https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y22zdBmZkaE
Mark Ballenger
Grace and Sanctification
Just because the gifts of God are free does not mean following Christ isn’t going to cost you. Our works and efforts can never earn us the salvation and regeneration that Jesus acquired for us through his death and resurrection, but this does not mean you are not going to have to work. God gives us everything that we need for life and godliness, but this doesn’t mean we will not have to put forth effort in the sanctification process.
What Is the Point of Creation?
What Does 1 Timothy 2:15 Mean? “women will be saved through childbearing”?
But women will be saved through childbearing–if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.-1 Timothy 2:15
The meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15, particularly the phrase, “women will be saved through childbearing” is a notoriously difficult passage to interpret. Therefore this post is more technical and a bit longer, for as C.S. Lewis said about Christian reality, “So let us leave behind all these boys’ philosophies–these overly simple answers. The problem is not simple and the answer is not going to be simple either.”
Answering “How Can God Send People to Hell?”
But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.-Ezekiel 28:2
How can a loving God send good people to hell? If God is merciful, why does hell exist? And if God has the power to do anything, why doesn’t he just save everyone from hell?
Questions revolving around hell are certainly some of the most asked questions by those who do not hold to the orthodox standard of biblical faith. There are countless ways to answer questions about hell using the Bible, but often times when we do so, it still does not help those asking the question.
The reason for this is because they usually are not asking this question in faith, hoping for a biblical solution that will satisfy their mind searching for holy answers. They are typically declaring this question as a statement justifying their unbelief in God. The true meaning of the words “How can a loving God send good people to hell?” are sometimes, “I will never believe a God is loving who sends good people to hell!”
How is Christianity Different from other Religions?
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” –Matthew 19:25-26
The difference between Christianity and every other religion is that Christianity is impossible.
Our Purpose Is to Glorify God
Bible Verses:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.-Genesis 1:27
Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.-Isaiah 43:7
“What is our purpose?” is perhaps the most asked question in the human heart. To answer “What is our purpose?” perhaps it would help to ask a few more questions.
Why do people want to be at the center of the story, to be famous, to have more followers on their social media platforms? Why is there even a need for words like “selfies”? Even the recluse is often a loner not because he hates the attention of people but because he wants it so bad it has paralyzed him, making him so fearful of rejection he would rather avoid everyone all together.
The Christian knows in their spirit this desire is wrong, even if they don’t know why it is wrong. Aside from the fact that there are plane verses all over the Bible condemning all forms of idolatry, including the idolatry of people, I think there is one main reason the Christian feels the guilt of self-exaltation. It has to do with our purpose and God’s glory.
Is it Biblical to Just “Accept Jesus Into Your Heart” to be Saved?
All you need to do to be saved is ask, right? All you need to do is to “accept Jesus into your heart,” right? I am certainly not advocating for any doctrine that would claim we can be saved by anything but God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). But in an effort to appeal to as many unsaved people as possible, we have sought to make the gospel message as simple as possible. Simplicity is never a bad thing until it begins to detract from the whole truth.