Christian Questions Bible Podcast

Jesus emphatically taught us that personal humility is a primary ingredient in this life of anyone professing to be his disciple. His own humble example was an unmistakable illustration of what our lives are supposed to look like. When it came to pride, to self-exaltation, he was just as emphatic. As we strive to understand how to apply humility and avoid pride, several questions come to the surface. First, what does true humility mean? Is it a self-deprecating behavior that renounces our ability to be or do anything good? And what about pride? Are we to never be “proud” one or of any accomplishment in our lives? As usual, when we examine the Scriptures, the answers to these questions about humility and pride will all present themselves with great clarity.

Jesus provided the ultimate example of humility by willingly serving others, lowering himself to do the Father’s will, and remaining approachable despite the authority entrusted to him. The apostles built upon that example, teaching Christians to associate with the humble and regard others as more important than themselves. They are to recognize that every blessing, ability and opportunity comes from God.

While the Scriptures consistently condemn arrogance and boastful pride, they also show that Christians may rejoice in God’s providence and faithfully use their talents. The crucial distinction is that glory belongs to God, not us. The pattern is clear: we are directed away from self-promotion and towards a humble reliance on God. Leave exaltation in His hands.

John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” You’d think that having such a loving God and such a selfless and loving redeemer as Jesus, we as Christians would all be unified and working together to spread the good news, building up one another in the faith.  Yet here we stand in countless camps of denominationally divided believers. Why? The answer comes down to the fundamental question of how we decide what is and is not required of us as Christians. A simple observation: we believe that Christianity, Christian unity and diversity must be labeled by Scripture and Scripture only. If we put aside traditions and denominations, what will we find to guide us to building biblical unity and diversity in Christ?

This episode explores how the Bible defines Christian unity and diversity, focusing on Colossians 3 as the foundation for Christlike character and shared purpose. We look at how Christians grow together when they set aside human traditions, embrace spiritual renewal and allow God’s love to shape their relationships within the body of Christ.

True unity in Christ begins when we recognize that our shared faith is not built on human institutions but on the transforming power of God’s spirit working within each believer. When we put off the old self—our pride, prejudice and self‑centeredness—and put on the new self, modeled after Jesus, we begin to see one another through Jesus’ eyes. Diversity then becomes a strength, not a source of division, because each member of the body contributes unique gifts that serve the same purpose: glorifying God and building up the church.

Unity and diversity are complementary expressions of God’s design. The Apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 4 call us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling,” showing humility, gentleness, patience and love. These qualities make unity possible and allow diversity to flourish under the guidance of Scripture. When we live this way, our differences no longer separate us; rather, they enrich the body of Christ and reflect the depth of his wisdom and grace.

Baptism plays a vital and sacred role in the lives of Christians. John the Baptist introduced baptism into the New Testament as a symbol of repentance, in preparation for Jesus coming on the scene. Jesus then took that symbol and amplified it to include the sacrificial aspects of following him as a disciple. Throughout the New Testament, the concept of baptism is described in several ways. So, what does it all mean? What should we as Christians understand about the broad meaning of baptism, and how should we go about daily living what it tells us to stand for? How do I as an individual Christian embrace being baptized into Christ’s death?

Being baptized into Christ’s death marks the start of a life shaped by leaving the old self behind and learning to walk in the new life God provides. Romans 6 shows that this baptism is not just symbolic but the beginning of a committed, transformed way of living.

John’s baptism laid the foundation by calling Israel to repentance. It helped people recognize their sin, admit their need and prepare their hearts for the forgiveness Jesus would bring. But Jesus expanded baptism far beyond repentance. His own baptism marked the beginning of his ministry and his receiving of God’s spirit. His teachings revealed that following him would involve sacrifice and a deliberate counting of the cost. Baptism into Christ is the declaration of a lifelong commitment.

The New Testament shows that baptism is always “into Christ,” never into a church or denomination. Jesus instructed his followers to baptize under the authority of the Father, son and holy spirit, while passages like Galatians 3 describe believers as being “baptized into Christ.” This means baptism places us under God’s authority and into Christ’s identity.

Scripture also describes baptism as being “clothed with Christ.” His merit—earned through perfect obedience and sacrifice—is credited to us like a robe of righteousness that covers our flaws and gives us standing before God. From that point forward, baptism becomes a daily practice of living out our dedication, dying to the old life and rising to walk in newness of life through the power of God’s spirit.

• Baptism begins with repentance but grows into a lifelong walk of renewal and sacrifice.

Salvation is a foundational belief that every Christian stands upon. We all claim renewal as a result of Jesus dying for our sins. Sounds simple and straightforward until we begin to ask the hard questions about how salvation actually works. In Part I of this 2-part series, we took a hard scriptural look at the mechanics of salvation. We begin Part II by briefly summarizing our Part I conversation regarding what we believe the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches us about salvation. Next, we will dive deeply into the very controversial question about a Christian’s ability or inability to ever lose that salvation. Answering this question needs clear and plainly stated biblical support. Let’s find it!

We continue our study on salvation by examining the Bible’s strongest warning passages and how they challenged the popular “once saved, always saved” view.  While salvation is a gift from God, Christians must hold fast, remain faithful and avoid the danger of falling away. This episode builds on Part I by exploring how free will and personal responsibility all play a vital role in keeping our relationship with God strong.

Part II takes us into the sobering territory of what the Bible actually says about falling away. Hebrews 10 warns believers who have already been enlightened not to drift into willful sin. Hebrews 6 describes the tragic condition of someone who had every spiritual advantage yet consciously turned away. Paul himself—after decades of faithful service—said he had not “already attained,” showing that glorification is conditional and not guaranteed simply by beginning the Christian walk.

None of this means salvation is fragile or easily lost; rather, it means salvation is relational. God never overrides free will, and the holy spirit is described as a pledge—a down payment of what God intends to complete. Our responsibility is to nurture that gift, resist the temptations that once defined us, and remain committed to the narrow path of discipleship. These warnings remind us that our choices matter and that the privilege of being called now carries profound accountability.

• Salvation is a free gift, but it does not override free will.

Every professed Christian acknowledges that they have been saved as a result of Jesus’ sacrifice. The big questions come after that acknowledgment. How is someone saved, is there a cost for this salvation, or is it a free gift? What are we saved from? Is there a way to lose this salvation or is it an unbreakable and permanent protection no matter what we do? If we go to various denominations with these questions we will receive a wide variety of answers. The challenge is, all these answers do have somewhat of a basis in Scripture. What do we do now? We look at scripture as a whole and find the recurring themes that explain how all of these moving parts come together.

Part I builds a clear foundation for understanding salvation by examining what it is, how it works and who receives it. We walk through key scriptures to explain the difference between salvation by invitation for true followers of Jesus now and salvation by just and merciful inclusion for the world in the future. It also highlights the cost of discipleship, the role of free will and why only spirit-begotten Christians are on trial for eternal life in the present age. This groundwork prepares listeners for Part II, where the warning passages and the question of losing salvation will be explored in depth.

Beyond just a moment of belief or feelings of strong emotion, salvation is a process rooted in God’s calling. Those drawn to Christ now are justified and invited to present their lives as a living sacrifice, walking a narrow path of growth and faithfulness. Non-Christians can’t lose salvation because they have not yet received it; their opportunity comes later in Christ’s kingdom when accurate knowledge of God is provided and evil influences are removed. Only those who are spirit begotten and in covenant relationship with God can turn away from their calling in this age. Understanding these distinctions is essential before approaching the more challenging scriptures addressed in Part II.

Some of the most significant lessons can come from the smallest things. The Bible is a big book made up of 66 books. The shortest of those 66 books is the book of 3rd John. This letter consisting of less than 300 words, was written to a Christian named Gaius. John describes him as a disciple whose life and example are truly Christlike. John then sharply contrasts him with another Christian leader whose example is exactly the opposite as he seemingly dominates those around him. As John ends this letter, he brings in the example of a third Christian as a contrast for Gaius to observe. These three examples show us the depths of Christian character, the power of biblical truth, the danger of mixing pride and power in with discipleship and the impact of leading by example.

After introducing Gaius as a model of truth and love, this episode walks through how John builds his encouragement by pointing to Gaius’ consistent, observable faithfulness. The brethren testified that Gaius “walked in truth,” meaning his convictions shaped every part of his life. His hospitality toward traveling Christians was a tangible expression of the gospel itself. In the early church, believers depended on one another for lodging, meals and safety, and Gaius’ generosity became a witness others carried home. John reminds us that supporting faithful workers makes us “fellow workers with the truth,” sharing in the synergy of the gospel even when our roles differ.

The tone shifts sharply when John introduces Diotrephes, a leader whose pride disrupted the church. He refused apostolic authority, spread malicious accusations, rejected visiting brethren, and even expelled those who tried to show hospitality. Our conversation highlights how John contrasts Diotrephes’ self‑promotion with the humility of the apostles, who consistently presented themselves as servants rather than rulers. John’s warning is clear: craving position and prominence undermines the very truth the church is called to uphold.

To guide Gaius through this challenge, John presents a third example—Demetrius. He is described as having a strong testimony from everyone, from the truth itself, and from John personally. Though the letter never explicitly instructs replacing Diotrephes, the implication is unmistakable: rely on those whose character aligns with Christ. Demetrius’ consistency between message and conduct shows what trustworthy leadership looks like.

John closes by urging Gaius to imitate what is good, reject what is evil, and continue strengthening the body of Christ through truth, love and service. His fatherly tone reminds us that even small letters can carry profound guidance for church life today. There are many lessons from 3 John!

Key Takeaways

When we look at the world around us and the powerful influences of darkness and evil that dominate it, we can easily get discouraged. Why would God allow so much to be so wrong for so long? Thinking about faith is helpful, but it doesn’t alleviate the nagging questions about how darkness and sin seem to always be winning. So… what if. What if we apply our faith to a broader perspective and look at the world’s history as the beginnings of an eternal plan for all of humanity? What if we mark specific cycles of this history as steps God is having His human family take? What if each step in God’s plan after Adam and Eve were created is marked by death, and that death would bring the seeds of renewal and hope for the next step? What if this process shows us the mind, power, love and mercy of God?

In a world overshadowed by darkness and discouragement, this episode explores how death and hope in God’s plan actually work together. By tracing the major turning points of human history—from Eden to the present—we reveal how each ending becomes a God‑designed beginning, planting the seeds of renewal, purpose and eternal hope.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly uses the pattern of death followed by renewal to move His plan forward. The first recorded death—an animal sacrificed to clothe Adam and Eve—signaled the beginning of life in a fallen world. The catastrophic death of the pre‑Flood world opened the door for Noah to carry hope into a new age. The death of Jacob ended the era of the patriarchs and ushered in God’s work with the nation of Israel. Joseph’s death preceded Israel’s bondage, yet it set the stage for Moses to lead them into freedom and the Law Covenant. Ultimately, the most profound death—Jesus’ willing sacrifice—became the foundation of the Gospel Age and the promise that all the families of the earth will be blessed.

Each ending in God’s plan is not a failure but a transition. Death closes one chapter so renewal can begin the next, always moving humanity closer to God’s eternal purpose.

We are now ready to address the last of the Ten Commandments that God presented to Israel after He had miraculously delivered them from the slavery of their Egyptian captors. We have seen many important and guiding connections between these Commandments, each adding to what the previous ones had given. These connections were profoundly important to the nation of Israel, as they created a foundation for their civil laws. For Christians, we appreciate how Jesus elevated these Commandments to become a basis for our spiritual lives. As we now consider this final Commandment, “You shall not covet,” we will observe how it ties everything together for both Israel and the disciples of Christ.

Coveting is the inward desire for what God has given to someone else—whether their life, relationships, status or success. Scripture shows that misplaced desire quietly grows into comparison and discontent, pulling our hearts away from gratitude, humility and trust in God’s providence.

It addresses the unseen world of the heart. We explore how coveting begins subtly: admiring someone’s life, envying their opportunities or longing for their relationships. These desires may seem harmless, but when left unchecked, they reshape how we see ourselves, how we treat others and how we relate to God.

For Christians today, the Tenth Commandment’s “coveting danger zones”—a neighbor’s house, spouse, servants, ox, donkey and anything that belongs to your neighbor all represent successful aspects of our someone else’s life that our desire can easily be drawn to. Our danger lies in subtly drifting from appreciation to inappropriate longing.

When we want what others have, we imply that God has not provided adequately for us. This inward shift can lead to jealousy, insecurity, pride—and even sin. The antidote is contentment: embracing the life, responsibilities and opportunities God has given us, while cultivating gratitude and humility.

The Tenth Commandment invites us to examine our hearts honestly, redirect our desires toward godly pursuits and rest in the assurance that God’s providence is intentional, wise and good.

• Coveting begins internally and quietly reshapes our desires.

Our Ten Commandments Series has now brought us to the Ninth Commandment, regarding not bearing false witness against our neighbor. To properly dig into the meaning of this command, we need to remember its context. After the first several Commandments taught us about our spiritual connection with God, the next several focused us on our human connections with one another. While this Ninth Commandment doesn’t seem as dramatic as don’t murder, don’t commit adultery and don’t steal, it does raise our thinking and instruction to a new level. That level is not only about our thoughts and actions toward one another; it applies that behavior in a clear legal sense. So, what did this mean for Israel, and more importantly, what does it mean for us as disciples of Christ?

What does it mean to bear false witness? This episode explores the Ninth Commandment’s warning against false testimony and reveals how dishonesty, exaggeration and slander undermine justice and community trust. Through Old and New Testament examples—including Israel’s legal standards, Jesus’ trial and Stephen’s martyrdom—we learn why truth‑centered speech is essential for disciples of Christ today.

Israel’s law required multiple witnesses, forbade mob influence and in some cases, punished malicious accusers with the same penalty they intended for the innocent. These safeguards protected justice and emphasized how seriously God views truthfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus identified false witness as a sin that springs from the heart. His own trial on the night before his crucifixion shows how lies and manipulation can be weaponized against righteousness. Stephen’s death further exposes the tragic progression of threatened leaders who recruit false witnesses, stir up crowds and abandon integrity altogether.

As we look inward, we are reminded that false witness can occur privately—through exaggeration, emotional reactions or even condemning ourselves after God has forgiven us. As disciples of Christ, we are called to speak only what builds integrity, honors God and protects the dignity of others.

We are now ready to consider the Eighth Commandment in our Ten Commandments Series. Through the first seven, we have seen that honoring God from our hearts and with our actions is our foundation. The Sabbath was created to remind us of this sacred responsibility. We are then taught to honor our parents as the basis for all of our human interactions. Next were the clear commands to not murder or commit adultery. We found that Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, seriously elevated the responsibilities of these specific commands. As we begin to examine the next Commandment, “You shall not steal,” it will become very evident very quickly that these four words are not some simple form of general guidance. On the contrary, they truly teach us the fundamentals of civility and respect. As usual, Jesus will take this lesson and elevate it even further for his followers.

The command “You shall not steal” covers far more than taking physical items. In Scripture, stealing includes kidnapping, dishonest business practices, withholding wages, exploiting someone’s livelihood, and even negligence that causes another person’s loss. God required full restitution—often with added compensation—and a guilt offering, showing that stealing is both a violation against people and against God Himself.

In this episode we explore how these Old Testament principles reveal God’s deep concern for fairness, honesty and community stability. Stealing is never treated as a minor offense. Whether it involves cheating in trade, manipulating weights and measures, hiding found property, or damaging someone’s livelihood, God’s law consistently protects individuals and families. Restitution was designed to restore what was lost and to impress upon the offender the seriousness of violating God’s standards.

In the New Testament, Jesus expands the commandment by showing that theft begins in the heart. Wrong actions grow from wrong motives, and true obedience requires inward transformation. Modern examples—such as friendly fraud, self‑checkout manipulation, and digital piracy—remind us that integrity must guide even the smallest decisions. Ultimately, Christians are called to move from selfishness to responsibility, and from taking to giving, reflecting God’s character in everyday life.

Key Takeaways