Kyle Rye (Page 8)
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT POLITICS? (PART 1)
With politics taking center stage in our society due to a divisive Supreme Court confirmation and pending midterm elections, maybe it is time we consider what the Bible has to say about political matters. For the record, this will not be an investigation or critique of political ideologies, platforms, or parties; instead, it will be a three week study of some key biblical principles affecting the Christian’s relationship with the government. What is the relationship between God and government? In…
FAITH AND DOUBTS (PART 3)
Facing doubt is not a sin in and of itself. As long as you resolve the doubt, you have not sinned; however, if you give in to the doubt then you have sinned. So, whether or not doubt leads to sin has everything to do with how you handle it. This begs the question: how do you handle doubt in such a way so that you overcome it? To answer this question I encourage you to read about Jesus’ interaction…
FAITH AND DOUBTS (PART 2)
At times, faith is difficult because it requires the unseen to be greater than the seen, and since faith can be difficult, the opportunity for doubt arises. This begs the question: is it a sin to doubt? In an effort to answer this question, let us explore what the Bible has to say about doubt, and we begin by acknowledging that the presence of doubt is not uncommon during the faith development process. Since faith must be tested (James 1:2-4;…
FAITH AND DOUBTS (PART 1)
The Bible defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). In other words, faith is deciding that what is unseen is greater than what is seen, but subscribing to such a mentality is easier said than done. More often than not, we sympathize with the father in Mark 9:17-24 who asked if Jesus could heal his demon possessed son. Jesus answered, “All things are possible for one who believes,” to which…
SELFITIS: PROGNOSIS
In last week’s article, we diagnosed the spiritual disease of selfitis. Selfitis refers to the inflammation of the self to the exclusion or reduction of God. Selfitis can be diagnosed by observing the speech patterns of an individual. If an individual utilizes personal pronouns in excess during conversation, then he or she has likely contracted selfitis (e.g. Genesis 11:4; Judges 16:20; 1 Samuel 13;11-12; Daniel 4:30). The prognosis for this disease is not favorable. Since selfitis involves the elevation of…
SELFITIS: DIAGNOSIS
There is a prominent spiritual disease that has adversely affected numerous followers of God over the years. It is called “selfitis” (pronounced sel-fi-tis), and it refers to the inflammation of the self. “Selfitis” occurs when one glorifies himself or herself to the exclusion or reduction of God. It is typically contracted when an individual… Diagnosing “selfitis” is fairly easy. By observing the speech patterns of an individual one can determine whether or not the disease is present. If an individual…
Four Truths About The Day Of Judgment
Jesus spent a lot of time talking about a final judgment. Through His parables, Jesus indicated the next life will be inaugurated by a universal judgment. In the parables of the Wheat and Weeds (Matthew 13:24-30), the Good Fish and Bad Fish (Matthew 13:47-50), the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46), Jesus presented a judgment scene in which a separation between two groups occurred, resulting in one being saved and the other…
MISSING THE MARK
At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the United States’ best marksman was a man named Matthew Emmons. He won a gold medal in the men’s 50 meter rifle prone position competition, and was on the precipice of winning another gold medal in the men’s 50 meter rifle three position competition. With one shot remaining, he was in the lead and only needed to hit the target in order to secure another victory. Normally, the shot he made would have received…
A PEOPLE NOT A PLACE
Often times we confuse a brand for a product. For example, some people refer to facial tissue as Kleenex. It is true that Kleenex is a popular facial tissue brand; however, Kleenex is not the only facial tissue brand. Therefore, not all facial tissue is Kleenex. The same thing happens when some people refer to adhesive bandages as Band-Aids. Band-Aid is an adhesive bandage brand; however, Band Aid is not the only adhesive bandage brand. Therefore, not all adhesive bandages…
LIKE-MINDED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER
Throughout the New Testament, the phrase “one another” appears over ninety times and is associated with over thirty-five different verbs, which identify activities in which Christians are to be engaged as part of the body of believers. Implicit in these “one another” passages is the expectation of community. Over the past few weeks, we have been investigating some of these “one another” instructions in an effort to identify our responsibilities to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. As…
GREET ONE ANOTHER
Throughout the New Testament, the phrase “one another” appears over ninety times and is associated with over thirty-five different verbs, which identify activities in which Christians are to be engaged as part of the body of believers. Implicit in these “one another” passages is the expectation of community. Over the past few weeks, we have been investigating some of these “one another” instructions in an effort to identify our responsibilities to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. As…
ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
Throughout the New Testament, the phrase “one another” appears over ninety times and is associated with over thirty-five different verbs, which identify activities in which Christians are to be engaged as part of the body of believers. Implicit in these “one another” passages is the expectation of community. Over the past few weeks we have been investigating some of these “one another” instructions in an effort to identify our responsibilities to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. As…