This depiction by Jan van Hemessen (c. 1556) shows the moment when the king scolds the servant.
The unforgiving slave parable tells of a slave forgiven a huge debt so great that he could have never paid it off, but who wouldn’t forgive a fellow slave’s relatively small debt. A certain segment of Christianity claims Christians are “Once Saved, Always Saved”, and the parable doesn’t teach us much beyond the parable itself. Is “Eternal Security”, or “Once Saved, Always Saved” Biblical? According to the parable of the unforgiving slave, “Eternal Security”, or “Once saved, always saved” is unscriptural. This may be surprising to some Christians, but it is true.read more
Does the Bible Contradict Science About Mustard Seed?
Mustard seeds against a scale of 20 millimetres (3⁄4 inch)
Skeptics, critics and evolutionists say the Bible contradicts science in Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed, where he says “a mustard seed . . . is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth” (Mark 4:31; Matthew 13:31,32). Does the Bible contradict science about the mustard seed? Let’s examine Jesus parable in Mark 4:31,32 in detail, using the Bible Hub Study Bible, which is quoted in italics. The scriptures are in bold type.
“It is like a mustard seed The mustard seed is often used in biblical texts to symbolize small beginnings that lead to significant outcomes. In the context of Jesus’ parables, it represents the Kingdom of God starting from humble origins and growing into something vast and influential. The mustard plant, common in the region of Palestine, was known for its rapid growth and large size compared to its tiny seed. This imagery would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience, who understood agriculture and the potential of seeds.read more
We live in a world today where xenophobia (fear of strangers) has taken hold. Many people have a negative view of immigrants. But if we want to follow Bible principles, how should we view immigrants?
“Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith” (Romans 4:11 NLT). Did you know that “a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner” (Genesis 12:10 NLT)? How would God view someone who would refuse to help, or even attempt to deport Abram? The Mosaic Law included this principle: “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE FOREIGNERS, because you were foreigners in Egypt” (Exodus 23:9 NLT). The entire nation of Israel lived in Egypt as foreigners for many years, and was not treated well during the final years. Instructive for us is: “Yahweh then said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt’” (Exodus 4:7 NJB). Yahweh sees all. Did you know that young Jesus and his parents lived for a while as refugees in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)?
The Bible has a number of principles we can apply as to our viewpoint and attitude toward immigrants. Number one, of course, are the two greatest commandments:
1.”Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . soul . . . mind”—Matthew 22:37 NIV
a.How does this apply? “Love your enemies . . . that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous . . . And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?”—Matthew 5:44-47 NIV. To really apply this greatest commandment, we should welcome immigrants.
b.“Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you”—Romans 15:7 GNBread more
