That might seem like an utterly nonsensical statement. Isn’t God perfect? Doesn’t he desire perfect obedience from his children? Didn’t Jesus literally say “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”? Yes, yes and yes. So…why have I chosen that particular title? It is true that God wants perfection from us. He has given …
Tag Archives: virtue
God is….a teacher.
Many people who identify as atheists were once Christians. Or at least they once used to attend church. And yet, sadly, I’ve found time and time again that they don’t have even the slightest understanding of the character or intentions of the God they say they don’t believe in. Why might that be? Children often …
God is not…foolish
That may seem like an entirely obvious statement! Anybody who’s ever read the Bible will know that it presents God as unfailingly wise. Not only that but we’re promised that we can go to him and learn from his wisdom to apply it to our own lives. Who could possibly accuse God of being foolish? …
Matthew 7: False prophets
Let’s read Matthew 7:15-20: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good …
Matthew 7 – Two gates.
Let’s read Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” In these verses Jesus continued his teaching …
Matthew 7: The Golden Rule
Today we’ll look at a single verse, and it’s one of the best known out of all of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s read Matthew 7:12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. This verse is often referred to as “the …
Matthew 7 – Ask, Seek, Knock
Let’s read Matthew 7:7-11: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for …
Matthew 7 – Do not give what is sacred…
Let’s read Matthew 7:6: “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” Questions This verse seems a little odd, standing on its own in between Jesus’ warning about hypocrisy in passing judgement …
Matthew 7 – to judge or not to judge…
We’ve reached Matthew 7 at last – it’s only taken us ten months! Today we’re going to look at what is perhaps one of the most frequently quoted – but also most often misunderstood – passages in all of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s read Matthew 7:1-5: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For …
Matthew 6 – Don’t be a Hypocrite – Fasting
Let’s read Matthew 6:16-18When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be …
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Nihilist to Christian 