Author: Alice A. Anacioco

Jesus Teaches about Humility and Service
Jesus Teaches About Humility and Service

Jesus Teaches About Humility and Service

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Humility and service are just two of the values that Jesus not only taught but exemplified during His earthly ministry.

On so many occasions in the Bible, we read the Lord teaching His disciples to consider others before themselves. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the importance of self-denial and service to others.

In Luke 14:7-14, Jesus used the occasion of a banquet to give insight into humility and service. He addressed the guest regarding humility in verses 7 to 10, And in verses 12 to 14, He spoke to the host about serving others.

Jesus Teaches About Humility

Bible Passage: Luke 14:7-14, NKJV

So He told a parable to those who were invited when He noted how they chose the best places. He said to them, “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him.

And he who invited you and him come and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’ and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’

Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.

But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Humble Yourself and Be Exalted

Jesus’ teaching is clear – don’t think so highly of yourself that you expect the best treatment at all times. No matter who you think you are in society, remember that there’s always somebody higher than you. Being ambitious might be good at times but certainly not on many occasions.

Imagine a city mayor who went to a wedding banquet along with his bodyguards and servicemen. Upon his arrival, the host was too busy attending to other guests so he could not personally welcome him. Thinking he was the most highly regarded guest, the mayor took the best seat and made himself comfortable.

When the host noticed his presence, he came and whispered to his ear that the seat he occupied is reserved for the governor. The mayor had no choice but to get up so the governor could take his rightful seat. What a huge embarrassment for the mayor knowing that all eyes are on him.

Humility and the Christian

Humility is a fundamental grace in the Christian life, and yet it is elusive. There may be times when we think we deserve VIP treatment because of who we are in the church or society. Or perhaps there have been times when we exhibited false humility.

Do you think you have this virtue? Please allow me to say, “If you know you have it, you have already lost it!”

As someone rightly said, “Humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is simply not thinking of ourselves at all.” Jesus is the greatest example of humility, and we would do well to ask the Holy Spirit to enable us to imitate Him.

A True Act of Charity

The Lord Jesus also emphasized the importance of treating people equally regardless of their social and economic status. Unfortunately, when we host a banquet, we prefer to invite rich and powerful people.

But Jesus told the host of the banquet that when he holds a feast, he should invite the poor, the lame, and the blind. Why should the host do what Jesus said? It’s because these people won’t be able to repay him. They could not invite him back because they couldn’t afford to host a banquet! However, the host will receive his reward at the resurrection.

The reality is that whenever we host a party, we prefer to invite our friends, relatives, and the rich and famous. We want to have people who can bring gifts or those who can invite us to their party in the future.

Of curse, there’s nothing wrong with inviting these people. When Jesus said, “Do not invite your friends, brothers, relatives, or rich neighbors,” He did not mean absolute prohibition. Such language is common in Semitic discourse and is used for emphasis.

The Lord’s point here is that inviting one’s friends and relatives cannot be classified as a spiritual act of charity. It may also be a rebuke against those prone to reserve their hospitality for rich neighbors. They intentionally do this knowing that these guests will feel obligated to return the favor.

Here’s a beautiful song called, “Heart of a Servant” by the City Harvest Church.

Greatness and Servanthood

In Matthew 20:26-27, Jesus taught His disciples that greatness is parallel to servanthood. Jesus said in response to the request of James and John’s mother for them to be given high places in God’s Kingdom.

In his reply, Jesus highlighted being a “servant.” The word here means a “slave” and our English word “deacon” comes from it. Not every servant was a slave, but every slave was a servant.

The Lord was teaching His disciples that the style of greatness and leadership for believers is different. The Gentile leaders dominate in a dictatorial fashion, using carnal power and authority. Believers are to do the opposite. They lead must by being servants and giving themselves away for others, as Jesus did.

Sadly, in the church today we have many celebrities but very few servants. There are many who want to “flaunt” their authority but few who want to take the towel and basin and wash feet.

But while there are people who are still willing to serve, it’s interesting to note that they also have their motives. Some are sincerely serving to glorify God but others serve for honor and recognition.

What’s your motive for serving God and others?

Conclusion

In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul uses the example of Jesus’ humility and service to encourage believers to do the same. He uses the word “selfishness” which is sometimes rendered “strife” because it refers to fractionism or rivalry. It speaks of the pride that prompts people to push for their own way.

And then Paul encourages the church to have humility of mind. It was a term of decision with the idea of being low, shabby, and humble. The basic definition of true humility is regarding others as more important than yourself.

Our motive for being humble and serving others must be the praise of God and not the applause of men. We must care about the eternal reward in heaven and not the temporary recognition on earth. Remember, “You can’t get your reward twice” (Matthew 6:1-8).

On the day of judgment, many who today are first in the eyes of men will be last in God’s eyes. And many who are last in the eyes of men will be first in the eyes of God (Luke 13:30).

Do you exhibit the kind of humility and service that the Lord requires?

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

Rediscovering Humility: Why the Way Up is Down by Christopher Hutchinson

Most of us value humility . . . especially in other people. But Jesus taught that humility is central to the Christian life. Author Christopher Hutchinson invites the church to follow Christ—both individually and corporately—in this high calling.

A systematic and comprehensive treatment of this core tenant of Christianity, Rediscovering Humility is structured around the three times Jesus addresses the topic in Scripture—how it is found, embraced, and applied.

This insightful resource should be required reading for all seminary students so they can understand the pitfalls of leadership before they begin to pastor. Current pastors and church leaders will find Hutchinson’s critiques and suggestions helpful as they seek to create humble and healthy churches.

Individuals who have lost an appreciation for humility as a central Christian virtue will be reminded of its value as the best way to grow closer to and more like Jesus.

Humble Christians create healthy churches, but in today’s world of celebrity pastors and widening platforms, our churches are more than ever imitating the prideful methodologies of our culture. Through his critiques, Hutchinson also offers suggestions for how Christians can better practice and promote humility in our time.

Offering a fresh and updated application of humility to our day, Hutchinson calls for a return to the path of humility as the one pilgrimage most necessary for Christian faith and life.

By showing humility in all its truth, beauty, and goodness, it becomes a value worth seeking — if never fully found — on this side of heaven.

Lessons about the Storms of Life
Dealing with the Storms of Life

Dealing with the Storms of Life

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The Christian life is not at all a bed of roses. We will all face the storms of life as we journey with the Lord. But how should we deal with them? How should we respond when storms come and how do we overcome them?

In today’s post, we will look at the account of Paul as he sailed to Rome. It was indeed a challenging journey because of the hindrances they had to overcome. But it gives the believer some powerful lessons about the storms of life and how we should respond.

Paul Sails for Rome

In Acts chapter 27, we read of Paul’s journey to Rome along with Luke and the other prisoners. Paul was not the only prisoner that Julius and his men are taking to Rome (Acts 27:1).

They left on a ship whose home port was Adramyttium on the northwest coast of the province of Asia. And it was scheduled to make several stops at ports along the coast of the province. They passed along the province of Lycia and got on board an Egyptian ship bound for Italy.

Paul's Voyage to Rome Acts 27
Photo Credit: Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

But arriving in Rome was easier said than done because of the wind and storm (Acts 27:2-5).

After many days of sailing, the strong winds hindered their progress, thus, taking them several days to get to Cnidus. The pilot then steered south-southwest to Crete passing Salmone and finally struggling into Fair Havens. It had been the most difficult voyage and a portent of things to come (Acts 27:9-10).

Lessons about the Storms of Life

What’s interesting about this account is how Luke, an accurate historian, presented the important facts of their voyage. Perhaps, the major purpose Luke had in mind was the presentation of Paul as a courageous leader.

Having said that, there are four lessons we can learn from Paul’s Journey to Rome.

1. Storms Come as a Result of Disobedience

First of all, storms come when we disobey the will of God. Needless to say, Jonah is a good example of this truth. Jonah had to experience being in the belly of a giant fish before obeying God.

In the case of Paul, he was not at fault. Rather, it was the centurion in charge of the ship. When Paul perceived that their voyage would end in disaster, he warned them (Acts 27:10). However, the centurion did not heed Paul’s warning. Instead, he followed the advice of the pilot and the owner of the ship (Acts 27:11).

Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. While at sea, the storm grew worse and they took a violent battering from the storm. This lasted for many days making the situation seemed hopeless. And it all happened because one man would not listen to God’s messenger.

What happened to Paul tells us that sometimes we suffer because of other people’s unbelief. You see, disobedience does not always have to come from our end. There are times when we go through the storms of life because somebody in the “boat” with us rebelled against God.

2. Storms Reveal Character

Second, storms have a way of revealing character.

On their journey to Rome through Cyprus and Crete, their ship was caught in a storm at sea. At first, the crew did everything they could to keep the ship afloat. They bound ropes around the hull of the ship to strengthen it and lowered the sea anchor to slow the ship (Acts 27:17).

In the following days as gale-force winds continued to batter the ship, they began throwing the cargo overboard. They even took some of the ship’s gear and threw it overboard (Acts 27:18-19). It is evident that everybody was terrified to death so they started throwing things overboard to lighten the ship’s load.

But the terrible storm continued to rage for many days, blotting out the sun and the stars. That was when the sailors and the crew thought that all hope was gone.

But Paul trusted God and obeyed His will. When God impressed in his heart that they were about to face trouble at sea, Paul warned the ship’s officers about it. But they did not listen to him.

Yet, he exemplified the true character of a leader by taking command of a difficult situation in a time of great crisis. What a difference when a person has faith in God. Instead of wishing for a change or selfishly trying to escape (Acts 27:29-30), Paul got ready for the demands that could come.

How do you respond to a situation like this? Do you easily get rattled? Do you keep your calm and be still? Will you trust God to instruct you on what you must do and then do exactly what He says?

Paul Shipwrecked at Malta
Photo Credit: IndependentdotComdotMt

3. Storms Cannot Hinder God’s Purpose

Third, even the worst storm cannot hide the face of God or hinder His purpose.

While at sea on a ship, Paul, Luke, and the other prisoners faced a terrible storm. After doing all they could, the situation remained hopeless and they finally gave up.

But a messenger from the Lord visited Paul and assured him that he would arrive safely in Rome. The ship and the cargo would be lost but all the passengers would be spared and cast on an island. God has purposed that Paul would stand trial before Caesar in Rome and no storm could hinder that.

God has a plan and purpose for every one of us and no matter what storms of life we may face along the way, God will overrule. As one pastor often says in his sermon, “There is nothing that is beyond God’s control. He may allow bad things to happen but in the end, His purpose will prevail.”

We can see this repeatedly illustrated in the lives of many of God’s people in both the Old and the New Testaments. If God did it before, He will do it today because He doesn’t change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8).

4. Storms are Opportunities for Witnessing

Finally, storms can give us opportunities to serve others and bear witness to Jesus Christ.

On his voyage to Rome, Paul was with other prisoners placed in the custody of a Roman officer named Julius, a captain of the Imperial Regiment. But unlike Paul, they were most probably going to Rome to die and not to stand trial. What mercy that they met Paul who could tell them how to go to heaven when they died!

Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was also with them along with the ship’s captain and officer in charge of the prisoners.

As the weather was becoming dangerous for sea travel, Paul warned of trouble ahead. And when they were about to dock, the sailors selfishly tried to escape and save their own lives. But Paul assured them that the God he serves has granted safety to everyone sailing with him (Acts 27:24-25).

For the two weeks that they were at sea, no one ate because they were so worried and Paul urged them to eat. He took the bread and openly prayed and gave thanks to God (Acts 27:34-36). The sailors and officers joined him, and before long everybody felt better.

Paul saw an opportunity to share God’s goodness and he did not waste time. Offering thanksgiving to God openly is a good example for us to follow when we are eating in public places.

Whenever you face the storms of life, know that God does not only allow them to strengthen your faith in Him. Difficulties, trials, and even sufferings are doors of opportunity for you to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God with those in need.

Romans 1:16, NIV

Conclusion

The situation on the ship looked hopeless! But Paul was there and his presence made all the difference. He was the most valuable man on that ship! He knew how to pray, he had faith in God, and he was in touch with the Almighty.

At times, one dedicated believer can change the whole atmosphere of a situation simply by trusting God and making that faith visible.

Let the account of Paul’s voyage to Rome be a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness in carrying out His purpose. You may find yourself regularly battling the storms of life. But know that God is using these circumstances to teach you a lesson.

It could be that God wants to teach you the importance of obedience and submission to His will. He could be in the process of molding your character or allowing you to witness to others. God may also allow you to experience the rage of the storm to increase your faith and dependence on Him.

How do you respond to the storms of life knowing that through them, God is teaching you important lessons? Will you be like Paul who stood firm in his faith and trusted God to carry out His will?

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource: 

Trusting God in Dark Times: Transforming Devotions for a Lifetime by Montray Ashly

It’s easy to trust God when everything is going well, but can you trust God in dark times when a loved one passes away, your child goes astray, your marriage fails, you’re battling an addiction, you lose your job, or experience financial hardship?

God wants you to trust Him no matter what. He wants to share in your despair and know that He is right there with you every step of the way even when you can’t feel Him or see Him at work. He wants you to experience the light of His presence during your dark times and desires for you to draw close to Him so that the light of His love can cover you.

Oftentimes, you feel alone and that no one cares but God feels your pain and wants to show you His love in the most unmeasurable ways. He also desires to demonstrate His power to help you overcome the obstacles you face.

During your fiery trials, God will make uncalculated moves in your life that will catapult you into another spiritual dimension and change the trajectory of your journey. When He doesn’t take you out of the fire, He’ll accompany you in it.

It is then, you’ll realize that the dark times of trouble did not come to harm you but to ultimately bless you. What God will do in you and for you during tumultuous times will increase your faith, renew your strength and encourage your heart.

You’ll discover that God is a healer of brokenness, a deliverer in the wilderness, and a provider in barrenness. You can trust God in dark times.

Do You have to Go to Church to Go to Heaven?
Do You have to Go to Church to Go to Heaven?

Do You have to Go to Church to Go to Heaven?

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In this post, let us answer the question, “Do you have to go to church to go to heaven?” In other words, do you have to go to church to be saved? Is church attendance a requirement for salvation?

This question is just one of the issues Protestants or born-again Christians and Roman Catholics disagree on. Catholics say that one needs to go to church to be saved while born-again Christians say you don’t. Interestingly, both groups use the Bible to justify their beliefs.

So, who is right?

Salvation by Faith Alone?

A couple of weeks ago, I landed on a website that claims the church is vital for salvation. Matthew, the author, went on to explain with several Bible verses why going to church is a requirement for entering heaven.

Here is part of what he wrote:

“Protestant Christianity believes in the principle of salvation by faith alone. Many Protestants interpret this to mean: ‘I don’t need the church to get me to heaven. All I need to do is believe in Christ. End of.’

Catholics and Orthodox Christians think differently here. In fact, there are probably a lot of Protestant groups that also disagree with this attitude toward the church.

For the Catholic and Orthodox mindsets, we believe that the Church is VITAL for salvation. And so, in conclusion, do we have to go to church to go to heaven?

ABSOLUTELY!

The only exceptions to this strict rule would be people who cannot get to Church, because of illness or other important matters.

The Church offers the world the holy sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, plus others. We cannot get to heaven without the Church.

The Church is so important, that Catholics are bound – on pain of mortal sin – to attend Mass every Sunday and every holy day of obligation (of which there is about 5 yearly).

God loves us so much that he commands this of us with the highest kind of force: we must go to Church weekly if we want to be saved and go to heaven.”


Refuting a Catholic on Salvation

First of all, I have yet to hear a Protestant or born-again Christian interpret salvation by faith alone the way Matthew did in his article.

My comment on his article:

“I appreciate your boldness in tackling this very controversial topic.

Indeed, many people are asking this question: Does one need to go to church to go to heaven? 

The only place where we could find the answer to these questions is the Bible itself. If we believe that the Bible is the sole authority then there shouldn’t be any problem and we will arrive at the same answer.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that one needs to go to church to go to heaven.

If there’s any verse, please quote it to me.

Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Christ Jesus, not by works so that no one could boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). What Christ has accomplished was all that’s needed to redeem sinful man.

I am not saying that the church is irrelevant. We go to church for fellowship, listen to the Word of God, and edify and encourage other believers.

Also, we are exhorted not “to forsake our gathering together, so much more as we see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

We go to church, get baptized, obey God’s command, and live according to God’s will. But we do all these not to gain passes to heaven or to be saved. God has already done the work for us to be saved.

Unfortunately, the author chose not to accept and publish my comment and noted the following reasons for rejecting it.

 “God bless you, but I’m not happy to accept this comment on my site. I don’t wish to get into debates on my site between Protestants and Catholics in the comments,  take care.”



Avoiding Debates

I do not mean to rant about him rejecting my comment. But when you publish a post like this on your website, you are already opening it up to debates. And you are not getting away with this that easily!

Just like when I published an article on the Difference between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day. Using Scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments, I pointed out bluntly why Sabbatarians are wrong in their belief.

I received a comment from a Sabbatarian telling me how I am gravely mistaken for saying we do not have to keep the Sabbath. She also said that she doubts if I would even accept and publish her comment as it could be damaging to my site. But I approved her comment and explained further why I do not agree with her. 

Going back to Matthew’s rejection of my comment, I wrote another comment saying that if he is confident in what he and his church are teaching, there’s no need to shy away from opposing views.

Again, he refused to publish it. I guess, he just wanted comments that agree with his views. After all, his target audience is Roman Catholics based on his website’s name and URL. 

I understand that as the owner of his website, he has full control over what people can read either in the posts or comments. I just wish he’d be more open to differing views and then explain why he is correct and the other party is wrong. It would have been an opportunity for him to defend his views and shed light on some of the supposed misconceptions about Catholic beliefs.

How Do We Get Saved?

If going to church does not save, how then does one get saved? How do you know you are going to heaven? As I said in my comment on Matthew’s article, the only place where to find the answer is the Word of God.

So, let us look at what the Scriptures say about salvation, receiving eternal life, or going to heaven.

Be Born Again to Enter Heaven

I think we all know the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, and ruler of the Jews, who came to Jesus by night. Without Nicodemus asking directly how to get to heaven, Jesus plainly said he had to be born again (John 3:1-7).

Think about this for a moment; Nicodemus was a Pharisee and as such he strictly observed traditional rabbinic laws. Yet he had no assurance of salvation. In essence, he was asking Jesus what else he had to do or stop doing to earn a ticket to heaven.

Quote about Heaven

Jesus’ statement was imperative; there is nothing Nicodemus or you and I could do to gain entry to heaven. What we need to do is get born again and become a follower of Christ. But what did Jesus mean exactly when He said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”?

May I refer you to these articles on this site:

Born Again: A New Religion
Nicodemus Transformed by Jesus

Salvation is by Grace through Faith

Ephesians 2:8-9 is just one of the passages that make explicit the truth of salvation by grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus. Salvation is a gift from God; we do not deserve it nor can we earn it. I am pretty sure you have already heard many times that grace means “undeserved favor.”

The verse says salvation is not by works which simply means there is nothing you can do to earn it. Let me say it again; salvation is a gift from God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

And since it is a gift, all we have to do is receive it just like we do any gift that other people give to us.

For more on this, you can check out Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16, and Titus 3:5.

Jesus is the Way to the Father in Heaven

Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 is also explicit. Thomas said they didn’t know where the Lord was going and asked how would they know. In response, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

God’s dwelling place is in heaven and Jesus said He was going back to the Father. If we can get to heaven by going to church, why did Jesus have to lead the way? Why did He have to leave His throne above, suffer and die at the hands of His creation just to redeem us from sin?

My Conversation with a Muslim

I am reminded of my conversation with a former colleague who was a Muslim while I was based in the Middle East. Muslims believe that your final destiny after your life here on earth depends on your works. In other words, they believe in work-based salvation.

To qualify for heaven where Allah is, your good deeds would have to outweigh your bad deeds. This means you’ll never know while you are alive if you are going to heaven when you die or not. All they can do is keep earning good points by following strictly the five pillars of Islam.

I said to my colleague that there are only two places where man will go after life on earth – heaven or hell. If she wanted assurance into heaven she would have to confess Christ as her Lord and accept His gift of salvation. This is because Jesus is the way to heaven; not one of the ways but the only way.

She got mad and started yelling, “So, you are sending me to hell?” To which I replied, “Going to hell is a choice and a personal decision. It’s not God’s will that anyone should perish in hell that is why He sent His Son to suffer and die for us. Would you accept His gift of salvation?”

She got pissed all the more so I had to shut up.


The Role of the Church

If going to church does not save, what then is its role in the Christian life?

First of all, the church can refer to the building where we gather for worship or the people of God. That’s right; you, me, and we are the “church.” But for this particular post, I will be referencing the building as the church.

As I said to Matthew, going to church is necessary because this is where we serve God and our fellow believers in Jesus. The church is where we are trained for service and ministry (Ephesians 4:12). We go to church to praise and worship the Lord and hear God’s Word. The church is where we learn the fundamental doctrines of Christianity and also where we observe the Lord’s Supper.

When we got born again, we were adopted into God’s family and became part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). As members of God’s family, we are to encourage and edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15).

So I say the church, our spiritual family, plays a vital role in our spiritual growth. Perhaps, it’s also in the church where you first heard the Good News of salvation. Praise the Lord for the church!

Conclusion

Just as baptism does not save, going to church does not contribute to one’s salvation.

It is only through the finished works of Christ that salvation became available to anyone. The Bible makes it clear that we are not saved by doing good works.

Rather, we gain entry to heaven because of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. Jesus, who is God, came to live as a perfect human being, submitted to the will of God and redeemed us from sin.

This is why when Jesus breathed His last, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). In essence, Jesus signaled the end of the Jewish sacrificial system and paid for all our sins.

But this does not mean we are to neglect to go to church. Just because we are already enjoying God’s gift of eternal life, we don’t need the church.

The church is our spiritual family and we are to care for it even more than our physical family.

Have you received God’s gift of eternal life by acknowledging you’re a sinner in need of salvation? Why don’t you do it right now? Confess your sins to God, receive His forgiveness, and surrender your life to Him as your Lord and Savior.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource: 

The Doctrine of Salvation: By Grace Through Faith, the Gift of God by Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon

GUARANTEED to be OUT OF THIS WORLD—Salvation is truly “the gift that keeps on giving”—not only in this life but for all eternity.

It is called “the gift of God,” but what did it really cost? How can we possibly receive so rich a reward? And is there any danger that such an invaluable treasure can be lost or stolen?

This delightful little volume features 50 daily readings on the Doctrine of Salvation—a wealth of Scripture knowledge describing God’s invaluable gift to the world.

Mined from the media vault of Search the Scriptures Daily radio broadcast and condensed into a convenient devotional format, this treasure chest of biblical insights by Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon is artfully arranged as a string of precious pearls, interspersed with devotional prayers, hymns, and heartfelt reflection.

In these pages, readers will find genuine hope of their blessed assurance and discover (or rediscover) the joy of their salvation in this life—sealed by God’s Solid Rock guarantee. “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.” —2 Samuel 22:47

Testing God in Tithes and Offering
The Difference between Tithes and Offerings

The Difference between Tithes and Offerings

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Most Christians know the difference between tithes and offerings. But for the sake of those who do not know or are not aware, we will tackle this topic in this article.

If you go to a Christian church that believes in the principle of tithing, you must be familiar with the Bible verses that they use. If your church does not believe that Christians today should tithe, you must be accustomed only to the offerings.

But you must know that there are different kinds of offerings as we read in the Bible (Leviticus) namely:

  • Burnt offering (Leviticus 1:1-9)
  • Grain offering (Leviticus 2:1-16)
  • Peace offering (Leviticus 3:1-17)
  • Purification or Sin offering (Leviticus 4:1-35)
  • Guilt or Trespass offering (Leviticus 5:14-19)

In the New Testament, an offering could just be love, special, or simply a freewill offering.

Whether or not I believe that Christians today are commanded to tithe is not the scope of this post. There’s a separate article I wrote years ago on the Biblical Truth About Tithing. Should you want to read it, just follow the link.

Deuteronomy 14:22, NIV

The Tithe

Whenever we hear the word tithe, it simply refers to a tenth (10%) of all that we earn (Leviticus 27:30). Deuteronomy 14:22 commands, “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”

Wait a minute, what about Christians who do not have any field, how are they supposed to tithe? There have been a lot of debates and arguments about tithing. What’s interesting is that both sides (pro and anti) use the same Bible verses to justify their claim. So, whose right???

Law of Tithing in the OT

In context, Leviticus 27:28-30 talks about the devoted offering that is holy to the Lord. These are the things that God has especially “set apart” for Himself such as the spoils of war at Jericho (Joshua 6:17-18; 7:11-15).

Both objects and people could fit under this command. This means God put them under a ban so that they wholly belonged to Him. The major lesson is that God expects us to keep our commitments to Him and be honest in all our dealings with Him.

Deuteronomy 14:22 is one of the Bible verses that is often quoted when exhorting people to tithe. But while it specifically talks about setting aside a tenth, this verse is specific to that of agricultural produce which the land would provide.

This was a second tithe to be used for the celebration of convocations of worship at the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 14:23-26). The first is the Levitical tithe to support the priests and Levites who served the people (Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:21-32). A third welfare tithe was also offered every three years.

In contrast, the NT does not command us a specific amount to give. However, it urges us to give an amount that is in proportion to the blessings we are receiving. We are encouraged to give generously but our motive must always be to glorify God.

Testing God in Tithes

Another verse that is often used to exhort tithing is Malachi 3:10 wherein the Lord challenges the people to “test Him.” What does it mean to test God?

There are several examples in the Bible of both acceptable and unacceptable kinds of testing God. But what is acceptable and unacceptable? When doubt leads us to demand something from God to prove Himself to us, that is unacceptable. For instance, when the Israelites tested God in the wilderness. Regarding tithes and offerings, it is acceptable to “test” God.

The difference between these two kinds of testing is faith. By definition, faith takes risks (Hebrews 11:1). When true faith is present, obedience follows. It is that faith-inspired action of obedience that God desires.

When we give to God based on our faith in who He is, He proves Himself to be just that – faithful. In contrast, when we view God through our doubt and demand something of Him to see if He is trustworthy, we are in danger of testing God.

Are you testing God n a way that is acceptable to Him?

Special/Love/Free Will Offering

On top of the tithes we bring to God, Christians are encouraged to give offerings for special needs. Many ministries such as missionaries, pastors, relief organizations, refuge centers, church buildings, and Christian legal action groups depend on generous donations.

We give generously in support of our local church. This is where we are fed (spiritually) and it is our responsibility to help and support it. Can we help other ministries too? Of course! But let us not neglect the local church we are a part of.

2 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV

We are also encouraged to give special offerings from a thankful heart. You see, God is interested in your heart, not just your actions (2 Corinthians 9:7). However, be warned not to give as a financial transaction to get rich.

The Bible tells us that God rewards generosity. But if our primary motive for giving is self-interest, we are making a major mistake.

We give generously to acknowledge God’s love.

Conclusion

Many Christians view tithes differently from offerings. The tithe is a tenth of all that we receive from God. On the other hand, an offering is any amount that we give in addition to the tithe.

Do we often find ourselves struggling to give in support of the Lord’s work? The key here is giving ourselves first to the Lord the way the Macedonian churches did. They gave in the midst of their extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).

You may ask, “Do I need to separate them?” No, you don’t have to. You can give them at one time. God knows anyway how much you gave as your tithe and your offering.

When we give our tithes and offering to the Lord, God promises to meet our needs and often rewards our generosity financially. But other times the refreshment God gives is something much more than money.

Let us not think only of blessing in terms of money and other material blessings. We may find ourselves lacking in material things but having a deeper relationship with God is more important.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

Tithing: Test Me in This (The Ancient Practices Series) by Douglas Leblanc (Author) & Phyllis Tickle (Foreword)

Stories of people who live a generous and happy life (and why you’ll want to live that way too).

Journalist Douglas LeBlanc travels the nation to talk with believers whose lives have been enriched by the ancient spiritual discipline of tithing.

He discovers people along the way who do not understand the practice as an onerous law but as God’s call to a life of generosity and compassion. The effect on their lives is dramatic.

LeBlanc talks with a variety of believers-from a pastor in the south side of Chicago to progressive Episcopalians, from an Orthodox rabbi to an Eastern Orthodox priest and his wife.

By holding their gifts with open hands, they are drawn deeper into a life of joy and sharing that begins in the very heart of God.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus
Busy But Not Blessed

Busy But Not Blessed

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The Word of God never encourages idleness or laziness because it will not do us any good. Rather, it exhorts us to work hard and we will reap the blessings. See Proverbs 10:4-5; 12:11, 24; 14:23; 18:9; 19:15 and Romans 12:11.

But if working hard results in abundance, why are there so many hardworking people who are not living in comfort? No matter how many hours they spend working their butts off, they still seem to be living in “lack.” In other words, they are very busy but not blessed.

Unfortunately, many Christians are in the same boat. They have known the Lord for many years and are serving Him in their ministry. Yet, they are not living in abundance and victory.

Ready to Serve God

How long have you been born again? 5, 10, 15, or 20 years? I supposed that’s the same number of years that you have been serving the Lord. I am pretty sure you were very excited when you first came to know the Lord. You wanted to serve Him in any church ministry that He would put you in.

And you did not want to be stuck where you first began. But you wanted to take your service to God to another level. After all, isn’t that what Peter said about growing in the grace and knowledge of God (2 Peter 3:18)? Spiritual growth does involve growing in service to the Lord and His people.

Serving God with Gladness
Photo Credits: WhatDoesitMeantoServegod.com

Perhaps you started in the utility ministry – you know, arranging chairs and helping set up the worship hall. You were very eager to help in any way you could and never wanted to miss any church activity. In every Bible study, prayer and fasting, worship symposium, and worship service, you are always present. You read your Bible every day and meditate on it.

How do I know all this? It’s because I’ve been there too. Every new believer has this experience. I remember very well when I was first ushered in – the thought of being a child of God was overwhelming! Me? Yes; a sinner undeserving of God’s love and mercy. But God accepted me for who I am and wanted me to become the person He intended me to be.

That goes the same for you and everyone for whom God died to redeem from the power of sin and darkness.

A Balanced Christian Life

How far have you come in your service to God? Perhaps you are now a worship leader, which is a huge contrast to arranging chairs. You may be very occupied learning everything you can about worship leading. Or listening and mastering new praise and worship songs that you will include in your lineup.

I encourage you to keep growing in your ministry and equipping yourself to be a better worship leader. Praise be to God for the work He has done and still doing in your life.

But can you honestly say that you have maintained a balanced Christian life? Do you still attend small gatherings and cell groupings? How is your prayer life? Do you still have time to read and meditate on the Word of God the way you used to?

Or you don’t have time for other things anymore because you are busy learning new songs and practicing your lineup.

Isn’t it amazing that when we were new believers, we had all the time to pray, read the Bible, attend Bible studies, etc? Why is it that we almost do not have the time for the things we used to love and enjoy? We are so busy doing things we think are for the Lord but neglect the others that are of the same importance.

Contrasting Martha and Mary

The story of Martha and Mary is often used by preachers to point out the difference between a worshiper and a worker. In Luke 10:38-42, we read the contrast between the priorities of these two sisters.

When Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem, Martha welcomed them into her home. While Martha was busy preparing dinner, her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening to Him. Martha must have had so many things to do that she got irritated when her sister Mary did not bother to help her.

When she could not take it any longer, Martha approached Jesus and complained about Mary not helping her. To which Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

In this case, Martha was busy but not blessed. This is because it is more blessed to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him.

Who is Mary?

A little background about Martha’s sister Mary; she is from Bethany and is seen three times in the Gospel record. On each occasion, she is in the same place: at the feet of Jesus.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His Word in Luke 10:39. In John 11:32, she fell at His feet and shared her woe. But the most striking story of Mary was when she anointed His feet with a very costly oil of spikenard and wiped it with her hair (John 12:3).

It is interesting to note that in each of these instances, there is some kind of fragrance. In Luke 10:39, it is food; in John 11:39, it is death, and in John 12:3, it is perfume. You see, the way we worship God and show appreciation to Him can take many forms. And take note that it can be expressed in many different circumstances.

Martha and Mary

Worshiper or Worker

What can we learn from Martha and Mary? These two sisters are often contrasted as though each believer must make a choice. Be a worker like Martha or be a worshiper like Mary.

Certainly, our personalities and gifts are different. But that does not mean the Christian life is an either/or situation. Just because you are a worship leader does not mean you do not need to study the Bible.

To be an effective worship leader, you need to know the right way to exhort and encourage the congregation. You do this by meditating on the book of Psalms as it is filled with so many “call to worship” exhortations. Many verses of the Bible also directly speak to the heart of the congregation to give to God their problems and worship Him.

On the other hand, if you are a pastor or a preacher, you should set aside time for personal worship. You don’t use up all your time reading the word and preparing your sermon and do not have time for personal worship.

So you see, we can be a worker and a worshiper at the same time. But when we have to choose between the two, Jesus said we have to choose the “good part.”

The key is to have the right priorities: Jesus Christ first, then others, then ourselves.

Conclusion

We can take a warning from the account of Martha and Mary. Perhaps in all our busyness, we have been ignoring the Lord. Martha’s problem was not that she had too much work to do. But she allowed her work to distract her and pull her apart. She was trying to serve two masters.

If serving Christ makes us difficult to live with, then something is terribly wrong with our service. It is vitally important that we spend time “at the feet of Jesus” every single day, letting Him share His Word with us.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg

A rare chance to know Jesus as His first disciples knew Him.

What would it be like to journey back to the first century and sit at the feet of Rabbi Jesus as one of His Jewish disciples?

How would your understanding of the gospel have been shaped by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish culture in which you lived?

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus will change the way you read Scripture and deepen your understanding of the life of Jesus.

It will also help you to adapt the rich prayers and customs you learn about to your own life, in ways that both respect and enrich your Christian faith.

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes you on a fascinating tour of the Jewish world of Jesus, offering inspirational insights that can transform your faith.

Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg paint powerful scenes from Jesus’ ministry, immersing you in the prayers, feasts, history, culture, and customs that shaped Jesus and those who followed him.

Trusting God in Sufferingd
Trusting God During Sufferings

Trusting God During Sufferings

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Being a Christian is easy when everything seems to be going the way we want them to be. But can we still trust God during difficult times? How do you tell the suffering to trust God when you can’t possibly relate to what they’re going through?

God is powerful; He can stop all the evil in the world in just a snap of a finger. I mean, He can do it by the power of His Word because He is omnipotent. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37), right? But the question most people ask is, “How can a good God allow suffering?” More importantly, “Why does God allow His children to go through trials and tribulations?”

These are the questions Christians need to learn to answer when dealing with people who do not believe in God. What possible reasons could we tell atheists why we believe in a God who allows suffering?

In this article, we will look at the 7 reasons to believe in God amid difficulties and suffering.

1. Suffering Reveals What is in Our Hearts

The reality is that our suffering often comes as a result of other people’s actions. We hear of families being oppressed by wealthy and influential people. Some even go to the extent of hiring paid assassins to eliminate their enemies. There is no question that these kinds of deeds are evil!

But suffering also has a way of revealing what is in our hearts. How do we respond when we are on the receiving end of these atrocities?

We Glory in Our Sufferings

We may never know how much love, mercy, envy, anger, and pride can lie dormant in us until awakened by circumstances. We must understand that the strengths and weaknesses of the heart are not found when everything is going our way. Rather, it is when flames of suffering and temptation test the mettle of our character.

Gold and silver are refined by fire and coal needs time and pressure to become a diamond. In the same way, the pressure we endure as well as the heat of time, and the circumstances we experience reveal and develop the human heart.

You may refer to the following passages to see what the Bible has to say about suffering:

  • Job 42:1-17
  • James 1:2-5
  • Romans 5:3-5
  • 1 Peter 1:6-8

2. Suffering Loosens Our Grip on this Life

Everybody grows old, so they say. No one stays young and vibrant forever. And when we realize we are not as young and relevant to society as we used to be, we start thinking of our future departure.

In time, people will seek our work and opinions less and less. Our bodies inevitably become increasingly worse for the wear and we gradually succumb to obsolescence. Joints stiffen and ache, eyes grow dim, digestion slows down, and sleep becomes difficult. Worse, we face problems that loom larger and larger while options narrow.

These are all signs that we are nearing the end of our earthly existence. Yet, death is not the end but the threshold of a new day and the curse of old age becomes a blessing. As we go through pain and suffering, this world we’re living in becomes less attractive and the next life more appealing.

Pain, suffering, trials, and difficulties pave the way for a graceful exit. See Ecclesiastes 12:1-14.

3. Suffering Comes with the Freedom to Choose

Every loving parent would do anything to protect their children from unnecessary pain. At the same time, wise parents know the danger of over-protection. If parents would lovingly allow their kids to go out of their way and make choices of their own, how much more with our heavenly Father?

The freedom to choose is at the heart of what it means to be human. This is because a world without choice would be worse than a world without pain and suffering. God has given each of us the freedom to choose between good and evil, life and death, blessing and curse, and Him over Satan (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

Most of the time, our suffering is a result of making the wrong choices. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and as a result, sin and curse entered the world (Romans 5:12-21).

4. Pain Can Warn Us of Danger

Nobody wants to experience pain. We hate pain, especially in those we love. Yet, without pain and discomfort, the sick wouldn’t go to the doctor. Hard-working people refuse to slow down and rest unless their body signals that things are bad. Without the consequence of facing suffering in jail, criminals wouldn’t fear the law.

Children would laugh at correction if they know they could get away with almost anything. We’ll never know the damage that fire can do if we don’t feel the pain caused by accidentally touching a burning matchstick.

King Solomon is an example of how even the wisest among us tend to drift from good and God. He drowned in pleasure that resulted in pain because of his shortsighted choices. But God used his pain to teach him a lesson and make him realize his mistakes.

See Ecclesiastes chapters 1 to 12, Psalms 78:34-35, and Romans 3:10-18.

5. God Suffers with Us

Whenever we suffer, let us always remember that no one has suffered more than our Father in heaven. If there’s anyone who paid more dearly for the allowance of sin into the world, it’s God.

It’s God who continuously grieved over the pain of a race that had gone bad. And no one has suffered more than the One who, when He stretched out His arms and died, showed us what true love means. In drawing us to Himself, it is this God who asks us to trust Him when we are suffering and when our loved ones cry out in our presence.

Every time you feel alone in your suffering, know that God suffered first. He knows exactly what you’re feeling because He’s been there and suffered more than you can imagine. Christ modeled what it means to suffer (1 Peter 2:21; 3:18; 4:1).

6. We Find One Another in Times of Crisis

I do not know of anyone who would choose pain and suffering. But when faced with such, our consolation is that we are never alone. Natural disasters and times of crisis have a way of bringing us together. Hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, accidents, illnesses, and even riots all have a way of bringing us to our senses.

Who can ever forget Hurricane Katrina in 2005? This was the largest and third-strongest hurricane ever recorded to make landfall in the US. It caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125B in damages, especially in the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas. But it resulted in more than 70 countries pledging monetary donations and other assistance.

When tragedies like this happen, suddenly we remember our own mortality and that people are more important than things. We remember that we do need one another and that, above all, we need God.

7. Suffering Is for Our Good

In many instances in the Bible, God turned suffering around for the good of the people involved.

Through Job’s suffering, we see a man who did not only come to a deeper understanding of God. Also, he became a source of encouragement for people in every generation to follow. Today, many preachers and day-to-day Christians use Job’s example to encourage others that God always has a purpose for allowing suffering.

All Things Work Together for Our Good

Through the rejection, betrayal, enslavement, and wrongful imprisonment of Joseph, we see someone who came to realize that his suffering was God’s hands at work. God is sovereign and as one pastor often says, “Nothing happens without God’s permission.”

When everything in us screams at the heavens for allowing suffering, we have reason to look at the eternal outcome and joy of Jesus. Our Lord in His own suffering on an executioner’s cross cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me” (Matthew 7:46)?

Conclusion

Why should we trust God during difficult times? It’s because God is God no matter what. The pain and suffering we are experiencing are not reasons to not believe in the God who created everything out of love. God eternally exists regardless of our circumstances and He loves us unconditionally.

We can trust God in suffering because we know that God’s comfort is always greater than our suffering.

The apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away an identified source of suffering. But the Lord declined, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Since death is not the end of everything, we are assured that the end of this life brings us to the threshold of eternity. And the most fortunate people in the universe are those who discover through suffering that this life is not all we have to live for.

The people who found the eternal God through their suffering have not wasted their pain. Instead, they are the ones who will discover their unending joy in the Lord.

Are you able to say, “I believe in God and trust in Him even during pain and suffering?”

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller comes the definitive Christian book on why bad things happen and how we should respond to them.

The question of why God would allow pain and suffering in the world have vexed believers and nonbelievers for millennia.

Timothy Keller, whose books have sold millions of copies to both religious and secular readers, takes on this enduring issue and shows that there is meaning and reason behind our pain and suffering.

Keller makes a forceful and ground-breaking case that this essential part of the human experience can be overcome only by understanding our relationship with God.

As the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Timothy Keller is known for his unique insights into religion and culture. Keller’s series of books has guided countless readers in their spiritual journeys.

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering uses biblical wisdom and personal stories of overcoming adversity to bring a much-needed, fresh viewpoint to this important issue.

Why Do Christians Believe in the Resurrection
Christ’s Resurrection: The Foundation of Christianity

Christ’s Resurrection: The Foundation of Christianity

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Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. If you can disprove the resurrection, you can also falsify the claims of Christianity. But how do we know Jesus rose from the dead? Why do Christians believe in the resurrection?

Bible scholars and theologians enumerated several reasons for Christians to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus was Executed in Public

During the Jewish Feast of Passover, an angry crowd swept Jesus away into a Roman hall of justice. As Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, religious leaders accused Him of claiming to be the king of the Jews. The crowd demanded He died. They then tortured Jesus and sentenced Him to a public execution (Luke 23:20-25).

Crucifixion of JESUS

On a hill outside of Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified between two criminals (Matthew 27:38). As the Sabbath neared, Roman soldiers went to finish the execution. To quicken their death, they broke the legs of the two criminals. But when they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs (John 19:32-33). This is because from experience they knew He was already dead.

To make sure Jesus won’t survive, the soldiers thrust a spear into His side (John 19:34). Thus, it would take more than resuscitation for Him to ever trouble them again.

The Tomb was Highly Secured

When the religious leaders met with Pilate the next day, they told Pilate to send soldiers to guard the tomb. They said Jesus had predicted He would rise in three days. To assure that the disciples could not stage a resurrection hoax, Pilate ordered the official seal of Rome to be attached to the tomb. And to enforce the order, soldiers stood guard (Matthew 27:62-66).

Anyone of the disciples who wanted to steal Jesus’ body would have to get by them, which wouldn’t have been easy. The Roman guards better stayed alert because the penalty for falling asleep while on watch was death.

The Tomb was Found Empty

Despite the guards, the grave was found empty on the morning of the Sabbath. When some of Jesus’ followers went to the grave to anoint His body, they found that the huge stone had been moved (Mark 16:1-4). After further inspection, they saw that Jesus’ body was gone.

As word got out, two disciples rushed to the burial site. The tomb was empty and they only saw Jesus’ burial wrappings lying neatly in place (John 20:3-7).

When the soldiers woke up and found the tomb empty, the officials paid the guards a large sum of money to lie and make up a story. They were to say that Jesus’ disciples stole His body while the soldiers were asleep (Matthew 28:11-15).

The Resurrected Jesus Appeared to Many People

In about AD 55, Paul wrote that Peter, the 12 apostles, more than 500 people, James, and himself saw the resurrected Christ. Furthermore, Paul said that many of the 500 people were still alive at the time of his writing (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

By making this statement publicly, Paul gave his critics a chance to check out his claims for themselves.

Luke also reaffirmed the resurrection of Jesus in the very first chapter of the history of Christ’s followers (Acts 1:3).

Acts 1:3, NKJV

Jesus’ Apostles Dramatically Changed

When Jesus got arrested as a result of Judas’ betrayal, the other apostles ran for their lives. Even Peter, who earlier vowed that he was ready to die for Jesus, lost heart and denied that he knew Him.

But after the resurrection, the apostles went through a dramatic change. They were bold to stand face-to-face with the ones who had crucified their leader. The disciples became unstoppable in their determination to sacrifice everything for the sake of their Savior and Lord.

They were imprisoned, threatened, and forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus. But they told the Jewish leaders, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). After everything they suffered for disobeying the orders of the Jewish Council, they “did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” Acts 5:42).

Christ’s Disciples Died as Martyrs

Countless men and women have died for their beliefs. In short, history is full of martyrs.

For this reason, it may not be that significant to point out that the first disciples were willing to suffer and die for their faith. But while many will die for what they believe to be the truth, few if any will die for what they know to be a lie.

The disciples of Christ did not die for deeply held beliefs about which they could have been honestly mistaken. Rather, they died for their claims to have seen Jesus alive and well after His resurrection.

The disciples of Jesus died for their claim that their leader did not only die for their sins. More importantly, He had risen bodily from the grave to show that He was like no other spiritual leader who had ever lived.

Jewish Believers Started Worshiping on a Sunday

Many Sabbatarians claim that the Catholic church changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. The truth of the matter is, it’s the Jews who changed it and started worshiping on a Sunday.

The Sabbath day of rest and worship was basic to the Jewish way of life. Any Jew who did not honor the Sabbath was guilty of breaking the law of Moses. Yet Jewish followers of Christ began worshiping Gentile believers on the first day of the week.

Why the first day of the week? It’s because this is the day on which they believed Christ had risen from the dead. For a Jew, it reflected a major change in life.

Jewish Christians believed that the death and resurrection of Christ had cleared the way for a new relationship with God. The new way was not based on the law but on the sin-bearing, life-giving help of a resurrected Savior.

Read here: What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day?

Conclusion

As presented above, the evidence for the resurrection of Christ is compelling. The resurrection is not a hoax; Jesus did rise from the dead just as He said He would (John 2:19).

And because Christ rose from the dead, there is hope for those who will put their faith in Him (1 Corinthians 15:16-20). Paul said that He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to the mortal bodies of those that have the Spirit (Romans 8:11).

This was the experience of Paul, whose heart was dramatically changed by the resurrected Christ. It is also the experience of people all over the world who have died to their old ways so that Christ can live His life through them.

Have you responded to the overwhelming evidence for Christ’s resurrection by acknowledging His lordship in your heart?

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource: 

The Crucifixion of Jesus: A Medical Doctor Examines the Death and Resurrection of Christ by Joseph Bergeron M.D

This ground-breaking work offers a unique apologetic argument for the validity of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Dr. Bergeron’s medical expertise allows him to examine the medical aspects of Jesus’ death as well as the “hallucination hypothesis” which attempts to discount Jesus’ resurrection.

This book explores the following areas:

  • Jesus’ claim to be the son of God and the Messiah of Hebrew prophetic literature
  • Evidence of the trustworthiness of the Gospel as reliable eyewitness testimony
  • The social and political context leading up to Jesus’ execution
  • Roman crucifixion practices in public executions
  • Physiological mechanisms that ultimately led to Jesus’ death
  • A medical analysis of hallucination hypotheses for the disciples’ belief in Jesus’ resurrection and the inability of hallucination to explain away the biblical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection
Marriage Manual for Christians
Marriage Manual for Christians

Marriage Manual for Christians

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The Bible is full of instructions for husbands and wives. But Peter has a marriage manual for Christians in his epistle. In 1 Peter 3:1-7, Peter devoted more words instructing wives in marriage. In contrast, he packed a single, pointed verse to husbands with a lifetime’s worth of practical wisdom.

These 7 verses provide the basic outline for a healthy marriage. Difficulties in a relationship can usually be traced back to a violation of one or more of these principles by either husband or wife, or both.

Manual for the Wife

We read in chapter 2 that living successfully as a Christian in a hostile world requires submitting to civil society and the workplace. But at the start of chapter 3, Peter added two more places: the family and the local church. Then he went on to give the following plans of action to every Christian wife.

1. Be Submissive

God has commanded authority in homes because in His wisdom this is the best arrangement for a happy, fulfilling marriage. Subjection does not mean that the wife is inferior to the husband. God created both the man and the woman out of the same basic material and made them in His image.

Wives, submit to your husbands

But wives have been given a role that puts them in submission to the headship which resides in their own husbands. Since two people cannot form a democracy, someone in a marriage must have the responsibility for leadership – the husband.

This is not intended to be a “makes all decisions” kind of relationship but the duty to share decision-making. Unless a deadlock occurs, at which time God expects the husband to step up and exercise authority. A man is more likely to give his wife’s perspective serious consideration if he knows that the tough choices will be up to him.

Winning the Unbelieving Husband

It’s important to note that in this particular verse, Peter must be talking to a wife whose husband is an unbeliever. “That even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives (1 Peter 3:1b).”

In Greek culture, women were viewed as lower than men. Thus, a huge potential for conflict and embarrassment in the marriage of a believer and unbeliever was significant. Yet Peter did not urge the Christian wife to leave her husband, preach to her husband, or demand her rights. Instead, Peter admonishes her to respect the authority of her husband.

The loving, gracious submission of a believing wife to her unsaved husband is the strongest evangelistic tool she has.

2. Be Pure and Reverent

Purity or modesty of life with reverence for God is what the unsaved husband should observe consistently. Peter was not condemning all outward adornment. His condemnation is for incessant preoccupation with outward appearance while disregarding one’s character.

De-emphasizing outward appearance does not mean that a wife should neglect herself and not try to be up-to-date in her apparel. It simply means that she should not major in being fashionable just to keep up with the crowd. Any husband is proud of an attractive wife, but that beauty must come from the heart and demeanor, not the store.

Every Christian woman is especially to concentrate on developing that modesty, meekness, and Christ-like character.

3. Have a Gentle & Quiet Spirit

In addition to her submission and modesty, the wife should be gentle (1 Peter 3:4). This is the beauty that never decays, as the outward body does. “Gentle” is actually “meek or humble” and “quiet” describes the character of her action or reaction. How does the wife respond to her husband and life in general?

I once heard the testimony of a Christian woman who has an unbelieving husband. She did not only pray for her husband to come to faith in Christ for years. More importantly, she made sure to treat him with kindness and the utmost respect. Every time her husband restricted her to attend church on Sundays, she obeyed and spent time with him instead.

A Woman's beauty should not come from outward adornment,

This believing wife knew that God would one day convict her husband of his need for a Savior. In the meantime, she continued to love him, prayed for him, and took really good care of him. She never once spoke to him rudely despite his high tone. She believed that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV).

Until one day, her husband said he wanted them to go to church together. That did not come as a surprise to her because she knew that God would one day answer her prayer. Her husband gave his life to Christ that day and they continued to serve God, along with their children.

If you are a wife with an unbelieving husband, know that God can and will turn things around. Just be faithful to God and obey His marriage manual.

Manual for the Husband

Although Peter’s marriage manual for husbands is contained in a single verse (1 Peter 3:7), it is quite extensive.

Don’t think that submission is only for the wife. Submission is the responsibility of a Christian husband as well. This does not mean that the husband submits to his wife as a leader. Rather, the believing husband must submit to the loving duty of being sensitive to the needs, fears, and feelings of his wife.

In other words, a Christian husband needs to subordinate his needs to hers, whether she is a Christian or not.

Peter reminded husbands that care for their wives must be practiced in four areas:

1. Emotional (give honor)

This means that a husband respects his wife’s feelings, thoughts, and desires. He may not agree with all her ideas, but he respects and honors her right to speak. He desires her input and recognizes that God can guide him through his wife’s sensitivity and natural cautions.

Women tend to be more emotional especially when they are going through hormonal changes. When this happens, the husband should do his best to accommodate his wife and just let her express herself.

2. Intellectual (with understanding)

Despite the old saw about men not being able to understand women, a husband has the delightful challenge to learn to understand his wife. The husband must pay attention to his wife.

God created men differently from women. While things are often simple when it comes to men, this is not the case with women.

A Christian husband must get to know his wife’s moods, feelings, needs, fears, and hopes. He needs to listen with his heart and seek to approach her always in an understanding way.

Ephesians 5:25, NIV

3. Physical (live together)

This implies much more than sharing the same address. Marriage is fundamentally a physical relationship (Ephesians 5:31). Of course, Christian mates enjoy a deeper spiritual relationship, but the two go together (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). A truly spiritual husband will fulfill his marital duties and love his wife.

While the wife is fully equal in Christ and not inferior spiritually because she is a woman, she is physically weaker. In effect, she requires protection, provision, and strength from her husband.

Marriage is the best relationship earthly life has to offer. Hence, the husband must cultivate companionship and fellowship with his wife, Christian or not.

4. Spiritual (equal partnership in God’s gift)

In the central place of life – access to God in a relationship – both husband and wife have equal standing. This is why when both are growing closer to God they inevitably grow closer together. Praying together and living spiritual lives in harmony are the too-often neglected building blocks of a strong marriage.

The last part of verse 7 talks about the husband’s prayers being hindered. This refers specifically to his prayer for the salvation of his wife. Such a prayer would be hindered if he does not respect her needs and fellowship.

Closing Words

A Christian husband must minister to his wife and help to beautify her in the Lord. A Christian wife must encourage her husband and help him grow strong in the Lord.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource: Your Marriage God’s Way: A Biblical Guide to a Christ-Centered Relationship by Scott La Pierre 

Celebrate the Marriage God Made for You

Your most important earthly connection is with your spouse, and when you honor the person you married, you’re also honoring God. He created marriage to be one of life’s greatest gifts, and the instruction manual you need for a joyful, lasting union is found in His Word.

In Your Marriage God’s Way, author and pastor, Scott LaPierre, takes a close look at the principles for building a biblical marriage—one in which your relationship with Christ brings guidance and blessing into your relationship with your spouse. You’ll gain the tools to…

  • understand the unique roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives
  • recognize and resolve the conflicts you face with a heart of hope and compassion
  • follow God’s worthy command to love and cherish your spouse unconditionally

Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or you’ve been on the road together for years, Your Marriage God’s Way will provide the helpful and encouraging insights you need to experience marriage as God intends it.

Is God Always Morally Upright?
Is God Always Morally Upright?

Is God Always Morally Upright?

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Does God have negative characteristics? Or is He the epitome of moral uprightness?

We know of God’s natural and moral attributes. God is love, holy, just, compassionate, forgiving, etc. In short, God is a good God and He is good all the time. But what about the seemingly negative character traits of God that we read in certain Bible passages?

So, is God really good? Or does He sometimes exhibit character traits that are contrary to His natural and moral attributes?

Bible Verse: Nahum 1:2, NKJV

“God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.”

7 God's Number of Perfection

The intended target of Nahum’s message is the people of Nineveh. Yet the broader audience was made up of God’s people living under the fear of the Assyrians. These people are desperate for a word of hope. And God delivered that message through Nahum.

Three important words in Nahum’s opening lines need our attention because they all relate to the character of God. Nahum used these words to describe God’s character: jealousy, vengeance, and wrath (rage).

These terms have human expressions, but we must understand them carefully when they are applied to God. He is awesome in His jealousy, vengeance, and rage.

Jealousy

Jealousy is a sin if it means being envious of what others have and wanting to possess it.

It’s quite common for neighbors, even siblings, and in-laws, to be envious of each other. For instance, neighbor A isn’t happy that neighbor B has a big, fully furnished house, a brand-new car, and a huge swimming pool.

Neighbor B, on the other hand, is bitter toward neighbor A because the latter has a better-looking husband than her. In addition, neighbor A has 3 beautiful children while she is childless. This kind of jealousy is bad and believers should not feel this way toward one another (Galatians 5:26).

However, jealousy is a virtue if it means cherishing what we have and wanting to protect it. A faithful husband and wife are jealous over one another and do everything they can to keep their relationship exclusive.

“Jealous” and “zealous” come from the same root. When we are jealous over someone, we’re zealous to protect the relationship. Since God made everything and owns everything, He is envious of no one. But since He is the only true God, He is jealous over His glory and His name. God is also jealous over the worship and honor that are due to Him alone.

See Exodus 20:5; 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15; 32:16; Joshua 24:19; & Isaiah 42:8.

Isaiah 42:8, NASB

Vengeance

In Scripture, vengeance is usually presented as a sin. Both Jesus and Paul warned about it (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:17-21).

The OT law of “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” was never intended to be applied by individuals in the OT or NT. But it was a standard for the collective society to use to enforce good conduct among people.

But a just and holy God cannot see people flouting His law and do nothing about it. “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense … I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.” (Deuteronomy 32:35, 41).

The manner and timing of the repayment of man’s wickedness is God’s prerogative. God takes vengeance by judging people because He is holy and jealous (zealous) for His holy law. God’s anger isn’t like human anger, which can be selfish and out of control. His is holy anger, righteous indignation against all that defies His authority and disobeys His law.

Wrath/Rage

Nahum wrote that “the Lord avenges and is furious” (Nahum 1:1). In verse 6, Nahum says the Lord’s anger is so powerful like a fire that it throws down the rocks. But then Nahum 1:3 assures us that God’s wrath isn’t a fit of rage or a temper tantrum. “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power.”

See also Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Jonah 4:2.

On the human level, we immediately think of Jesus taking angry action in the Temple courts, driving out the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13). But His godly rage was always under control. God is not a madman who easily gets angry over shallow and irrelevant issues.

Let Jesus be our role model in controlling our anger. It’s not a sin to get angry. But what could lead us to sin is what we do or say in our anger. Some people cannot manage their anger and they tend to become violent. They may shout or scream at people while others like to throw things.

God’s people ought to exercise holy anger against sin (Ephesians 4:26; Psalm 4:4). By NT standards, anger can be either good or bad, depending on motive and purpose. When Paul said, “Be angry and do not sin,” he may have been sanctioning righteous indignation.

This type of anger hates injustice, immorality, ungodliness, and every other sin. When such anger is unselfish and based on love for God and others, it is not only permissible but commanded.

In Your Anger, Do Not Sin

Conclusion

God’s jealousy, wrath, and desire to avenge do not negate His moral character of love, compassion, and goodness. It’s because God is holy and just that He won’t sit idly by and let the wicked go unpunished.

Sometimes, it could be difficult to reconcile God’s love and wrath. If God is a loving, forgiving, and compassionate God, why would He want to punish anyone eternally in hell? Again, it’s because God is holy and He demands justice for sin. And it is for this reason that God sent His Son to die on the cross to save us from eternal condemnation in hell (John  3:16).

We are all sinners; we sinned against God and arouse His jealousy and anger. We deserve to suffer God’s wrath and vengeance and be separated eternally from God. But God is morally upright. He does not want to punish us without giving us a chance to repent and make things right with Him.

If you haven’t yet repented of your sin and rebellion, would you do it today and receive God’s forgiveness? Would you confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life and live and serve Him for the rest of your life?

Sinner’s Prayer

If God is convicting you of your sin right now, you may pray this short prayer wholeheartedly.

Dear God,

I thank you for your gift of eternal life. I acknowledge that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness and salvation because I cannot save myself. I repent of all my sins and I put my complete trust in you alone, Lord Jesus, as my Savior. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for my sins on the cross, and that He rose from the dead to redeem me. I invite you now Lord Jesus to come into my heart and life. Thank you for your wonderful grace and forgiveness. I ask that you write my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

This is my prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen!

Do not delay for tomorrow may be too late. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

God, Himself: A Journey Through His Attributes by Tony Evans

How often do we stop to consider who the God is that we worship?

When we draw near and learn more about this God, we become amazed at who He truly is. Join Tony Evans as he dives into the character of our awesome God—one attribute at a time.

In God, Himself, we are invited, with unveiled faces, to behold the glory of the Lord—just as the Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians to do.

Dr. Evans offers insights about the character of God that will challenge you to pursue greater intimacy with Him and help you understand more fully what it means to be made in His image.

For after all, as image-bearers knowing who He is defines who we are.

You’ll learn about attributes like God’s wisdom and word, His sufficiency, and sovereignty, and His goodness, grace, and glory that make Him the great God that He is.

Dr. Evans also includes activities and challenges to help you know how to both process and respond to learning about God.

Find your heart encouraged and your worship enriched as you learn about the beautiful nature of our God, the source of all goodness and life.

Is Doctrine Keeping Us Apart?
Is Doctrine Keeping Us Apart?

Is Doctrine Keeping Us Apart?

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Are you aware that more and more people are concluding that doctrine is keeping us apart? Doctrine is destroying unity and separating family members. Thus, making it difficult for the follower of Christ to set aside differences and stand together for a common purpose.

Doctrine is also what distinguishes and divides Christians into thousands of denominations and subgroups.

Bible Verse: Galatians 1:6

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.”

This verse characterizes the Galatians’ response to the false teachers’ heretical doctrines. The Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue the legalism that the false teachers were propagating.

In effect, it caused division in the church.

Doctrinal Differences in the Church

Doctrine Divides, Love Unites

Although many are pointing out that doctrine divides, the fact also remains that love unites. This is because our Lord Jesus called us to love one another (John 13:34; 15:12).

The commandment to love was not new. Deuteronomy 6:5 commanded love for God, and Leviticus 19:18 commanded loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. The Greatest Commandment summarizes the Law into two:  Love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and secondly, love our neighbor as ourselves.

Also, Christ Himself said that love would be the distinguishing mark of His people (1 John 2:7-11; 3:10-12; 4:7-10, 20, 21). Love is from God because God is love. Christians love because God is the essence of love.

We cannot love God without first loving our fellow believers. Anyone who claims to love God but cannot love other Christians for any reason, even doctrinal differences, is delusional.

Doctrine Unites, Love Divides

However, we cannot afford to forget that doctrine also unites. All over the world, what allows true believers in Christ to find a family is acceptance of the doctrine of Christ.

In searching for a spiritual family to join, belief in the person and works of Christ is of utmost importance. This is exactly why the first thing we want to know about a particular church is its statement of faith.

What do they believe about Christ, God’s grace, the Bible, salvation, etc? Do they believe in the Triune God? What about Christ’s promise to come again for His church?

When Christians accept the doctrine of the grace of God, it enables them to recognize one another as brothers and sisters. It won’t matter anymore if they are of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They just see each other as lowly sinners saved by grace through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It is for the same reason that love divides. Once we know the truth about Christ and His sacrifice, we need to stop pretending we are in unity with those of different doctrines. We cannot sacrifice the truth for a false sense of unity, just so we could stand together in social consensus.

The Doctrine of Human Merit

When the apostle Paul wrote Galatians 1:6-8, love was working together with truth.

Forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and adoption into the family of God comes only by grace, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Any doctrine that says human merit would add to what Christ has already accomplished is unacceptable.

The Gospel of Christ makes it clear that one cannot mix faith and works when trusting God for forgiveness and salvation.

Does this mean we can do whatever we want and live the way we want to live after getting saved? That we can keep on sinning after receiving God’s forgiveness?

Paul answers this question in Romans 6:1-14 where he discusses the doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification is the act of God that produces actual righteousness in the believer.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Under the Doctrine of Christ

We can’t have Christ without embracing and submitting to the doctrine of Christ. We need doctrine to answer questions like: Who is God? What is He like? Does He care about what we believe about Him? And once we know Him, how are we to live?

Paul wrote this in 2 Timothy 4:2-4:

“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Is our generation facing the danger Paul wrote about? Indeed! Many so-called preachers are encouraging people to accept Christ. Yet, they fail to bring them under the lordship of the doctrine of Christ. Thus, resulting in a growing lack of discernment making them vulnerable to the doctrines of demons.

Conclusion

On the one hand, we cannot afford to let doctrine come between us. As Paul said, “If we don’t have love, we are like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Yet, on the other hand, we need to be grounded on the foundations of doctrine based not on tradition but on Scripture.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission when you use any links on this page to make a purchase, but at no additional cost to you.

Recommended Resource:

Bible Doctrine, Second Edition: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne A. Grudem (Author) & Alexander Grudem (Editor)

How do we know the Bible is God’s Word? What is sin and where did it come from? How is Jesus fully God and fully man? What are spiritual gifts? When and how will Christ return?

If you’ve asked questions like these, then systematic theology is no abstract term. It’s an approach to finding answers every Christian needs to know. The second edition of Bible Doctrine takes a widely used upper-level textbook on systematic theology and makes it accessible. 

You don’t need to have had several years of Bible college or seminary training to reap the benefits of Bible Doctrine. It’s easy to understand and packed with biblical answers to your most pressing theological questions.

This new edition is 144 pages longer than the first edition.