Are we all God’s children?
- Are we all God’s children?
It is not uncommon when spiritual or community leaders get together for an event or to promote a cause that someone might evoke our common humanity by saying, “We are all God’s children.” While this is a comforting sentiment and many nod in agreement when heard, what does the Bible tell us is the answer? Are we all God’s children?
Categories: Questions, Theology Tags: born again, children, Children of God, devil, ecumenicalism, God
Repentance
When it comes to the word repentance, there seems to be a lot of confusion over what the word means. Unfortunately, not many people today have heard of the word repentance. If they have, it is usually heard while listening to a sermon in church. Even then, most references to the word repentance do not take into consideration its historic meaning and origin, which leads to it being defined improperly. Finally, unless someone has been trained in etymology or researched the word’s the historic meaning and origins (etymology), they are left at a disadvantage in knowing how repentance relates to salvation and growing in their faith.
Categories: Theology Tags: Repentance
What was the thorn in the side of the Apostle Paul?
What was the thorn in the side of the Apostle Paul? photo by peasap on Flickr
Although this question is asked from a theological perspective, a “thorn in the side” is also a common idiom used by many people to refer to someone or something that is causing them great pain, problems or discomfort. Historically speaking, this idiom, like many others, comes from the Bible. However, because it comes from the Bible it has a much wider application. A similar phrase can be found in 2 Corinthians 12:7 where the Apostle Paul makes mention of a “thorn in the flesh.”
(2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV) “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (Emphasis added)
As always, when looking at this verse, it is important to look at the context by which it was given. In 2 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, explains how much he cares for the people in the church in Corinth. He fears that they will “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” by falling for “another Jesus” or “another gospel,” but wants them to bear with him in their resistance against false teaching (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
Categories: 2 Corinthians, Bible, Questions, Theology Tags: 2 Corinthians 12:7, handling persecution, thorn, thorn in the flesh, Thorn in the side
