God is holy, Can we be holy? How do we relate to holiness? Is seeking holiness our goal? Well, first lets see the Bible command. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a] And take a look at this: 19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and …
Let’s focus on the meaning of be born again. Nicodemus as a member of the Sanhedrin came to visit Jesus at night. Do go take a look at the passage. He was a deeply knowledgable leader who knew the Bible well and was highly respected. I think he wanted to know about Jesus philosophy more and to polish up his religion with Jesus ‘new’ ideas. Jesus knew this and that adding some good ideas would not save Nicodemus or anyone. …
God says to Adam “for dust you are and to dust you will return.” Are we only Dust in the Wind as the song says? Look what Ecclesiastes says to us and our pursuits for meaning in this life. all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Is that the story? When I first came to China. I taught English to the atheist college students. I played this song, Dust in the Wind for them as they loved …
Did Jesus come to Earth to lose? Yes, but let me unpack that. When Jesus said he was going to die in Jerusalem, Peter jumped up and said No!. Why did Peter say no? Peter wanted to win. He wanted the other guy to die. Jesus said he was Satan for wanting to win. Jesus was committed to lose to gain the kingdom he wanted. Further, did Jesus die for the Jews? Did he die for the Pharisees? Did he …
The guy who wrote and sang Sold Out walked away from faith and said it did not happen all at once, but rather the sweater unraveled. In his job, he had to be pastoral and needed to write meaningful Christian songs. He was terrified of losing his faith, so stuffed down his doubts. The band backed off, and he did not need the band for income. He then looked at his lost faith and knew he did not believe. Jon …
