Removing the Curse on Mankind When “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4 NIV). Jozef Siedleczka, Australia Listen to audio: What do we feel when we think of the crown of thorns? Do we think as did the prophet Isaiah? “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his […]
Keeping a Proper Attitude “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2, 3 NAS). Alex Zardja Listen to audio: Are trials to be embraced, to be avoided, or to be suffered? Should we as Christians take pleasure in pain? Or should we react to trials by complaining, murmuring, and getting upset? It is our suggestion that trials should be embraced as an important part of Christian development. Our […]
Promoting True Unity “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21). Evhen Dovhan, Ukraine Listen to audio: We do not see unity among the world of professed believers today. But was Jesus really praying for unity among all who call themselves Christians? No, Jesus’ prayer was for the true Church — those who […]
Exhortations, with a Deeper Side Exhortations to Godliness are a bulwark of the New Testament. Even the Gospel accounts, which are the foundation of the New Testament, are intertwined with exhortations by recounting the words, advice, and teachings of Jesus. The record of what Jesus did and how he conducted himself also constitute exhortations by way of example. In this issue, Exhortations, with a Deeper Side, we look at some of the exhortations from the New Testament epistles, and exhortations by example […]