Building on the Foundation

  While writing a recent post about Satan the devil, I was struck by a realization of how much his human followers behave like him. It’s no wonder, then, that God’s Word sometimes speaks of Satan’s followers as his sons, children, or ministers. Jesus Christ told those conspiring against Him, “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44). The apostle Paul denounced a sorcerer to his face with these words: “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness” (Acts 13:10). He also warned the Corinthians about Satan’s ministers (2 Cor. 11:13-15). The apostle John contrasted the children of God with the children of the devil (1 John 3:10). The Old Testament often describes vile persons as sons of Belial, children of Belial, or men of Belial. In Hebrew, this word “Belial” (Strong’s # H1100) means such things as “without benefit, worthless, wicked, fruitless, destruction.” In 2 Cor. 6:15, Paul uses this name as an apparent reference to Satan. And how do we know who Satan’s children ar...

  There’s a famous quote, and I don’t know who first said it, but it goes like this: “Hatred is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.” Hatred, of course, often stems from a lack of forgiveness. As Christians, we know that forgiving others is something God requires of us. Our Savior Jesus Christ told us, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mat. 6:14-15). Just as God forgives us, so we forgive others when they do us wrong. What exactly does forgiveness mean, though? When and how should we forgive? Is there ever a time not to forgive? In the Old Testament, there are five Hebrew words that mean “forgiveness.” They have the literal meaning of covering, lifting, or pardoning. In the New Testament, there are three Greek words that mean “forgiveness.” They literally mean to release, to pardon, to disregard or send away, or...