For the gospel to advance in any generation, it must be defended from those who would corrupt it. Some people purposely corrupt the gospel to fulfill their personal agendas, whatever they may be. Jude spoke of some of these who were present among first-century Christians. Jude 1:4 (ESV) 4 For certain people have crept in […]
Not everyone who preaches the gospel is sincere. Paul informed the brethren at Philippi that he was aware of those who had the wrong motive for preaching the gospel. Philippians 1:15-17 (ESV) 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing […]
As Christians, God has entrusted us with the gospel of Christ. Our aim should be to advance the gospel whenever we have the opportunity to do so. Paul spoke of the advancement of the gospel, while he was a prisoner in Rome, when he wrote to the saints at Philippi. Philippians 1:12 (ESV) 12 I […]
It has been suggested that gospel meetings have run their course. The primary reason for this conclusion is that gospel meetings are no longer attended as well as they used to be. Not only is it harder to get non-Christians to attend, but it seems harder to get our own members to attend as they […]
Strong says that covetousness refers to “avarice,” which has to do with having an insatiable desire for wealth. Vine says that it refers to “a desire to have more,” and is always used in a bad sense. The Complete Word Study Dictionary says it refers to the “the love of money.” While to covet can […]
It is not a sin to be angry, but anger can be sinful, and it can easily lead to other sins. Constant anger will thwart our Christianity and eventually, if allowed to continue unchecked, destroy us from the inside out. Thus, having an issue with anger is something that needs to be overcome. The first […]
Jealousy is a tricky emotion. Psychology Today has this to say about it. Psychologytoday.com “Jealousy is a complex emotion that encompasses feelings ranging from suspicion to rage to fear to humiliation. It strikes people of all ages, genders…and is most typically aroused when a person perceives a threat to a valued relationship from a third […]
It is impossible to be what God wants us to be when we are in a perpetual state of sadness. The Bible consistently teaches us to be joyful. After speaking of the blessing of abiding in Him, and allowing His words to abide in us, Jesus said this: John 15:11 (ESV) 11 These things I […]
The biggest obstacle we all have to get to heaven might be ourselves. If we can overcome ourselves, defeating the devil and his allies will be much easier. A lot of overcoming ourselves involves mastering our emotions. The Bible identifies for us many emotions and dispositions that God does not want us to have. These […]
In his short epistle, Jude, probably the brother of our Lord, wrote, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3). […]