Too often when we are reading the Bible, there are words, phrases and clauses that we just run right over without stopping to consider, dwell and meditate. An example is found in a relative clause that Paul used in 2 Corinthians 7:6. The point that Paul is making in the passage is that Titus had brought good (i.e., comforting) news about the…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 181)
When you think about a Christian “laboring fervently” (NKJV) or “laboring earnestly” (NASB) or “always striving” (ASV) or “always struggling” (ESV), what do you think about it? I’m sure the constant struggle of faithful living comes to mind. But what if two words were added to the end of each of these phrases above: “laboring fervently… laboring earnestly… always striving… always struggling…
As Paul closed his letter to the church at Colosse, he mentioned several of his “fellow workers for the kingdom of God,” and he had this to say about them: “they have proved to be a comfort to me” (Col. 4:11). What a great compliment! But, it’s even better than that! The Greek word for “comfort” in this verse is paregoria (only…
The magnificent gospel recorded by John comes to its climax and states its purpose at the end of chapter 20. John penned this gospel account in order to prove to his readers that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,” and to elicit a response of faith-filled obedience (John 20:30-31). His ultimate desire for his readers was that through “believing [they]…
There are all kinds of people in this world! Let me ask you, “What kind are you?” Specifically, what kind of neighbor are you? What kind of employee are you? What kind of citizen are you? What kind of customer are you? What kind of sports fan are you? What kind of student are you? What kind of boss are you? What…
Can you imagine Jesus looking in your eyes and asking you, “Do you love Me?” Oh, what a captivating experience that would be! What a rush of emotions would fill your soul! How would you respond? After gathering ourselves together, most of us would probably respond something like Peter did, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” (John 21:15-17). But, how…
Marriage was created by God to be the closest human relationship that a person could have while living on this earth. Thus, when it comes to questions about marriage—including the choosing of a spouse—our source of wisdom and authority is not human or cultural but Divine! What does God teach about who a person should marry, and more specifically, who a Christian…
In the closing hours of Jesus’ life, His closest friends argued in His very presence about “which of them should be considered the greatest” (Luke 22:24), they slept repeatedly while He was deeply distressed (Matt. 26:36-43), they “all…forsook Him and fled” (Matt. 26:56), and one of His very dear friends even invoked a curse and swore vehemently that he did not even…