What does it mean to be blessed?
Quite possibly, the most frequently used word in the Christian’s vocabulary is blessed. “Have a blessed day,” “blessed to be a blessing,” and “God bless you” are just a few of the ways we put it to use. It’s even common among unbelievers to describe themselves as “blessed.” Some people think of blessed as a…
What is the meaning of the term Christian?
The followers of Jesus Christ were first referred to as “Christians” by the Gentiles of Syrian Antioch, and the name was more than likely meant as an insult (see Acts 11:26). In the New Testament, believers never refer to themselves as “Christians”; rather, they use such terms as brethren (Acts 15:1; 1 Corinthians 16:20, NAS),…
How do I know if I am a Christian?
Jesus taught that the condition of a person’s heart will manifest itself in his or her behavior: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good…
Why do we still sin after salvation?
Salvation begins the moment we receive, by faith, God’s offer of forgiveness through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9; John 1:12). Jesus called it being “born again” (John 3:3). In repenting and giving up our old life, we receive the new life Jesus purchased for us with His blood (2 Corinthians…
How can believers be in the world, but not of the world?
When we read of the “world” in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word cosmos. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this “cosmos” (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). By the simple definition…
What is the key to growing as a new believer?
If you are reading this article as a new believer in Christ, welcome to the family of God! As a newborn baby must continue to grow after birth, so must new believers continue to grow in faith, in wisdom, and in holiness to become more like Jesus (2 Peter 3:18). If a baby does not…
Is there such a thing as an ex-Christian?
This is a question for which there is definitely a clear and explicit biblical answer. First John 2:19 declares, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to…
Does a Christian have two natures?
The first problem that comes up with this question is one of semantics. For example, many prefer “sin nature,” others prefer “sinful nature,” and still others prefer the ambiguous “flesh.” Whatever the specific names used for the warring parties, what is relevant is that an ongoing battle rages within the Christian. The second problem is…
What is spiritual direction?
It has become popular in modern society to be “spiritual, but not religious.” “Spiritual” usually means that a person is in touch with his or her own spirit, the spirits of others, and some (personal or impersonal) Higher Power or Spirit that inhabits (and perhaps empowers) the universe. To do this, one does not need…
Why is giving thanks to God important?
The Bible is filled with commands to give thanks to God (Psalm 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; 1 Chronicles 16:34; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Most verses go on to list reasons why we should thank Him, such as “His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:3), “He is good” (Psalm 118:29), and “His mercy is everlasting” (Psalm 100:5). Thanksgiving and…