In this post I examine why Jesus had to born of a virgin. Scripture does not give a single definitive answer, but the explanation is to be found when both the Old and New Testament are considered together.
VIRGIN (Birth – imputed righteousness)
ANGELS
Many people believe in angels but have difficulty in believing in God. Some are sure they have been rescued or guided from peril by them. Throughout the history many people of different faiths and cultures speak of divine messengers, but what does the Bible tell us angels? In this post, I examine Scripture on the subject of angels.
HELL
Hell is not a subject for polite conversation. Surely, in these modern times, free of superstition, the concept of eternal damnation is not only offensive but ludicrous? Of course, for any that are atheist, Hell has no meaning. But for the Christian, on what do they base this assessment of irrelevance? If the Bible is wrong on Hell, then how is ‘right’ on Heaven or Paradise? Some Christians avoid speaking about Hell, while others deny Jesus’ teaching on the subject. In this post, I examine what the Bible has to say about Hell.
(ETERNAL) REGRET
Scripture suggests that a man or woman will regret nothing about the circumstances of their lives but will rue their decisions in response to them. In this post, I examine what God would have us know about eternal regret.
BOASTING
It is in the nature of men and women to ‘boast’ of their achievements, to take pride in their homes, possessions, even their family; their success in business or for their intellectual recognition; the internet and social media is full of people who are ‘self-made’ and who relish the independence they have gained. Men and women measure their status by how influential they are, or delight in executive positions as the heads of powerful corporations and governments. And Scripture does not proscribe boasting entirely.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.(Galatians 6:14)
JUDGING
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So, when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? (Romans 2:1-3)
Paul’s epistles were not originally arranged in chapters, and ‘therefore’ links to the text in chapter 1. Verses 18 onwards to the chapter end (v32) Paul describes the godless and lawless in the most explicit terms – and yet, he tells the reader to not sit in judgment.
This echoes Jesus’ own words from the ‘Sermon on the Mount’:
‘Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you…’(Matthew 7:1-2)
TONGUE (LANGUAGE)
Ten days after the Ascension of Jesus Christ there was a miraculous event on Jerusalem during the Feast of Shavuot or ‘Weeks’, most commonly referred to as Pentecost.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4)
BLESSED
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5.3)
Greek word translated: μακαριοι; makarioi (3107)
Jesus, during his Galilean ministry, sitting high on a hillside above the lake, describes as ‘blessed’ people who are suffering in one form or another; mourning, humbled, hungering, thirsting and persecuted. At first reading this sounds odd, if not ridiculous.
The sermon on the mount is the closest Jesus came to setting out a ‘manifesto’, if you will, a summary of his ministry. Controversial and counter-cultural, then and now, Read more
TRIALS (TEMPTATION)
Another form of trial is temptation, but if God instigates tests, would he also tempt any to do evil? James makes clear that would violate his nature. So how does the follower of Christ distinguish between trials, by origin or motive?
When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. (James 1:13-14)
πειρασμός peirasmos (G3986) translates trial but is also the word translated ‘temptation’.
TRIALS (SUFFERING)
Scripture tells everyone that God subjects the followers of Christ to trials and tests, so as to check faithfulness, and it is natural that no one enjoys this process. Nobody likes being checked and measured, yet it is God’s purpose for mortal life, it is the proving ground of the soul.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)
Greek word: πειρασμός peirasmos (G3986) translates trial meaning test or a proving process. It can also mean adversity and calamity.
God Breathed Words 