Is There a Heavenly Language?
“For he that speaketh in an unknown tonguespeaketh not unto men, but unto God:for no man understandeth him;howbeit in the spirithe speaketh mysteries.” ~1 Corinthians 14:2 A popular interpretation of this verse, by those sympathetic to the phenomena of speaking in tongues, (i.e. speaking in an ecstatic unintelligent way), is that there is a heavenly…
The Great Shema, “Hear, Israel!”
The Jewish confession of faith begins, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, is one Lord” (Deut. 6:4). The complete Shema is founded in passages in the Old Testament. Numbers 15:37–41: Stresses the unity of God, loving, and obeying Him. Deuteronomy 6:4–9: Stresses the blessing or punishment related to obedience. Deuteronomy 11:13–31: Stresses the proper…
Abiding in Jesus
(Illustration by Chuck Easterling) “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4). Since the life of permanent and perfect abiding in Jesus ordinarily comes by degrees, or step by step, what…
The Importance of a Godly Example
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read this account: “And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the…
Loving God With All Your Heart
Recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, we have these words of Jesus who reiterated the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (22:37). It is not unusual for a person to struggle with loving God. Because of the Fall,…
Rejoice, Christian, for You Are Loved by God
The love of God is expressed in various ways. There is His benevolent love whereby He conveys His love to all people. In His beneficence, God graciously gives benefits to all. God makes the sun shine on the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45). Individuals are blessed to know the benevolent love of God. Of the…
On Radical Depravity and Human Nature
In 1618-1619 in the Dutch town of Dordrecht (English, Dordt), an important event took place in the history of the Church. A Synod was held to settle the concerns of a former professor, Jacobus Arminius (Oct. 10, 1560 – Oct. 19, 1609). His teachings would give rise to Arminianism. Following the death of Arminius, his…
Techniques for Overcoming Anger
Christians do not have to be controlled by anger. We can use anger to effectually change ourself and others. Anger is a choice. James warns, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of…
Understanding the Will of God
First, there is the secret will of God. This is called God’s hidden will. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut. 29:29). There is no need trying to discern the secret…
What is Holiness?
Foundational to the study of holiness is to understand what it means. A secular understanding of holiness is not very helpful. Merriam-Webster mainly offers synonyms to grasp with the “quality or state of being holy.” Antonyms are also suggested to provide an idea of what holiness is not. Synonyms AntonymsAsceticism DepravityConsecration …
Lindsay Clancy and the Need for Justice: Can You Hear the Children Crying?
“But let justice roll down like watersAnd righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” ~Amos 5:24 The known facts about Lindsay Clancy, age 36, are simple and indisputable. MASSACHUSETTES LIVE – Luis Fieldman Timeline of events on Jan. 24, 2023 Before 4 p.m. Lindsay Clancy took her 5-year-old daughter, Cora, to a pediatrician appointment, interacting with a…
Take Heed to Your Ministry: 10 Suggestions for Pastors
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). First, when a compliment is given after a sermon, accept the generous remark with a response of gracious appreciation. Sometimes, during a college or professional football game,…
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