The Bible teaches of a Substitutionary Atonement. Barabbas was one curious character in the Bible to receive it. His name means son of a father, and we find that he has many similarities to us all. In an interesting way, Barabbas embodies the person who was replaced as Christ died in his place. In short,…
As Christians in the church spend more time with one another, we’ll inevitably rub each other the wrong way. At times, this can be due to the healing process that each Christian is going through, and also as each person goes through their own growing pains. Before we were Christians, we would treat each other badly. But now as we follow Christ, we should examine each complaint against another, and utilize it as an opportunity to grow in God’s grace and to forgive, even as Christ forgave us. These choices will either lead us to Christian growth and maturity with healthy relationships, or to backsliding and bitterness as we destroy our relationships with God and each other. We must put off the old ways, and force ourselves to put on Christlikeness!