The Parables of Jesus will give us a better understanding of the Kingdom of God and the treasures it contains.
Jesus is generally considered a master storyteller, popular for the many parables that he told which were renowned for their simplicity. Yes, these parables contain tremendous depth of meaning, much of which is concealed, and according to Jesus, deliberately so.
When the apostles asked him why he spoke to the people in parables, he answered: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” And if that wasn’t bad enough, he said that the meaning was also concealed from the prophets and righteous. Why would Jesus do that? Didn’t he want everybody to understand the things that he said?
Read MoreThe Prodigal Son. The Hidden Treasure The Sower and the Seed. These are just three among more than 30 parables that Jesus told.
The Seven Deadly Sins offers a contemplative look at the deadly sins of anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, sloth and avarice.
John Cassian, a theologian, listed eight principal vices: gluttony, fornication, avarice, sorrow, anger, gloominess, listlessness, and vainglory. Some years later, the list would be revised to form the sins as we know them today.
Nowhere in the Christian Bible is a specific list of the seven deadly sins given, although the sins themselves are described as such everywhere, notably in Paul’s letters to the Galatians and the Corinthians.
Read MoreThe Seven Deadly Sins of anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, sloth and avarice are the sins that lead to all the other sins that we commit.
Every Christian is in a war with the devil. If we are to win the daily battles we face it is imperative that we are properly clad in the Armor of God.
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” warns Paul, in his famous letter to the Ephesians. Peter similarly cautions us to “keep alert,” because, “like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Ever since God created Adam and Eve way back in time, mankind has been subject to constant assaults from the devil whose sole purpose is to facilitate its destruction. He is God’s arch enemy, but because he can’t get to him, he tries to get to us, who are created in the image and likeness of God. If we are to defend ourselves, and even more importantly, get on the offensive ourselves, there are a few things that we need to understand, especially about our enemy.
Read MoreThe Belt of Truth. The Breastplate of Righteousness. The Gospel Shoes. The Helmet of Salvation. The Shield of Faith. The Sword of the Spirit. These comprise the Armor of God.