Bible Christians have no printing establishments among them, and no books, the British & Foreign Bible Society, are making arrangements to provide them with printed copies of the Bible.” (Excerpt from The Christian Messenger, Volume 2)
The quote above was published in 1827. This “Christian Church” in the area of the Tigris River called themselves Chaldeans, numbered half a million people, and claimed to trace their origin to the apostles in the first century.Continue Reading
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.’ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’” (Matthew 26:36-41).
Jesus prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His arrest. As was recorded in the passage above, three of His disciples (Peter, James, and John) accompanied Him. They were told to pray and to keep watch, but they fell asleep.
It was at this point when Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). This statement applied directly to those three disciples. However, it also has applications for us today. Furthermore, the principle was illustrated in Jesus and the events that followed.
Let us see what we can learn from this statement.Continue Reading
Peter issued this challenge to all Christians: “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15). However, many Christians feel unprepared to do this; therefore, many conversations that could potentially lead people to the truth never get started.
This book will help equip all Christians to start engaging in spiritual conversations with those around them by providing simple answers to some basic Bible questions. Being ready to give an answer does not mean having an answer to every possible question at the drop of a hat. Instead, it means being able to give a ready answer to questions that are fundamental to our faith that can open the door to further discussions and studies with those who are interested. By studying the material in this book and becoming familiar with the Scriptures cited in each answer, Christians will be better prepared and have more confidence when they discuss their faith with others.
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