Bitterness vs. Righteous Anger
Among the Christian buzzwords common in churches, perhaps one of the most uncomfortable is “bitterness”. This term often surfaces in unpleasant contexts and, unfortunately, can be used or viewed as a conversation ender. After all, who wants to be called bitter?...
read more
Commandments of Men: When Christians Embrace Legalism
Christians are all too familiar with legalism, a philosophy that obsesses over every detail (or perceived detail) in the Bible and often holds up a total agreement with all of it as a requirement for salvation. Considering how often this term is misapplied, it bears a...
read more
What Role Does “Tradition” Play in the Church?
Even the most modern and “hip” churches rely on tradition in some capacity. Of course, the exact extent depends on the church leadership and members, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any church that didn’t incorporate traditional activities or methodology somewhere....
read more
Uncomfortable Truths vs. Gossip
Most people would agree that gossip is a bad thing. Spreading exaggerated or scandalous information about another person is, for the most part, frowned up. Many churches even spend more time focused on the “sin of gossip” than on other, more easily defined problems....
read more
Taking God’s Name in Vain: Not Just Swearing
We all know the third commandment: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7 NASB) Most people assume it just means we shouldn’t use God’s name as a swear word....
read more
The Law, the Prophets, and the Greatest Commandment
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’...
read more
Render Unto Caesar: What Jesus Was Actually Saying
In Matthew 22, we read that a group of Pharisees confronted Jesus and asked for a yes or no answer on whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, the Roman emperor. Jesus responded by asking whose face was engraved on the coins used to pay the taxes. When they...
read more
Living Your Life in Jesus’ Footsteps
“Following Jesus’ footsteps” is a common Christian buzzword that doesn’t always get a lot of explanation. We tend to assume that others understand what it means to live like Jesus. But the truth requires a little more detail. For instance, does living like Jesus mean...
read more
What is My Worth According to the Bible?
Looking back on Mental Health Month in May, you may be considering what self-worth means for a Christian. The concept has no easy definition. Outside the church, people may use it as an excuse for self-centered behavior or just as a substitute for the worth found in...
read more
4 Thought-Provoking Verses About Eternal Life
The words “eternal life” are often repeated in Christian circles without much elaboration. We tend to assume that everyone just knows what it means to have eternal life. But what about those of us with questions or uncertainties? The words on their own don’t seem to...
read more
