Question Why should we love our Enemies? You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven... —Matthew 5:34-45a Context Jesus' words of loving one's enemies are part of His long discourse in Matthew 5—7. These are theological elaborations and practical reflections on the Word of God by Jesus, some of which in the

Question Is God's Love Unconditional? The LORD appeared of old [from afar] to me, saying, "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." —Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV Context To understand God's love for His people and all of humanity, we need to search the Scriptures. How has God related to His covenant people, Israel, and how has God demonstrated His love to the whole world in Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world? Answer Go

Question Why is love the greatest commandment? Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. —Romans 13:8-10 NASB Context

Question What are the 'weightier provisions of the law'? Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.​​ —Matthew 23:23 Context Matthew 23 is one of the toughest speeches Jesus ever gave. His stern rebukes towards some of the religious leaders of His time remind us of t

Question Why is the fear of the LORD the beginning of knowledge and wisdom? The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.​ —Proverbs 9:10 Context The biblical Book of Proverbs is about God's wisdom and how to acquire knowledge for life based on God's Word or Law (Torah). The beginning of knowledge (1:7) and wisdom (9:10; cf., Psalm 111:10) is the fear of the LORD. Indeed, the fear of the LORD is the instruction in wisdom

Question Why was Jesus so merciful to repenting sinners yet so tough on the religious people? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?​ —Micah 6:8 Context Jesus was known as a 'friend of sinners' due to His association with sinners and His merciful attitude in forgiving them when they repented before God. The term was, at the time, a form of slander, not a compliment. He

Question What is greatness in the Kingdom of God? Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:4 Context It's a well-known story. Jesus was asked by His disciples, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' (Matthew 18:1). To answer the question, Jesus used a small child to illustrated that greatness in the kingdom of God is of a different nature than greatness according to the world's standards, just as He emphas

Question Why did Jesus say to seek first the Kingdom of God? But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. —Matthew 6:33 Context Jesus said, 'But seek first His [God's] kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you' (Matthew 6:33). This statement came at the end of a discourse on having a right attitude towards money and trusting God for His provision so that a worry-free life becomes possible (Matthew

Question What does it mean to be heavenly-minded? Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. ​ —Colossians 3:1-2 Context Paul wrote to the Colossians to 'keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God,' and to 'set your mind on the things above' (Colossians 3:1, 2). What did the apostle

Question What are 'the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' and why was it given to some and not to others? Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. —Matthew 13:11 Context Jesus often spoke in parables, especially about the kingdom of God/heaven (e.g., Matthew 13; Mark 4; see P1; P2). His disciples asked Him why He spoke to 'them,' i.e., the crowds (v 2), in parables (v 10), to which He responded that i

Question What is 'the mystery of Christ' and 'the mysteries of God' according to Paul? By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the same body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ through the gospel. —