Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Mon, 27 Jan 2025 02:21:27 -0500 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-does-the-bible-say-about-being-a-good-friend.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-does-the-bible-say-about-being-a-good-friend.html Alicia Searl https://www.christianity.com/author/alicia-searl/ Is there anything sweeter than a true and honest friendship? The kind of friend that you can share life with and be able to open up your raw and somewhat messy heart knowing there won’t be judgment, only sincere understanding, wrapped with wisdom and grace.The truth is, we all need good friends. But even more, we were created for this tender kind of relationship because we were never meant to do this life alone. God made us for so much more, and He gives us the blessing and precious gift of friendship to be able to understand the depths of His love.Fellow brother or sister, we serve a relational God and He lays out for us in His Word a hierarchy for our relationships. First and foremost, God wants a connection with us, as He deeply desires to be in tune with our hearts, mind, and soul (Deuteronomy 6:4). As for our human relations, God gives us the gift found in the sacred union of marriage and blesses a man and woman when they stand before Him, say their vows, and profess their commitment to one another (Genesis 2:24). Our gracious God gives us the blessings of children and calls us to raise them up in the faith (Psalm 127:4). He also gives us relationships with our parents and extended family, commanding us to honor, respect, and care for our family members (Ephesians 6:2-3, 1 Timothy 5:8).Yet, when it comes to friendship, God shares with us in His Word how to choose our friends wisely (Proverbs 12:26), how to be a good friend (Romans 12:10), and why this relationship is so invaluable to us as believers (Proverbs 27:9). So, what are the markings of a Biblically good friend? Grab your Bible and let’s dig in so we can discover what God has to say!A Good Friend Walks by Faith"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17Jesus often sent His disciples out two by two into the mission field. This could have been for a number of reasons, including their safety, but because we serve a God that holds a greater plan and a deeper purpose, maybe it was also used for their spiritual growth. He knew as two “brothers” would come together and serve Him that they would shape, mold, and sharpen one another. So, it begs to question are the friends that walk beside you helping you grow closer to Jesus?Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-apostolic-succession.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-does-the-bible-say-about-apostolic-succession.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Apostolic succession is the belief that bishops embody apostolic authority through an uninterrupted and unbroken lineage from the original Apostles. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 10:50:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-the-relationship-between-grace-and-works.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-the-relationship-between-grace-and-works.html Dr. Kenneth Boa and Cameron McAllister https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-kenneth-boa/ One of the more common questions we receive from Christians concerns the relationship between grace and works. The reason for this is simple: Scripture appears to present us with conflicting data on the matter. On the one hand, we have celebrated verses like Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Examples can easily be multiplied. Romans 11:6, for instance, says, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” On the other hand, we don’t need to go far (1 verse!) to encounter what seems to be another perspective on the matter: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in. (Ephesians 2:10)” Once again, we could bring in more passages, but the question is clear. How do we reconcile grace and works? Theological traditions play a role in this discussion as well, with some placing more emphasis on one of these two. But the net effect of this confusion is that many people sit in the pews wondering whether their efforts at cultivating virtue constitute some form of legalism, while others worry that they are using grace as theological camouflage to excuse immoral behavior. Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously called this “cheap grace” in The Cost of Discipleship. What Is the Nature of Salvation?Before we move into specifics, we need to dwell on the nature of salvation. Consider Jesus’s words in John 3:1-8:“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.” The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”The image of birth is as arresting as it is revealing. For one thing, we don’t choose to be born—a fact that aggravates some of our modern sensibilities. Most of us have likely heard some variation on the phrase, “Well, I didn’t choose to be born!” Implicit in such a statement is the assumption that we ought to be in charge of our existence. If we follow this thought to its logical conclusion, however, we see that such an ambition amounts to gross idolatry. There is one necessary, self-sufficient being, and His name is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! God alone can answer from the burning bush, “I am that I am.” In stark contrast, we are creatures made by God. Our existence is a pure gift. As Christ’s words indicate, this is also the nature of salvation. Just as we cannot will ourselves into existence, we cannot save ourselves. Christ alone is the author of our salvation. Once we understand that we cannot will ourselves to be born again anymore than we can choose to be born, we can begin to make better sense of the relationship between grace and works. God remains the author of our salvation and actively empowers our efforts as we cooperate with His Spirit. The result of this cooperation is an inward transformation that produces an abundance of good works. Far from being a threat to God’s place in our lives, these works are the direct results of His redemptive action, as well as His ongoing inspiration. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/andresr Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:15:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-ways-to-help-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-conviction-and-anxiety.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-ways-to-help-you-tell-the-difference-between-a-conviction-and-anxiety.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ A random thought comes our way, suggesting a certain idea or action. We might even feel inspired. Yet we question the source of the thought. Where did it come from? Was it God, or did I eat too much pizza last night? We desire to follow Christ by the Spirit, but we can become paralyzed by such analyzation. Jesus promises we will hear his voice (John 10:27). If we belong to him, as a sheep belongs to the shepherd, then we enjoy this treasured privilege. Christ later teaches that the Spirit will remind us of all he said (John 14:26) and lead us into all truth (John 16:3). What a gift! Yet it’s a struggle to take advantage of it when we can’t discern the voice of God from other thoughts and desires.This is the goal of spiritual disciplines. The disciplines aren’t an end goal but a tool for us to engage in the unseen realm of the Father, Christ, the Spirit, and the Kingdom. Just as a disciplined athlete, one who’s trained over years and become better attuned to his body, how it feels, his breathing, and more, the follower of Christ who submits to spiritual disciplines better learns how to discern the voice of God from others. And it begins with prayer. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Marsell Gorska Gautier Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-does-it-mean-to-be-truly-authentic.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-does-it-mean-to-be-truly-authentic.html Mike Leake https://www.christianity.com/author/mike-leake/ When I was a kid eating my Smurf Berry Crunch, one question never crossed my mind. “Gee, I wonder who makes these, what kind of company are they, and are they ethical?” I didn’t think about the bookkeeping practices of Mattel, I just enjoyed trying to defeat Skeletor with my He-Man action figure. It never crossed my mind to think about the global economics of purchasing my Nintendo from Japan.That’s not the case with Generation Z. They ask more questions. They want to know how a company makes their products. Do they use ethical practices? Do they treat their employees well? Do they steward the environment with the materials used? And they want to know why a company does what they do. Are they only in it for the money or are they trying to make a difference? Are they giving back?I never asked these questions. But many of the people who comprise Gen Z are asking them. Companies are learning this and seeking to put authenticity at the forefront of their marketing (which is a tad ironic, in my opinion). They know that if they don’t put “why” at the core of their business, they’ll lose this important demographic.This applies to more than businesses. Generation Z is asking the same type of questions to the church. Are you authentic? They want to know not only what we say we believe, but if we actually believe what we say we do. Russell Moore makes this astute observation:We now see young evangelicals walking away from evangelicalism not because they do not believe what the church teaches but because they believe the church itself does not believe what the church teaches. The presenting issue in this secularization is not scientism and hedonism but disillusionment and cynicism. [1]In other words, the pressing need of the hour is authenticity. But what does that mean?[1] https://www.russellmoore.com/2021/04/15/losing-our-religion/Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/anyaberkut Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/is-it-possible-to-seek-fame-and-still-glorify-god.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/is-it-possible-to-seek-fame-and-still-glorify-god.html Cynthia Garrett https://www.christianity.com/author/cynthia-garrett/ Today, I want to talk about something that many of us wrestle with in one way or another: the pursuit of approval!  Often disguised as a pursuit of fame, which includes wealth, status, importance, and validation, this pursuit is usually directed outward, requiring other humans to validate your very existence. The pursuit of this type of approval is a subtle trap that can lead us far from the purpose God has for our lives. Fame and approval—the world's applause—promise satisfaction and fulfillment, but they often leave us empty, broken, and far from God. These pursuits feed a hunger for validation that can never truly be satisfied, creating a cycle of striving and disappointment.  Having experienced fame, red carpets, and man’s approval in Hollywood, I can tell you without doubt that none of it ever quenched my soul’s desire for true significance in my heart and soul. I was keenly aware that only approval before God ever really mattered. In fact, without God at the center, what initially feels like success quickly reveals itself as shallow and unsustainable. Let’s begin with the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:26: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” This scripture is a sobering reminder that all the fame and approval in the world cannot compare to the value of our souls. The applause of men is fleeting, but the approval of God is eternal.  Going to sleep at night with deep peace and the knowledge that you are truly loved and valued is a feeling that man’s fame and approval can never duplicate.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Omar Osman Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/what-is-homiletics-and-why-is-it-important.html https://www.christianity.com/church/what-is-homiletics-and-why-is-it-important.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:50:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-is-the-difference-between-a-diet-and-a-fast.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-is-the-difference-between-a-diet-and-a-fast.html Mike Leake https://www.christianity.com/author/mike-leake/ Have you ever wondered if there’s a biblical way to approach dieting? Spoiler alert: the Bible doesn’t talk about diets the way we think of them today. Instead, it speaks of fasting—a spiritual discipline that shifts the focus from the body to the soul. In this article, we explore the profound difference between dieting and fasting, how fasting exposes the heart, and why it’s a powerful way to draw closer to God. Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-westminster-confession-of-faith.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-westminster-confession-of-faith.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Created in the mid-17th century, the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) outlines the core beliefs of what we call Reformed Christianity. Fri, 17 Jan 2025 11:55:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00 https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/is-anointing-biblical.html https://www.christianity.com/videos/video-answers/is-anointing-biblical.html Phylicia Masonheimer https://www.christianity.com/author/phylicia-masonheimer/ Anointing in the Bible is a topic that sparks diverse interpretations across Christian traditions. From its Old Testament roots to its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, discover how anointing reflects God's grace, favor, and calling—and what it means for your life today. Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:40:00 -0500 2025-01-27T02:21:27-05:00