Some people look at being a Christian as a life where “you have to do” a bunch of things you don’t really want to do, and “you aren’t allowed to do” a bunch of things that you really want to do. However, when it comes to the true Christian life, such could not be further from the truth. If you want to…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by David Sproule (Page 241)
More than 60 times in the New Testament the definite article “the” is found before the word “truth,” to emphasize the single, absolute and distinctive nature of Divine truth. The plural form of “truths” is never found in Scripture, which again would seem to be God’s way of emphasizing the single, absolute and distinctive nature of Divine truth. Let’s examine what we…
Imagine living in the first century and going down to the local market to do some shopping. When you get down there, you find the “usual” — bread, fish, fruit, vegetables, clothes, perfumes, etc. Then, off to the side, you see that there is some “time” for sale — yes, “time” (not thyme). What would you do? Would you buy some “time”?…
“Sanctification” is a key concept in New Testament Christianity, but it is a concept that many have misunderstood. The word “sanctify” means “to set apart, make holy for a sacred purpose.” In one sense, this is a continual growth process for Christians, as Paul wrote to a group of Christians, “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thess. 4:3). Christians…
The closeness of the relationship between King David and the Lord is one that fascinates and ought to motivate us. When David spoke to the Lord in the Psalms, he addressed his God with such familiarity, intimacy and confidence. Meditate on his words in Psalm 86. David called upon his Lord to “bow down Your ear…hear me” (v. 1), “preserve my life”…
“Hey, what do you think about those elders? Can you believe what they’re doing? Did you hear about that decision they made? What is their problem?!” It is so easy, sometimes, to talk about others improperly, without sanction and in a hateful, divisive manner. And, to some, talking about the elders in such a manner seems acceptable. Here is a passage we…
Someone was showing me their Bible the other day and it was literally falling apart – pages were brittle, torn and falling out; the binding and leather cover were coming apart. It was being held together, in a manner of speaking, by layers of tape and glue. Now, it did not get this way just because it was old, nor was it…
God’s book of wisdom in the Old Testament (the book of Proverbs) has so much to say about how God’s people must learn to control their “lips,” “mouth” and “tongue.” Consider this wisdom. First of all, “a wise man will hear and increase learning” (1:5) and he “will receive commands” (10:8), because “the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (18:15). Before a…