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What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day
What is the Difference between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day?

What is the Difference between the Sabbath and the Lord’s Day?

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While Sunday is the traditional day of worship for Christians, many still remain uncomfortable over the issue of the Sabbath day. This is due to a common error that the Sabbath was the day of worship. Groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists hold that God requires the church service to be held on the Sabbath day which is Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

But is that really what the Sabbath command was?

In this article, I would like to tackle several of the questions and possible confusion Christians may have in reference to the 4th commandment of God found in Exodus 20:8-11, repeated in Deuteronomy 5:12-15. Are Christians required to observe the Sabbath? Was the Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday?

What is the Sabbath Day?

The word “Sabbath” comes from a Hebrew verb that means “to cease, stop, rest, and to come to an end.” Based on this definition of the word, the Sabbath Day was a day “to cease from work.” The institution of the Sabbath had its origin in Genesis 2:2-3 which states that on the seventh day, God rested after finishing His work of creation; God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it He rested from all His work.

The important thing to note here is that no commandment is made in this text. Although God rested and observed the Sabbath, nothing is said about Sabbath observance and worship. The seventh day isn’t even called the Sabbath but is differentiated and set apart (sanctified) from the other six creation days.

God designed that the seventh day would be a special memorial to His creation and its original perfection.What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

Giving of the Sabbath to Man

The Sabbath was not given to man till 2500 years later in Exodus 20:8-10. Throughout the book of Genesis, there is no record of any Sabbath observance on the part of men, no mention of the Sabbath being a day of worship. There is no record that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and the other patriarchs observed the Sabbath.

Even after the flood when God gave some commands to Noah and his sons (Genesis 9), nothing is said about Sabbath observance.

The first mention of the Sabbath in some significant way is in Exodus 16:22-26 when God feeds the people manna from heaven as they wander in the wilderness, and manna comes every day except the Sabbath day. God was preparing His people for the Sabbath command they would soon be given.

In the 20th chapter of Exodus, God gave the Ten Commandments and in it, the law for the Sabbath day has been given for the first time (Exodus 20:8-11). Israel was to treat the seventh day as holy because God had done so, and had declared it to be so.

The Observance of the Sabbath under the Law 

The fourth commandment is not just a requirement to keep the Sabbath but more of an instruction to keep the Sabbath holy (Exodus 16:23; 20:8). Because God designated and declared the Sabbath day as a holy day, keeping it involves much more than abstinence from labor; it requires acknowledging it as a sacred and sanctified day because of God’s deeds and declaration.

It also instructs each Israelite to plan and finish his week’s work by the Sabbath. It deals with the problem of men not wishing to stop what they’re doing because they have not finished by instructing them to plan to finish by the end of the sixth day and to see to it that they do finish.

What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

What’s the punishment for Sabbath-breakers? Death! Anyone who breaks the Sabbath is to be put to death (Exodus 31:14; 35:2). In Numbers 15:32-36, we read of the man who was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath to build fire and was stoned to death. (See also Exodus 35:2-3.) This tells us how serious God is about Sabbath-keeping.

What is the Lord’s Day? 

In the New Testament, Revelation 1:10 is the only verse that refers to Sunday as “the Lord’s Day,” However, it is noteworthy that the apostolic Church kept Sunday, the Lord’s Day, as a day of fellowship and worship (Acts 20:7). But why Sunday and why is it called the Lord’s day? Because Sunday, the first day of the week, was when Jesus rose from the dead (Mark 16:9).

Beginning with the first resurrection Sunday, the Lord Jesus seemed to “train” His disciples to gather together on the first day of the week. Since that time, believers have gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 16:2). Also, the Church was born at Pentecost which fell on a Sunday, fifty days after Christ rose from the dead.

What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

There is no verse in the Bible that commands believers to worship on the first day of the week but we do this simply because this has been the practice of Christians from the very beginning, based upon the life-changing fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The early Christians continued to meet regularly on the first day of the week, not on the Sabbath (Saturday).

Was the Sabbath Changed from the Seventh Day to the First Day?

Contrary to the claim of many Sabbatarians that Sunday worship was not instituted until the fourth century, the early church fathers, from Ignatius to Augustine, taught that the Old Testament Sabbath had been abolished and that the first day of the week (Sunday) was the day when Christians should meet for worship.

*Get the book “From Sabbath to Lord’s Day: A Biblical, Historical and Theological Investigation” by D.A. Carson for further study.

In this book, a series of authors assert the premise that Sunday is “a new day of worship that was chosen to commemorate the unique, salvation-historical event of the death and resurrection of Christ, rather than merely being another day for celebrating the Sabbath.”

Sunday has never replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. The Sabbath day that the Bible speaks about in Exodus 20:8-11 has nothing to do with worship and sacrifice. The Sabbath command was to do no work on the Sabbath day and nowhere in Scripture is the Sabbath day commanded to be the day of worship.

The Lord’s Day is not a direct counterpart to the Jewish Sabbath and the Sabbath day was not changed from the seventh day to the first day. “Sunday is not the Christian Sabbath” and it’s not biblically correct to refer to Sunday as the Sabbath because nowhere in Scripture is the first day of the week referred to as the Sabbath.

While the Lord’s Day is the day of sacrifice, worship, and fellowship, the Old Testament Sabbath as mentioned earlier was a day of rest; it was a day when beasts of burden, slaves, and humans all rested. It was not associated with temple attendance or any religious observance.

What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

While some assume that the Lord’s Day in the New Testament is the equivalent of the Sabbath, the Sabbath was given to Israel as a sign of their covenant with God (Exodus 31:13, 17). It was a perpetual reminder to Israel of their separation unto God. Their keeping of the Sabbath would help distinguish them from the heathen (other nations) around them. The Sabbath day was also instituted by God for the nation of Israel to commemorate His deliverance of them from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).

Sunday has not replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. Rather, the Lord’s Day is a time for believers to gather and commemorate Jesus’ resurrection, which occurred on the first day of the week.

Are Christians Required to Keep the Sabbath?

Although God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, that does not mean that He requires all of His people to rest on it. Because if He did then we should, by all means, keep it, even if we have to adjust our work schedules and sacrifice our time with our families.

If the effect on our lives is so great, we have to ensure we’re getting this right according to God’s commands. Is the command clear enough to require Christians to lose their jobs and suffer financially? Because if God does not require the Sabbath, then it would be wrong to put this unnecessary burden on anyone.

Some may argue that Jesus and the first Jewish Christians kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16; Acts 13:14, 17:1-2, 18:1-4) so we must do the same. We have to understand that Jesus was born under the law so He kept all the Jewish laws and kept them perfectly. But Jesus rejected a strict legalistic interpretation of the Old Testament commandment. He said Sabbath observance was not a duty that mankind owed to God.

Rather, the Sabbath was made by God as a day of rest for man (Mark 2:27).

The first Christians were predominantly Jews and still adhered to the Mosaic and Jewish Laws so when Gentiles began to convert to Christianity, it created a dilemma among the Jewish Christians. There arose some disputes about whether the Gentile Christians had to observe the Jewish laws about dietary restrictions, circumcision, Sabbath observance, etc.

At the Council of Jerusalem, Paul, Peter, James, and other Church leaders decided, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that Sabbath observance was not one of the commands they felt necessary for Gentile believers to keep (Acts 15:19-20, 28-29).

What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

Sabbath Observance by the Apostles

If Christians were to observe the Sabbath day, the apostles would have clearly taught the Gentile believers who obviously did not have any idea about Sabbath-keeping. If the Sabbath is important, why is it that the New Testament never repeats the command? The apostle Paul had a lot to say about how Christians must conduct themselves and lists numerous sins that can keep a person out of the kingdom of God, but he never mentions the Sabbath.

On the contrary, Paul rebukes the Galatians for thinking God expected them to observe special days, which includes the Sabbath (Galatians 4:10-11). Paul also writes in Colossians 2:16-17 that monthly rituals, eating and drinking restrictions, and the celebration of annual festivals should not be the basis for judging other believers.

Paul is saying that Christians are not to say it is wrong for other Christians to be working on the Sabbath and they in return should not let anyone make them feel guilty for what they do on the Sabbath.

The reason for this is, that these rituals are just a shadow of the things that are yet to come, which are found in Christ. Similarly, Romans 14:5-6 makes it clear that Sabbath-keeping is a matter of spiritual freedom, not a command from God. If a Christian feels he is being led to practice Sabbath-keeping, that is, not working on Saturdays, he may do so but should not judge those who do not keep the Sabbath.

What is the True Way to Keep the Sabbath Day?

There is a Sabbath rest for the people of God whereby believers need to rest and cease from their own works (Hebrews 4:9-10) in order to allow the living God to work in and through them (Hebrews 13:21).

But this Sabbath rest is not for Saturday or Sunday – it is for every day of the week. We do not just come into the presence of God and rest in His peace once a week on Sunday (Lord’s Day) but we can come to Him every day.

What is the difference between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day

Final Thoughts

There is absolutely nothing wrong with worshiping on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.

In fact, we should worship God every day. Not only on Saturday or Sunday. Many churches today have both Saturday and Sunday services, some even hold worship services every day for church members who need to work on Saturday and Sunday.

Christians are in no way obligated to keep the Sabbath command in the Old Testament because they are no longer under the Law, but the principle of keeping one day in a week and making it holy unto the Lord has not changed. Christians should still follow the pattern of designating one day of the week to gather in worship.

Six days we work and earn our living, and we designate one day holy unto the Lord to gather in worship, but we do not refer to this as the Sabbath.

Genuine Faith: The faith that saves
Genuine Faith: The Faith that Saves

Genuine Faith: The Faith that Saves

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How many times have you actually heard people say, “We are saved by faith alone and not by works so all we have to do is believe in order to be saved? Yes, you heard it right! Just believe and you are saved.” But is that really what the Bible teaches? That we just have to believe and we are saved? Sounds pretty easy, right? Considering that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

And what’s the payment for our sins? Death (Romans 6:23)! This Bible verse is referring to spiritual death which means separation from God. Every man born after Adam has inherited a sinful nature and so we all have been alienated from God and are destined to suffer for eternity.

If salvation is just a matter of believing, in what should we believe? Or whom should we believe?

Years ago, a close friend and relative of mine confided in me about how she has struggled with this for quite some time. She just couldn’t comprehend how God could find it very easy for us to obtain salvation. Is God’s salvation that cheap? Surely not!

God paid a very dear price for our salvation. You can read all about it here: What is the Cost of Our Salvation?

We are not saved by believing in some fairy tales that people have made up. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by putting our trust in what the Lord Jesus has accomplished for us when He suffered and died, and when He was raised to life to conquer death once and for all.

Faith Defined

So what is faith? The dictionary defines faith as belief, trust, fidelity, or loyalty to a creed or religion. The Bible, however, defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen”(Hebrews 11:1).

2 Kinds of Faith in Regard to Salvation

Head Belief 

This is a knowledge of the historical Christ and a general acceptance of the Bible.

Personal saving faith, as Scripture defines it, involves more than mere knowledge. Of course, it is necessary for us to have some knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done. But knowledge about the facts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is not enough because many people who know the facts may still rebel against them or dislike them.

Paul tells us in the book of Romans 8:32 that many people know God’s laws but dislike them. Even the demons know who God is and know the facts about Jesus’ life and saving works (James 2:19). But that knowledge certainly does not mean that the demons are saved.

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Heart Belief 

This is faith from the heart that causes the person to act on his faith.

In addition to knowledge of the facts of the Gospel and the approval of those facts, in order to be saved, we must make a decision to depend on Jesus to save us. We then move from being an interested observer of the facts of salvation and the teachings of the Scriptures to being someone who enters into a new relationship with Jesus Christ as a living person.

True faith in Christ is believing to the extent of receiving Christ as personal Lord and Savior (John 1:12).

Neither knowledge nor assent is true faith; true faith or saving faith involves appropriation. Saving faith is not just a belief in facts but personal trust in Jesus to save us. Because saving faith as defined by the Word of God involves personal trust. The word “trust” is a better word to use in contemporary culture than the word “faith” or “belief.”

Acts 16:31 says, “And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ … ”; “on” not “in”.

If we are to use an illustration, let’s say a sick man has a bottle of medicine. He believes in the medicine, that if taken he would recover. But if he believes on the medicine, he will act on his belief and actually take the medicine.

Faith is not the blind act of the soul. Instead, faith in God rests upon the best evidence, the infallible Word of God. Faith is trust in the God of the Scriptures and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent, thus making a person receive Him as Savior and Lord, and impels loving obedience and good works on his part.

The faith that saves is a personal trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Works as Evidence of a Genuine Faith

So how can we say that our faith is real or genuine? James, the Lord’s brother, says works are the evidence of genuine faith (James 2:14). We do not add works to faith in order to be saved but genuine faith results in good works because faith without works is dead.

No, James is not in any way contradicting the Pauline doctrine of justification by faith. While Paul’s letters to the Romans and Galatians place emphasis on justification by faith in order to be saved, James on the other hand while not denying the necessity of faith in order to be saved, was insisting that genuine faith must produce works.

It should be noted that Paul’s focus was on Gentile believers being influenced by Judaizers (Jews who have converted to Christianity) telling them they had to keep the O.T. Law to be justified, while James was addressing believers who claim to have faith but are not displaying the characteristics of genuine faith.

James is protesting the hypocrisy of pretending to have faith without demonstrating it in works (James 2:18).

Genuine Faith: The faith that saves

James is not saying that works are at odds with faith. There can be no “justification by works” because no one can do good works unless he has already faith (trust) in God. James doesn’t mean that faith can exist without works, but any faith that doesn’t lead to works is dead; in other words, it is no faith at all (James 2:26).

Christians are not commanded to work for the benefit of others in need instead of trusting in Christ, or in addition to placing faith in Christ. Christians are expected to work for the benefit of others in need as a result of their faith in Christ.

Conclusion

What kind of faith saves? Faith that is genuine, faith that is living, and produces good works. James 2:15-16 talks about the futility of words without deeds. Like faith without works, words without deeds are empty and meaningless. Faith and works are inseparable.

Faith alone saves us but it must be a living, genuine faith. Genuine faith will produce good works; it will be accompanied by action. James 2:17 says we can tell if faith is alive by seeing if it is accompanied by works, and if it does not have works it is dead, for dead faith produces nothing!

Genuine faith always leads to practical action. We cannot divide the world into practical and spiritual, for the spiritual is practical. James 2:22 says that Abraham’s faith was active along with his works. Therefore, we can never say, “I believe in Jesus and I go to church, but I keep my personal faith out of my works.” James 2:24 challenges us to work out our commitment to Christ in our daily activities.

Every day, we have opportunities to meet the needs of the people we work for and among. It can be as simple as making sure a confused customer finds the right item for their need or noticing that a new co-worker needs help but is afraid to ask. James urges us to take special concern for those who are vulnerable or marginalized, and we may need to practice noticing who these people are at our places of work.

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Recommended Resource:

A Deeper Look at James: Faith That Works (Life Guide in Depth) by Andrew T. Le Peau and Phyllis J. Le Peau

A Deeper Look at James: Faith That WorksA deep look at Scripture―God’s very words―is never wasted. In fact, not only is it never wasted; it’s richly rewarded. The more deeply we dive into the riches of the Bible, the more deeply we can experience and serve God, the giver of all truth, wisdom, love, and understanding.

The new LifeGuide® in Depth Bible Studies helps you do just that, taking you further into themes and books of Scripture than you might have gone before.

As you see new connections between the Old and New Testament, gain an understanding of the historical and cultural background of passages, engage in creative exercises, and concretely apply what you’ve learned, you’ll be amazed at the breadth of the knowledge and wisdom you gain and the transformation God can work in you as you meet him in his Word.

Each session provides enough material for a week’s worth of Scripture study along with a weekly group discussion guide that pulls all of the elements together.

This guide is based on and includes the inductive Bible study James from the bestselling LifeGuide® Bible Study Series – only now it has been expanded for a new kind of study experience.

In A Deeper Look at James, you’ll discover:

  • how often does James lean on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in giving instructions
  • how to know if you’re truly being “quick to listen” (hint: it involves much more than just your ears)
  • how the different financial situations you’ve been in may have affected your faith
  • how you can participate in God’s work to bring justice on earth
  • and much more.

If you’re longing to go deeper in your understanding of God and his Word, LifeGuide® in Depth Bible Studies is for you. These new studies will meet your need for both rich, solidly researched content and personal application.

They’ll meet your need for Bible study that challenges your head and your heart. Most of all, we pray you’ll meet God in them.

Why doesn't God heal everyone who asks in faith for healing?
Why does God not Heal Everyone?

Why does God not Heal Everyone?

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The Bible is very clear on the nature of God being omnipotent. It means God can do anything for He is an all-powerful God. Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” God is telling us that there is nothing He cannot do, for with God everything is possible (Matthew 19:26).

We read all the miracles and wonders that God has done not only in ancient Israel but even during the New Testament times; miracles of deliverance and healing. God even raised people up from the dead. Yet today, we hear and read stories of believers who prayed for healing but did not get healed. And we are left wondering why. Why does God not heal everyone who asks in faith for healing?

God is Our Healer

The power of God to heal physically is illustrated in the lives of certain Old Testament characters like Hannah who was healed from barrenness (1 Samuel 1:9-20), Naaman who was healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14), and Hezekiah whom God healed from a terminal illness and was granted additional 15 years to live (2 Kings 20:1-7).

Moving on to the New Testament, we read eyewitness testimonies of at least 30 individual healing of Jesus Christ recorded in the four gospels. Below are some of the more well-known healing miracles of Jesus:

  • Jesus heals a man born blind in John 9:1-41
  • Jesus cures the woman who has been bleeding for 12 years in Matthew 9:20-22
  • Jesus cures a man of an evil spirit in Mark 5:10-20
  • Jesus heals 10 men with leprosy in Luke 17:11-19
  • Jesus heals a paralyzed man in Mark 2:1-12
  • Jesus heals a man who was deaf and mute in Mark 7:31-37

We have no reason to doubt that God can heal everyone of any disease; that healing is for everyone. After all, Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body, took upon Himself all the punishment for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). But why is it that many people, including firm believers in the Lord and in His promises, do not receive their healing?

Christians who are suffering from terminal illnesses, particularly cancer, have been praying and believing that Jesus will reach out to heal them but it seemed like God was deaf to their pleas. Doesn’t it say in Mark 11:24 and Matthew 21:22 that we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer as long as we believe we have already received it?

When people do not receive their healing, does it mean they do not have faith? I’ve seen people who have more faith than we could ever imagine, yet they did not receive their healing.

Nabeel Qureshi: Christian Apologist (1983-2017)

On Saturday, September 16, 2017, Nabeel Qureshi, a Christian apologist, and former Muslim, has gone home to be with the Lord at the age of 34 after enduring a yearlong battle with cancer. Nabeel was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in August 2016 and was told by the doctors that the clinical prognosis was quite grim. They gave him about 6 months to live.

However, he believed that God is not yet finished with him but is in the process of refining him. Nabeel gave this announcement on his Facebook page on August 31, 2016, the same day that his book “No God but One: Allah or Jesus? A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity” was released.

Nabeel QureshiDear Friends and Family,

This is an announcement that I never expected to make, but God in His infinite and sovereign wisdom has chosen me for this refining, and I pray He will be glorified through my body and my spirit. My family and I have received the news that I have advanced stomach cancer, and the clinical prognosis is quite grim.

Nonetheless, we are going to pursue healing aggressively, both medical and miraculous, relying on God and the fact that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

In the past few days my spirits have soared and sank as I pursue the Lord’s will and consider what the future might look like, but never once have I doubted this: that Jesus is Lord, His blood has paid my ransom, and by His wounds, I am healed. I have firm faith that my soul is saved by the grace and mercy of the Triune God, and not by any accomplishment or merit of my own.

I am so thankful that I am a child of the Father, redeemed by the Son, and sealed in the Spirit. No, in the midst of the storm, I do not have to worry about my salvation, and for that, I praise you, God.

Unfortunately, this means I am no longer able to engage in traveling ministry for the time being. I am canceling almost all my speaking events, with a few exceptions. From this point on until such a time as the Lord might choose to heal me, I intend to blog or vlog about my journey with cancer, transparently offering my heart, thoughts, and struggles in case they might encourage others and glorify God.

I will no longer be with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, though it has been an absolute privilege to be on the team for the past 3 years. My third book, No God But One: Allah or Jesus?, launched today, and I still intend to write my next book, 20 Questions Muslims Ask and the Answers that Convert Them. Beyond that, the Lord knows.

Friends and family, may I ask you to fast and pray fervently for my healing? I do not profess to know the will of the Lord, but many of my close friends and confidants are convinced that this is a trial through which the Lord intends to bring me alive and refined. May His will be done, and may I invite you to seek Him in earnest, on your knees, fasting on my behalf, asking our Yahweh Rapha for healing in Jesus’ name.

And as you pray and fast, “I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:18-20).

For His Glory, 
Nabeel

Worldwide Prayer for Nabeel

Nabeel’s announcement has drawn the support of fellow believers in Christ not only in America but in all parts of the world to pray and fast for his healing. Many of them firmly believed that God would come through for Nabeel and he will be on his way to complete healing and recovery. Nabeel then went through the process of radiation to kill the cancer cells but in May 2017 he announced that the radiation didn’t work and cancer had spread to his chest.

On August 14, 2017, Nabeel’s doctors had to remove his entire stomach due to “bleeding issues.” But on September 9, 2017, his doctors have given up on treating his body and decided to put him on palliative care. Two days later, he uploaded his last vlog where he reflected on his ministry and hoped to leave behind a legacy of love, peace, and truth.

When God doesn’t Heal

Why does God not heal everyone who asks in faith for healing? Truth is, we do not know exactly why a person fails to receive his healing. The one time the Bible mentions why people did not receive healing is in Matthew 13:58 and Mark 6:5-6, where the sole reason given is unbelief. Jesus never mentioned anything about the will of God or anything else for that matter. But when someone does receive healing, we hear Jesus commending their faith by saying, “Your faith has made you whole.”

John 3:16 says that God loves everybody which is why He sent His only begotten Son to die on the cross. Jesus’ death and resurrection made God’s salvation available to everyone who believes. Believing in the context of this verse does not only mean believing in words but has to be accompanied by action.

This faith which is received by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17) is also what is needed to receive what we ask of God. Those who received their healing, whether it be in the Old Testament or the New Testament, have clearly demonstrated the kind of faith that moved the heart of God to heal them.

I believe that Nabeel had as much faith as those people have or maybe even greater. As a matter of fact, I’ve never seen anyone with the kind of faith that he demonstrated. He really believed that it was God’s will for him to get healed even when his body was saying otherwise. Even up to his last days at the hospital, he still held on to the promise of God’s healing for him.

It was indeed heartbreaking to see him lose his battle against cancer. Many Christians around the world fasted and prayed for Nabeel’s healing. How can God not hear the corporate prayer and fasting of His people pleading for Him to heal a dear brother? Wouldn’t it be for God’s greater glory if Nabeel got healed miraculously? So why did God choose not to heal him?

God Knows Best

We do not understand why at times God chooses to heal and at other times He chooses not to. But one thing we can be sure of is God always has our best interest at heart. At times when we do not see His hand, we just have to trust His heart. We cannot fathom God’s thoughts simply because we do not have His mind and His ways are much higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Nabeel wanted so badly to be with his family and to see his daughter grow up while serving God at the same time in his teaching and preaching ministry. But God called him home probably because he has already accomplished the works He has called him to do.  Brother Nabeel has fought the good fight of faith, he has finished the race, and he has kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Yes, we mourn for the loss of a brother and a great servant of the Lord but at the same time, we rejoice that he is now in the presence of our Lord and Master. The apostle Paul tells us not to grieve for those who have fallen asleep but let us comfort one another because we will all be reunited in Lord when He comes (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

An Inspiration and a Blessing

Since coming to the Middle East in September 2010, I have closely followed Nabeel’s ministry. Living in a Muslim country has challenged me to study Islam on a deeper level in order to have a better understanding of the worldview and ideology that my employers and most of my colleagues hold to. That’s when I came across the life-changing story of Nabeel Qureshi and his journey from Islam to Christianity.

It’s truly a blessing and encouragement getting to know someone who was willing to give up his family and identity in order to follow Christ. I can never imagine the pain he had to endure for betraying the family that he so very much loved and adored. But he did it for the sake of the gospel; he did it because he came to know the One true God who saved him from eternal condemnation in hell.

Final Thoughts

I am just one of the thousands (or maybe millions) around the world who was touched, blessed, and encouraged by Nabeel’s life, ministry, and service to God. As a matter of fact, he’s the one who inspired me to delve into Christian Apologetics when I never had any interest in it.

Even though I did not have formal education in apologetics, my faith in Christ has become much more solid and stronger since learning of the reliability of the New Testament based on historical evidence.

And this is all because of brother Nabeel Qureshi. God has indeed used him as a blessing and encouragement to His people. It’s truly an honor to get to know a great man of God who never wavered in his faith despite his health condition.

I am looking forward to meeting him soon at the rapture, the wedding supper of the Lamb, and the rewarding ceremony.

Nabeel has authored 3 books: “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus,” “Answering Jihad, A Better Way Forward” and his New York Times bestseller “No God but One: Allah or Jesus,” which is the only book ever to win Christian Book Awards for both “Best New Author” and “Best Nonfiction.”

What did Jesus really mean when He said, "Do not judge?"
What did Jesus really mean when He said, “Do not judge?”

What did Jesus really mean when He said, “Do not judge?”

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No text in the Bible is more familiar, more misunderstood, and more misapplied than Matthew 7:1 which says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” because it is often taken out of its original context. Many people, even Christians, quote this to mean that one should NEVER judge anyone.

But is this really what the text means? For us to properly apply the verse, we need to have a proper understanding of what Jesus really meant when He said those words. Do you know what Bible scholars and theologians say? That “wrong interpretation will lead to wrong application.”

Judge Not  or You’ll Be Judged

Let us study Matthew 7:1-6 and see how it should be applied.

When Jesus says, “Do not judge,” He couldn’t be saying that judgments should never be made. He is sure not asking us to just sit back, keep our mouths shut, turn a blind eye to sin, and pretend it is not there when it is destroying the person and the church. “Do not judge” does not mean you can’t say anything critical to another person.

You may ask, “Well, how do you know that? How do you know that’s not what Jesus is saying?” Because when we jump 6 verses ahead (Matthew 7:6), we read how Jesus Himself alludes to some people like dogs and pigs. He tells His disciples not to give to dogs what is sacred and not to throw pearls to pigs.

Also in Matthew 7:15-16, Jesus warns His disciples of false prophets. What exactly is Jesus doing here? He is making judgments for various people. He’s calling them dogs and pigs; He’s calling out false prophets. So how could Jesus tell His disciples not to make any judgment when He is judging people?

Jesus Judges People

By the way, dogs and pigs are those who deliberately and repeatedly rejected the gospel message of salvation. Jesus is telling us to identify those who do not have any intention at all whatsoever of coming to Christ. We are not to keep offering them something that they despise. We’re better off sharing the message of salvation to those who are hungry and are willing to receive it.

On the other hand, false prophets are those who are teaching what’s contrary to the word of God. They seem to be genuine teachers of the gospel but the truth is, they are twisting the Word of God and are out to deceive many. But how do we know who they are? By making judgments; and when we do, we will know them by their fruits.

 

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Righteous Judgment vs. Self-righteous & Hypocritical Judgment

How do we identify who are the dogs and pigs? How do we know who are the false prophets? By exercising righteous judgment. Righteous judgment is the judgment that Jesus commends. Jesus tells us in John 7:24, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

To judge with righteous judgment is to judge with humility, not superiority. That way, we can actually judge people without being judgmental.

In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus was warning against self-righteous and hypocritical judgment; that is, someone with a log in his own eye judging someone with a speck in his eye (Matthew 7:3). Ever wonder why Jesus used the eye to illustrate this truth?

The eye is a very delicate part of the face. If you poke it by accident, you may suffer permanent blindness. Someone with a log in his eye cannot see clearly to remove the speck in someone else’s eye and if he tries to do it without first cleaning his eye, he might cause more damage to the other person’s eye.

Judge Yourself Before Others

So Jesus is not saying that we are not to judge under any circumstances. He is saying we must consider our faults before considering the faults of others. Jesus is warning us not to make the same mistake the Pharisees made. He wants to make sure we are qualified to judge that’s why He said, “First take the log out of your own eye, then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).

We as believers are to judge error and sin but in a gracious and nonjudgmental manner.

What did Jesus really mean when He said, "Do not judge?"

 

It is very common for us to note how “terrible” some people’s behavior is, but fail to notice our own shortcomings. We often inflate and magnify the faults of others while at the same time underestimating our own. Jesus urges us to look at ourselves before we take a look at others. Before even attempting to correct someone else, we must first deal with any areas of disobedience in our lives. Because if we are committing the same sin, we will be judged for it.

After thoroughly examining ourselves, it is then acceptable to note the faults of others. We should point it out to them and help them get rid of that fault or sin. Oftentimes, we are only good at pointing out the sins of others but we tend to forget that we must also help them get rid of that sin in their lives.

Passing Final Judgment 

Matthew 7:1-2 says, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Jesus is saying we are not to pass final judgment because final judgment belongs to the Lord. It’s none of our business to condemn others because God Himself can take care of that.

Jesus is referring to being judged at the “Judgment Seat of Christ.” 

We will all stand to be judged by God (1 Corinthians 5:10) in the future and He will be using the same standard of measurement we used to evaluate others when He evaluates us. It means if you are gracious in dealing with the failures and shortcomings of other people, you will also receive mercy when the Lord evaluates your life at the judgment seat of Christ (Matthew 5:7).

What did Jesus really mean when He said, "Do not judge?"

Do Not Judge the Motives of Others

A good example is when we try to determine whether a person is saved or not; whether he’s a true follower of Christ or not. When we hear that a brother or sister in the Lord who used to be on fire in the ministry suddenly stops coming to church, we are quick to say that he/she was not really saved, to begin with.

It is not for us to know that because that is between him and God. We have no business determining a person’s standing before the Lord. Yes, we do our part to share the gospel, we do our part to pray for them, but we must let God do His business of dealing with them.

Another thing that we should avoid is judging the motives of others. Often we are very quick to come to negative conclusions about others based on why we think they did something because we don’t see the entire picture, we only see the outside.

Closing Thoughts

We do not have a clue on why people do the things they do so we are not to judge their motives. Only God sees the inner motives of people; only God sees the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “… man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.” We can judge what people do but we cannot judge why they do it. We can judge what people say but we cannot judge why they say it. People have their own reasons for doing the things they do and saying the things they say.

At the end of the day, it is God who will judge if our conscience is clear. So we should judge nothing before the time when the Lord comes, for He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will expose the motives of the heart (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).

Recommended Resource:

Don’t Be a Hypocrite: And Other Lessons I’m Still Learning from the Sermon on the Mount by Bob Jennerich

Lessons from the Sermon on the MountYou’ve probably read the Sermon on the Mount and thought, “Was Jesus serious? Who can possibly obey this?”

Jesus preached this sermon on a hillside by the Sea of Galilee two thousand years ago to confront the world’s value system, and to teach about the kingdom of heaven. His audience listened with awe as Jesus systematically dismantled the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees. He taught the values and attitudes that true citizens of the kingdom of heaven possess.

It makes us question not only everything we do but every motive behind it. It’s the greatest sermon ever preached, but hard to understand and apply to our lives. Like a surgeon, Jesus cuts us deep to heal us. His message to us is simple, “Do Not Be Like the Hypocrites.” A kingdom citizen must be different.

Under the shadow of God
Under the Shadow of God

Under the Shadow of God

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In the context of today’s society, living in someone else’s shadow is not a good thing. If you are in someone’s shadow, you receive less attention and you seem less important than them. In other words, you’re as good as invisible. Nobody would want to be in someone else’s shadow.

But God’s shadow is the best place to be. Why? Because under the shadow of God, we find protection, safety, and security.

Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. But what does it mean to “dwell?” Where is the “secret place” of the Most High? What does it mean to “abide under the shadow” of God Almighty?

Definition of Terms

What is the Message of Psalm 91To dwell means to reside, to lodge, or to stay quietly and securely.

The secret place of God is where the presence of God is; it is the holy of holies, also called the most holy place, which is a place of refuge from all the storms of the world.

To dwell in the secret place of God is to stay quietly and securely in the most holy place where the presence of God is (Psalm 46:10a).

And to abide under the shadow of the Almighty is to dwell constantly and continuously in the assistance and protection of God.

After properly defining the terms, we can then paraphrase Psalm 91:1 this way: “He who stays quietly and securely in the most holy place where the presence of God is shall remain constantly and continuously in the assistance and protection of God, refreshed and comforted by Him for all eternity.”

The Promises of God in Psalm 91:1

A. The Promise of His Presence

When we learn to dwell in the secret place of the Most High God, we are assured of His presence in our lives. But how exactly are we going to do that? King David has set the best example for us. What do we know about David? The name David in Hebrew means “beloved.” He was the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:10-11) and he was anointed to replace Saul as king of Israel by the prophet Samuel when he was probably only 16 years old.

David is the only biblical character who is remembered as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14 & Acts 13:22). He was given this epitaph because of his strong and constant desire to know and understand the heart of God and to experience the glory of His very presence. David loved God’s habitation because he knew it to be a place of glory, joy, and peace (Psalm 26:8).

David, a man after God's own heartSo how did David learn how to dwell in the presence of God? He did it through the art of devotion. David learned the value of actively engaging with God and enjoying His presence.

David desired to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life so he could behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire in His holy temple (Psalm 27:4). Although David had a close and intimate relationship with God, he was not spared from trials and difficulties.

David had to run for his life and hide from King Saul for 8 years but through all those times he experienced God’s love and intervention; through all those times of distress, David experienced the Lord’s peace.

And over the process of time, David experienced God’s justice. Despite his trials and failures, David still maintained a heart-to-heart relationship with God; he feared God, and his heart was completely yielded to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. David knew God not only as a shepherd, provider, and Lord but also as a friend.

Experiencing the Presence of God 

As children of God, I believe that we are all looking towards the inner sanctuary of God and the mercy seat, yet not all of us dwell in the most holy place where the very presence of God is. Yes, we run to it at times and find comfort and solace there but we do not habitually reside in there. We only want the experience and after that, we quickly turn around and forget about it.

When was the last time you came face-to-face with God during worship? When was the last time you experienced the glorious presence of God and did not want it to end? Was it only when you were first born again and converted?

Like David, let us be encouraged to establish a strong, personal relationship with God by maintaining an active life of worship and a healthy prayer life. Let us learn the habit of constantly and continuously dwelling in the presence of God.

B. The Promise of Protection under the Shadow of God Almighty

Daniel and his friends were four of the young men taken to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah and ransacked Jerusalem. King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to strengthen his kingdom by training young men to serve in the Babylonian government.

1) There were three instances wherein Daniel and his friends were protected and preserved by God. First was when the king ordered all the wise men of Babylon to be executed because no one could tell nor interpret his dream.

In chapter 2 of the book of Daniel, we read that King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream he could not understand; neither could his counselors and wise men reveal or interpret the dream. The king got angry and ordered that all wise men in Babylon be executed immediately including Daniel and his friends (Daniel 2:12-13).

When the Commander of the king’s guard started putting to death all the wise men in Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact and asked what was with the decree. Upon learning about the matter, Daniel went to speak with the king and asked that he be given time so that he might interpret the dream for him (Daniel 2:14-16).

After that, Daniel went to see his three friends and urged them to plead for mercy from God concerning the king’s dream so that they would not be executed. The mystery of the dream was then revealed to Daniel in a vision during the night (Daniel 2:17-19).

Always Seek God First

We learn from Daniel the importance of inquiring of the Lord first before doing anything else. Often we do things out of impulse. We make plans and decisions without first consulting God. We assume that God will go along with it and so we do things according to our wishes. The common mistake that the children of God make is they try to get God on their side instead of getting on God’s side.

Do you want assurance of protection from God? Learn to do things His way, not your way. The assurance of God’s presence and protection is found under His shadow and only when we live in close fellowship with Him that we receive and enjoy these benefits.

Here’s a beautiful inspirational song by the New Creation Church based on Psalm 91.

2) In chapter 3 of Daniel, Daniel’s friends were protected and delivered by God from the fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image before which everyone in his kingdom was to bow in worship (Daniel 3:1, 4-6). But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down. This made the king angry that he threatened them that if they did not obey his decree they would be thrown into the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:14-15).

They refused to bow down to the golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace that was heated seven times more. But God was with them and they were preserved from death, injury, or even the smell of fire (Daniel 3:19-20).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that the God they serve and worship is the One true God. They boldly stood up for their faith in God because they knew that God could deliver them from the fiery furnace and the king’s hand. Yet they also knew there was a possibility that God would not come through for them. However, the thought of God not rescuing them did not change their decision to worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up (Daniel 3:16-18).

Stand Up For Your Faith

How strong is your faith in God? Are you willing to stand up for your faith even if it means losing your life? Are you willing to die for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 8:35)? Many Christians, especially in predominantly Muslim countries, are being persecuted but they were willing to die for their faith in Jesus Christ. They were given the choice to renounce their faith and convert to Islam or be killed by beheading.

Yet, they chose to die because they knew the God whom they believed in the One true God, the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. May we be encouraged to stand firm in our faith and be faithful to God until the end?

3) In chapter 6 of the book of Daniel, we read how God protected Daniel in the lions’ den.

Daniel was believed to be in his 80s when he was thrown into the lions’ den. In the early chapters, we learn that Daniel had been promoted to a high position. Through a life of hard work and obedience to God, Daniel had risen through the political ranks as an administrator of the kingdom of Babylon.

He was honest and hardworking; he was neither corrupt nor negligent that his contemporaries became jealous of him but could not find any grounds for kicking him out of office (Daniel 6:3-4).

Daniel in the lions' denSo what did the other officials do? They tried to use Daniel’s faith in God against him and tricked King Darius into passing a decree to throw into the lions’ den anyone who prayed to another god besides the king during 30 days (Daniel 6:6-7).

But even upon learning of the decree signed by King Darius, Daniel did not change his habit. Just as he had done all his life, he went home to his upper room, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and prayed on his knees three times that day (Daniel 6:10).

The other officials caught him praying to his God and told the king about it. Although King Darius loved Daniel, there was nothing else he could do so Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den that sundown.

But God protected Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:22). He was brought out from the lions’ den unharmed because he trusted in his God (Daniel 6:23). While those who falsely accused him were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their families. And before they even reached the bottom floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones (Daniel 6:24).

Maintain a Healthy Prayer Life

Daniel’s prayer habit tells us how important it is to maintain a healthy prayer life regardless of our situation or circumstance. If David was a man after God’s own heart, Daniel was a man of prayer. He set an example of how Christians must constantly seek God and His wisdom. Daniel’s life was not only spared several times but he was also given the gift of interpretation and that is because he trusted God and remained in the presence of God, covered and protected under the shadow of the Almighty.

There are countries where Christians do not have the freedom to practice their faith and share the gospel of salvation. However, this should not hinder them from maintaining a healthy relationship with Christ. They are not supposed to go out and evangelize in the public squares but they can pray to God and gather together with other believers in the privacy of their homes.

Another significant aspect that we can see here is the fact that God prospered Daniel as a political leader under the reign of Darius and King Cyrus of Persia. This just shows that God does not forbid Christians from getting involved with the political affairs of this world.

In other words, God wants his people to get involved in politics for as long as they will use Daniel’s example. I discussed the topic of Christianity and politics more extensively in my article “Politics and the Bible: Are They Compatible.”

The Core Message of Psalm 91

Psalm 91 is a message of protection, safety, and security that comes as a result of permanently dwelling in God’s secret place. God’s secret place is the focus of Psalm 91 because all the promises and benefits promised in this chapter are only available to those who meet the condition of living in close fellowship with God.

To remain in one’s shadow, you have to stay as close as possible. In the same way, if you want to remain protected by God, you have to stay under His shadow. May we learn to dwell in the presence of God, abide under His shadow, and trust Him the same way that David, and Daniel, and his friends did. And be able to declare: “The Lord is my refuge and fortress; my God in Him I will trust” (Psalm 91:2).

Recommended Resource:

Psalm 91 for Mothers: God’s Shield of Protection for Your Children by Peggy Joyce Ruth

Psalm 91 for Mothers

A Place of Total Protection for Your Family

Did you know there is a place in God–a secret place–for those who want to seek refuge? It is a haven of physical safety and security that God tells us about in the Ninety-First Psalm, the one place in the Bible where all of the protection promises of God are brought together.

In Psalm 91 for Mothers, Peggy Joyce Ruth guides you through a personal study of this psalm, explaining verse by verse God’s promises of protection, provision, and blessing for your children. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother and grandmother, she covers topics such as:

  • Accessing God’s shelter in times of danger
  • Protection from evils over which we have no control
  • The intervention of God’s angels on your child’s behalf
  • Teaching your child to call on God for protection
The Women in the Lineage of Jesus Christ
The Women in the Lineage of Jesus Christ

The Women in the Lineage of Jesus Christ

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The New Testament was written at a time when genealogies didn’t normally contain even a single female name. That is why it’s somewhat unusual for Matthew to include not just one but five women in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17).  This is so especially when some of these women are shown to have rather shady characters.

What could have prompted the author to include women in his account of the lineage of Jesus the Messiah? Who are these women in the lineage of Jesus Christ and what does their presence imply?

Tamar: The Liar and Deceiver

Tamar is the first woman named in Matthew 1:3 as the mother of Judah’s twins Perez and Zerah, but her story is told in Genesis 38. Tamar was the wife of Judah’s first-born Er who became a widow when her husband died The Women in the Lineage of Jesus Christbecause of his wickedness, leaving her with no children.

According to Jewish tradition, Tamar’s father-in-law Judah was obligated to marry her to one of his other sons to raise offspring for the firstborn.

However, Onan did not want to comply so the Lord put him to death as well. Judah considered Tamar a source of bad luck. For fear that his youngest son Shelah might die too if he married her, he told Tamar to live with her father while she waited for him to grow up.

When Tamar realized later on that she would never be Shelah’s wife as Judah had no intention of giving him to her, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

After the death of Judah’s wife, Tamar took an opportunity to keep her ties with her dead husband’s family. She tricked Judah into impregnating her by veiling her true identity and disguising herself as a prostitute.

Judah was deceived and slept with her. God granted Tamar conception with not just one but two boys. Perez, one of the twins, is in Jesus’ lineage in fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah will come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).

Tamar’s Transformation

Tamar is often described as a prostitute for deceiving Judah into getting her pregnant and thus a blot on the family record. But if we understand Tamar in her specific context, we realize that it was Judah and his sons who failed to do the right thing of raising children for their dead son and brother; they were the sinners in this story. Tamar had to resort to trickery to produce the son that would be the ancestor of Jesus.

Tamar had to veil who she was, humbling herself, to preserve a lineage that would eventually open the way for all to gain eternal life. Tamar was transformed from being a liar into a woman of hope; hope not only for her and her family but hope for all mankind.

Rahab: The Harlot

Rahab, the wife of Salmon, is the second woman in the lineage of Jesus Christ mentioned in Matthew 1:5. Unlike Tamar who posed as a harlot – but wasn’t – Rahab was a prostitute. Her story is found in Joshua 2 The women in the lineage of Jesus Christand Joshua 6:22-24.

When Moses’ successor Joshua sent two spies into the city of Jericho to find the best way to conquer it, Rahab welcomed them into her house and hid them from the men who wanted to kill them during a search.

Rahab has heard about the amazing works that God has performed among the Israelites during their journey from Egypt into the Promised Land and she wanted to be on their side during the battle for control over Jericho.

Her confession is evident in Joshua 2:11 where she openly acknowledged the Lord their God as “the God in heaven above and on the earth below.”

In return, the spies promised protection for her and her entire household during the onslaught. After the fall of Jericho, the promise is kept and Rahab together with her family is taken in by the Israelites. She then married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz who will marry the next woman mentioned in the lineage of Jesus Christ, Ruth.

Rahab’s Transformation

Rahab took the opportunity that God had given her by saving two Israelite spies. She did not only help them by hiding them in her house but she also aided them with information for their safe return (Joshua 2:16). And when the spies promised safety for her and her household, she put her faith into immediate action by binding a scarlet thread in her window that very day (Joshua 2:21).

Rahab’s story certainly affirmed God’s power to transform a life from both ignorance of God and a sinful lifestyle to a woman dearly loved by God and praised for her goodness. Rahab was transformed into a woman of faith, and it’s because of her faith in the promise of God’s messengers that she was later listed in the “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11 as “Rahab, the prostitute” (Hebrews 11:31) and is on equal footing with Abraham himself in James 2:21-25.

Ruth: The Pagan Gentile

Ruth was a widow and a Moabite who became the daughter-in-law of Rahab (Matthew 1:5). Her story is told in an Old Testament book named after her. Ruth married one of the sons of two Israelites, Elimelech, and Naomi when they went to the land of Moab because of the famine in Bethlehem in the land of Judah.

Naomi’s other son also married a Moabite named Orpah. After ten years of dwelling there, both women’s husbands died and Naomi decided to return to her native land of Judah (Ruth 1:1-5).

The women in the lineage of Jesus ChristNaomi tells Ruth and her sister-in-law Orpah to return to their own homes (Ruth 1:8). But Ruth refuses and vows loyalty to the mother of her dead husband.

Her vow has become a classic quote, often used in weddings to indicate the bride and groom’s intention of loyalty to one another.

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth’s loyalty was not only rewarded when she became the wife of Naomi’s relative Boaz but more importantly her loyalty to Naomi led her to faith in and loyalty to the God of the Jews.

She becomes the daughter-in-law of Rahab and the great-grandmother of David, the great king of Israel and man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

Ruth’s story is a beautiful one of loyalty. She’s one of the few women for whom an Old Testament book is named. Ruth speaks to us of the enjoyment of life under the loving care of God. We can be like Ruth, for we too, have a kinsman Redeemer like Boaz – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Read the entire story of Ruth in this article: A Summary of the Book of Ruth

Bathsheba: The Beautiful Manipulator

Matthew does not list Bathsheba by name but identifies her only as “that who had been the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6). This emphasizes the fact that Bathsheba became the wife of King David only after committing adultery with him. After what happened between them, King David arranged for Bathsheba’s husband to be killed in battle to cover up their shame (2 Samuel 11-12).

The women in the lineage of Jesus ChristUnfortunately, Bathsheba often gets a bad rap for seducing King David by bathing naked where he could see her.

But a careful reading of the passage (2 Samuel 1:1-4) tells a completely different story. According to Jewish law, women must be purified after their monthly periods by bathing in a ritual bath provided by the community.

Bathsheba was merely following the law, she was minding her own business but happened to attract the attention of King David who was on the rooftop.

King David was the one in control here. So what did King David do? He sent someone to find out more about beautiful Bathsheba then, later on, sent his messengers to get her so he could sleep with her, despite knowing that she was the wife of one of his soldiers.

Some commentators suggest that what happened “was probably closer to rape,” although it was called adultery which implies mutual consent. King David took advantage of Bathsheba. How could she say no to the king? So Bathsheba becomes pregnant and David has her husband killed to cover up his sin (2 Samuel 11:14-16).

Bathsheba’s Transformation

Bathsheba’s story is sad, yet it presents to us the tremendous grace of God. God held David responsible for the sin of adultery and murder, while no responsibility was laid on Bathsheba or Uriah. David’s child as a result of his sin died, but Bathsheba became David’s lawful wife and mother of his sons, Solomon and Nathan.

We learn from this affair that God can transform situations and bring about newness and hope as Bathsheba was transformed into a woman who received unlimited grace.

Mary: The Virgin

The fifth and final woman in the lineage of Jesus Christ is His mother, Mary (Matthew 1:16), who was perhaps the only Jewish woman among the women listed. Mary was a young virgin who was engaged to Joseph.

In the The women in the lineage of Jesus ChristJewish culture, engagements were serious contracts between two families that usually lasted about a year before the couple was formally married and began to live together.

Anyone in the couple who was found to have committed sexual misconduct before the wedding would be penalized either by stoning to death or breaking off the engagement (divorcing her, Matthew 1:19).

Matthew gives us an account of how Joseph struggled with Mary’s virgin conception. The Bible describes him to be a good man who did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace or death (Matthew 1:18-21).

Mary’s Obedience

According to the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son who shall be called Emmanuel.”

It would not be remarkable for a virgin woman to get married and have a son, but for a virgin to conceive and bear a son would be extraordinary. Mary was a woman of obedience. The Bible does not tell us how Mary dared to tell Joseph that she was pregnant.

But her courage and willingness to be the servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38) enable her to bear the shame of pregnancy before marriage to be the mother of the Messiah.

Conclusion

The inclusion of women in the genealogy of the Messiah reminds us that from the very beginning of God’s interaction with man, women have been a very important part of God’s plan. Although their place is not as celebrated, not as obvious, and not recorded as much as God’s interaction with men because of the domination of women by men, I believe that God holds godly women in such high favor.

Even where society did not encourage the inclusion of females in genealogies, the faith of these five women was so strong they burst out of the confines of socially accepted silence. We learn that God can take anyone, such as you and me, who appears to be insignificant and unlikely to succeed and transform them into important witnesses to the power of God.

Recommended Resource:

The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations by Joyce Meyer

Devotional for WomenGod has created you to be confident, bold, and free to be yourself, free from the need to compare yourself to others, and free to step into His destiny for your life.

Based on her #1 New York Times bestseller The Confident Woman, Joyce Meyer taps into concerns and issues that many women commonly experience. This includes confidence, poor self-image, and dysfunctional relationships. Joyce provides encouragement and practical wisdom to help resolve problems in those areas of life.

In today’s busy, fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the need to slow down and live in the present, while holding on to personal “baggage” that’s keeping you from being the woman God created you to be.

But this powerful daily devotional, revised and expanded with new insights, inspirational quotes, and practical action items, will help you on your journey toward a confident life filled with love, laughter, and God’s acceptance, one day at a time.

How do I know I'm saved?
What is the Assurance of Salvation

What is the Assurance of Salvation

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Assurance is the state of being sure or certain about something; it is a strong and definite statement that something will happen or that something is true. But how can you know anything for sure, especially when it has everything to do with where you will be spending eternity? What assurance do Christians have concerning their salvation?

I still remember the day when I took the board examination for Medical Technologists years ago. Stepping out of the examination room, I wasn’t sure if I was going to pass and be given a license to practice. Well, I thought I did well and I could tell you that I gave it my all but I was still uncertain about the outcome.

That feeling of uncertainty made me anxious over the next 3 days while waiting for the results to be released.

In a similar way, how do you know your hope of heaven will hold up when God’s earth-shattering judgment comes? What guarantee do you have that you will not fall away from Christ, remain a Christian until you die, and live with God in heaven forever?

What Does it Mean to Have an Assurance of Salvation?

Saved without a Doubt: Being Sure of Your Salvation (John MacArthur Study) Paperback – July 1, 2011To have the assurance of salvation is to be confident that we are saved and that if we die suddenly, we will go immediately to heaven. Assurance of salvation means possessing salvation – possessing the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:36). Salvation is eternal life; it is the life of God; it is Divine life. If we possess eternal life, then we are saved!

However, many Christians do not believe that it is possible to be sure of salvation now. They feel that they need to keep working to meet God’s standards. If we were saved by works then they would be correct. But salvation is a gift received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

It should be noted that this is one significant disagreement among evangelical Christians for a long time. Many Armenians and Wesleyans have held that it is possible to lose your salvation, while Reformed Christians held that it is not possible for someone who is truly born again.

Scope of the Doctrine of Assurance of Salvation

The doctrine of assurance of salvation also referred to as the perseverance of the saints, means that all those who are truly born again will be kept by God’s power and will persevere until the end and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again.

Two-Part Definition

First, it indicates that assurance is given to those who are truly born again, for it reminds them that God’s power will keep them “in Christ” until they die, and they will surely live with Christ forever in heaven.

Many passages teach that those who are truly born again, who are genuinely Christians, will continue in Christ until death and will then go to be in heaven with Him.

First Part

1) In John 6:38-40 Jesus says that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. He says that He will raise that person on the last day – which, in this context of believing in the Son and having eternal life, clearly means that Jesus will raise that person to eternal life with Him (not just raise him to be judged and condemned).

Moreover, this text emphasizes that Jesus does the will of the Father, which is that He should “lose nothing of all that He has given Me” (John 6:39). Once again, those given to the Son by the Father will not be lost.

2) Also in John 10:27-29 Jesus says that those who follow Him, those who are His sheep, are given eternal life. He further says that “no one shall snatch them out of My hand” (v.28).

Although some have objected to this and reasoned that even if no one else can take believers out of Christ’s hand, we might remove ourselves from Christ’s hand. But it’s important to note that the most forceful phrase “they shall never perish” (v.28) is emphatic and might be translated more explicitly as “and they shall certainly not perish forever.”

3) Paul’s writings and other New Testament epistles also indicate that those who are truly born again will persevere to the end such as in Romans 8:1 where it says that no condemnation remains for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the entire penalty of their sins has been already paid.

4) Another assurance of true believers persevering to the end is Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:6 that the work God has begun in them will continue and will be completed on the day of Christ’s return.

Second Part

The second half of the definition makes it clear that continuing in the faith is one the evidence that a person is truly born again. This aspect of the doctrine must be well understood and kept in mind to avoid giving false assurance to people who were never really believers in the first place.

While Scripture repeatedly emphasizes that those who are truly born again will continue to the end and will certainly have eternal life in heaven with God, other passages speak of the necessity of continuing in faith through life.

One

1 Peter 1:5 says that God does not guard us apart from our faith, but only by working through our faith so that He enables us to continue in Him. So those who continue to trust in Christ gain assurance that God is working in them and guarding them.

Two

In John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the Jewish believers “if you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” Jesus is saying that one evidence of genuine faith is continuing in His words, that is, continuing to believe in Him and living a life of obedience to His commands.

Similarly, Jesus says in Matthew 10:22 that “he who endures to the end will be saved” as a means of warning people not to fall away in times of persecution.

Three

Other passages that emphasize the importance of continuing in Christ include:

  • Colossians 1:22-23 – those who continue in the faith show that they are genuine believers.
  • Hebrews 3:14 – this verse provides an excellent perspective on the doctrine of perseverance. We can know that we have come to genuine faith in Christ if we continue in faith until the end of our lives.
  • 1 John 2:19 – John clearly states that when people fall away from fellowship with the church and from faith in Christ, it shows that their faith was not real in the first place and that they were never part of the true body of Christ.

It is evident from Paul’s statements in Galatians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 11:26, and 2 Corinthians 11:15 that many false believers are being ushered into the church and disrupting the fellowship. But this does not necessarily mean that all unbelievers within the church are false brothers and sisters. Some of them could be in the process of moving towards genuine saving faith.

What Can Give Believers Genuine Assurance of Salvation?

If those who finally fall away are said to have never been saved, to begin with, then what will serve as evidence of genuine conversion? What can give real assurance to a genuine believer?

A. Present Trust in Christ for Salvation

Do you trust Jesus today for the forgiveness of your sins and have confidence that He will take you without blame to heaven for all eternity? John 3:16, the most famous Bible verse about salvation, uses a present tense verb that may be translated as “whoever continues believing in Him” may have eternal life. A continuing present relationship with Jesus is evidence of genuine salvation.

B. Evidence of a Regenerating Work of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:16 says “The Holy Spirit bears witness within our hearts that we are God’s children” and this is just one aspect. (See also Galatians 4:6) But if the Holy Spirit is genuinely at work in our lives, He will be producing the kind of character traits that Paul calls “the fruit of the Holy Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Do you see these character traits exemplified in your life? Do you build others up in the church and not tear them down or discourage them? Do you edify others in every conversation, every prayer, and every work that you put into your ministry?

Another evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit is continuing to believe and accept the sound teaching and doctrines of the faith. Those who begin to deny the major doctrines give serious negative indications regarding salvation.

Finally, a major area of evidence that we are genuine believers is found in a life of obedience to God’s commands (1 John 2:4-6). Of course, we will never live a perfect life while we’re on earth but we must strive to imitate Christ every single day and aim to be like Him.

C. Long-term Pattern of Growth in our Christian Life

Peter tells us that there are some character traits, which if we keep on increasing them, will guarantee that we will never stumble or fall. He tells us to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. He then exhorts us to be more zealous and diligent to confirm our call and election (2 Peter 1:5-10).

The way to confirm our call is to grow in these character traits; for us to grow in our Christian life (sanctification). This implies that our assurance of salvation can grow and increase over time. Thus, young believers can have a stronger assurance of their salvation as they grow over the years toward Christian maturity.

Conclusion

The Assurance of Our Salvation (Studies in John 17): Exploring the Depth of Jesus' Prayer for His OwnAssurance of salvation is necessary because a person is either saved or lost. Either he’s “in Christ” or outside. If we are “in Christ” then we ought to have the assurance of salvation. Assurance of salvation is not presumption or pride but taking God’s word for it.

On the other hand, the doctrine of the assurance of salvation, if properly understood, should cause genuine worry and concern to anyone who is backsliding or staying away from Christ. Such a person must be warned that only those who persevere to the end have been truly born again. Anyone who falls away from their profession of faith in Christ and life of obedience to Him is never really saved.

Only in Christianity is there assurance of salvation because of the finished work of Christ. Jews who practice Judaism are doing their best to follow the Law while Muslims could only hope that at the end of their journey here on earth, their good deeds will far outweigh their bad deeds.

Things to ponder:

Do you have an assurance of salvation? Are you continuing in your faith in Christ? Are the fruit of the Holy Spirit evident in your life? Are you growing in your spiritual walk with God?

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 Resources:

Saved Without a Doubt: Being Sure of Your Salvation  by John MacArthur

Am I really saved? Am I going to heaven? How can I know for sure? Every believer has wrestled with these questions at some point in their journey. Saved Without A Doubt tackles this challenging topic by examining scripture to uncover the truth of salvation while addressing tough questions that can hinder our faith. Readers will develop a Bible-based theology of salvation and be encouraged to securely rest in their personal relationship with Christ.

For Pastors and Preachers:

The Assurance of Our Salvation (Studies in John 17): Exploring the Depth of Jesus’ Prayer for His Own – Kindle Edition  By Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Just hours before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus offered his famous High Priestly Prayer—one of the most intimate moments between Christ and his Father recorded in Scripture. John 17 has thus greatly encouraged Christians for millennia as it boldly affirms our connection to Christ.

In this masterful, verse-by-verse exposition of Jesus’ words, renowned Bible teacher and preacher Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones lays before us the richness, the depth, the wonder—and the assurance—of God’s plan of salvation.
The Three Phases of Salvation
The Three Phases of Salvation

The Three Phases of Salvation

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As Christians, we understand that to be saved we need to come to Christ, repent of our sins, and receive Him as Lord and Savior of our life.

In my last article “What is salvation in Christianity,” we defined salvation as God’s act of reaching out to man to rescue him from the power of sin and eternal punishment in hell.

But biblically speaking, salvation in Christ is often spoken of in three phases or tenses: salvation past (justification), salvation present (sanctification), and salvation future (glorification). The Bible undoubtedly teaches that:

  • We have been saved (past) – Ephesians 2:8
  • We are being saved (present) – 1 Corinthians 1:18
  • We will be saved (future) – 1 Peter 1:5

3-Fold Process of Salvation

In this article, we define salvation as a process by which an unsaved sinner separated from God by sin and destined for hell, is redeemed from hell, reunited with God, and destined for heaven. This threefold process of salvation begins in justification, proceeds through sanctification, and ends in glorification.

1. Justification

“A right understanding of justification is crucial to the whole Christian faith. And if we are to safeguard the truth about the gospel for future generations, we must understand the truth of justification because a true view of justification is the dividing line between the biblical gospel of salvation by faith alone and all false gospels of salvation based on good works.” – Wayne Grudem (Systematic Theology, Justification)

Justification is the judicial act of God whereby He forgives the sinner of all his sins – past, present, and future – and declares him righteous in His eyes and free from guilt and punishment. It is an immediate and instantaneous act of God upon the sinner’s confession and his acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9).

Justification is NOT a Pardon

One of the modern errors of today is to identify justification with pardon. Justification is more than just pardon; to justify means to declare righteous. When God justifies the sinner, He does not acquit him of his sins. Instead, God restores him to a state of innocence.

It’s also important to note that the sinner is not made righteous but declared righteous and justified by God the Father based on the works and merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sinner puts on the righteousness of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Henceforth, God sees the sinner as righteous and perfect in the righteousness of Christ. The sinner is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works (Romans 5:1; Romans 3:28).

For a more detailed study on the doctrine of Justification by Faith, I highly recommend you get the book “The God Who Justifies” by James R. White.

The Three Phases of Salvation

2. Sanctification

Perhaps you’ve heard somebody refer to salvation as a continuous process in the life of a believer and not just a one-shot deal. That’s true because of sanctification – the second phase of salvation.

The basic meaning of sanctification is “separation” or “to be set apart.” In the spiritual sense of a believer’s life, sanctification means to be set apart: 1) by God 2) for God 3) from sin 4) unto a holy life, and 5) to be made more holy through conforming to the image of His Son Jesus (Romans 8:29).

Sanctification differs from justification in several ways. In justification, our standing in the Lord is changed while in sanctification our character is changed. Justification occurs at the moment of salvation; it is a one-time work of God that results in a declaration of “not guilty” before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross.

Sanctification is Spiritual Growth

Sanctification, on the other hand, is a process. It is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life (2 Thessalonians 2:13), beginning with justification and continuing throughout life, whereby the believer moves from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity over time as he learns God’s Word (2 Peter 2:2) and chooses to live under God’s will. In short, sanctification means spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18).

We have to reiterate that good works cannot save us. What does Paul mean when he says in Philippians 2:12-13 that “we must work out our salvation…?” To “work out” means to bring to completion or to accomplish. We need to work out our salvation because though our past sins have been removed and we have been justified, the present is still here. We are still living and every day we face a world full of sin and temptations.

Paul goes on to say in Philippians 3:13-14 that he’s not perfect but he presses on to achieve all the purposes for which Christ has saved him. This should be our goal as believers in Christ. To keep pressing on until the day we will meet face-to-face with the Lord. But until then let us retain a sanctified walk by living a life of implicit obedience to God, (if we fail, we immediately confess it to God and He will restore us), resisting the devil, and by faithful regular Bible reading, prayer, witnessing and living for others.

Sanctification is not instantaneous but is ongoing until the believer leaves this world and goes to heaven.

3. Glorification

Glorification is the final phase of the saved sinner’s salvation experience wherein he leaves this world, either by death or by rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), and is reunited with the Lord Jesus in heaven. The believer never achieves sinless perfection until he is glorified in heaven; his sinful nature is removed and is given a perfect glorified body.

Philippians 3:20-21 says, “Our citizenship is in heaven from which we wait for our Savior to transform our lowly body to be conformed to His glorious body…”

Jesus died on the cross to save us from eternal death and to grant us eternal life. He will come again to complete our salvation by transforming our bodies into immortal glorified bodies to live with Him for all eternity.

Final Words

I challenge each one of us to maintain a sanctified walk with Jesus, just as the apostle Paul did. Let us deal with the present and allow God daily to work in us for His purpose and glory. Let us grow in holiness by completely submitting to the Lordship of Jesus in every area of our lives and continuously leaving the past behind all the things that are not right in the sight of God.

Let us live as Jesus wants us to live, allow Him to work in us, have His way in us, and let us be always open and sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

What is salvation in Christianity?
What is Salvation in Christianity?

What is Salvation in Christianity?

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When talking about salvation, people make it sound so complex when in fact it isn’t. Many Christians who claim they’re saved do not understand what it means to be saved. What is salvation in Christianity?

In our evangelism, we often quote Romans 10:9 which says, “that if you confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Saved from what? Why do we need to be saved? Some also use Matthew 24:13 which talks about standing firm to the end to be saved. Again, saved from what? And why do we need to be saved?

The Definition of Salvation

Just a glance at the world we live in reveals man’s sinful condition and the awful and sad reality that man will never be able to save himself all on his own. Man’s condition is completely helpless and despite all his efforts to bring about peace and prosperity in a supposedly new society, the world remains in chaos, shattered and torn as a result of sin.

It all started in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned by disobeying God. As a result, man’s fellowship with God was cut off and he was bound to suffer eternally in hell as punishment for his sin. There is hope, however, as the Bible speaks of God’s gracious plan to provide a solution to man’s problem and we call that “salvation.”

Read here: Death Penalty for Sin, Eternal Life in Christ.

The word salvation is from the Greek word “soteria” which is derived from the word “soter” meaning savior. It is personal and universal and is centered on the life and works of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As used in the Scriptures in its broadest sense, the word salvation includes comprehensively the total work of God. This includes how He seeks to rescue man from the power of sin and bestows upon him the abundance of His grace, eternal life, and eternal glory.

In theology, however, the major use of the word salvation is to denote a work of God on behalf of men. It includes redemption, reconciliation, propitiation, conviction, repentance, faith, regeneration, forgiveness, justification, sanctification, preservation, and glorification.

In simpler terms, salvation is God reaching out to man to rescue him from the power of sin and the eternal punishment for that sin in hell.

Why Do We Need to be Saved?

For us to come to terms with our need for salvation, we first need to realize that we are sinners in need of saving; we’re all fallen.

We need salvation as a result of the sin of rebellion as recorded in Genesis 3 and also our rebellion against God and rejection of Him. Also, we need salvation to escape the penalty and punishment that hangs over all mankind. We need to be saved from eternal destruction and punishment. Man’s offense was against God, and God being holy and just demands justice.

The Bible tells us that “we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). Secondly, we need to be saved from our state of being alienated or separated from God. Isaiah 59:2 says, “Our sin has separated us from God.”

If we are separated from God then we will not be able to enjoy His presence, His fellowship, His grace, mercy, and blessings. In other words, we will not be with God in heaven for eternity because hell means “separation from God.” Heaven is God’s throne, His dwelling place (Acts 66:1; Acts 7:49), and if we will not be with God in heaven, then we will be spending eternity in hell.

How Did God Save Us?

God saved us by sending His only Son to die on the cross for us.

On the cross, Jesus made the once-for-all sacrifice for man’s sin and its penalty which is death. Since the just penalty for sin and death is finite and eternal, only God Himself could pay for it because only He is finite and eternal. But God being divine could not die so He had to become human in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ who is God, took on human flesh, and lived a perfect life of obedience to the Father, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:8).

The Bible says that we are spiritually dead because of sin (Ephesians 2:1) and are cut off from the presence of God, making it impossible for us to make contact with God by our efforts. It is for this reason that Jesus Christ came; He came to redeem us and to bridge the gap that separated us from God. Jesus came to restore the broken relationship between man and God.

How Do We Get Saved?

In Acts 16:29-31 we read how the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. In response, Paul and Silas told him to believe in the Lord Jesus and he and his household will be saved.

God has already done the work for us. All we need to do is receive the gift of salvation that He is offering for free. Salvation is received by grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). This is what makes Biblical Christianity different from all the other world religions, sects, and cults. We are saved by putting our trust in something that God has done for us and not in something we can do.

It is because of God’s great love that He Himself made a way for us to be reconciled back to Him. God had to bear the pain of seeing His Son suffer and die so that we would not perish in hell but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Conclusion

This is what salvation means in Christianity; God coming in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life of obedience and set an example for us to follow, to suffer and die on the cross for our sins, and to rise again to conquer death and hell, in order set us free from the power of sin and death and to rescue and deliver us from the wrath of God and the judgment that is to be poured out upon all flesh on the earth in a future event known as the Great Tribulation.

The question is: Have you acknowledged your need for a Savior? Have you trusted Jesus for your salvation?

If not, trust Him today. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. It’s not yet too late, for God is patient with you because He does not want anyone to perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Recommended Resource:

The Case for Christ:  A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

In this revised and updated bestseller, The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools such as Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis, asking hard-hitting questions–and building a captivating case for Christ’s divinity. Strobel asks challenging questions like:

  • How reliable is the New Testament?
  • Does evidence for Jesus exist outside the Bible?
  • Is Jesus who he said he was?
  • Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event?

Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and twice nominated for the Christian Book of the Year Award, Strobel’s tough, point-blank questions read like a captivating, fast-paced novel. But it’s not fiction. It’s a riveting quest for the truth about history’s most compelling figure.

Politics and the Bible: Are they compatible?
Politics and the Bible: Are they compatible?

Politics and the Bible: Are they compatible?

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Have you ever had someone tell you that Christians and the Church should not get involved in politics?

Because accordingly, it’s in clear violation of the policy on separation of church and state. Some also argue that Jesus Christ never got involved in politics so neither should Christians. Still, others say that Christians should just focus on preaching the Gospel instead of meddling with matters of human government.

Christian involvement in politics has been a much-debated subject. And many Christians believe that they should not engage in politics because “faith and politics do not mix.” Probably as a result of the complex history between the two, Christianity and politics have since become a complex subject that often evokes strong opinions.

Fact or Fiction?

A few centuries after the birth of the church, Christianity became intimately intertwined with the politics of the Roman Empire. This happened immediately after Emperor Constantine made Christianity the empire’s official state religion. What took place over the subsequent centuries was not only unhelpful but damaging for Christianity. The fusion of religion and politics created an empire that in many ways did not reflect the values held and taught by Jesus Christ.

And that is why today, many Christians shy away from politics. Pastors do not talk about it from the pulpits and more and more believers do not cast their ballots anymore. They prefer to stay home during the elections because they see politics as nothing more than a “dirty game.”  

They believe that most politicians seek government offices as a means to gratify their greed and hunger for position, money, and power.

Should Christians Get Involved in Politics?

If the answer is yes, to what extent?

While some may argue that we should just preach the Gospel and not be involved, others imply that having conservative Christian candidates elected is of utmost importance. So let us look at what the Bible says as regards politics and government.

First, the Scriptures clearly state that governments by nature are God-ordained and thus accountable to God (Romans 13:1). Interestingly, believers who claim submission of their lives to Christ tend to forget about His lordship once the subject switches to politics. Christians must also allow Jesus to be Lord of their political views.

Romans 13:2-3 warns that those who resist authority are in effect resisting that which God has instituted. Consequently, they bring judgment on themselves for rulers will not punish those who do good but the evil.

Second, God ordains the government to promote justice for all (Romans 13:4 & 1 Peter 2:14). The government does this, at least partially, by legislating morality. Laws against murder, rape, assault, and many other crimes are moral issues commanded in the Bible to protect citizens.

Religious tolerance

The Issue on Moral Standards

Well, people might say, “Don’t try to impose your morality on me because I’m not trying to impose my morality on you.” Hey, you know what? You do not need the Bible to know that murder and rape are wrong. The question now is, which moral standards should the government legislate?

Third, the relationship between the church and government or state is not total separation nor total identification, but education and confrontation. There is no such thing as total separation of church and state. It’s important to note that the phrase doesn’t occur anywhere in the U.S. Constitution. It is a phrase that was made up to explain the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 

There is nowhere in the constitution that forbids individuals from mixing faith and politics or from sharing their faith in a state-related function or location. Historically, no one interpreted the First Amendment to exclude religion from the political sphere. People have seriously misunderstood what “separation of church and state”  means.

The founding fathers created the First Amendment to keep the state out of the church, not the church out of the state.

Why Christians Should Be Involved in Politics

As Christians, we need to be involved because we believe in a God who cares passionately about this world and consequently how it is run. We should get involved because the Bible is hugely political – in that it is about how God wants people to behave and act towards Him. Does God have a hand in politics? Daniel 2:21 says, “It is God who sets up kings and deposes them.”

Politics gives all individuals the right to vote on issues that they believe will affect them, including Christians. Although Christians do not have to vote as their church or pastor tells them, they should be involved in the sense that they first seek to be informed and then make up their minds.

With all the present matters of human trafficking, persecution of minorities, tyranny, and many other cases of inhumane acts, the need for Christian involvement in politics should be obvious. It should also be evident that Christians are the most ideal people for this role.

Was Jesus a Political Person?

The Bible says that “only the righteous is concerned about justice for the poor” (Proverbs 29:7). Some may argue that Jesus Himself was never politically involved. But didn’t He often confront the Pharisees who were the religious and political leaders during His time?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” 

The Bible also includes other incidents in which God was not opposed to His people’s using political influence. Bible greats such as Joseph, Daniel, and Esther were all elevated to positions of political power so that God could carry out His will. Even the apostle Paul’s Roman citizenship played a major role in the spread of the Gospel (Acts 22:25; 26:32).

It is, therefore, a mistake for Christians to completely isolate themselves from the realm of politics. When believers do not take it upon themselves to vote or run for office, they carelessly leave the fate of future generations in the hands of wicked and immoral men.

Christian Apologist Dr. Frank Turek explains further why Christians should get involved in politics.

Church Pastors and Leaders in the Political Arena

When Bro. Eddie Villanueva ran for the Philippine presidency for the first time in May 2004 many Church leaders supported him. Villanueva is the president and founder of Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JILCW), one of the largest Bible-based, full-gospel Christian Churches in the world,

Indeed, church leaders did not directly advise their congregation and Church members to vote for Villanueva. But they encourage them to vote for a political candidate who is God-fearing and with high standards of morality.

Unfortunately, Bro. Eddie lost to then-incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was seeking a full six-year term as President. Arroyo succeeded ousted President Joseph Estrada who was impeached with charges of plunder and corruption.

Bro. Eddie ran again for the 2010 presidential election and lost for the second time. This is despite the huge support from the Philippine Evangelical movement.

Philippine Presidential Election 2004

God’sWill in Politics

This led many born-again and evangelical Christians to conclude that it is not God’s will for church leaders and pastors to get involved in politics. Why? Simply because politics is a dirty game. They concluded that, yes, Christians must exercise their right to vote. But they should not run for public office because it is not God’s will for Christians to serve in the government.

Instead, they should just focus on sharing and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ because they might get compromised after exposure to politics.

There is some validity to this caution. Some believers entering the political arena have become so politically focused. As a result, they have compromised their teachings which are fundamental to the Christian faith.  Some Christians also made the mistake of resting all their hope on politicians and government at the expense of morality and godly living.

The Example of Daniel

Christians who hold positions in the government should follow the example set by Daniel. Daniel was given great authority in the ruling government of his day. He used his position to influence the king and others. But he never set his hope on Babylon, and this enabled him to be a prophetic witness towards Babylon. He was also able to serve under Persia.

Daniel used his influence as much as possible for good while never setting his hope in these kingdoms. This is because he understood that the advancement of the kingdom of God does not ultimately depend on political failures or political successes.

Politicians who are Christians should work as much as they can within their authority to promote righteousness and restrain evil. Yet they must never forget that the government cannot ultimately bring righteousness to the earth. Only God Himself can do that.

Christians Can Serve in the Government

The Bible shows us that God does put people in places of authority and influence for His sovereign purpose. However, it’s not a biblical mandate to seek authority and influence in government.

Senator Manny Pacquiao shares his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Christians must see government and authority in society as the means to advance the Gospel. At the same time, they should encourage Christians in authority to use their position for influence. If godly men and women can serve in places of leadership then, by all means, let them pursue it.

However, we should also not get disappointed when believers fail to come into places of influence. We should rejoice when a believer becomes president. Yet, we should not consider it a failure to advance the Gospel when a believer loses the election.

Conclusion

Yes, Christians must get involved. Christians must let their voice be heard by casting their ballots. They must, by all means, support, and vote for the candidate who could best represent them. Christians should elect those who will strongly stand for the right to religious freedom, the right to life for the unborn, and the God-ordained marriage.

And yes, Christians should spend time on their knees praying for the right candidate to win the elections. But they must also do their part by casting their vote.

One more thing, Christians must remember that although they are commanded to submit to the authorities and rulers and to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-2), their hope resides in the protection that only comes from God. Political entities are not the savior of the world.

The salvation of mankind is accomplished only through the life and works of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Recommended Resource: 

Politics – According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture  by Wayne Grudem

Politics According to the Bible

A variety of perspectives exist within the Christian community when it comes to political issues and political involvement. Comprehensive and readable Politics According to the Bible presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life and therefore argues that Christians should be involved in political issues.

In brief, this is an analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense.

In this ground-breaking book, recognized evangelical Bible professor Wayne Grudem rejects five mistaken views about Christian influence on politics: (1) compel religion, (2) exclude religion, (3) all government is demonic, (4) do evangelism, not politics, and (5) do politics, not evangelism.

Grudem proposes a better alternative: (6) significant Christian influence on government. Then he explains the biblical teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad government. Does the Bible support some form of democracy? Should judges and the courts hold the ultimate power in a nation?

Wayne Grudem makes frequent application to the current policies of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, but the principles discussed here are relevant for any nation.