Matthew 18:15-17 You demonstrate biblical love when you take steps to restore a fellow believer overtaken in sin. This not only encourages a fallen believer to return to his/her first love of Jesus Christ, but it also gives others involved in the restoration process ongoing opportunities to examine the depth of their love to the Lord…
The title to this article may seem strange, since a basic characteristic of any Christ-honoring, Bible-believing church is to bring people into the church. On the other hand, a situation could occur in a church in which a person might be encouraged to leave. One such situation is described below. ADULTERY PARTNERS IN THE SAME CHURCH When…
Excerpted from Forgiveness: The Impossible Possibility The challenge to maintain biblical forgiveness will be waged in the minds of those who grant forgiveness. The three major tests in this regard are Memory, Reminder, and Imagination (M.R.I.) Memories related to forgiven sins can resurface and be significant hindrances for believers to maintain biblical forgiveness. These memories often focus on painful…
Excerpted from Forgiveness: The Possible Impossibility Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity. There is no activity of Christian life that is more closely aligned to the love of God and the willing sacrifice of Christ than forgiving others. Believers who practice forgiveness receive spiritual benefits but, on the other hand, consequences accrue to those choosing…
Excerpted from Three Prayer Mistakes of Well-Meaning Believers A believer may pray, “Lord, give me more love for this person,” when encountering difficulties in a relationship or situations in life. That request assumes that the Lord has not yet provided sufficient love for a believer to deal with “problem people.” However, the Lord has already given…
The most important decision you will ever make concerns who you are. That personal focus does not deal with gender, citizenship, politics, abilities, job, health, wealth, marital status, accomplishments, ethnic group, IQ, or any organizational or religious affiliation. This decision concerns your life now but, of far greater significance, determines your eternal destiny. The most…
If you believe in the afterlife, then you may believe in heaven. If so, do you know what the Bible says about how to get there? Many who believe the Bible know what God’s Word says is necessary for a person to go to heaven. Others who claim allegiance to the Bible, however, may add…
Those who do not believe in Christ legitimize their refusal to forgive others for self-oriented reasons. Believers in Christ can also fail to forgive because of self- interest. Believers, however, primarily refuse to forgive biblically because they do not realize the magnitude of their forgiveness from the Lord. As a result, they do not fully…
Excerpted from Forgiveness: The Possible Impossibility One of the most overlooked aspects of forgiveness is how to ask for it. Asking for forgiveness should not be done according to human wisdom nor simply generated by emotional intensity. Asking for forgiveness should, instead, be based on biblical truth, especially with regard to personal responsibility and esteeming others…
Whether one is a believer in Christ or not, there is no way to avoid problems (challenges) of life. God’s Word, however, provides ample guidance for followers of Christ to be overwhelming conquerors whenever they face and deal with problems, no matter what the outcomes may be. Whenever any challenge of life surfaces for a…