Through the Bible for Skeptics and Seekers

The religious ritual of sacrificing an animal as a way to atone for our sins is a common understanding around the world. There’s something within the human spirit. That knows deep down that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Fortunately for us, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many.” When we turn to God and ask what Jesus did on the cross to count for us,...

After Jesus gave His life on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice, He rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God. The ascension was his coronation as the King of Kings, the fulfillment of Daniel 7 which was the prophecy that one day there would be a human who would be worthy of worship. As Timothy Keller said: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we eve...

The author of Hebrews introduces us to Melchizedek, a king and priest from ancient times. He was an example of what one day would be true of the Son of God. Jesus gave his life as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the priests and all people. The new covenant in Jesus allows us to leave the past. We no longer need the daily sacrifices in the Temple because of his death. We no longer need to go...

The letter to the Hebrews contains serveral “warning passages” that have confused many over the years. Remember any time we come across passages that are hard to understand, look at the context and allow other clearer Scriptures to interpret the less clear Scriptures. Some feel the author is warning these Jewish Christians that if they turn away from faith in Jesus and back to Judaism, they will l...

Jesus became the ultimate high priest. Before Jesus the high priest was selected from among the people and was appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He was able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself was subject to weakness. Jesus was chosen by God, and He never sinned and remained perfectly o...

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God. Access to this rest comes through faith. Sadly the unbelieving people of Israel who had been freed from slavery refused to believe and did not experience the rest offered in the Promised Land. This rest is … like the way God rested on the 7th day of creation. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and l...

The author of Hebrews was writing followers of Jesus who were facing tremendous persecution. He or she wanted to remind them why following Jesus was worth the suffering. Jesus is the heir of all things, and the Creator of all things. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for...

We need to listen to the message of Jesus rather than drift away. “God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” God made humans in His image and gave us the responsibility to co-labor, co-rule with Him. However, our sin keeps us from fully living out our calling, but Jesus fulfilled what we have not. “But we do...

The author of Hebrews was writing followers of Jesus who were facing tremendous persecution. He or she wanted to remind them why following Jesus was worth the suffering. Jesus is the heir of all things, and the Creator of all things. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for...

Paul wrote Philemon about his former slave Onesimus. More than likely Onesimus had run away from Philemon, a crime punishable by death. While in prison, Paul led Onesimus to faith in Christ. Paul sent him back and asked Philemon to give Onesimus his freedom as a fellow brother in Christ. The Scriptures reveal God as the One who frees the enslaved. N.T. Wright calls this brief letter “a ticking tim...

Paul reminds Titus of the importance of living differently from the rest of the world. We honor and pray for our authorities. We are productive and caring for each other. All of us fall short of the life God has for us, but He offers to rescue all of us. This offer is not because of the good things we have done but because of His mercy and kindness. He renews us and makes us new by giving us His S...

Paul reminds Titus to spend time with those who are older and those who are younger. There should be healthy interaction between all the generations. All are welcome and all have a part to play. The secret to move broken people to become spiritual leaders is grace. It’s God’s unconditional love that helps us say “no” to those things which are destructive. We should be so overwhelmed with God’s lov...

Paul encouraged Titus to straighten out the church in Crete where there were many who were rebellious and teaching Gentiles needed to become Jewish before they could follow Jesus. His goal was to raise up spiritual leaders who have healthy families, were blameless, not given to drunkenness, and living a transformed life so that they could help bring about transformation among those around them. #N...

Paul left Titus in Crete in order to appoint elders - spiritually mature servant leaders in the church. The challenge was that he was working with people who were referred to as “liars, evil brutes, and last gluttons.” In other words, Titus’ goal was to help lead broken people to become trustworthy leaders. Discover how to do this through this letter from Paul. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #Scri...

In what may be his last letter, Paul encourages Timothy that he can be faithful to do what he is called to do in spite of the opposition and those abandoning their mission. Paul writes that “God will safely deliver me into his heavenly kingdom.” We like the idea of God safely delivering us from our challenging circumstances, but that is not promised to us. Believers in Christ need to have a bigger...

Paul warns Timothy that he will be persecuted because he is seeking to live a godly life. He reminds Timothy of the great faith of his mother and grandmother and the wonderful times they had together on the journey they experienced planting churches. There will be tough days when people who claim to be followers of Jesus try to tempt others away from the ways of Jesus. Timothy is not alone though....

Paul encourages Timothy to raise up others who are reliable to serve along with him. He reminds him that serving in God’s Kingdom is hard work like a farmer, athlete, or soldier. Timothy needs to stand up against false teachers to protect his church family. The word “elect” is a word that is often misunderstood. This does not mean that some are chosen and some are not chosen. When we choose to say...

Paul writes Timothy reminding him that he has the power of the Spirit of God which helps us love and have self-discipline. He does not want him to shrink back due to the challenging circumstances he faces. Paul has been abandoned by many of his former coworkers and is suffering for his faith, and he wants Timothy not to forget him. He wants Timothy to continue in the way of Jesus, the sound teachi...

We are eternal creatures living in a temporary world. How we relate to those with whom we work and do life should be different. We should pursue righteousness rather than give into arguments and disagreements. We should be content and use our wealth to bless others and advance God’s Kingdom. We should fight the good fight of faith and make Jesus our priority. We are a new version of humanity. Paul...

Paul reminds Timothy to respect those who are older and to treat with kindness and purity those who are younger. He also gives him guidance on how to care for the widows in their community. This is a new version of humanity! We help each other with our struggles to all become more and more like Jesus. #NewTestament #BibleCommentary #ScriptureAnalysis #Devotional #ChristianLifestyle #SpiritualGrowt...

Paul encouraged Timothy to rebuke the false teachers who were telling people to avoid marriage yet promoting promiscuity. They promoted celebrating religious holidays and abstaining from foods related to religious laws that were not advocated by Jesus. Even though he was young, Timothy should be an example to the church in Ephesus, teach them the ways of Jesus, and live out his spiritual gifts. Ho...

Paul lays out the guidelines for serving as an overseer or as a deacon. Every follower of Jesus should aspire and grow to exhibit more and more of these traits. Paul describes the characteristics of a church leader, but he does not explain the organizational structure or the job description. How they live seems to be more important than clarity on their responsibilities. Mentioning that an oversee...

Paul reminds Timothy that these new communities of Christ-followers is different. We honor, respect, and pray for the authorities. We live peaceful and quiet lives so that others will notice the difference in us so that others will want what we have. In fact, God wants all people to choose faith and become part of the Church. There are lots of cultural issues this passage addresses which have got...

Paul writes his mentee who was the pastor in Ephesus where there were many false teachers. These false teachers made immorality sound acceptable, yet they were overly restrictive when it came to eating and insisted on celebrating certain holidays. Paul reminded them that the law helped sinners know they needed a Savior. Paul was not trying to exclude those who struggle with sin, but he put himself...

Timothy traveled with Paul helping plant churches across thr Roman world. Often he stayed back in places Paul had to eacape like Thessaloniki. He was with Paul when he wrote the letter to the Thessalonians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and the 2nd letter to the Corinthians. Timothy also served as the pastor of the church in Ephesus. Perhaps because of Timothy’s anxiety, Paul encouraged him t...