Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

-
Image
  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is i...

Are there degrees of sin? Is there an unpardonable sin?

-

Although sin is sin, Scripture indicates that there are degrees of sin. Take for example the Old Testament: how that God gave different provisions for a murder committed that is intentional and unintentional. The person who commits murder intentionally was to be put to death immediately (Numbers 35:16-21). The person who commits murder unintentionally, however, can go to and seek protection from one of the six cities designated for refuge and can have the opportunity to go through a trial (35:9-15).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ’s statement to Pilate stresses the fact that there are degrees of sin. Jesus told Pilate that those who brought him had the greater sin (John 19:11). Pilate was guilty but to a lesser degree than the religious leaders and Jews who heard the message of Christ.

Regarding the unpardonable sin, this sin was committed by the Pharisees who deliberately ascribed the work and power of the Spirit to that of the devil (Matthew 12:22-32). They who witnessed firsthand the demonstration of the divine work completely rejected Christ and the Spirit. This sin as committed today by people who hear the gospel and reject it continually and vehemently. These individuals will remain in their sins and will not receive the forgiveness and mercy from God.

Popular posts from this blog

From Theocracy to Monarchy, a study of 1 Samuel

-
Image
Today’s Message in a Nutshell–“From Theocracy to Monarchy”, a study of 1 Samuel The book of 1 Samuel takes us from the birth of Samuel, the last and greatest judge of Israel, to the anointing of Israel’s most beloved king, David. We find in this book a transition from “theocracy to monarchy” as God’s people chose to be “like all the nations” by demanding that a human king rule over them (1 Samuel 8:5), an outright rejection of the King of kings who had led them from Egypt to the Promised Land. Sadly, a number of believers today follow the error of God’s people in Samuel’s time. We reject God’s rule over us.  Rather than following God’s way, we instead embrace the ways of the world. The Scriptures, therefore, remind us to not love this world (1 John 2:15-17) or be conformed to it (Romans 12:1-2).  Rather, we should “set our affections on things above” (See Colossians 3). We also find in 1 Samuel repeated portraits of individuals who had a good beginning but a sad ending.  Eli...
Read more

Do we have to believe that Jesus is God incarnate vs. a prophet or wise teacher? What difference does it make?

-
Image
Although in Scripture we find passages describing Jesus as a Prophet (e.g. Mark 6:3-5; Luke 24:19; John 6:14) and a Teacher (e.g. Matthew 17:24; Mark 4:38; Luke 10:25; John 1:28; 8:4) believing that Jesus is God incarnate is imperative. Why? Because the essence of the gospel is that God became man and lived among humanity. Jesus Christ is the Immanuel—“God with us” (Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:14). He is the only God-Man, making him the unequivocal Savior of the world. That Jesus is God incarnate is a truth that most men and women find hard to accept. They refuse to believe that they are not able to save themselves from the righteous wrath of God (Romans 1:18-32) and it is wholly through Jesus Christ that one can be saved (John 14:6; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 16:31). 
Read more

Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

-
Image
  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is i...
Read more