ApplyGodsWord.com

What Does Friendship With The World Look Like?

August 28, 2018September 21, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

What does frienship with the world look like? — James 4:4, 1 John 2:16, John 3:16

Bible Verses:
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. – James 4:4

What does friendship with the world look like? Why is friendship with the world wrong? If God loves the world (John 3:16), why does he tell us if we are friends with the world we are an enemy of God? How can you love someone without being their friend? And how can Christians evangelize to the lost if the lost don’t know we love them?

While Scripture is clear that believers should “not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14), it also clear that Christians should seek to serve and love the world, for as Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). These two commands are not in contradiction. While it may seem like we must be friends with the world to love the world, this is not truly the case. Therefore, its important to truly know what friendship with the world really looks like and what it does not look like.

How to Apply God’s Word to Your Life

December 15, 2015September 21, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

As Christians, we know we are to obey God, to grow spiritually, and to actually apply the Bible to our lives. But applying God’s word to your life can be a challenge. Thankfully the word of God itself gives us an understanding on how to best apply God’s word in our everyday life.

While these truths are huge topics within themselves, here are five practical steps found in Scripture on how to apply God’s word.

Statement of Faith

September 26, 2015September 19, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

We believe . . .

Scripture, the Word of God Written
We believe the Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the infallible Word of God, verbally inspired by God, and without inaccuracy in the original manuscripts. It was written by men under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. The meaning of biblical texts is a fixed historical reality, rooted in the historical, unalterable intentions of its divine and human authors.

Biblical Advice for an Unhappy Christian Marriage

January 13, 2019September 19, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses:

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. – Ephesians 5:31-33

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. – Romans 12:9-10

There are so many “solutions” in the world to help an unhappy marriage? Marriage counseling, retreats, advice, tips, marriage mentoring, and so many others really can offer some good wisdom. All of which can be used by God, but none of which will truly help if the spouses lack this one thought: How can I love my spouse?

If that’s the question we are asking, God will always help us find the answer.

About ApplyGodsWord.com

September 26, 2015September 18, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

ApplyGodsWord.com is the writing ministry of Mark Ballenger. Mark is a graduate from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling. He is a part of the pastoral team of a local church in Cleveland, Ohio (www.neochurch.org). Mark is married to his beautiful wife Bethany and they have a son and daughter, Logan and Noel.

Mark’s passion and gifting is to help people apply God’s word to their lives so they can better know, love, serve, enjoy, and glorify God in the freedom purchased through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What to Expect
This website’s focus is to take a passage of Scripture and help readers actively apply what God has said. While there are endless problems presented to each person in this world, the ultimate answer to every issue is always Jesus Christ.