Psalm 12:8 closes David’s brief but blazing lament with a stark picture: wickedness isn’t merely present—it’s applauded. Across the psalm, David grieves a culture where truth evaporates, flattery thrives, and the faithful seem to vanish (vv. 1–2). The climax: when disgrace is lifted up, the wicked roam freely. It’s a sobering diagnosis of any age—ours included.
The Christian life is not merely a journey of external obedience—it’s a spiritual war between two natures. Paul writes in Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…” This internal contradiction is not symbolic—it’s real, daily, and often painful. The flesh doesn’t passively resist the Spirit; it actively hates what the Spirit does.
The opening verses of John’s Gospel are unlike any other. Instead of beginning with a genealogy (like Matthew and Luke) or a fast-paced introduction to Jesus’ ministry (like Mark), John begins with eternity itself.
In a world where autonomy is idolized and self-determination is celebrated, the idea that God has the final authority—not just over creation but over eternal destiny—feels uncomfortable to many. Yet Scripture consistently teaches that God is sovereign, not only in what happens but in why and how it unfolds.
In Matthew 24:15–51, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the end times, marked by global upheaval, deception, and sudden judgment. He speaks of the “abomination of desolation,” a prophetic warning rooted in Daniel, and calls His followers to flee danger, stay alert, and be spiritually discerning.
As Yeshua stood in the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of the cross looming, a mob approached with swords and torches. Peter, full of zeal and loyalty, drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus rebuked him—not because He feared the mob, but because He surrendered to a greater purpose.
The Gospel is not about what we do; it’s about what Jesus has done. Acts of service, feeding the poor, and pursuing justice are expressions that can extend from the Gospel’s transformative power, but they are not its essence. The Gospel is the good news that “Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried, and He was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, TLV), “and offers eternal life to all who believe” (John 3:16).
The Gospel message is at the heart of our faith, yet it’s often misunderstood or misapplied in our efforts to engage with the world. In this discussion, we’ll explore what the Gospel is—and what it is not—according to Scripture.
At first, I nodded along. Of course, God’s thoughts are higher than mine. That seemed obvious. But the more I thought about it, the more uncomfortable it became. If His thoughts aren’t my thoughts, then that means I might be reading Scripture wrong.
In the journey of faith, understanding the depth of forgiveness through Christ can transform how we live and relate to God. The New Testament assures us that, through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, we are fully forgiven and forever accepted by God.
