Thematic Bible: Decision
Thematic Bible
Decision » Exhortation to
"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 Concepts
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 and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and material things [at the same time].
Verse Concepts
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 Concepts
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."
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."
Therefore, every person who acknowledges me in front of people [i.e., to be their Lord and Christ], I will acknowledge him [i.e., to be my disciple] in front of my Father in heaven.
Verse Concepts
From that time onward Jesus began to preach, saying, "You people [must] repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Verse Concepts
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 Concepts
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 Concepts
Remember [what happened to] Lot's wife!
Verse Concepts
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,
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,
Decision » Call to
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 Concepts
And Jesus looked at him, and filled with love, said to him, "There is one thing you [still] lack. Go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; become my follower, then you will have treasure in heaven."
Verse Concepts
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 Concepts
Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve apostles, "Do you not want to go [with me] either?"
Verse Concepts
Decision » Instances of » The disciples
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.
I am not ashamed of the good news [i.e., the Gospel], because it is God's power for [bringing] salvation to every person who believes [in Jesus]; first to Jews and then to Greeks [i.e., unconverted Gentiles].
Verse Concepts
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 Concepts
And these [new converts] continued regularly [to listen] to the teaching of the apostles and to share with them; they broke bread [in memory of Jesus] and continued praying.
Verse Concepts
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 Concepts
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 Concepts
And now I am standing [here], being judged because [I believe that] God will fulfill the hope He promised to our forefathers.
Verse Concepts
Decision » Exhortations to » To choose between God and evil
Decision » Exhibited in » Following God fully
Decision » Instances of » Caleb
Decision » Instances of » moses
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 Concepts
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.
Decision » Instances of » Joash
Decision » Opposed to » Not setting the heart aright
Decision » Instances of » hezekiah
Decision » Instances of » Ruth
Decision » Exhibited in » Seeking God with the heart
Decision » Instances of » Jehoshaphat
Decision » Exemplified » Asa
Decision » Instances of » Job
Decision » Opposed to » Turning to the right or left
Decision » Exhibited in » Loving God perfectly
Decision » Instances of » Joshua
Decision » Instances of » Jehu
Decision » Exhortations to
Decision » Exhibited in » Keeping the commandments of God
Decision » Instances of » Abraham
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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » gideon
Decision » Exemplified » Caleb
Decision » Opposed to » Halting between two opinions
Decision » Being Devoted to God » Exemplified » Joshua
Decision » Exhibited in » Being on the lord's side
Decision » Exemplified » moses
Decision » Opposed to » A divided service
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 and look down on the other. You cannot serve God and material things [at the same time].
Verse Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Church of sardis
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 Concepts
Because you have obeyed my command to remain steadfast [in the face of difficult times], I will also keep you from [giving up when] the time of trial comes, which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those living on the earth.
Verse Concepts
"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 Concepts
Decision » Exhibited in » Serving God
Decision » Instances of » A prophet
Decision » Instances of » Abigail
Decision » Instances of » Naaman
Decision » Instances of » balaam
Decision » Instances of » jacob
Decision » Exhibited in » Blessedness of
Decision » Instances of » Phinehas
Decision » Instances of » Joseph
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 Concepts
Decision » Exemplified » David
Decision » Instances of » Enoch
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.
Decision » Exemplified » Paul
[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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Elijah
Decision » Instances of » Martha
Martha answered Him, "Yes, Lord, I have [already] believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
Verse Concepts
Decision » Exemplified » Peter
Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, who [else] could we go to? You have the message about never ending life.
Verse Concepts
Decision » Exemplified » Ruth
Decision » Opposed to » Double-mindedness
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 Concepts
Decision » Necessary to the service of God
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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Nathaniel
Nathaniel replied to Him, "Rabbi [i.e., Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Verse Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Ephesians
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.
Decision » Instances of » Mordecai
Decision » Instances of » Abel
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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Noah
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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Nehemiah
Decision » Instances of » Esther
Decision » Instances of » Saints
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 Concepts
Decision » Instances of » Matthew
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 Concepts