Tag: God

Matthew Chapter 10 Simplified: Discipleship, Division, and Divine Care

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus held a meeting with his twelve disciples. He gave them power to cast out unclean spirits and heal all sicknesses and diseases. The twelve disciples were Simon (also known as Peter) and his brother Andrew, James (Zebedee’s son) and his brother John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James (Alphaeus’s son), Thaddeus, Simon Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Judas is the one who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent these twelve off with instructions:
“Don’t go into any foreign regions or Samaritan towns. Instead, go to the lost sheep in Israel. Everywhere you go, announce ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is coming!’. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, clean the diseased, get rid of demons. You have received for free, now give away.
Don’t take gold, silver or copper with you in your pockets. Don’t take a backpack or spare clothes, shoes or a staff, because the worker is worthy of being provided for. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy and stay at their house until you leave the town. When you enter the house, greet everyone inside. And if the house is in fact worthy, let your peace be there. If it’s not worthy, take your peace with you. Whoever doesn’t take you in or hears what you have to say, leave their house, or the whole town, and brush their dust off your feet. I’m telling you, it will be better in Sodom and Gomorrah on judgement day than in a town like that.

“I’m sending you like sheep into a pack of wolves. So be as intelligent as snakes but as innocent as doves. Be careful of men, because they will send you to court or beat you up in their gathering. You will stand trial before governors and kings because of me, to be a witness for them and the foreigners. When they arrest you, don’t be scared that you won’t know what to say. The right words will be given to you at that time. You won’t be the ones speaking, but it will be the Spirit of the Father speaking through you.
“Brothers will kill their brother, and dads will kill their children. Children will betray their parents and kill them. You will be hated by everyone because of me. But whoever endures it all will be saved at the end. Whenever they hunt after you in a town, escape to the next town. I’m telling you, you will not reach all the towns in Israel before the Son of Man comes.

“A follower isn’t above the teacher. A servant isn’t above his master. It’s enough that the follower to become like the teacher and the slave like his master. If they named the master of the house ‘The Devil’, what are they going to name the members of the house? So don’t be scared of people. No secrets will stay hidden forever. Tell things in the light what I tell you in darkness, and declare from the rooftops what you hear.

“And there’s no need to be scared of murderers, because they can’t kill your soul. You should be scared of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Aren’t two birds really cheap to buy? One of them won’t fall down without the Father. Even the hairs on your head have been counted. So don’t worry. You are worth way more than lots of birds.

“Whoever admits they are my follower to others, I will admit them to my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny them to my Father in heaven.

“Don’t assume I came to bring peace on earth. I came with a sword, not peace. I came to set a man against his dad, a daughter against her mum and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A person’s enemies will be their family.

“If someone loves their mum or dad more than me, they are not worthy of me. If someone loves their children more than me, they are not worth of me. If someone doesn’t take up their cross and follow me, they are not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life because of me will find it.

“Whoever invites you in, invites me in, and because they invite me in, they also invite the one who sent me. Whoever invites in a prophet in the prophet’s name will receive the prophet’s reward. Whoever invites in a man who is right with God in that man’s name will receive the reward of the man who is right with God. Whoever gives a drink of cold water to these children, in the name of a follower, I’m telling you he will get his reward.”

Matthew Chapter 10 Summary

Jesus empowered his twelve disciples, giving them the ability to drive out unclean spirits and heal all illnesses. Jesus directed them towards the lost sheep of Israel and instructed them to announce the coming arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven. They were to heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, clean the diseased, and send out demons. They were told not to carry money or extra supplies, but to rely on generosity. Jesus highlighted the requirement for absolute dedication to Him, even at the cost of family peace. Lastly, Jesus reassured them of divine care and rewards for their faithfulness.

Matthew Chapter 10 Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What can we learn about faith from the instructions Jesus gave to His disciples in this chapter?
Answer: The disciples were asked to step out in faith, relying solely on what God provides. This teaches us that as Christians, we need to trust in God’s care.

2. What does Jesus mean when He says He did not come to bring peace but a sword?
Answer: Jesus means that the gospel message may cause division, even within families, because not everyone will accept it. This is the ‘sword’ of division, rather than a physical weapon.

3. How does Jesus describe the ideal relationship between a follower and their Master?
Answer: Jesus suggests that followers should strive to be like their Master, being examples of their Master’s teachings and actions. However, followers should not expect to surpass their Master.

4. What can we understand from Jesus’ instructions to ‘shake the dust off your feet’?
Answer: This represents leaving behind those who reject the gospel message, and moving on to others who may be more open. It’s a symbolic act of judgement and separation.

5. How can the teaching about the value of sparrows apply to Christian living today?
Answer: Jesus reminds us that God cares for even the least important creatures. Therefore, we, being much more valuable than birds to God, can trust in His care and love, regardless of our situation.

Matthew Chapter 10 Explained

In Matthew 10, Jesus set His disciples to work, granting them miraculous powers as visible evidence of the divine power behind their mission. This marks an important moment in their ministry, as they move from just watchers to active participants in Jesus’s mission.

Jesus’s instructions to His disciples reflect the Christian life’s core values – faith that God provides, courage in the face of opposition, and a willingness to prioritise spiritual over material needs. The disciples were sent out with nothing, relying solely on God’s provision. This dramatic act of faith is a powerful reminder for contemporary Christians to trust in God’s ability to provide for our needs.

The theme of persecution in this chapter is thought-provoking. Jesus did not sugar-coat the realities of being His followers. He warned them of hostility and rejection, even from their families. This admission highlights that a Christian’s journey may involve suffering, a stark reminder to Christians today that their faith may demand sacrifices.

The mention of the ‘sword’ symbolises the division the gospel can bring. The decision to follow Christ can seperate believers from those who do not share their faith, sometimes leading to familial conflicts. Yet, Jesus urged His disciples to maintain their devotion to Him above all else.

Finally, Jesus reassures His disciples of their value in God’s eyes. His mention of sparrows – insignificant and inexpensive birds – serves to reassure His followers of God’s attentive care. The Christian’s worth is permanent, not based on material possessions or societal status. This should comfort and encourage modern-day believers facing difficulties or feeling undervalued.

In summary, Matthew 10 offers a picture of Christian discipleship, focusing on faith, courage, sacrifice, commitment, and God’s unwavering care.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 10

If you’d like to read Matthew 10 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 10 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 10 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 10 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 9 Simplified: Jesus heals all the sicknesses and diseases

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus got into another boat and travelled across the Sea of Galilee to his hometown.
When he arrived, a disabled man lying on a bed was brought to him by some men. Seeing that the men believed he could heal the disabled man, Jesus said to the disabled man, “Be brave, son. Your sins have been forgiven.”
Some of the local teachers thought, “This man is speaking wrong things about God!”
Jesus knew the thoughts of the teachers. “Why are you thinking evil thoughts? Which is easier? To say ‘your failures are forgiven’ or ‘get up and walk’? You will know that the Son of Man has the power to forgive failures, here on earth.” He then said to the disabled man, “Pick up your bed and go home.”
The man got up and went home. The crowds were amazed and praised God, who had given power to men.

Continuing on, Jesus saw a man named Matthew sitting at a tax collector’s booth.
Jesus told him, “Follow me”.
Matthew got up and followed him. Jesus and his followers had dinner at Matthew’s house with many other tax collectors and bad people.
The Pharisees [Jews who believed a messiah was coming, but only for Jews] asked Jesus’ followers, “Why does your teacher eat with the tax collectors and dodgy people?”
Jesus overheard this and answered, “Sick people need a doctor, not healthy people. Go away and learn this: I want kindness, not sacrifices. I didn’t come to call people who are already right with God, but those that are not.
Followers of John came to Jesus and asked, “Why are we and some of the other Jews fasting, but your followers don’t?”
Jesus replied, “The wedding attendants can’t be sad while the groom is with them. The days will come when the groom will be taken away, and then they will fast. No one repairs clothing with a new patch, because the new patch will shrink and make the problem worse. No one pours new wine into old wineskins, in case the wineskins burst and the wine leaks out. They pour new wine into new wineskins and both keep well.”

As he was talking, a local leader came and knelt before him. “My daughter has died. Come and put your hand on her to bring her back to life?”
Jesus and his followers got up and followed the man.
A woman who had a constant period for 12 years came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak.
‘If I can just touch his clothes I’ll be healed’, she thought.
Jesus turned around and said, “Be brave, daughter. Because you believed, you have been healed”.
The woman was healed that very moment.

Jesus arrived at the local leader’s house and saw the funeral musicians and a crowd making a commotion.
“Everyone go away,” he said. “The girl is not dead, she is just asleep.”
The crowd laughed at him. When the crowd had been moved outside, Jesus entered and took the girl’s hand. She woke up. The news of this event spread throughout the regions.

Jesus went from there and was followed by two blind men who cried out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
Jesus went indoors and asked the blind men. “Do you believe I am able to heal you?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus touched their eyes and said, “Because of you believe, it will happen.”
They could see again. Jesus gave them strict instruction not to tell anyone. But they went anyway and told what had happened throughout the regions.

As Jesus and his followers were leaving. A demon-possessed mute man was brought to Jesus. When the demon was cast out, the man could speak.
The crowds were amazed and said, “We’ve never seen anything like this happen in Israel before.”
The Pharisees said, “He casts out demons using the power of the demon prince!”

Jesus went around all the cities and villages and taught in the churches. He told the good news of the coming kingdom, and healed all the sicknesses and diseases. He felt compassion for the crowds that he saw, because they were tired and lost like sheep without a shepherd.
He said to his followers, “There is a lot to harvest but there are not enough workers. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he sends more workers.”

Matthew Chapter 9 Summary

Jesus shows his power by forgiving a disabled man’s sins and then healing his physical condition, leaving the crowd amazed. Jesus further invites Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him, breaking societal expectations. He uses the story of a physician tending to the sick, saying that he came to help those most in need of spiritual healing. Jesus answers questions about fasting, comparing his followers’ joy in his presence to wedding guests’ joy with their groom. He performs more miracles, healing a woman suffering from a constant period, and bringing a local leader’s daughter back to life. Jesus then restores sight to two blind men and frees a demon-possessed man, allowing him to speak. Despite warnings from Jesus to keep quiet, the miracles become famous. Some Pharisees accuse Jesus of using demonic power, but this doesn’t deter him from his mission. He continues teaching and healing across various cities and villages, asking for more workers to assist in his spiritual ‘harvest’.

Matthew Chapter 9 Bible Study Questions and Answers

  1. What does Jesus mean when he says he wants mercy, not sacrifice?
    Answer: Jesus is focusing on the importance of care and kindness over just ceremonial acts. He values genuine care for others over formal religious practices that lack heart.
  2. How does the call of Matthew reflect on Jesus’ teachings?
    Answer: By inviting Matthew, a tax collector considered sinful by societal standards, Jesus demonstrates that his message is for everyone, especially those considered ‘lost’ or ‘sinful’. It highlights his mission of spiritual healing for all.
  3. What do the miracles in this chapter reveal about Jesus’ power?
    Answer: The miracles show Jesus’ power over physical ailments, life and death, and even spiritual entities, including demons. It shows that Jesus is not just a teacher but also carries power from God.
  4. Why does Jesus ask his followers to pray for more workers in the harvest?
    Answer: Jesus uses the idea of a harvest to represent the work of spreading God’s kingdom. He sees the large number of people who need to hear God’s message and encourages his disciples to pray for more workers to assist in this spiritual harvest.
  5. How can Jesus’ discussion with the Pharisees teach us about taking criticism in our Christian walk?
    Answer: Jesus handles the Pharisees’ criticism calmly and continues with his mission, teaching us to remain in our faith, even when faced with criticism or misunderstanding.

Matthew Chapter 9 Explained

In Matthew Chapter 9, we see an assortment of Jesus’ powers and teachings. He performs miraculous healings, demonstrating his power over physical and spiritual matters. This shows Jesus is not just a teacher but also a divine figure with the power to change people’s lives.

Firstly, Jesus heals a paralysed man, showing his power to forgive sins, which was a direct claim of godliness, causing some of the teachers to question his power. Yet, instead of falling back, Jesus proves his godly power by healing the man’s physical condition.

The call of Matthew, a tax collector, is an important moment. By inviting such a person, regarded as sinful, Jesus breaks societal conventions, showing that his message is for everyone and not just those automatically considered good people. It shows Jesus’ mission to bring spiritual healing to those most in need.

Jesus’ teachings on fasting hint at the joy his disciples find in his presence, comparing it to the joy of wedding attendants when the groom is present. He communicates the temporary nature of his time on earth, and that there will be a time for fasting when he is no longer with them.

Further, Jesus shows his power over life and death itself by bringing back to life a leader’s dead daughter, and his power and authority over spiritual entities by healing a demon-possessed man. Such acts are evidence of his godly authority and highlight the complete nature of his ministry – physical, spiritual, and emotional.

Criticism from the Pharisees does not cause Jesus to back off. Instead, he continues his journey, teaching, healing and sharing his message of God’s kingdom to all who would listen. He uses the idea of the harvest to show the extent of the task at hand, asking his disciples to pray for more workers to assist.

In essence, Matthew Chapter 9 portrays Jesus’ divine power and authority, care, and commitment to his mission of starting God’s kingdom on earth.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 9

If you’d like to read Matthew 9 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 9 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 9 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 9 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 8 Simplified: Jesus heals sicknesses around the Sea of Galilee

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Jesus came down from the mountain followed by the crowds.
A man with leprosy got on his knees in front of him and said, “Lord, if you are willing to clean me, please do it.”
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. “I am willing. Be clean!”  The man was immediately clean of his leprosy.
Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone. Go and show your healed body to the priests and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as evidence to everyone else that you are healed.”

Jesus went into Capernaum and was met by a centurion who begged, “My servant is paralysed and in severe pain.”
Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
The centurion answered, “I’m not worthy enough for you to come to my house.  Can’t you just speak the words and heal my servant? Also, I am  a man with authority and employee soldiers. I can tell this one to go and he goes, and this one to come and he comes. My servant does whatever I tell him to do.”
Jesus was amazed to hear this and said to those that were nearby, “I’m telling you, I haven’t found anyone in Israel with a stronger belief. Many people from all over the world will come and sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the heavenly kingdom, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the darkness where there will be crying and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus then said to the centurion, “Because you believed, go and find it has been done.” The servant was healed straight away.

Jesus went to Peter’s house and saw Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. He touched her hands and the fever left her. She got up and began serving them.
It was getting late. People brought to him others who were demon possessed. Jesus cast out the spirits with just a word and he healed everyone that was sick. This fulfilled what the prophet Isaiah said: “He took away our sicknesses and diseases.”
Jesus realised that there was a big crowd around him so he asked if he could go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
One of the religious teachers came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the son of man doesn’t have anywhere to rest.”
Another disciple said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Jesus answered, “Follow me and leave the dead to bury themselves.”
He went into the boat and the disciples followed him.

An intense storm started. Waves started thrashing the boat.  Despite all this, Jesus was asleep.
The disciples came and woke him. “Lord, save us! We are drowning!”
Jesus replied, “Why are you so scared? You hardly have any faith.”
He got up and told the winds and sea to calm down, and they did.
The men were amazed. “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and sea obey him!”

They arrived at the other side of the Sea of Galilee, to the region of Gadarenes. They were stopped by two Demon possessed men who came out of the burial caves. They were extremely violent and no one was able to get past them.
They cried out, “What are you going to do to us, Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time comes?”
Far away from them, there was a herd of pigs.
The demons begged,  “If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs.”
Jesus said, “Go.”
The demons went into the pigs. The entire herd of pigs rushed down into the sea and drowned.
The farmers minding the pigs ran to the city and told everyone what had happened, including what had happened to the demons.
Everyone in the city went to go and meet Jesus and they begged him to go away.

Matthew Chapter 8 Summary

In Matthew Chapter 8, Jesus demonstrated his power through a series of miracles and teachings. The story begins with Jesus healing a diseased person, showing his power to clean us from sin. Next, he healed a centurion’s servant simply by speaking, highlighting the power of faith and Jesus’s power over distance. He then healed Peter’s mother-in-law and cast out demons, showing his power over illness and evil. When a sudden storm threatened his disciples, Jesus displayed his control over nature by calming the tempest. He then sent out demons from two violent men, showcasing his supreme power over spiritual darkness. Interestingly, he allowed the demons to enter a herd of pigs, which drowned, causing fear among the local people who asked Jesus to leave.

Matthew Chapter 8 Bible Study Questions and Answers

  1. Question: How does the healing of the diseased person show Jesus’s attitude towards those rejected by society?
    Answer: Jesus’s willingness to touch and heal the diseased person, a socially excluded person, shows his compassion and love for all, regardless of their status or condition.
  2. Question: What can we learn about faith from the centurion’s interaction with Jesus?
    Answer: The centurion’s confidence in Jesus’s ability to heal from a distance demonstrates a strong faith. We learn that faith in Jesus’s power, even when we can’t see it directly, can lead to miracles.
  3. Question: What does Jesus’s calming of the storm tell us about dealing with life’s challenges?
    Answer: Jesus’s ability to calm the storm reminds us that no matter how turbulent our situation, faith in Him can give us peace. We should turn to Him in challenging times, trusting His control over our lives.
  4. Question: Why did the people of Gadarenes ask Jesus to leave after he sent out the demons?
    Answer: The people of Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave due to fear and confusion over his supernatural powers. This serves as a caution for those who prioritise worldly concerns over spiritual freedoms.
  5. Question: What does Jesus’s response to the disciple who wanted to bury his father tell us about the call to being a follower?
    Answer: Jesus’s response highlights that following Him might require making hard choices, and that the spiritual call to be a follower should take priority over even important familial obligations.

Matthew Chapter 8 Explained

Matthew Chapter 8 offers great insights into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It opens with a show of His care and power, healing a diseased person and breaking societal conventions in the process. This illustrates Jesus’s message of inclusion and his power to clean us from sin. The story of the centurion highlights the effectiveness of faith and the vastness of Jesus’s power. His ability to heal from a distance breaks physical boundaries, showing the reach of God’s grace and power.

Jesus’s meetings at Peter’s home serve as a testament to His power over sickness and spiritual darkness. His effortless healing and sending out of demons show His divine power. As night comes, his refusal of shelter shows the demands and sacrifices of being a follower, indicating that the spiritual journey may not always be comfortable.

The story of calming the storm highlights Jesus’s power over nature and His peace, a peace that can calm our life’s storms. The subsequent story in Gadarenes shows His supreme power over demons, but also shows the tragedy of those who reject Him out of fear or discomfort.

Matthew Chapter 8 gives important lessons: the power of faith, the call to being a follower, and the complete power of Jesus. It teaches us that faith in Christ can move mountains, that following Him might require sacrifices, and that His power over sin, sickness, nature, and spiritual forces, offers us the ultimate freedom.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 8

If you’d like to read Matthew 8 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 8 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 8 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 8 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 7 Simplified: Judging Others and False Prophets

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Do not judge others otherwise you will be judged. You’ll be judged to the same standard that you judge others. Why do you look for the splinter in your mate’s eye but not notice the log in your own? How can you say to your mate ‘Let me take that splinter out of your eye’ when you still have the log in yours? You hypocrite! Take the log out of your eye. Then you will be able to see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your mate’s eye. Don’t give what is God’s to dogs or throw your pearls to pigs so they trample on them then attack you.

Ask and you’ll receive, search and you’ll find, knock and it will open. Whoever asks will receive, whoever searches will find and whoever knocks will find it open. If your child asks for food, will you just give him a stone? If they ask for fish, will you give them a snake? So, if you, being a dodgy human, give good things to your children, how many more good things is your Heavenly Father going to give you when you ask for them? So, do things for others that you want them to do for you. This is what the law and the prophets taught.

Go through the gate that is hard to get through. The wider gate leads to destruction, and many are going that way. The gate that leads to life is hard to get through and few find it.

Watch out for false prophets who wear sheep skins but are actually predators. You will know them by what they produce. You can’t get grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles. Good trees produce good fruits. Bad trees produce bad fruits. A good tree can’t produce bad fruits and a bad tree can’t produce good fruits. A tree not producing good fruits is chopped down and burned. You will know by their fruits.

Not everyone that says to me ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the heavenly kingdom. Anyone doing the will of my Heavenly Father will enter the kingdom. Many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we preach and cast out demons and perform miracles for you?’ I will tell them ‘I don’t know you. Go away if you’re not sticking to the law’.

So anyone that hears and does what I’m saying is wise. They’re building their house upon rock. When the rain, floods and winds come and batter the house, the house is fine because it has been built upon rock. Anyone that hears what I’m saying but doesn’t do them is an idiot. They’re building their house upon sand. When the rain, floods and winds come and battered this house, it will be completely destroyed.

After Jesus taught all this, the audience was astonished because he was teaching them with authority, not like their usual teachers.

Matthew Chapter 7 Summary

Jesus teaches about the importance of not judging others. He uses the analogy of a splinter in someone else’s eye and a log in our own, highlighting trying to help others while ignoring our own faults. Jesus urges us to remove the log from our own eye before helping others. He also warns against giving what is valuable to those who will not appreciate it, comparing it to throwing pearls to pigs. Jesus encourages his followers to ask, seek, and knock when they have needs. He compares this to a loving parent who provides good things for their children when they ask. He teaches the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated.

Jesus warns against following the easy path that leads to destruction, encouraging people to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life and warns about false prophets who pretend to be good. True followers can be recognised by their actions. Jesus finishes by saying that not everyone who claims to know him will enter the heavenly kingdom; only those who do the will of his Heavenly Father. He stresses the importance of living in accordance with God’s law.

Matthew Chapter 7 Bible Study Questions and Answers

  1. How does Jesus teach us to treat others?
    Answer: Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would like to be treated. This principle is known as the Golden Rule and summarises the law and what the prophets before him were teaching.
  2. What does Jesus warn against judging?
    Answer: Jesus warns against judging others, as we will be judged in the same way. He uses the idea of a splinter and a log to illustrate the backwardness of judging others without sorting out our own faults.
  3. What does Jesus mean when he talks about the narrow gate and the wide gate?
    Answer: Jesus means that the path to eternal death is wide and many people choose it. However, the path to eternal life is narrow and only a few find it. He encourages his followers to enter through the narrow gate, which represents following God’s ways.
  4. How can we identify false teachers?
    Answer: Jesus tells us that false teachers can be recognised by what they produce. Just as good trees produce good fruit and bad trees produce bad fruit, false teachers will show their true nature by their actions.
  5. What does Jesus highlight as the key to entering the heavenly kingdom?
    Answer: Jesus highlights that doing what his Heavenly Father desires is the key to entering the heavenly kingdom. Only saying things about faith or outward religious activities are not enough; living in step with God’s will is essential.

Matthew Chapter 7 Explained

In Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus teaches valuable things to his followers, focusing on judgment, prayer, the narrow path, false prophets/teachers, and how it looks to be an authentic follower. He tells us not to judge others, reminding us that the way we judge others will be applied to us as well. Jesus uses the idea of a splinter and a log in the eye to highlight the need for self-reflection and humility of our own problems before attempting to correct others.

Jesus encourages his disciples to ask, seek, and knock, telling them that God will respond to their requests. He compares God’s love to that of a caring parent, who gives good things to their children. Jesus highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and fairness in the Golden Rule, which is an umbrella rule that covers the teachings of the law and the prophets that came before him.

He warns against following the broad path that leads to eternal death and destruction, urging his followers to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life. Jesus highlights how few people find this narrow gate, suggesting that being a true follower requires commitment and dedication. He warns against false teachers who pretend to be good people but produce harmful and false outcomes. By looking at their fruits, the actions and character of these individuals, we can determine their true nature.

Jesus concludes by discussing the importance of doing what his Heavenly Father desires. He says that simply saying you have faith or doing religious activities is not enough for entering the heavenly kingdom. Being a true follower involves aligning our actions and lives with God’s will. Jesus compares those who hear his teachings and put them into practice to a wise person who builds their house on a solid foundation, where it is strong enough to stand against life’s storms. In contrast, those who hear but do not act upon his teachings are like a person who builds their house on top of sand, where it is easily knocked over and destroyed when the storms come.

The audience is amazed by Jesus’ teachings because he speaks with authority, unlike their regular teachers. Jesus’ words challenge conventional wisdom and highlight the importance of genuine faith and righteous living.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 7

If you’d like to read Matthew 7 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 7 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 7 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 7 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are two commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 5 Simplified: Jesus teaches on the mountain

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Seeing there was a large crowd, Jesus went up the mountain and sat down. His disciples came and found him. Jesus started teaching the crowd.
“If you are currently spiritually poor, you are favoured by God because you will get the heavenly kingdom. If you are grieving, you are favoured by God because you will be comforted. If you are gentle, you are favoured by God because you will inherit the earth. If you are really keen to get God’s approval, you are favoured by him because you will receive his approval. If you are compassionate, you are favoured by God because you will receive compassion. If you are innocent in your heart, you are favoured by God because you will see him. If you are making peace, you are favoured by God because you’ll be labelled as ‘children of God’. If you are currently being persecuted because you want to receive God’s approval, you are favoured by God because you’ll get the heavenly kingdom. If you are being insulted, persecuted or slandered because of me, you are favoured by God. Be happy and celebrate because your reward in heaven will be fantastic. They persecuted the prophets before they persecuted you.
“You are like salt. If the salt becomes bland, what use is it? It’s good for nothing. You might as well chuck it out and walk over it. You are the world’s light. You can’t hide a city on a hill. You don’t light a lamp and then put it under a basket. Instead you put it on a lampstand so that it’s useful for everyone in the house. Be like a lamp and shine so people around you can see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father.
“Don’t assume that I have come to get rid of the law or the Prophets. I’m fulfilling them, not getting rid of them. I truthfully say that until the earth and skies are gone, not the smallest part of the law will be gotten rid of until everything has happened.
“Whoever breaks a commandment, even the smallest, and teaches others to do the same will be a loser in the heavenly kingdom. Whoever keeps and teaches them will be a winner in the heavenly kingdom. I’m telling you, if you don’t try and seek God’s approval through what you do in your lives more than the Jewish teachers and Pharisees, you won’t get into the heavenly kingdom.
“You know your ancestors were told ‘Don’t murder’ and ‘Whoever murders will be judged’. I’m telling you now that if anyone is angry with their brother, they will also be judged. Whoever calls his brother an idiot will be liable to the court. Whoever says ‘you’re a moron’ will be liable to hell. So, if you want to offer a gift at the temple altar and remember that a brother has something against you, leave the gift at the altar and go make up with the brother. Then offer your gift at the altar.
“Quickly reach an agreement with an accuser before you get to court, so that they can’t hand you to the judge, then from the judge to the officer where you’ll end up in jail. I’m being honest with you: You won’t come out of jail until you have paid up.
“You’ve heard you shouldn’t commit adultery. I’m telling you that if you check out a woman because you’re keen for her, you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. If your right eye leads you astray, pull it out and throw it away, so that only one part of you dies and not your whole body ends up in hell. Also, if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off an throw it away. It’s better that part of your body should die rather than your whole body sent to hell.
“The law also says ‘When a man divorces his wife, he should give her notice.’ I’m telling you that if anyone divorces his wife, except if it’s because of cheating, causes her to commit adultery. And if you marry a divorced women, you also will have committed adultery.
“Again you have heard it was said to your ancestors ‘You will not lie; you will keep your promises to the Lord’. I’m telling you, however, don’t swear on anything. Not heaven, because it’s God’s throne, or by earth, because it’s his footstool, or by Jerusalem, because it is the great King’s. Don’t even swear by your own head, because you don’t have control to make a single hair change colour. Just say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Evil can come if you say more.
“You’ve heard ‘Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth’. I’m telling you not to fight an evil person. If someone hits you on the right side of your face, offer him the other cheek as well. If someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give him your jacket as well. If someone requires you to go one kilometre with him, go two. If someone asks you to give or if someone wants to borrow from you, don’t say no.
“You’ve heard ‘Love your neighbours and hate your enemies’. I’m telling you now, love your enemies and pray for anyone who persecutes you. Bless anyone that curses you. Do nice things for anyone that persecutes and hates you so that you can be children of your heavenly Father. Because he makes his sun rise on evil and good and he sends rain on the just and unjust. If you just love those who love you back, what reward do you get? Don’t tax collectors do that? And if you only say ‘Hi’ to your brothers, how is that special? Don’t foreigners do that as well? Be perfect just like your heavenly father is.”

Matthew Chapter 5 Summary

In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus delivers a sermon known as the Sermon on the Mount. He starts by pointing out the ‘blessed’ in society – the spiritually poor, the mournful, the gentle, the justice-seekers, the merciful, the pure-hearted, the peace-makers, and the persecuted. Jesus tells them of God’s favour and the rewards they’ll receive. He then compares his followers to salt and light, encouraging them to keep their faith and positively influence others. He points out the importance of obeying the Law and urges followers to seek being good beyond that of religious leaders. Jesus then talks through the interpretation of several commandments, saying that they don’t just include actions, but also thoughts and attitudes; anger, lust, divorce, lying, retaliation. We are to love enemies. Essentially, Jesus encourages a higher moral standard.

Matthew Chapter 5 Bible Study Questions and Answers

  1. What is the significance of being “salt” and “light” in the world?
    Answer: This means that as followers of Jesus, we are to positively influence others, keeping our faith and shows God’s love, just like salt preserves and adds flavour, and light gets rid of darkness.
  2. What does it mean when Jesus says he has come to “fulfill” the law?
    Answer: Jesus means he has come to fully complete the law’s intentions and requirements, providing a perfect example and also completing the prophecies about the Messiah.
  3. How does Jesus extend the understanding of murder to include anger?
    Answer: Jesus explains that murder isn’t just the act but also the intention. So keeping anger or insulting others is just as problematic.
  4. How should we understand Jesus’ statements about removing the eye or hand that causes sin?
    Answer: These are metaphorical and urge us to eliminate anything in our lives that lead us into sin. They emphasise the seriousness of sin.
  5. Why does Jesus encourage restoring relationships with others before worship?
    Answer: Jesus values relationships and peace with others. He’s pointing out that our relationship with Him is impacted by our relationships with others.
  6. What does Jesus mean by loving enemies and praying for those who persecute us?
    Answer: Jesus encourages us to combat hatred with love and pray for those who hurt us. This shows the radical nature of God’s love.
  7. How does Jesus explain the concept of justice with “turn the other cheek”?
    Answer: Jesus encourages a response of love and peace instead of revenge, changing the concept of justice from pay-back to forgiveness.
  8. Why does Jesus instruct followers not to swear?
    Answer: Jesus emphasises honesty. He suggests our word should be enough.
  9. How does Jesus’ teaching on adultery challenge the understanding of sin?
    Answer: Jesus broadens the definition of sin to include not just the act but the intention, challenging us to maintain purity of thought.
  10. How does Jesus expect us to be “perfect”?
    Answer: Jesus calls us to strive for moral and spiritual maturity, to love everyone, and to fully live out the teachings He has given.

Matthew Chapter 5 Explained

In Matthew 5, Jesus presents a sermon that reshapes the understanding of God’s Law and challenges the status quo. He begins with the ‘Beatitudes’, where he blesses those who are often overlooked in society. Jesus tells them of God’s favour, reminding us that God’s kingdom is different to worldly values. These blessings offer hope, highlighting God’s care and the future reversal of their situation.

Jesus then shifts to using metaphors of salt and light, urging His followers to live their faith and be a positive influence to others. The importance of keeping their distinctiveness as followers of Christ is discussed here. This passage calls believers to make a real difference in the world through love, righteousness, and good deeds.

Jesus then discusses the Law’s interpretation, saying He hasn’t come to get rid of it, but to complete it. He urges people towards good character that surpasses the Pharisees’, going beyond just doing what the law says to having a heart attitude for doing what is good. This was a revolutionary teaching that shifts the focus from actions to internal character.

In the rest of the chapter, Jesus addresses murder, adultery, divorce, promises, revenge, and loving enemies. The radical nature of Jesus’ teachings is in extending these laws beyond the literal acts to thoughts and intentions. For instance, anger and insult are equated with murder, lustful thoughts with adultery. This challenges followers to a higher standard, where the heart’s purity matters as much as actions.

Divorce and oaths are discouraged, underlining the importance of marriage and honesty. Jesus is against taking revenge, but rather loving enemies, going against traditional ideas of justice and revenge. He calls for loving everyone.

Matthew 5 teaches us that being a disciple of Jesus isn’t simply about following rules, but about being an example of the values of God’s kingdom—love, mercy, purity, peace-making, and good character—in every aspect of our lives.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 5

If you’d like to read Matthew 5 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 5 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 5 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 5 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

Matthew Chapter 3 Simplified: Who was John the Baptist?

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

During that time, John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
He preached, “Change your ways! The new Kingdom of Heaven is coming soon.”
John the Baptist was talked about by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “There is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Get ready for the Lord! Make your paths straight!'”
John’s shirt was made of camel hair and he had a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. People in Jerusalem, Judea and the regions around the Jordan river came to see and hear him.


John baptised them in the Jordan river when they admitted their failures. Pharisees [Jews who believed a messiah was coming, but only for Jews] and Sadducees [Jews who didn’t believe a messiah was coming at all] also came to his baptisms.
John said to them, “You sons of snakes! Who told you to escape from the punishments that are coming? Make it obvious that you have changed your ways. Don’t presume that you can just say ‘Abraham is our father’. I’m telling you that God can raise up children of Abraham from these stones here! The axe has already started chopping at the tree roots. Every tree not producing good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptise you with water to change your life, but someone is coming who is more powerful than me. I am not even worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He has his shovel and he’ll clear the floor of the granary, gather his wheat, but burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire.”

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan river to be baptised by John.
John tried to stop him by saying, “I need to be baptised by you! Why are you coming to me?”
Jesus answered, “Do it for now, as this is how we are going to fulfil God’s justice.” He then was baptised.
After Jesus was dipped into the water, he came back up and the skies cleared up. God’s spirit came down in the form of a dove and came to Jesus.
A voice from the skies said, “This is my son who I love, and I am very pleased with him.”

Matthew Chapter 3 Summary

In Matthew Chapter 3, John the Baptist appears in Judea’s wilderness, announcing the coming arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and urging people to reconsider. Isaiah’s prophecy told of John’s message, encouraging people to prepare for the Lord’s coming. John, wearing camel hair with a leather belt, ate locusts and wild honey. People came to see to him from all over, including Jerusalem and Jordan. Those who reconsidered and confessed their sins were baptised in the Jordan river.

The Pharisees and Sadducees, Jewish groups with different beliefs about the Messiah, also came for baptism. John told them off and urged them to change rather than relying on their family line. He spoke of another man, greater than he was, who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus then arrives from Galilee to be baptised by John. John initially resists, feeling unworthy, but Jesus insists it’s necessary to fulfil God’s justice for the world. After Jesus’ baptism, the sky cleared, and a dove representing God’s spirit came down to on Jesus. A heavenly voice proclaims Jesus as God’s son who he loves, with whom He is very pleased.

Matthew Chapter 3 Bible Study Questions and Answers

  1. Q: How can John the Baptist’s message of reconsidered what we do [repentance] be applied to our lives today?
    A: Repentance remains an essential step in the Christian life. It means recognising and turning away from our sinful behaviours, and continually aiming to live according to God’s will and plans.
  2. Q: What was the significance of John the Baptist’s clothes and food?
    A: John’s lifestyle symbolised a life of simplicity. It serves as a reminder to not be consumed by worldly things and to focus more on spiritual growth.
  3. Q: How can we see true change in our lives, as John told off the Pharisees and Sadducees?
    A: Genuine change is seen through our actions and attitudes. It’s about more than just saying the right words; it involves a genuine change in our hearts that is reflected in how we treat others and live our lives.
  4. Q: What does the idea of Jesus baptising with the Holy Spirit and fire mean to you?
    A: It refers to a deep, spiritual cleaning that goes beyond what water can clean. The Holy Spirit purifies, renews, and gives us power, while the fire symbolises the cleaning presence of God that deals with sin.
  5. Q: How does Jesus’ humility, shown when he insisted on being baptised by John, inform our own attitudes and actions?
    A: It reminds us to be humble, acknowledging that we’re part of God’s broader plan and that we’re called to serve, not to be served.

Matthew Chapter 3 Explained

Matthew Chapter 3 introduces John the Baptist, a significant person in Christianity, who called for people to reconsider their ways in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of Heaven. His life in the wilderness and eating locusts and honey portrays a man dedicated to his mission and less concerned with earthly things. His simple lifestyle sends a clear message about the need for humility and being less concerned with worldly things for spiritual growth.

John’s preaching contains Isaiah’s prophecy, connecting the Old and New Testaments and confirming that John was the foretold advertiser of the Messiah. His message was a call to change in preparation for the coming of Jesus, a challenge that still holds true today. John’s words to the Pharisees and Sadducees were a stern warning against getting comfortable and having a surface-level faith. It emphasised that true repentance is shown through actions, not mere words or having a certain family line.

Jesus’ baptism is very significant. Despite John’s objections, Jesus insisted on being baptised, displaying humility and obedience to God’s plan. His baptism publicly confirmed his mission and served as the official start of his ministry. The opening of the sky, the descent of the dove and the divine voice confirmed Jesus as God’s Son, setting the stage for his public service and role as the saviour.

Overall, this chapter contains themes of preparation, repentance, humility, and divine confirmation. It serves as an important point in the New Testament, being the change from prophecy to fulfilment, and from preparation to action. The chapter calls Christians to a life of sincere repentance, humble service, and active faith in the knowledge that Jesus, the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire, is leading the way.

To read the next chapters, you might like to follow and subscribe to this blog!

Continue exploring Matthew 3

If you’d like to read Matthew 3 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 3 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 3 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 3 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)

The Central Focus of Life

Published on by DaveLeave a comment

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What is life but a series of relationships?

When I was born, my first relationship was with my mother and father, and then my siblings, and then my extended family. After a few years, I started discovering relationships with people that were not blood relatives such as other families at church, classmates in pre-school, teachers at pre-school. And then there were classmates and teachers at school, and teammates at the soccer club, and more people coming and going at camps, birthday parties, hospitals, the shops etc. There were relationships for which I hope would go deeper than a stock-standard ‘relationship’. And there were relationships that turned from sweet to sour, and relationships that turned from sour to sweet. did I also mention the relationship I had with that irate customer who yelled at me when I wasn’t fast enough at the checkout? Or that girl I met at church one week who I thought was attractive and then never saw again? Or the relationship with the driver of the car I rear-ended? I went 20 years without knowing that my wife existed on the face of the earth, but we have a very, very close relationship now.

My life can be sorted, organised and defined by the relationships that I’ve had.  But it’s my relationship with God that is an important relationship that I struggle to visibly sort, organise and define. My relationship with God is the reason I make certain choices and why I feel guilty when I make other choices. I know that my relationship with God is the one relationship that is the only enduring one and yet I’m not consistent in letting that reflect out into my life.

I have learned over the years first-hand that possessions and achievements don’t give my life fulfillment, and that had made me realise that fulfillment must come from relationships. Since relationships with other humans can turn sweet and sour, start and end over the years, that means the only truly fulfilling relationship can be with God; a sweet relationship for which there is no end. But having a relationship with God is reflected through my relationship with others here on earth. If the choice is between achieving a thing or achieving a God centered relationship, I need to choose the relationship, as that is a relationship with God. If the choice is between doing something to meet my own needs or the needs of someone else, I need to choose the needs of someone else, as that is a relationship with God.

 

How to move head knowledge to the heart – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

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1 Thessalonians 2:13

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

My core struggle in life is searching for comfort. My head knowledge knows that the only source of true comfort is God, as everything else on this earth is fleeting and could be taken at any moment. Replace ‘comfort’ in those two sentences with ‘identity’, and that might be your story. Replace ‘comfort’ with ‘joy’ or ‘satisfaction’ and that might be your story.

Although we are all searching for different things in our lives, the answer, I believe, is always Jesus. It’s unfortunate, I think, for kids that have grown up in the church (like myself), that we have so much head knowledge about where to find what we are looking for to fill the deep, dark recesses of our heart, but we are unable to shift that head knowledge to our hearts. I have seen it time and time again; friends and family with incredible head knowledge about Jesus and God, but they fall away because they do nothing to move their head knowledge to their heart. So how do we move our head knowledge to our hearts?

I think the only way we can do it is through putting our complete reliance in God for everything. As in: My core struggle is searching for comfort. To rely on God for my comfort means that I should be willing to throw every other piece of comfort on Earth away and still feel comfort because I find my comfort in him who is not of this Earth. People with head knowledge often fall away because they see people around them with the same head knowledge, but without actions that show they have their reliance in God.

Putting our reliance in God for everything is a risk for us humans, but I think it is ultimately the most rewarding way to live life: If you find your joy, comfort, identity and satisfaction in God and rely on him for everything, what on Earth could possibly bring you down?

ASK YOURSELF: What am I searching for in life? How is that search visible in my day-to-day actions and activities?

Dear God, I need your help. I need you to be the center of my life for which everything else revolves around. Help me stay aware of your presence around me and you promptings to put my reliance on you. Amen.

The Wrath of God – Romans 1:18

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Romans 1:18

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness

The first reading of this verse raises two questions in my mind: What is the wrath of God? When is the wrath of God coming?

The wrath of God can’t sound pleasant to anyone who is an enemy of God. God is an all powerful deity, and the definition of ‘wrath’ is extreme anger. An extremely angry, all powerful deity is intense, and it certainly is intense when it comes to God. But the difference between the definition of wrath and God’s wrath is that God isn’t reacting out of a loss of emotional control. Instead, God has set up laws that guide us fallible humans into a stronger relationship with him. It is seen in the Old Testament that when the Mosaic laws weren’t followed, God would inflict his wrath upon people. At a few times in history, like at the city of Sodom (Genesis 19) or the threat to the city of Nineveh (Jonah), God’s wrath was supernatural and immediate. Paul believes that God’s wrath will once again come at the end of time at the ultimate judgement.

There are arguments made, however, that God’s wrath can be seen in the events that have taken place in history (even modern history), and events that are taking place now; that all the bad things that happen now are a result of God showing us a minuscule portion of his wrath that is to come on the day of judgement.

That’s a pretty sobering thought for almost everyone; the bad things and situations that happen to us on earth as a result of sin are but a blip of the suffering to come. But it also offer us hope that because of the Gospel, we have the opportunity to experience God’s grace and avoid his wrath and have an ever lasting relationship with him!

ASK YOURSELF: What difficulties do you have in your life? What difficulties do your friends and family have in their lives? What are you willing to do to help them see that a relationship with the one, true God will change their lives forever?

Dear God, I pray for the people in the world that are struggling to recognize you as a just God; capable of wrath but also of grace. Bring Christians across their path and open their eyes to see your love for them. Amen.

The Revelation – Romans 1:17

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Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

This verse is a daunting one to study, as it contains a lot of theological concepts that are difficult to summarize in a 300-500 word blog post. As you may have noticed in the time jump between the blog post on v.16 and the blog post here, writing and finishing my exploration of v.17 has taken quite some time.

The ‘righteousness of God’ is spoken of in this verse. This term is found infrequently in the letter to the Romans but, according to Moo (1990) its importance outweighs its frequency, as it is a term that was only written by Paul in this letter. The real difficulty in this verse is interpreting what Paul means when he writes ‘the righteousness of God’. There seems to be many diverse interpretations for what ‘the righteousness of God’ is referring to, and each commentary and literature takes slightly different views on the topic. Once again, I refer to Moo, who concludes that ‘righteousness of God’ refers to the activity of God saving his people.

With this in mind, the verse could be paraphrased:
‘For in the gospel, God’s act of saving his people is revealed-a justification that by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

The quote at the end of the verse is from Habakkuk:

Habakkuk 2:4

“See, the enemy is puffed up;
    his desires are not upright—
    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

To put this verse into context, Habakkuk has been complaining to God about how Israel is going astray, and that the Babylonians are coming and they’re even worse. Habakkuk 2:4 is part of the Lord’s response to the author’s complaint about Babylon, and God is saying that those that are righteous can have faith that God will eventually overcome all the difficulties the righteous person is facing. Paul, however, uses the verse in Romans to say that in order to become righteous, you need to have faith. The connection between the meaning behind the source and the quote is that having faith in God means putting our sole trust in him, not our own abilities.

ASK YOURSELF: Do I have faith that God holds my life in my hands? Is my faith one that would be willing to drop everything I hold dear to follow the will of God?

Dear God, please strengthen my faith. Open my eyes to see that you have been faithful to me in my life. I pray for my family and friends that they will see in my a life that is been lived in faith. Amen.