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The Parables of Jesus
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?
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The Parables of Jesus
The 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
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.
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The Seven Deadly Sins
The 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.
The Armor of God
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.
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The Armor of God
The 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.
1 Corinthians 9:27-28
I do not box the air ...
As athletes train rigorously to attain their goals, Christians — especially spiritual leaders — need to lead lives of discipline to ensure victory in life's race.
Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds ...
When God looks after the birds and animals, isn't it obvious he is going to look after us? The key is to trust in him and his love.
Luke 19:26
To all those who have ...
This may seem like an unfair promise, but what Jesus is actually saying is that those who use what has been given to them fruitfully will be given more.
1 Chronicles 16:24
O give thanks ...
If the only prayer we make is one of thanksgiving, that is prayer enough. If we only examine the abundance of blessings we have received from God, we would be a grateful people.
Psalm 23:2
Green pastures ...
One of the most loved psalms is No.23, with its assurances of the provisions of God to those who believe in him and trust him.
Revelation 3:20
I stand at the door ...
Jesus wants to be part of our lives but he is too polite to gatecrash. He stands outside and knocks, hoping that we will open the door and invite him in.
Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two better than one ...
Too many of us journey alone through life. This is a recipe for disaster, and even more so when it comes to the spiritual journey.
Isaiah 49:16
I have inscribed you ...
One of the greatest assurances of Gods love that we can find in Scripture is that we are carved right into the palms of Gods hands.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient ...
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and snow ...
God's word, whether it goes out from a preacher's mouth and reaches your ears, or from the pages of Scripture and reaches your eyes, will fulfill God's purposes.
An Hour with Aneel Aranha
