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This week we’re talking about some recent comments from the Pope in which he claimed that ALL religions are paths to God. He said that different religions are like different languages that people might speak, but they all arrive at the same God. We’re going to talk about this in our episode today.Continue Reading
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 3).
The verse above is often cited to show the need for Christians to engage in a spiritual battle for the cause of Christ. We are to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), which enables us to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). In doing this, Jude explained that we must “contend earnestly for the faith.” This is just as important today as it was when Jude penned these words in the first century.*
However, Jude’s original intention was to write about another topic – “our common salvation.” This was (and is) a vitally important subject, but because of the pressing need to “contend earnestly for the faith,” the Holy Spirit saw fit to have the inspired writer deliver a different message than Jude originally intended. Whether Jude ever delivered a follow-up message on that topic – in person or in writing – we do not know. However, the idea of “our common salvation” is worthy of our consideration, so we will discuss that in this article.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
As the world around us grows more corrupt and people become more ungodly, faithful disciples of Christ will stand out. We may even become targets of ridicule, harassment, and persecution. This will make it tempting for us to try to hide our distinguishing characteristics as Christians in order to blend in with the world.
However, there are blessings that come from being different from the world as we strive to be what God wants us to be as His people. When the apostle Peter wrote his first epistle, he reminded Christians that they were “a peculiar people” (KJV) or “a people for God’s own possession” (NASB).
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession [a peculiar people, KJV], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Let us briefly notice how Christians are different from the world and why that is a blessing for us.Continue Reading
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Many see the start of a new year as a time of renewal – an opportunity to change the direction of their lives, to improve themselves in some way, and so on. The basic idea of this is good. However, as with all things, we need to think about it Biblically.
There are a few passages in the New Testament that talk about being renewed. When it is mentioned in the Bible, it is not tied to a certain day on the calendar. It is also not about just anything that might be new in our lives (new job, diet, exercise routine, etc.). Instead, the renewal discussed in the New Testament is always about improving our spiritual lives.
In this article, we will consider what the New Testament says about renewal – when it happens, what it means, and what the result of it is in our lives.Continue Reading
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This episode is our monthly news roundup for September. In this episode, we’re talking about how moms who use social media are more likely to think they are doing a bad job of parenting, a former Kentucky clerk who has been ordered to pay a huge fine for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and a common misconception about baptism and salvation.Continue Reading
Many believe that as long as someone is a “good” person, then that individual will go to heaven. But how do we define “good”? The Scriptures say that “there is none who does good” (Romans 3:12). Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19).
When we talk about “good” people, we are using a man-made definition. If people think an individual is a “good” person, they classify them in that way. Does having this designation mean that a particular person will be saved? Unfortunately not.
In this article, we will notice a few examples in the New Testament of “good” people who still needed to be saved. Then we will notice why simply being “good” alone will not save anyone.Continue Reading
What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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