What Does ‘Therefore’ Mean In The Bible?
The word ‘therefore’ is found throughout the Bible, and it often precedes an important point or follows a significant statement. It can be tricky to decipher the meaning of a particular word in the Bible, but understanding this word is important to accurately interpreting the scripture. ‘Therefore’ is an important word to notice and to pay attention to when reading the Bible.
The Hebrew word for ‘therefore’ is mĕôm, and the Greek word is órganon. The basic translation of ‘therefore’ is: since, since that, because of this, and therefore, which means a logical consequence of what has already been stated or presented. ‘Therefore’ is used to explain something important or to emphasize a point.
The Bible’s authors used the term ‘therefore’ to draw special attention to the point they had just made. They may have used ‘therefore’ to emphasize that a consequence is true following a particular action or decision. Or, they may have used it to make a connection between two events or ideas that may not have been immediately obvious on their own.
For example, in Genesis 15:6, after Abram obeyed God and offered sacrifices, God responded by saying “Abram believed in the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Therefore,” the Lord said, “I will make a covenant with you”. Thus, ‘therefore’ is used to show the logical result of Abram’s faith and action following God’s command.
Another example of ‘therefore’ can be found in Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” The use of ‘therefore’ here informs readers of the result of being in Christ: no condemnation. ‘Therefore’ is used here to reinforce what has just been said by highlighting its consequence.
In general, when one reads ‘therefore’ in the Bible, they should take special notice of what comes just before it. They should stop and reflect on the events, ideas, and concepts in the prior verses as they may be significant in understanding the verse with ‘therefore’.
What Does It Mean To Walk By Faith?
The Bible speaks repeatedly of walking by faith, a phrase that implies a life of complete reliance on God. Faith operates on the belief that God is good and that He is always working for the best. To walk by faith is to accept God’s love and put complete trust in Him.
Walking by faith requires both action and surrender. Take the passage from Romans 10:17, for example: “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Here, Paul is explaining that faith comes from hearing the message of the Gospel and believing it. The implied action is to listen to and to act on the words from God, by understanding them and following through on His commands.
Yet, it is also essential to surrender to God’s will, as demonstrated in the passage from 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” Here, it is made clear that Christians must trust God to take care of them and give them what they need. Surrendering to the will of God is a major part of exercising faith.
When someone walks by faith, they should remember the two main components, action and surrender. In order to completely entrust oneself to God, they must act on the teachings of the Bible and surrender to God’s will.
What Does it Mean To Love God With All Your Heart?
Another major Biblical teaching is to love the Lord with all your heart. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the Israelites were told: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.” In other words, God desires for people to dedicate the entirety of their lives to Him and to prioritize Him above all else.
The Apostle Paul reiterates God’s importance through a personal example in Acts 21:13: “Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” This story demonstrates how followers of God must demonstrate Holistically love and obedience to their faith.
Loving God with all your heart is to submit to Him wholeheartedly. It is to commit to a life devoted to obeying His commands and abiding by His teachings. It is to prioritize Him above all other relationships and all other pursuits in life. It is to demonstrate His glory to the world.
What Does it Mean To Live By Faith?
Living by faith means to take every thought and action and make it obedient to the Word of God. This entails trusting God’s wisdom over any human advice and living a life of total surrender to God. Ultimately, the Christian walk is a journey of faith and the goal is to place all trust in the Lord.
Paul encourages us to live according to this principle when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Here, Paul explains that believers should rely on their faith and not on materialistic or earthly things. Even when we cannot see with our own eyes, it is important to remember that God is in control and living by faith is the best way to honor Him.
Paul explains further the message of living by faith in the book of Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Through this statement, Paul explains that believers should acknowledge that Christ lives in them and surrender to His will for their lives, living by faith in Him.
What Does it Mean to Have Faith in God?
Having faith in God means to trust that His promises are true and that He will keep them. This entails trusting in God’s character, decisions, and commands. It also means believing that God has a good plan and that He will take care of His people.
The Bible speaks repeatedly of faith, and it gives us examples of what it looks like in action. Hebrews 11:1, for example, reads: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This verse expresses that faith is daring to believe that God exists and His promises are true, even if it cannot be seen or felt in tangible form.
Another example of faith in action is seen in the story from Mark 5:25-34. A woman suffering from severe bleeding touched the garment of Jesus and was healed because she had faith. Jesus proclaimed: “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” This is a beautiful example of the power of faith in action.
Above all, having faith in God means trusting in His mercy and goodness. Even when life is difficult and faith is hard, He remains faithful and works to bring good out of what seems like bad.
What Does it Mean to Wait On the Lord?
Waiting on the Lord refers to patiently trusting in Him in a season of uncertainty and not taking matters into our own hands. The Bible speaks much about waiting on the Lord and it encourages us to do just that in times of need and distress.
Psalm 27:14 gives us a perfect example of what it means to wait on the Lord: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.” Here, we are reminded that God is worth waiting for and that He will work in our lives in His own time.
Waiting on the Lord is also described in Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” This verse reminds us that while waiting on the Lord can be a difficult process, it is ultimately worth it and will strengthen us emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Waiting on the Lord is essential to faith. When we bring our needs and concerns to Him, we must trust that He is working and will act in His own time. It is a difficult but rewarding process that ultimately leads to a closer relationship with God.
