Being wholehearted means being fully committed, sincere, and devoted. When we are wholehearted, we give our entire selves – heart, soul, mind, and strength – to whatever we are pursuing. The Bible has much to say about living a wholehearted life for God. First, the Bible calls us to love and serve God with our whole hearts. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Jesus affirmed this commandment in Matthew 22:37, stating that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God…
Author: Erin Weitzman
1 Thessalonians 4:11 states, “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you.” This verse encourages Christians to work diligently and provide for themselves through manual labor. Here are some key reasons why the Bible, specifically this verse, emphasizes working with one’s hands: 1. To avoid idleness and dependence on others In the ancient world, idleness often led to boredom, gossip, unnecessary dependence on others, and even exploitation of the goodwill of others. By working with their hands, Christians could avoid these pitfalls and be self-sufficient. The…
1 Timothy 4:3 states “They forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” This verse refers to false teachers who were infiltrating the church in Ephesus and spreading erroneous doctrines. The identity and motives of these false teachers have been debated, but examining the context provides some clues. The Context of 1 Timothy 1 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his younger co-worker Timothy, whom he had left in Ephesus to guide the church there (1 Timothy 1:3). Ephesus was a major city…
Eugene Peterson was an American Presbyterian minister, scholar, author, and poet who was born in 1932 and passed away in 2018 at the age of 85. He is best known for The Message, a contemporary paraphrase translation of the Bible into everyday English that he completed in 2002 after working on it for over 20 years. Here is an overview of his life and ministry: Early Life and Education Eugene Peterson was born on November 6, 1932 in East Stanwood, Washington. His parents were Pentecostal Christians and he attended a Pentecostal church while growing up. As a teenager, he began…
Paul’s letter to the Philippians provides practical advice for living a Christian life, including an exhortation to focus our thoughts on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8). The phrase “of good report” appears in this verse and refers to things that have a good reputation and reflect well on the Christian faith. The Broader Context of Philippians 4:8 To understand this phrase, it is helpful to look at the broader context of Philippians 4. In this chapter, Paul encourages the believers in Philippi to stand firm in the Lord (v.…
The verse Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This powerful verse encapsulates the Christian’s new identity and relationship with Christ after being saved by God’s grace through faith. Let’s break down the meaning and significance of the first part of this verse – “Christ lives in me.” Christ Lives in Me: United with Christ This statement expresses the…
Hymns are songs of praise and worship, typically sung by congregations in church services. The word “hymn” comes from the Greek word hymnos, meaning “song of praise.” Hymns have been an important part of Christian worship since the earliest days of the church. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about hymns: Origins of hymn singing The practice of congregational hymn singing has its roots in the worship of the early church. The New Testament contains several references to hymns and songs of praise sung by believers. For example, after the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples “sang…
The word “hosanna” appears only a few times in the Bible, but it carries great significance. Here is an in-depth look at the meaning and context behind this important biblical term. The Definition and Origin of Hosanna “Hosanna” is a Hebrew word that literally means “save now” or “save, we pray.” It comes from Psalm 118:25, which says “Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, give us success!” (ESV). The word originates from the combination of two Hebrew words – “yasha” meaning “deliver” or “save” and “na” meaning “please” or “I pray.” So when the word “hosanna”…
According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the head of the church. This truth is affirmed throughout the New Testament, especially in the writings of the apostle Paul. Let’s take a look at some of the key biblical passages that establish Christ’s headship over the church. Ephesians 1:22-23 “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23) In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul describes Christ’s exalted position as the one who rules over all…
The words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” are incredibly significant and full of meaning. This verse comes in the context of Jesus preaching about the kingdom of heaven and calling people to repent and believe in Him. The promise of “rest” for the weary soul is a beautiful invitation from Christ to all who need comfort, peace, and renewal. 1. Jesus is offering spiritual rest and refreshment When Jesus says “I will give you rest,” He is primarily speaking of the spiritual rest and…
