Category: Character of God
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Romans 5:18–19: Does “All” Really Mean All? A Greek Look at the Passage.
“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” ESV And here is a supporting statement from 1…
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Perfect Love Don’t Leave You Afraid (1 John 4:18)
Now let’s just slow down and think about this a minute. The Bible says: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment…” If you’re still afraid of God… afraid of punishment… afraid of what’s coming… Love ain’t finished its work in you yet. Fear and punishment go…
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Does 1 John 4:18 Refute Eternal Punishment because Perfect Love Casts Out Fear?
Few verses in Scripture speak as directly to the human condition—and to the nature of God—as 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” (NASB) This is not merely devotional language. It is a…
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Slave-Owning Christians – “Will They Be In Heaven?”
“Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come”…
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Immeasurable Worth of Every Human Being
Reflections of a Tomboy Grandma: On the Immeasurable Worth of Every Human Being, by Diane Perkins Castro — A Summary The Life-Changing Truth About Every Human Being What is the most fundamental fact of our human existence? According to Reflections of a Tomboy Grandma, it is this: Every human being is created in the image…
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Severe Mercy: When God’s Fire Heals Instead of Destroys
Many Christians were raised hearing that the wrath of God means endless punishment. The image often painted is one of divine anger that never ends and suffering that serves no purpose except retribution. But when we look carefully at Scripture, a different picture emerges. Throughout the Bible, God’s fire is often described not as destruction…
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Spoiling the Egyptians: A Pattern of Redemption
“And the LORD [Yahweh] had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.” Exodus 12:36. In general, the things we own reflect who we are. One of the more intriguing moments in the Exodus story occurs just before Israel leaves…
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Infinite Punishment?
Where and when did the phrase “sin against an eternal, infinite God deserves eternal, infinite punishment” develop? Not from the Bible. The exact wording is modern, but the underlying idea developed in medieval Western theology, then was sharpened and popularized by Jonathan Edwards in the 18th century.
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Predestination Ain’t Complicated: God’s Plan Was Jesus All Along
This Ain’t About Luck — It’s About God’s Plan. Folks hear the word “predestination” and think it means God picked some people and rejected the rest before anybody was born. That idea can make God seem cold and distant. But when you read the Bible closely, you see something entirely different. Predestination ain’t about God…
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God’s Mercy and Judgment: How They Work Together – Down-to-Earth version
“For the LORD (YAHWEH) is our judge …; He will save us” Isaiah 33:22. A lot of folks wonder: How can God be loving and still judge people?” That’s a fair question. But the Bible tells us straight up: God is love.” — 1 John 4:8. So …?