“Jealousy” usually has a very negative connotation to it, and rightfully so, as the Lord includes “jealousy” in His list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Since “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” this is a matter deserving our careful attention! However, Paul introduces us to a “godly jealousy” in 2 Corinthians 11:2. …
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 184)
After he addressed the amount that one gives to the Lord, Paul turned to the attitude that prompts the giving (2 Cor. 9:6-7, cf. v. 5). The amount is absolutely bankrupt without the proper attitude! From the time of deciding how much to give and all the way through the actual act of giving, God warns of two attitudes that must not…
Brothers and sisters in Christ enjoy a special relationship on this earth that is like no other! We are not only part of one family (Gal. 3:26-27), but we are part of one body (1 Cor. 12:12-27). The same body! And within that body we are to “have the same care for one another” (12:25). I don’t know about you, but sometimes…
How often do our mouths get us in trouble? All too often, I’m afraid! These fires of deadly poison (Jas. 3:6, 8) have tremendous power (Prov. 18:21) and will have a tremendous impact on our eternal destinies (Matt. 12:36-37). In this technological age, our “words” are not limited to the utterances that come from our vocal cords, but they include the communications…
The apostles Peter and Thomas are sometimes remembered for only one thing–Peter’s denials and Thomas’ doubting. Hence, we sometimes give each of them a hard time for breakdowns in their faith. However, if that is all we know about these men, we do not actually know these men! When Jesus predicted Peter’s three-fold denial, we sometimes focus on Peter’s hasty reply, “I…
Near Auschwitz during World War II, railroad trains carrying Jews to their execution would pass through the towns, and the screams from the packed cattle cars pierced through the hearts of the residents in every place. When these trains came through town while churches were assembled, it is reported that the parishioners would sing louder and louder to drown out the bloodcurdling…
When the Israelites marched around the walls of the city of Jericho, they were given explicit instructions regarding the precious metals and valuables of the city. Joshua commanded them, “But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord” (Josh. 6:19). “They shall come into the…
In order to emphasize the finality and completeness of His redemptive work, God used a word in Scripture multiple times that shows the perpetual validity and eternally effective nature of the sacrifice made for our sins. Paul wrote, “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all” (Rom. 6:10). Again in Hebrews, His “once for all” work is…