Here we will rattle off tons of tough questions and the Biblical, deeper answers to them. Why does God allow evil? Why should we believe in God? What does it take to make it to Heaven? We will answer a TON of questions like this below and we will also address some of the religious misconceptions below (just keep scrolling or hit "control F" and type in some key words from a question you might have/topic you might want to see).
What does it take to be “saved”?
Why do we face hardships and temptations?
Why should we believe in an unproven God?
Why does God let people go to Hell?
If God is all knowing, do I really have free will/the power to choose?
What does it take to satisfy God?
Do I have to forgive others, even for huge offenses?
Do we really have to attend church in person or give money to a church?
Can I pray silently/in my head or does it have to be out loud?
Is homosexuality acceptable because of Jesus/the New Testament?
Do we really have to read/obey the Old Testament?
What does it really mean to “believe” in God?
How can God and Jesus be the same yet also different (the “Trinity”)?
What does “following God” look like in my everyday life?
What should we do when battling sins/temptations (how specifically to overcome)? - Conquer it/submit yourselves to God - Pray when tempted - Reflect on the scriptures that apply to your temptation/issue and live out what the Words say - Involve God - Lean on God when you're not strong enough - Flee from the temptation - Waiting for God's plan instead of giving in to feelings/instant gratification - Talk to people that you know will be there for you/at least try to help - Persevere when faced/tempted with these things
How do we return to God after sin?
What is the Devil's work in my everyday life?
Do we still have to take a Sabbath Day in modern times, and how?
How do we search the Scriptures deeper for answers to “all” things?
Is it possible that I wasn't chosen by God?
Are bad things part of God's plan, and how much?
Do we need to be baptized/what does baptism do?
How do I receive God's forgiveness?
Why did Jesus have to die for the sins that He said He already had the power to forgive?
What separates Jesus Christ from other religious figures?
Why do we need the Trinity as opposed to just "God" in one form?
Why did Jesus spend 3 days in Hell and why did it take Him 3 days to rise from the dead?
How can I have/grow in a personal relationship with God?
Is belief in God required to go to Heaven?
What does repentance look like in our everyday lives, and why do we need it?
Did Jesus actually claim to BE God, and what would that change/look like?
Why does God want us to put others first?
Does science/the Big Bang Theory disprove God’s creation narrative?
What is the point of God? - He is our creator - He is our sustainer - What He teaches us/calls us to do everyday - What role He wants to play in our everyday lives - He is our Savior and He leads us to eternity if we follow Him - All the points summarized
Are all things really possible with God?
Why is pornography so evil if the Bible never mentions it?
Does the grace of God mean we can keep sinning?
What does the Bible have to say about abortion/the life issue?
What does it mean to be the hands and feet of Jesus, the “Body of Christ”?
What is the daily significance of God creating us and having plans for us?
What does “doing good things for God” look like in our everyday lives?
Why did God rest on the 7th day of creation?
How can ONE crucifixion mean that ALL sins are forgiven?
Why is the number 12 important in the Bible?
Why is 666 considered the Devil's number?
Why did God reject Cain’s offering?
Why is the number 7 important in the Bible?
Is drinking a sin in the Bible, and how can we drink in a sinless way?
What does the Bible say about self harm/cutting?
Where does the Bible stand on celebrating Halloween?
What if the Bible doesn't talk about a certain topic?
How do we overcome shyness/being afraid or unwilling to talk about Jesus?
Why aren't nonbelievers enamored by the ways that Christians live?
Do some sins count more than others, and how much does sin count?
What is our "heart" according to the Bible?
What is God’s plan? - Why does God allow evil? Is this a part of God's plan? - That we would face hardships - That we would overcome our temptations and hardships - To come back and triumph over evil in the end - God wants us to be saved - God's will for us here on earth - How can I know what God's will is (what He wants) for me specifically right now?
Why do we need sleep, couldn’t God have just created us to avoid that?
Is Elijah going to return, and what is that all about?
Should Christians watch football on Sunday, and why is that considered an issue?
Why are there so many religions if Jesus is the only way?
Why are there “major” and “minor” prophets in the Bible, and what does that mean?
What does “begotten Son” mean, and why is it important?
Are there still prophets today, and how do we know either way?
What should we do if we think that a company/product is somehow demonic/opposes Christ?
If our sin is inevitable, what do we do to stop it?
Does the New Testament have more/less/the same authority as the Old Testament, and how do we know?
What does the Bible say about honoring the dead (and how far should we take it)?
Does God support the “separation of church and state” (should we keep our religion to ourselves)?
Why does the Bible say that women must be silent in the church and not teach?
John 14:6: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through me.” - if Jesus is the truth, then "Know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32). And "God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). So in both verses we see that in order to be “saved” or “set free” we need to come to know the truth - Jesus is the "Truth.” And it will set us free and save us - the standard isn't to believe or whatever, the real standard of being saved is to willingly pursue Jesus in your everyday life as the truth and a true way of living. This is why 2 Thessalonians 2:10 says of those who are perishing, or have not been saved, that “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” The Bible is also the truth (John 17:17), so in the same way that we live for Jesus we must live out the words of the Bible to be saved and set free.
John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (like if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - so the Words of the Bible ("your Word is truth" John 17:17) have SET US FREE. "You are already clean because of the Word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). So we are saved, set free, by the truth, the Word of God. The Words of the Bible, what they teach - this frees us. So now what? "Remain in me" (John 15:4). So we're saved, forgiven, and able to move forward no matter what - but don't backslide. If you really needed to be somewhere, and you got there, would you leave? No. So stop leaving Heaven in your everyday lives through these sins.
Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So live your life well for God and keep Him at the center of your desires and goals and entertainment, because these things determine where you go ("there your heart will be also," so whether your heart resides in Heaven or Hell is your decision and based on what you pursue in your everyday life with the time that remains). God doesn’t want us to “be saved” - He wants us to live saved.
Luke 9:23-24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So look at the wording. Whoever WANTS to be my disciple (He said this to His disciples, so being religious clearly doesn't save you). Deny yourself, follow God instead in your everyday life, take up your cross DAILY. If you try to keep life the way you want it here on Earth, then you lose it eternally. But if you are willing to give your life up and follow God with it and in all that you do, then you will be saved eternally. So deny yourself. Want this, want to be His disciple, and take up your cross, whatever it may be, each and every day. Thanks for reading.
The first 5 words of the Bible say: "In the beginning God created." After that, with no explanation of why, it goes on to list what He created - but not why. So why? What's the meaning? I could answer this question 100 different ways, maybe give you multiple smaller answers, but what I’m going to do is give you the one BEST answer, so if there’s a valid reason that comes to mind and I don’t talk about it, relax. In Genesis 1:26 when God creates humans, He says: "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the (and then He lists all the animals and stuff like that)." So we are created in the image of God and we live here "so that we may." And when it says to rule the animals and the Earth, it doesn't mean like crush them and reign as brutal leaders - what it really means is to take care of what God has given us. God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden so that he would take care of it - the meaning of your life is so that you would take care of the things God wants you to take care of, and do the things He wants you to do.
Ephesians 2:10: "We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - so we are created "to do" the things that He has prepared for us (it's different for each person, but He has a purpose for your life).
Philippians 2:13: "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." - I don't know what God's "good purpose" is in your life, but I know that this is why we're here. So don't fight it. Don't be distracted. Stop being anxious and overthinking, giving into lust, losing your patience and giving into feelings - whatever is distancing you from God's purpose, don't let it distract you, because in this exact moment He has a purpose for you and He doesn’t just will, He doesn’t just plan, He ALSO acts (“to will AND to act”), and so in the same way we must also live out these things that we plan and believe and talk about (this is another form of meaning here on Earth).
Deuteronomy 30:15: "See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction." - Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - today, this day, God has a purpose for you right now in your daily life - stop missing it. Thanks for reading.
Romans 8:18: "Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." - so if the pain that we face now (emotionally, mentally, physically, in terms of loss, in terms of fighting temptation, heartache, whatever it may be) - if these things are nothing in the face of eternity, then we can't fall when faced with these things, otherwise our eternity becomes them. Give into depression, and you become depressed - it's that simple. Stand firm, knowing that you are blessed for going through and growing through these things in this lifetime.
1 Peter 1:6-7: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - so by going through and growing these things, it proves your faith to be genuine, and it reveals Christ in you (and glorifies Him). Want to play football? You get hit. Want to follow Christ eternally? Stuff happens, and if you fall because of this then you were never standing or walking with Christ to begin with - but that's the beauty of God - His message to you is not one of failure, but of the opportunity to succeed. So get back up, take step one, and follow God in all things forever. He wants that for your own sake because it proves how genuine your faith is. Everyone wants eternal life, so it's easy to believe in Jesus - but what does it really amount to if you're not willing to give something up? Let's say you had to pick one - God, or these things? When we choose these things, we make them God in our lives. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21) - eternally. I hardly think God should be on trial for allowing us to face temptations - the real judgment will be based on whether or not we stand firm against such temptations with the time that remains. Thanks for reading.
In Proverbs 3:5 it says to trust God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. So even through these unexplained difficulties, we trust God and we trust where He’s going with all our hearts, and we don’t lean on our own understanding, we don’t trust in our own knowledge or opinions of what’s going on around us, which is an important thing to remember when considering why God allows evil. Ok, so that’s good, but there’s still natural disasters and wickedness in the world and telling people to simply trust God (especially if they don’t believe in Him, or find Him to be at fault) is incomplete. So I’ll use this analogy: a hotel. There’s 2 types of evil in this world: forced and unforced. Unforced evils are like things that just happen, like floods and car accidents and just bad luck. Forced evils are sins, like wars and rapes and other things - somebody causes it. So a hotel - think of the hotel rules, you know the real lame ones like when the pool closes early or whatever, think of those rules as the unforced evils - I don’t agree with it, I don’t understand it, but I admit that I’m a guest at this hotel, my life is not my own it was given to me by God, and so I accept that I will not be in control. Now as far as forced evils, like the types of evil that others cause, if the other guests at the hotel were violent and wicked, that’s not the hotel’s fault. Think of God as the hotel staff since He keeps things running. The hotel isn't responsible for these acts and doesn't approve of them. God doesn’t approve of these evils that happen in our world. These things are contrary to what He wants for us. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you.” I’ll repeat that: Plans to prosper you and not harm you. But is God only good during prosperity, and not during harm? Then he’s not God, He’s just more like your own personal wish for life at that point. He allows evil because we pursue it, and He is far too loving to take our free will away from us. As far as natural disasters, an untouched world, where only minor infractions occur, is a delusion and if everything was easy then what would difficulty even be? You’re describing Heaven, which we have not yet entered (and might not), or maybe Eden, which we lost through our actions - the one who should be on trial is us, not God, so let’s live for Him with the time that remains and make it to Heaven. Thanks for reading.
Maybe you have trouble believing in specific things that the Bible talks about like some of the miracles that just seem unrealistic. For example, the multiplication of fishes and loaves - seriously? Noah’s ark and the great flood? Walking on water? This stuff is totally ridiculous! I get it. I’ve heard it, and I’ve thought it. But think of it like this: It all hinges around belief in a limitless God - if you believe in a creator, you should believe in a sustainer - this all comes down to who God is. If there’s a creator, He’s more than capable of multiplying fish and existing in three forms yet one and rising from the dead and splitting the seas and walking on water. If He created the universe, He can easily do all these things with the universal things like the food and water and bodily form that He created. He made the bread and fish - of course He can multiply them! He made the water - of course He can split the seas and walk on water! He made human beings in His image - of course He could take human form while still remaining God! You see, it all comes down to whether you believe in the Creator or not, and when I look around and I see that everyone is unique yet full of different skills and traits and purposes, and then I see nature, and everything is so perfect, a little colder or hotter and we’d perish, if gravity were a little tighter or looser we’d perish, and on and on it goes, hey man honestly I just look around and I say “there’s your evidence, because there’s nothing accidental or coincidental about that.”
Doesn’t God being scientifically proven ruin the point? 1 John 4:8 says that God is love, and Ephesians 3:19-20 says “To know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. He is able to do immeasurably more than all that you can ask or imagine.” - so the aim is to have a relationship with God. I know we hear that a lot and it never says it word for word in the Bible, but just like the word Trinity, the Bible does teach it through little hints. The word “fullness” here hints at a relationship with God. Some relationships fill you up, and some leave you drained. I’m sure you know what I mean. But in our relationship with God we try to get to know Him more and more and more, until fullness, and if we needed Him to be scientifically proven in order to believe in Him or love Him, what kind of relationship or faith is that? At that point you’re just acknowledging what you know - there’s nothing special about that. God wants to do special things in you life - that’s why verse 20 talked about Him doing more than you could even imagine - but if you take what you know and limit God inside of that, He will no longer play the role He wants to in your life because He’s stuck playing the one that you make Him based on your limited view of Him and your limited belief in Him. This is why it says in Proverbs 3:5 that we should trust God with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, because it’s His Way, not ours. Like I said earlier from 1 John 4:8 and Ephesians 3:19 - God is love, and this love surpasses knowledge, and until we allow God to surpass what we know, we can’t be filled with His fullness or with a real relationship with Him.
This isn't about miracles - it's about the God that does them and wants to do them in your life and heart. Let Him in. Thanks for reading.
When I say "canonization" I basically mean "what IS in the Bible." Among different religions, and different parts of different religions, there are disputes about what is and isn't Holy Writing, accurate writing. But that's where all dispute falls apart - accuracy. What we have, the 39 books in the Old Testament and the 27 from the New Testament, are totally historically accurate and confirmed by so many sources that there's just no room for debate. Books like the Apocrypha and Book of Mormon (Joseph Smith's attempt at adding to the Bible) are clearly the work of human beings outside of the timeline - the contents of these books, especially the Quran (it’s so hateful), tend to prove themselves totally apart from God - basically the teachings are false. There isn't enough room to specifically address anything here (basically I’m not going to give you the verses/places in these false books that prove them false, but in terms of Jesus being God in Islam THIS LINK is a good resource, and for Mormonism and the Apocrypha know that Revelation 22:18-19, which they claim to believe in, disproves them by saying not to add to the Bible, which the Apocrypha/Book of Mormon do, and feel free to do other research that would easily disprove them scientifically and historically), but if any of the Catholics or Mormons or Muslims, or anyone curious, wants to reach out to me, I'd gladly answer you as to why what we have is true, and all else is fraud (you can reach out to us very easily on this page). Consider this: Even though the Old Testament is cited frequently by New Testament writers, there is no indication of even a single instance anywhere of a New Testament author citing a book as Scripture that is not in our current thirty-nine book canon for the Old Testament - hard to explain if the Old Testament canon is anything less than totally accurate - basically, the New Testament never cites anything but the Old Testament, there is no Quran or Book of Mormon or anything else in the New Testament, so we can certainly affirm that The Old and New Testament are the only 2 sources that fit with one another. If other books were Scriptures, why didn't Jesus or the other authors cite them? You could still claim that they just didn't get cited but are still holy sources, or that other Scriptures that are included in the canon but not cited (Obadiah is never cited in the New Testament, for example) are potential frauds, but this all seems like a big conspiracy theory. The Bible is historically accurate (it's shockingly accurate and connected to other references and itself, even the prophetic predictions made by Daniel about kingdoms like Rome and Persia came true hundreds and thousands of years AFTER he made his predictions). Facts lay feelings to waste. This will upset many, but facts win intellectual debates. And I'm not trying to win a debate - I'm trying to protect you from people like Joseph Smith teaching you to follow HIS way as if it's God's, and the same can be said for Muhammad - do you actually realize how eternally DANGEROUS that is?!? To follow them and not God? Steer clear. Thank me later. Thanks for reading.
Joshua 24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another.” - God doesn’t “send” anyone anywhere eternal. They make choices, and He simply responds to them - He honors your free will. “I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - so if Jesus is the Way, and this is the only way that we come close to the Father God in Heaven, then living apart from Jesus and not pursuing His ways is what earns us Hell.
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of (what you earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - we must choose between sins and Jesus, and we know that God is both forgiving and wrathful - so we do our best and leave it to Him. If, out of His love, you think you can freely continue in the everyday sins that we are accustomed to, then His love is no longer just (and we know this isn't true). God will hold us accountable. We have “earned” this and like we looked at earlier we are “choosing” it. But His message to you in this moment isn't about being good enough - it's about being willing enough.
2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. There was a criminal next to Jesus during His crucifixion - he gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus promised this man that he would enter Paradise - yet all he had ever done was sin until the bitter end. But he was willing. Willing to make a change, from the heart, in that exact moment. This is how we avoid Hell, by being willing to live for Christ and submitting to Him. If it's from the heart, you wouldn't wait until later or blow this off. Pray about it and make the changes God calls you to make. Thanks for reading.
Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - why would God say this if the outcome were predecided? Since God is foreknowing, He knows our future choices, but that doesn't mean that He forces us to make them one way or the other (that would be a simulation and that's not the kind of God He is). Instead of making the excuse that "everything is decided," we must "choose" whether or not we will be fully devoted to God in our everyday lives.
2 Timothy 2:19: “The Lord knows those who are His, and everyone who confesses the Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” So He “knows” not “chooses” and there’s that word again, choose, because we have free will and it is our choice and the end of the verse (reread it) implies that even the wicked can turn away (again “choose” to make choices like this in your everyday life and "turn" towards God which is a choice and action you make) so clearly there’s not a cosmic system of picks and chooses here that keeps you away from God, you have to actually make decisions. He knows, not determines, your actions. You have free will and must honor Him with it. “I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12).
Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." - this might cause you to think that God has made it hard to reach Him and has predestined some to reject Him, but look at the wording. It says that "many enter through" the road to Hell and that "only a few find" the road to God. So it's just that many enter through, not that it "has to be many" or "will be many" but just that it "is," and "only a few find," not "only a few will find" because God knows how we are but it doesn't HAVE TO be that way, the invitation to change and choose Him still stands. It would be like saying “only a few people find ice cream out here” as compared to “only a few people will/can find ice cream out here.” By saying that “only a few enter,” it is a statement of fact. It doesn’t say that they CAN’T or WON’T enter, just that they DON’T, implying that they CHOOSE NOT TO, but COULD. Thanks for reading.
I could answer this question 100 different ways, maybe give you multiple smaller answers, but what I’m going to do is give you the one BEST answer, so if there’s a valid reason that comes to mind and I don’t talk about it, relax. Luke 9:23-24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So look at the wording. Whoever WANTS to be my disciple (He said this to His disciples, so being religious clearly doesn't save you). God won't force you to follow Him, it's only if you want to, but you definitely should, and He loves you. And it's daily. Deny yourself, follow God instead in your everyday life, take up your cross DAILY. If you try to keep life the way you want it here on Earth, then you lose it eternally. However, like Jesus, if you are willing to give your life up and follow God with it and in all that you do, then you will be saved eternally. So deny yourself. Want this, want to be His disciple, and take up your cross, whatever it may be, each and every day. John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father God except through me.” This is how we find fulfilling life, eternal life, and it's only found through Jesus Christ. No other god could compare to this. This is a way of life, and this way of life is life itself. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Follow Him in your everyday life.
Mark 2:17: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” God is gracious enough to meet us where we are in our sicknesses and sins, and He wants to heal us. He has called us, but we have to respond. A call unanswered isn't a call, it COULD HAVE been one. God doesn't want you to miss out on His purpose for your life and eternity. He has called us to repentance - answer the call and move.
Proverbs 28:13: "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - so you can't conceal or hide your sins, you have to confess them and be honest. BUT. You also "renounce" them. Stop. Take action. Actually do something. Don't just confess it, that's easy - confess AND address it. This is repentance - without it we have no share in the Kingdom of God. Thanks for reading.
I was really thinking the other day: do we really have to forgive people, especially when it comes to assault and murder and some of those bigger, more traumatic wrongs? Really? Just forgive them? Here's why. Even though we may never do the wrong that has been done to us, either way we have all done some wrong. We aren't trying to be "good people" - we're pursuing God. The standard is different. So how are you going to enter that perfect eternity with all your imperfections? By forgiving other people's, even if they have done worse.
Matthew 6:14-15: "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Leviticus 19:18: “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells a parable where someone was forgiven of a HUGE debt, and then they wouldn’t forgive someone that owed them a large but lesser debt. This is the point of the parable: God has forgiven all your sins for all times, so if you hold anything against anyone, even something big, it no longer makes sense for God to forgive you. Don’t hold grudges because this blocks God’s forgiveness, He won’t take part in a double standard. Forgive and be forgiven.
But be careful with this "forgive" mindset. God makes clear in the Bible that His plan is "to prosper us and not harm us" (Jeremiah 29:11), so don't try to rebuild relationships or habits or mindsets or feelings that are harmful. You need to forgive, but you shouldn't forget. Thanks for reading.
Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” - we should be there. We should WANT to be there. Why is this even a question? Are we trying to find a lower bar, a barer minimum? That's a sad relationship with God. WANT to be there. Otherwise why bother? God gave up on religious divisions and uniforms a long time ago - He wants your heart, not your money or your appearance. Your heart should naturally cause both to be His as well.
Notice the wording "meeting together" - this is a reference to church attendance (this passage was literally part of a letter from a pastor to a church), and this verse is the best verse in the Bible to answer the question: "Do I need to go to church?" This becomes even muddier with online services - the answer is still yes because "meeting together" implies congregating, so unless your online service is being watched together in larger groups, you are missing out. If you truly can't make it in person, then remember that Jesus Christ healed the sick on the side of the road - where they were - instead of making them get up or go to a hospital. But that's because they couldn't. If you can't, then there is no guilt because God knows and cares about your needs - He sees you and wants to meet you right where you are. However, if you CAN go to church, but just don't want to, then you should take note of the verse that we "should not give up meeting together." And this isn't just a requirement, something God wants to burden us with - this is to help us grow closer to Him. Look at the rest of the verse - in church and in a (good, as I and others have been hurt by churches that weren't ultimately good for them) community of believers, we may be "spurred on toward love and good deeds" by the people there. It's not impossible to find this, or other forms of good, Godly things outside of church, it's just unlikely. Think about it like this: I live in Minnesota. The Minnesota Twins play at their home stadium, Target Field, 81 times per season. They visit the Milwaukee Brewers at their ballpark (Miller Park) twice each year. So if I wanted to watch the Twins play, it's not impossible to find them at Miller Park, it's just much more likely that they will be at Target Field, their home stadium. Church is like God's home stadium - stop trying to find God at Miller Park, whether that is a bar, or doom scrolling, or whatever has you busy or otherwise wanting to avoid church, or doing the bare minimum - it is hard to find God in these places. Go to church.
Think of it like this: you have a team of baseball players. So they play baseball, right? Now let’s say you have a group of baseball players that don’t play baseball. What the heck is that? That’s most churches today. They’re there, supposedly for God, but they don’t really get anything out of it. So what’s the point of church, of a gathering of people that are there for God? The point is God. Don’t forget or lose sight of that. It’s not about doing it right, it’s not about the day of week or the format or what you do or anything like that - that stuff doesn’t matter to God. In Colossians 3:23 it says “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord.” So whatever it is, it’s with all your heart, and it’s for God. Notice how the verse said “whatever you do”? That’s because it doesn’t really matter what you do, just that you do it for God and do it with all your heart. Don't bring a distracted mind/heart out of church - bring one TO church and surrender to God from the heart and mind while you're there.
If you can be there in person, be there. If you can give financially, give. "With all your heart" - so if it's not actually possible, then that's outside of your heart. Might I ask why though? What could possibly have you so busy, so tight financially? It depends on each specific person, but the chances are, if you truly gave God your whole heart, you could make it happen. Anything holding you back, anything that directs your time/money/energy away from God, is the real god in your life (you choose it over God) and this will cost you eternally.
Leviticus 27:32: "Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord." - obviously for us, it's not animals, it's money - or whatever else. Maybe give God 10% of your time, or something else. God doesn't need your gifts, they don't enrich Him - it's a symbol that you're willing to give. If not, then what is this? Is God a governmental figure that you're tying to pay the required taxes to, or is He God? He'll play the role you let Him. Make Him out to be the big bad guy in the sky requiring things and ready to judge, and you'll live distant from Him and make it a reality. But if you draw near to Him with all your heart as the loving, peace and fulfillment giving God that He is, then you will find that this is eternally worth it. Thanks for reading.
1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray continually" - if we're called to "continually" (and some translations even say "ceaselessly") pray, then this implies that it's not formal or "professional" style prayer, but just inward communication/bond with God. Talk to God. Think about God. Do this from the heart, and never stop. That's what this is.
Ephesians 6:18: "Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - so we are praying "continually" and on "all kinds of occasions" with "all kinds of prayers and requests" - this calls for consistency ("always keep on praying" - notice also that the verse tells us to pray for others). This doesn't mean to say one prayer right now and then move on - pray continually and always keep on praying. Having a bad day? A good one? If it's a part of "all kinds of occasions" then it should be something you pray for. And we are called to keep consistently praying, and not just empty words but words from the heart that help us grow closer to God.
Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." - but how can God hear us when we pray silently or in our hearts/minds? So obviously God isn't talking about physically hearing us, but rather that if we are truly invested in praying, whether out loud or not, He will know and will respond by revealing Himself to us - but we have to search with all our hearts, there has to be a purpose, these aren't just empty words.
Psalm 145:18: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - so if you're truly calling on Him and willing to make changes and sacrifices and spend time on this, if there's truth behind your motivations, then He will be near to you as you seek Him.
James 4:8: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - make it your own. Draw far, meaningless prayers, and you'll have a far, meaningless relationship. The closer you draw, the closer He draws. It's all you. Free will. Your choice. Choose God. Thanks for reading.
Homosexuality is still condemned in the New Testament. Why? Lust can be defined as "pursuing something God has called you to give up." In Exodus 20:17 one of the Commandments is to "not covet" your neighbors wife or house or anything of his. Don't I get to desire what I want? Right, but God said it, so would you really still pursue it? You've now put it ahead of God and have MADE IT god in your life. There doesn't seem to be any reason greater than "because there can only be one God in your life." Many believe that this is "their" life and they want to live it their own way. Here's the problem with that: What did you do to earn it that the unborn didn’t? Don’t you now owe it to whoever gave it to you? I sure hope you don’t owe science or destiny or luck your life. You were designed so we're supposed to follow the design of the designer. If your chair wanted to become a shoe, would you be ok with that? No, it's not what you wanted, and you don't care how the chair feels. So why do we get to betray God's design? With homosexuality, you can't reproduce. Biological men don't get pregnant. God's plan is "to prosper us, and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). How can we prosper if we die out? Think about it: just 1 generation of everyone being homosexual, or everyone having an abortion, just ONE generation of that and we all die. So why allow it at all? God doesn't want us to be harmed, and the numbers will show that members of the LGBTQ+ community, along with those who get abortions, have more mental health problems. God isn't trying to be restrictive, He's trying to PROTECT us - these aren't cute little ideas we came up with - it really is the work of Satan because it leads to death (homosexuality doesn't allow reproduction, and abortion just straight up kills it). God wants to give us hope and a future. There is hope. You don't have to get an abortion. There is hope, and if we lay ourselves and our preferences down, then there is also a future - eternal life with Him, where we will look back on these things and know that the sacrifices were worth it. Thanks for reading.
Matthew 5:17: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." In Matthew 5:17 we wrestle with a difficult concept: all of God's words ("the Law and prophets" which He has not come to challenge/abolish but rather affirm/fulfill), the Bible, are totally true, and even though many people believe that "this doesn't apply because of Jesus," that isn't true. There are times when Jesus will SPECIFY this (like how in Mark 7:19 He makes "all foods clean," whereas in the Old Testament the Jews and any follower of God could only eat certain foods, and also in Hebrews 8:13 when He replaces the Old Covenant with a New one - outside of SPECIFIC occurrences like this, be careful that you don't end up letting your assumptions become a Bible of their own). Now that we've established that all of God's words, including the toughest parts of the Old Testament, are upheld, let's look at why: we need them. Who is Jesus? The Son of God, the Savior of the World. Why? Because the world needed saving. Why? Because of sin - we wouldn't know ANY of this without the Old Testament, which is more than triple the length of the New Testament. It is ignorant and foolish to try to settle for only 25% of God's words, and yet we try to do it - this is why Jesus said what He said in Matthew 5:17. Also, the Old Testament, including all the violence, is NOT bad or wrong - we just misunderstand it. For example, the concept of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) did NOT refer to everyday life. It was for the laws and judicial systems. Basically, if someone stole from you, they would have to give it back or otherwise refund you - this is a GOOD thing. But in terms of our everyday lives, we are not called to be spiteful and get even, but rather to love others and put them first (Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Corinthians 10:24). The Bible even says "do not pay back wrong for wrong" (Proverbs 20:22 which is the Old Testament, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). So paying back "an eye for an eye" does not involve "getting even" or "paying back wrong for wrong," but rather "doing what needs to be done." This example is one of a million of how we misunderstand the Old Testament.
1 Timothy 4:16: "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” - this is why "life" came before "doctrine" - how you live your everyday life is more important than any set of religious beliefs. Jesus was more concerned with how we actually live our lives. A lot of people think that this does away with the Old Testament - it actually fulfills it. This is what God always meant, and we misinterpreted instructions for living to be religious doctrines. Live them out. Bulls and Sabbath's and all - in concept. Understand the verses in context and find rest in God. He will fulfill, not eliminate, those passages from Leviticus that you can't understand or agree with. It's based on your blindness and my blindness. The Apostle Paul himself struggled with this despite being so religious and well-versed in the Scriptures (Acts 9:18).
Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding of things."
James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should pray to God and ask for answers, and He will not find fault but will give generously to those who ask of Him." - so God won't find fault, He won't judge you for not having the answers - He will communicate with you and put the message that you need on your heart.
Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you search with all your heart."
1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." - more important than any claim we can make or religious stance we can take is the way we actually live our lives for God and live like Jesus. Thanks for reading.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - wherever the path goes (it didn't mention because we don't get/need to know), keep trusting in Him and living for Him in everything as He establishes your life. But what does it mean to believe or trust in God? What does that look like? "Lean not on your own understanding." Why not? Because you're not leaning on what you can know or understand - that's not faith that's shallow. You're leaning on Him and on what His Words (the Bible) say. Also "In all your ways, submit to Him." So take your ways, like your beliefs and your playlist and your way of everyday life, and make it submit to God. In "all" your ways. HE will make YOUR paths straight, no matter where they go, so just trust Him and lean on Him and submit to Him in all that you do, not as a requirement but as an instinct. Put God FIRST. And believing in God entails more than just believing in His existence - it means believing in His purposes for your life. Again, trusting in Him and His Words, not just in what you can see/understand.
John 14:1: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me." - to the believer I say: you believe in the all-powerful God of all creation. So you believe in this great God, and you should also believe in and PURSUE the great things He wants to do in your life through Jesus Christ the human being that overcame our sins and struggles. Break the habits, go deeper than you have before - you believe in the great God of Heaven, so believe also in that same great, far away God as being close and in your life in this present age. Matthew 1:23: "Jesus Christ is God with us." - this great, distant God is with you. Believe that. Live that. Thanks for reading.
Hebrews 1:3 refers to Jesus as "the exact representation" of God. Pretend I hand you a picture of myself. What is that? "Ben, that's you." Right AND wrong. It is, just as Jesus IS God. But at the same time it's just a piece of paper representing me, just as Jesus Christ is a human being that represents God in all that He does. He's both. God and human. But this is an intellectual point with little relevance in our everyday lives. The real takeaway is that He represented God in all that He did - the Bible teaches in Genesis 1:27 that you are "made in the image of God." So here's your takeaway, the relevance: reflect God in all that you do, live for His image and not your own - reflect that image in your everyday life. The Bible says to "let your light shine" - it doesn't say "if you have a light" - no it says YOUR light because you ARE made in the image of God. Prove it by the way you live in the little things.
The Trinity is the understanding that God functions as Three in One. God is the "Father, Son, and Spirit." God and the Holy Spirit, for example, are both One and also unique. John 4:24: "God is Spirit." Yet in John 16:13 Jesus refers to the Spirit as "He" as if to say it's a different being. So they're the same, but also different. The Father and the Son are the same but also different. God "gave His only Son" on the cross (John 3:16, making clear that He is His son and they are unique) - but also "I and the Father are One" (John 10:30). So these Three "are One," as they have different roles but the same purpose. God the Father reigns as the Supreme One, Christ the Son shows us how to live on Earth and died for our sins, and the Holy Spirit gives us what we need when we need it (mostly guidance). They are the same yet different. Thanks for reading.
Luke 9:23-24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So look at the wording. Whoever WANTS to be my disciple (He said this to His disciples, so being religious clearly doesn't save you). And it's daily. Deny yourself, follow God instead in your everyday life, take up your cross DAILY. If you try to keep life the way you want it here on Earth, then you lose it eternally. However, like Jesus, if you are willing to give your life up and follow God with it and in all that you do, then you will be saved eternally. So deny yourself. Want this, want to be His disciple, and take up your cross, whatever it may be, each and every day.
Matthew 4:19: "Follow me." - you can't follow Him where He doesn't go, and if you're following Him then you have to go where He does go. So go where He calls you to. Give up what He calls you to give up. Do what needs to be done and break the habits of living for yourself - live for God and follow Him in all your ways in your everyday life.
Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So live your life well for God and keep Him at the center of your desires and goals and entertainment, because these things determine where you go ("there your heart will be also," so whether your heart resides in Heaven or Hell is your decision and based on what you pursue in your everyday life with the time that remains). God doesn’t want us to “be saved” - He wants us to live saved.So if you have to follow your heart (“there your heart will be” implying that it controls where you eternally reside), make sure your heart follows Jesus above all else. - Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Joshua 24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another.” - this day, in your everyday life, not tomorrow or later on.
Titus 2:11-12: "The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." - so right now in your everyday life, in "this present age," we live our lives for Christ by following His Words, saying yes and no to the right and wrong things at the right times as He and His Words guide us. Thanks for reading.
We talk about things like this in pretty much everything that we do - whether it's the website, our videos and podcasts, maybe a social media post, or even if you've met me in person - I love to talk about the things we struggle with and encourage people to live for God with all their heart in the little, daily things. But I'll admit this - I don't usually talk about HOW. I'll say something like: "If you're more consistent with lust than you are with God, then lust is the real god in your life and will be your eternal dwelling" - don't get me wrong, it's a powerful statement, but it still leaves you at the square one that none of us ever seem to get out of: wanting but not being able to quit the bad and consistently do the good. We'll talk in this section not about any specific issue but more just the idea of sin as a whole - we will use examples with lust, drinking, and vaping, and I promise you that you will be able to relate whether you're struggling with the largest sin, smallest sin, or anything in between.
Conquer it/submit yourselves to God
James 4:7-8: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." - notice the language though? Draw "near" and God draws "near"? That's because you can draw far (you have faith but aren't that close, for example - you still draw something, just not near), and God will respond accordingly (existent, but not close - again He'll draw something, but not near unless you choose this from your heart). A lot of us, despite being Christians, are far. Wearing the cross around your neck, or believing, or going to church - these things don't seem to protect us from sins and temptations in our everyday lives. Make it your own. Draw far, meaningless prayers, and you'll have a far, meaningless relationship. The closer you draw, the closer He draws. It's all you. Free will. Your choice. Choose God. I don't want you to "dislike" Satan and his daily schemes in your life - I want you to resist to the point that he flees. And you have to "submit yourselves to God." When you're "doom scrolling" (scrolling that we know isn't going to lead anywhere good, and yet we still do it) or when you're in an argument and you're letting it get intensified, or any other way where you're getting farther from God and closer to the temptation moment by moment - when we do these things we are "double minded sinners" and we need to "draw near" and "submit ourselves to God" with all our hearts, otherwise we will fail.
Romans 8:37: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - we do not have to be beaten by these things. It doesn't have to be "this is how many times I___ today," and we don't have to hide behind excuses like "nobody's perfect" or "Jesus is forgiving." Instead of being weak like this, we can CONQUER like the verse said. In fact, we are MORE than conquerors! Vaping particularly comes to mind because you do it like 100 times a day, it's like checking your phone. So admittedly, on a good day you'll just vape less but still some - no, we are more than conquerors. We can conquer, but again look at the verse it's only "through him who loved us." Just like Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." We can conquer, in fact we can do ALL things, but it's only through Him. Romans 8:37 even said that in ALL things we are more conquerors. Again I can do it ALL, we can WIN and CONQUER today, we can be top 2 and not number 2 against our temptations, but remember this is only "through Him."
Pray when tempted
Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - the flesh is our body's opposition to God. When we listen to the wrong things, that's our ears. When we look at the wrong things, that's our eyes. When we look FOR the wrong things, that's our heart/mind. There are.... other.... parts of the body, if you know what I mean. So we oppose God through our sinfulness and humanity, but in that moment when we're tempted and the flesh is weak, the Spirit of God is willing to give us our breakthrough, if only we would receive it.
Psalm 145:18: "The Lord is close to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." So yes, the Lord is close to those who call on Him - to those who call in Him in truth. So are we being genuine? When tempted, we should pray to God. But are we really willing to submit that temptation to Him, or are we just praying so that we have an excuse to sin and can say that at least we tried? We need to be honest ("in truth") with God and ourselves. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflect on the scriptures that apply to your temptation/issue and live out what the Words say
Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so clearly this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life, what to do in each situation and against each different kind of temptation. Isaiah 26:4: "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal." Matthew 7:24-27: "Everyone who hears these words of mine (the Words of the Bible) and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (there it is again, Rock eternal). The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - there will be sins and frustrations and losses and heartaches - these things will beat against you, but if you have the Word of God (and doing what it says) as your foundation and if you build your life upon the Rock eternal, the great foundation of Jesus Christ, then it can storm forever but you'll stand firm. So stand firm in the little things today, because Satan will send a small storm so that you won't take it seriously (music, pride, lust, mindsets, foul language, etc.). Trust in God forever, even when it's storming - He's the rock eternal, He will always be there for you. Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - don't lean on yourself, lean on Him with all your heart and in all that you do. Lean on the firm foundation, the rock that God is and wants to be in your everyday life.
Involve God
Acts 2:21: "Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved." - so whatever the situation, temptation, whatever it is that you're going through, if you call on God and give it to Him and live in that situation the way He would want you too, then you WILL, not might - "will be saved" both in that moment from sin and also eternally from Hell. Satan is real and he moves in your everyday life in subtle ways, and we must call on God otherwise we will remain stuck in sin. Don't believe me? Then why did he show up in the Garden of Eden as “a snake” to tempt Adam and Eve when he could have just come as a beast and scared them? Because if he did that, they probably would have freaked out and called on God, and God would have delivered them. Instead, in Genesis 3:1 it says that the snake was “crafty,” intelligent, so he used a cute little snake to communicate with them and keep God out of the picture. It was subtle. He does the same thing today. You might not think that he’s in your life, but he is. Maybe Satan’s best, most subtle, crafty weapon of all time is to make people think “oh that’s just crazy Bible stuff it isn’t real.” Small things lead to distance from God. Sometimes Satan doesn’t tempt you with big, massive sins and addictions. Sometimes it’s just a playlist, sometimes it’s just an argument or a video game. It doesn’t matter to Satan how big your sin is, he just wants to keep you distracted from God. This is why Hebrews 12:1-2 says to “throw off the sins that so easily entangle you” (it’s small, addictive, God knows that!) and “fix your eyes on Jesus.” James 4:7-8 says that if you “resist the Devil” (which Adam and Eve failed to do, thinking that it just wasn’t a big deal) then “he will flee from you” and that if you “draw near to God, He will draw near to you.” Do these things. Notice the language though? Draw "near" and God draws "near"? That's because you can draw far, and God will respond accordingly. A lot of us, despite being Christians, are far. Wearing the cross around your neck, or believing, or going to church - these things don't seem to protect us from sins and temptations in our everyday lives. Make it your own. Draw far, meaningless prayers, and you'll have a far, meaningless relationship. The closer you draw, the closer He draws. It's all you. Free will. Your choice. Choose God. I don't want you to "dislike" Satan and his daily schemes in your life - I want you to resist to the point that he flees. Adam and Eve never involved God. Remember that and take a different path in your daily life.
Lean on God when you're not strong enough
2 Corinthians 12:7-9: "I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." - the Bible, and writings like these, are God's message. I think it's fair and not arrogant to say that. So when Paul (the author) says he has a "messenger from Satan," I want you to imagine the opposite. It's Satan's influence in Paul's life. Whether that's a nasty thing like self-negativity and harm and addictions, or maybe a more subtle thing like pride and a false sense of security - it's whatever it takes for the Devil to get to you and cause you to sin. Whatever it takes, that's what he'll do (watch for this in your everyday life). And so Paul obviously wants this to go away, and he asks God. God says no. WHAT?!? Yes. God says no, because in life we need to have free will. We need to be tested by the Devil, face the temptations and what we go through, and we need to prove our faith genuine. And God reminds us that His grace is enough, sufficient to cover our sins, so we don't have to be perfect but we have to be willing to live for Him and lean on Him, for He is strong enough for us when we are weak.
1 Peter 5:7: "Cast your cares on Him because He cares for you." - Notice the word "cast"? These things that we're holding on to, these sins and temptations, are demons. What do you do with demons? Cast them out. Where? On Him ("Cast" your cares "on Him"). Give it to God. It doesn't make the temptations go away, but it puts them into perspective. Let me use this analogy: I have a full bottle of water, and I hand it to my friend because I trust him to take care of it. The water bottle is still full, but now instead of me holding it my friend is. In the same way, our temptations don't go away even one bit when we give them to God, but when we surrender to Him (and living the way He has called us to in each situation), and we give God control, it gives us more peace and it is better for us. If I held a bottle of water for a while, no big deal. For a few minutes, still no. A couple hours later I want to set it down. If I hold it forever I will go numb. So set it down, whatever you're holding on to. Your anxiety, depression, addiction, secret, sins and temptations, feelings of pain, the ones you've lost - stop holding on. The water isn't going anywhere when you cast it on Jesus, but for your own sake you need to stop holding on. Why is God so kind? "Because He cares for you." He knows and He cares, so reach out in genuine prayer and be willing to respond to God from the heart with changes in your life and mind and heart.
1 Chronicles 16:11: “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” - when you're not strong enough, look to His strength. When you're on the phone or watching TV or even just mindlessly thinking, remember that we can be so much more successful in our faith if we "seek His face always." So the hobbies and interests we pursue, and the way in which we pursue them, do these invite His presence? Seek His face “always” - in everything you do.
Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - so lean on and live for God with ALL YOUR HEART instead of yourself. 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." - so when we're weak, we lean on Him. Joel 2:12: "Even now (even after everything and from the depths of temptation), return to the Lord with all your heart." - so you can return, but do it “now” and “with all your heart” (hold nothing back). Mark 2:17: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - God wants you to come as you are, not hide because you’re not who you should be. God is gracious enough to meet us where we are in our sicknesses and sins, and He wants to heal us. But we have to respond. He has called us to repentance - answer the call and move. Wherever you’re at, that’s where He wants to be to meet you. He healed the sick, the weak and the outcast. So it’s ok to not be ok. He met them exactly where they were. He didn’t heal the sick at hospitals, He did it on the side of the road where they had been left for dead. He met them exactly where they were - He feels the same way for you. So lean on Him when you're not strong enough.
"Seek His face always." So the hobbies and interests we pursue, and the way in which we pursue them, do these invite His presence? The little things, like your playlist and your mindset and the way you speak to others - these things aren’t “outside of Christianity” - truthfully, these are the very things God cares about the most because they shape who we are. Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” So live your life well for God and keep Him at the center of your desires and goals and entertainment, because these things determine where you go (both in this life - in terms of overcoming sin and doing the right things - and in eternity as well). Seek His face “always” - in everything you do.
2 Timothy 1:6-7: “Fan into flame the gift of God. The Spirit God has given us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” Sometimes it's hard. There's reasons to be timid or uneasy/weak - sin is easy, temptations hit hard, having the discipline to overcome and do the right thing is often tough, and our feelings push us away from doing what needs to be done. The reason God's Spirit doesn't make us timid is because God knows that sin and the world WILL. That's why He gave us a gift. Romans 6:23: "The wages of (what you earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus." So with God's gift, avoiding and overcoming sins, we find ourselves no longer timid but bold - willing to fight that temptation, willing to break that habit and addiction and pattern in our life, willing to pick up the Bible (easily accessible online), willing to pray, willing to love others and speak uncomfortable truths - God's Spirit doesn't make you timid, rather it gives you "power, love, and self-discipline." Power. The power to lean on Him when we're not strong enough to break the habit and do the right thing. Love. Love for God and others, and loving ourself enough to want to please God (which stems from loving Him, as love for others pours out because God is love). Self-discipline. The discipline to get out of bed, get off the phone, out of the room when tempted, away from sin when it's right there, out of our feelings, away from the bitterness that consumes, and the discipline to make decisions with the time that remains that will tear away at the distance in between you and finally hitting your breakthrough and beating temptations/feeling content and fulfilled. God loves you. That's why He gave you a gift. Put it to use with power and love, through self-discipline, and don't be timid - break the habit. You know what your habit is - break the habit, fan into flame the Gift and Spirit that God has given you to WIN and see a victory today - it's not easy, but it's worth it. have the self-discipline to crucify your desires and lose with a purpose in your everyday life. Lose the temptations and sins and instant gratifications now, win in eternity later. Break the habit by leaning on God in all that you do.
Flee from the temptation
1 Corinthians 6:18: "Flee from sexual immorality." To "flee" implies to move away from. Like how if we fought in real life (incoming tough guy moment) I would make you flee. So, in the same way, we are called to move away from temptations. "But Ben, it only said sexual immorality." 1 Timothy 6:11: "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." - so we as men and women of God are called to flee (move away from) sins and temptations, and we are also called to "pursue" (move towards) these other Godly things and qualities. This might look like not logging into social media or any electronic - that's where the temptation is, so flee. Don't carry your vape or be around the people that typically lead you into sin - that's where the temptation is, so flee. And, instead of the sins and temptations, pursue "Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." If you have the opportunity to flee your sins, flee them. Be prepared, do things that set you up to succeed. Proverbs 22:3: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."
James 4:7-8: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." - submit to God, resist Satan and he will flee. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. So you're resisting (moving away from) sins and drawing near to (moving towards) God. Flee from temptations.
Waiting for God's plan instead of giving in to feelings/instant gratification
In Isaiah 60:22 it says that "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will do it." It takes time, and you need that time to become the person that He’s creating you to be. Think of it like this: you’re at a restaurant, and a really good meal is coming your way, you just don’t know when. The easy alternative is to leave and go get fast food. Quick, easy, cheap, immediate. But don’t do it. God is cooking, and I don’t know what He has in mind, just THAT when the time is right He will do it. Don’t give up on God’s plan for fast food, for instant gratification, for porn and overthinking and trying to control and vaping and dating and cultural acceptance and looking like you have it all together, and for attractive people that don’t put God first in their life and won’t put you first either. Fast food is cheap and "fast" and convenient, but ultimately unhealthy. The best meals usually cost a lot and take a long time to cook - that's what this is.
Romans 8:28: “We KNOW that in all things God is working (present tense, there’s a plan even if you can’t see it) for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (so live out that calling and love Him and trust His timing).”
Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." - the verse both starts AND ends by telling us to wait for God because no matter how frustrating it can get, we know that this is worth it.
Ezekiel 34:26: "There will be showers of blessing in season." - wait on God's timing, we receive blessings on Earth in season, and we live our lives for God regardless of reward and then receive an eternal reward with Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - it doesn't say an EASY path, but one that God is establishing and making straight, so this may involve hardships. Wherever the path goes, keep trusting in Him and living for Him in everything as He establishes your life. Do this, living for God and submitting to Him "in all your ways" including the little things and what you do behind closed doors/on the phone.
Talk to people that you know will be there for you/at least try to help
Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” Who is "us" in this verse? For them it represented the church that the author was writing to, and for us it will represent us, the modern day Christian Church (consisting, simply, of people like you and me that are just trying to live for Christ in the daily - don't let big phrases like "the Church" throw you off - the passage means YOU). So WE spur (encourage/push towards) each other towards LOVE (1 Corinthians 13:8 "Love never fails" - so we should never fail to persevere in these things in our daily lives, and so obviously having accountability from others will be helpful). We push each other towards love and "good deeds," which will undoubtedly help us in the battle against our temptations. This involves "meeting together." Now the author was definitely referring to in-person meetings, and it's not always possible to be there for someone face to face - but think about it: the author was ALREADY not face to face in that, when he wrote this passage, it wasn't while in church, it was a LETTER to that church - he was virtual, and we can do the same. "Meeting together" via text when you're about to give into lust. Meeting together by getting on the phone and talking/praying your way out of that situation.
Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two may defend themselves.” - so walk with others and be a part of their journey and have them be a part of yours. Form groups if needed, and hold yourself accountable with the things that you struggle with.
Persevere when faced/tempted with these things
Genesis 4:7: "Sin is crouching at your door - it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." - sin isn't just something "you have in your life" (like with bad habits or whatever people will say it's just their personal struggle and so it isn't a big deal) - wrong. It HAS you. It wants to HAVE you - control it before it controls you. Sin is at the door - it is what it is, that's fine - just don't let it in, not even a little, because God is for you ("If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31) and He is willing to help you against your sins, but you have to be willing as well. It's ok to face temptations. In Matthew 18:7 Jesus says that "such things must come." So sin can sit out at your door, but don't let it in. Let me give you an example:
Genesis 39:10: "And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her." Joseph was faced with the temptations of sleeping with his master's wife day after day. If he reported the woman's behavior of trying to sleep with him, nobody would have believed him because she had power (he was just a slave, and she was the master's wife, who would possibly believe him?) - he was left with no choice but to see her and be tempted day after day, as we are in these days with sexual temptations and other things like substances and instant gratifications. But Genesis 39:10 teaches that not only did Joseph not sleep with her, but he didn't even spend time with her. That was his key to success. He knew she was no good, so he didn't give her his time and attention. This is what the Bible means in 1 Corinthians 6:18 when it says to flee sexual immorality. If you know that logging in to social media or a website, or bringing your phone to private places will cause temptations, then not only am I asking you to stand firm against sexual immorality, I'm asking you to cut the temptation down at the root (same thing with vaping, just don't have it with you - and all other sins). She still existed in Joseph's world, and so does sexual immorality in ours - but Joseph didn't give her any attention. Learn from that.
Ephesians 4:26 says "in your anger do not sin" - so the Bible admits that you are "in your anger" and yet can still avoid sin. In this same way, you can be in that headspace, in that heart space, in your room, and in your temptation, but still endure and not give in to sin - but don't use this as an excuse to mess around and not PURGE temptation out of your life - "flee from." 1 Corinthians 6:12: "I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything." - you have free will and can choose sin in both big and small ways in your heart and mind, but it's not always beneficial. It desires to have you, but don't be mastered by it. You must rule over it. Thanks for reading.
Deuteronomy 4:29: "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." - God wants you to return and have fulfillment in Him, but are you holding anything back? A habit, addiction, feeling? You can return to God, He is forgiving, but you have to do this "with all your heart." He doesn't need you to be good enough - He needs you to be willing enough to let Him be your main pursuit with the time that remains. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. There was a criminal next to Jesus during His crucifixion - he gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus promised this man that he would enter Paradise - yet all he had ever done was sin until the bitter end. But he was willing. Willing to make a change, from the heart, in that exact moment
Deuteronomy 30:4: “Even from the farthest distance (mentally, spiritually, any type of distance) the Lord will bring you back from there.”
Joel 2:12: "Even now, return to the Lord with all your heart." - even after everything, every sin, everything you've done and that's been done to you, return to God. When? Even "now." So don't tell yourself God will forgive and put it on hold - return with "all your heart." Hold nothing back, like the criminal on the cross, and He will forgive you, like the criminal on the cross.
Acts 17:28: "For in Him we live and move and have our being." - so we don't have to be defined by our past - we can "have our being" in Christ instead. We don't have to live in our past either, because we can "live in Him." And "in Him we move." We can move forward and receive forgiveness as He totally changes our lives.
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” - He doesn’t leave when things get tough, He’s “ever-present,” meaning He’s always there for you.
It's just like Deuteronomy 4:29 says, "If from there." If from there, wherever it might be, because there is no distance that God won't go to bring you back. This is why it says in Deuteronomy 30:4 that even from the farthest distance, God wants to bring you back, and in Joel 2:12 it says even now, even after everything, return to the Lord with all your heart - so you can return, but do it “now” and “with all your heart” (hold nothing back). Thanks for reading.
I first just wanted to say that "Medium Bible plan 2" (which is on this page and free) addresses this topic incredibly well. Satan is real and he moves in your life in subtle ways. Don't believe me? Then why did he show up in the Garden of Eden as “a snake” to tempt Adam and Eve when he could have just come as a beast and scared them? Because if he did that, they probably would have freaked out and called on God, and God would have delivered them. Instead, in Genesis 3:1 it says that the snake was “crafty,” intelligent, so he used a cute little snake to communicate with them and keep God out of the picture. It was subtle. He does the same thing today. You might not think that he’s in your life, but he is. Maybe Satan’s best, most subtle, crafty weapon of all time is to make people think “oh that’s just crazy Bible stuff it isn’t real.” Small things lead to distance from God. Sometimes Satan doesn’t tempt you with big, massive sins and addictions. Sometimes it’s just a playlist, sometimes it’s just an argument or a video game. It doesn’t matter to Satan how big your sin is, he just wants to keep you distracted from God. This is why Hebrews 12:1-2 says to “throw off the sins that so easily entangle you” (it’s small, addictive, God knows that!) and “fix your eyes on Jesus.” James 4:7-8 says that if you “resist the Devil” (which Adam and Eve failed to do, thinking that it just wasn’t a big deal) then “he will flee from you” and that if you “draw near to God, He will draw near to you.” Do these things. Notice the language though? Draw "near" and God draws "near"? That's because you can draw far, and God will respond accordingly. A lot of us, despite being Christians, are far. Wearing the cross around your neck, or believing, or going to church - these things don't seem to protect us from sins and temptations in our everyday lives. Make it your own. Draw far, meaningless prayers, and you'll have a far, meaningless relationship. The closer you draw, the closer He draws. It's all you. Free will. Your choice. Choose God. I don't want you to "dislike" Satan and his daily schemes in your life - I want you to resist to the point that he flees. Thanks for reading.
Mark 2:27: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” - The Sabbath is not supposed to be a rule that we are captive to. It is supposed to be something that belongs to us that we can use to rest. God created us with healthy limitations. Can’t we take some time off here and there to spend time with God? It would help us to grow in our faith. Prioritize. Make that time happen. I know that it isn’t easy, but it’s worth it so it shouldn’t be. You can still find rest in the turmoil. If you wait for a perfect opportunity you’ll die before you find it. Some people are too busy to take a Sabbath, but the thing we’re forgetting is that the goal wasn’t for the people to “not work for a day,” but rather take time away from their work, their striving, and spend that time with God - you could do a significant amount of this by replacing overthinking with Bible reading and prayer. That, in concept, could help you Sabbath and rest. You might be overthinking it. Think of it like this - Jesus had a specific way of asking people to rest. In Matthew 11:28, He says “come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Did you notice that? “Come to me”? So you have to do an action, the action of coming to God, in order to rest? Wouldn’t more action be more exhausting? That’s the point: it doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to make sense. It could actually be more action here today, the adding into a busy schedule things like Bible reading and prayer, that could actually provide you with rest for your soul. Maybe spending 15 minutes on a busy day is all that you really need… So come to God today, and find your rest in the daily things that you do to grow in your faith in Him. Don’t be judged for your Sabbath choices (Colossians 2:16), but rather let your Sabbath choices reflect the person that you want to be and the life that you want to live - are you really dedicated to God? If you're too busy, then THAT is god in your life.
Proverbs 3:9: "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops." - this verse completely revitalized my faith. I believed in God - now I serve and follow God. There's a difference. To actually honor God, vs just wanting God to honor you eternally. So how do we honor God? By giving Him our first fruits. What does that mean? Back in the day when this was written, fruit and sacrifices/offerings to God were a huge deal - so give God your FIRST fruit. Your BEST offering. The FIRST few minutes of your day for Bible reading and prayer, lest you run out of time trying to give Him your 6th or 7th fruit and then it just doesn't work out. Give Him the FIRST 10%, lest the last 90% doesn't work out. Nothing changes if nothing changes. Is God really second? To what? If God isn't first right in your life, then you're not first in the next. Maybe you're in the place I was in - time for change. Thanks for reading.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - that's what this is. God's Word, the Bible/Scriptures are USEFUL. There is a purpose here. It helps us teach/rebuke/correct others, but more importantly it helps us to train OURSELVES in righteousness and be prepared to do EVERY good work that God has in store for us in this life, according to what the Words say and how we live them out. The fact that we are "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work, just goes to show that there is nothing that the Bible doesn't cover, if we search deep enough.
Many people, for example, will say that the Bible doesn't talk about the Trinity. It's false. In Genesis 1:26, God says "Let us make mankind in our image" - and then verse 27 says that "God created mankind in His own image" - so "God" and "His own" image is an "us" and an "our image." The only way that God could possibly refer to Himself ("His own image" indicates that God is only one) as "us" and "our image" - the only this is possible is if God is more than 1 ("us, our image" while also only Himself "He, His own image") - multiple yet one. Multiple IN one. This is in the first chapter of the Bible, and there are hundreds, probably gazillions (again, of you search deep enough) of other passages that cover ALL things in the Bible, including the doctrine of the Trinity - other passages in the Bible go on to show that the "multiple" is the "three in one" that we often hear about: "Father, Spirit, and Son."
Looking back at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, I like that it said "the servant of God," because it makes clear that a real servant of God would do this (training, rebuking, searching deeply and living out the Words of the Bible, etc.) otherwise they are not a "servant of God" (because a servant does their duties, so to avoid the duty clearly means you are not serving, and we know that when it comes to God, with eternity and His love in mind, we want to be in good standing with Him). So read the Word of God, do what it says, train yourself and train others, do the good works that God has created you specifically to do (Ephesians 2:10). The greatest preaching is not verbal, but through actions, so live these Words out in your everyday life. John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." In John 17:17 Jesus says that "your Word (He was talking to God) is truth" - so it's not just that the Bible spoke of the truth or was true - it literally IS truth. John 14:6: "I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through me." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") is how we are saved. In the same way, come to know and live out the Words of the Bible, which are also truth (this is what Jesus did during His life on Earth) - this is how we are "saved."
Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life, again "in all things" (Philippians 4:13) because we know that we have been "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work that He wants us to (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and we know that we "do not lack any spiritual gift" (1 Corinthians 1:7, again implying that if we search deep enough we will find it).
So what does that searching look like? You saw the result earlier, when I showed you something from Genesis 1:26-27 that you had probably never seen before, but that's not searching it was something I already found. How? What does the searching look like? Take it up with God. That is the only way. Daniel, who is known as incredibly wise, shows us how to search (Ezekiel 28:3, and all throughout the book of Daniel he is portrayed as incredibly wise and skillful - if anyone could search it would be Daniel). Daniel was presented with a situation that required searching: In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar (who was in very tight control of the power of the nation where Daniel lived at the time) had bad dreams, and they terrified him. They were visions from the Lord. He called for the astrologers, magicians, wise men of his nation (again, all of this in Daniel chapter 2) - and he asked them to search for him. WITHOUT telling them his dream, he asked them to tell him the meaning. They couldn't do it. If they're magic was real, and their wisdom enough, they would be able to interpret the dream without knowing what it was. But the fact that they couldn't shows us 2 things - that we shouldn't rely on some "spiritual" or magical power apart from God Almighty (the "universe" for example) - and also that we should never rely on our own wisdom or our own strength in this life - again "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). So what DO we do? What Daniel did. What did he do? I'm getting there. The king, angered by the failure of the men he had called on, ordered that they all be put to death - Daniel, not wanting to lose his life (he was a "wise man" and so were some of his Jewish friends) went to the king and interpreted the dream (again without being told). How? The first thing he did was ask for time (Daniel 2:16) - this isn't always the case, but it tends to take a while. Whether it does or doesn't, don't jump to the conclusion that "God's not answering me" if it just takes a while. He may be answering you and blessing you in all things, but only "in time" (Ezekiel 34:26). The second significant thing Daniel does is plead to God for the answer, admitting that God is in power and that the human wisdom that he (Daniel) contained would not be able to give him the answer, only God could do that - Daniel admits these things to God in prayer as he asks God for the answers (Daniel 2:17-23). Daniel even says, when given the opportunity to brag in front of the king and make a good name for himself, the following words: "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about (again, this is where Daniel COULD HAVE taken credit), but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:" (Daniel 2:27-28 and then starting from verse 29 he correctly interpreted the dream).
So clearly Daniel takes this "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) approach. But notice that you don't lean on your own "understanding"? So then why would you trust God with your "heart" - wouldn't it be with your mind, your understanding? See, these things aren't intellectual - that would be leaning on your own strength. Rather, this is from the heart, and God can enable even the dullest mind if they have a heart for Jesus, for "I CAN do ALL things THROUGH Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
So again, trust in God, do this with all your heart, and He will give you the answers, on His time. Matthew 4:4: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." - notice that the Words, whether you think they are in the Bible or not (as you may not have known about our Genesis 1:26-27 secret from earlier) - all such things "come from the mouth of God" as He speaks them to your heart. The work of the pen is done - now is the time when God reveals the writing to your heart, whether it's a scream (to give up a sin, and you feel convicted) or a whisper (a deep, hidden teaching like what we looked at earlier) - you have to receive with your heart. Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding of things." James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should pray to God and ask for answers, and He will not find fault but will give generously to those who ask of Him." - so God won't find fault, He won't judge you for not having the answers - He will communicate with you and put the message that you need on your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you search with all your heart." Thanks for reading.
1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." - ALL people.
Isaiah 41:9-10: "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - notice that it was AFTER God said we were "from the ends of the earth, it's farthest corners," it was AFTER He said we were distant, AFTER saying that He said "I have chosen you and not rejected you." So to the one who questions if God really has chosen you, consider this: that is distance, but there's no distance God won't go to reach you. He will be with you, so you don't have to fear or be discouraged, and those 2 things basically represent anxiety and depression. We don't have to feel these things or give in to them, not because we're close or because things are easy, but because we know that even when we are far God is with us and has plans for us.
Jeremiah 29:11-13: “I know the plans I have for you: plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." - so God HAS chosen you, and He has a plan for your FUTURE (your life matters to Him, keep living). He hears your prayers, so pray. You will find Him when you seek Him in your everyday life, but only if you seek Him with all your heart, so hold nothing back.
Psalm 22:24: “He did not despise the suffering of the chosen one (He didn’t hate it, He knew you had to go through it to grow), but He also did not abandon their cry for help (He still hears you and loves you and holds on to you during these trying times).”
Ephesians 2:10: “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” So we’re created to work, to do God’s work that He ALREADY PREPARED for us THAT’S HOW MUCH WE MATTER to Him. We weren’t created for nothing we were created to work. You are clearly chosen. Thanks for reading.
Romans 8:28: "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." - in all things, even the little/insignificant things, God has a purpose and is working for the good. But God is the one working. So these things come from Him. But not ALL things - Jeremiah 29:11: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Understand that going through totally dark things is NOT "God's plans" because "my plan is not to harm you." But if His plan is to "prosper" you eternally, then this might involve going through the required hardships here on Earth. But nothing "harmful." Suicide, murder, rape - it's hard for good things to come from this, it's just straight up harmful. But breakups? Firings? Never getting what you wanted? It happens, and sometimes you need it for eternal prosperity. Aside from this distinction, which is really important, we can safely say that everything is "from" God.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - so trust God with "all your heart" meaning that we don't need to control the timing of things and we won't lean on our own understanding and desire of things - we are willing to wait for Him and submit to Him "in all our ways," including in the little things like trusting His timing and being grateful and trusting Him with sincerity and positivity. He will "make your paths straight." It doesn't say where the path is going, but only that God is establishing it. He will do it on His timing and according to His own plan. A true Christian would accept following Christ instead of needing Christ to follow them.
Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Thanks for reading.
Mark 16:16: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Baptism is a public declaration of a decision from your heart. In Mark 16:16 you already believe and THEN you’re baptized - "whoever believes and is baptized" - so this isn’t about being baptized as much as it is about believing, just like how when you get married you have a wedding - you already have the relationship, and you could still have a great relationship without the ceremony, but the ceremony is thought to complete it, so yes you can still have a great relationship with God without being baptized but if it’s within your power to get baptized you should do so - at the end of Mark 16:16 only the one that "doesn’t believe" is condemned not the one who "isn’t baptized," and Jesus told the criminal next to Him during His crucifixion that he would be with God in Paradise, but that man was a sinner and had probably never been baptized in the Name of Jesus since this was the first time he met Him - so clearly you don't need baptism to be saved, but it's a public declaration of your commitment to God and it completes the strong relationship that you already have in Him.
1 Peter 3:21: “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” - not the removal of dirt. Stop trying to remove the past, the dirt in your life; focus on living a better future with and for God.
Water usually represents adversity and struggle in the Bible (storms, floods, droughts, etc.), yet Jesus told Peter to walk with Him on the water, through the difficulty. This is God’s same message to you today: you are not alone. Let God walk with you through your difficulty. And we are baptized into what? Water. What do we drink each day to stay alive? Water. So in our faiths and even in our everyday lives, we need water, and we trust God to bring us through it all as we wholeheartedly live our lives for Him - that's what this is about. You're baptized in His Name because you're committing yourself and all that you do to Him.
Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." - God will be with you no matter what you go through - that's what this is about. Commit to being there with Him and fighting with Him for your faith and purity. Thanks for reading.
It's not that we do things to receive His forgiveness, but rather that He gives it, and it's our choice to receive it or not. It's not like if I pray extra tonight God will react to that - His forgiveness is ALREADY there, but will you REACT TO THAT in your everyday life? That's what this is about.
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." - so it’s not about being good enough, it's not from ourselves, it's from God and His grace. Have faith, and live "through faith" as you pursue the gift of God in your everyday life.
Romans 9:16: "It does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy." - it's not our job to be "good enough" but to be willing to receive and pursue God in our everyday lives. Even our desires don't make the difference - God does, so lean on Him.
In John 8:11 Jesus says "I do not condemn you, go and sin no more." So Jesus doesn't condemn that sinner and doesn't condemn us either. Why not? "I do not condemn you" so that you will "go and sin no more." This isn't just a free thing we have with God where we show no regard and hide all our repeated sins behind His forgiveness. That's abusing God's grace, and we will pay for it eternally. Hebrews 10:29: "How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" so don't insult the "spirit" of this grace. The spirit, or like the point, of this gift is that we would receive it without having to be good enough, but then we would move forward. Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So with sins we earn (wages) death, but the gift God has given us is a better life than this, and one that will remain eternally - so start living this out today. Remember that it's not based on our efforts, but His grace, and that we just need to willingly pursue Him.
2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. There was a criminal next to Jesus during His crucifixion - he gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus promised this man that he would enter Paradise - yet all he had ever done was sin until the bitter end. But he was willing. Willing to make a change, from the heart, in that exact moment, and so he was forgiven. Thanks for reading.
In Proverbs 21:2 it says that “a person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” So we might think that we are good, but God is the one who decides, not us. So trust in the Lord and in His Words with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding of things (Proverbs 3:5). In John 9:41 Jesus says that if we claim we can see, we are guilty of sin because we are blind. So, we wouldn’t even be sinning by admitting that we don’t know the truth/aren’t good enough on our own, we would just be showcasing our humility and need for God to reveal the truth to us! So what is the truth, especially regarding this topic of being good enough? In John 8:31-32 Jesus says that "if we live out His teaching, then we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free." In John 14:6 Jesus refers to Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and says that nobody will come to God except through Him. So we don’t get closer to God by being “good people,” but rather by living like Jesus (whom Hebrews 1:3 refers to as the “exact representation of God”), and then when we live like Jesus we learn the truth, including the truth about what is considered good or good enough, and that truth will set us free. “Good people” wouldn’t say “Father forgive them” on the cross, so this isn’t about being a “good person,” but rather it’s about being more like Jesus. When Jesus said that “nobody is good except God alone" in Luke 18:19, that statement didn’t exclude Jesus from being good, it actually included Him because He is the exact representation of God, so Jesus IS good, and being a “good person,” simply consists of being more like Him.
Proverbs 1:32: "The complacency of a person will kill them." - there is no “good enough.” Heaven is eternity, not momentary, so no fixed level of goodness could attain it unless that level was perfection. Keep going, keep growing. You don’t wait for the bus for 24 hours. It comes and goes. So we also have to move and improve in our faith/righteousness.
Philippians 3:13-14: "I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it (his goal for who he should be). But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - so even the writers of the Bible had room to improve and they "pressed on" and moved forward in pursuing it - we should do the same. Thanks for reading.
In Luke 5:17 it says that Jesus has the ability to forgive our sins - this begs the question: why go up to the cross and die then to forgive our sins if you could just.... forgive them? The context of that story is that He had healed a man who was sick and had an illness. A lot of us can relate to that, even if it's more on the side of mental or emotional illness - maybe you're still searching. The idea that Christians have is that we have to actually PAY for our sins - God doesn't just wave a magic wand, His justice is required for Him to be a good and true God - and justice tells us that every sin ever for all time would be paid for. So He sent Jesus up so that the forgiveness of our sins could be real, authentic, not just verbal and idealistic. Now back in that story, this man had ALREADY suffered from his condition - but Jesus "so loved" (John 3:16) that He wanted to take up the burden FOR HIM and die FOR US to earn the forgiveness for our sins that we never could - it would require a perfection that we don't have. Even the best people can't enter eternal perfection without being perfect. That's where the grace of God comes in. Jesus, who was in fact perfect, paid our penalty on the cross. We as sinners have a need for repentance, and God is forgiving and wants to guide us through the process of returning to Him and living for Him in all that we do - but we have to be willing to move in our everyday lives according to His words and what they tell us about each situation that we will encounter. Thanks for reading.
Whether it be Muhammad, or Joseph Smith, or some other religious figure, all of them have these two differences with Jesus: Jesus was the only one to actually BE THE ONE to die for our sins in His religion, and Jesus is the only one that IS God in His religion. In Islam, Muhammad reveals Allah's words to his followers - the good work of a prophet - but Muhammad would never go up to a cross to forgive your sins - Allah will just forgive you, if he does - no payment required. So that shows you which of these religious leaders is genuinely caring for the people.
Also, some religions believe in purgatory (temporary suffering for our sins, where we DO pay for our sins) - but according to Jeremiah 29:11 (the OLD Testament, by the way) "My plan is to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future." When God says this about "harm" to His people, it is clear that He would not send such people to a temporary Hell - so other religions are clearly, at this point, proving faulty even by their own standards and also by basic common sense (common sense that we have to actually PAY for sins, which Islam doesn't have, and then religions believing in purgatory obviously are filled with contradictions to their own scriptures, including Jeremiah 29:11 and many more). Not only does this separate Jesus's story as being so much more authentic, but we also know that Jesus has been around from all of eternity (He is a part of the "Us" in Genesis 1:26). So if Jesus has been around for eternity, it means there is more to the story than there will be for other religious narratives - we should also consider how much more likely it makes Him to actually BE God. In John 8:58 Jesus says "Before Abraham was born, I AM!" Now, you can look at this 2 ways. First, "I am" is the direct response to the wonderings of His Jewish opponents in that story "are you really God?" Secondly (and this is MUCH more popular), that it is a reference to Exodus 3:14, where God Almighty says that His Name is "I am - that is what you are to say, that 'I am' has sent me (He was speaking to Moses, telling Him to send a message to His people)." So if "I am" is God's Name, then if Jesus Christ uses the title, clearly it was no accident. The Jewish people that Jesus was talking to in John 8:58 were putting their faith, all their hope, in religion. They believed that as Abrahamic Jews, they were following God - similar stances (with varying religious PLACES and figures) are taken, even today, by Jews and Muslims - that Jesus Christ is not God, and that it is their religious ways that are what saves them (and following their god according to their specific religions). But Jesus makes clear that this is not the real way - "I am." John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life, and no man comes to God the Father except through me." So we see here that Jesus is the way. Not "a" way, where you believe what you do, I believe what I do - Jesus is "THE" way, and nobody comes closer in their hearts to God the Father except through Him and following His Words in their daily lives. He calls Himself "the truth." Even "the life." He clearly is calling Himself God. As if that weren't enough, He says in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." That same Father God from John 14:6? They are One. He IS God, and makes that clear here. Here's the ultimate difference between Jesus and other religious figures: Jesus died to forgive our sins. John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." There is no greater love, no love that is more "patient and kind" then the redeeming love of Jesus Christ on the cross - He took up our pain and suffering for us (Isaiah 53:4-6). Muhammed wouldn't do that for you, because that's a religion - this is a faith. And this IS love, God IS love (1 John 4:8). That's the difference. Thanks for reading.
The Bible never mentions the word "Trinity," though it does, in hundreds of places, affirm that what is commonly believed about the Trinity is the truth. Any confusion about this can be solved with a simple google search, and I'll also leave you with one piece of proof - who is "us" in Genesis 1:26? Anyways. Why do we need a Trinity? Why not just One God that does it all? Let's let the Bible tell the story - the Bible's narrative will reveal to us where God stands. The fact that the word "Trinity" is never mentioned in the Bible shows us that, while it certainly still exists, it's really not that important to specifically recognize the three different forms AS BEING different - we know they're different, but God doesn't call attention to it. It's like me saying what I ate for lunch yesterday - all that matters is that I ate. So what does matter? The actual substance behind these forms. The work that Father, Spirit, and Son do. As Jesus Himself says about the fruit tree, "By its fruit you will recognize it" (Matthew 12:33). So then, what's the fruit?
For the Father: "God is love" (1 John 4:8), "for God so loved that He gave His only Son to save us" (John 3:16), "He cares" (1 Peter 5:7), "The compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). Why is this important? It's important that, instead of just having everything wrapped into 1, we specifically have a Father, a God that is all powerful but also loving and compassionate and taking care of us - it would be awkward for the Son or Spirit to take this position. I never knew my father on Earth - now I have a Heavenly Father. It's important that God plays and emphasizes all 3 of the specific roles that He chooses to so that we can hear His full narrative according to HIM the way HE wants us to take it in.
For the Son: "For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit" (John 3:34). Notice that, by being sent by God and filled with His Words, THAT is what proves that God gives the Spirit? See, God could just do it all - create, preach, forgive, sustain. But He chose that other people would do work in their lives and in the lives of others - God CHOSE Jesus, CHOSE David and everyone else that He has ever worked through, including me and you. And so Christ the Son is the ULTIMATE symbol of this, leaving His place in Heaven to come down and die on the cross to forgive our sins, preaching the Word of God all throughout His life (the Bible, to believe and live out the Words). So what would this look like for us? We are children of God (1 John 3:1), so we should be like Jesus the Son and make sacrifices, do the right things for God and help others, doing the things that we are "sent" and "called" to do - again, it would be awkward for the Father or Spirit to take THIS position.
For the Spirit (literally, the "Fruits of the Spirit" are): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). So we already know that the Spirit is how God works through other people (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Ephesians 3:4-6), and we can now say that these "Fruits of the Spirit" (these qualities that Galatians 5:22-23 looked at) are the things that the Spirit does in us. Never, full of the Holy Spirit, could I hate someone, lie, steal, lust, etc. The second it happens the Spirit leaves you, the Power leaves. God will NOT take part in it. So if you're on the fence about if a certain Christian or Church is legitimate, especially if your own faith is legitimate (like if you're doing enough or in the right place), then I would point you back to these Fruits of the Spirit, because you (the tree) will be recognized by your fruits. Remember that the first Fruit was "love" - "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). This is the Holy Spirit, it is these things (Fruits), and ultimately obedient to God's Words in all things - anyone meeting this description is full of the Spirit, anyone that doesn't is full of... something else... Again, it would be awkward if the Father or Son took up this SPECIFIC role of guide, we need the three forms to be the three forms. We don't need to overemphasize them as being three (again, "Trinity" is never mentioned), but we do need to recognize and tap into these specific functions that God wants to play in our everyday lives - that's what this is about. Thanks for reading.
After Jesus said, “It is finished,” on the cross, “He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (basically He died, John 19:30). His dead body remained on the cross until it was taken down and placed in a nearby tomb (John 19:40–42). His spirit, however, was elsewhere. Three days later, His body and spirit were reunited, and He rose from the dead (John 20). There is some speculation about where Jesus was - that is, where His spirit was - for the three days between His death and resurrection - it is Biblically proven that He was in Hell for 3 days and 3 nights.
In Matthew 12:40, Jesus says: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (a term that refers to Hell/Hades)." - this is a reference to the prophet Jonah, who disobeyed God by running away from a calling, and while he was running away he was eaten by a whale and was inside its belly for "three days and three nights" (Jonah chapter 1). At the beginning of Jonah chapter 2, the prophet prays a prayer using language like "the realm of the dead" (Jonah 2:2) to describe where he is during his prayer (which he prayed inside the whale and recorded once on dry land, indicating that if he was in the realm of the dead, he had died when eaten by the whale and was in Hell) - all this to say that things would go the same way for Jesus: He would die and spend 3 days in Hell, and then come back to life (as did Jonah). So this, like I said, is certain - He was fulfilling the scriptures, which is also why He was crucified (the Old Testament predicted these things in a very detailed way, even including the details of how many coins Judas would receive and that he would throw the coins back later on in regret - all of this according to Zechariah 11:12-13 - and Jesus had to fulfill ALL such scriptures, including Matthew 12:40, and know that there are others that predict His 3 nights in Hell). So we know THAT He was in Hell, but why? Why not just rise in power in that exact moment? Wasn't the cross enough? Many people would have skipped that too!
The first reason that comes to mind is that Jesus wants to win an authentic, real victory over Satan. To die on the cross and then instantly come back to life and crush the Romans and bring the believers up to Heaven - this would have been so easy and faithless, as if skipping the hardships to get to the rewards. Jesus's followers needed to go home sad that Friday night. Saturday was another day of feeling lost and despaired. So was Sunday until He rose - without the despair, the resurrection of Jesus Christ might have seemed "easy." This also answers the question of "Why doesn't God just take away all the sins/pain and bring me to Heaven right now?" Because the story isn't over. Psalm 30:5 teaches that while pain may stay for the night, rejoicing will come in the morning. Now it obviously isn't referring to a physical 24-hour day, otherwise our pain will all go away tomorrow, and many of us know the hard way that this isn't so. What this is referring to is that the next "day" our pain will go away. But what symbolizes a day? A sunrise. So when the sun symbolically rises and seasons change in your life, there will be rejoicing - and what is that rejoicing worth if not for that season of pain? How is good considered good without bad? This is one of the reasons why Jesus and His followers, despite having divine authority, lived life on the go with very little resources and many of them were unmarried. They choose weakness instead of strength, because they were storing up their treasures in Heaven. I want to encourage you to do the same today - whether it's sinful habits like porn and bad music, or selfishly using your time only for yourself, or whatever it may be - do what pleases God and store this up as a treasure in Heaven. Jesus needed those 3 days and nights in Hell.
You could also say that Jesus did this to fulfill the mission of having truly "gone everywhere." Jesus is truly relatable to us on Earth - He grew up poor, was tempted by the DEVIL HIMSELF (Luke 4:1-13) and He died on the cross - the most painful life, temptation, and death possible. He left the Throne in Heaven so that He could be "With us" (Matthew 1:23). So He can relate to those on Earth. And, obviously having come from Heaven, He can relate to those in Heaven. But, up to this point, could he relate to those in Hell? This could be the reason why Jesus went there for 3 days before rising into Heaven - we can no longer say: "Jesus was faithful to God because He didn't have to go through Hell, He didn't really have to go all the way" - Jesus is proven ultimately and eternally faithful, and He is looking for similar dedication on our ends from the heart with the time that remains.
The three days were significant in other ways as well. Jesus died on a Friday, Nisan 14, the day when the Passover lamb was sacrificed. His death represents the death of a perfect, unblemished sacrifice on our behalf. His resurrection on the third day took place on the first day of the week, illustrating a new beginning and new life to all who trust in Him.
Another possible reason is that Jesus was making one final proclamation of victory over the Devil. 1 Peter 3:18–20: “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared” (ESV). Some take this to mean that Jesus, sometime between His death and resurrection (He was still "dead in the flesh" but also "alive in the spirit" meaning He was physically dead, therefore this is pinpointed to that 3 day period between Friday and Monday at the end of John 19-John 20), went to Hell/Hades and made an announcement/proclamation of some type to the “spirits” imprisoned there - the spirits Jesus addressed could be either demonic or human. Either way, Jude 1:6-7 makes certain that these are spirits that "did not obey" and are "imprisoned" and that "they serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." So basically, regardless of who Jesus is talking to, we know that they are in Hell and rightly so. It could be that Jesus was there to celebrate His victory over death and sin - and Hell, being the eternal residence of death and sin, is the perfect place to triumph. 1 Corinthians 15:55: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” - Jesus is here triumphing over death and sin. His triumph is that, having lived in a sinful world with opportunities to sin everyday (He could have been selfish and a religious superstar in collusion with the religious/governmental authorities, He could have taken many women/donations, etc.) - He never did. He "lived in Hell" in a way, but never lived sinfully. And now, literally in Hell, He basically makes the statement - "here I am again, and yet you have no power." Lust, desires for money and fame and other things - name a sin that has devastating power, and Jesus triumphed over it by being selfless on the cross, and He was now celebrating that victory. Revelation 2:13: "I know where you live - where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me." - let us live this out in our everyday lives so that we may join Him in eternal triumph. Again these are truly ideas - if you have any, reach out to me. Thanks for reading.
One of the biggest things that makes this conversation relevant is the fact that Christians constantly talk about it, and people pretend to be experts. They point to something like the drying of the Euphrates River in 2023 (predicted Revelation 16:12-16), and they point to other predictions - the problem with this is that these things have been happening FOREVER! One of the most talked about signs of the end times that the Bible predicts is wars - there have been wars before, during, and after the time in which the Bible was written. How on Earth could you possibly pinpoint ONE war and say that this is proof of the coming end. The predictions also don't specify HOW MANY times the predictions will take place - maybe the Euphrates will find life again, and then dry up again, maybe over and over and over. So this idea that we can predict, for a mathematical or formula based thinking, when Jesus will return and the end will come, is foolish. Jesus, knowing that people would do this, says this in Matthew 24:23: "If anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it." - so any time that you hear a 5, 10, or 100 year prediction, you know that such a person is not to be believed.
Matthew 24:42: "Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." - the passage says right here that "we do not know" - only God knows when He is coming back. Now, this passage doesn't mean for us to wait by a window keeping watch for Jesus - that would have been the most boring 2 thousand + years ever, right? What this passage really means is that Jesus could come back at any moment, so the best thing that we can do is live our lives "ready" for Him - are things in your life out of order? Are you addicted to porn or entertainment? Are you struggling with loving others in the way that the Bible says to? Tidy these things up before Jesus returns, because it truly could happen "at any moment." And so we live our everyday lives as if on watch for Christ. He even says in Matthew 24:43-44: "If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" to make the point that if you KNEW when Jesus was returning, you could cheat the system and repent at the last moment - that's not from the heart. So if you expect Him to come next Sunday, and Friday and Saturday you live in sin, He might as well just come like a thief in the night. It's just like He said - with this in mind, live for Him wholeheartedly at all times.
In some of the final words of the Bible, Jesus says "I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:21) - so we know that Jesus IS coming, He says "I am coming." But when is "soon"? This, 2,000 years later, is what we are still wondering. The term is relative - it means different things to different people. And we know that: "A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night" (Psalm 90:4) - if this were the case, then mathematically Jesus's resurrection happened 2 years and 8 days ago. That is actually relatively soon. The point is that, since we don't know, we take the time that remains and do all that we can both for God and others.
1 Thessalonians 5:7-10: "For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." - salvation is your helmet. Where does a helmet go? Your head. Where's your brain? Your head. So live your everyday life, as this passage encourages, with salvation in mind, and let it guard your mind against dangerous mindsets, like those that make you the victim or put you first - and especially "keep in mind" that, as the passage says, God did not appoint us to suffer wrath - so don't condemn yourself with the way you live. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) - so don't be against yourself with the way you live. THIS is what it means to "stay awake" and "wait for the Lord's return," to not give up the pursuit of Him with the time that remains.
In Matthew 4:17 Jesus says "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near." We know that in the end we will be judged for our eternal destination, so if the Kingdom of Heaven has come near, this means that God wants to be "near" in our lives. Just as "soon" might not mean tomorrow or the next 1,000 years, in the same way "near" might not mean right behind you - it's a relative term that refers to distance. He wants to be "near" - close, near to your heart. He wants to be a part of your everyday life - let your life reflect His Kingdom with the time that remains. Thanks for reading.
You already do have a personal relationship with God, but think about it: the point isn't to have one, but to grow in it. For example, you might not have even known that you already have a relationship with God until I told you, and so clearly it's just a technicality that doesn't mean much - but what function does it actually play in your everyday life? Think of a distant relative, maybe the kind of person you only see a couple times a year at massive holidays - you have a personal relationship with them, but it's very little - you may have sent little to NO messages to them, but you DO have their number (or at least a way of getting it/seeing them if your life depended on it). This is what a lot of us have with God - He created all of us and He reigns in Heaven hearing our prayers and has interest in our lives, so there's no avoiding the whole "having His number," but some of us rarely if ever call. So I think the better question is going to be "how do I grow in my relationship with God?"
Think about it: "relationship." That implies a two way "relation" - it's not just that "I relate" to you or that "you don't relate" well with me - it's a "relationship." So it's not just about God knowing you and having created you and wanting to be a part of your everyday life, it's not JUST about how He relates to you, but how you relate to Him - reading and living out His Words (the Bible), praying to Him, honoring Him in what you do, and desiring/choosing/being intentional about such growth. And this is usually what helps us to grow - God is perfect, and so are His efforts in our relationship (shown by His constant forgiveness and guidance) - there's nothing more that He can do except force us, but He is unwilling to do this because that's not a relationship you have to choose it and be genuine. God's effort in our relationship is perfect, so our effort in doing these things (reading and living out His Words the Bible, praying to Him, honoring Him in what you do, and desiring/choosing/being intentional about such growth, and leaning on Him to do this when we fall short), this typical fosters the growth that we are looking for. God already knows us, but do we know Him, and are we even trying in our everyday lives to pursue the growth that reflects us knowing Him? Does your life, your habits and feelings and everything, does THIS say that you know God?
Philippians 3:8: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." - whether it's a sinful habit, an opportunity to gain something on Earth but at the expense of faith (like a job that requires you to do things against the faith/Words of the Bible, or an opportunity that is good but requires you to deny Christ, etc.) - there is nothing in life worth more than our personal relationship with God. Grow in it, because opposing things in our everyday lives are garbage, and if we consume garbage in our everyday lives, things will stink in eternity...
This is why, to the struggling Christian, Galatians 4:9 says this: "But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" - you ARE known by God. There IS a relationship, and now we must grow in it, otherwise we will be slaves (both in this lifetime and the next) to the sinful/demonic forces that the verse refers to.
1 Corinthians 8:3: "But whoever loves God is known by God." - John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commands."
1 Corinthians 13:12: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." - you are fully known by God. Period. You are. But, like the verse said, we only know "in part" for now (the "now" means while on Earth and the "then" refers to eternity/Judgment Day). Even the greatest Christian can only now in part for now, because we can only "see a reflection" for now. Only when we truly see God "face to face," only then will everything be revealed. So, until that day, since we are fully known by God - how well do we know Him? It's on us in our everyday lives, and we should be reading and living out His Words (the Bible), praying to Him, honoring Him in what you do, and desiring/choosing/being intentional about such growth. Thanks for reading.
I'm sure you've heard the verse John 3:16. Here's what it says - John 3:16-17: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - so we see that Jesus was sent to the cross to forgive our sins, so that we could have forgiveness and be reconciled to God both on Earth and eternally (which is probably why you ask, basically "can I go to Heaven," right?). He was sent to do this "so that whoever believes" would receive this eternal life - and it follows, logically, that you wouldn't receive this reconciliation with God if you didn't AT LEAST believe in it. We even see in verse 17 the PURPOSE of why Jesus came and preached and died on the cross - to save us, NOT to condemn us. His teachings weren't designed to condemn us to Hell, they were meant to bring us closer to God - you just need to believe.
But is that it? Let me put it like this - I believe in gravity. But what if I jump out the window? Then I'm not acting like I believe in gravity, and regardless of what I believe in, I'm gonna go splat. That's a lot of Christians, they LOVE gravity but go splat each and every day - you still go splat whether you believe or not. I would say, with things like porn and bad music, that many of us are spending way too much time being too close to the window, but that's not the discussion at hand. Clearly, if you live apart from what you believe, then you have dishonored that belief, and we know that living a life that dishonors God is not our calling.
James 2:19: “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." Not only did the Devil and his fallen angels believe in God - they KNEW He was real and that every single one of His claims and purposes is 100% accurate - they knew because they saw it and have seen and known God's spiritual control. But are the Devil and his fallen angels good? No. But they knew God? Exactly. It's not enough to know God, just like it isn't enough to learn things if you make decisions contrary to what you've learned. Let's say I went to school and learned how to drive safely, then one night I get in a wreck for driving unsafely. I knew what safe driving was, but I wasn't immune from having an accident. Same thing with Satan - he knows God, but he doesn't live for Him or honor Him, but instead he lives in rebellion. A lot of us are doing the same thing and share the same destination as Satan eternally unless we can turn to Jesus instead of just knowing Him. Acts 17:30: “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” - this isn't just for Christians or when we're in church or a religious season in our lives. "All people everywhere." So no matter who you are and no matter where you are in life, God is calling you to repent (which is to confess and take action against your sins). Proverbs 28:13: "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - so you can't conceal or hide your sins, you have to confess them and be honest. BUT. You also "renounce" them. Stop. Take action. Actually do something. Don't just confess it, that's easy - confess it and address it. This is repentance, and without it we have no share in the Kingdom of God. Mark 2:17: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” God is gracious enough to meet us where we are in our sicknesses and sins, and He wants to heal us. He has called us, but we have to respond. A call unanswered isn't a call, it COULD HAVE been one. God doesn't want you to miss out on His purpose for your life and eternity. He has called us to repentance - answer the call and move.
Notice from John 3:16 that God sent Jesus to "save" us? What does this look like?
John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father God except through me." - John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (like if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") and living out His teachings is how we are "saved" and "set free" and truly followers of God.
Romans 10:9-11: " If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” So this passage makes clear that while we acknowledge and praise God through our words, truly believing in Him stems from our hearts. Sometimes, mentally, it's hard to accept or believe in Him. This is why it says in Proverbs 3:5 to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." - so we don't lean on what we can believe or make sense of - we choose to believe God instead, if these things ever come into conflict. Notice that we do this "with all our heart." So again, the idea of logically believing in God is now a "heart" not just mind but heart issue. And that's because if you truly believe in God and you live out His teachings, then you are truly believing in Him with all your heart. To use the example from earlier, if you jump out the window then you might still believe in gravity, but you're clearly not acknowledging it in all that you do in your daily life/decisions. Gravity will be hard on you, then, when you hit the ground. I have a feeling that this is what Judgment day will look like for many of us - therefore honor and live for God in all that you do.
John 3:36: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them." - it's this simple. One of the biggest reasons for not believing in God is that you don't want to be seen negatively/judged by others. Luke 12:8-9: "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God." - not only does believing in God look like being willing to admit/proclaim it to others, but now in addition we are to acknowledge Him in all that we do.
The criminal on the cross next to Jesus was the WORST man to ever go to Heaven - as terrible as the cross was, this specific man was actually enough of a criminal to deserve it. He had obviously lived a life of distance from God - and yet he was saved. How? Luke 23:39-43 tells the story. As everyone in that place (Roman soldiers, Jewish onlookers, other criminals, etc.) all looked on and mocked Jesus, this criminal on a cross next to Jesus's finally opened up: he admitted that Christ was being punished unfairly, and he admitted that he himself deserved what was happening to him. He then said "receive me into your kingdom." This implied that he knew of the Kingdom of God, and that Jesus was on the throne as the King, able to let someone in - remember, Jesus was on the cross because everyone else DIDN'T believe these things. So this man was acknowledging God, acknowledging the truth - do we acknowledge Him in how we live. And do we believe? In my opinion, THIS is what it looks like, and what it truly takes to be accepted by Him - He will accept you as you are with the time that remains. You just need to believe. Thanks for reading.
Acts 17:30: “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” - this isn't just for Christians or when we're in church or a religious season in our lives. "All people everywhere." So no matter who you are and no matter where you are in life, God is calling you to repent (which is to confess and take action against your sins).
Proverbs 28:13: "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - so you can't conceal or hide your sins, you have to confess them and be honest. BUT. You also "renounce" them. Stop. Take action. Actually do something. Don't just confess it, that's easy - confess it and address it. This is repentance, and without it we have no share in the Kingdom of God.
We, having sinned, are not able to make it to Heaven. Even the best people can't enter eternal perfection without being perfect. That's where the grace of God comes in. Jesus, who was in fact perfect, paid our penalty on the cross. We as sinners have a need for repentance, and God is forgiving and wants to guide us through the process of returning to Him and living for Him in all that we do - but we have to be willing to move in our everyday lives.
Mark 2:17: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” God is gracious enough to meet us where we are in our sicknesses and sins, and He wants to heal us. We "need" a doctor/repentance. He has called us, but we have to respond. A call unanswered isn't a call, it COULD HAVE been one. God doesn't want you to miss out on His purpose for your life and eternity. He has called us to repentance - answer the call and move.
Matthew 3:2: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near." - if God's purpose for your life is near, repent. He doesn't want you to miss out. Whether in church, or reading a post like this, or wherever - the Kingdom of Heaven is near in your life. God wants to move in your life. But you have to move too, otherwise you don't go anywhere. You have to actually get on the bus when it comes to your stop. The Kingdom of Heaven is near - repent and hop on the bus.
Matthew 3:8: "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." - we all fall into sins but KEEP repenting (as often as you sin).
Luke 13:3: "Unless you repent, you will perish." Thanks for reading.
Jesus has been around from all of eternity (He is a part of the "Us" in Genesis 1:26). So if Jesus has been around for eternity, it means there is more to the story than there will be for other religious narratives - we should also consider how much more likely it makes Him to actually BE God. In John 8:58 Jesus says "Before Abraham was born, I AM!" Now, you can look at this 2 ways. First, "I am" is the direct response to the wonderings of His Jewish opponents in that story "are you really God?" Secondly (and this is MUCH more popular), that it is a reference to Exodus 3:14, where God Almighty says that His Name is "I am - that is what you are to say, that 'I am' has sent me (He was speaking to Moses, telling Him to send a message to His people)." So if "I am" is God's Name, then if Jesus Christ uses the title, clearly it was no accident. The Jewish people that Jesus was talking to in John 8:58 were putting their faith, all their hope, in religion. They believed that as Abrahamic Jews, they were following God - similar stances (with varying religious PLACES and figures) are taken, even today, by Jews and Muslims - that Jesus Christ is not God, and that it is their religious ways that are what saves them (and following their god according to their specific religions). But Jesus makes clear that this is not the real way - "I am." John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life, and no man comes to God the Father except through me." So we see here that Jesus is the way. Not "a" way, where you believe what you do, I believe what I do - Jesus is "THE" way, and nobody comes closer in their hearts to God the Father except through Him and following His Words in their daily lives. He calls Himself "the truth." Even "the life." He clearly is calling Himself God. As if that weren't enough, He says in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one." That same Father God from John 14:6? They are One. He IS God, and makes that clear here.
But what does this mean? What's the point? What changes, what's the difference between what you may have previously believed and what you now know? The fact that Jesus comes "before" Abraham (and is present in the Garden of Eden, as part of the Trinity that is "Us" in Genesis 1:26), these things help us out with understanding what this all changes about how we see Jesus - His birth wasn't His "beginning" and so clearly He plays a divine/daily role from the very beginning of all. John 1:1-2 says that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." So we see that, as I mentioned, Jesus has played a role from the very beginning. He is the Word of God, after all He is "One" with the Father and is the one who was "with God in the beginning" (John 1:1-2). So Jesus Christ is the "Word" of God - however God wants us to live, the "Words" that He would have to say about any given situation - Jesus Christ, what He taught and how He lived, this represents God's message ("Word") - this is the everyday role that Jesus Christ, who IS God, should be playing in our everyday lives - that the "Word was God" (John 1:1, and according to Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same past/present/future). So these Words of the Bible, the things that Jesus taught, the way He lived, these things aren't just some nice little teaching - they ARE GOD! "I am the way and the truth and the life, and nobody comes to the Father God except through me" (John 14:6). Thanks for reading.
The first thing that comes to mind - does He? He tells us to love our neighbor AS ourself, but AHEAD?
1 Corinthians 10:24: "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." - so you're looking to others first, parallel to "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). So in the same way that we are called to put God first, we are called to put others first. Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
But why? Why does God want this? God is certainly aware of the fact that people are selfish, at times evil and willing to take advantage of good, God fearing people that want to live these teachings out and thus get walked on. Why would God want that? He DOESN'T! What He wants is "each of you" looking to "the interests of the others." Not just "I looked out for her, but she looked out for herself, and so I got taken advantage of." Apply this to all such situations. God doesn't want this violated, and any time when it is, it's the same as the same as the sins that God tolerates - tolerated, not desired. If every single person on Earth truly lived out that teaching and put others first, we would live like Kings and Queens in Eden. I would get a compliment from 10 other people, so would you, and so would 9 other people - all we would have to do is send out 10 compliments. Do you see what I'm saying? If we all took care of others, everyone (including us) would be taken care of. But that's not the approach that every, or even ANY one takes, is it? Don't blame God, blame them, and know that He will blame them on Judgment Day if they don't turn from this with the time that remains.
God "created us in His image" (Genesis 1:27). This is a huge reason that He wants us to take care of each other. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus tells the story of "the least of these," where He makes clear that anything we do for others, God sees it as the way we treat Him. Rude to them? Rude to Him. Fantasized immorally about them? Fantasized immorally about Him. On and on. The passage does this by making clear that if we took care of others, we took care of God. If we didn't take care of others, then despite not ever directly seeing God on Earth, it would be as if we had denied Him service when He was hungry or thirsty or somehow (INCLUDING mentally/emotionally) in need. In this story, God thanked the righteous for helping Him, and He condemned the wicked for ignoring Him - both groups were very confused as to when they had EVER seen or helped/not helped Him. It was at this point that He made clear that what you do for others is what you do for God. Notice that the group of righteous people did what they did for others without even realizing they would be rewarded? They were actually confused when rewarded, because they weren't there to be rewarded but to live honorably and put others first - THIS is what God is looking for and that from ALL of us - as if Eden restored. And since other people are made in the image of God, quite literally "coming from God" (the creator of all), even the most filthy sinner is still bearing an image, a purpose (though they don't live it out) that was given to them by God, and to insult or judge them is to insult or judge their creator. This is why it's wrong to hurt (in any type of way) or fantasize about hurting (again, in any type of way) others. Notice how carefully human beings are referred to in this passage:
James 3:9-10: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." - it's not just that they are "human beings," but "human beings who have been made in God's likeness." These are the people that we cuss out and put second. We should be looking to give them the special treatment that God desires for them. Thanks for reading.
For all the scientists that are outraged by this idea of creation, consider this: Newton's Third Law of Physics states that "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" - this implies that the Big Bang couldn't have just exploded without a force causing it. No creation narrative has proof, because proof would be proving what the causing force to your creation was - science has the Big Bang creating something, the Bible and other religions have God - one is not smarter or more tasteful than the other. The first Words of the Bible, from Genesis 1:1, are this: "In the beginning God created." So for Christians, "in the beginning" God was already there. For scientists, when nothing existed, the Big Bang somehow happened. So something is supernatural, being there without being created by something - it's either God or the Big Bang - I'll pick a deity over an idea any day. Thanks for reading.
He is our creator
The wording of this question implies that God is an interruption of some sort - I already have my life and my world, so why does God need to be in it? What purpose does He serve? What this mindset fails to remember, is that without the God we now question, there is no question to be asked, no life to be lived - this is one of the "points" for God, that without Him nothing exists. For all the scientists that are outraged by this idea of creation, consider this: Newton's Third Law of Physics states that "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" - this implies that the Big Bang couldn't have just exploded without a force causing it. No creation narrative has proof, because proof would be proving what the causing force to your creation was - science has the Big Bang creating something, the Bible and other religions have God - one is not smarter or more tasteful than the other. The first Words of the Bible, from Genesis 1:1, are this: "In the beginning God created." So for Christians, "in the beginning" God was already there. For scientists, when nothing existed, the Big Bang somehow happened. So something is supernatural, being there without being created by something - it's either God or the Big Bang - I'll pick a deity over an idea any day. So one of the points of God is that He creates, because we know that we cannot create the way that God did - human beings barely even created a decent story to compete with God's ideas and existence! We can hardly even read into Genesis 1:1 in the correct depth of spirit, let alone participate as the creator - He is God, the creator. This is one of the points.
He is our sustainer
Another point for God is that He sustains. Matthew 5:45: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." - so in the same way that only He could create, only He could sustain. Want proof? The proof is that, if I asked you to send rain down upon the place that currently needs it, whether to counter droughts or to prosper soil, if I asked you to do it, you couldn't. And if I commanded the sun to rise or set or be nearer or farther, I could only make wishful sounds. Only GOD can do those things, and He does every day (the sun rises, sets, it rains every day, etc.). We couldn't possibly do this without Him - we need Him. It's hard to live in a world that you didn't create and don't sustain (the most we do is recycle, honestly), and then to live in such a world and challenge the meaning of "God" when He is believed to be the creator and sustainer, is truly wild. The only counter to this is that God did not create and does not sustain. We established earlier that while I can't prove to you that God created everything, we at least established that there are no better ideas, not even from science - and with nothing better to believe, why not believe in God? An explosion in the sky when nothing existed DOES NOT make sense - a supernatural God that transcends what we believe and understand - this is the most sensible thing to believe at this point. And He doesn't sustain? That's ridiculous. Even science is APPALLED by the precision with which our world operates - the fact that EVERYONE (even twins) is different, the sun NEVER fails to rise, the temperatures are the same now as they've pretty much always been - that's impossible without regulation. It's impossible that, in all our time on this planet, something doesn't go wrong - just ask the dinosaurs that were struck by an asteroid: no matter how many millions of years you're around, SOMETHING has to go wrong, unless the creation is protected and sustained by a "God" of sorts. And so at this point, the sun and stars should have fallen out of the sky, or our planet should have drifted away, or it should be 400 degrees hotter or colder than it once was - the perfection of creation is utter proof that God both created and sustained it, and so clearly His role as sustainer (to keep things going) is another point for His existence and function in our everyday lives.
Another point for God's existence is that He cares about and takes care of us. Psalm 55:22: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." - so we can cast our cares (our worries and ALL that we're going through, truly anything that you "care" about) "on Him" - He will take the burden for us. This is what it looks like to cry out in prayer - it's your physical body and burden to bear, but you can in essence transfer that burden "on Him" by "casting it," basically throwing it on God, taking your burden and lifting it up to Him in deep, reflective prayer. Similarly, 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you." - so not only does God "sustain us" and not only can we cast our hardships on Him (life would not be sustainable without this - I'm sure you can agree, and if not then just imagine going through your worst week without reprieve and without God) - we can also know that we can cast these things on Him "because He cares." If we did not have God looking out for us in this world, caring about us and sustaining us, we would be in serious trouble - in a world ran by the Devil, where even the atheist will admit that human beings tend to be selfish and "ungodly" - in such a world where everyone looks out for themselves, if we didn't have a God looking after us then we would be in some serious trouble. This is why Christians, despite being so generous and so walked on, seem to be doing just fine, or at least alright - their selfless style of living somehow hasn't made them enough of a target that they've been ruined. The world should have ruined them by now. THIS, the fact that God is sustaining and taking care of us, is another point for His existence.
What He teaches us/calls us to do everyday
Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so clearly this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life. In John 17:17 Jesus says that "your Word (He was talking to God) is truth" - so it's not just that the Bible spoke of the truth or was true - it literally IS truth. John 14:6: "I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through me." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") is how we are saved. In the same way, come to know and live out the Words of the Bible, which are also truth (this is what Jesus did during His life on Earth). This is the "only way to the Father" - without Jesus, the Bible, without "the truth" we cannot come close to God, so if we intend to unlock the reason for His existence, we can certainly point to these same truths. And they are absolutely one of the main points for God's existence. There is simply no counter for God's guidance in the Bible - the only books and teachings that come even relatively close in terms of how much they teach, are other religious materials, and they tend to prove themself either less loving, less intelligent, or both than the Bible. So we can say, with very little debate, that the nearly MILLION Words in the Bible will guide you in your everyday life. Let me give you an example - Proverbs 6:25: "Do not lust after beauty." - this is a smaller verse and the chances are that you didn't know it. But if you lived it out, it would totally change your life. Having your life changed by God isn't what most people think - it's not always the stereotype of finding faith and getting baptized and the Heavens open up and angels sing - sometimes it's just in the daily. Quitting porn. Being more patient and kinder ("love is patient and kind" - 1 Corinthians 13:4). Putting others first. Being more disciplined. ON AND ON IT GOES. For every possible scenario we could face in life, the Bible has guidance, and "I hear you when you pray, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13). The Bible has guidance, and we know that "your Word is truth" (John 17:17) and we know that Jesus is "The way and the truth and the life, the only way to the Father" (John 14:6). This is another point of God's existence.
What role He wants to play in our everyday lives
Not only does God give us daily teachings, but He also plays a daily role in our lives. In addition to creating us, sustaining us, and teaching us - He is also WITH US in our everyday lives. In Matthew 1:23 Jesus as described as "Immanuel - God with us." So it's not just that He's "God in Heaven," but also God IN OUR HEARTS. When you have anxiety, you're not just praying to some deity in another dimension. He is WITH YOU. Deuteronomy 31:8: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” So don’t be afraid or anxious, and don't be discouraged or depressed (the terms are interchangeable, the Bible would have meant anxiety and depression by "afraid and discouraged," the language is just older), because no matter where we go and what we go through, God will be with us "wherever" we go, so we have no reason for giving ground to these attacks on our peace and life in Christ. He goes before you, He’s been in Hell for 3 days, He knows what darkness feels like and He’s with you even now, and He will never leave you or forsake you even in those darkest moments. So don’t be afraid or anxious, and don't be discouraged or depressed, because no matter where we go and what we go through, God will be with us "wherever" we go. Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you WHEREVER you go.” Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." - so even in the deepest hardships and darkness God is with us. But the verse said, "even though I walk," so we must walk through these things, and we know that God walks with us. So walk through these hardships, these temptations, through everything that we face in this life, and stand firm, because even at your worst and when you mess up or it's all darkness, whatever the case may be, God is still there ("wherever"). Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge and strength, an EVER-PRESENT help in times of trouble." - God wants to be there for you, present, when you're going through it. So we know that God is with us, not only having created us and sustained us and taught us - but He DOES these things daily. He creates opportunities, He sustains us through hardships, He is teaching us daily as we read more from His Word and spend more time in prayer (oftentimes we will receive callings from Him or feel moved to do something outside of reading the written Bible, oftentimes He will put something on our heart or mind) - in this way He is active in our lives, and so are His Words. Hebrews 4:12: "The Word of God is alive and active." - and we NEED this active God. Psalm 42:2: "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" If God were dead, or inactive, everything would have long ago perished. We need Him, and there He is everyday. This is another point of God's existence.
He is our Savior and He leads us to eternity if we follow Him
The final point that we will look at is that God is our Savior, and ultimately if we follow Him in our everyday lives He will guide us into eternity. If you go in order, we've told a pretty good, chronologically ordered story: God created us, sustained us, gave us guidance, and He still creates and sustains and guides/interacts with us in the present as an active God. We needed a creator, needed a sustainer, needed His guidance (though we reject it, and you see how that goes, from Adam and Eve all the way down to you) - and we need these things everyday. I can't create a job opportunity without God graciously, as the creator that He is, opening that door. Let's say I get the job - I can't "sustain it" (keep the job and do well) without God graciously enabling and allowing my success - I would use the hands and feet and mind that HE gave me. And I couldn't do my job the right way, at least not to completion/perfection (and you should never stop striving if you are short of that) without God's guidance - to work with all your heart (Colossians 3:23), to be as skillful as possible while also keeping integrity (Matthew 10:16), and to do whatever it is that we do for God's glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We need God for all these reasons, but we're missing one at this point: we need a savior. Yes, God created, sustained, and guided us, and He is ACTIVE in doing this, but this leaves out the fact that we as human beings have totally disregarded and disobeyed His teachings, done a poor job of creating and sustaining godliness in our everyday lives, and in many other ways we have stored up wrath against ourselves as the human race - this is ALSO something that is "active" as sins are taking place even today. God, being perfect, is full of love - but His perfection also requires justice, and justice say that our sins need a payment. This is where Hell comes into play. It wasn't created for humans, but for Satan and his demons, those that originally disobeyed God and now lead others to do so in the daily. So God, in love, didn't intend for US to receive Hell, but we still choose it. How could we pay for our sins? It's impossible, truly. And even if we did, it would probably only be a few minutes before we sinned again and needed new payment. God, in love, left the Throne of Heaven to come down to Earth and live a difficult life full of hardships - Jesus Christ was God in the human flesh. He was born in a manger (a feeding trough for animals) in a dump for a city (Nazareth), and He lived His entire human life without wealth or romance or others accepting Him (He had a few followers, but even the closest of them consistently doubted Him and one even betrayed Him, and apart from this the whole world was against Him). That was His birth and life - let's talk about His death: He died the most painful death possible, being crucified on the cross. Isaiah 53:5: "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by his wounds we are healed." - the punishment that brought us peace. The rags that we are, we needed to be wrung out - He took that on the cross. HE was pierced for US. It's by HIS wounds that we are healed. In this way, He has saved us from eternal "justice" - He is our Savior. And we NEED Him to be our Savior - we could never do this on our own. Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." Notice that this is not from yourself. There's no good work, no payment for sins that you could do that would ever be enough - every evil thought and action, even for the best human, is going to distance us from eternal life - a perfect eternity calls for different standards. So we couldn't save ourself, it really does require God's grace - we need a Savior, and this is the point of God (or one of the points at least). It is "by grace" - by the grace of God - that we have "been saved." It's not "from ourselves" and so we cannot boast. We truly need to humble ourselves and admit that we need a creator, sustainer, guidance, and forgiveness. Collectively, this is the point of God - there are millions of other things that could be said, but this is a summary of the absolute requirements that we have that God fulfills.
All the points summarized:
So let's recap all the points we've discussed for God's existence: He created everything, sustained everything, gave us guidance, and gave us forgiveness/a way to Heaven in spite of disobeying His guidance - and as we looked at, He DOES these things and we DO the disobedience in the present time. Thanks for reading.
A man once considered this, and asked Jesus for something - "if He could". Mark 9:23: “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” - keep in mind the context. The man wasn't asking for riches or romance or personal gain. He was asking for his son to be freed from demons - he was asking that his son be reconciled to God. There's no money, no relationship, and no personal gain that is more valuable than this. And it will always be possible. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." So you WILL find Him - whether it's in a Bible verse, something He puts on your mind when you pray, or getting over an addiction or other bad habit (much like the young man in the story, having a demon and needing to get rid of it so he could be closer to God). In terms of this, in terms of faith, all things are possible. But are ALL things really possible?
Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." There's no mountain we can't move, no battle we can't win, no habit or addiction we can't kill - but not by our own strength - by God we can do these things. Yes, "I" can do "all" things - but only "through Christ who gives me strength." But remember this: just because we "can" win doesn't mean we WILL. If we expect God to always give us the result that we want, always the victory, then that in itself is like trusting in ourselves or trying to BE God (always calling the shots and pulling the strings the way that we want to instead of just following God). So I can do all things, but what will I choose to do? Choices, choices, and more choices - we see it in the Bible, and we see it in our lives. That's why it says in Joshua 24:15 to "choose this day whom you will serve." THIS DAY, not tomorrow or next week or year or later down the road. Today. These aren't ancient verses to the Israelites, this is God's message to you today. If you want to look at that, click that, think that, drink that, smoke that, say that, and be that, then that's your choice. But not everything is beneficial. Be careful. 1 Corinthians 6:12: "I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial, and I will not be mastered by anything." - don't be mastered by sins and habits and thoughts and feelings and other things - master these things instead as you follow God in your everyday life, for we know that we can do all things through Christ. Notice that the verse said that we could do “all things” - don’t allow Satan to pull your heart away by thinking things like “yeah, but not THAT” - Satan WILL use strategies like this to keep you down. You can never get up without realizing that you can “do all things” and without trying “through Christ.” The context of this verse is that the author had said in verse 12 (just 1 verse earlier) that he had learned the secret to being content when he has nothing and when he has more than enough - he then says in verse 13 “I can do all this (commonly translated all things) through Christ who gives me strength.” So when we think about “doing all things” only great things will come to mind - solving world hunger, curing cancer, breaking addictions, never sinning again, etc. - but don’t miss the little things by overlooking them for greater things that may not be in store just yet. Of ALL THE THINGS he could have been saying when he said “all things” it was about being content (happy with what you have, again whether you have nothing or you have plenty, just being content) and a few verses earlier it talked about anxiety and our thoughts/mindset and what we pursue and our daily practices (Philippians 4:6-9), so when we hear that we can “do all things” remember that it’s this daily life that God cares about.
Jesus was desperately looking to avoid the crucifixion - He prays to God these Words in Mark 14:36: "Everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me (the cup refers to the wrath He will face on the cross - basically take away the crucifixion). Yet not what I will, but what you will.” - basically He didn't (like the man earlier) ask "if you can" but rather "if you will." He said it Himself - "Everything is possible for you." We CAN do all things through Christ. All things ARE possible with God. But that doesn't mean it WILL happen. Jesus says it Himself - "Yet not what I will, but what you will." Basically "not my will but yours be done." The story ends with Jesus being crucified. It was possible for Him to escape the crucifixion, but that wasn't God's plan - the crucifixion had to take place so that humanity could achieve forgiveness for their sins. So, when the answer to this question is "yes, but no" - when all things CAN be done but WON'T, when the answer is no, I want you to take the same approach that Jesus does - "not my will but yours be done." And not only did He say that, He also lived it out - He went up to the cross. If that's God's plan, then do it. If God says no to that relationship or dream, then accept that. Not my will, but yours be done.
Matthew 17:20: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” A mustard seed is so small you might need a microscope to see it - and you can use THAT to move MOUNTAINS. But again, notice the wording - you "can" not you "will." And it says that "nothing will be impossible." So it's all possible with God, but that doesn't mean it's going to happen.
The biggest takeaway for you today is your devotion to God in your everyday life. Look at the Wording from these verses today - "Everything is possible" BUT "for one who believes" (Mark 9:23). "You WILL find Him" BUT "if you seek Him with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13). "I can do all things" BUT "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). And now finally, in Matthew 17:20, we see that we can move mountains - but a lot of us stop there, without looking at the mustard seed. A lot of us want to test God - "if God is so good, then He would___." We want the mountain to move, but we don't want to need a mustard seed. We want to do all things, but we don't want to have to bother with Christ who gives us strength. So let me ask you - are you really in this with all your heart? Believe, seek Him with all your heart in your everyday life, do these things through Christ, have faith, do it ALL. If, for example, you want a spiritual breakthrough, don't just blame God for not giving it to you - quit lust and other bad habits. Do it, it's possible. You can do ALL THINGS but through Christ. If you don't include the "through Christ, if you believe, seek with all your heart" - if you skip these things, then you can be sure that you won't see a victory either. Thanks for reading.
Much like abortion and the Trinity, "porn" is NEVER mentioned in the Bible. Shocking, right? Not really. The reason for that is because 2,000 years later we see things differently and we have different terminology. Back in Biblical times, the command regarding abortion was "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) - and that's what abortion is, but with a newer lens we've given it a new name. Doesn't change anything - abortion is murder, and thus the Bible addresses it. There are also MILLIONS of times that the Bible proves the Trinity - just look it up, honestly. So with porn, it is mentioned in the Bible as "lust."
What is lust?
Matthew 5:28: “Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Jesus sets the standard here for sexual immorality. It applies to all lustful looking (both genders going both ways, "anyone who looks"). Lust can be defined as "pursuing something God has called you to give up." For example, in Exodus 20:17 one of the Commandments is to "not covet" your neighbors wife or house or anything of his. Why not? Don't I get to desire what I want? Right, but God said it, so would you really still pursue it? You've now put it ahead of God and have MADE IT god in your life - that is lust. Why can't I masturbate to porn? There doesn't seem to be any reason greater than "because there can only be one God in your life."
Matthew 6:21-23: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness." The Hebrew word for "healthy" implies "generous," and for "unhealthy" it implies "stingy" when translated. So basically, what you desire and treasure (whether lust, purity, or anything in between) - that's where your heart is, and that's where it will be eternally - is your heart going to Heaven, or Hell? Proverbs 4:23 says that "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." So you do what's in your heart, and what's in your heart is based on your desires. Look back at the point I made about "generous" and "stingy." This all ties together. "Be careful, little eyes, what you CHOOSE to see." When you look at someone/something, are you generous (loving as God is loving), or are you stingy and selective and only thinking in terms of how you can gratify our own desires? It all starts with a look. But what were you looking for? Guard your heart, cleanse your perspective, give your desires to God and center them around Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality and learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust."
So what do we do? Find a real, authentic, consistent relationship. Genesis 2:24: "A man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." - so who leaves his father and mother, a young kid? No a man. A woman. A true adult. And who does the man unite (have sex) with? His girlfriend? A consenting adult? No, "his wife." Why is the Bible so restrictive? Because it's a serious act. The verse said that they "become one flesh" - this is true both literally and symbolically. You can use your imagination but yes two flesh do physically unite in sex. Symbolically though, sex isn't just a fun act that you do with tons of people whenever you're feeling it. It's a serious act that unites those that do it. It's not like test driving a car - you are united to him/her, even if you have regrets or find this teaching to be narrow - it would be like if you had to buy the first car you test drive. My advice? Don't drive until you're ready, and be VERY, very sure of who you ride (lol). Thanks for reading.
I will give you the short answer to this question, and you won't like it. That being said, if you don't read my full explanation, you won't understand, so you have no room to judge until you've heard me out. Short answer: No. God's grace does not "mean we can keep sinning" - it means we have been forgiven from past sins. To those who use God's grace as a reason to keep sinning, Jude 1:4 says: "They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." - this verse goes to show that we have been saved by God's grace, not our own righteousness. People will often assume that by saying "no" I mean to say that from here on out we must never sin again - with this misunderstanding, they'll cite Ephesians 2:8-9 to tell me "God gives us grace, you're wrong to say we can no longer sin." Ironically, this very verse proves them wrong. By grace you have been what? "Saved." So if grace has saved you from sins, why on Earth would you return to them? Yes, technically, because of God's forgiveness we are afforded imperfection, but at the same time you never know when your time will come, and you don't want to be living in sin. Grace is "the gift of God" and it has "saved" us from sins. On the other hand, Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - so what you earn with (wages, like a salary) sin is "death" but the GIFT (there's that word again) of God is eternal life. So the "gift" of God's grace gives us eternal life, while further sins earn us death - sins and grace are in opposition. Many people make the mistake of trying to constantly cover over sins with grace, as if drawing on a piece of paper so that it's no longer blank. The problem with this is that God has given us a "gift" with grace, but sin is the opposite of God's gift in Romans 6:23 - so with further sins, it's as if you're returning the gift or rejecting it, choosing (and earning) eternal death instead of life - God's grace doesn't enable this, it saves you from it. If I saved you from getting hit by a car, would go and stand in front of another one? That's what this is. God's grace isn't so you can keep sinning, but so that you can be freed from sins. John 8:11: "I do not condemn (or judge) you, go and sin no more." - so it's not JUST that He has forgiven us, but He has called us to GO and sin "no more" (from this moment on we are called to avoid sins). Galatians 4:9: “But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” To continue submitting to these sins means that we are no longer submitting to God's grace, but these demonic forces. Romans 6:14: "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
God's grace forgives our past. Think about it like this: if someone offered you 1 gift, you would ask them for the thing you want most. But with sins, we're requiring a new gift - it's almost like saying: "for my one gift, I'd like 2 gifts." That being said, God's FUTURE grace will forgive our FUTURE sins (this is where many of you will agree with me and start to understand/breathe a sigh of relief because you can keep sinning) - "His mercies are new every morning" (Lamentations 3:23). But these mercies are new, and this grace has saved us, SO THAT we could move forward. In John 8:11 Jesus says "I do not condemn you, go and sin no more." So Jesus doesn't condemn that sinner and doesn't condemn us either. Why not? "I do not condemn you" so that you will "go and sin no more." This isn't just a free thing we have with God where we show no regard and hide all our repeated sins behind His forgiveness. That's abusing God's grace, and we will pay for it eternally. Hebrews 10:29: "How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" so don't insult the "spirit" of this grace. The spirit, or like the point, of this gift is that we would receive it without having to be good enough, but then we would move forward. In Acts 13:43 we are called to "continue in the grace of God" and in 1 Peter 5:12 we are called to "stand fast in it" - His grace doesn't enable the sins that we seek to justify/participate in, rather His grace saves us from these things and so we are clearly called to move forward, and His mercies are there when we need them - but keep in mind that God will make an actual judgment on the Judgment Day, and with our pasts forgiven we are called to live wholeheartedly for God with the time that remains. Philippians 3:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, I have not reached my goal (he's not good enough, he has reason to fear the judgment day). But one thing I will do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on towards Jesus." - move forward, receive the eternal life, the gift that results from God's grace. Acts 17:28: "For in Him we live and move and have our being." - since we are made in His image, and our being is "in Christ" (we are His), then we shall "live" (receive His eternal life) in Him and "move" (forward from sins) in Him.
This is absolutely NOT to say that we are earning our eternity. Galatians 2:21: "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” - Christ died for our sins, and if we were tasked with earning eternal life through our own righteousness, then it would be as if Christ had died for nothing. But His death DOES have meaning. 2 Corinthians 5:15: "He died for us so that we could live for Him." - our sin had earned us eternal death (Romans 6:23), and so Jesus, in His perfection, took our penalty on the cross so that we could live (Isaiah 53:5). And we are called to live for Him - does it honor His sacrifice on the cross to keep sinning? God does say "I do not condemn you" - but for good reason He follows up with "go and sin no more."
Titus 2:11-12: "The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." - so right now in your everyday life, in "this present age," we live our lives for Christ by following His Words, saying yes and no to the right and wrong things at the right times as He and His Words guide us - HIS GRACE has done what? "Offered" salvation. Salvation is to be saved from sins. "Eternal salvation" or "salvation from sins" or even just straight up "salvation" may sound familiar. But God's grace doesn't "give" us salvation, it OFFERS it. God's not going to say "I forgive you forever, keep sinning and I'll see you in Heaven." NO. It's an OFFER. "I do not condemn you" - but "go and sin no more." It's an offer. His grace forgives our sins, not enabling more - that shouldn't be our goal.
2 Peter 3:17-18: "Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - so it’s possible to fall even when you’re "secure" - this isn’t just a one and done where you believe and are saved and get baptized or maybe go to church or whatever - you gotta actually keep growing. But God's message to you in this moment isn't one of fear or condemnation, but rather that you would be willing to follow Him wholeheartedly, leaving out all the rest. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for what you do have, not for who you think you should be or for what you don’t have. He healed the sick, and He did it on the side of the road where they were - He met them in their sickness, in that place that they were - He doesn't require you to "clean up" - HE cleans you up. Just be honest and willing, and you will be accepted - this is grace.
Romans 3:23-24: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." - One of the biggest lies about the Bible is that Romans 3:23 says "we all fall short." It does NOT say that. It says we all "have sinned." PAST TENSE. In the past, meaning this verse isn't an excuse to keep sinning. We are called to move forward in His grace, and we know that despite out sins we are "freely" justified by it. 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient (enough) for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Thanks for reading.
The lie that people believe is that abortion and the debate between life and choice is not addressed in the Bible. That’s a lie. The whole story of Israel was that everyone came from Adam, then everyone came from Noah after the flood killed everyone but him and his family, and then all the Israelites came from the old man Abraham (who was 100 years old when he had his son, it was a miracle and he doubted it could even happen) - life seemed hopeless, but Abraham miraculously had a son, then his son had kids, then his son had kids, etc etc, and without these lives there is no Israel, just like how without Jesus’s life there is no Savior or forgiveness or eternal life - so obviously life is hugely important, including in the Bible. But that’s just the surface, let’s dive deeper: John 10:10: "The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and life to the full." - Jesus came so that we could have life. Think about it: when God originally created us, we were immortal (God didn’t create us to die, but to have eternal life, which is why Romans 6:23 describes sin as “earning death” and eternal life as “God’s gift” - He had given us eternal life, and it’s His aim to do so here today as well with salvation, but we keep sinning and choosing death). It was only when Adam and Eve sinned against God that death entered the world (Genesis 2:17) - and this was the work of Satan, who had tempted them to sin in the Garden of Eden. So the work of God is life, and the work of Satan is death. It has been this way since the Garden of Eden, the very beginning, and we will take the same stance TODAY and always when it comes to abortion, euthanasia (assisted suicide), and all else. This includes quality of life, like how substances and porn might not kill you, but they will make you dead inside, and they are a part of that sinning that leads to death. Romans 6:23 describes life as a gift from God, so when it comes to these issues that aren’t addressed word for word in the Bible, we should be careful to realize that the Bible still talks about them. Back in Biblical times, the command regarding abortion was "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) - and that's what abortion is, but with a newer lens we've given it a new name. Doesn't change anything - abortion is murder, and thus the Bible addresses it. Just because in our current culture we don’t see abortion as murder, it still is - a defenseless human life is killed (and scientifically it is a human life, and not a “clump of cells” because life begins at conception according to experts).
Jesus was born poor and in Nazareth (which, in John 1:46 is described as a dump) and it was a surprise (Mary was not expecting this baby) - this fits all the characteristics for a baby that would be aborted: they didn't expect the baby, didn't want the baby, and probably couldn't afford the baby - but they (Mary and Joseph) made it work and look at what He ended up doing for the world - He died on the cross to take away the sins of all. Don’t take life away from yourself or others through euthanasia or abortion just because it might not look good (you may be poor or deathly ill or whatever the case may be, but look at how lowly Jesus was and even if you don’t believe in Him you have to admit His Name is pretty popular so He made quite a big something out of the nothing that He was destined for, so clearly everyone should be given a chance to have life and life to the full).
2 Corinthians 5:15 says that "He died for us so that we may live for Him." - so He gave us life and He doesn't want us to use that life to live for ourselves or not live when we don't want to live or not have others live because we don't want a baby or believe they deserve euthanasia, whatever the case may be. If you don't believe in the Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:15 might mean nothing to you, but think of it like this: you are alive, and you did nothing to earn that, so how could you take that away from someone else? They should be able to pursue the greatest life left for them with the time that remains, even if they're impoverished or destined to die or just a fetus that you don't see as valid - whatever the case may be, the case should keep living and none among the living should so hypocritical as to dispute that and hide behind the notion of “choice” while they themselves have to be alive to advocate for death.
John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life." Acts 17:28: "For in Him we LIVE and move and have our being" - we actually live, move, have our being - we get to do these things. He came so that we may have life here on Earth and find eternal life in Him - and we know that abortion and euthanasia and other pro-choice approaches take away from this. John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the LIFE." Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is LIFE." Genesis 1:27: "God created us in His image" - He created us with intention and design because He cares deeply for us, and so we should also value our lives and the lives of others and take the pro-life approach. Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations." So before you're even born or even in the womb God loves you! He has plans for you, and pro-choice (death) approaches take away from this. In this and many, many other ways, the Bible condemns abortion and other pro-choice approaches. Leviticus 19:16: "Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life." Thanks for reading.
The first thing you have to realize is that this is NOT literal. It is figurative. as I am not Jesus's literal right hand, but rather I'm called to be His "right hand man" and do what He calls me to do. Being the body of Christ means that Christ and His works dwell within us and flow out of us in our everyday lives, just as they did out of His physical body.
Colossians 2:9: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." - so in Jesus Christ, God LITERALLY LIVED as a human being on Earth - this is one of the many verses that affirms the doctrine of the Trinity. So if God lived in Jesus, and Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as the "exact representation" of God's being, then we get the idea: we are called to represent God in all that we do, and let His work in this world take place through us. This is what it means to be His body - to represent Him. "Exact representation" - we are called to let the "fullness" of the Deity carry on through us. The words "exact" and "fullness" show the importance of never giving less than our entire hearts, never being lukewarm or ensnared in sin - "nobody's perfect" was never an excuse Jesus used to sin - He NEVER sinned. He was the EXACT representation of God, and God lived in Him FULLY. This is what it looks like to be the literal body of God, that Jesus Christ was literally God's human representation - we are not the "literal" body but the symbolic one. The Church, Christians, those who wish to do good, we are all called to form one body that represents Christ, who lives on in us and in our hearts (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 3:24/4:12/4:16).
And so, as members of this body, we are called to never give up, and always give everything we have towards the work of God in this world and in our everyday lives - this is starting to sound a lot like Jesus, right? Good, it's a parallel - He followed God, now we follow God in the SAME WAY, for He is "the way" and "the only way to the Father in Heaven" (John 14:6). 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
So what does being the body of Christ actually look like? Ephesians 4:15: "Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become the body of Christ." - notice that it's "we." This is a community thing - the Church, the believers. It's not just that other people need to start doing these things - you do. We ALL do. Speaking the truth (whatever it may be) in love (even if it's a harsh truth, remaining patient and kind and all the other things that the Bible describes as "love" in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and other places), WE will "grow" - this takes time. Why aren't we already there? Even the most Godly church of them all isn't perfect, isn't like Jesus in that He was the "exact" representation of God and who "in fullness" had God in Him - we all fall short of this, and it's something that we are called to chase after and "grow" towards through things like how we speak to others (being BOTH truthful and loving - and this is just one example from our everyday lives of how we can do this).
Consider a body. What comes to mind? A heart? Then have a heart that loves others and chases after God. A mind? Think pure thoughts and put your mind to work for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Hands? Put them to work for the Lord and for His ministry, and with those same hands abstain from sins (use your imagination). Feet? Follow our Lord on the path in your everyday life, and be willing to walk with others on their journey. Eyes? Look to the Lord in all that you do, and be willing to see things differently, be willing to wait on Him when you can't see it - and also "Turn my eyes away from worthless things (again, use your imagination); preserve my life according to your word (the words of the Bible are how we are to live our everyday lives)" (Psalm 119:37). Ears? Listen for God, be patient when you feel disconnected from Him (except when the disconnection is because you aren't trying/seeking Him), and selflessly listen to others intently (James 1:19 gives a great description for our calling to listen BEFORE speaking). THIS is what it looks like to be the body of Christ, to be His hands and feet. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Honor God with your bodies." - your mind, heart, hands (what you do) and feet (where you go, think of these things symbolically) are all a part of your body. Honor God in all that you do.
1 Corinthians 12:15-20: “Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” - you are a part of this. You are the hands and feet of Jesus, and He loves you - even if you feel insignificant or if you're not that religious - the ENTIRE body of Christ was specifically crafted by God and is loved by Him. You are wanted for the specific role that play in the body, and you are loved. Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - that includes you. You are called by God as a part of His purposes, so love Him and live for Him.
I think it would be appropriate to end by saying this: think of Christ on the cross. Arms stretched out in dedication towards God, His body given over to do the good work that God had called Him to do, to the benefit of others (forgiving their sins). THIS is what being the body of Christ, His hands and feet in our everyday lives, looks like. Thanks for reading.
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - a lot of people focus on the second part of the verse, and don't get me wrong it's great, but I favor the first few words. God created our inmost being. He knows our thoughts, our longings and what we've been through. It was the same thing for the Israelites, which is why He could say "I have seen your misery and heard your despair and I am concerned for you" (Exodus 3:7). God knows about our bad habits, what specifically clicks and doesn't click with us - it's personal, it's our inmost being, and He created it. Satan attacks it. Whether with selfish pursuits, false humility and imaging, sexual pleasures or desires, alcohol or substances - Satan is always attacking from the mind and heart, the inmost being. But God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" so I say that today we take a stand and praise God for this work, and honor it by doing the best we can and taking care of it, again all from the inmost being. The rest of this verse means that we know, no matter how addicted or unattractive or messy or dirty we may feel, we know that God created us fearfully and wonderfully and that we are enough. We don't have to compare, or cut, or drink, or smoke, or dress more or less or differently - there is nothing you have to do - you are enough because He made you perfectly the way you are. Honor that by living for Him and taking a stand against the Devil's work in your life.
We know that God has specifically designed and created us for great purposes. Jeremiah 1:5: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations." So before you're even born or even in the womb God loves you! He has plans for you - this is why, to the same man, He says this in Jeremiah 29:11: "I know the plans I have for you - plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - so His plans are for our future, to give us hope and eternal prosperity despite what we may go through on Earth - all of this He had in store BEFORE He formed us in the womb. Also, HE FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB. So deep are these passages in showing how valuable you are to God. All of us are "made in the image of God" (His likeness, Genesis 1:26-27). Fearfully and wonderfully He crafted us, with great plans and things in store, and so "I praise you because your works (including you and the plans that He has for your life) are wonderful, for I know this full well" (Psalm 139:13-14). We KNOW that we are made wonderfully. God KNOWS the plans He has for us. These things leave no room for doubt. He has purposes for us in our everyday lives as well, this isn't just some far off plan of His. Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - we aren't JUST His specific creation and totally unique (which is already amazing) - we are also "fearfully and wonderfully made" - His "handiwork." God doesn't care about physical appearances, He cares about your heart (1 Samuel 16:7). So we are His handiwork - "created to." Created to. There is a purpose, a reason for His creating us: "to do the good works He has prepared for us" - once again these are things He foresaw. He has "prepared" these good works just like how He knew us and had plans "before the womb." So whether it's abstaining from sins, holding a door and being positive, giving a sermon, and everything in between - do the good works He has for you today. Don't try to force these things and try to unintentionally play the role of God in your life, eliminating His grace by basing salvation on your own good works - rather, "It is by grace that you have been saved, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, instead of trying to do too much and being too forceful/placing too great an emphasis on personal righteousness, simply do the good works that God has for you in your everyday life. Whatever each situation calls for. Temped? Ask yourself what the Bible says to do and live it out. Having a conversation with someone, getting impatient? "Love is patient and kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4). You could apply this to EVERYTHING you do in your everyday life. This isn't always about flying around the world to be this great preacher - we are simply called to do the works He has for us as it's available in all that we do. Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people."
And we know that, more than a certain number of good works, God wants us to be willing to follow Him. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. I'm reminded of the story from Matthew 25:14-30: a master goes on vacation and gives 3 servants some coins before he leaves. He gives one of them 5 coins, another one 2, and the final servant just 1. The servant with 1 coin just buries it and gives it back when he returns. The other two servants multiplied their earnings, from 5 to 10 and from 2 to 4, respectively. The master was furious with the servant who buried the coin because he had made no earnings with his money, but the other two servants he was very happy with. Notice how he was happy with the servant that went from 2 to 4? 2 is less than 5, and 4 is less than 10 - because the size of your gift (how righteous you are/what your life has looked like up to this point) does not matter - 2 is just as fine as 5, but what does matter is that you just be sure to put it to work for the glory of God instead of burying it in the sand, whether that's because sin is stopping spiritual growth/movement in your life, or maybe you're afraid to step out onto the waters with your gift and take a leap of faith - whatever the case may be, don't bury it in the sand.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - so we were bought with a price - He died on the cross to forgive our sins and give us an opportunity to live our lives for Him, so we should do so. Honor God with your bodies. This includes your mind, your heart, your hands and feet, in all that you do and pursue. Thanks for reading.
Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - we aren't JUST His specific creation and totally unique (which is already amazing) - we are also "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13-14) - His "handiwork." God doesn't care about physical appearances, He cares about your heart (1 Samuel 16:7). So we are His handiwork - "created to." Created to. There is a purpose, a reason for His creating us: "to do the good works He has prepared for us" - these are things He foresaw. He has "prepared" these good works just like how He knew us and had plans for us even "before the womb" (Jeremiah 1:5). So whether it's abstaining from sins, holding a door and being positive, giving a sermon, and everything in between - do the good works He has for you today. Don't try to force these things and try to unintentionally play the role of God in your life, eliminating His grace by basing salvation on your own good works - rather, "It is by grace that you have been saved, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, instead of trying to do too much and being too forceful/placing too great an emphasis on personal righteousness, simply do the good works that God has for you in your everyday life. Whatever each situation calls for. Temped? Ask yourself what the Bible says to do and live it out. Having a conversation with someone, getting impatient? "Love is patient and kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4). You could apply this to EVERYTHING you do in your everyday life. This isn't always about flying around the world to be this great preacher - we are simply called to do the works He has for us as it's available in all that we do. Galatians 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people."
And we know that, more than a certain number of good works, God wants us to be willing to follow Him. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. I'm reminded of the story from Matthew 25:14-30: a master goes on vacation and gives 3 servants some coins before he leaves. He gives one of them 5 coins, another one 2, and the final servant just 1. The servant with 1 coin just buries it and gives it back when he returns. The other two servants multiplied their earnings, from 5 to 10 and from 2 to 4, respectively. The master was furious with the servant who buried the coin because he had made no earnings with his money, but the other two servants he was very happy with. Notice how he was happy with the servant that went from 2 to 4? 2 is less than 5, and 4 is less than 10 - because the size of your gift (how righteous you are/what your life has looked like up to this point) does not matter - 2 is just as fine as 5, but what does matter is that you just be sure to put it to work for the glory of God instead of burying it in the sand, whether that's because sin is stopping spiritual growth/movement in your life, or maybe you're afraid to step out onto the waters with your gift and take a leap of faith - whatever the case may be, don't bury it in the sand.
Luke 9:23-24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So look at the wording. Whoever WANTS to be my disciple (He said this to His disciples, so being religious clearly doesn't save you). God won't force you to follow Him, it's only if you want to, but you definitely should, and He loves you. And it's daily. Deny yourself, follow God instead in your everyday life, take up your cross DAILY. If you try to keep life the way you want it here on Earth, then you lose it eternally. However, like Jesus, if you are willing to give your life up and follow God with it and in all that you do, then you will be saved eternally. So deny yourself. Want this, want to be His disciple, and take up your cross, whatever it may be, each and every day. John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father God except through me.” This is how we find fulfilling life, eternal life, and it's only found through Jesus Christ. No other god could compare to this. This is a way of life, and this way of life is life itself. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Follow Him in your everyday life.
To have a willingness to do these things is amazing, and what God requires of us. But notice the wording of Philippians 2:13: "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." So God not only wills, not only has a will/plan, He actually acts - "will and act." He actually fulfills, He gets it done. So in the same way, instead of JUST being willing but not really living it out, we should be acting on our beliefs and getting the result. This is why it is not said of the fruit tree that "you will recognize it by what it wanted to be" but rather “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit" (Matthew 12:33). Thanks for reading.
In Genesis chapter 1, God creates everything. The first words of Genesis 1 are "In the beginning God created" (verse 1) and the last words are "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the sixth day" (verse 31). That pattern that you saw, where "there was evening and morning" happened for all six days. Here's an example: "And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day" (verse 13). It was like this on ALL SIX days. And then in Genesis 2:1-3: "Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
So why did God rest? Take note of one thing: it was NOT because He was actually tired or in need of rest - notice that "the work was finished" - it is totally fair to rest if your work is already finished, and if you can make it until then it's probably not the case that you're actually tired, as you have control over when you choose to rest - in those other verses I showed you, where it was day 3 and then 6 - there were 6 opportunities for God to rest, but He finished His work because He wasn't tired. So why else would He rest?
In Psalm 121:4 it is said of God: "Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." - notice that it didn't say He "hasn't" slept before, but just that He "will not" moving forward. So, if He will not sleep moving forward, He has no need for it - if He had no need for it, why did He rest on the Seventh Day? Clearly, having already finished His work, and having no need to rest, God was making a point to us - do this. Do what? What He did. What did He do? He finished His work first - didn't make any excuses. And sometimes, the work is less. In Genesis 1:31, after creating everything, it is specified that "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." ALL that He made - it didn't say how much. I've worked a 22 hour day before, and I've worked an entire day for just 30 minutes. ALL OF THAT WORK, meaning that the specific amount is not the focus, all of it is supposed to be good. Work good, for God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." Colossians 3:23 says "Whatever you work at, work at it with all your heart, as if working for the Lord." So think about it - no matter what you do, "whatever" it may be, do it "all" for the glory of God "with all your heart." So the amount of work you do is not the main focus, but rather the way in which you do it. So do it for God. It's the same thing in how we follow Him in our lives - it's not about what you achieve, but rather how you do the things that you do. That's why we "follow" God - not everyone gets to be a hero and a big Bible figure or pastor - it's not the achievement, but HOW you operate in all that you do. God created literally everything in six days - in six days, you would do less. And you could also say that some of the six days had FAR more creations that other days - all this points to the fact that the achievement is not what matters, but rather that it's all done to the glory of God.
Genesis 2:3: "Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." - notice that God didn't JUST rest - He made that day holy. This is where the answer to our question comes in: God rested to establish the pattern we shall follow for our Sabbath rest. This day was holy because it was filled with His presence - He was simply there, not striving to achieve, just there (this is His presence, He was present). And in the same way, our Sabbath's are to be filled with His presence (involve God in what you're doing, even those secular moments can be pure, which is more Godly than impure activities even if neither actually involve God). That's why they occur on church days, so that we can participate in the presence of God. So do things that are good and Biblical, things like church, spending time with others, actually resting - consider the Words of the Bible and which activities will draw you nearer to fullness with God. However, this doesn't rule out activities that aren't purely faith-based. For example, me and my mother often spend time together playing cards on the Sabbath - it has nothing to do with God. So you could complain that it's a "common" activity that should be reserved for the other 6 days of the week. However, the time that I spend with my mother playing cards is of Biblical benefit - it honors my mother (Exodus 20:12), brings me the fellowship that the Bible calls us to have, and it's a harmless activity. This can also be said, depending on your situation, for watching football on these Sundays. Only you know if it's really bringing you closer to others/peace/the Lord or if it's just a distraction that you're trying to justify. Notice that God rested "from ALL His work." There is no excuse. Often, I try to cheat on Sabbath days - I'll do a smaller task that isn't very difficult, but obviously throughout the week when I'm busy it would be easier to move it to Sunday. And, having nothing to do on Sunday, I really have nothing to lose by moving it there. The Devil tempts me by telling me that the work is easier and probably not an issue in God's sight. But this verse refutes that - "all work" is to be rested from. What is "work"? Look at what God was doing - creating things. Cooking a meal and driving places is not work, those are simply things we do - calling those things work would be like telling God: "not only can you not create on the Seventh Day, but you also can't blink or walk around." And so clearly these things that we as humans tend to naturally do are not forbidden on the Sabbath. Acts 17:28: "For in Him we live and move and have our being." - so even as we "have our being" in Him and "live in Him," even then, we still "move." There's a difference between natural movement and striving. God strived to create things. So don't strive on Sunday. Whatever it may be that you're unsure about (if it's ok, not ok) - pray, and God will give you the answer (Jeremiah 29:12-13/James 1:5, He will put it on your heart) - and it might also help to consider these facts and examine all things through this specific lens. And also know that, if there is something that emerges that we really, truly need to give our time to, then God will forgive this (Luke 14:5-6, but this is not a license to be distributed every time it would be convenient to cheat, but rather an assurance that God understands us, and out of that understanding He allows us to spend time on emergent things, but out of that same understanding He knows if what we're doing is really necessary or if we're just cheating Him of our time and devotion).
Mark 2:27: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” - The Sabbath is not supposed to be a rule that we are captive to. It is supposed to be something that belongs to us that we can use to rest. God created us with healthy limitations. Can’t we take some time off here and there to spend time with God? It would help us to grow in our faith. Prioritize. Make that time happen. I know that it isn’t easy, but it’s worth it so it shouldn’t be. You can still find rest in the turmoil. If you wait for a perfect opportunity you’ll die before you find it. Some people are too busy to take a Sabbath, but the thing we’re forgetting is that the goal wasn’t for the people to “not work for a day,” but rather take time away from their work, their striving, and spend that time with God - you could do a significant amount of this by replacing overthinking with Bible reading and prayer. That, in concept, could help you Sabbath and rest. You might be overthinking it. Think of it like this - Jesus had a specific way of asking people to rest. In Matthew 11:28, He says “come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” Did you notice that? “Come to me”? So you have to do an action, the action of coming to God, in order to rest? Wouldn’t more action be more exhausting? That’s the point: it doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to make sense. It could actually be more action here today, the adding into a busy schedule things like Bible reading and prayer, that could actually provide you with rest for your soul. Maybe spending 15 minutes on a busy day is all that you really need… So come to God today, and find your rest in the daily things that you do to grow in your faith in Him. Don’t be judged for your Sabbath choices (Colossians 2:16), but rather let your Sabbath choices reflect the person that you want to be and the life that you want to live - are you really dedicated to God? If you're too busy, then THAT is god in your life.
So we've established that God calls us to Sabbath, what that looks like, and that this is the reason He rested on the Seventh Day, but still - why? Why does He want us to Sabbath? Because it's a guaranteed, consistent time with God. If we didn't rest on day 7, we'd be working EVERY day. This is what most of us do, whether it's our job or other strivings in our life. But with the Sabbath Day, you could have had the best, worst, or any type of 6 days - you'll still Sabbath, making God a constant, as He should be in our everyday lives - His presence needs to be an emphasis. The day that God made holy in Genesis 2 is to remain that way - not a "good day" where you take most of your time off. A HOLY day where you rest from ALL work - and this is constant, we never give up our Sabbath, because we want God to be a constant in our lives. This is why the 4th Commandment is to “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8). Remember God in all that you do. THAT'S what this is about. If there was a growth in our faith that the Sabbath could lead us towards, if there was "rest for our souls" in coming to God on this day ("come to me and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28-30 and also "Truly my soul finds rest in God" Psalm 62:1), then we can't miss it. Hebrews 4:3: "Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said." - so if you're truly believing, this is a part of His fullness that we are always striving towards, and we must participate in His rest. He rested by Himself (there was no other god, He alone is God, so we can assume that He rested in Himself) - and in the same way, we are called to rest "in" Him. Ground your activities "in" Him and His ways. For "IN Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28), and for anyone that is "IN Christ, there is now no condemnation" (Romans 8:1), and if anyone is "IN Christ, then they are the new creation," and so IN HIM we shall rest, and even the other six days, when we strive, we do it IN HIM, for I can "do" all things, but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). Psalm 62:1: "Truly my soul finds rest in God."
We should Sabbath in modern times. A common misconception is that the Sabbath is gone because of the New Testament. That’s false. In Hebrews 4, when talking about the Sabbath as a “time of rest,” it says in verse 11 that we should “make every effort to enter that rest.” But here’s the thing, it’s not supposed to be a burden, it’s supposed to be FOR you. Just like the rules you hated as a kid, right? They weren’t because your caretaker hated you, but because they loved you. In Mark 2:27 Jesus tells us that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” So basically “the Sabbath is something FOR you to use to rest and grow, not just a rule that you are burdened with following.” Just like God and all those rules you had as a kid, the Sabbath is FOR you, not AGAINST you. Thanks for reading.
It really doesn't make that much sense, if any, but there is a reason. Jesus's death on the cross was the "punishment that brought us peace" (Isaiah 53:5). Why is there a punishment? "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and if God is perfect (which He is), then He would require justice for that. Letting us get away with sins for free isn't a kind or loving thing to do - it would be evil. And so God, both full of love and full of justice, came done to Earth Himself (Colossians 2:9, Matthew 1:23) and took up the penalty Himself. He died on the cross to forgive our sins. But how could just 1 death on the cross forgive ALL of our sins? This gets even more complicated when you believe (as we do) that Jesus’s crucifixion was for the forgiveness of ALL sins, for ALL time, including those before and after Him (Hebrews 10:12). Was it really that bad? Don't look it in terms of absolute values, where the crucifixion is X amount of pain forgiving X amount of sins - eventually, as we sin more and more, we would surpass His work on the cross. So we know that the cross isn't a "value" of forgiveness - it IS absolute forgiveness. How could that be? It only took Him a day to die, does this really forgive all of our sins for all time?
Isaiah 53:10: "It was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and the Lord made His life an offering for sin." So again, what makes this a fair exchange? With all due respect to Jesus, the cross seems hardly a fair return for EVERY SIN EVER. This is where the verse says "cause Him to suffer." So it was the suffering, the value of that suffering that brought us peace? As long as it was bad enough? No, don't look at it like that. Remember that in Isaiah 53:5 it said that it was the "punishment" that brought us peace - it didn't say how severe the punishment was, implying there was no required level of suffering, but just a punishment, which we affirm Jesus went through - and again, notice verse 10. "The Lord made His life an offering for sin." Now, back in the Old Testament days, when an Israelite/Jew sinned, they would have to sacrifice specific animals in specific ways, depending on the sin they had committed. This is all detailed in the "Law of God," that part of the Old Testament that Moses wrote. And so, having sacrificed their offering (often a lamb, goat, or bull), they would be forgiven of their sin. Here in Isaiah 53:10, which IS in the Old Testament (so I'll hear no complaints from Jews, Muslims, or anyone else about if "God really meant this"), we see that the offering (the life of Jesus on the cross) was an offering "for sin." Not for a sin, some sin, or any certain type of sin - just "sin." So sin, implying all and every sin (just the ENTIRETY of sin, just the word sin) is completely forgiven by the offering that is Jesus Christ on the cross. What makes this right? The fact that, though the sinful are forgiven, it was a price paid by the sinless one, Jesus. If you or I or someone else, who has sinned, tried to pay for our sins on the cross, it would take forever. But by being perfect and still suffering for the imperfections of others, Jesus ensured that He would only go to the cross once for this. 1 Peter 3:18: "For Christ also suffered once (emphasis on that, once) for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (emphasis on that as well, we are brought to God and forgiven). He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." Thanks for reading.
For context/to start, here are a few times in the Bible that we see the significance of the number 12.
God chose 12 tribes of Israel.
He ordained 24 (12 x 2) priestly divisions (ironically in 1 Chronicles chapter 24).
The 12 gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem point to His eternal reign (Revelation 21:12-14 - it starts in verse 12).
The tree of life will bear 12 fruit crops 12 times a year (Revelation 22:1-2), and so we see that the number 12 also takes a role in how God provides for His people.
We celebrate Christmas, the coming of Christ into the world, in the 12th month (December, Hebrew "Adar").
The 12 disciples chosen by Christ reveal the rule and authority of Jesus, and what He wants us to do in all things in our everyday lives.
When Peter cut off the soldier’s ear that was arresting Jesus, he was defending his Rabbi - Jesus’s response underlines his divinity. The Savior told Peter, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) - and so God is in control, and the number 12 testifies to His authority and reign, among other things.
Ok, so you get it. The number shows up in many places to point to many different things - but why 12? Why not 9? Keep in mind that the number 7 representing wholeness, and the number 6 (especially 666) representing incompletion does NOT have anything to do with 12, despite 6 being half of 12 - we never see this in the Bible, any reference to 12 or 24 or 144 (12 times 12) is based on the significance of 12, not 6. So why 12? The meaning of 12 symbolizes His government and authority (specifically these things, specifically for the reasons/passages listed above) and it should encourage us as the world seems spinning out of control. Though we’re living in the middle of the "now" and also the "not yet" of the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem is not on this earth with its twelve foundations and twelve gates, and so we know God is not finished, and so we follow Him in all that we do in our everyday lives.
I think the greatest takeaway from the number 12 is this: it represents following God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were the chosen people. They come from a man named Jacob, also called Israel. He had 12 sons, who became the 12 tribes. Instead of just being the Israelites, there are many places in the Bible where we specifically see that the nation of Israel functions as 12 different tribes. There are even times when tribes would be in opposition to God, emphasizing the difference between them. And so, in the Old Testament, God was followed by Israel "in twelve's" not "in one's." In the same way, Jesus specifically chose 12 disciples in the NEW Testament (so we see that this narrative is present from Testament to Testament). In Luke chapter 10 verse 1, and also verse 17, we see that Jesus had chosen a group of 72 (half of 12 times 12) other followers that were not His disciples, but still His followers. So we see that there are other numbers, but that the number 12 receives the spotlight when it comes to following God. So it is a symbol that we should carry on and follow God in all that we do in our everyday lives. We also see in Revelation chapter 14, right at the beginning, that 144,000 (12,000 times 12) people are saved into eternity in the end (exactly 12,000 from all 12 tribes, as detailed at the beginning of Revelation 7). Notice that the tribes of Israel are already gone though, it's Revelation? So why did the passage reference them as being saved in the end when they're already gone? Because it's not Israel specifically that had ANY significance (and this is true today, as they continue to make headlines), but rather the FUNCTION of Israel - being the chosen people of God, those who followed Him. So in the same way, those who FOLLOW God will be saved in the end. They are described in Revelation 14:5 as "telling no lies, being blameless." That's our goal: to pursue righteousness in the sight of God, following His words in the Scriptures, and being entirely blameless in all things in our everyday lives. THIS is the standard that we fall short of, and thus carry on towards, in our everyday lives.
He had 12 tribes of Israel following Him in all that He commanded them, He had 12 Apostles to follow Jesus and ultimately start the Christian Church after the death of Christ, and in the same way today the number 12 is a symbol of our following God in all that He says in the Bible, and in all that He writes in our hearts. He calls us to follow, both in the Old Testament (tribes) and the New Testament (disciples), and also in our everyday lives today. THAT is what this is about. Following God, just like one of the 12 tribes or disciples would in our everyday lives and in all that we do. Thanks for reading.
These 2 articles do a great job explaining this. I would recommend reading one or both of them, and then coming back to what I say here (which talks about things from the articles, so you gotta read them first):
https://www.sciencealert.com/watch-the-secret-meaning-behind-the-devil-s-number-666
https://edcourtney.typepad.com/blog/2013/02/666-the-emperor-nero-and-the-final-antichrist.html
Notice that the calculation was subtle and not pointed out? Some people take issue with this, saying that "if the number would have meant a name, then the writer would have just said that or at least used something that would translate to Greek and not Hebrew, since that was the audience." However, the writer of Revelation was subject to Nero and wanted to be subtle - you wouldn't say these things plainly, however his communication can still be deciphered (which is why, in reference to 666 in Revelation 13:18, he says "this calls for wisdom" - he won't just straight up say it, we need to use our brains here). Also, it is CERTAINLY referring to a specific name, as the passage from which this originates (Revelation 13:18) specifies “it is the number of a man.” We believe that man to be Nero (read the 2 articles). And know that Nero really isn't all that special or the takeaway here. He is dead. The real takeaway of this is the 666 of today, of tomorrow - of right now. The whole significance of Nero is that he lived in opposition to God's commands and placed a greater priority on his own personal success. THIS is what affiliates you with the Beast/Devil. Again, Nero's dead, and the other Beast hasn't come yet, so the significance for us is contingent on where we go from here in our everyday lives.
John 8:44 describes Satan as "a liar and the father of lies." 1 John 2:22: "Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist - denying the Father and the Son." So who's the liar, the Devil/Satan, how do we identify these things in our lives? They "deny Jesus." That's it. It doesn't have to have horns. If coffee is keeping you out of the Bible and prayer in the morning, then it's Satan's favorite brew. If your playlist makes you pursue being the hero or finding healing apart from God, then it's giving you a false hope and sense of security and it's distancing you from God. Anything that denies Jesus in your life, no matter how subtle, is the work of the Devil, and the 666 that you should be working to avoid - the number was also described in the Bible as a cultural symbol - you couldn’t buy things or sell things or participate unless you had the mark on your forehead (Revelation 13:17) - and it’s like this in our culture. Kids will look to have more relationships/more sex than other kids, adults want to make more money, we all just want to fit in with these cultural marks. And keep in mind that these things will masquerade.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15: "For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." - to masquerade is to pretend. So Satan and his followers and ways will pretend to be in the right. You need the money or time, so you cut the corner. You are tired or agitated, so you masturbate or snap and lose your patience with someone. His followers, often religious Christians, will look and act like good people, but the one thing that they all have in common is that they do not have a total, wholehearted devotion to God. You can expect Satan to masquerade in your everyday life - whether through excuses ("porn isn't that bad because everyone does it"), or lies ("it's really not that big of a deal/it's just 1 more or the last time"), or through false people. Whether it's the music industry, or church, or porn, or whatever - keep in mind that there is a masquerade in our world, and oftentimes in your life. Throw it off and give yourself to God wholeheartedly in the daily, because verse 15 is accurate in saying that we will receive what we deserve in the end. Thanks for reading.
This question stems from the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. In that chapter, the two brothers are making sacrifices to the Lord. Typical Old Testament sacrifices to God included animals and also other things like livestock. In the time of Noah, for example, a scent was burned that pleased God (Genesis 8:20-21). Keep in mind that Cain and Abel are the first children of Adam and Eve, and the first EVER human being to be born was Cain - so they set the example for humanity and there is a lot that we could consider and take away from their story on a deeper level in our everyday lives, as they are clearly a type of pattern that we need to follow (Abel) and avoid (Cain). So, as the story goes, God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's (Genesis 4:4-5). And, full of anger and jealousy (the first takeaway - don't be consumed by these things, because look what it's about to lead to), full of these things Cain kills his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8). We see in verse 5 that he is instinctively very angry and saddened, and in verse 9 we see that Cain doesn't take accountability with his mistakes - in fact he lies to God at first when asked what happened - this is another pattern we must avoid. Reading into the text like this is how we will come to our answer of why God rejected Cain.
Now, the text does not describe the type of man that Cain is, but God still knows, so keep in mind that these things we are learning about Cain (his issues with anger, taking accountability, lying, etc.) are things that God already knew, and so this is a huge part of why God rejected him. Notice that he lied to God. His goal, and this (as you will see in a few moments) is also true with the sacrifice, wasn't to totally please God, but to be justified. He brought God a lousy offering (as we are about to look at, I promise) because it's not that he wanted to bring a good offering and honor God (like Abel did), but rather because he just wanted to bring an offering to fulfill his duty, sacrifice the least amount possible, and simply be justified - he wasn't looking to honor God, but to be favored by Him like Abel was (Genesis 4:4). Again with killing his brother and then lying about it - he didn't care about killing his brother or lying to God, just as long as he doesn't get caught, as long as he's justified. This selfish approach is the same he took with his offering, which is why it was rejected. Let's take a look at the offerings.
Genesis 4:3-4: "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering - fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering." - so what happened? Let me completely segregate the wording for you so can read the results directly.
Cain's offering: "Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord."
Abel's offering: "Abel also brought an offering - fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock."
So Cain brought "some" of what he had to offer while Abel brought "fat portions" of the "firstborn" - the fat portions were not "some" offering they were THE offering, and the same can be said of the "firstborn" - it was the best, it was your first offering. Also notice that Cain only brought fruit, while Abel brought animals (of way, way, way more value). So, while Cain just brought some offering, Abel brought his very, very best. This is the main reason that God accepted Abel and rejected Cain. This story seems irrelevant since it was so long ago, but the most important words of this entire piece are this: Draw this parallel: if you have "a" faith where you just believe in God and that's it, or if you give Him "some" level of devotion in your everyday life but still find yourself holding back time and resources and sinful habits, if you bring "some" of your heart to the table instead of the "all" that He calls for in our everyday lives, then you will be rejected eternally, just as Cain was rejected here. You think God wants you to know about Cain and Abel's personal beef?!?!? OF COURSE NOT! THIS is the point of this whole thing.
In addition to giving God less than his all, there are tons of thins that we can learn from Cain that are wrong: he not only struggled with anger and sadness, but these things were his chosen, initial reactions to situations (Genesis 4:5-6) - he also killed his brother, so that's obviously wrong - he also, instead of following in the footsteps of righteousness, allowed jealousy into him, and he decided that instead of changing his ways and following God, he would just get rid of the righteous one (we all do this when, instead of following the Words of the Bible or praying more and more often, bringing our best, we instead just convince ourselves that our faith doesn't need immediate improvement, and so we become complacent like Cain, and we know that "complacency kills" Proverbs 1:32) - he also deceived his brother (Genesis 4:8, drawing a parallel to the deceptive serpent, and so we are called to be honest and not selfish/technical about things in a way that benefits us) - he also lied and made excuses about his mistakes (Genesis 4:9) - he also protested that, despite his wrongdoing, the punishment was more than he could bear (Genesis 4:13, which is something we all do when we complain about Hell despite our sins). We are clearly called to avoid all these things. Unfortunately, despite all these takeaways from Cain, I can only give you 1 takeaway from Abel - to give it your all in everything that you do, to bring more than is asked, to show up early, and to have an everyday devotion to God that makes other people (Cain) wonder if your level of devotion to God is really necessary, because it is, we are called to seek Him with all our hearts and only then will we find Him (Jeremiah 29:13, notice that even the worst sinner can find God because offering Him all your heart is something we are all capable of but always unwilling to do). The reason there is only 1 takeaway for Abel is because Cain took him away, and as heartbreaking as that is, nothing is more heartbreaking about this story than this: God spoke to Cain before he killed Abel, but Cain obviously rejected the message.
In Genesis 4:7, God speaks to Cain right before Cain kills Abel. Genesis 4:7: "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” - God's first words to him here are basically that "if you do what is right, you will be accepted" (a reference to Cain's offering that was rejected). God's last words to him (in Genesis 4:7, that is) are basically "you must rule over the sin that is tempting you" (a reference to Cain's desire to kill Abel, which God in His foreknowledge knew about). Cain rejected both of those messages. Just imagine: God gives you TWO messages in ONE verse. Despite Cain being a very sinful man with no devotion to God, we see here that God is still interested in saving Him, because God loves Cain. It's the same thing today - we are sinners and we all fall short (Romans 3:23) but God wants to save us through His grace and guidance, through an everyday redemption that comes through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). Remember that "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). So as impossible as it seemed, even a man like Cain could be saved and his once rejected offering could be accepted - he just had to do what was right. And his devotion to God was not right. This calls for reflection - is ours? Not in the way we may have though of it coming into this, but after seeing this story and seeing Cain's average faith considered evil, after seeing the standard that God sets - are we really still comfortable with where we are? I think today is a day that calls for reflection and growth in Christ. God offers us, the sinners, guidance through His grace and His Words in the Bible - and we, like Cain, reject them and go our own way. It's heartbreaking.
This is why in Jude 1:11 it says, of people that are like Cain in their faith and everyday lives: "Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit and have been destroyed in rebellion." - so again, the takeaways. The "way of Cain," basically the relevance of this ancient story all this time later, is that when we live in the way that Cain did (whether in terms of sin, devotion or lack of devotion to God, or when we do any of the things that we see Cain has done in this story), this (the way of Cain) is considered to be set for destruction (Jude 1:3-16, where this passage falls, is a vision of the destruction of ungodly people, so when it says "they have" rushed into sin and been destroyed, know that it also refers to the future, meaning that "we will" be destroyed when "we do" take the way of Cain and sin/bring a lesser devotion to God). Notice that they "rush" into profit, personal profit. It didn't profit Cain to kill his brother, just like it doesn't profit us to masturbate and look lustfully, but it "felt good in the moment" both for Cain and for us - and thus it was a sort of profit. And he RUSHED after it, instead of listening to God's TWO messages from Genesis 4:7 - we do the same thing with that sin that I just referenced, and in many other ways. These are relevant things that we need to consider and change in our everyday lives, and all this from one of the very first stories of the ancient Bible. God doesn't want us to be destroyed, He doesn't want us to rebel - His justice require that there be accountability for sins, but He has given us forgiveness on the cross. This is why He says in John 8:11: "I do not condemn you, go and sin no more." - so we are not condemned, we are forgiven EVEN NOW even CAIN had a chance to turn to God (Joel 2:12 notice "even now" but also the required "now" and "with all your heart"), we ARE forgiven but it's SO THAT we can "go and sin no more." John 8:11 was basically recited to Cain in Genesis 4:7, as he was given the chance to go from there (God told him he could be accepted, so the choice was his based on how he reacted and what he did) - in the same way, as I'm reciting John 8:11 and other Words from the Bible to you, how will you react?
Again, God WANTED to save Cain in Genesis 4:7, and it's why He's given us His Words (the Bible, the guidance and requirements and forgiveness that it offers). But God wants an Abel, a willing follower, not just a prisoner that is doing it out of obligation like Cain was - this is what free will is all about. 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." - so what does "being saved" look like? Coming to know the truth. - "Your Word is truth" (John 17:17), “I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6) - so both the Bible and Jesus are the truth, and this is the only way to Heaven (no one comes to the Father except through Him). Again we can do all things, but it has to be through Him (Philippians 4:13). Cain chose to go his own way, the "way of Cain."
Again with free will, God only asked Cain to do the right thing in Genesis 4:7. He won't force you to follow the Words of the Bible and to follow Him in your everyday life. He will give you the choice. 1 Corinthians 6:12: "I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything." You can do whatever you want, but remember that everything you do is either building you up or tearing you down. Don't believe me, think I'm being too dramatic? Consider this: the fall of humanity happened when someone ate an apple. Check the little things today.
Genesis 4:7: "Sin is crouching at your door - it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." - sin isn't just something "you have in your life" (like with bad habits or whatever people will say it's their struggle) - wrong. It HAS you. It wants to HAVE you - control it before it controls you. Sin is at the door - it is what it is, that's fine - just don't let it in, not even a little, because God is for you and He is willing to help you against your sins, but you have to be willing as well. Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - the flesh is our body's opposition to God. When we listen to the wrong things, that's our ears. When we look at the wrong things, that's our eyes. When we look FOR the wrong things, that's our heart/mind. There are.... other.... parts of the body, if you know what I mean. So we oppose God through our sinfulness and humanity, but in that moment when we're tempted and the flesh is weak, the Spirit of God is willing to give us our breakthrough, if only we would receive it. 1 John 3:12: "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous." Learn from this and follow God with all your heart and in all that you do. Thanks for reading.
This article is truly outstanding, I won't even bother writing anything just read this all the way through. It's short, and it's a truly great answer to this question with many, many examples and explanations. Article: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-is-the-biblical-significance-of-the-number-7.html#:~:text=What%20Does%20the%20Number%207%20Mean%20in%20the,Number%207%20as%20Fulfillment%20of%20Promises%20and%20Oaths Thanks for reading.
Ephesians 5:18-19: "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord." - the definition of drunk reads: "Affected by alcohol to the extent of losing control of one's actions or thoughts or behaviors." So that's what this is. This isn't God trying to ban you from having wine and other things like alcohol. He's not trying to be restrictive - He's trying to help you. In fact, in 1 Timothy 5:23 it tells this one particular person that he needs to drink wine and not just water, because he had a specific illness where the wine would be beneficial. So clearly God isn't here to be the rules police - He's trying to help you. The help that man needed was a little bit of wine. For us, we need to make sure that we aren't "affected" by it and that we don't "lose control" - you can have it, but it can't have you. Your heart only has room for 1 in the end, so ensure that God and living out the Words of the Bible are number 1, and if you have time for 2, 3, and on, then indulge as the Bible allows (the ban isn't on "drinking" but on "getting drunk" and we can drink but must not "be filled" with alcohol but rather the Spirit of God and His ways in our everyday lives). So you can't sing and make music to the Lord from your heart, as the verse says, if your heart is given into wine or any other sin more consistently than it is to prayer and Bible reading - faith requires that you need to sober, at times, to participate in it - that's just common sense. The Bible, just like with Ephesians 5:18-19, doesn't outright ban drugs and substances, it just wisely limits and restricts them to the glory of God and benefit of our bodies (1 Corinthians 10:31 "whatever" you do). You can have it, but it can't have you, otherwise you can't have God until you make a change. My favorite part of this verse is that it offers an alternative: the Holy Spirit. "Instead, be filled with the Spirit." So when I constantly talk about not listening to the wrong music, not clicking and swiping and choosing and pursuing the wrong things, you probably could agree that it's a good thing to say and should be acted on, but how? What are you supposed to do? The Spirit is God, so basically this verse teaches us that GOD HIMSELF is the alternative, again "from the heart." So try Godly music. Try swiping on Godly sites and in Godly ways (being disciplined enough that "you have it, not it has you" - don't be controlled). Try Godly thoughts, intentions, motivations. This is how we follow God from the heart.
1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." - notice that it says "whether you eat or drink." Whether you drink.... You can drink. So wherever you end up standing on this issue, do it to the glory of God. The Bible talks about discipline, not being dependent on anything but God, and relaxation/realization of God's beautiful creation. Remember these concepts with whatever stance you take on substances.
1 Peter 5:8-9: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith." - so we have this spiritual enemy, this Devil, lying in wait for an opportunity to take us down and keep our lives on the ground. Like a roaring lion, he is waiting for us to be vulnerable and then he will attack us with temptations. he Bible doesn't require complete sobriety. It said "sober mind." So give your heart and mind to Christ. You can have these things like wine and others, but don't be "filled" by them. So be sober not just in substance but be "of sober mind." Of sober heart. Be alert, don't give Satan an advantage through bad habits and addictions.
Ephesians 4:27: "Do not give the Devil a foothold." - so Satan grabs you by the foot and keeps you on the ground. The Bible teaches that the snake, the Devil, is stuck on the ground slithering (Genesis 3:14), so it only makes sense that he tries to keep us and our ways of life grounded too. But it says resist him and stand firm in the faith.
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - a lot of people focus on the second part of the verse, and don't get me wrong it's great, but I favor the first few words. God created our inmost being. He knows our thoughts, our longings and what we've been through. It was the same thing for the Israelites, which is why He could say "I have seen your misery and heard your despair and I am concerned for you" (Exodus 3:7). God knows about our bad habits, what specifically clicks and doesn't click with us - it's personal, it's our inmost being, and He created it. Satan attacks it. Whether with selfish pursuits, false humility and imaging, sexual pleasures or desires, alcohol or substances - Satan is always attacking from the mind and heart, the inmost being. But God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" so I say that today we take a stand and praise God for this work, and honor it by doing the best we can and taking care of it, again all from the inmost being. The rest of this verse means that we know, no matter how addicted or unattractive or messy or dirty we may feel, we know that God created us fearfully and wonderfully and that we are enough. We don't have to compare, or cut, or drink, or smoke, or dress more or less or differently - there is nothing you have to do - you are enough because He made you perfectly the way you are. Honor that by living for Him and taking a stand against the Devil's work in your life. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
To the alcoholic I say this: You probably view your identity in a way that is distancing you from God. You can't limit yourself or label yourself. For example: "I'm an alcoholic." No, you're a child of God, made in the image of God, and you struggle with alcohol, but it's not impossible for things to change… unless you limit yourself, because then perception becomes reality. You might ask "if being a child of God is so special, if being made in the image of God is so special, if Philippians 4:13 (that I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength) is so special, then how come it applies to everyone? Doesn’t that make it less special?" Well I'll answer that question by saying this: everyone is totally unique, and isn't that special? Every story is different, every purpose is different, and nothing is an accident. God doesn't create limitations, He creates people. You are not your mistakes, you are a person that makes mistakes but isn't defined by them. Again, for example, you're not alcohol or even an alcoholic. God didn't create you to be limited or ravaged by addictions/habits, He created you to overcome. Again, He didn't create, for example, an alcoholic. He created you. So I'm not here to talk to alcoholics. I'm here to talk to people, again children of God made in His image (you can't overlook this), that struggle with alcohol. See, if you can't even define yourself correctly, then you can't come up with a correct answer to questions involving yourself or your identity. No wonder so many people are depressed! They don't even know who they are! You are not your mistakes - you are loved by God. Sure you make mistakes, but that doesn't mean you have to, and it definitely doesn't mean that you ARE a mistake. Romans 5:8 tells us that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Luke 19:10 tells us that Jesus “came to seek and save the lost.” So whatever you’re lost in, whatever your label is or whatever your life has been like, you have to remember that even in your sin Jesus is searching after you. While you’re still a sinner. When you feel like He’s not there. Even then God is chasing after you because He loves you and cares about you. Thanks for reading.
Self harm, obviously, is just that - when you cause harm to yourself, though truthfully if you're damaging yourself, the damage has probably already been done by others or your past actions or mental health, and now you're trying to find answers in the wrong places. This happens in a multitude of ways, whether forcing yourself to watch something, not letting things go even to the point of agony, and through other methods like punishing yourself and giving in to addictions and bad habits, but with all that aside the main way that self harm takes place, without doubt, is through cutting or slashing your physical body, typically the wrist. We, in everything we say today, intend the words for EVERYONE and every type of harm/agony, though we will most often reference cutting - but I'm still talking about all types of self harm, including for example the harm and addiction that you cause yourself by not giving up on porn and vaping and other sins/addictions. The common misconception that people have is that the Bible doesn't talk about self-harm, which is false (and we'll look at what the Bible says throughout this). We know that God is loving and caring, so if there's something that has you harming yourself, even if it's too modern to have a case-sensitive word for word match in the Bible God still cares about it. Besides, it's stupid to think this way, where if the Bible doesn't mention it in modern English then God has no objective or agenda for us in that specific thing - it's a new thing and the Bible is ancient, so it won't have a case-sensitive word for word match in the Bible - for example, you won't see "abortion" in the Bible, but you will see "murder" - you won't see "porn" but you will see "looking lustfully" - you won't see "weightlifting" but you will see "fitness" - on and on it goes. Apply this thinking not only to self harm (you won't see "cutting" but it's still talked about) and everything else that you "can't find in the Bible." How else could the Bible possibly remain relevant about all things for all time? This isn't "changing" or "manipulating" anything - it's just common sense - if you told an ancient Israelite that you had cut yourself, they would understand - if you said "I'm struggling with cutting," they would not. Don't let recency bias towards modern language blind you from the fact that God talks about these things.
So why does self harm happen? Even people that self harm often can’t figure this out. I think that most self harm happens as a result of what’s in our mind and what’s in our heart. A lot goes on in our minds and hearts. But focus on this. Both the mind and heart are part of the body, right? 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that our bodies are “Temples of the Holy Spirit,” and in Genesis 1:27 we hear that we are made in the image of God. And so, I think, Satan wants to distort or blur that image of God by doing harm to our bodies, first in the mind and heart, and then ultimately if he’s able, he'll have us damage ourselves and others. Even emotional pain is very, very much legitimate and physical because your heart is a part of your body. Ever felt an ache in your heart? It’s a physical feeling. Your feelings are valid to God because He created you in His image and He knows what you’re going through, and that’s why He brought you here today. These were His Words to the Israelites in Exodus 3:7, and they may be His Words to you right now: “I have seen your misery, heard your cries, and I’m concerned about your suffering.” Maybe misery, cries, and suffering is familiar… But God has a plan for you and He wants to turn it around, even after everything. That’s why it says in Joel 2:12 that “even now, return to the Lord with all your heart.” Even now, after every emotional and physical wound and scar. Even now. But notice that it said “Even now,” and not “Even later.” It said now, because God wants to change your life and break through NOW, TODAY. That’s why in Hebrews 4:7 it says “Today, if you hear my voice, do not harden your heart.” So again, “Today,” not later on. Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day (emphasis) who you will serve, whether God or another." - so if any of this today speaks to you or someone you know, please don’t harden your heart, please give an open listen and receive what God has put on our hearts today.
What makes cutting wrong, or sinful? 1 Corinthians 6:20: "You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - we were "bought at a price." Jesus Christ went up to the cross and suffered for all of our sins, to forgive all of our sins for all time if we would receive Him in our hearts. They drove nails through His wrists, perhaps symbolically in that He was wounded for us, to forgive our sin and help us move forward. Isaiah 53:5: “By His wounds we are healed.” - so if we're already healed in the spiritual realm, if our sins are forgiven, then all that remains for us to NOT be healed from is Earthly hardships - the worst of them and the ones most often responsible for cutting are depression/numbness of heart, and anxiety. But again, we are healed in the eternal, grand scheme of things, so even the worst cases of mental health issues, which I have from time to time, are simply fleeting, perishing Earthly conditions, and they will fade away - it's no excuse to dishonor God with your body (and that applies to ALL things like how we eat and with sleep and masturbation, how we speak and if we're kind enough to listen with our ears, etc.) - cutting your body obviously dishonors God with your body. So it's considered sinful, just as using your eyes to look at people lustfully and situations selfishly, or drinking/consuming substances without discipline (mouth), and all other offenses against your body would be considered sinful. You have been gifted this body by God, it was so generous of Him to give you life, and simply because of the way your life is (or isn't) going, you decide to cut that body. As harsh as it is to say this, and it's certainly not the first thing you would say to someone struggling with this (help them and listen first) - we can say that this IS sinful, and not in a small way. I've struggled with it myself. If it wasn't sinful, then why does Satan use his weapons (false love/lust with people that hurt you, heartbreak, anxiety/depression, and other things) to entice you to do it? We can obviously maintain that this is a sin.
But again, remember - these feelings, conditions and temptations are all TEMPORARY. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18: “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” - It’s so easy to focus on the brokenness and pain that we face in our lives and on the things that we don’t have, but it’s important to not lose sight of God, who will never give up on us. If we live our lives in this world trying to get what we can see - success, fame, and comfort - then we will miss out on what we can’t see - a stronger faith, character, and willingness and discipline to do what’s right instead of what’s easy. So don’t pursue or focus on what you can see - the pain you’re in right now, the false riches and comforts of this world - rather focus on the unseen benefit that enduring pain and discipline in this life will bring you. You can’t see God, but He’s there, and the unseen is eternal, while these things we can see (pain/feelings and conditions, sins and false riches, etc.) - the seen things are temporary and they fade away, and we don't want to fade away with them. Live for Him, doing what’s right, not what’s easy or what you're tempted to do in the moment, and live your visible life for the invisible benefit for those that live for Jesus (the unseen but eternal) and for those who embrace His healing.
For every scar there’s a story. Every slashed wrist is a hand that can be uplifted in worship, a heart that can be healed. I know that it seems religious or phony or cheesy to say this, but I promise that it isn’t. I’m not just saying this because the Bible says so, but because it really, truly happened in my life. God brought my heart back to life. Cutting is fueled by isolation. In Luke 23:49, when Jesus was on the cross and in His deepest moments of pain and darkness (He earlier describes His "soul" as being distressed, and it is said that He was either "sweating blood" or at least that drops of sweat were falling from His head and face as quickly as blood falls, which is basically as fast as water being poured out). Luke 23:49, that verse, describes everyone that He knew as “standing at a distance.” They did nothing for Him as He bled and was taken advantage of - sound familiar? Maybe you can relate to this, too: in Isaiah 53:3 it says that He was despised and rejected, looked down upon by other people, a man of suffering and very familiar with pain. Jesus went through all of it, for you. In Hebrews 13:8 it says that He is the same, past and present and future. So when it says in Isaiah 53:5 that “by His wounds we are healed,” it doesn’t just mean the holy people or people from the past, no it means YOU, right NOW! It’s now. It’s forever. He loves you and wants to bring you back to life. Will you let Him? Will you proclaim your faith in Him, and live your life based on that faith, and grow in that faith? I’m telling you because it happened to me: freedom awaits.
Jeremiah 40:4: “Today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists.” Isaiah 53:5: "By His wounds we are healed." 1 Corinthians 6:11: “This is what you used to be, but now God has washed you clean and justified your past.” 1 Peter 2:9: “You are chosen. He has called you out of this darkness and into his glorious light.” Romans 12:12 tells us to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer." So when things aren't going well, and all you have is the hope that they will change, keep hoping. When afflicted, stay patient. And in all times, especially these, remain faithful in prayer.
So, in our time so far, we've established why this happens, why it's wrong, that God loves us and wants to rescue us, and we've looked a little bit at what we can do (trusting God, persevering when feelings/temptations come over us, making Him a greater priority than whatever has us harming ourself, etc.) - but I want to end our time by looking at the most directly example in the Bible of a man who self harmed, who cut himself. This passage comes from Mark 5:1-20.
Mark 5:1-20: 1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. 14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man - and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
COMMENTARY: In verse 1, the scene is set: Jesus and the disciples have traveled across a lake to the region of the Gerasenes, or in some other translations of the original, the "Gadarenes." Notice this about verse 2: it was "when Jesus stepped out of the boat" that the man came up to meet Him. So clearly, this means that Jesus was the main attraction for the man. If the man, who was possessed by demons (impure spirits) was pursuing anything besides Jesus, He would have done it right away. There were many of them in the boat (Jesus and His disciples), and so the case with a possessed man would be that he would typical approach the boat before it even came to shore, and then absolutely terrorize whoever was in it - again he was possessed by demons. But this man is likely a good, righteous man. Why else would Satan have sent demons after him? Satan was clearly threatened by this man and his life. Also, why would the man have waited until they got out of the boat? Why not savagely attack them like normal? Again, I believe that this points to the fact that he is a good man. Again, he specifically waited until Jesus stepped out of the boat, and once he knew who it was, he came to Him. He was pursuing Jesus. So know that, even at your worst (he was literally possessed), Jesus is still more than willing to change your heart and your life. Notice also that the man was alone - across a lake, a deserted place (likely because the demon possessed man made it impossible to live there). Satan works like this through isolation. It's the same thing with porn and lust - always behind closed doors. And swearing - you alone choose what you say. Depression is often masked in public and caused by negative thoughts and conditions in private. And as we're about to get into, self harm is also something that takes place in private. But Jesus met that man where he was. Jesus didn't make him clean up or have a come to God moment - Jesus went across a lake to meet him exactly where he was. So wherever you are in life, whatever things are like, know that there's nothing you have to do to impress God, there's no cleaning up that you have to do beforehand to be able to experience His movement in your heart and life - He will cross the lake, all you need to do is bring your demons up to the boat. Have a heart for God. Have a heart that is available to God. You can't cross the lake, it's impossible he didn't have a boat. But Jesus crossed the lake for him. But what he COULD do, what he WAS capable of, though it was difficult, was bringing himself to the boat, bringing himself to Jesus - approach your life like this, your faith like this, and do whatever you can (whether giving up on a sin, spending more time in the Bible to learn things like this, etc.) to get closer to Jesus in all that you do in your everyday life. Again in verse 3 we see that the man is isolated, and that the demons are powerful - nobody can bind him up (basically nobody can overpower him and hold him down). "Anymore." The word "anymore" implies that there WAS a point in time when he could be held down, but not anymore. The demons have grown stronger over time. This is what our demons are like, too. This is why it's so important to cut lust off at the root, pride and selfishness - eventually you not only do it, you breathe it while you sleep. It just becomes so common. The demons get stronger. What's your "anymore"? Couldn't be overpowered anymore? Couldn't win the battle with temptation anymore? Couldn't make it to Heaven anymore? How far are you going to let these demons go in your life and eternity? This is a strict thing to teach, but it's the truth and there's a reason that it's included in this passage - and there's a reason that Jesus, as the passage will unfold, is clearly telling a redemptive story with the man's life - it can be the same way for us. Verse 4 outright tells us what we assumed in verse 3 - that he had been, at one point, overpowered (likely by the people that used to live there before his demons became so strong and violent that it was impossible to live there). In verse 5 we finally get introduced to our main topic for the day: self harm. "Night and day" - so this is an ongoing battle, as we face ongoing mental and spiritual battles (as this man did), and notice that it was both high and low, "among the tombs (low) and in the hills (high)." In the same way, we are always being attacked by our enemy Satan in this ongoing battle - when we're at our low, depressive thoughts will come in, sins and addictions will take advantage of us, and we may even engage in self harm. When we're at our highest points, we are tempted to cut more corners to make our lives even better, or maybe we're tempted with sins, or prideful thinking, or something else - Satan is always at work, at all times (night and day) and in all places (tombs and hills) in our lives and hearts - this is why it's so important that this man was intentional about meeting Jesus at the boat, and it's important that we take the same approach in our everyday lives. "He would cry out and cut himself." There it is. Satan uses self harm against this man, and so we know that any form of self harm is Satan's work against us in our everyday lives.
Again with verse 6 we see that this man (not the demons, the "man") is pursuing Jesus. He ran. He was urgent. He didn't wait until he felt better, he didn't wait until it was more convenient - he RAN. So "FLEE" from sexual immorality and other temptations (1 Corinthians 6:18), RUN TO GOD in all that you do in your everyday lives. Notice that the man came "from a distance." There's no distance that God won't bring you back from, but again you have to be willing to pursue Him in your everyday life. Notice that, in doing this (so this is what it would look like), the man "ran" and "fell on His knees." That would put him in a vulnerable, weak, submissive position. But the man was ready to submit to God. That's why he fell "right in front of" Jesus - he WANTED to be saved, to make change, not just to take the easy way out and keep doing what was comfortable. This is why he went right in front of Jesus - do things in your everyday life that put you in a position to be right in front of Him, to hear from Him and receive from Him everything that He has for you. In verse 7, the demons are afraid of Jesus, and so they ask him not to torture the, - the proof of this is that "he shouted at the top of his voice" when Jesus was right in front of him - only a demon would do that. Notice in verse 8 that Jesus KNEW there was an impure spirit - nobody had told him. This, paired with the fact that the demons recognized Jesus before He said anything about who He was - this goes to show that good recognizes evil and vice versa. That's why, when you're truly following Christ, you will feel convicted over your sins and try to make changes - good recognizes evil and attacks it. And when you're following Satan, you'll sacrifice good things like purity, time with others, growth with God, and other things all for sins - evil recognizes good and attacks it. The word "legion" means many, and the capital L means that this really is a name, a slew of demons accurately named "many' because there's so many of them. Notice in verse 10 that this man would GLADLY have sent the demons away if he were in his right mind. The only possible way that this man would advocate for the demons to stay is that they had made this request THROUGH HIM (the demons were speaking through him trying to get their own way), which is common in the case of possession. "Again and again" - this is a part of our unending battle with sins and temptations. Stay strong and never give up, keep leaning on God and on His Words (and living out what they say) in all that you do in your everyday life.
In verse 12 we see that the demons, knowing that Jesus won't allow them to stay in the man, the demons just want to torture SOMETHING, and so they choose the pigs. Verse 13 illustrates that Jesus is willing to expel the demons from the man, and that He wanted them to enter a herd of pigs so that they wouldn't enter another person - this is more proof that "God so loved" us (John 3:16). Of course, the nature of demons, they caused the pigs to commit suicide. This also stems from what the demons were causing the man to do - self harm. This is Satan's objective in our lives - to oppose what God has planned for our lives. Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - God has plans to give us "hope" and "a future" - this is why we must avoid self harm and suicide. Notice in verse 15 that the man was now "in his right mind"? This implies that, when we sin and are taken captive by sinful forces, we are not in control of our own minds. The people were "afraid" in verse 15 and "asked Jesus to leave" in verse 17. This is really interesting, given that he had just conquered a demonic force that terrorized their region. My best guess is that they were in utter fear of the power of God, and they didn't want to see Satan retaliate on their region (after all, they had seen their fair share of demon possessions). We see again in verse 18 just how badly this man is pursuing Jesus. Most people that needed healing were selfish, looking ONLY for their own healing - but this man, having already received healing, still wanted to go with Jesus and help His ministry. That being said - Jesus Christ has already saved us from our sins, but we are still called to follow Him and His Words in the Bible in our everyday lives - to fail to do this with the time that remains (as the past has been wiped clean) would be like showing disregard for God's gift on the cross, which will cost us eternally. And we also know that God loves when those who are healed are grateful (Luke 17:11-19). We see in verse 19 that in this particular case, it was not the Lord's will for the man to follow Him, but to stay at home and reach others with the message - notice that in verse 20, having not gotten his way, the man conceded this and obeyed Jesus. So when things don't go your way in life, when things are hard, don't compromise on God's Words in the Bible, don't compromise on His will for your life - obey through the heartbreak and embrace His plan. The man gave up on personal glory so that "all the people could be amazed" by Jesus. I love how it said "all that God had done for Him." Because God doesn't want us to struggle with self harm anymore. Thanks for reading.
A lot of Christians love to make something out of this. So let's go there. I'll do this quickly and easily. What day is Halloween? October 31st, 10/31. So, naturally, in 1 Corinthians 10:31 we find our answer: "Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." - so there it is. "Whatever you do" ranging from fully embracing Halloween to fully rejecting it. Whatever you end up doing, do some of it for God, right? No, do it ALL to the glory of God. A lot of the Halloween costumes won't glorify God. A lot of the drinking and language won't glorify God. Don't be so quick to dismiss Halloween when it's actually an opportunity to glorify God, whether through direct evangelism or through living like Jesus and reflecting that image of God that we are all made in (Genesis 1:27) in what you do. So look, whatever you end up doing, just keep God at the center. Apply this to celebrating Christmas, how you dress to church, secular music, and everything else (do it “all” to the glory of God). There. Look mom, I did it. I stated my beliefs on a controversial topic without being obnoxious. Wow. Changing the world with this approach lmao. Have fun. Thanks for reading.
Even if it's too modern to have a case-sensitive word for word match in the Bible, God still cares about it. Besides, it's stupid to think this way, where if the Bible doesn't mention it in modern English then God has no objective or agenda for us in that specific thing - it's a new thing and the Bible is ancient, so it won't have a case-sensitive word for word match in the Bible - for example, you won't see "abortion" in the Bible, but you will see "murder" - you won't see "porn" but you will see "looking lustfully" - you won't see "weightlifting" but you will see "fitness" - on and on it goes. Apply this thinking to things like self harm (you won't see "cutting" but it's still talked about) and everything else that you "can't find in the Bible." How else could the Bible possibly remain relevant about all things for all time? This isn't "changing" or "manipulating" anything - it's just common sense - if you told an ancient Israelite that you had cut yourself, they would understand what you meant - if you said "I'm struggling with cutting," they would not, because times have changed (the method of self harm is ancient, though it's popularity is relatively new - they just didn't do that very much back then). Don't let recency bias towards modern language blind you from the fact that God talks about these and ALL things. Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." So if you can do "all" things, but only "through Christ who gives you strength," consider that it said you "can." So if you "can" do "all" things, but again "only through Him" - then He clearly must have spelled it "all" out in the Bible so that you "can" do it "through Him") - and we know that "the Word (or Bible) was God" as it says in John 1:1 (and the Word "is" because God never changes Hebrews 13:8).
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - that's what this is. God's Word, the Bible/Scriptures are USEFUL. There is a purpose here. It helps us teach/rebuke/correct others, but more importantly it helps us to train OURSELVES in righteousness and be prepared to do EVERY good work that God has in store for us in this life, according to what the Words say and how we live them out. The fact that we are "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work, just goes to show that there is nothing that the Bible doesn't cover, if we search deep enough.
Many people, for example, will say that the Bible doesn't talk about the Trinity. It's false. In Genesis 1:26, God says "Let us make mankind in our image" - and then verse 27 says that "God created mankind in His own image" - so "God" and "His own" image is an "us" and an "our image." The only way that God could possibly refer to Himself ("His own image" indicates that God is only one) as "us" and "our image" - the only this is possible is if God is more than 1 ("us, our image" while also only Himself "He, His own image") - multiple yet one. Multiple IN one. This is in the first chapter of the Bible, and there are hundreds, probably gazillions (again, of you search deep enough) of other passages that cover ALL things in the Bible, including the doctrine of the Trinity - other passages in the Bible go on to show that the "multiple" is the "three in one" that we often hear about: "Father, Spirit, and Son."
Looking back at 2 Timothy 3:16-17, I like that it said "the servant of God," because it makes clear that a real servant of God would do this (training, rebuking, searching deeply and living out the Words of the Bible, etc.) otherwise they are not a "servant of God" (because a servant does their duties, so to avoid the duty clearly means you are not serving, and we know that when it comes to God, with eternity and His love in mind, we want to be in good standing with Him). So read the Word of God, do what it says, train yourself and train others, do the good works that God has created you specifically to do (Ephesians 2:10). The greatest preaching is not verbal, but through actions, so live these Words out in your everyday life. John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." In John 17:17 Jesus says that "your Word (He was talking to God) is truth" - so it's not just that the Bible spoke of the truth or was true - it literally IS truth. John 14:6: "I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through me." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") is how we are saved. In the same way, come to know and live out the Words of the Bible, which are also truth (this is what Jesus did during His life on Earth) - this is how we are "saved."
Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life, again "in all things" (Philippians 4:13) because we know that we have been "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work that He wants us to (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and we know that we "do not lack any spiritual gift" (1 Corinthians 1:7, again implying that if we search deep enough we will find it).
So what does that searching look like? You saw the result earlier, when I showed you something from Genesis 1:26-27 that you had probably never seen before, but that's not searching it was something I already found. How? What does the searching look like? Take it up with God. That is the only way. Daniel, who is known as incredibly wise, shows us how to search (Ezekiel 28:3, and all throughout the book of Daniel he is portrayed as incredibly wise and skillful - if anyone could search it would be Daniel). Daniel was presented with a situation that required searching: In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar (who was in very tight control of the power of the nation where Daniel lived at the time) had bad dreams, and they terrified him. They were visions from the Lord. He called for the astrologers, magicians, wise men of his nation (again, all of this in Daniel chapter 2) - and he asked them to search for him. WITHOUT telling them his dream, he asked them to tell him the meaning. They couldn't do it. If they're magic was real, and their wisdom enough, they would be able to interpret the dream without knowing what it was. But the fact that they couldn't shows us 2 things - that we shouldn't rely on some "spiritual" or magical power apart from God Almighty (the "universe" for example) - and also that we should never rely on our own wisdom or our own strength in this life - again "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). So what DO we do? What Daniel did. What did he do? I'm getting there. The king, angered by the failure of the men he had called on, ordered that they all be put to death - Daniel, not wanting to lose his life (he was a "wise man" and so were some of his Jewish friends) went to the king and interpreted the dream (again without being told). How? The first thing he did was ask for time (Daniel 2:16) - this isn't always the case, but it tends to take a while. Whether it does or doesn't, don't jump to the conclusion that "God's not answering me" if it just takes a while. He may be answering you and blessing you in all things, but only "in time" (Ezekiel 34:26). The second significant thing Daniel does is plead to God for the answer, admitting that God is in power and that the human wisdom that he (Daniel) contained would not be able to give him the answer, only God could do that - Daniel admits these things to God in prayer as he asks God for the answers (Daniel 2:17-23). Daniel even says, when given the opportunity to brag in front of the king and make a good name for himself, the following words: "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about (again, this is where Daniel COULD HAVE taken credit), but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:" (Daniel 2:27-28 and then starting from verse 29 he correctly interpreted the dream).
So clearly Daniel takes this "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) approach. But notice that you don't lean on your own "understanding"? So then why would you trust God with your "heart" - wouldn't it be with your mind, your understanding? See, these things aren't intellectual - that would be leaning on your own strength. Rather, this is from the heart, and God can enable even the dullest mind if they have a heart for Jesus, for "I CAN do ALL things THROUGH Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
So again, trust in God, do this with all your heart, and He will give you the answers, on His time. Matthew 4:4: "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." - notice that the Words, whether you think they are in the Bible or not (as you may not have known about our Genesis 1:26-27 secret from earlier) - all such things "come from the mouth of God" as He speaks them to your heart. The work of the pen is done - now is the time when God reveals the writing to your heart, whether it's a scream (to give up a sin, and you feel convicted) or a whisper (a deep, hidden teaching like what we looked at earlier) - you have to receive with your heart. Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding of things." James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should pray to God and ask for answers, and He will not find fault but will give generously to those who ask of Him." - so God won't find fault, He won't judge you for not having the answers - He will communicate with you and put the message that you need on your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you search with all your heart." Thanks for reading.
It is said of the Apostle Paul, who reached many for Christ and wrote many books in the Bible, that "He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!" (Acts 28:31). So why aren't we the same way? Well truthfully, this passage doesn't set Paul apart as some great preacher - this passage gives us an opportunity to be the same way. He "proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about Jesus Christ" - sounds good right, so how do we do it? How did he do it.... "with all boldness and without hindrance." The only thing so far that Paul needs is a very basic understanding of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom/objectives and goals in our everyday lives (it would be hard to "teach" without learning and hard to "proclaim" without understanding the proclamation). Once you have this very basic step down, you can easily examine the way that Paul preached and you can learn from him not because HE is great, but because God is great and did great work through him, and we want God to do the same things through us. So again "with all boldness and without hindrance." It's not just that he was "bold" or unafraid to speak of Jesus and not phased when challenged by social authority (the Gospel makes you unpopular or popular for attack/ridicule), he wasn't just willing to face and answer difficult questions (again what we said earlier about learning and then proclaiming) - it wasn't just that. It was these things, living for Jesus, teaching about Him and reaching others for Him, "with ALL boldness." He wasn't just bold - he was COMPLETELY bold. If there was a level to go it, it's where he went. THIS is the pattern we should follow - again not because he's Paul, but because God is God and so we put our hope and our trust in Him. And it was also "without hindrance." Trust me, I've read Paul's story: he was hindered, but he just didn't choose to accept the hindrance (he was hindered but "without hindrance" in that he was unhindered by hindering forces, if all of that makes sense). There were religious critics (both Jews and people from other religions) that hated Paul and made his work very hard, and Paul himself as a man faced temptation everyday. Paul, once known as Saul, was a religious Jew that persecuted the Christian Church because of the belief that Jesus is not God but rather a blasphemer - Saul was highly rewarded by leadership for doing this. So when he encountered Jesus, and he became a Christian, he actually LOST benefits and friends, and he actually GAINED people that made fun of him and doubted him and persecuted him. His life got harder, and yet he went through with it to glorify God - this is what it looks like to have "all boldness." To have SOME boldness, as many of us aim to, would look something like this: having his faith, but also (to avoid conflict/keep friends) not preach about it. Satan will feed these Hell bound narratives that he writes with lies like "I shouldn't be forcing my beliefs on others anyways." And that sounds fair, right? Here's the thing: we are called by God Himself, by Jesus Christ, to preach the Gospel to others and reach them for Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, hundred of other verses). So at this point you have 2 choices: listen to Jesus, or listen to what "seems right" and happens to be convenient. It's like this in our everyday lives, isn't it? Truth is, we need to be bold. Search the Scriptures and do other research to ANSWER those tough questions instead of backing down from them. Quit porn and other sins instead of just giving into them and asking for forgiveness. If we don't have this boldness, if we don't fight back against the things that hinder us (social pressures, sins that make us weaker Christians and our message inauthentic, etc.) then we will never really be able to make an impact. Saul was already religious, but he made a negative impact - Paul was the one who made an impact. Because it's not about being religious as much as it is about making the impact that God has called us to make. And we know that God doesn't just want us to worry about our personal faiths, but also the faiths of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24: “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.” - this reminds me of Matthew 6:33 where it says to "seek first the Kingdom of God." It said to seek the "Kingdom" and not just the King, because we're not just seeking God but the welfare of all His servants (the whole Kingdom), even those that don't serve faithfully. So we should be seeking their good and ways that we can be good to them. So actually seek it, be active, pursue it. Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to the interests of the others." - not looking to yourself, but to them. And if you don't do these things boldly, then you the lukewarm Christian that God will reject on the Judgment Day. If you were worried about what people thought of you when you proclaimed Christ, just imagine what God thought of you when you didn't. Matthew 10:32-33: "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before God. But whoever disowns me, I will disown before God." Christ could have avoided the cross but He didn't - He carried out the calling from God. Until you take up this boldness, until you decide to do this in spite of the hindrances, until then it simply isn't worth anything to call yourself a Christian. What you could say is "I'm a person who specifically was saved by Christ" - but, even with the more accurate name, you're still missing out on the community aspects of Christianity, and if it's in the Bible we don't get to pick and choose. You need to follow ALL of God's Words and go make disciples of ALL other types of people (Matthew 28:19-20 "all" nations) - you need all boldness, and if you're not willing to give God your best, then you should expect nothing from Him in eternity. Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the other leaders that were bold and unhindered, they all reached many, and the way they did it was by preaching God's message not just with their mouths but with their everyday lives, their patience and kindness ("love is patient and kind" 1 Corinthians 13:4), their willingness to fight back against temptations in their everyday lives, etc. We have to be bold like this, we have to be willing like this to reach others for Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." - throw EVERYTHING off, even if "doing nothing" is a part of that everything when you're supposed to be reaching others for Christ. Most of the time though it's those "sinful things" that "so easily entangle us" when we're missing out on our true potential as people and as people of Jesus - the Devil tempts us to turn to these things instead of turning to Jesus. That's why we have to "persevere" especially when tempted or afraid/timid or even just inconvenienced by it all, and not only do we "fix our eyes" on Jesus (basically focus your perspective on Him, make Him what you focus on and look to in all that you do) - not only that, but in this race we call life and reaching others for the Kingdom of God, we are "running" to Jesus. When tempted to swear, does your mouth "run to Jesus" in prayer? When frustrated, do you "run to Jesus" and ask for patience/try to do the right, Biblical thing? I heard someone say the other day that "for some people, the only Bible they have is you..." Because it's true - we can't always just teach people what they Bible says, and sometimes they will encounter Jesus in their everyday lives so rarely (and when they do, in such a fake/cultural way) that we need to SHOW them Jesus instead of just telling them about Him. And, if we do and it doesn't seem to make an impact, we have to realize that ultimately it's not on us, but it IS if we don't even try.
James 5:19-20: "My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this; Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." We have the opportunity to bring others to Jesus, and if we do this will save them from a multitude (which is a number that can be unlimited, such as "a multitude of stars in the sky") - this should incentivize us to preach the Gospel boldly, because if we don't, and others perish when we may have had the opportunity to help them, then this would be a sad missed opportunity and we shouldn't selfishly pursue seeking our own eternity while others perish. We need to turn people back to the truth, whether that's at the lunch table, at work, in the comment section, etc. John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." James 1:22: "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life. In John 17:17 Jesus says that "your Word (He was talking to God) is truth" - so it's not just that the Bible spoke of the truth or was true - it literally IS truth. John 14:6: "I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through me." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") is how we are saved. In the same way, come to know and live out the Words of the Bible, which are also truth (this is what Jesus did during His life on Earth) - this is how we are "saved."
All that being said, at the end of the day, we can't force someone to accept God and to accept the truth. It would definitely help our teaching if we learned, and our proclamation if we read and wrested with the concepts in the Bible so that we knew what/how to proclaim, and it would also help if we were "patient and kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 which is a longer list that I would highly recommend reading in full) - all these things would help, but we can't force people to accept Jesus, and we shouldn't want to. We should want to see them accept Jesus. Isaiah 53:1/3: "Who has believed our message? He was despised and rejected." This is why in 1 Timothy 2:4 Jesus only "wants" all people to be saved - He won't force them. And neither can we. And there will be times that people reject the message of Jesus Christ. Many Christians comfortably resort to the idea that it's not their "fault" - that's somewhat fair, too. But only somewhat, because our knowledge of God and our everyday living isn't completely perfect, and the better it is the better our preaching and witnessing for God will be, so there's really no telling at which threshold we'll be able to reach them - therefore, while there's room to improve, improve. But at the same time, there are going to be times when you just can't reach them. Remember that with God, it's not about our performance or how much we can get done for Him, but rather how much of a heart we have for Him. Mark 12:41-44: "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'” I love this story, because it goes to show that God doesn't require greatness - He requires willingness. He doesn't require strong, intelligent and successful pastors - He'll take you off the streets, whether that's a physical/literal or a mental/symbolic/emotional/heart place (reflect on that!). Luke 5:32: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - God wants you to come as you are, not hide because you’re not who you should be or don't have the right offering or whatever. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - according to what you DO have. Give God the time, love, energy and resources that you DO have, not being ashamed of what you can’t give, because He doesn’t care He doesn’t need your gift He just wants your devotion. God will take you for the person that you are, the past that you do have, not for who you aren't or for who you think you need to be. God doesn't "need" us, so His acceptance of us isn't based on some sort of measurement of greatness or strength in faith, because the number being higher doesn't actually impact Him - God just wants a willing heart, and He knows your heart and if you're REALLY devoted to Him or not. And this is why He can say to Ezekiel, in regard to reaching others, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself. 'Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself." (Ezekiel 3:17-21). What this basically translates to is "don't warn them, and it's your fault. Warn them, and it's their fault." So warn people of Hell, tell them the story of the Gospel and how God wants us to live in our everyday lives, remind them that they have been saved from their sins by Jesus and they don't have to live in their sins anymore, do these things - preach this Gospel with all boldness and without hindrance. Take this approach, this mindset, that even if you commit no sin, if you keep the Gospel message to yourself, then this is a great offence and God will hold you accountable even if that other person was the sinner. God gives us grace, but we need to introduce other people to that grace and to the other things and concepts that are taught in the Bible. Again, speak about these things with all boldness and without hindrance.
2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.” - be prepared even when it's "out of season." Even when it's not Sunday. Even when they're hostile or don't believe what you believe and don't think the way you do. Be prepared. They may ask, why should I believe? How do you know He exists? Why does He allow evil? Be prepared but remember that ultimately you preach God, so it's His strength and not your own that will reach others. 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." Ephesians 4:15: “Speak the truth in love.” - you must correct others with the truth, but if you are harsh and fail to do it in love, you have achieved nothing (in 1 Corinthians 13:1 it says you could literally sound like an angel in what you say, but without love you are just noise). Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - so you can "benefit those who listen." You can "help" others and "build them up" and all of this can help them "with their needs." You can genuinely help others to improve with the words you say, but your intentions have to be good and selfless, and you can't be judgmental. Pull the weight you judge others by, lead by example. Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." - basically, if someone loves fruit they eat it, and in the same way those that hear your words will suffer the consequences (positive or negative) of hearing your words - so be fruitful and kind in all that you say.
We also need to count the costs: realize the value of what you lose if you talk about Jesus (maybe a job, a supposed friendship, etc.) vs what you gain if you do (eternal life, the respect of those that respect boldness and integrity, the chance to reach others for Christ, etc.). Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” - if you have to change who you are or should be in order to fit in, that’s a terrible crowd. Luke 12:4-5: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." - the point that this verse makes is that we shouldn't fear others, but God. We should want to please God more than we want to keep Instagram followers from unfollowing us. There's nothing, no gift or bribe or pleasure at all, even if it's the bribe of being an introvert and not having to talk about Jesus when it's awkward, that will be worth it in eternity. Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." - throw EVERYTHING off, even if "doing nothing" is a part of that everything when you're supposed to be reaching others for Christ - fix your eyes on Him in all that you do. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). So be careful to treasure (think about, desire, pursue) God, because whatever you aim for "there your heart will be" - eternally. Is your heart going to Heaven, or Hell? The difference between the 2 is the presence of God. So treasure time with God and live your life wholeheartedly for Him. Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be very careful, then, how you live not - as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - we can get closer to God by being "careful" and "wise" in "all" that we do and by living for Christ with "every opportunity" - even in the little things.
What do you do if the people around you aren’t pursuing Christ? Remember how Jesus went to the cross? That’s because the people around Jesus during His life didn’t even believe in Him! How much less these days. Yet Jesus is considered the greatest, having never fit in - it’s not about fitting in, but following God, which Jesus did. The words “I am the Lord your God” show up in the Bible almost a hundred times. Notice that it’s “your” God. Personal. Not “their” God. That’s because God wants you to have a personal faith, a personal relationship. That doesn’t mean that He doesn’t care about other people, it just means that everyone should have a relationship with God that isn’t impacted by other people (because what kind of relationship is that?). Think of it like this: if there’s 10 people, God doesn’t want them all to have 1 faith, it means that all 10 of them have their own faith. That doesn’t mean that your faith is supposed to be different, but that your relationship with Christ shouldn’t be dependent on if the people around you have one or not. We’re all called to the same standard of being more like Christ in our everyday lives, and have each other as a community, but I think that if we either sink or swim because of the people around us then we weren’t really swimming to begin with...
Maybe you’re not sure if you’ll fit in if you get closer to Christ. In Romans 12:2 it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” So basically what that means is that if you want to know (and approve) this whole God thing, you have to stop focusing on being like everyone around you and instead change your perspective and the way you think of things. Following crowds can have devastating results, and even if they don’t why be dependent on them?
In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus tells His disciples to "go" and make disciples of all the nations. In John 8:11 He says He does not condemn us, but that we must "go and sin no more." So as our time on all platforms draws to a close, my prayer is that you would go. There's nothing left to say, and everything left to do. Go put the Word of God into practice in your everyday life. Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - so don’t be afraid or anxious, and don't be discouraged or depressed, because no matter where we go and what we go through, God will be with us "wherever" we go and He will "be with you." But He's with us wherever we "go" because we have to actually go somewhere. Whether that's the right or wrong path, this is up to you. Our podcast is over, your walk with the Lord isn't. But He's with you, so live like it as you reach others for Him through such living. Psalm 23:4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." - so even in the deepest hardships and darkness God is with us - no exclusion or intimidation from others or from our own shyness and fearful hearts will ever be able to hinder the Gospel, unless we become phased and we let it - to the eternal regret of ourselves and others - so we should continue to teach about Jesus with all boldness and without hindrance. But the verse said, "even though I walk," so we must walk through these things, and we know that God walks with us, so we live our everyday walk with God in a way that invites His presence, living for Him and encouraging Him to be in our lives. - Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life - and this is what we are to teach everyone, with all boldness and without hindrance.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - that's what this is. God's Word is USEFUL. There is a purpose here. It helps us teach/rebuke/correct others, but more importantly it helps us to train OURSELVES in righteousness and be prepared to do EVERY good work that God has in store for us in this life, according to what the Words say and how we live them out. I like that it said "the servant of God," because it makes clear that a real servant of God would do this, otherwise they are not a "servant of God." Keep in mind that many of the people Jesus called as disciples and followers, and many that He gave breakthroughs to, were not super knowledgeable about the Bible or particularly religious people - what we see as a limitation can't limit the God of all creation. We don't worship a god that fits in our 3 pound brains. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). So when it doesn't make sense, don't lean on what you can understand, just trust Him with all your heart. Trust that He is calling you, yes you, and keep in mind that everyone has to start somewhere. So read the Word of God, do what it says, train yourself and train others, do the good works that God has created you specifically to do (Ephesians 2:10). The greatest preaching is not verbal, but through actions, so live these Words out in your everyday life. John 20:21: "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me I am sending you.” - Mark 16:15: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Again remember that we are called to do these things with all boldness and without hindrance. Thanks for reading.
A lot of Christians will often find themselves very confused by how difficult it is for them to reach others for Christ - why don't people believe me? Why are they so hesitant? Wouldn't my Christian virtue, my Christlike living make an impact? It leaves them stunned. Why isn't our Christian greatness turning heads and attracting others? I'll tell you why: it's really not as big of a deal as you think it is. When I ask people how they got closer to Jesus, 100% of the people will answer in one of two ways: they either encountered Him in some way (whether it was that He moved in their heart or revealed something to them, or they just "felt it"), or they had some experience at a church or growing up (which was basically Jesus's way of encountering them, but they just don't realize it). So my point is that people are moved by Jesus. It's the same thing with the people that we don't impress: if they encountered Jesus, it would totally change their lives. But they DON'T encounter Jesus - they encounter us. This is the reason that we fall short: "we" are falling short. The world does NOT need Christians - it needs Christ. The disciples would often deny others from accessing Jesus (Luke 18:15-17, Mark 10:46-49, and other places). This includes when Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times, which turned an opportunity to minister to those Pagans into Peter just trying to look good and have a good public image - this is what happened most of the times that the disciples prevented people from getting closer to Jesus: they didn't mean it, it just happened. The disciples interjected themselves, and so it became more about them and les about God. The same thing is at work with us. Even the 12 disciples of Jesus made mistake and pushed people away from Jesus, so truthfully, the world doesn't need followers of Jesus to be the center - the world needs Jesus to be the center.
And this all starts with followers of Jesus. If Jesus is "the way" (John 14:6) then our ways need to align more closely with His. If the world needs to see more of Jesus, then we can make that happen through our lives. We are "made in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), and we should reflect that image in all that we do.
Hebrews 1:3 refers to Jesus as the "exact representation" of God - so Jesus reflected God. This isn't just a physical representation, but in terms of ALL things - Jesus represented God in the way He lived His life. What made the bond between Jesus and the Father so special was the fact that Jesus reflected God perfectly in all that He did - He lived out the Words and commands of God. That's how He was able to represent Him "exactly," and so through the life of Jesus many "came to the Father" (John 14:6, the same verse that refers to Him as the ONLY WAY that we can come to the Father God in Heaven). So if Jesus is the only way to God, then it makes sense that many people came to God because of Him, while many people were distanced from God by the "good people" like the disciples and other moral leaders. So if we want others to get closer to God, if we want to get closer to that "exact" representation of Him, then we must do the same, living like Him, like Jesus, quite literally "representing" and reflecting Him "exactly" - "good people" aren't exact representatives of God - Jesus Christ is. Live like Him to get closer to Him and to help others do the same.
1 John 3:2: “We shall be like Him.” - being more like Jesus (loving, forgiving, patient, selfless, compassionate, on and on it goes) is literally our calling from the Bible. If we want to get closer to God, it only makes sense to do it His way, according to His instructions. Ephesians 5:1: “Follow God’s example as dearly loved children.” 1 John 2:6: "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did" - more important than any claim we can make or religious stance we can take is the way we actually live our lives for God and live like Jesus. Philippians 2:5: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." We should approach our daily lives and relationships the same way Jesus did. John 13:15: "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." - follow His example in how you live.
2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.” - be prepared even when it's "out of season." Even when it's not Sunday. Even when they're hostile or don't believe what you believe and don't think the way you do. Be prepared. They may ask, why should I believe? How do you know He exists? Why does He allow evil? Be prepared but remember that ultimately you preach God, so it's His strength and not your own that will reach others. "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). So Jesus Christ is the answer - being more like Him, knowing that He is the only way to get closer to the Father God in Heaven and then living that out (John 14:6), THIS is how we will surprise others.
So what's the difference? If living a basic Christian lifestyle is underwhelming to unbelievers, but Jesus Christ is overwhelming, then what's the difference? A lot of us will just say "Jesus is the answer" without really looking at why. Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." - so even though we are called to have faith and believe, we are also called to "taste and see" - it's ok to examine the legitimate reason that Jesus is the answer, it's ok to "taste and see that" in addition to simply believing it. Here's the reason Christ surpasses flawlessness: He was FULLY following God. Hebrews 1:3 refers to Him as the "exact" representation of God. So He FULLY represented Him - He NEVER got frustrated or lashed out, never swore or tore someone down, He was always kind, etc. Take the cross for example - He had the power to avoid it, and then when He was up there He had the power to get even with His enemies - He never did any of those things. He did what God had called Him to do (going through with the crucifixion). A "good person" wouldn't go that far - and this is why "good Christians" don't really impact unbelievers - their "goodness" just isn't "good enough." Matthew 5:48: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." - while we'll never be perfect, we ARE called to be perfect by Jesus here, so if we're short of that (which we are) and we're not taking serious, immense, from the heart action to change that, then we can expect our outreach to be disappointing, and even if we reach many we know that we are short of our expectations - "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).
Colossians 2:9: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." - again Jesus wasn't just "a good guy that followed God." No, God was FULLY IN HIM. So if we want to "be perfect" and "be the exact representation," if we really want to reach others, then we have to realize that being an above average Christian isn't going to do it. We need to FULLY accept God into our hearts. God was "fully in" Jesus. Is He fully in you, in your actions, in your heart? Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you WILL find me when you seek me with ALL your heart." Remember the verse about tasting and seeing earlier? Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." - so it's not just that we "love" God or are "close" to Him - no, we take our refuge "IN" Him. We are IN Him - this is the difference, that next step that made Jesus so special, that next step out onto the waters that we never seem to take. The fullness of God took place IN Jesus. We don't just "have a heart for God" - we "have God in our hearts." - 1 John 4:12: "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." - when we live for God and keep Him within our hearts and at the center of our actions and intentions, when we "love one another," then even though no one has ever seen Him before, they will see Him through your actions. Be the change. "Christ in me." Let your light shine. After all, you're made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), so reflect that image. So then, what does loving others look like? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." So loving God, loving your neighbor, THIS is what that looks like. Be patient (both with others and with God's plan for your life). Be kind (it's not small, God requires it). Don't envy or be arrogant but be completely humble, gentle, patient and kind. Don't seek your own good (self-seeking) but put God and others first. Don't be easily angered but be patient. Forgive others ("keeps no record of wrongs") - He forgives us, so in the same way be kind and compassionate and forgive others. Love "always perseveres" - this stuff is difficult especially when you're busy and irritable - God is calling us to try our best and persevere in living out this love/service He commands. When people are annoying, persevere. When tempted, persevere. God is love (1 John 4:8), so being more Christlike consists of living out these qualities. Ephesians 5:1-2: "Follow God’s example and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a sacrifice to God." - give something up and make sacrifices like Christ did on the cross.
1 John 3:18: “Don’t love with talk and speech, but with actions and in truth.” - reflect God in your actions. "Christ in me."
1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” - You can “save yourself and your hearers” by believing and living out the right things, by following God's example and living out love in your everyday life (Ephesians 5:1-2). When I say things like this, don't get the false idea that our reaching others for Christ is only through our own strength. Remember that it's "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). So it's only through Jesus that we can make a great impact, and sometimes He doesn't need us to be great, but just to be willing. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - according to what you DO have. Give God the devotion from your heart, time, love, energy and resources that you DO have, not being ashamed of what you can’t give, because He doesn’t care He doesn’t need your gift He just wants your devotion from a genuine heart.
Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine, so that others may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." So shine that light, live that new life for Christ, because it can also save those around you. It's only when we cover that light up by living for ourselves and living apart from Jesus, it's only at this point in time that we will (just like the disciples when they prevented others from getting closer to Jesus) underwhelm unbelievers. They've seen a million Christians and 0 Christs. Change that today. Thanks for reading.
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Many have wondered what the exact costs of sin really are. In Romans 6:23 we see it laid out. The "wages" (something you earn, like if your wages were a certain rate per hour) of sin is death. So with sin, you earn death. It doesn't say how much death, which has caused some to believe that it isn't a big deal, but I would caution against that way of thinking because it DID say that the sins earn death, so this WILL be costly and isn't something to overlook or skip past. I also believe that the Bible is clear: each sin is just as costly as the other sins. James 2:10: "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." - this should discourage us against that "smaller sins" mentality that we use to justify things like swearing and selfishness and not giving 10% to the church and other sins that we incorrectly label as "smaller" and "not that big of a deal."
So if sin earns death, then we know that "the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus." Basically, where with sin we have death, with God we have life - and so clearly the 2 are opposites. In regards to this, Luke 16:13 says: "No one can serve two masters." This is why, as Christians, it is impossible to have both. 1 John 3:6: "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." - so the objectives and facts are made very clear here. What then are we called to do? Colossians 3:5: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature." We are called to KILL these sins ("put to death" and "Earthly nature" make clear that the author was talking about totally killing off sins). And God gives us choices, free will.
God loves you so much that He doesn't force you to follow Him - He loves you enough to give you the choice. Just as it says in Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." So I can do all things, but what will I choose to do? Choices, choices, and more choices - we see it in the Bible, and we see it in our everyday lives. That's why it says in Joshua 24:15 to "choose this day whom you will serve." THIS DAY, not tomorrow or next week or year or later down the road. Today. These aren't ancient verses to the Israelites, this is God's message to you today. It says in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that “I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial; I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything.” If you want to look at that, click that, think that, drink that, smoke that, say that, and be that, then that's your choice. But not everything is beneficial. Be careful. And God doesn't want you to be mastered, addicted. And maybe you are. But it's not too late. God cares about your addiction. In Mark 1:41 it says that Jesus was "indignant" (or basically "pissed off or upset") because someone was sick, helpless. And in Mark 10:14 it uses the same word when Jesus sees people being held back. He hates that you're addicted, and He wants to bring you back. This is why it says in Deuteronomy 30:4 that even from the farthest distance, God wants to bring you back, and in Joel 2:12 it says even now, even after everything, return to the Lord with all your heart - so you can return, but do it “now” and “with all your heart” (hold nothing back). In Psalm 1:1 it talks about the sinner, who goes from walking, to standing, to sitting. You slowly shut down, and that bad habit that you wanted to stop, well it becomes an addiction, and it ends up stopping you. This is why in Luke 9:25 Jesus says "don't lose yourself." So yeah, you can do anything you want. But it's not all beneficial, and please, if you take anything away from this, please don't be mastered by anything.
So if we want to be "born again" then something must die. I believe, in our case, the sins in our lives must die - we must crucify them in our everyday lives. 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." Romans 6:8: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." - this means if we, like Christ, die to sins and put off that old way of living/doing things, not if we just die - everyone dies, but not everyone spends their eternity with Jesus. This is deeper than "everyone wins no matter what." Romans 6:1-2, right before this, says: "Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" - so this idea that we can just keep sinning and hide behind God's forgiveness is wrong. God does forgive, and there's no distance He won't bring you back from, but He only heals those who are willing (and it was the same thing with Jesus). Convincing yourself that God will forgive, and then moving into sin, it just doesn't work. It doesn't show a willingness because there's no willingness there. Christ didn't just "dislike" sins - He steered clear of them and killed them on the cross. He died. He lost something. He was never rich, never in a relationship, and never received the recognition that He deserved (people hated and crucified Him). In the same way, we must "die." Lose. Lose with a purpose. When Jesus said "Father forgive them," instead of coming down from the cross and crushing His opponents, it made Jesus the loser - temporarily. He died so He would live eternally. So what has to die today? A searching? A playlist? Certain language, maybe feelings? It's between you and God - but put it to death so you can truly live. Colossians 3:5: "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." - I'm not asking you to "try" because nothing will happen. KILL THESE THINGS! Die to sins, live for Christ. Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - so put personal gain and sins to death and truly, wholeheartedly and willingly live for God. And if you die having lived this way, you will live forever.
Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Jesus stands at the door of our hearts - will we let Him in? Everyday, we have opportunities. Deuteronomy 30:15: "See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction." - Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - just like how for Adam, the Garden of Eden was already prepared for Him, in the same way we have opportunities put in front of us "today," and must make a choice between God and alternatives "this day." We know that "the wages of (what we earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:23). So when God says that He has "set life and death before us today and we must choose" - He basically means this. Sin. You open your phone, now what? Choose this day. You are talking to someone and it's tempting to talk about yourself instead of listening, or the temptation to badmouth or slander someone pops up, or any type of temptation that we face in our everyday lives - choose this day. God stands at the door of our hearts. Therefore “Above all else, guard your heart (be watchful of what you desire and take in), for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).” Matthew 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So be careful what you pursue/treasure, because this will determine where your heart stays during this life and forevermore (there your heart will be). Pursue the Bible and living out the Words and God's plan for your life instead of things that will fade away. Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away." This all stems from the person that you are in your everyday life, in the daily and the common, when nobody is there, when you're on your phone, when you're watching TV or listening to music, just that everyday life and there's usually a choice to be made between God/what's right and an alternative. Proverbs 27:19: "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." So live for God and pursue Him in all things. Thanks for reading.
The word "heart" is defined as "A hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation." - basically, your heart. A lot of people think about feelings, and emotions, and heartbreak - this is not what the "human heart" does, though our association makes it seem that way. The second, or alternate, definition for the word heart is "The central or innermost part of something (and this is the approach we'll take today)." Basically, it's your core, it's who you are. If I were to combine everything that you love and have interest in, then your heart would be a quick representation of all those things. Proverbs 27:19: "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." And so your heart is that innermost part of you.
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - a lot of people focus on the second part of the verse, and don't get me wrong it's great, but I favor the first few words. God created our inmost being. He knows our thoughts, our longings and what we've been through. It was the same thing for the Israelites, which is why He could say "I have seen your misery and heard your despair and I am concerned for you" (Exodus 3:7). God knows about our bad habits, what specifically clicks and doesn't click with us - it's personal, it's our inmost being, and He created it. Satan attacks it. Whether with selfish pursuits, false humility and imaging, sexual pleasures or desires, alcohol or substances - Satan is always attacking from the mind and heart, the inmost being. But God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" so I say that today we take a stand and praise God for this work, and honor it by doing the best we can and taking care of it, again all from the inmost being. The rest of this verse means that we know, no matter how addicted or unattractive or messy or dirty we may feel, we know that God created us fearfully and wonderfully and that we are enough. We don't have to compare, or cut, or drink, or smoke, or dress more or less or differently - there is nothing you have to do - you are enough because He made you perfectly the way you are. Honor that by living for Him and taking a stand against the Devil's work in your life. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." - the heart is a part of your body (as we looked at earlier with the definition).
Luke 6:45: "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." The person brings either good or evil out of what is already prepared in their heart. Evil heart? Evil dude. Good heart? You get it. It said that the good and evil were "stored up" in the heart, and that the words were based on what the heart was already "full of." What have you stored up? What's your heart full of? "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). So be careful to treasure (think about, desire, pursue) God, because whatever you aim for "there your heart will be" - eternally. Is your heart going to Heaven, or Hell? The difference between the 2 is the presence of God. So treasure time with God and live your life wholeheartedly for Him. Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be very careful, then, how you live not - as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - we can get closer to God by being "careful" and "wise" in "all" that we do and by living for Christ with "every opportunity" - even in the little things. Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away." - so pursue the Bible and God's plan for your life instead of things that will fade away. Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." - so keep your desires and the things you treasure and do centered around God, because what is within must come out, so guard your heart because it determines who you will be and what you will do - don't treasure what fades otherwise you fade with it ("there your heart will be also"). Pursue God with all your heart. Store up Godliness in your heart. Have a heart full of compassion and kindness. Do the things that we talk about doing without ever actually doing - being kind, putting others first (AHEAD of you), breaking the habits, beating sin, being patient and kind. I don't want to talk about these things and look like a strong Christian - I want to DO these things and BE a strong Christian. Joel 2:13: "Rend (change) your heart and not your garments (or image)." - stop looking like a Christian, start living like Christ. Jeremiah 29:13: “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
And so we know that we, as Christians, are called to take that inner piece, that heart, and follow God with it in all that we do. Acts 17:28: "For in Him we live and move and have our being." - so it's only through God that we can truly live (so we should live for Him), it's only through Him that we can move (so we should follow Him), and it's only through Him that we can have our being and take up an identity (and so we should be proud of our identity as "made in the image of God" according to Genesis 1:27 and we should look to reflect that image in all that we do). For we know that "I can do all things" but only "through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
We can return to the Lord from any distance when we do so with all our hearts. Deuteronomy 4:29: "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul." - God wants you to return and have fulfillment in Him, but are you holding anything back? A habit, addiction, feeling? You can return to God, He is forgiving, but you have to do this "with all your heart." He doesn't need you to be good enough - He needs you to be willing enough to let Him be your main pursuit with the time that remains. Deuteronomy 30:4: “Even from the farthest distance (mentally, spiritually, any type of distance) the Lord will bring you back from there.” Joel 2:12: "Even now, return to the Lord with all your heart." - so even now, even after everything that has happened, you can return to the Lord, but you have to do it even "now" and not later, and you have to do this "with all you heart." And again, we know that the heart is that centerpiece of who we are - so return to God from the center, from within, in an inward way, submit yourself to Him. This is how the prodigal son was able to return - he took who he was as a person, flaws and all, and brought his imperfections to the Lord from the heart, changing his nature from within.
Colossians 3:1-2: "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This is one of my favorite messages in the entire Bible: that Christ is raising us into a new and higher way of life, to be where He is not only eternally but in our everyday lives. So how do we get there? Set your mind and heart on Christ. If you don't die to the old way of life, you can't live in the new. If you set your alarm clock for the wrong time, you don't wake up. A lot of us need to set our hearts and minds differently, or we won't like what we wake up to eternally.
Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." - Jesus stands at the door of our hearts - will we let Him in? Everyday, we have opportunities. Deuteronomy 30:15: "See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction." - Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - just like how for Adam, the Garden of Eden was already prepared for Him, in the same way we have opportunities put in front of us "today," and must make a choice between God and alternatives "this day." We know that "the wages of (what we earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:23). So when God says that He has "set life and death before us today and we must choose" - He basically means this. Sin. You open your phone, now what? Choose this day. You are talking to someone and it's tempting to talk about yourself instead of listening, or the temptation to badmouth or slander someone pops up, or any type of temptation that we face in our everyday lives - choose this day. God stands at the door of our hearts. Therefore “Above all else, guard your heart (be watchful of what you desire and take in), for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).”
Our hearts are also included as the place where we make decisions and commitments to God and others on a financial level. 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - He doesn't need your resources, He wants your willingness. Don't miss the point. Proverbs 17:22: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Deuteronomy 15:10: "Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to." Ephesians 4:31: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." 2 Corinthians 8:12: “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - basically what that means is that, if you’re willing, God will accept your gifts no matter what they are, no matter how great or small. It’s according to what you have, not according to what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for what you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the things you don’t have. He’s not looking for that perfect version of you, because it doesn’t exist and waiting for it and waiting for a better time will leave you in eternal waiting. God will accept you, but the verse said there was one little thing you had to do: be willing. Be willing. 1 Chronicles 28:9: "Acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever."
Matthew 9:4: "Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, 'Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?'" Mark 7:21: "It is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come." Therefore “Above all else, guard your heart (be watchful of what you desire and take in), for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).” Matthew 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So be careful what you pursue/treasure, because this will determine where your heart stays during this life and forevermore (there your heart will be). Pursue the Bible and living out the Words and God's plan for your life instead of things that will fade away. Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away." This all stems from the person that you are in your everyday life, in the daily and the common, when nobody is there, when you're on your phone, when you're watching TV or listening to music, just that everyday life and there's usually a choice to be made between God/what's right and an alternative. Proverbs 27:19: "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." So live for God and pursue Him in all things. Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." - we can get closer to God by being "careful" and "wise" in "all" that we do and by living for Christ with "every opportunity" - even in the little things. Philippians 4:13: "I can (and should!) do all things through Christ Who gives me strength." James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - so if this is confusing to you or you don't get it, pray and ask God from the heart, and live your life for Him in all things.
1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - if we revere Christ in our hearts, this means that we revere (respect) Him from that inward place, that deepest center of who we are - we desire Him and seek Him from that deepest place, with all our hearts. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." - and so we are given a hint, an idea of what "seeking Him with all our heart" looks like: prayer. He DOES hear you when you pray, and you WILL find Him in your everyday life and in whatever situation you're in, but only if you seek Him "with all your heart." We are clearly called to search for God from that deepest within, and only when we give it everything and hold nothing back, willing to sacrifice lust and all other things - only then are we guaranteed results, and even then it doesn't say when we'll find God, but only THAT we will, so be patient and trust the process, living your life wholeheartedly (from the heart holding nothing back) for Him as you wait for His timing. God created your heart - give it back to Him in how you live your everyday life. Thanks for reading.
Sometimes this question becomes difficult to answer. There are so many PROMISED uncertainties in the Bible - we know that we won't know. Isaiah 60:22: "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will do it." - we just don't know when (or what "it" represents in your everyday life, whether breakthrough or something else), and so we are left to wonder. Ezekiel 34:26: "There will be showers of blessings, in season."- once again, same concept: we know that God will deliver, but we just don't know when, and so we are left to question God's plan, or at least what it is. In John 16:33 Jesus tells us that "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart because I have overcome the world." - so we will struggle "in this world" and we just don't know for how long. Notice that the "trouble" we face is NOT detailed. The specific wording is "you will have trouble" - this leaves, in terms of God's plan, almost everything unsolved. The only thing that we know is that "you will have trouble" - we don't know what type of trouble, we don't know for how long, we don't know if anything outside of trouble is in God's plan for us here on Earth (at least not in this verse, but there are others that show God's promises to prosper and bless us), and we also don't know how much of the trouble that we face is actually a part of God's plan.
Why does God allow evil? Is this a part of God's plan?
So that begs the question: is everything that happens a part of God's plan, and does this mean that He is responsible for planning evil? Romans 8:28: "In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose." - in all things, even the little/insignificant things, God has a purpose and is working for the good. But God is the one working. So these things come from Him. But not ALL things - Jeremiah 29:11: "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Understand that going through totally dark things is NOT "God's plans" because "my plan is not to harm you." But if His plan is to "prosper" you eternally, then this might involve going through the required hardships here on Earth. But nothing "harmful." Suicide, murder, rape - it's hard for good things to come from this, it's just straight up harmful. But breakups? Firings? Never getting what you wanted? It happens, and sometimes you need it for eternal prosperity. Aside from this distinction, which is really important, we can safely say that everything is "from" God. You might respond by using a verse like Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." The issue with this is that God's plan doesn't have to be thwarted when evil things happens - basically, this verse promises that God won't lose, not that Satan won't win at times in this life. But what about "my plan is to prosper you and not harm you" (Jeremiah 29:11)? God isn't the one harming you. He doesn't cause evil, He allows it, because He gives us the ability to make our own choices - suppressing our free will and forcing us to follow Him would be just as evil as it is to allow evil. At this point, one final counter is that God also says "He will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22). The problem with that is that, even if you die, you can still go to Heaven (notice the word "righteous") - so we, truly, can never be shaken even if we are here on Earth - "If God is for us (again, for the "righteous" so God IS for them), then who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Nowhere in the Bible does it say "God won't allow bad things to happen because it's not in His plan" - these 3 verses that we just looked at are as CLOSE as it comes to saying that, but even then if you understand them in the proper context you will come to this conclusion: evil is not a part of God's plan, but neither is preventing us from committing it.
That we would face hardships
And we know for certain that we are promised to face troubles and hardships - this IS in God's plan. Again, like we said earlier, nothing "harmful" is a part of God's plan, but we do know that other hardships ARE a part of His plan, provided they aren't totally dark and harmful. John 16:33: "In this world you will have troubles." So it's "in this world," and God has an eternal plan where "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4, right at the end of the Bible where it describes Heaven). So, this eternal to plan to "prosper us and not harm us, to give us hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11) and to "take away all pain and death" (Revelation 21:4) is PAIRED with God's plan to train us through hardships. We can have both hardships in this life and eternal blessing with God - it's not a double standard to have both. That would be like saying "you can't eat and have a healthy body" - you actually NEED the food. So in this life we know that we need the hardships to train us and help us become the overcoming people, the spiritually strong Christians that God calls us to be - we don't go through things because God hates us or is evil: we go through harmful things (suicide, murder, rape, etc.) because of humanity being evil, and we go through other types of hardships (getting fired, facing breakups, being poor, etc.) because God is strengthening us. It's as simple as that.
That we would overcome our temptations and hardships
So why do we face temptations? Growth. James 1:2-4: "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - so these temptations and hardships make you a more complete Christian. It also proves your faith to be genuine. 1 Peter 1:6-7: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." - so we go through these things "for a little while" in order to "prove the genuineness of your faith" and we know that when we overcome these sins and temptations, when we become stronger as a result of hardships, we know that (like the verse said) in these things "Christ is revealed" and our "faith is proven genuine." What type of Christian doesn't give up their sins? Someone that isn't following Christ. You can't follow Him where He's not going, and He's not going to Hell with the sins that reside there - so neither should you. God wants you to turn away from addictions and bad habits - habits with scrolling, lust, and everything in between. He wants that for your own sake because it proves how genuine your faith is. Everyone wants eternal life, so it's easy to believe in Jesus - but what does it really amount to if you're not willing to give something up? Let's say you had to pick one - God, or these things? When we choose these things, we make them God in our lives. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21) - eternally. I hardly think God should be on trial for allowing us to face temptations - the real judgment will be based on whether or not we stand firm against such temptations with the time that remains. 2 Timothy 3:12: "In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." - so if you want to live a Godly life and eternity, you have to face and overcome the temptations. That's what makes it genuine. Make the distinctions, break the habits, repent, do what's right.
To come back and triumph over evil in the end
We can also confidently say that it is a part of God's will that Jesus will return and overcome the evil forces of this world. Believe it or not, this is actually my first time writing that. In all my ministry, I've never written that - it seemed so obvious that I never bothered saying it. Everyone knows that Jesus will come back and win in the end (not everyone, but it's usually one of the most known things about Christianity). I now write it because the nature of this post, "what is God's will," calls for it. So, I'll walk you through God's will for the end times, from the Scripture. Acts 1:11: "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” But what is He returning to do? "Triumph over them (a reference to Satan and his followers) because he is Lord of lords and King of kings" (Revelation 17:14) and "Throw the Devil into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). So we know THAT Jesus is coming back (and also HOW, if you look back at Acts 1:11 and consider that it will be "at that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" Luke 21:27), and we also know WHY He is coming back or basically WHAT He is coming back to do - but WHEN? "You do not know when that time will come" (Mark 13:33). Matthew 24:42: "Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." - the passage says right here that "we do not know" - only God knows when He is coming back. Now, this passage doesn't mean for us to wait by a window keeping watch for Jesus - that would have been the most boring 2 thousand + years ever, right? What this passage really means is that Jesus could come back at any moment, so the best thing that we can do is live our lives "ready" for Him - are things in your life out of order? Are you addicted to porn or entertainment? Are you struggling with loving others in the way that the Bible says to? Tidy these things up before Jesus returns, because it truly could happen "at any moment." And so we live our everyday lives as if on watch for Christ. He even says in Matthew 24:43-44: "If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" to make the point that if you KNEW when Jesus was returning, you could cheat the system and repent at the last moment - that's not from the heart. So if you expect Him to come next Sunday, and Friday and Saturday you live in sin, He might as well just come like a thief in the night. It's just like He said - with this in mind, live for Him wholeheartedly at all times. In some of the final words of the Bible, Jesus says "I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:21) - so we know that Jesus IS coming, He says "I am coming." But when is "soon"? This, 2,000 years later, is what we are still wondering. The term is relative - it means different things to different people. And we know that: "A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night" (Psalm 90:4) - if this were the case, then mathematically Jesus's resurrection happened 2 years and 8 days ago. That is actually relatively soon. The point is that, since we don't know, we take the time that remains and do all that we can both for God and others.
God wants us to be saved
Jeremiah 29:11: "My plan is to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future." - so God's "plan" is to prosper us, NOT harm us. Many look at this verse in terms of eternity ("future") often because of the fact that things feel hopeless and we often face harm here on Earth. You could counter by saying that God doesn't cause the harm but simply allows it, as we looked at earlier, but one thing there is no arguing over, one thing we KNOW - "my plan is to prosper you" certainly applies to eternity because of the word "future" - it can be both now and later, or just later, but we KNOW that this applies to later. Long story short, we KNOW that God wants ("my plan") us to be saved in Heaven ("is to prosper you and not harm you, to give you hope and a future"). 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." - so we see that God "wants" us to be saved, but that He ONLY "wants" us to be saved. It did not say that "God forces" or that "all will be saved." God only wants us to choose Him, but He will still give us free will. Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Jesus stands at the door of our hearts - will we let Him in? Everyday, we have opportunities. Deuteronomy 30:15: "See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction." - Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - just like how for Adam, the Garden of Eden was already prepared for Him, in the same way we have opportunities put in front of us "today," and must make a choice between God and alternatives "this day." We know that "the wages of (what we earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:23). So when God says that He has "set life and death before us today and we must choose" - He basically means this. Sin. You open your phone, now what? Choose this day. You are talking to someone and it's tempting to talk about yourself instead of listening, or the temptation to badmouth or slander someone pops up, or any type of temptation that we face in our everyday lives - choose this day. God stands at the door of our hearts. Therefore “Above all else, guard your heart (be watchful of what you desire and take in), for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).” And so again we know that Jesus wants us to choose Him in our everyday lives (which leads to eternal life) over sin (which leads to eternal death) - John 10:10: "The thief (Satan) comes to steal kill and destroy, I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and life to the full (eternal life in Him)." - so He has come that we "may" have life, not that we "must" or "will" - the choice between life and death, in this spiritual way, is yours. James 4:7-8: "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - God, the Devil, the choice is yours - but there is power, Satan leaving/God coming closer type power, in having a heart that is willing to choose God and life over sin and death. 2 Samuel 14:14: "Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him." - again, we know that we "must" die (as a result of the sin in this world which leads to death - Genesis 2:17/Romans 6:23). And so we must die, "but that is not what God desires." That's HUGE with the topic we're looking at. So what DOES He want? "He devises ways" so that the distant would return to Him, and so that we would choose Him in our everyday lives. "The Word of God is alive and active" (Hebrews 4:12), so we see that there is current value and meaning in the Words of the Bible in our everyday lives, and we know that God will often give us a message or a calling through these Words - "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13), so we see that God DOES listen to our prayers and that, whether through prayer or Bible reading or any of these other "ways that He devises" - if through anything we "seek Him with ALL our heart" (hold nothing back), then we know that we WILL, "will" find Him - He wants to be found by us. He wants us to be saved. But we have to want it as well. We have to "choose this day who we will serve" (Joshua 24:15). We have to want this. Luke 9:23-24: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." So look at the wording. Whoever WANTS to be my disciple (He said this to His disciples, so being religious clearly doesn't save you). And it's daily - get into the habit of spending time with God and spending time doing things that will strengthen your foundational relationship in Him. Deny yourself, follow God instead in your everyday life, take up your cross DAILY. If you try to keep life the way you want it here on Earth, then you lose it eternally. If you are willing to give your life up and follow God with it and in all that you do, then you will be saved eternally. So deny yourself. Choose to be His disciple, and take up your cross, whatever it may be, each and every day.
God's will for us here on earth
So we've looked at eternity, we've looked at big general concepts (He allows but doesn't want evil, He allows and sometimes uses hardships in general to strengthen us) - but what about those smaller, daily things - what about our everyday lives? We'll set eternity and general concepts aside for a moment and look at the smaller, more direct things that God wants for us here on Earth.
1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - give thanks in "all" circumstances. This isn't some small thing: "this is God's will for you." Start taking it more seriously. Find something, maybe even just a pulse, to be thankful for, especially when you're down.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like those who do not know God." This is no small thing, this is "God's will" and when we give into sexual immorality and lust, we "know God" less. That's an everyday walk to the pit of Hell and we have to take a stand right now. 1 Corinthians 6:12: "I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial - I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything." - don't use your free will to be a slave to sin.
1 Peter 2:15: "For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people." - so we also see that God wants us to "do good" and leave nothing but silence for the "foolish people" that don't follow suit, those that oppose the mission of Christ. We can best silence them by giving them nothing to talk about. Live your life completely consistent with what you teach and believe, even and especially behind closed doors, and you will leave nothing negative for them to say.
1 Peter 3:17: "For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." - here we see that it MIGHT, MIGHT ("if it is God's will") be God's plan that we face persecutions ("suffer") for doing the right thing ("good") - but we CERTAINLY know that, if it is God's will and if it is His calling for us, it is better to face persecution for doing what's right instead of doing what's wrong. Example: Jesus facing persecutions of the cross for doing the right things (being selfless and dying for our sins) instead of for doing the wrong things (being selfish and putting Himself first by coming down and fighting for Himself). In example in our lives would be: facing persecutions from temptations that we don't give into instead of facing those persecutions in Hell for doing the wrong thing and giving into those temptations. This fits perfectly and consistently with what the verse taught - we have to look at the Bible deeply like this if we really want to understand the fullness of Jesus Christ and what He really wants in our everyday lives.
1 Peter 5:2: "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." - so we see here that God "wants us" to "be shepherds (take care of, just like how the shepherd takes care of the sheep, which is a spiritual reference) of God's people (the "flock" under our care, also a spiritual reference based on the sheep) and watch over them. We are also asked to "be willing" and that this be our true motivation for serving God, not just because we feel that we must. This is a guide for everything in our spiritual lives, every decision that we encounter and mindset that we either do or don't have - in everything, be willing, not pursuing dishonest gain (whether of money, status, even sexual gratification through porn is "dishonest gain" - again think of EVERYTHING in these Biblical ways) - rather, we are called to be "eager to serve" whether that means actual physical service, or building someone up through our words (part of "being shepherds/taking care of God's people" and we know that He created ALL people) - these are the things that "God wants." They are a huge part of His will for us. 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” - if you’re willing, God will accept you. It’s according to what you have, not what you don’t. God will accept you for who you are, for the past you do have, not for who you think you should be or for the perfection that you don’t have. You just need to be willing. There was a criminal next to Jesus during His crucifixion - he gave his life to Jesus, and Jesus promised this man that he would enter Paradise - yet all he had ever done was sin until the bitter end. But he was willing. Willing to make a change, from the heart, in that exact moment. This is how we avoid Hell, by being willing to live for Christ and submitting to Him. If it's from the heart, you wouldn't wait until later or blow this off. Pray about it and make the changes God calls you to make.
In addition to verses that explicitly state that "this is God's will" or "this is what God wants," there are also verses that, despite not saying these things word for word, teach us what to do and how to live. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, pray with gratitude, and this will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, anything that is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:6-8). This is one of many teachings from the Bible that teaches us about our everyday lives and how to live them for God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - that's what this is. God's Word, the Bible/Scriptures are USEFUL. There is a purpose here. It helps us teach/rebuke/correct others, but more importantly it helps us to train OURSELVES in righteousness and be prepared to do EVERY good work that God has in store for us in this life, according to what the Words say and how we live them out. The fact that we are "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work, just goes to show that there is nothing that the Bible doesn't cover, if we search deep enough. Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life, again "in all things" (Philippians 4:13) because we know that we have been "thoroughly equipped" to do "every" good work that He wants us to (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and we know that we "do not lack any spiritual gift" (1 Corinthians 1:7, again implying that if we search deep enough we will find it). This is how we can "know and approve" of God's will (Romans 12:2).
How can I know what God's will is (what He wants) for me specifically right now?
Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” - this is how you test and approve and get closer to God. Stop conforming to everyone else, start transforming to everyday Christian living (and dying away of sins). 2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." - all such things "come from the mouth of God" as He speaks them to your heart. The work of the pen is done - now is the time when God reveals the writing to your heart, whether it's a scream (to give up a sin, and you feel convicted) or a whisper (a deep, hidden teaching like what we looked at earlier) - you have to receive with your heart. Proverbs 3:5: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding of things." James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should pray to God and ask for answers, and He will not find fault but will give generously to those who ask of Him." - so God won't find fault, He won't judge you for not having the answers - He will communicate with you and put the message that you need on your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13: "I hear you when you pray to me, and you will find me when you search with all your heart." Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." - as many different ideas/plans/pursuits as we may have, ultimately only God's will prevail. So don't fight it. If He has you waiting, and you're trying to force that relationship or opportunity or whatever it may be in your life - these plans are "in a person's heart" because even though you had to think them through in your mind, ultimately this is deeper than intellect - this is about your heart, your deepest desires. You want what you want, whether big things or even just little things like snacks (trust me I would know), and you want it SO BADLY that the idea is no longer stored in your mind but in your heart. And as dramatic as that is, it still doesn't change the fact that only God's purpose will prevail. So don't fight it. Instead, submit your heart and life to Him and to what He has in store, whether it is desirable in this moment or not - keep eternity in mind. If you're trying to be serviced by God, then you've got it all wrong. Romans 8:28: "We KNOW that God is working for the good in all things (EVERYTHING) for those who love Him and have been called according to His purposes." - so choose to love Him and trust Him and pursue/live out His purposes and commands in your everyday life. Thanks for reading.
The statement could be made that "since God is in control, He could have made us to be perfect and not need sleep or death or anything like that." Here's the problem with that statement: He did (BOOM the edit music hits lol). It was only through human choice that imperfection entered this world. Romans 8:10: "But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness." So we see that "your body is subject to death because of sin." To be "subject to" would be like serving something, like being a royal subject to the king. And so we see in Genesis 2:17 that God tells Adam that death will enter the world if he sins - which happens and is the reason, according to Romans 8:10, that people die today. But... sleep? Really? In fact, god puts Adam "to sleep" so He can create Eve out of Adam's rib (Genesis 2:21). And so clearly we see that there is some serious design here.
We need physical rest and also spiritual rest. You could make the argument that we shouldn't need physical rest because God could have created us to avoid such needs, but I would say that it's our physical rest that goes hand in hand with our spiritual rest - we can't rest and reset spiritually and emotionally without doing so physically. Sometimes, in this way, we just need to bring it to God. Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” - so you have to do an action, the action of coming to God, in order to rest? Wouldn’t more action be more exhausting? That’s the point: it doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t have to make sense. It could actually be more action here today, the adding into a busy schedule things like Bible reading and prayer, that could actually provide you with rest for your soul. Maybe spending 15 minutes on a busy day is all that you really need… So come to God today, and find your rest in the daily things that you do to grow in your faith in Him. Are you really dedicated to God? If you're too busy, then THAT is god in your life. Notice that it was only when Adam was asleep that God created Eve - there are going to be times where we simply must rest, must find rest in Christ and allow Him to do His works as we find our rest in Him, not leaning on our own understanding or taking control, but simply coming to Him and trusting in Him with each situation.
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." - so God is the one guiding our direction, making our paths straight. But sometimes that's a path that doesn't go where we wanted. Sometimes it leads straight through hardships. But either way, if you trust Him with ALL your heart and hold nothing back, even in times like these, and if you lean not on what you can understand and how you feel about the setbacks and defeats and waiting, if you submit to Him in all you do, He will establish the path even if it's hard to appreciate where it goes. Proverbs 19:21: "For many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the purpose of the Lord that prevails." - so whether we can agree with it or not, we know that God is the one who crafted us (Ephesians 2:10), and so we submit to His design. Embrace the need for sleep and take care of your body.
Psalm 139:13-14: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - a lot of people focus on the second part of the verse, and don't get me wrong it's great, but I favor the first few words. God created our inmost being. He knows our thoughts, our longings and what we've been through. It was the same thing for the Israelites, which is why He could say "I have seen your misery and heard your despair and I am concerned for you" (Exodus 3:7). God knows about our bad habits, what specifically clicks and doesn't click with us - it's personal, it's our inmost being, and He created it. Satan attacks it. Whether with selfish pursuits, false humility and imaging, sexual pleasures or desires, alcohol or substances - Satan is always attacking from the mind and heart, the inmost being. But God made us "fearfully and wonderfully" so I say that today we take a stand and praise God for this work, and honor it by doing the best we can and taking care of it, again all from the inmost being. The rest of this verse means that we know, no matter how addicted or unattractive or messy or dirty we may feel, we know that God created us fearfully and wonderfully and that we are enough. We don't have to compare, or cut, or drink, or smoke, or dress more or less or differently - there is nothing you have to do - you are enough because He made you perfectly the way you are. Honor that by living for Him and taking a stand against the Devil's work in your life.
Our bodies are described as “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Bible is also clear that the devil is trying to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). So the Devil will try to target vulnerabilities. If your temple is weak, he can take advantage of that. This is why it’s so important to do both the little and big things the right way. Whether it be getting more sleep, eating healthier, or even the bigger things like not being so vulnerable to pornography, or not taking advantage of other people, whatever it may be, it is important to remain strongly in the Lord so that we, having a firm foundation, cannot be shaken. Psalm 112:6 says that the righteous will never be shaken. In Psalm 1:3, the person that draws near to God and has their roots in Him is described as “a tree planted by the water.” This would be the same as a building or temple that has strong roots. So remain close to God and Godly, disciplined and selfless ways today. Hebrews 12:11: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price (Christ was crucified for you, your body has meaning and it mattered to Him so it should matter to you). Therefore honor God with your bodies." - does the way you live your everyday, little-things life invite the presence of God? Be a good host as you welcome Him in (this is what I've struggled with the most, whether it's what I listen to or think about or say or do, etc.). Thanks for reading.
Matthew 17:10-13: "The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist."
From verses 10-13, many questions and concerns arise, but you first must read through verse 13. Naturally, I had these questions: "what does the question in verse 10 actually mean?" and "how is verse 11 even possible?" and "what on Earth does He mean by what He said in verse 12?" - all three of these are answered by verse 13. The question is in reference to the Words of Malachi 4:5, a verse from the very final chapter of the Old Testament, where God says that "I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes." - so how could Jesus pass away (as specified in Matthew 17:9), Elijah having already shown up, and it still isn't the dreadful day? Does this mean that Jesus is not really the Messiah or anyone important at all? How could God disregard His servants Moses and Elijah in favor of Jesus? These are all legitimate things that the disciples, born and raised Hebrew, were trying to get answers to - their childhood and culture was being challenged by the God who wrote it. But Jesus is not disqualified of being the Messiah just because Elijah had appeared without the day of dread taking place. The specific wording in Malachi 4:5 is that Elijah will come "before" the day of dread. It does not say that the day of dread will take place "immediately" or ANY specific amount or even unit of time after Elijah's appearance - just THAT Elijah comes first. And this is why Jesus says in verse 11 “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things." - Malachi 4:5 also doesn't specify HOW MANY times Elijah will come. So from this we know that it doesn't matter when or how many times Elijah appears - it doesn't disqualify Jesus as the Messiah and it doesn't make Him false. In fact, as Jesus proclaims, Elijah has already returned BEFORE this transfiguration, returning as John the Baptist. This is one of those things that an atheist will point to and say "impossible," but think about it: when Jesus died, His body was in a tomb for 3 days, while His spirit visited Hell for 3 days - then both His body and spirit rose into Paradise after the 3 days. And so we know that there is a difference between body and spirit - this also explains "out of body experiences." And so we know that it's not impossible for Elijah's spirit to have been incarnate, in the flesh, in the body of John the Baptist all those hundreds and thousands of years later. But why? Why John? What was the point? "Elijah comes and will restore all things" (Matthew 17:11). Malachi 4:6 describes Elijah as "turning the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents." And this is what John the Baptist did: he restored the teaching of God and reached others for Christ. He was "A voice calling in the wilderness, making a straight path for the Lord" (John 1:23, Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4). More than that, John was a symbol, a symbol of what was to come. In Matthew 14:3-11, we see that John was mistreated and ultimately killed by the Jewish authorities, despite being righteous and only dying because he was pointing out sins and trying to help others - the EXACT same fate would eventually face Jesus on the cross, and so we see how John the Baptist is a symbol. This is why, back in Matthew 17:12, it says that "In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” And in closing, verse 13 clarifies that "Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist." Thanks for reading.
1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.
And so, desiring that we are saved, He sends Jesus Christ to the cross, which doesn't guarantee our eternity - it enables it, but we still must choose Jesus and His ways. Before Jesus's sacrifice, it was impossible to be forgiven even if we chose God. After Jesus's sacrifice, we can (optional) now be forgiven, having actually chosen God in our everyday lives. Revelation 3:20: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Jesus stands at the door of our hearts - will we let Him in? Everyday, we have opportunities. Deuteronomy 30:15: "See, today I set before you life and prosperity, death and destruction." - Joshua 24:15: "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether God or another." - just like how for Adam, the Garden of Eden was already prepared for Him, in the same way we have opportunities put in front of us "today," and must make a choice between God and alternatives "this day." We know that "the wages of (what we earn with) sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:23). So when God says that He has "set life and death before us today and we must choose" - He basically means this. Sin. You open your phone, now what? Choose this day. You are talking to someone and it's tempting to talk about yourself instead of listening, or the temptation to badmouth or slander someone pops up, or any type of temptation that we face in our everyday lives - choose this day. God stands at the door of our hearts.
1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth." Psalm 119:105: "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path." - lamps aren't for your feet, so clearly this is a figure of speech illustrating that the Bible will show you how to walk with God in your everyday life. In John 17:17 Jesus says that "your Word (He was talking to God) is truth" - so it's not just that the Bible spoke of the truth or was true - it literally IS truth. John 14:6: "I am the Way and the TRUTH and the Life, and nobody comes to the Father except through me." - 1 Timothy 2:4: "God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" - so coming to know Jesus ("the truth") is how we are saved. In the same way, come to know and live out the Words of the Bible, which are also truth (this is what Jesus did during His life on Earth) - this is how we are "saved." John 8:31-32: "If you hold to my teaching (like if you actually live it out), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Again remember that God "wants" us to be saved - He won't force us. Thanks for reading.
The main reason that any Christian would be conflicted about watching football on Sunday would be that Sunday happens to be the "Lord's Day," a day in which Christians are called to Sabbath rest and church attendance. Typically, in the NFL, the format is a little something like this: there are 32 teams, meaning there are 16 games a week. 2 teams typically have the week off (15 games), and 1 game is usually played on Monday night while 1 more is usually played Thursday night - so you would typically see around 12-13 games being played on a Sunday - which just so happens to be the only day of the week for most religious people to go to church and put their faith into action. If you ask me, this is an obvious attack by Satan against the Christian faith - why couldn't the games have been any other day? Why not Saturday? So obviously, the enemy is taking advantage of the things that we love (like football), and he is using them against us and against our church attendance. Now, when the Bible mentions a Sabbath rest, nowhere in the Bible does it mention "not watching football or having fun." The purpose of the Sabbath is rest and fellowship with God and others (to take a day AWAY from work and responsibilities, and to truly spend time with the Lord and with others). Watching football games does NOT have to be in conflict with that. Now, if it is, then we know that we are likely called to let it go. Here are some ways that watching football could be a detriment to our Sabbath (pay attention to this and see if it applies): missing church (which prevents you from spending as much time with the Lord), spending more time isolated/focused on fantasy leagues to watch the games (which prevents you from spending as much time with others), or if it increase your stress/worry/busyness levels (which attacks your rest, which is the entire point of the Sabbath). If you see any of these playing out in your life, then the responsible thing to do is probably to let football (at least, Sunday football) go. After all, as the famous saying goes, "it's just a game." That being said, I have personally experienced how watching football can have a GOOD effect on your Sabbath (pay attention to and possibly learn from this): if you go to church early and/or get home a little late for the game, you wouldn't have to miss church (and don't try to watch online, God needs to be a priority not a checklist), and sometimes watching the games can be a restful activity that brings people together. If this doesn't sound like your experience watching football on Sundays, then it is probably time to let it go entirely, as Jesus Himself states that “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters" (Matthew 12:30). That is to say, whatever is not FOR Him is AGAINST Him. Don't let your experience watching football on Sundays be against Him - make sure that, if it functions in your life at all, it is FOR Him. Thanks for reading.
In John 14:6 Jesus says that "I am the way and the truth and the life, and nobody comes to the Father in Heaven except through me." - this is to say that in terms of other religions and beliefs, we can confidently say that Jesus is "the way" and the only way, and that in no other method than Jesus (following Him, believing in Him, etc.) can we be saved and reach our Father God in Heaven. But how can Jesus make this very much personalized and individualized statement when it comes to God and religion while there are so many other religions out there that teach things contrary to John 14:6 and the other Words and concepts of the Bible? Well, the fact that there are so many religions outside of Christianity should NOT be any sort of reason for people to believe that Christianity isn't special. For most, their thought process is a little something like this: "since there are so many other religions, Christianity is clearly just one of many, and it isn't very special." This thought process is unfair in that it makes Christianity pay the price of other religions. Because of those other religions, people don't believe in Christianity, when in all honesty it's hardly fair to blame Christianity for all the other religions that are simply copying or following it in some way (examples include Catholicism, Mormonism, Islam, etc.). To blame Christianity because so many other religions exist is hardly fair. In my opinion, the real reason for the massive amount of other religions is this - Satan. The Christian faith, which I subscribe to, believes that there is a figure named Satan who is a fallen angel that disobeyed and rebelled against God, and who is currently doing so and encouraging/tempting others to do so - and this is where all the religions come from. Satan wants to distract us from a true connection with God, and so he invents these other religions by giving people ideas to form them (such as Joseph Smith, who formed the false religion Mormonism). And not only does Satan use our hearts and minds to invent and create these religions, but he also uses the hearts and minds of many to entice them to FOLLOW these religions, whether its out of devotion to a false god or simply because this was your upbringing. The more religions that there are, the greater the distraction and the less the focus that there is on the real, true religion (whichever it may be, though I believe it to be Christianity). And so Satan has motive to create these other religions as distractions, and motive to entice and encourage us to continue to follow in these other religions. Let me give you an example: let's say that a home run was hit at a baseball game, and that the ball that was hit was worth a great deal of money. It is then brought home and dumped into a bucket of other baseballs, making it harder to find - but does this make it any less real? No. The home run was still hit, it's just harder to find the REAL ball. In the same way, when it comes to there being so many other religions, we know that this does NOT lessen the value of Christ or make Him any less real. Just because, when it comes to religion in this day and age, it's harder to find what is real (the true God), this does NOT mean that the real does not exist. Again with the baseball analogy, the authentic ball being placed inside the bucket ordinary baseballs does not make it any less authentic or any more ordinary. In the same way, just because we foolishly affiliate Christ with all the other religions of the world, this does not mean that Christ and Christianity is any less "real" or "the way" than it really is, and it does not make Him ordinary - we have simply placed Him in the wrong bucket. The home run ball from an MLB stadium does not belong in a bucket of scuffed up, youth league baseballs (if you can even call them baseballs). In the same way, we should stop affiliating "Christianity" with "religion" - the concept of religion is a distraction in itself. To be "religious," is to follow a certain set of practices and rules and regulations - this is certainly a part of the Christian faith, but when it comes to the Christian faith, what is far more important is that we have an everyday relationship with Christ and that we grow in that relationship, which will naturally lead us away from sins and towards the "religious" ways that God wants us to live out in our everyday lives. This is different than other religions in that, instead of using religion as a way of reaching God, we now use God as a way of reaching religion. As Jesus says in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life, and nobody comes to the Father in Heaven except through me." - so Jesus is the way, not "religion is the way." This is totally different from what our Muslim and Jewish friends will believe and grow up learning. And only in Christianity does God Himself come down from Heaven and take up our sins for us on the cross as He is unfairly crucified, the perfect being sacrificed for the imperfect. In both of these ways, we clearly see that Christianity is different, superior, and that the number of other religions has no bearing on whether or not the Christian faith is authentic or not. Thanks for reading.
I'll start this question by difference between "Jesus was" and "Jesus is." In Hebrews 13:8 it says that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (implying past, present, and future)" and in John 1:2 it says that "He (the Word of God) was with God in the beginning." In fact, in John 8:58 Jesus makes the claim that "before Abraham (an ancient Old Testament figure) was, I am" - a clear reference to the Name that God gives Himself ("the I am") in Exodus 3:14. So in summary: Jesus always existed and is the Word of God, God Himself. Why does this matter? Well it matters that Jesus was the Word of God because this separates Him from the prophets and other religious figures - they simply SPOKE the Words of God, and certain Words of God (like prophesies) were written about them, but Jesus WAS God's Word, He was God Himself in this world speaking to the world - the literal Word of God to His people. This is why Hebrews 1:3 refers to Him as the "exact representation of God." So Jesus is God "I am" and is God's message to the world, and so we understand who Jesus is, but why does it matter that He is timeless? Why does it matter that "He was with God in the beginning" and that "He is the same yesterday and today and forever"? This is where the difference between "Jesus was" and "Jesus is" takes place - Jesus did not say "I was" He said "I am." Because He is not deprived of His power, it remains in Him, and if we live in unison with Him and His Spirit, we can tap into His power in our everyday lives - "remain in me, as I remain in you" (John 15:4). This is the power of prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of patience and kindness and miracles and conquering sins and everything else that the Bible talks about. THIS is the power of God, and it "is" not "was." The irreligious or the religious that don't know as much about Jesus will say "Jesus was," while the truly born again Christian will say that "Jesus is." Think about it: we have already identified that Jesus is God Himself in the flesh. Colossians 2:9 puts it like this: "In Him (Jesus) all the fullness of the deity lives in bodily form." So in Him (Jesus, the man), ALL the FULLNESS of the deity - all, and nothing less - of GOD ALMIGHTY, "lives" - not lived, lives, in the human body. Through this man Jesus, God lived in the world. The life of that man Jesus WAS 33 years, but the life of God IS forever. This is why Jesus had to be around at the beginning - He's God. It's also why He has to live forever and never ever change - He's God. It's that simple. If God hadn't existed in the beginning, nothing would have been created - "Through Him (Jesus) all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3). And, conversely, if God ever passes away, we will cease to exist as well. "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35) - remember that Jesus was earlier described as the "Word of God." So He will NEVER pass away. Jesus IS, not Jesus WAS. The only way that we can say Jesus was is if we refer to His 33 year human life, which did end on the cross - but as a living being, as God, He lives forever.
Now, in regards to His divinity, there is a TON of evidence for it - and we know that because of everything that we established earlier, we will say that Jesus "is a Divine being" and not Jesus "was" a Divine being. But what's the evidence for this? Well, there are MANY smaller pieces of evidence - everything that Jesus ever predicted has either come true or yet to come true, but nothing has ever proven to be false. Also, there is some credibility to Jesus's own claims to being Divine. The Church also recognizes it - these are all smaller pieces of evidence, things that would likely be brushed aside in a real debate. So the real evidence? The eyewitnesses. There were 4 Gospel accounts written - books in the New Testament that tell the story of the life and ministry and ultimately death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These are the books in the New Testament that come before Acts-Revelation: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The four books are named after their compilers - Matthew did not "write" the Gospel, he simply compiled the accounts of the eyewitnesses. Now, there is slight variety between the four accounts, but truthfully they are nearly identical and they never contradict each other beyond unimportant details (was it a girl or boy that Jesus healed that one day, for example - Jesus still healed, it's just a detail). What makes the consistency between these accounts even more important is the fact that Luke was NOT one of Jesus's 12 disciples, and that the eye witnesses that these four men were in contact with were helping them compile their Gospel accounts (in order telling the entire story of Jesus's life, which must have been INSANELY difficult) YEARS after Jesus had already died - and yet there is constant consistency between the accounts. And all four of these accounts tell of many miracles and tell a general story that paints Jesus Christ of Nazareth as a Divine being - this type of evidence simply does not exist for any other figure in human history. This isn't coincidental, it is serious and surprisingly accurate evidence that Jesus Christ is EXACTLY who He claims He "is" - the "I am," God Himself in the flesh. Keep in mind that this evidence presented to you was not "Bible verses" - it was the fact that the verses were compiled by different people at different points in history and they all consistently agreed with and built upon one another. All that this proves is that whatever the words were, they were right. And THAT is where things get interesting - now that we know that the Words of God are true (or at least historically accurate and have never proven false, which is basically the same thing), now that we know these Words are true, we find the evidence for Jesus's Divinity in those Words (which again, are completely true - if they were anything less, we would not have made it this far). These Words proclaim that Jesus was there with God at the beginning, is the "I am," is the same "yesterday, today, and forever" - these are all claims made by the historically accurate Bible, but more claims are made. In John 10:30 Jesus says "I and the Father are One." Now, remember: Jesus didn't write John 10:30, He simply said these Words at some point in His life, and they were later recorded and confirmed by tons and tons of witnesses. You may be thinking to yourself that just because all these witnesses are in agreement, this does not mean that the story is accurate - the witnesses didn't JUST find consistency in His Words, but also in His RESULTS - they didn't just record what He said, but also that He SUCCESSFULLY healed others, walked on water, and did other things that prove His Divinity - He didn't just claim He was One with God, He proved it. But what if they lied? Well, in the Roman Empire, pretty much every last disciple was killed for their faith - so if they lied because of wealth or fame, they died and lost it all - they could have turned back and admitted it was a lie and avoided death. Why wouldn't they avoid death? Because they knew it was the truth, and they knew that Jesus was real and they didn't want to lie about Him because they KNEW that what He taught about Heaven and Hell is real - they understood that they were held accountable for presenting the TRUTH, and so they did, avoiding a much greater punishment (Hell is quite the motivator). They chose to be persecuted by Romans instead of being persecuted by God Almighty. Good choice. But again, "I and the Father are One." This comes from John 10:30, a New Testament Scripture, and it is a reference to Deuteronomy 6:4: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One." - Jesus is making the claim that He is the One who is "One with God" - if there was no Divine being to be One with God, then what was the point of Deuteronomy 6:4? Exactly. It doesn't make sense, and wouldn't warrant a mention, for one God to be mentioned as "being One" - the reason it was specifically written that God is One is because God is BOTH Jesus and God in One, and so it is significant and is written about in both Deuteronomy 6:4 AND John 10:30 - tens of thousands of years apart, and yet the accounts are consistent. The evidence for Jesus's Divinity is simply overwhelming at this point. I'll leave you with one more Scriptural connection as evidence: in Isaiah (an Old Testament prophesy book) chapter 7 verse 14, it is said that "The virgin (a reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus) will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." It is popular in the Christian faith that Mary, the mother of Jesus, gave birth to Him while being a virgin - further evidence for Jesus's Divinity. So the fact that the ancient Old Testament text refers to her as "the virgin" is more evidence for what the Christian faith claims (that Mary gave birth to Jesus, and that Jesus went on and lived the life that He lived and is full of Divine power) is the obvious truth. Now, that term "Immanuel" means "God with us." So again, one final connection. Remember the words of Isaiah 7:14, that they would name Him "Immanuel." In Matthew (the first book of the NEW Testament, thousands of years after Isaiah) chapter 1 verses 22-23, it is said that "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')." So we again see that these Scriptures are connected together, and more importantly we see that "God is with us" through Jesus Christ. That's who Jesus is. He's God Himself in this world, all the fullness of the deity living in human bodily form - and He never changes, not in the past or the present or the future, and He has been here since the very beginning, and He is God Himself, and He is God WITH (present tense) us, because God is with you in all that you do in your everyday life, and everywhere you go. He has you. And Jesus IS a Divine being. Believe. Thanks for reading.
Many times, particularly when something controversial or "harsh" happens in the Old Testament, Christians will try to justify it by saying that the Old Testament didn't literally take place but only happened symbolically - how can that even be, you ask? Here's an example. God led the Israelites through Egypt, across the Red Sea, through the wilderness, and through tens and tens of other hostile and strong nations, the Israelites ultimately defeating them all with very little food, water, or hope, as they eventually ran the gauntlet and took possession of the promised land. In the same way, in our modern everyday lives, we face hardships, and sometimes those hardships are the story of our lives - but God leads us through it, and we eventually (after struggling) get that job, that marriage, the money that we need to get through - we struggle and toil, but eventually (even if it feels hopeless and we are fighting against the odds) - eventually we make it. So, in this way, the Old Testament is symbolic - it's a symbol of our everyday lives. So that begs the question - how symbolic is the Old Testament? Completely, with none of it literally happening? Or is the Old Testament not symbolic at all, but entirely literal? Or something in between? We've already seen that there is at LEAST 1 case where the Old Testament is symbolic, so it's impossible to say that it is only literal and not symbolic at all. However, at the same time, the Christian faith, combined with the HISTORICALLY ACCURATE Old Testament accounts, believe that the events literally took place in both the Old and New Testaments. I believe that it's not "50-50" between symbolism and reality, but rather 100-100. All the events that the Bible describes as taking place, took place - that is a basic Christian belief, and any decisive historical or archaeological record will rule in favor of this. So we know that the Bible is 100% literal, including the Old Testament. However, we already established earlier that it's impossible to say that the Bible is not at all symbolic. So this means that the Bible being 100% literal does NOT make it 0% symbolic. Therefore, I also believe the Bible to be 100% symbolic. There are active symbols and meaning that we can draw from the text that can have an everyday, active meaning in our everyday lives. This is why Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God (the Bible) as being "alive and active" - when we hear about the Israelites and the Promised Land, we know that it's not just some ancient story, but that it's alive and it has living meanings and takeaways for us. Many of you are in a season of waiting, some of you feel hopeless, and others of you are already winning, in the Promised Land - and now you must live in a way that honors God and defends your territory. Regardless of where you are, you are SOMEWHERE in that Bible story. And there are other stories that we can symbolically relate to from the Old Testament, like David and Goliath, Daniel living in Persia with nothing but enemies and being thrown into a lions den but God still protecting him, all the times that God revealed Himself to a prophet or religious (or sinful) person and gave them a message or calling, etc. - there are hundreds of active symbols from the Old Testament that are "alive and active" and are taking place in our everyday lives. However, just as these are symbolic, we also hold that the events literally and physically took place as the Scriptures describe them. Just as Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, we also hold that the entire Bible (including the Old Testament) is fully symbolic and fully literal. Colossians 2:9 says that "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" - so in Christ, the human being, "all" of the "fullness" of the deity (all of God Almighty, and nothing less, ALL of His FULLNESS) came to dwell in human flesh on this Earth. And so we can confidently say that Jesus is "fully God" (all the fullness of the deity) and "fully human" (dwelling in bodily form). In the same way, the Bible (including the Old Testament, which is in question here) is fully symbolic and fully literal. I will leave you with one final example of an Old Testament symbol - the exile and return of the Israelites. They were God's chosen people, but they constantly sinned against Him, and so He gave them into the hands of their enemies who ruled over them. Eventually, the Israelites repented and turned back to God, so He helped them to live on their own again and rebuild their temple (which their enemies had destroyed). Maybe this is you, and you have fallen into sin - it is NOT too late to return to God. Joel 2:12 (an Old Testament verse, which is God speaking to these Israelites about this exact situation) says "even now, return to the Lord with all your heart." - so you can return "even now," even after how every much sinning you have done (which is why it said "even now" not "even then" because it's not specific, His forgiveness is limitless and it is for you) - you can return, but you have to do it "even now" and not "even later. And you have to do it with all your heart, you have to have true intentions and be willing to make sacrifices and truly return to God, being willing to give up on anything, whether sins or people or truly anything, that stands between you and God. Also, as the Israelites rebuilt their temple, they brought in many new people, foreigners. Maybe you are irreligious, and you are here because you do not full believe in God or the Words of the Bible or the Old Testament - know that God will make His people, the Christians (a symbol for the Israelites that made room for these foreigners) make room for you in their churches, and that anybody that does not accept you will be rejected by God. So God will be willing to take us in and change our lives, no matter where we are right now. But you have to be willing to turn to Him. In this and many other ways, the Bible, including the Old Testament, is completely symbolic and completely literal. Thanks for reading.
The Old Testament is divided into roughly two parts: the story of the Israelites entering and being banished from the Promised Land (Genesis-Esther), and the Prophets (Isaiah-Malachi). This leaves out a group of miscellaneous books: Job-Song of Solomon, which are probably consecutive (Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon in that order) because of the fact that they did not fit (either in terms of narrative or when they occurred) with either of those other 2 parts. In terms of those 2 parts, in the first, we see the formation of creation and the Israelite tribes (Genesis), their exit from enemy territory and their entrance into the Promised Land (Exodus-Joshua), and then we see the sins of the Israelites that causes God to allow their enemies to take over the Promised Land (Judges-2 Kings) - 1-2 Chronicles are simply a record of what takes place, and Ezra-Esther are books that take place while the Israelites are again enslaved by other nations. Now, this other part, the Prophet books, are books of prophetic messages that God leaves His people the Israelites after they become captives in other lands. Most popular among these messages were messages of destruction because of their sins (or destruction upon the godless people/nations for their sins), messages to repent and return to God, and messages promising deliverance and foreshadowing the New Testament story of Jesus. There are other prophetic messages in the Old Testament, but those are the main narratives that most of the prophesies will fit into. These prophetic messages are FROM God, but God uses a human being (a prophet) to reveal these messages to His people. This is where the terms "major prophet" and "minor prophet" come from. It's not that any prophet was greater or lesser than the others - we call them major and minor simply because of their level of involvement with the canonized Scriptures. In total, there are exactly 250 prophetic chapters in the Old Testament - 171 of them are taken up by 3 (yes, THREE) authors (Isaiah wrote 66 chapters, Jeremiah 57 including the book of Lamentations, and Ezekiel wrote 48 - an average of 57 chapters per author). These 3 prophets are referred to as "major prophets." There are 3 prophets after them that many people will call either major or minor, but I believe they fit in the middle: 40 chapters were written by Daniel (12), Hosea (14), and Zechariah (14), an average of roughly 13 chapters per author. After that comes the clear cut minor prophets - 10 men combined to write 39 other chapters (an average of less than 4, with none of these authors exceeding 9). So, a breakdown by division:
Major prophets: 171 chapters written by 3 prophets (an average of 57 per prophet): Isaiah (66), Jeremiah (57), Ezekiel (48).
Medium prophets: 40 chapters written by 3 prophets (an average of roughly 13 per prophet): Daniel (12), Hosea (14), Zechariah (14).
Minor prophets: 39 chapters written by 10 prophets (an average of less than 4 per prophet): Joel (3), Amos (9), Obadiah (1), Jonah (4), Micah (7), Nahum (3), Habakkuk (3), Zephaniah (3), Haggai (2), Malachi (4).
Now, this begs the interesting question: why? We know what major and minor prophets are, but why did God use them, and why did He use them to the major and minor degrees in which He did? The first thing that I will say is that whether or not these prophets wrote 5 chapters of 50 chapters, it is absolutely NOT a reflection of how long they prophesied and their connection with God - many of the minor prophets spent their entire lives as prophets, and walked with the Lord longer than the major prophets, but simply received less visions or messages. But again, why? I think that the answer is best summed up by the Lord's first Words to Jeremiah - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5). Ephesians 2:10 says it like this: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - so then, we were created by God specifically to do the good works that He has prepared for us. He knew us BEFORE we were in our mother's womb (this is why it says in the other verse that He prepared these plans for us "in advance" - He already knew you and the plan that He has for your life). In the case of Jeremiah, God makes clear that his work, God's plan for his life, involved being a prophet - "I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." So the answer is as simple as this: God doesn't need a prophet, He can handle His own message, in fact He doesn't even need PEOPLE here on Earth, but He chooses us and loves us ("for God so loved" John 3:16) so much that He chooses to have a plan for our lives, assigning us different tasks to live out - for Jeremiah, God had chosen him as a prophet. Not only that, but God "set him apart" (a possible reference to the fact that he was a major prophet, writing more than 11 other prophets combined [set apart]). It was simply God's plan for his life. And this Sunday when you go to church, and a worship and ministry team pour out their hearts for VERY LITTLE pay to serve God, it should make sense - they do it because they are called to do so. Such is the case here with the prophets. In the case of Obadiah, the only prophet to only write 1 chapter and not even 2 (he is also the only author in the Old Testament to do this), he was also the palace administrator for Ahab King of Israel (1 Kings 18:3). So, despite looking like the weakest and most uninvolved prophet, he was actually a VERY busy man - God had other plans for his life (such is the case with anyone that God does not call into this work, or calls into it in a "minor" way). So to be major or minor as a prophet simply depends on how many of your messages from the Lord made it into the canonized version of the Old Testament - what is FAR more important is to live an everyday life that honors God. Thanks for reading.
Even non believers could probably recite to you the famous Words of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Some translations use the term "begotten Son" - God's one and only begotten son. But what does that even mean? The definition of the word "beget" basically is to give birth to or bring about - a father begets his child. And this is where Jesus is different from us. In 1 John 3:1 it says "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" - so we are all children of God, but not one of us is begotten - God planned for our mother and father to create us, but God Himself did not give birth to us. We are NOT begotten, though we are His children as He is our Heavenly Father and walks with us in our everyday lives. "Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you and set you apart" (Jeremiah 1:5). So God formed us, but ultimately only our biological mother and father begot us. In this way Jesus is truly the "only begotten Son," as He was born by the virgin Mary who was impregnated by the Holy Spirit (which represents God) - making God His actual Father, which isn't true for any of us. But why does it matter? It, in fact, is very very important. While the people of Jesus's time wanted Him to come and conquer the Romans, He ultimately came for a much greater and more important purpose: to defeat sin. And not just to defeat all of the sin in the world at that time, or to forgive the previous sins - Jesus came to defeat ALL sins, past present and future. So how could He defeat sins? In the Old Testament, the way that sins were forgiven was if you sacrificed a bull or lamb or ram or some other animal (typically spotless and unblemished, a sign of sincerity and sacrifice), according to Old Testament practices and regulations (it had to be done in a certain way). The problem with this system of forgiveness is that every time the Israelites would sin, they would again be due for a new sacrifice. It was almost meaningless - but with Jesus, things are different. He is referred to as the "lamb of God" because of the fact that Jesus, much like a spotless (a reference to His perfection and COMPLETE lack of sin) lamb from the Old Testament, came to bear up our punishment - for Jesus (a perfect and sinless man) to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, is much like a spotless lamb in the Old Testament being slaughtered for the sins of its owner. Isaiah 53 foreshadows (before Jesus was even born or "begotten") this all taking place, as the chapter portrays a sinless savior being killed for the forgiveness of His guilty killers. So, in the same way that sinners would slaughter lambs in the Old Testament, in the same way sinful people like you and me slaughtered Jesus, the spotless lamb of God, on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. But here's where Jesus is different from those other sacrifices - those bulls and lambs and rams were GOOD sacrifices, as close to perfection as the Israelites could get for their sacrifices. However, Jesus IS perfect, so His sacrifice isn't just "good" but perfect, and so (unlike with those Old Testament animals) we wouldn't need His sacrifice again and again and again after sins, because His sacrifice is perfect and its perfection stands (unlike with the sinful Israelites and their animals). Hebrews 13:8 teaches that "Jesus Christ stays the same yesterday (past), today (present) and forever (in the future)." And so we clearly see that He will never truly die, and His purpose will never change. So with this in mind, His sacrifice on the cross wasn't just some sacrifice, but a truly eternal and enduring sacrifice - this was a true sacrifice, in which something important ("for God so loved that He gave His ONLY begotten Son") was lost - this was authentic, not fake. If God gives up anything BESIDES His one and only begotten son, then serious doubt would arise over whether our forgiveness of sins is legitimate - but we know that Christ's sacrifice meant something, and that since (and only since) God made a true enduring (Jesus) sacrifice, we now understand that our forgiveness for sins will endure as well. If God gave anything besides Jesus, it wouldn't have meant the same thing. But the fact that He did give His one and only begotten son, this shows that He is selfless and truly willing to make sacrifices, and so our forgiveness stands. In the same way, make sacrifices. And mean it, be sincere in your heart. Don't just talk about quitting lust, actually make that sacrifice. Same thing with bad music, foul language, selfishness, and everything else. Put it on the cross. Galatians 5:24: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - the flesh represents your sinful humanity (your human flesh, the part of you that is unspiritual and human, evil, tempted, etc.) - put it on the cross and make sacrifices like God did. Thanks for reading.
Many people will pose the question of if in modern times (2024 as of this writing) we can still receive prophetic messages from God. The answer to that question is complicated, but not very complicated. God DOES reveal Himself to many, touching people's hearts and putting things on their mind - it would be impossible to be a Christian and deny this, as most testimonies will include that they have in some way felt God or felt confident about Him. So God does reveal Himself, but He no longer does so prophetically. And here's how we know: in some of the final Words of the Bible, in Revelation 22:18-19, it says this: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." - basically, don't mess with the Bible. Add to it, and torment is added to you (this is a reference to eternity). Subtract from it, and eternal life in Heaven will be subtracted from you. So don't mess with the Bible. With these Words, the "scroll" was closed - there was nothing after Revelation 22 that would be considered a Holy Scripture. God still reveals Himself (as is obvious in the lives of Martin Luther King Jr and Mother Teresa and many others who did great things for humanity), but no longer does God speak in prophetic messages - all that needed to be said has been said, and there is nothing left to say. This is why Jesus says in John 14:15: "If you love me, you will keep my commands." - because we wouldn't need to pursue a further Word or revelation from the Lord if we truly lived out, to perfection, the set of commands that He has given us and revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures. But does any of this really matter, is there an actual scenario where people will falsely claim prophesy here on Earth, really? Absolutely. What comes to mind for me are the Catholics and the Mormons, who both believe in modern prophesy (the thing that we have BIBLICALLY established is impossible). The issue with this idolatrous modern prophesy becomes even worse when the "modern" revelations contradict God's actual spoken Words to His people in the Holy Scriptures. I knew a Mormon friend who once told me that "his church's prophet" (implying that there are tons of these people) told the congregation that God had banned coffee and tea - in Mark 7:19 Jesus declared all foods clean. So which is it? The wealthy religious man in 2024, or Jesus Christ's teachings in the Gospel? I had a similar experience with a Catholic friend, who asked me if I was "Sola Scriptura" or not. I had no idea what that meant. So he explained it to me, and it basically means that you are fully dependent on the Scriptures and Words of the Bible. I was shocked, and I confusingly asked if he wasn't?!? He explained to me that the Catholic faith (at least in his experience) values the traditions and teachings of church leaders along (equally) with the Words of Scripture - this is obvious idolatry and is clearly contrary to the actual Words of the Bible. For that reason, I suppose that Catholicism is man's version of Christianity - good for man, but no, that prophet isn't from God if he claims that God has given him a holy revelation that happens to contradict God's ACTUAL revelations. Matthew 24:24-26: "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it." - these are the Words of Jesus, basically saying "people, sent by the Devil (whether they actually realize it or not) will falsely prophesy so that Satan can trick the elect (those bound for Heaven) in order to make them fallen like him - do not listen to these false prophets, and do not follow them when others are intrigued by their teachings and follow them." And this isn't some small issue - the accuracy of God's written Word is of the utmost importance. So I would take Jesus's advice - when people say "there he is" - do not listen, and do not go out, because (as He carried on in verse 27) when Jesus TRULY returns and reveals Himself, it will be obvious to the World. But until that day, do all that you can do to avoid false prophesy, and live an everyday life that honors God in all that you do. Thanks for reading.
Many people will wonder about the antichrist and the number 666, wondering if it is active in this world as many have rumored. These aren't just rumors, they are obvious facts, and we know this for 2 reasons: first because it is so obvious if you look around you (just watch the nightly news) with all the evil in this world, and secondly because the Bible actually says it - 1 John 5:19: "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." - in this current world in which we live, God is in control, but the world is under the control of Satan. Again, GOD is in control, and He can (and often does, through miracles and interventions) flex that power and control the world (as He will do in the end times) - but apart from His intervention, apart from His usage of His control, the Devil is the one who is in control of the world. Whether the booming industry of lust and adult content on social media, or increased violence and negativity towards others, or selfish people that don't have discipline and just do whatever makes them happy - there is obviously evil that is present in this world, as most of the world shamelessly pursues Satan, strengthening his control over us (though he does not control God, he simply controls us UNLESS we submit to God because when we don't submit to God and His commands we are letting Satan control us). Jeremiah 29:12-13: "When you pray I hear you, and when you seek me with all your heart you will find me." So then, we know that evil is in this world, but that God is still in control (for "the whole Earth is the Lord's, and also everyone who lives in it" Psalm 24:1), and that when we submit to God and His Words we can overcome the evil by not submitting to it. " Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). But what do we do if we believe that some of that evil, that antichrist spirit, is present in our everyday lives through the companies that we shop at or through the tv and sports that we watch? The first thing is to discern, and secondly to address.
First, you have to figure out whether the accusation of evil is true or not (discernment). "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). - so we are called not to give everyone our trust (do not believe every spirit), but rather we are called to make the discernment between whether a corporation or entertainment is right or wrong (test the spirits, for they are NOT all from God). But how do we make that discernment? Many people will ask themselves "what would Jesus do?", and while the idea is GREAT, you are now answering FOR Jesus - basically, "what do I think Jesus would do" which really means "what would I do?" - in the same way, if you try to personally discern on your own whether something is evil or not, you will fail miserably. This is why Satan is so crafty, so able to trick and tempt humanity - we can't recognize him as easily. So stop personally trying on your own to discern the spirits - you have to involve God. Jesus says in John 14:6 that "I am the way and the truth and the life, and nobody comes to the Father in Heaven except through me." - so Jesus is the way, and the only way to Heaven. In the same way, He is the only way that we can discern between these spirits. We early looked at 1 John 4:1, which told us to make the discernment between the spirits in this world - just 1 verse later we see HOW we are to do so. 1 John 4:2-3: "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." - so we see in this passage that "the spirit of the antichrist is already in the world" - whether through ideologies, through sponsorships for pride month, you name it, the antichrist is among us. How do we know? "Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist." - so if a corporation consistently pursues values that go against the things that Jesus taught us, then we know that they are of that antichrist spirit - simply "anti" "Christ." Ask yourself: does pride month, and companies that support it, is that pro Jesus or anti Jesus? It goes beyond proclaiming human freedom: it goes AGAINST Christ. The entire concept of sexuality and sexual orientation (a manmade concept) would not be popular if it were not prohibited by the Christian faith - the desire to disobey Christ, the desire to be controversial, is what has driven the human spirit from ancient times to sin in this way. When someone is so unseen, unheard, unloved, hurt, or if their feelings are so twisted (symbolically and literally) that they choose homosexuality, it is clearly because of the work that Satan has done in their heart and mind - homosexuality never became popular until God spoke against it in the Bible, and to be honest, if it weren't for Christianity and Islam being against it these days, the issue probably would not be very popular. Companies that encourage this sin are obviously of that antichrist spirit. TV shows that portray sexuality are also "anti" "Christ," not acknowledging Christ or proclaiming His Kingdom through their shows and influences, but rather pushing their own sinful and greedy agendas. In Matthew 5:28 Jesus encourages His followers to not even LOOK lustfully, and that if they do, that IS adultery in the heart. And in Proverbs 6:25 we are told not to look lustfully after beauty or appearances. So if there is anything on TV or social media or even in our hearts that violates this, we know that it isn't just harmless fun, but obvious sin that violates God's commands and is "anti" "Christ," not proclaiming Him. Remember that "Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:3). So does it truly acknowledge Him? 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." - do it ALL to His glory - does the company that you shop with glorify God through their ads and products? When you go to a baseball game, and it's pride night, does that glorify God or proclaim Jesus? If not, it isn't just "irreligious," but "anti" "Christ." The easiest way out of this is to simply not believe these Bible verses and the other claims made by God, OR to not take them seriously. In that case, it seems more that you are owned by this antichrist than you are free of it, despite not believing in its existence. In Matthew 7:16-20, Jesus says this: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." - so as we try to discern between good and evil in terms of what we consume and watch, consider this: you will recognize them by their actions. The tree is recognized by the quality of its fruit. So does Starbucks support Christian initiatives, or anti-Christian initiatives? These are the types of things that you will have to consider as you come to make a decision on whether you consume products from certain corporations, or watch certain sporting events. After all, we know that "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 7:19). And that "Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). So if the trees that do not bear fruit burn eternally, and all that is apart from God's Word fades away, then we do not want to be associated with such things. Remember: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be" (Matthew 6:21). So where your treasure is (what you desire and pursue and think about), this is where your heart will PHYSICALLY and spiritually be for eternity - so is your heart treasuring those things that burn and fade away, or the living and forever enduring Word of God? Support companies and entertainment (the Chosen, for example) that supports living out and living according to the things taught in God's Word (the Bible, which never fades away unlike all these other things).
Now that you have discerned between which is good and which is evil in terms of these companies, I believe that the next and final step is to take action. If you have come to the conclusion that your suspicion was incorrect, and that the company or entertainment in question is not guilty of being "anti" "Christ," then you should lift it up to God in prayer and move towards continuing in those things without hindrance or doubt against them (again, only if they are proven to be innocent of evil). "I hear you when you pray, and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:12-13). James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." - so if you lack wisdom, if you don't fully understand the situation, then you should pray to God and ask that He would give you the answers, and then instead of being upset with you or ignoring you ("without finding fault") He will answer you and give your heart the assurance it needs regarding what you are praying about. So pray about these companies, pray about the things you are considering boycotting. Pray about these things and God will answer you on His timing. "God is love" (1 John 4:8), "Love is patient" (1 Corinthians 13:4), "When the time is right, I, the Lord, will do it" (Isaiah 60:22). - It's not just that God might answer you, but He "will" do it, but only "when the times is right." And it is only He, the Lord, who will do it. Jesus is "the Way" (John 14:6).
Now let's imagine the scenario where you believe, and have prayed over and believe, that the company or hobby or entertainment IS guilty of being "anti" "Christ." What then? "You must purge the evil from among you" (Deuteronomy 13:5). This verse comes from the early Old Testament (Deuteronomy), when God's people (the Israelites) were preparing to enter the Promised Land (the land that God had prepared for them and had promised to give to their ancestors). In books like Deuteronomy, God gave His people rules and regulations for how they were supposed to handle themselves in the Promised Land - this specific verse was teaching them to put false prophets to death when they spoke against the Lord God Almighty. In the same way, when we encounter evil like this in our everyday lives, we truly need to cut it out of our lives and put it to death. "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). - and it really is idolatry, if you think about it: idolatry was the worship and prioritizing of other gods over God - in our everyday lives, it takes place when we are more consistent with and concerned about things like lust and selfish (evil) desires and greed and other things like that. In this way, when we put these things ahead of God, we are committing idolatry against Him. So we must put these things to death in our everyday lives, completely purging ourselves from all things that our evil - if your local store supports anti-Christian initiatives and sentiments, even if your CHURCH does that (and you'd be surprised), then you simply must purge yourself from all evil things. You must make the difficult decisions, make the tough sacrifices, and no longer tolerate such things in your everyday life. To put continue in these things is to put them ahead of God, which is the same as committing that idolatry that we were talking about earlier - after all, these antichrist companies and entertainments (and even the false prophets from Deuteronomy, way back then) were only interested in putting something ahead of God, so we must be careful to put Him FIRST, and to do so now. "Choose THIS DAY (not tomorrow or later on) whom you will serve, whether God or another" (Joshua 24:15). Again, to sell out and continue to use blasphemous products, or to continue to watch blasphemous entertainment, is a total betrayal of God, as you yourself are denying Christ (which is the DEFINITION of the antichrist spirit) by putting these other things ahead of Him. Matthew 10:33: "But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." - so if you deny God as you pursue these other things now, you can be sure that the same thing will happen to you in Heaven, which you will not be able to enter because Jesus will deny you in front of God, just as you had denied God for these things. And again, this is by no means a strict teaching - drink coffee, watch sports. But be discerning as to WHAT you watch, and WHO you buy your coffee from. There is a lot of evil, a lot of the antichrist out in our world, and Satan tries to tempt us with it in our everyday lives. "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!" (Matthew 18:7). - so Jesus Himself makes clear that these things MUST come, and that Satan IS in the world, but woe (or shame/a negative term referring to the future, like pitying someone in Hell) to those through whom these things come (those that contribute to these things, like the lustful actors and greedy businessmen and ALL people that swear and help these sins to prosper in our everyday lives). That includes those of us that help these things flourish in this world by choosing them over God. So purge out the evil that is in your life. Discern whether these corporations and entertainment are truly evil, and then pray to God about these things and purge the evil from among you. Thanks for reading.
Many have wondered: if our sins are inevitable (if we know we will commit them), then what are we supposed to do? The first thing I wanted to do is establish that our sins are, in fact, inevitable. Romans 3:23 says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So when it says "all have sinned," that is past tense, and it leaves room for something like "all have sinned, but they could change and never sin again." But the rest of the verse shuts that down: "and fall short of the glory of God." PRESENT tense. Not "and have fallen short" rather "fall short." You WILL fall short. Not "you have fallen short but it doesn't have to happen anymore." No, "they fall short." Daily. So what are we supposed to do? I'll get to that, but I want to further my evidence to more than 1 verse - having taken one from the New Testament, let's go to the Old Testament. Psalm 14:3: "All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." Once again, the beginning part of the verse is written in past tense: "All have turned away, all have become corrupt" - so they HAVE done this in the past, but it leaves the present and future open, available to change and sinless life, but the second half of the verse shuts that down by saying "there is no one who does good, not even one." Not "no one HAS (past) done good," but "no one DOES (present) good," and by saying "not even one" it makes clear that this is also for the future (as if to say that nobody will ever reach the glory of God that we all fall short of). So we see that our sins are inevitable. Many use this as an excuse or justification for sins: "I'm human, I make mistakes." But the Bible makes clear that "They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord" (Jude 1:4). What makes these people ungodly? The fact that they use God's everyday forgiveness, His grace, as an excuse to continue in their sins ("who pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality") - they are literally using their humanity, the fact that their sins are inevitable and the fact that God will forgive them, as an excuse (license) to sin. In this way they "deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." - so God clearly needs us to pursue higher standards. Jesus Himself says "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). But didn't we just hear from the Bible that our sins are inevitable and that we are destined to fall short? What are we supposed to do? Many people read Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," but they forget about the next verse, Romans 3:24: "and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." - so just as our sins are inevitable, so is our justification: "all ARE (present) justified," not "all have been (past) justified." That word justified means forgiven - if you justify your mistakes, for example. So how are we justified, and "justified freely"? It is "by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus." What does that mean? Well the Bible teaches that we are saved only by God's grace, and not by any good thing or good life that we can do or live (Ephesians 2:8-9) - remember earlier that God hates when we use His GRACE as a license for sin. So clearly God's GRACE is what saves us, and by using that "saved" status as an excuse to sin, we are ungodly. So it is God's grace that saves us, as the verse teaches "by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus." So by His grace, and through the redemption for our sins that CAME (past) by Jesus - this is a reference to Jesus dying for our sins on the cross, "He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (He justified us, Isaiah 53:12), an event that already came and went. So how does Jesus's crucifixion (an event that took place in the past) justify our future? Because Jesus, unlike all the bulls and lambs and rams that were sacrificed in the Old Testament for the forgiveness of sins, Jesus ("the lamb of God") was PERFECT, and so when He was sacrificed for our sins (like one of those animals in the Old Testament that was sacrificed for forgiveness when someone had sinned), the difference was that He was sinless and perfect, and so His sacrifice was perfect and lasts forever. So if it is through His crucifixion, "through the redemption that came by Jesus," then how do we tap into that? What do we do? It is obvious that God has both asked us to be perfect AND told us that we can't be perfect - but He has also made clear to us that it is through Jesus that we are forgiven. So then, JESUS is the answer - what do I do if my sins are inevitable? Jesus. "I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father in Heaven except through me" (John 14:6). It is Jesus who says these Words, making clear that EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SINFUL, we can still make it to Heaven where God (the Father) is, but it is only through Him. This is why, bluntly, He says "I am the way." Basically, "I am the answer" - the way. So what does that look like? It's easy to just say "Jesus," but what does that actually look like? In John 10:30 He says "I and the Father (God) are one." So THIS is what made Him perfect, not that He loved God, or believed in God, or went to church, but that He truly lived His everyday life in unison with God (they were one). So in your life, are you one with God? Is lust one with God? No, it is His enemy, and I would encourage you to view EVERYTHING in your life this way - is it one with God? What would Jesus do? He says in John 4:23-24: "The true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” - so the true worshipers, those that are "truly" following God, will do so "in the Spirit and in truth." So your spirit will be one with the Holy Spirit ("the Spirit"), and your heart will be one with God (otherwise it would be lukewarm and not "in truth"). If you were truly into this, passionate about honoring God and living for Him and being one of His true worshipers, then (despite your sins), you would pray for forgiveness and move forward, pursuing that perfection of living as ONE with Jesus in all that you do in your everyday life. When you sin, pray for forgiveness. 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." He "will" forgive what "will" happen in the FUTURE, but if your heart was truly one with God then you wouldn't allow yourself to keep sinning, you would pursue that perfection (whether you can attain it or not) and your sins would be shameful to you, and few in occurrence. This must be done with all your heart - "I hear you when you pray to me, and when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me" (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Psalm 51:16-17: "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise." - what this teaches us is that it's not through sacrifices and offerings, it's not any good thing that we can do - again it is God's grace. And if it were any of those things, then we would try them ("You do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it") - but we don't have to bring it. What we have to bring is our heart. This is why we can have a broken, sinful heart, and God will "not despite is." He will accept that offering ("my offering is a broken spirit, a contrite heart") - as long as you offer your heart and spirit to God and TRULY live for Him, then God will accept that, and He will accept you. "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have" (2 Corinthians 8:12). So as long as you are willing, and your heart truly wants God and is one with Him, then the gift (what you have to offer) will be accepted even though you sin (according to what you DO HAVE, and not the sinless perfection that you don't). But to be one with God, to be truly willing and to truly offer yourself like this, is not as easy as you think and we are all constantly falling short of it - this is the standard that God has for us, and this is what He is calling us to pursue (this is how we can pursue that "perfection," because to offer yourself to Him is to offer yourself as perfect since Jesus has forgiven you) - but will you truly offer yourself? Romans 12:1: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." - so in view of God's grace, the mercy that He extends to us, because of ("in view of") that, we called to offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice" - just as bulls and lambs and rams were offered in the Old Testament for the forgiveness of sins, and just as Jesus was offered on the cross for our sins, we are called to offer ourselves as a "living" sacrifice - unlike Jesus, we won't die, we still live our lives, and as we live and move and in all that we do in our everyday lives, we are called to truly offer ourselves to God, just as Jesus did on the cross - for "this is your true and proper worship" (that "true worshiper" that God seeks). "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness" (Romans 6:13). So every part of yourself is to be offered to God, whether your heart, your mind, where you go with your feet, what you do with your hands (especially sexually immorality), and in all other ways, in all that we do, we are called to not do any of it out of wickedness, but ALL of it out of righteousness - this is what Jesus did and why He had such a close relationship with God. So offer yourself, every part of you, as a "living sacrifice" in all that you do in your everyday life. 1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." Do it ALL, and all of it for Him. In this way you will be one with God. Thanks for reading.
In the Old Testament, God chose the Israelites as His Holy people, and He made clear to them that they were His and that they were Holy - but in modern times, with the changing of covenants and Testaments, with Jesus coming and going, does Israel still hold power? Let's investigate, starting with the origination of Israel being called. Early on in Genesis, there was a man named Abraham who was faithful to God. Abraham was an old man who had no children - he was 100 years old, so the thought of him having a child to live after him was completely ridiculous. But God said to him "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). God was promising to make an ENTIRE NATION come from Abraham (obviously meaning from Abraham's descendants, meaning that not only is God promising Abraham a son, but so many descendants that it would make for a "great nation"). This is known in the Bible as "the covenant" or "the promise." The son that God gives Abraham is named Isaac, and eventually his name is changed to Israel and he has 12 sons ("the 12 Tribes of Israel") and from those sons and their descendants came the entire people of Israel. God did it. From Abraham's old body came Isaac, and from Isaac came 12 more (12 men, that is, as there was also a sister), and from those 12 came more and then more and generation after generation, all until eventually this family had become an entire nation - God's chosen people Israel. God makes clear to these Israelites that they are in fact His chosen people - "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession" (Deuteronomy 7:6). These are the people that God led into the Promised Land (land occupied by enemy nations that God destroyed so that the Israelites could live there), these Israelites are the same people that sinned (just like those enemy nations) and were kicked out of the Promised Land, and these Israelites were also the same people that waited in hope for the promised Messiah - these are the Israelites, and they are God's chosen people. It is said of Mount Zion that this is God's Holy Mountain, home to His people. "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever" (Psalm 125:1). This verse makes clear that Zion, and God's people as well, will endure forever - but it says "those who trust in the Lord," making clear that you don't need to be an Israelite you just need to trust God. Mount Zion will last forever, but it is NOT said that Israel will - it is only said that those who trust in the Lord will, so as we continue this discussion about what type of Holy designation Israel still has, we must remember that it is more important to support and pursue GOD than Israel. Jesus also speaks of Mount Zion. He speaks in John chapter 4 with a Samaritan woman - she was a foreigner, a NON Israelite that had a need for God in her life. She confusingly pointed out to Him in John 4:20 that "Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” - her peoples were being told by Israelites that they could only worship God in Israel, in Jerusalem - is it the same way today? Is Israel still Holy, and is it the only Holy place, and do we need them/to honor them in order to honor God? We earlier established that Zion will never fade, but to imply that you need to be in Israel or even BE an Israelite to worship God is COMPLETELY false. In John 4:21-24 Jesus says this: "A time is coming when you will worship the Father (God) neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” - in this verse Jesus makes clear that it's not about Israel, it's not about the mountain at which you worship or where you are when you try to connect with God, but rather what is important is that you would connect with God on a spiritual level - the "true worshiper," the one that (Israelite or not) is truly seeking after the Lord, will do so in spirit and in truth - your intentions will be genuine and you will live a spiritual life that submits to God. It's not about Israel, it's about your heart and about submitting it to God. This is why God dismisses the importance of the mountain and raises the importance of having a true willingness, a willing spirit to worship God in all that you do and pursue in your everyday life, and to do so in truth. 1 verse later, in John 4:25, the Samaritan (non-Israelite) woman says this: “I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, He will explain everything to us.” - Jesus responds 1 verse later in John 4:26 by saying "I am He." - so she had the Savior of the World, Jesus the Christ (Messiah, Savior) with her, and she didn't even realize it because she was too focused on religion and on trying to do things a certain way, living out the regulations and rules, trying to worship at the proper mountain, etc. - what she lost sight of was the actual Messiah, the actual purpose for all of this, and I suppose that anyone that is too zealous for Israel in this day and age is susceptible to the same mistakes, to the same distractions. God already made clear that Zion would never fade, but He also made clear that it wasn't about the mountain or religion, but rather about living for Him and giving Him your heart. But is Israel still Holy, does it still have that "chosen" status that God gave it in the Old Testament? Israel, frequently at war and committing atrocities, is still a nation in modern times (time of writing 2024). Here's an important thing to realize: God chose Israel to FOLLOW Him, so at any point in time that Israel goes its own way or does sinful things or doesn't follow God in all that they do, remember at those times that it's not Israel that we are called to follow, but God. When Israel sinned in the Promised Land, God kicked them out. So it was never God that was following Israel, but Israel that was supposed to be following God. So then, when in modern times Israel does things that we don't agree with, remember that they aren't perfect and that we're not called to follow Israel, but God, and that Israel has a long history of rebelling against God and His commands, so to associate God with Israel's behavior is unfair since Israel clearly has a history of acting for themselves apart and away from God's commands and purposes. So Israel still exists, and the fact that God chose them in the Old Testament will never change. But now, in this time, we know that (Zion enduring forever) God wants "all people to be saved" (1 Timothy 2:4). God has wanted this from the beginning, but He only worked through the Israelites in the Old Testament (and other repentant nations that listened to Him and obeyed Him) because of the fact that the other nations never sought God. So this was never about Israel, but rather about a nation belonging to the Lord. "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Deuteronomy 9:5). But we do know that the Israelite community is also called to endure. It is not for Israel's sake though, but for the Lord - after all, the reason God gave Abraham a child and grew the Israelite community was so that, out of all the wicked people on Earth (and remember that Abraham was a faithful man) there would be at least one nation (from the descendants of Abraham) to follow the Lord. Jesus's disciple Peter was chosen to minister to the religious Jews (Israelites), while Paul was chosen to speak to those that were irreligious or of other religions (Gentiles). So it should be telling to see Peter say this to the Jews that he is preaching to in 1 Peter 2:6-9: "For in Scripture it says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.' Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, 'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and, 'A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.' They stumble because they disobey the message - which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - the Scripture that Peter was referring to is Isaiah 28:16, which makes clear that God is laying a "cornerstone" (a reference to Jesus, who's life and ministry ended up being the cornerstone of the Christian faith). So if the cornerstone is laid in Zion, this is to tell us that Jesus (the Savior, the leader of the Israelites and all God's people) was prepared/brought from Zion (or at least that this is where He will eventually reign eternally, in the "New Jerusalem" that is Heaven), so if we choose not to believe in Jesus or Israel's importance, according to this passage written above, we are clearly wrong. In the rest of what Peter wrote to his Jewish audience in 1 Peter 2:6-9, he says that those that fall short "stumble because they disobey the message." - they don't stumble because they disobey Israel, but because they disobey God's message, the Gospel of Jesus and the other Scriptures. So none of us should worry of Hell or punishment because of our views on Israel - for if you stumble, it will be on account of your disobeying the message (Scriptures and their commands), not Israel. Again, remember that Peter was writing to a Jewish audience when he says "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." - so Israel was still seen as holy during the times of the New Testament (when this passage was written), and it is very possible that they are still considered holy today (remember that Zion endures forever). So we know that Israel are still God's chosen people and a holy nation, but we shouldn't know that without knowing this: God has also chosen ALL people (1 Timothy 2:4) including Gentiles (non-Israelites - Romans 1:6), and Israel can be a Holy nation without ACTING Holy - even in the Old Testament they would disobey God, and God would send them prophets to call them out for their sins. So it isn't Israel's Holiness that we should recognize, rather we should recognize God. The only thing to be done with Israel's Holiness is that they should use it to honor God - nothing further should be given them, and Americans should honor GOD before honoring Israel. God shares this sentiment in the Old Testament in when He sends the Prophet Isaiah to the sinful Israelites to make clear to them (in Isaiah 1:13) that their religious offerings and sacrifices are worthless to God because of their sins (the Israelites were trying to use religion and holiness to be their atonement or response to their sins), and He makes clear to them that it is more important that they have a heart that honors God. This is why, when asked (in Matthew 22:36-37) what the most important command in the Bible is, Jesus says that it is "to love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, all your mind, and all your soul." - it is better to love God than to be religious or "holy" - the religion and holiness that God wants is this: to honor Him and obey Him in our everyday lives. "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27 - the things in this verse are things taught in the Bible, making clear that to honor God and live out His Words is the REAL religion, and the only one that He will accept as pure and faultless in the end, making clear that the Israelite or non-Israelite isn't saved or endangered by that status, but rather by whether or not they actually lived out His Words with the time that remains). "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). When Israel was chosen in the Old Testament, other people could also be accepted by God if they joined the Israelite camp - now you no longer have to follow Israel to follow God, because (after they were removed from the Promised Land for their sins) the Israelites are now spread throughout the world, and to follow God (as we heard earlier in John 4:23-24 with the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman) is from the heart and not so much from the Holy Mountain. So yes, Israel remains Holy, and this is no small thing, but they are only Holy because God has given this to them, and they should repent of their sins before it is too late. This is why in Romans 10:1 the Apostle Paul says: "my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved." - this is to say that Israel is NOT saved, and needs to seek God and His saving. This is a powerful reminder that the religious must continue their pursuit of God, not leaning on religion as supposedly good enough to save them. Of these Israelites, Paul says this in Romans 9:4: "Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises." - so Israel remains Holy. Remember that "Israel" is a nation, whose people came from Abraham, who was an old man that was promised a son (Genesis 18:10) and promised that through this son (Isaac, later renamed "Israel") there would be so many descendants that they would make up an entire nation, and a great nation at that. In Romans 9:6-8 Paul says that "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, 'It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned' (a reference to God's promise to Abraham to build a nation through Isaac). In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring." - Paul makes clear here that being an Israelite by physical descent (just as Israel is a real, physical nation today) does NOT make you an "Israelite" - this is why "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel" and "Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children." - why not? Because, as he points out in the passage, it is through the PROMISE that Israel came (through Isaac, who was only a promise when God promised a nation to Abraham) - so this is not about physical descent or geographic location, but rather about your faith in and faithfulness towards God - this isn't about Isaac/Israel, but rather about Abraham believing God and honoring Him in all that he did in his everyday life. THIS is what it means to please God - being an Israelite is not a shortcut, though they are the chosen people. So yes, Israel was and IS chosen and Holy, but God was and IS what we should pursue first, and if Israel uses the respect we owe them in a dishonorable way, then they should be ignored and God should be remembered. "A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God" (Romans 2:28-29). The person who is truly Jewish, truly an Israelite, truly chosen, is not any of these things outwardly (or by physical descent or religious status or some other outward thing) - they are chosen and loved and religious and "saved" on an INWARD basis, by circumcising their HEART by the Holy Spirit (God's Spirit), and such a person will receive their praise and acknowledgment from God instead of requiring it from others. Thanks for reading.
Is the New Testament more powerful than the Old Testament? Is it the other way around? Are they the same, or is something else possible? I believe that, according to the Christian faith, we are called to hold the New and Old Testaments to EQUAL account. Proverbs 30:5 says that “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." - every Word, whether from the Old or New Testament. The only qualification of "every Word" is that it must be every Word "of God" - it must be something that God actually spoke and brought into being (the Old and New Testaments only, and not some other religious text like the Apocrypha and Quran). But, as long as the Words are "of God," then they are ALL "flawless" - it's not that the Old Testament is good and the New Testament is great (or somehow "better") - they are BOTH ("every Word of God") "flawless" - there is no room for improvement upon either of them, implying that they are both perfect, and perfection matches perfection equally - so we maintain that the Old and New Testaments are equal in power and authority. You could make the argument that since the verse I used (Proverbs 30:5) is from the Old Testament, it is unfair to say that because of what the Old Testament says the two are equal - then I will use a verse from the New Testament to make the same point: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). So in the same way that "every Word of God" is "flawless," we now maintain that "All Scripture" (including both the Old and New Testaments, but only Scriptures/Words that come from God) is "useful" - for what? Useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness - you can improve yourself (training in righteousness) and correct and teach others with good words of advice, but to be able to do ALL of these things (teaching both yourself and others, rebuking [a form of disagreeing with/correcting] and correcting both yourself and others, and training [again both yourself and others] in righteousness) - to be able to do ALL OF THIS with just the same set of "useful" Words, this implies that those Words are flawless, or perfect, and if "All Scripture is useful" then we wouldn't maintain that any one scripture (from either Testament) is more valuable than another, thus we hold both the Old and New Testaments in equal power and authority. According to Jesus, not one of these Words (even from the Old Testament) is to be disregarded. "For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). Additionally, both the Old and New Testaments have a relationship with each other. The Old Testament predicts the New Testament (like when Isaiah chapter 53 predicted, before He was born, the crucifixion of Jesus the Savior in order to forgive the sins of mankind), and the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament (like when Jesus would heal the sick and paralyzed and lame and blind and demon possessed, all of which was foretold in the Old Testament in Isaiah 61:1-2). So we can confidently say that the two Testaments, Old and New, are completely and entirely equal, and without both of them the story of God's Word would be incomplete, while at the same time if anything were added to them (like the Apocrypha or Quran or some other text) then that would be a false version of the story. Clearly nothing should be added to or taken from what we have in the canonized version of the Old and New Testaments. This is why, at the end of the Bible as the final chapter draws near to a close, we see this: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll" (Revelation 22:18-19). Basically, if you add to the Bible, then eternal suffering will be added to you, and if you take from the Bible, then eternal life in Heaven will be taken away from you. This is how seriously God takes His Words the Bible, and so we should take them seriously as well, not being willing to add to them or to take from them or to act as if one Testament were more important or relevant than another, because they are both completely equal in both power and authority, and that will never change. God spoke in the Old Testament through prophets, and He spoke in the New Testament through His Son Jesus and the Apostles and other followers of Jesus - these two Testaments are equal, and none are equaled to either of them except one another. Thanks for reading.
What does the Bible teach about the dead, and if we should honor them (and how far we should take it)? In order to talk about this, we have to lay the foundation for what the Bible teaches about death. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." - this passage was written to the early believers ("brothers and sisters") to fill them in on the topic of death, "so that you do not grieve like the rest of the world." This is not to say that grief is a bad thing and that only worldly, irreligious people would do it, but rather the point is being made that they shouldn't grieve "like the rest of the world who have no hope." - it's ok to grieve, but the people of the world that don't believe in Jesus are full of grief over death because they believe that the person is dead and will never come back to life, so they "have no hope" - but we are not called to grieve "like them," because we know that those who are in Jesus, living a life aligned with Him and having a heart that pursues Him, for these people that "fall asleep" (which means die, because Christians are confident that it is only a rest since Christ will return and all will rise for the Judgment) in Christ will be raised with Him into Heaven. And since we believe this, though we still grieve and feel sadness and loss here on earth, we still have hope because we understand that God will bring His "sleeping" followers back to life for eternity in Heaven. But we can still grieve, and as people die, we should. A great example of how we can honor the dead comes in Genesis chapter 23, when Abraham's wife Sarah dies. What are we called to do when something like this happens? In Genesis 23:8-16, Abraham tries to buy a field so that he can bury his wife. However, the people of that place are so kind to Abraham that they are willing to GIVE him the field for free, but Abraham refuses, insistent on paying them. He didn't want the burial of his wife Sarah to be free - he wanted to pay, he wanted to make a sacrifice and pay the people, he didn't want the burial to be cheap or free or inauthentic. He really wanted to honor his deceased wife. THIS is what it looks like to honor the dead. Abraham didn't further pray for his wife, for she had passed away. Abraham did what he could do by honoring her and still remaining connected to the rest of his life, continuing from that gravesite to the rest of the journey (symbolically and literally) that God had called him to take. He didn't let her passing completely stop him from living - he moved forward, and we are called to do the same after grieving. In 2 Samuel 12:23, right after losing his son to death, King David says this: "But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” - pay attention to the wording of this. In Biblical times, fasting was what they would do whenever someone died or something bad happened or they owed someone a debt - they would promise not to eat until the ceremony/circumstance/debt had passed. So for David to fast after his died makes sense. But he says he will not "go on" fasting. This implies that he DID fast (how could he "go on" if he had not initially done it). So he DID fast, he DID grieve, but he did not "go on" doing this - he was able to move on. After all, as he says "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." - you can play their favorite music, remember memories with them, try to talk to them, etc. - "I will go to him" - but ultimately "he will not return to me" - you can not bring them back no matter what you do (at least not on this side of Heaven). So I recommend doing what David did - grieve. But don't "go on grieving." In Exodus 20:12 it says to "honor your father and mother" as a part of the Ten Commandments. When your mother and father pass, they are still your mother and father, and so you are still to honor them. Honor them after they pass away - honor them by living and pursuing the best life possible, doing the things that would make them the most proud, and pursuing God and purity in your everyday life. THIS is what it looks like to honor the dead, and any celebration or remembrance should not extent past what the Bible commands and teaches (for example, don't worship the dead, as the Bible tells us only to worship God, and don't obsess over the dead, as God calls us to move forward and live the most productive and God honoring lives possible). When Moses, the beloved Israelite leader, died, Deuteronomy 34:8 says that "The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over." - the fact that there was a "time of weeping and mourning" goes to show that there should be, and that this is one of the most important ways that we can honor the dead. In John chapter 11 verse 25, we see the shortest verse in the entire Bible, just two Words: "Jesus wept" - this was in response to Jesus learning that his friend Lazarus had died. Jesus, feeling the same pains and loses that we do, will return one day, and so instead of using this as an opportunity, the author makes clear what we are ALL about (Jesus). As our time here comes to an end, I wanted to encourage you that God will certainly come back and raise up ALL the dead - Revelation 21:4: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - honoring the dead and then moving forward, we are called to honor God in all that we do in our everyday lives. Thanks for reading.
I hear the argument from many people, even Christians, that we can believe what we want but that we shouldn't be trying to push our beliefs publicly or force our beliefs on others. Now, understand something: there is a difference between that and "forcing someone to accept your beliefs" - even God didn't do that. What's the difference between "forcing your beliefs on someone" and "forcing someone to accept your beliefs"? Their right to a decision. By "forcing your beliefs on someone," you are simply forcing them to encounter your beliefs - your beliefs are "on them," and what they do with it from there is up to them. I believe in this. I believe that the Bible should be read in public school, forcing that Christian belief "on" the kids, but here's the key difference: you don't force them to ACCEPT it - they get their own choice. Many Christians will advocate that the belief should not be pushed publicly, while the truth is that it SHOULD be pushed publicly, but that people should ultimately be able to make their own decision. Consider this: if the Christian faith is correct, and there is a Heaven and a Hell and an opportunity to be saved, then wouldn't it be so disgraceful if Christians held that to themselves in private comfort and safety while people daily perished and went to Hell? That would be awful - it would be equally wrong to FORCE people to believe in Christianity - you can't force someone into Heaven. But you SHOULD be able to publicly, loudly, and at times that it isn't wanted, force someone to encounter your beliefs and opinions - this is what the First Amendment is all about, the right to free speech. This is seen in the Bible at the very beginning: when God creates Adam, He explains to him that he must not eat from the forbidden tree, but He still allows Adam to do what Adam wants (and ultimately Adam does NOT listen to God's commands). So in summary: God spoke to Adam, told him one thing, and let him make his own decision. This is what free will looks like, and this is what I am advocating for here today. Read Bibles and pray publicly, make people encounter your message about Christ, DO NOT hold this in as a "private" matter (for Hell is a public space), but at the end of the day God wants followers and not prisoners, so you must let people make their own decision on if they are really devoted to Christ or not. Again any atheist or Muslim that doesn't like the idea of Christianity - and Christianity alone - being pushed publicly, that person should consider that if Christianity is correct, and it is pushed publicly, then those atheists and Muslims and other people will be the most grateful, lucky, saved people of all. Or, if Christianity was wrong, it was just noise. At least be willing to listen closely and with an open heart. This is why in Luke 6:27, instead of saying "to you who are religious Christians I say this," instead of that Jesus says this: “But to you who are listening I say" (Luke 6:27) - because, quite frankly, to the one that truly opens up their ears and their HEART (listening with an open HEART as well), this person will be able to hear whether God's message is right or wrong - but if this person lets their own beliefs or their unbeliefs or their personal prejudices play a role or take any sort of precedence, then this person will have a heart that is closed off to Christ. This is why, when referring to religious Israel as "His sheep," Jesus says this: "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16). This is to say that there are OTHER sheep, the irreligious, those of other religious, former Christians (etc.) and that Jesus "must bring them also" - the only way they can be brought is if "they too will listen to my voice" for "there shall be one flock and one shepherd" - the religious, the irreligious, the Christian, the Muslim - they shall ALL come under the same Shepherd (leader of the sheep) - Jesus, but again only if they are truly listening and have a heart that is open to Him. For "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). If this is so, and Christianity is right, and there are many people that would be eternally saved by this, then who do we think we are to prevent it, to not even let this view by expressed and sponsored publicly? All in the name of convenience and comfort, not wanting to hear it or offend anybody - even as Americans we should be less soft than this, realizing that there is more at stake than our feelings. This is why if atheists dislike the public pushing of Christianity, they should do 2 things: 1. have an open heart and consider it, or 2. reject it but don't prevent it from being publicly pushed. This same 2 step process should be followed by all that are opposed, including those that consider themselves Christians but still support the separation of church and state. This, by the way, has been twisted - it was originally designed to prevent the church from being persecuted by the government, but now instead the Devil (and those within government that he works through) have twisted it around to "completely separate" the church from ANYTHING STATE RELATED (public events and schools) - meaning that anything "official" or governmental is not allowed to sponsor Christianity - ironically attacking the First Amendment instead of upholding it. The separation of church and state as we currently (2024) know it is complete garbage. It suppresses religion and benefits government. What it was supposed to do was prevent religious government, a world where the Church and the government would form a dangerous alliance, mandating religious laws in the government and governmental taxes throughout the Church - this dangerous alliance would certainly benefit the elite governmental and religious people, but it would badly hurt normal people - THAT is what the separation of church and state was MEANT for. Instead, it is used as an excuse to never talk about or have to listen to Christian views (and other religious views) publicly. This is sad, and we should not consider it unamerican to reject this nonsense. The founding fathers obviously meant something different from what we now have with the separation of church and state, and so to resist this Demonic nonsense is probably the most patriotic thing we can do. There is nothing wrong with forcing others to hear you - the only real freedom they have when it comes to your voice is whether or not they choose to listen. But they don't get to silence you, or at least in this country (and around the world, for that matter) they shouldn't be able to. But should only the Christian faith receive a public push like this? That would be what I want, but I also understand that people of other religions will disagree - I believe that whatever can be achieved, will be achieved. More people in American will listen to Christian teachings, while more people in the Middle East will listen to Muslim teachings. So do what you can, and I believe that in America this benefits Christianity, which is the Only True Religion, and so we yield to God in all that we do in our everyday lives. So then, what does the Christian faith/Bible in itself have to say about this? Should we be keeping our religion to ourselves? This implies that you are afraid and unwilling to openly share the Gospel, this religion, with others. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed." - we as Christians aren't called to be ashamed or awkward about the faith and the things that we know and believe, rather we know that the righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospels, and so we willingly share it with others, not being ashamed or private about anything. We know that as Christians, we must be filled with Holy Spirit, and that "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13). So what does this Spirit have to say about being private and afraid of/unwilling to share our views? "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God" (2 Timothy 1:7-8). We are NOT called to be timid - being a whimp and supporting the separation of church and state ends if you are truly a Christian, as you would be filled with a passion and desire (Spirit) to reach others for God instead of "trying to do what's fair" or make everyone else happy. So the Spirit doesn't make you timid, but rather it gives you POWER, the power of being daring, being willing to share your views in the face of opposition and awkwardness. Therefore, as the passage again encourages, do not be ashamed to share the Christian testimony and views. Rather than doing what is comfortable or easy - "Rather, join me in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God" - the Holy Spirit is the power of God (as we just saw that it gives you power), and the author of this passage was a man named Paul, a man who was imprisoned by the Romans for his ministry and impact - between what happened to him and also Jesus dying on the cross, it is clear that it is ok to face opposition, and that we should be willing to. "For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:17). So it better that we "suffer" here on Earth (are persecuted and judged and looked down upon) for doing good (spreading the Gospel of Christ) than it is that we suffer in Hell for doing the evil of keeping the entire thing to ourselves and not attempting to reach others. "Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist, denying the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22). The concept of the antichrist isn't very complicated, as it is simply "whoever denies Jesus" and "denies the Father and the Son" (members of the Holy Trinity, and we know blasphemy against the third member, the Holy Spirit, is unforgivable - Matthew 12:31). So if you deny God, if you keep your views private and deny sharing Him, that is not some morally upright thing for you to do - it is the spirit of the antichrist within you that is trying to keep Jesus hidden. Often times it is simply out of fear that we keep our beliefs private - this Jesus says "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). What He means by this is that we should not be afraid of the human beings and governments on Earth that can kill our body - rather we should be afraid of the God that can kill both body AND soul in Hell. So anything that can be done to us here on Earth, can be done in a much worse way by God if we deny Him and keep Him private - and we know that He is always watching over us. "But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in Heaven" (Matthew 10:33). More than anything, if you disown or deny Jesus to the public, you know that the same treatment awaits you on the Day of Judgment. So we are called to share the Gospel publicly, still allowing people to make their own decision, but certainly forcing them to hear us. "Preach the Word, and be prepared both in and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). "Go and make disciples of ALL nations" (Matthew 28:19). The call wasn't to stay inside and keep your views private - it was to go out into the world and make Jesus known. The Apostle Paul was a great Christian author and man who had an incredible redemption story, and he has been the author of many of the verses we have used today. Of his ministry, it is said that "He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance!" (Acts 28:31). So we are called to proclaim, to teach, to be bold and powerful (remember that the Spirit of God, the mark of having Christ in your life, doesn't make you timid but gives you power) - and we are called to do this publicly without hindrance, as there is nothing to be afraid of. Many people are unwilling to proclaim Christianity publicly because they don't want to offend people of other religions. In Old Testament times, the Israelites lived among others that had other gods - God didn't give them a message of tolerance, but rather a message that those other gods are idolatrous, and that associating with them was sinful. In the New Testament, Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father in Heaven except through me" (John 14:6). So it is only through Jesus, He is "the way" and the ONLY way, and all these other gods are idolatrous - why on Earth would we give them the benefit of the doubt or try not to offend them? They are idol gods, and our focus should be on the One True God instead, and on proclaiming His Kingdom. Thanks for reading.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35: "Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." 1 Timothy 2:11-15: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety." - the first thing I will say is that verse 15 of the most recent passage probably does not literally mean that women will be saved through childbearing, as obviously many wombs are unable to conceive, and if anybody is insensitive to each of our specific troubles, I guarantee you it is NOT God. What that verse probably meant was that, Mary (a woman) having given birth to Jesus is what enabled us to be saved by Jesus (He had to actually be born first), and so the verse is highlighting the NEED and the importance of women in the Christian faith, while also encouraging them to remain in faith, love, and holiness. As far as the rest of what was taught, it is indeed very controversial. I will first say that there is a huge difference between "Bible study" and church - women are NOT called to be silent in Bible studies OR worship sessions, which are distinct and different from church, even if they take place in church or during a church service. But why would God call women to be silent? “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). So we clearly cannot possibly come into this or any other situation expecting to "figure out" God and what He meant. But I will say this: the fact that the verses encouraged women to "inquire only of their husbands at home" is likely a sign that this only applies to married women (who have married men, if there was any confusion), and it is a powerful reminder of the importance of choosing the right partner. Is the man you plan on marrying the type of man that you can trust to give you a good answer to the questions that you won't ask at church? Is he there at church with you? Is he able to discern what certain things mean? These are the types of things that you must work out before committing to marrying someone - again remember that in our earlier discussions we established (from the Bible) that you should only marry a man that you can trust is WORTH submitting to, and worth being submitted to in the same way that you submit to God Himself. So first thing's first: marry a man that you would be comfortable living out these commands with. These verses make clear that there are 2, and only 2, bans on female leadership in the church: as speakers ("A woman must be silent" 1 Corinthians 14:34) and as teachers ("I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man" 1 Timothy 2:12). So women are encouraged to be church leaders, and this is another purpose for women in the Christian faith, but clearly just not as teachers and speakers - aside from this, they are considered EQUALS to men in church leadership. So we have established their leadership in ALL OTHER ROLES and ways as one of the time purposes for women in the Christian Church, but why would God advocate for silence, and for women not to teach? When Moses's brother Aaron was appointed priest over the ancient Israelite community, it was made clear that only Aaron and his sons would serve as priests (Exodus 28:1), and not his daughters or any other relatives of Aaron's. But again, why? The author, the Apostle Paul, spells out a few reasons: "For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner" (1 Timothy 2:13-14). This ties in with the story of the Garden of Eden, when Eve convinced Adam to sin along with her by eating from the forbidden tree. When God cursed Adam and Eve for this, He said to Eve that "Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you" (Genesis 3:16) - this implies that the woman will long for her man, and that the man will be in a position of authority over her. Eve was sinful and earned this punishment, and since we all sin today, I suppose this curse still stands (Adam had his own curses as well, but none of them related to Eve, again God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours). The Apostle Paul also says this in 1 Corinthians 11:12: "For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God." So the woman came from the man (Adam came first, and Eve came from Adam's rib), and all things come from God. 5 verses earlier, in 1 Corinthians 11:7, Paul says of the man that "he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man." - so it could be that since Adam came directly from God, and Eve only from Adam, only Adam was truly equipped to preach and minister for the Lord. It could also be said that God fills men and women with the Holy Spirit for different purposes, and that the purposes of men are sometimes to preach and speak, while women will not be filled with the Holy Spirit for this purpose (remember, I said this COULD be the case, but I would never SAY it is and disregard someone's potential calling). Remember that the verses are only referring to in person attendance in the church - many women do great ministry work on social media platforms, using the gifts that God has given them to speak and teach, and to do so in a way that honors God and honors the Bible. It could also be said that in ancient times, in the specific church that Paul was writing to, there were MANY sinful and irreligious women who were sneaking in among the ranks and destroying the church - it COULD be said that these verses only applied to that church, as Paul (the author)'s letters weren't just general Gospels, but specific letters written to each specific church (the Corinthian church, for example), addressing their SPECIFIC issues, issues that we may not have today. Out of these many explanations, I imagine one or more of them being correct. But God tells us in James 1:5 that if we lack wisdom or don't understand something, that if we pray to Him with a heart that we set on Him, that He will not judge us but will reveal to us the answers that we seek. And in Jeremiah 29:13 it specifically says that when we seek God with (and only with) all our hearts, we WILL find Him, so I would encourage you to pray to God about this and ask Him what the answer is, whether it was none or one or more than one of the things that I recommended from the scriptures. Thanks for reading.
People will always ask me why they're so stuck in sin, so addicted to lust, why it's so hard for them to care about church, why foul language always so easily slips out of them - I try to be as polite as possible, but the answer is this: you are trying to be good (to not be addicted, to care about church, to not swear) without the required source of goodness (Jesus). It's like trying to do a slam dunk without the ball - even if you reach the rim, you got nothing. In the same way, reaching the rim religiously doesn't mean anything. Where's the ball? Where's Jesus? You would have Him with you if you remained in Him - He promised. He will remain in you. So if you don't have the ball, that's why. You're addicted to lust because you don't obey God's Word, which not only forbids it but also gives us tips how to avoid it ("flee" 1 Corinthians 6:18, "turn your eyes from worthless things" Psalm 119:37, and to "love God with ALL your heart" Matthew 22:37). You're not interested in church because you're not interested in Jesus (if I was wrong, we wouldn't need to have this conversation, would we?). Foul language slips out of your mouth because Satan has more control of your heart than he doesn't - "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Luke 6:45). Frankly: it's your fault. Now, I have NEVER answered someone like this word for word, because that would be rude. But, I do eventually answer them with these facts and concepts - it may seem brutal, but it's true. Jesus made it simple: He told us that if we remained in Him, He would remain in us (John 15:4), and that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). So if we don't "have the ball," and we're struggling with these things, then it's not because of someone else or what we've been through or any other excuse - it's because we didn't remain in Jesus. But hey! You're in luck, because if you simply draw near to Him, from the heart, He will respond and draw near to you, no matter how far gone you may feel (Joel 2:12). Want to quit that addiction to lust? Stop making excuses, turn your eyes AWAY from things that are worthless (Psalm 119:37), fix your eyes ON Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and "Resist Satan, and he will flee from you; draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:7-8). Turn your heart away from the lust, and towards the Lord - don't even look. Turn your heart away from the anger or disappointment or self-righteousness that makes you swear, and TOWARDS the goodness of God and the excitement of encountering Him in a theologically sound and community-oriented church. Does this sound like a brutal answer? Good. The world doesn't spin because people try. The world spins because of God, and our human society pushes forward because of the people that GET IT DONE. Be one of them. Jesus has made Himself available to you - all you have to do is draw near. Thanks for reading.
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