Why did Jesus die?

A part of the answer to Jesus' death lies in the fact that a just and perfect God could not simply sweep sin under the carpet and go on running a perfect universe. God must deal with the injustice of sin. Suppose a criminal should come before a judge and that judge would simply excuse a crime of murder, rape, or theft simply because the judge loved the criminal. What would society think of such a judge?
The Bible says: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right" (Genesis 19:25). Selfishness has a natural consequence that eventually results in death to the innocent (Rom. 6:23). Jesus, the Judge, assumed the consequence of sin on the part of man, rather than inflict death upon the sinner. That consequence was death.

Millions struggle to achieve financial security—or even financial stability! What basic, foundational principles can help you manage your finances?

It seems the goal of security or stability is becoming more and more difficult to achieve. The stress of managing family finances can destroy marriages and almost drive one to the brink!

There are many claims of shortcuts to financial success, from “sure thing” investments to “get rich quick” plans. There are always people willing to try these ideas, but experience proves over and over that often the only people who make money with these schemes are the ones selling the plans!

We don’t have advice to give about investments, portfolio management or tax shelters. What we do offer is a fresh look at some of the most basic and effective principles of managing your finances from a biblical perspective.

The God who created humanity and all that exists has some advice to give us regarding debt, budgeting, the need for a generous heart and the important principle of tithing. Would you like to know what He has said about finances? 
We offer no “get rich quick” schemes, but what we do have is far more valuable—the insight your Creator has given for properly managing family finances and, in the process, eliminating much of the incredible stress financial difficulties bring. Explore the articles in this section if you would like to know more.

Who is Jesus Christ really? Some say He was a prophet; others, a charlatan or a myth. We say He was and is the Son of God Almighty. Find out why.

Many believe in Jesus of Nazareth and know what He did in the first century. He was born as the Son of God and suffered and died for our sins. But do you know what He did before His human birth? Do you know what Jesus Christ is doing now? And what He will do in the future?All He has done, even His agonizing suffering and death, loses significance for us without His promised return to establish the Kingdom of God on this earth. For as Paul said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

The Bible reveals the answers to these questions and more. From the Scriptures we learn that the entire universe was created through the Divine Being who became Jesus Christ; that He is part of the Godhead but not part of a trinity, and that He is the future King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Plus, Jesus is very active right now as our High Priest.

By understanding the fullness of who Jesus is, we grasp the magnitude of His all-encompassing sacrifice and understand the purpose of His death, burial and resurrection! We invite you to delve into the Scriptures as we elaborate on the past, present and future roles of the magnificent personage known as Jesus of Nazareth.

Keeping Your Soul Alive

There is more to seminary, and the whole of the Christian life, than the necessity of pursuing daily soul survival in the Scriptures, but this need must not be overlooked. An otherwise impressive theology degree is utterly unimpressive if your soul has shriveled in the course of study.

As Christians, daily Bible intake is to our souls what breathing, eating, and drinking are to our physical bodies. As the incarnate Word himself says, quoting Deuteronomy 8:3, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Our souls will die without the word of God....

Perfect

Perfection is a goal we should work towards. It's in the Bible, Matthew 5:48, TLB. "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

Perfection is a process of listening, learning, and growing with the help of Jesus. It's in the Bible, Colossians 1:28, TLB. "So everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen, warning them and teaching them as well as we know how. We want to be able to present each one to God, perfect because of what Christ has done for each of them."

Perfection will be completed in us when Jesus comes. It's in the Bible, Jude 24-25, TLB. "And now—all glory to Him who alone is God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord; yes, splendor and majesty, all power and authority are His from the beginning; His they are and His they evermore shall be. And He is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into His glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy."

HOPE

We have hope, knowing that we have salvation in Christ. It's in the Bible, Romans 5:1-2, NKJV. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

When discouraged put your hope in Christ. It's in the Bible, Psalm 42:11, NIV. "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise Him, my Savior and my God."

Love keeps hope alive and presses on. It's in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:7, NKJV. "[love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Faith is made of hope. It's in the Bible, Hebrews 11:1, NKJV. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Keep your hope in God, and you won't be disappointed. It's in the Bible, Jeremiah 17:7-8, NKJV. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fearwhen heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit"

We can find hope in God's Word. It's in the Bible, Psalm 119:114, NKJV. "You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word."

Though you do not see God working, continue to hope. It's in the Bible, Romans 8:24-25, NKJV. "For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance."

Trials and tribulations bring forth character and hope. It's in the Bible, Romans 5:3-5, NKJV. "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

No matter what you have done, you can always find hope in the Lord's mercy. It's in the Bible, Lamentations 3:21-23. "This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

Seek God, then have hope in Him. It's in the Bible, Lamentations 3:25-26, NKJV. "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."      

We have hope beyond death in the promise of the resurrection. It's in the Bible, I Thessalonians 4:13-14, NKJV. " But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."

God's promise of eternal life gives hope. It's in the Bible, Titus 1:2, NKJV. "in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,"

Knowing God's calling for our lives gives us hope. It's in the Bible, Ephesians 1:17-18, NKJV. "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

No matter how impossible or desperate a situation may seem, God has a plan of hope to give you if you let Him. It's in the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

We have a blessed hope in the soon coming of Jesus. It's in the Bible, Titus 2:13, KJV. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"

About the Bible Study Reading Plan

Statistics show that most people professing faith in Jesus have never completely read their Bible. Many people start reading the Bible but then become overwhelmed by the number of chapters (1,189) and verses (31,102) there are. What we don't realize is that we can read the Bible in a year by reading fewer than four chapters a day.

By dividing the Bible into 365 daily readings, your goal of reading the Bible in a year can easily be accomplished. Here at Bible Study Tools, not only can you come and read the Bible on a daily basis, but we can help you chart your reading progress online during the year. That means you don't have to wait until the New Year -- you can start reading the Bible today.

First, just register or login so we can show you a customized Bible reading plan tracking chart. We currently have over 20 Bible reading plans so you can choose one that works right for you! The Bible in a Year reading plan contains 365 daily readings designed to help you easily read the entire Bible in just one year! Simply select your preferred Bible reading plan, the date you wish to begin reading and your preferred Bible translation. We will create your customized progress chart, and you'll be on your way! Record your Bible reading progress as you go - complete your assigned Bible reading each day and click “Finished Reading” at the top or bottom of the Bible in a Year reading page.