The first part of Proverbs 21:15 could (and probably does) have a dual meaning. The American Standard Version reads, “It is joy to the righteous to do justice.” The English Standard Version reads slightly different, “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous.” According to the ESV, when the righteous see justice administered (perhaps by government or some other authority), it brings…

It is discouraging and a bit frustrating when a Bible word loses its meaning due to misuse of the word. The word “saint” is one such word. Unfortunately, one religious group has tainted the word to refer to a highly virtuous person who has died but was later canonized as a “saint.” Others think that only a perfect person is a “saint”—“What’d you expect! I’m no…

Our world looks at “doing nice things for others” or “helping others” and sometimes asks, “Ok, well, what’s in it for me? What do I get out of it?” If we are not careful (as Christians), that same mentality can creep into our hearts. We must be vigilant to guard against it. Jesus addressed this topic in Luke chapter 6, with three scenarios: “…if you love…

One of the most sobering passages in the Bible is found at the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. Jesus pleaded with His disciples to “Enter by the narrow gate,” because “many” will miss it and “go in” the wide gate “by” the broad way to destruction (7:13). Jesus used that same word—“many”—nine verses later to reveal what would happen…

Do you suppose the apostle Paul ever had Christians telling him how great he was, how wonderful his sermons were, how talented a preacher he was? No doubt he did. That’s the nature of people. Some even went so far as to hold him up as “their preacher” and to claim, “I am of Paul” (1 Cor. 1:12). Do you think that went to Paul’s head?…