Playing the Sympathy Card

Playing the Sympathy Card

God’s word endorses mercy, as Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). The prophet Hosea wrote that God desires “mercy, and not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6), which Jesus echoed (Matthew 12:7). The Lord wants mercy more than rituals performed by worshipers. James warns us that “judgment is without mercy to…

Commands of the Gospel

Commands of the Gospel

Certain gospel passages demand special attention and diligent consideration by the mortal mind of man.  This is true of the words written by Peter in I Peter 4:17: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of…

What Shall It Profit You?

What Shall It Profit You?

Jesus warned against choosing the wrong goal in life. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”—Mark 8:38. No matter how great our material success in life might be in achieving possessions, power, honor, and prestige; it will be of no benefit to us if our…