Our assumptions on a topic naturally lead to our conclusions about that same topic. This is what Paul was getting at when he summed up his thoughts regarding God’s forgiveness of man’s unrighteousness and ungodliness. The Jews of Paul’s day, as do most everyone today, believed that the way to be acceptable before God wasContinue reading “Misguided Assumptions about Man and God”
Tag Archives: Kingdom of God
The Irony of Jesus’ Leadership
It is fascinating to see how much irony is found in the Bible. In Matthew 20, Jesus had just informed his followers that he would be crucified. To say the least that was not good news or a positive message. However, right after Jesus’ statement two of his followers, James and John, along with theirContinue reading “The Irony of Jesus’ Leadership”
Seeing God’s Image and Reading His Inscription
No one enjoys paying taxes, even in Jesus’ day. Jesus’ enemies hoped to put Jesus in an awkward situation regarding taxes, but Jesus used it to give us revelation about who man is and how God expects him to live. The trick question regarded paying taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:22). The trick involved putting JesusContinue reading “Seeing God’s Image and Reading His Inscription”
True Freedom Comes From Overcoming Fear
When Jesus gave his disciples counsel on the way to live their lives, his desire was to set them free and to live lives free of fear and anxiety. One example of this was when Jesus instructed his disciples not to fear men, but rather to fear God (Luke 12:4-13). When considering Jesus’ teaching hereContinue reading “True Freedom Comes From Overcoming Fear”
Love Your Enemies
In Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, he recorded Jesus’ teaching to his disciples regarding how we are to act toward those who oppose us. Jesus said some surprising things that often go counter to how we understand self-preservation. Surprisingly, Jesus tells us to love and act kindly toward those whom we considerContinue reading “Love Your Enemies”
How Shall We Live?
John makes an interesting statement in 1 John 2:15-17. He says that we are not to love the world, because if you do God’s love is not in you. Everything related to the world that we see is passing away, but the one who does God’s will lives forever. John’s statement seems pretty straight forward,Continue reading “How Shall We Live?”
Who Do You Say Jesus Is?
We live life dealing with many questions that require our answer, however the most important question is one that some may never consider, or conclude that it is irrelevant. It is a question that Jesus posed to his disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” Our response to that question will not only impactContinue reading “Who Do You Say Jesus Is?”
Jesus Forsaken
In one of Jesus’ statements on the cross, he cried out asking why God had forsaken him. The word he used, “forsake”, has an interesting usage and contrast in the rest of the New Testament. This is the only time the word is used in reference to God forsaking someone. All the other references referContinue reading “Jesus Forsaken”
Blessed By God Or Just Shrewd
I find it curious that Jesus never rebuked people for their beliefs or their doctrines, but he did for their behavior. With his disciples, Jesus warned against those scribes who appear in nice clothes, greet others in the market place and desire places of honor at banquets, yet they take over houses of widows andContinue reading “Blessed By God Or Just Shrewd”
The Irony of Mockery
As Jesus hung upon the cross so many declared elements of the truth in the form of mocking Jesus. How often does that take place? They talked about Jesus destroying the temple and in three days he would rebuild it. They missed the point, not the literal temple, but his body and life would beContinue reading “The Irony of Mockery”
David Freitag 