The idea of satisfying God by so-called “good works” and in virtue of them being entitled to a place in heaven not only characterized a long period of church history but is still to be found in our day. So, it should be stated right at the beginning of this article that good works will…
In his book “The Knowledge of the Holy,” A.W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us!” We need to have correct thinking about who God Is We are created in His image; He is not created in our image! In Exodus 3, when…
Question: All kinds of catastrophes, events, currents of time, and crises cause many Christians to see the end of the time of grace as having come. But what criteria can really be found in God’s Word for this? Do they even exist? How can we distinguish between the many expressions about the end, the future,…
Levi — also named Matthew — was one of Jesus’ disciples. He also wrote the gospel that describes the Lord Jesus as the promised King who came to earth in order to save His earthly people, Israel, from their sins. Three gospels tell us about Levi’s initial encounter with the Lord Jesus and his calling…
Many people have called the Bible a “fairy tale” — a book of illogical stories full of contradictions and false statements written by people like us, so it would be utter nonsense to call it God’s Word. Perhaps you think that way, too. If so, you’re right on one point: people did write the…
After arriving in the Roman colony of Philippi, Paul and his party went down to the river for a prayer meeting on the Sabbath. Prayer is extremely important in Acts 16; it’s mentioned in verses 13, 16, and 25. The lesson is clear: where there’s no prayer, there’s no power. But where there’s power and…
“…as (a man) thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) A. P. Gibbs used to say, “You are not what you think you are, but what you think—this is what you are.” This means that the mind is the spring from which behavior flows. Control the source, and you control the stream that…
Question: You hear the thought more and more often among Christians: “We are engaged, we want to get married one day. We’ve realized that the Lord has brought us together – why should we wait?” Is this true? Answer: Wait until marriage? That’s completely “out” today. But not with God. In the Bible, sexual relationships…
Some people find it difficult to benefit from the books in the Old Testament. But anyone who thinks that the Old Testament was written only for the Jews is not only wrong, but is also missing a lot of illustrative material for the truths of the New Testament. I would like to make it clear…
One of the numerous and wonderful workings and effects of the Holy Spirit is His guidance or leading. It is a subject of which we find very little in Scripture; only four passages in the New Testament mention it. The first to be considered is in John 16, where the Lord speaks of the…
The subject of the Lamb is one of the most beautiful themes in the Word of God. It’s threaded throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. In Genesis 4, we see the Lamb in type when Abel offered a firstborn from his flock to God. He understood that God had shed the blood of an innocent…
It is a very good thing for every believer to meditate frequently on the grace of God. If we look back, we realize that it was grace that saved us when we deserved nothing other than divine judgment (Eph 2:8). If we look around us, we see that it is grace that sustains us every…
Discipline is a word most of us don’t like! We automatically think negative! But discipline in our lives is not negative. It’s necessary! Those who have done well in school know of the discipline it takes to succeed in school, whether it’s high school, college, or grad school. Think of the hours of dedication and…
Envy is not a very pleasant topic. It appears to us immediately – and exclusively – as a negative quality. And so it is! A look at the Internet (Wikipedia) provides the following explanation: “A feeling or attitude in which one person resents or desires the success or possession of another.” So far, so good!…
In Acts 9:32–43, we see Peter, the former fisherman, display features of one who is an effective servant of God. Six things stand out as lessons for every follower of Jesus Christ. “Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who…
Peace in the heart, even if circumstances have not yet changed; the deep trust that the Lord will do all things well; rest in the soul – this is what we desire for our life of faith. As we learn from this passage in Philippians, this is possible. Here are two examples from Scripture: Hannah,…
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? Do you have to be or think charismatic? In this essay, the author answers several questions on this topic. We can hardly overestimate the importance of the work of the Spirit. His activity has to do with every area of our lives. It would be…
Doesn’t the Bible very often reject the idea that salvation can be earned through one’s own works (e.g., Eph 2:8.9)? So how should we understand Phil 2:12.13, where Paul says: “Work out your own salvation“? Is this a contradiction? Philippians 2:12, 13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence…
Do you sometimes find it hard to believe God’s promises? Do you doubt verses (such as Romans 8:28) that God always has a perfect plan? Do you often wonder how God can still fulfill His seemingly impossible promises in your life? Then you can learn from Abraham, the “Father of all believers”. Where Faith Begins…
The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians about the privilege he had in having Christ revealed through his life, to set Him forth livingly (Galatians 1:15-16). Paul desires that all who have come to know Him as Lord and Savior reflect the features seen in Him. He wrote several letters. Each letter is important for…