The Old Testament portrayal of God often evokes images of wrath, judgment, and fear. Many people in the modern Western world—where people actually respect social boundaries and rules—find it difficult to reconcile this image with the God of love and grace presented in the New Testament. However, understanding the historical …

If you have followed me long enough, you have probably noticed two things. First, I emphasize love and grace in a way that really annoys some types of religious people. Second, I have developed the same “Matthew 23 style” of antagonistic chutzpah against religious legalism. This is because, ever since …

According to 1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” So, if you wait for your enemy to love on you first before you are willing to love on them, and the same goes for them, when will you ever meet? The Gentiles were well aware of the …

Jesus met individuals often viewed by society as irredeemable or beyond help, such as the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector Zacchaeus, or the Samaritan woman at the well. In each encounter, Jesus looked beyond their current situation and envisioned what they could become, instilling hope and offering a …

The Greek term translated as “trusts” is “pisteuō,” often used in the New Testament to denote belief or faith. In the context of Paul’s message, this concept emphasizes not a naive or blind trust but a choice to always see at least some potential for good in others and to …

Here, Paul emphasizes love’s protective nature. The Greek word translated as “protects” literally means to cover, suggesting that love provides a protective barrier, holding up under pressures and difficulties and keeping out negative influences that might undermine relationships. Love’s protection means it is willing to suffer for others, regardless of …

From the outset, justice has been a prominent recurring motif. Discussions on justice appear early in the Torah (e.g., Leviticus 19:15) and are also emphasized by the prophets (e.g., Micah 6:8). In the intricate dance of human interactions, love and justice are often seen as partners whose steps occasionally misalign. …

To delight in evil—or schadenfreude—is the pleasure of seeing others fall, sin, suffer, or get in trouble. In the original context of Paul’s writing, this message would have resonated deeply in a community like Corinth, where social and moral discord has tempted some to find satisfaction in the failures of …

Gossip and “keeping a record of wrongs” are closely intertwined, reflecting a failure to grasp the grace of God fully. When people gossip, they often do so from a place of insecurity and fear. This is particularly prevalent among religious individuals who are constantly anxious about their afterlife and their …

This directive challenges the natural human inclination towards selfishness, self-preservation, and self-promotion, urging a shift towards altruism and collective well-being. Jesus reminded us to “seek first his kingdom” (Matthew 6:33), suggesting a hierarchy of priorities. Just as our bodies urgently signal hunger or thirst, we should feel an intense spiritual …