When Jesus “saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Mt 9:36) “Compassion” here is from the strongest word in the Greek language showing “no pity or compassion.” Today you may also see people who are “weary and scattered.” Some have been
Churches of Christ (Rom 16:16) constitute the one “bride of Christ” (Eph 5:22-33). She wears His name. All people are required to obey the God of heaven in order to be saved. He then “adds” all these saved to His one church (Acts 2:36-47). Faithful preachers and teachers insist that all who would be saved
What God HAS said is important. Of equal importance is to respect what God HAS NOT said. Notice: Jeremiah 19:5-15 speaks of the children of Israel sinning by worshiping in ways “which I commanded not.” The prophet repeats their sin of Baal worship “which I commanded them not” (32:35). When God gave commands in the
Peter asked Jesus, “How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” (Mt 18:21). Peter knows Jesus had compassion and mercy. He thought his question would impress Jesus about how merciful he was, to forgive others seven times! But Jesus’ answer was shocking: not seven times but seventy
“Be watchful: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Pet 5:8). He may attack you and: 1. Make you a slave to sin (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:16-17; Col 1:13). If we are not with Christ, we are against Him (Mk 9:40). 2. Separate you from God,
God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9). The way Israel worshipped God was detestable: “I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind” (Jer. 19:5). This same principle is also stated in the New Testament: “Do not go beyond what is written” (I
One of the most courageous men of all time was Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was “full of grace and power.” Enemies of Christ opposed him but they “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke.” They seized him and brought him before the high court. When he
In 1829 two men, Wilson and Porter, were apprehended in Pennsylvania for robbing the US mail. They were then sentenced to death by hanging. Later, President Jackson pardoned Wilson, but strangely, he refused the pardon! But can a condemned criminal refuse a presidential pardon? The Supreme Court ruled that a pardon is not complete without
It is not uncommon to read reports of priests’ involvement in sexual sin. It sometimes also occurs with others. Why is this so much more prevalent among Catholic priests than among other church leaders? The cure is found when the cause is discovered. As the old farmer once said, “Kill the spider so his cobweb
The expression “in Christ” is at the very heart of Christianity and yet a phenomenal blinding has overcome many teachers of the Bible who give nothing to their students on its great truth. This expression or its equivalent is used no less than 169 times (according to John McKay). Being in Christ is a new