In Matt 22:14, Jesus says many are called but few are chosen. When reading the 13 verses before it we can see the full context. Jesus describes the offer of salvation through the new covenant as a wedding invitation, which is first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (Rom 1:16). The Israelites (Jews) are the first invited guest, but many of them rejected the offer. However, God extends the offer they rejected to the Gentiles, but some people show up without the “proper attire” and are kicked out. Why does that happen? What is the “proper attire”?
Continue readingCategory Archives: Spirituality
Essays discussing spirituality in Christianity.
Dangers of Self-righteousness
Some lessons on the dangers of self-righteousness from Jesus himself. In Matt 21:28-32 Jesus gives a parable of two sons. In the parable, the father gives instructions to his two sons. One of them said no, but did follow instructions anyway, and the other said yes but disobeyed. Jesus asked the Pharisees which one obeyed his father they replied the first one. In verses 31-32, Jesus said that is correct and explained the meaning: (NLT) “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John, the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.”
Continue readingFruits Of The Righteous
In Gal 5:22-23, Paul tells believers to produce the fruits of the spirit. These are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Paul says the fruits of the spirit are a product of walking in the spirit and not the lust of the flesh in Gal 5:16-23. Something to ask: Where do fruits come from? Fruits come from trees, but then where do trees come from? Trees come from sowing seeds, and seeds come from fruits.
Continue readingHealing in the Bible
Does God promise his people healing? Does the holy spirit really provide healing power? Promises to Abraham are extended to Gentiles in the new covenant (Gal 3:14). So we get all the same promises and more as believers. This includes all the blessings of the old covenant, like prosperity, good health, and victory over enemies (Ex 23:25-26, Deut 7:12-15, Deut 28:1-14).
Continue readingLove and Forgiveness
Is possible to love and forgive people who hurt you and are enemies? Do you have to maintain a relationship with people who are enemies in order to love and forgive them?
Continue readingLanguage is Supernatural
Is language natural or spiritual/supernatural? Humans, who are uniquely made in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27), have complex linguistics and writing systems. Ever notice how a 2-year-old child can learn to repeat and use human words passively simply by hearing them? Even children of deaf adults (CODAs) learn to sign by watching their parents and only learn speech from hearing other humans talk. Babies don’t have to be taught how to say the sounds they just instinctively speak what they hear and get better with practice.
Continue readingCan Christians Be Possessed by Demons?
Believers have God’s spirit inside of them because they were made pure by the sacrifice of Jesus. They don’t need to be in a ritually clean state to enter God’s presence in a building in Israel anymore, because we are the building (temple). Paul says our bodies are the new temple in 1 Cor 3:16-17, 1 Cor 6:19-20 , & 2 Cor 6:15-18. And the Holy Spirit is only available to those who received Jesus as Lord (John 14:15-17, Rom 8:5-11). So how can an unclean spirit ever enter this “new temple” which is the body of a believer?
Continue readingManifesting Into Existence
There are teachings out there encouraging people to manipulate God (or “the universe”) with their words. God controls things and we are to simply trust his word and that he work things in the favor of those who love him (Romans 8:28). He is not a slave to us that grants our wishes. Remember it was God that called things to be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). In this chapter, Paul is talking about Abraham. Abraham only wanted at least one heir but it was God that said he would be the “father of many nations”. Notice in Gen 17:1-8 that Abram didn’t change his own name to Abraham “father of many”, God is the one that changed his name.
Continue readingLove vs Fear – Overcoming Sin
Jesus said the greatest commandment was “to love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength” (Matt 22:34-40) In addition, Jesus said, “if you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). It’s not possible to keep any of the commandments until you do the greatest one first.
Continue readingHe First Loved Us
When asked by the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment, in Matt 22:34-40, Jesus replied, “Loving God with all of your heart, soul, and strength”. This is the “shema prayer” from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, and he said to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18).
1 John 4:19 says we should love God because he first loved us. When did he first love us? John 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave his for born son the Messiah, and those that follow him will inherit the blessing of eternal life. This eternal life is the fulfillment of the promise to restore humanity after Adam’s sin (Gen 3:15).
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