Thematic Bible: Decision


Thematic Bible




"And I tell you, every person who acknowledges me in front of people [i.e., to be his Lord and Christ], the Son of man will also acknowledge him in front of God's angels. Verse ConceptsHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityConfession Of ChristConfessing ChristAcknowledging ChristAngels Interacting With PeopleWitness Before MenAcknowledging GodconfessingUnbelief Toward Christ



No person can serve two masters, for he will either hate the one and love the other, or else he will cling to the one [i.e., as a close friend] and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and material things [at the same time].'" Verse Conceptsdoubt, results ofGospel, Responses ToIndecisionLoyaltyMoney, Attitudes ToRiches, Dangers OfServanthood, In Life Of BelieversServants, BadSlavery, SpiritualTreasuredouble mindednessUnquestioning ServiceServing PeopleDespising PeopleTwo PeopleNot Serving GodServing God

And [then] He said to another person, "Become my follower." But he replied, "Lord, allow me to go and bury my father first." But Jesus replied to him, "Let the [spiritually] dead bury their own dead [i.e., let them care for their family members until they die], but you go and proclaim the [coming] kingdom of God." Then another person said [to Jesus], "Lord, I will become your follower, but first let me say goodbye to my family." [Note: There was the likelihood that family members might try to dissuade him from his commitment to follow the Lord]. read more.
But Jesus said to him, "Nobody who begins plowing [a field] and then looks back [i.e., in regret for beginning such an arduous task] is suited for [serving in] the kingdom of God."




Then another one of His disciples said to Him, "Allow me to go and bury my father first." But Jesus answered him, "Become my follower, and let the [spiritually] dead bury them" [i.e., let a person's relatives care for their own family members until they die].

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The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Verse ConceptsGospel, Responses ToNot MeChrist With People In SpiritNo Helpgathering

The person who is not on my side is [actually] against me. And the person who does not gather [people to me] is [actually] driving them away [from me]. Verse ConceptsGospel, Responses ToCooperationDissensiongathering

Remember [what happened to] Lot's wife! Verse ConceptsHesitationWifeluck

So, since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in [fellowship with] Him, rooted and built up in [your relationship to] Him, established by your faith [or, "in the faith"], just as you were taught, overflowing with thanksgiving.

But you, man of God, run from these things [See verses 3-10], and pursue right living and godliness, having faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good battle of the faith; take hold of never ending life, to which you were called [i.e., by the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14], [when] you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. [Note: This "confession" probably refers to a person's acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Christ prior to his immersion. See Acts 2:36; Rom. 10:9-10]. I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17], read more.
to obey this command without [moral] blemish or blame. [Note: This "command" probably refers to Timothy's responsibility to fulfill his ministry. See verses 11-12; II Tim. 4:1-2]. [Do this] until our Lord Jesus Christ returns,





Therefore, when the people had gathered together, Pilate asked them, "Whom do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called 'Christ'?" Verse ConceptsBarabbasRight DesiresPeople Releasing Othersfree


No person can serve two masters, for he will either hate the one and love the other, or else he will cling to the one [i.e., as a close friend] and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and material things [at the same time].'" Verse Conceptsdoubt, results ofGospel, Responses ToIndecisionLoyaltyMoney, Attitudes ToRiches, Dangers OfServanthood, In Life Of BelieversServants, BadSlavery, SpiritualTreasuredouble mindednessUnquestioning ServiceServing PeopleDespising PeopleTwo PeopleNot Serving GodServing God

Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve apostles, "Do you not want to go [with me] either?" Verse ConceptsExamples Of FaithLonelinessLeavingTwelve DisciplesSchoolwill

I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment]. So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the judgment day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.

It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die. For life to me is Christ, and if I die, it would be gain.


preaching boldly in the name of the Lord [and] speaking and arguing with the Greek-[speaking] Jews, but they were out to kill him. Verse Conceptsevangelists, ministry ofGreeksHatredSuffering, Of BelieversDisputesPersecution Of The Apostle PaulReasoned ArgumentAttempting To Kill Specific PeopleBoldness


For even though I am absent [from you] in body, still I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing and observing [i.e., with my mind's eye] your orderly behavior and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Verse ConceptsJoy, Of The ChurchSpirit, Nature OfCharacter Of SaintsComplimentsAnchorsOrderly PatternsStrong Faith In ChristGone AwayAbsenceKeeping FaithStrength And FaithFaith In GodThe Bodydistanceorganizationconnectionorder

Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, who [else] could we go to? You have the message about never ending life. And we apostles have believed [in you] and know that you are God's Holy One."

Then Peter said, "Look, we have left our homes to follow you." Verse ConceptsPeter, The DiscipleSelf DenialNever Giving Upfollowingimpossible

And now I am standing [here], being judged because [I believe that] God will fulfill the hope He promised to our forefathers. Verse ConceptsHope, In GodMinistry, Qualifications ForAncestorsGod's Promise To Abraham













Now Moses was a faithful servant among all of [those belonging to] God's household [i.e., the Israelites], as [one who gave] testimony about the things which [were to be] spoken [by him], Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, Examples OfBusiness, ExamplesMinistry, Nature OfMoses, Significance OfPredictionsReliabilityServanthood, In Life Of BelieversServants Of The LordFidelityScriptures Bearing Witness To ChristGod's FaithfulnessConfidence And Self Esteemservanthoodtestimony

By [having] faith, when Moses was grown up, he refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, but chose rather to suffer mistreatment with God's people [i.e., the Israelites] than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a brief time. He considered suffering ridicule for Christ's sake to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward.

























By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son, [even though] he had been told [by God, Gen. 21:12], "Your descendants will be traced through Isaac." [So], he reasoned that God was able to raise up [Isaac] from the dead, which, in a sense, he did receive him back [from the dead].

By [having] faith, when Abraham was called [by God] to leave [his homeland] and go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance [i.e., Palestine], he obeyed God and went out, not knowing where he was going. Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfExamples Of FaithCommitment, to GodReceiving An InheritanceHistoryAbraham, New Testament ReferencesAbraham, Calling And LifeCalling, Of IndividualsDestinationsExploits Of FaithNot Knowing Where








I know about your deeds. (See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can close). [Note: This probably refers to their being assured of some unspecified opportunity]. [I know] that you have [only] a little bit of strength, but [in spite of that] you have obeyed my word and did not deny my name. Verse ConceptsGod, All knowingevangelism, motivation forethics, basis ofDoorsSpiritual ImmaturityAdmission Into God's PresenceChrist's Knowledge Of BelieversPeople's Inability To Serve GodThe Act Of OpeningOpening To OthersChrist Knowing About PeopleReceiving God's WordOne's DeedsHard Work And Perseverance


"But you have a few people [there] in Sardis who have not [spiritually] polluted their clothing, and they will walk with me in [robes of] white [i.e., probably now on earth as well as in heaven], for they are worthy. Verse ConceptsRest, EternalWalkingWorthinessWhite And Bright ClothesClothed With RighteousnessWhite ClothsClean ClothesFew PeopleFew In The KingdomWorthy PeopleThe Environment











Joseph, from Arimathea, a highly respected member of the [Jewish] Council, who was expecting the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate [i.e., the Roman appointed governor] and asked [him] for the body of Jesus. Verse ConceptsBoldness, To PeopleKingdom Of God, Coming OfSanhedrinWaitingWaiting On GodBoldness Examples OfMessianic HopeJesus CorpseNot DiscouragedThose Who Wait For Godrisk


By [having] faith, Enoch was taken [to be with God], so that he did not have to die. And he could not be found because God had taken him away. For he had been commended [by God] before he was taken away, that he had pleased God. [Note: The Hebrew of Gen. 5:24 says, "he walked with God"]. And unless one has faith, it is impossible for him to be pleasing to God, for the person who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

[But] Paul answered, "What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?" Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfAfflicted Saints, Examples OfeagernessMartyrdom, Qualities OfReadinessSelf DenialShepherds, As Church LeaderWeepingLove Towards Christ, The Nature OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsLove For GodMartyrdom, Believers Attitude TowardsDeath Of God's PeopleEvangelismBreaking Chainsjerusalem



Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, who [else] could we go to? You have the message about never ending life. Verse ConceptsPeter, The DiscipleLife By God's WordWho Is The One?Eternal lifeEverlastingThe Power Of Wordseternity


because he is double-minded and undecided in all that he does [i.e., he cannot make up his mind and follow through about anything]. Verse ConceptsDoubtdouble mindednessLoyaltySkepticismDivided HeartsIndecisionFicklenessThe MindDecision MakingEmotionsuncertaintymindset

But Jesus said to him, "Nobody who begins plowing [a field] and then looks back [i.e., in regret for beginning such an arduous task] is suited for [serving in] the kingdom of God." Verse ConceptsCommitmentBacksliding, ResultsFaithfulness, To GodHesitationPloughingQuittingWorthinessBeing DevoutLooking BackwardCares Of This WorldIndecisionMoving ForwardPloughmenJudgement On BackslidersBackslidingSingle MindednessWorth


I know about your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. [I know] that you cannot tolerate wicked men and that you have tested those who call themselves apostles, but really are not, and found them to be liars. And you have persevered and endured [suffering] for my name's sake [i.e., in my service] and [yet] have not grown weary.


By [having] faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. [And] because of his faith he was commended by God for being righteous, when God expressed approval of his offerings. By means of his faith, Abel still speaks [to us], even though he is dead. Verse ConceptsAbelAbel and CainFaith, As Basis Of SalvationCommendationExamples Of FaithAtonement, Types OfRighteousness, As FaithWorship, Acceptable AttitudesThe Witness Of GodRighteous By ObedienceSacrificeExcellence

By [having] faith, when Noah was warned [by God] about conditions that had not yet been seen [i.e., regarding events of the coming Flood], he acted out of reverent concern [for God] by constructing a ship to save [i.e., rescue] his household [from the Flood waters]. By this [i.e., his faith which led to action], Noah condemned the world and inherited righteousness because of his faith. Verse ConceptsCovenant, God's with NoahFaithfulness, Examples OfFaith, Nature OfFaith, As Basis Of SalvationBefore The FloodExamples Of FaithHeaven, Inheritance OfHeirsNoahRespect, For God's CharacterResponsibility, Examples OfSalvation, Nature OfNoah's ArkGodly Fear, Examples OfFear Of God, Examples OfThe DelugeExploits Of FaithWarning IndividualsCondemnation Of The WickedIndividuals Saving OthersRighteous By FaithPreparationUnseen Faith



These people are the ones who did not practice sexual immorality with women, for they were virgins [Note: This probably has reference to people who avoided idolatry]. These are people who followed the Lamb wherever He went. They were purchased from among mankind to be the firstfruits [devoted] to God and to the Lamb. Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus Christdiscipleship, nature ofDefilement, By SinCommitment, to Jesus ChristAsceticism, TypesMarketsCelibacyMetaphorical Firstfruits144,000UniversalismDefilementFirst fruitsSexual PurityThe Rapturerevelationredeemedvirginity

As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him. Verse ConceptsFollowing Jesus ChristCommitment, to Jesus ChristChristlikenessdiscipleship, nature ofHow Disciples Are Calleddelay, humanGospel, Responses ToSelf DenialTax CollectorsCall To ServiceResponding To God's CallInstructions About FollowingPeople Getting Uptaxes