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The Biggest “But” in the Bible (Ephesians 2:4)
Trivia time! What’s the biggest but in the Bible? We will discover the answer to that question today in our study of Ephesians 2:4. I will also answer a quick question from a reader about the topic of Calvinism. Before that, however, I have a bit of news! I now accept Dogecoin and other cryptocurrencies on my website, and if you follow some suggested steps, you can earn about $60 in free cryptocurrency, which you can then use to join my discipleship group, cash it out, or keep it invested. How to Join My Discipleship for FREE and also get paid $50! If you’ve been thinking of joining my discipleship group for a while, I have a way for you to get one month free and also get paid $50 extra in the process. If you’re already part of my discipleship group, you can do this also. I now accept cryp...
Sin Leads to Wrath (Ephesians 2:3)
Ephesians 2:1-3 explains the greatest problem humanity faces on this earth. Ephesians 2:3 reveals the root cause of this problem, and how it leads to the destruction of humanity. This podcast study explains all of this from Ephesians 2:2. Before that, however, we look at a question from a reader about Critical Race Theory. Question about Critical Race Theory I listened to your recent discussions of Critical Race Theory, and while I agree that there might be some concerns with CRT, since the goal is to get rid of racism so that all people can live in love and unity with each other, shouldn’t we accept and embrace CRT, or at least allow it to have a voice in our schools and churches? CRT is part of an overall conversation about race relations, and is therefore a good thing. Right? Everybody ...
The Subjects of Satan (Ephesians 2:2)
Do you understand what is going on in the world? You would, if you understand the real problem with humanity. Ephesians 2:2 begins to show us what this problem is. The verse contains three phrases that point to one single reality as the identity of our problem. Before we get to our study of Ephesians 2:2, however, we will be answering a question from a reader about hell and ultimate reconciliation. Ultimate Reconciliation? Do you think the ultimate restoration of all things (not the same thing as universalism though people could get nervous and think so) is possible? I address this question in my book, What is Hell?, but let me briefly summarize what I write in the book. First, let me state the 3 basic views on what happens to unregenerate people after they die. The first view is Eternal C...
What does it mean to be dead in trespasses and sins? (Ephesians 2:1)
Ephesians 2 is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied chapters of the Bible. This study provides a brief overview of how to understand Ephesians 2, and then takes a deeper look at Ephesians 2:1 as an introduction to the chapter. We also discuss a question from a reader about the problem of peace in the Middle East. Israel and the Palestinian Conflict I recently received this question from Aaron: Just listened to your recent podcast about Ephesians and with the comments as to the situation in Israel and Palestine. I found the two particularly contrasting – you seem to be so close and yet so far. Theologically, you are on the side which understands the immediacy of the kingdom of God and our participation in it in the here and now through loving our neighbors, and your understanding of...
What is the Global Day of Forgiveness?
Have you heard of it before: Global Day of Forgiveness? This day is perhaps not fixed in your calendar but why not? On July 7, the world reflects on: forgiveness. The importance of forgiveness A difficult topic that we all have to deal with from time to time. People can hurt or disappoint you or maybe you are disappointed in yourself. On this Global Day of Forgiveness you will reflect on the importance of forgiveness. For the other but sometimes especially for yourself. In 1994 some Canadians from the team at the Christian organization CECA (Christian Embassy of Christ’s Ambassadors) came up with this special day. Why? They wanted one moment in the year to reflect on forgiveness and pinned July 7 to the calendar. As a kind of kickstarter or motivation to forgive. By making it a...
Top 10 | Quotes About Forgiveness
Forgiving someone. Sometimes the most difficult thing to do in your life. If someone has caused you pain or injustice then forgiving someone is the hardest thing to do. Because often another person doesn’t deserve forgiveness at all. But is forgiving something you give to someone else. Or to yourself? Desmond Tutu once said, “Forgiveness is something you do for yourself.” Get inspired by these quotes about forgiveness from other famous people. Forgiveness is not saying that the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is faithful and he will do what is right.Max Lucado 2. If we really want to love we must learn to forgive.Mother Teresa 3. If I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I would still be in prison.Nelson Mandela 4. You should never be too proud to...
Sandy Tales about forgiveness | The Prodigal Son
Claiming your inheritance. Completely squandering all your money. And then come back home with your legs hanging out? Would you be waiting for someone like that? In this Sandy Tales about forgiveness, this is exactly what happens. How will his father react? After all, he hadn’t died at all. He was pressured by his son to give him his inheritance. And then suddenly the son comes home. What is Sandy Tales? Sandy Tales are stories told with sand. The sand creator Harm van Schaik creates together with Jesus.net the most beautiful videos with stories from the Bible. He uses special sand which lies on a lightbox. His hands paint in the sand as it were. Storyteller Jesus is a true storyteller. His stories are also called parables. Using examples, Jesus tries to address difficult theme...
Top 10 movies about forgiveness
Forgiving someone is one of the hardest choices a human can make. These movies about forgiveness show the sadness and rawness behind forgiveness. Forgiving the murderer of your child? Forgiving oppressors that mistreated you? The nuns that took your kid? Or a father that never looked back on you. Not an easy task to do. These films about forgiveness are not only about forgiving the other, but sometimes also about forgiving yourself. Sometimes, that is even harder. Be inspired by these stories and reflect on your own journey with forgiveness. 1. Invictus [embedded content] Starring: Morgan Freeman and Matt DamonInvictus is a true story about leadership and forgiveness. In 1995, South Africa is hosting the Rugby World Cup. Nelson Mandela has just become president. With this sporting event, a...
Christian movies about forgiveness | Top
Forgiving someone can be quite a struggle. The theme of forgiveness is often used in movies because it shows the dramatic side of life. Forgiving the other person for the pain they have caused you or forgiving yourself for the mistakes you have made. In these top 5 Christian movies about forgiveness you can discover what role God can play in learning to forgive. 1. Woodlawn Starring: Sean Astin, Nic Bishop, Sherri Shepherd and Jon VoightWoodlawn is about Tony Nathan, a talented American football player. He doesn’t have it easy at his school, Woodlawn High School in Alabama. After the racial divide is abolished, the football coach also accepts black players on the team. But this does not happen without a struggle. The arrival of predecessor Hank Erwin caused a radical change in the team. Ba...
“To forgive is to set yourself free”
Desmond Tutu on forgiveness As a little boy, he saw how his mother was abused by his father. “When I close my eyes, I can still smell the alcohol and see the fear in my mother’s eyes.” When you hear Desmond Tutu talk about forgiveness you hear a lived-in man. Not just with nice words, but spoken from his own experience. Desmond Tutu was the first black bishop in the Anglican Church and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts against apartheid in South Africa. [embedded content] The violence in the home had a deep impact on him. As a child, there was little he could do. “When I think back on it, I feel a rage rising up and I would like to hurt my father as much as he hurt my dear mother.” So for Desmond Tutu, the struggle to forgive is very personal. “I would so love to talk ...
“I forgave the man who was co – responsible for my sister’s death.”
Suddenly they are face to face. Corrie ten Boom and the camp guard. Corrie has just given a speech on the theme of forgiveness. As the people leave, he comes walking forward. Then Corrie sees who this man is. This man is partly responsible for the death of her sister. He extends his hand to her: “What a beautiful message, fräulein.” Corrie freezes. Now what? How could Corrie ten Boom forgive? Let’s go back in time for a moment. Corrie ten Boom and her family live in Haarlem. Her father Casper owns a watch store in the heart of Haarlem, and Corrie becomes the first qualified female watchmaker in the Netherlands. When World War II breaks out, their house above the watch store becomes a transit house. A temporary shelter for Jews and members of the resistance. More than 800 people found...
Quotes Jesus about forgiveness
If anyone in world history has changed the view of forgiveness, it is Jesus. The Bible is full of quotes from Jesus about forgiveness. He offers a very different perspective. The focus is not on ourselves but on the other and above all on God. The statements of Jesus are often radical and take time to ponder over. They go deep and challenge you. Here are the statements “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.Matthew 6:14-15 “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus says, “but seventy times seven!Matthew 18:21-22 “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus at the crossLuke 23:34 Forgiv...
