Let's Go Back to the Bible

Posts by David Sproule (Page 227)

Which Are You First?

It’s interesting how much of life is made up of choices and how often those choices are simply between Option A and Option B (without an Option C in the picture).  Sometimes it comes down to deciding which one of life’s roles takes precedence at that moment.  And, it affects all ages. A young child may have to choose between friendships to…

Thank You, God, for being makrothumia!

Numerous are the attributes of God for which man ought to stand in awe, wonder and thanksgiving, including His holiness, love, mercy, omnipotence, etc. One of His most astounding characteristics (and essential for mankind) is His longsuffering! The Greek word for “longsuffering” or “patience” is makrothumia, which is a compound word combining makros (“long”) and thumos (“temper” or “feelings”). Thus, makrothumia describes…

In love with the truth?

For a long time in the church, we have emphasized the unique nature of “agape love.” One word (among several) that the Greeks used for love was the word “agape,” which represented the ultimate form of love — an unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial love which sets out to meet the needs of the one to whom it is  extended. It is the love…

Oh, mercy, mercy…me?

Carefully consider this chain of verses. “God, who is rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4), “and abundant in mercy” (Psa. 86:5), “according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope” (1 Pet. 1:3), “according to His mercy He saved us” (Tit. 3:5) and “made us alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:5). By definition, mercy is not merely a feeling…

Description of a true God-seeker

In the midst of troublesome subjugation from his adversaries, David affirmed that true God-seekers will always seek to keep their focus on the Lord! He cried out with urgency at the start of Psalm 70, “Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord!” Then again at the end, he pleaded, “You are my help and my…

Baptism and the Church

Various folks have much to say regarding baptism and the church.  “Your church places a lot of emphasis on baptism.”  “Your preacher seems to be saying baptism is essential to be saved.”  “People don’t have to be in the church to be saved.”  “I want Jesus but I don’t want anything to do with a church or organized religion.”  Let’s consider for…

Two buffets every day for life!

Gospel meetings are a tremendous opportunity for the growth of your soul, and unfortunately at the same time, the growth of your girth. Having two buffet meals every day for lunch and dinner, complete with those tasty desserts, makes it hard to resist going just a little overboard. What if you could have two buffets every day for the rest of your…