Biblical Christianity

God’s Decretive and Preceptive Will

By Admin | August 10, 2023 | Comments 4 comments

When it comes to the will of God, we must distinguish between His decretive and preceptive will. This is because some argue that there are apparent contradictions within the will of God.

A proper understanding of the two aspects of God’s will helps solve these contradictions.

What is God’s Will?

Everything depends on the will of God.

In creation and preservation (Psalm 135:6; Revelation 4:11; Jeremiah 18:6) and regeneration (John 1:13; James 1:18). We read God’s will in the suffering of Christ in Luke 22:42; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28. These are just a few of the clarity of God’s Word regarding the will of God in everything.

But what is God’s will? It is God’s perfect determination and sovereign ordination of all things, all unto the magnification of His utmost glory. When we say, “all things,” it pertains to both God Himself (including His decrees and actions) and His creation.

Two Aspects of God’s Will

As Bible-believing Christians, we acknowledge the importance of knowing God’s will in our lives. But how do we know if we are living under the will of God or not? By knowing His Word! We cannot say that we know God’s will without knowing His Word because the will of God is the Word of God.

However, we also need to make a clear distinction between the two aspects of God’s will.

Decretive Will

Some have called God’s decretive will His “secret will.” Yet, while the full extent is hidden, aspects of it are revealed. Take for instance predictive prophecy, in which we will never know the full extent of it but there are clues to some of its aspects.

God’s decretive will is God’s pleasure, his eternal, unchangeable counsel, or decree in which He has foreordained all things. It characterizes all of God’s essence, so it is eternal, immutable, independent, and omnipotent.

This does not mean that He is the immediate or efficient cause of all things. But that all things exist or occur by His eternal sovereign decree. God’s decretive will makes everything certain, but He does not coerce His creatures to do anything. He ordains the free choices of men.

Sin is in God’s overall plan. He does not condone His creatures’ disobedience, nor is He the immediate or efficient cause of sin (James 1:13). Also, God does not delight in the existence of sin, but He ordains it by His decree to accomplish the most wise and holy end of bringing ultimate glory to Himself (Romans 5:20-21; 9:17-24).

One should bear in mind two cautions about God’s decretive will. First, whenever God’s decretive will includes sin, that sin is certain to occur. But it will be initiated by the volition of the sinner.

Second, God’s meticulous providence includes Him upholding the various natural processes and even crafting the circumstances of an individual’s decision to sin. Of course, God does this without compromising His holiness.

Preceptive Will

God’s preceptive will consists of God’s precepts in the law and the Gospel for man’s conduct (Matthew 7:21; John 7:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 John 2:17). This is often called God’s “revealed” or “signified” will.

At times, God’s decretive will and His preceptive will coincide, but often as part of His decretive will. God ordains that the creature disobeys His preceptive will. The Lord reveals His preceptive will through Scripture’s commands, prohibitions, warnings, chastening, and judgments.

The preceptive will of God is God’s will only in a prescriptive sense, His decretive will is the perfection that results in actual occurrences. The preceptive will reveals not what God will do but what He demands of His people.

Conclusion

God has included sin in His plan, forbidding man to sin yet using sin as a means of bringing the greatest amount of glory to Himself. See Genesis 50:20 and Acts 2:23.

In both His decretive will and preceptive will, God does not take pleasure in sin, nor does He determine to save all people. God executes His decretive will through His preceptive will.

The decretive will and preceptive will of God must be held in tension. To deny His preceptive will is to commit injustice against God’s holiness and to ignore the gravity of sin. But to deny God’s decretive will is to deny His omniscience, wisdom, omnipotence, and sovereignty.

Reference:

Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue

Long-Awaited Systematic Theology by Well-Known Pastor, Author, and President of the Master’s Seminary

Doctrine isn’t just for theologians―it’s important for every Christian because it shows us who God is and how we should live.

Systematizing the robust theology that has undergirded John MacArthur’s well-known preaching ministry for decades, this overview of basic Christian doctrine covers topics such as God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, salvation, and more.

Comprehensive in scope yet written to be accessible to the average reader―with non-technical vocabulary, minimal footnotes, and a helpful bibliography―this volume offers Christians a solid foundation for what they believe and why.

Finding True Peace in God

By Michael Heilman | December 25, 2022 | Comments 2 comments

Everybody wants peace to reign here on earth, especially during the Yuletide season. But what we need to understand is that we only find true peace in God.

It’s true; the world also offers some kind of peace. Isn’t that the theme of the Miss World and the Miss Universe beauty pageant? That’s why one of the common questions asked is how a contestant would help to achieve this should they win the crown.

Bible Verse: Luke 2:14, NKJV

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The Jewish word shalom (“peace”) means much more than a truce in the battles of life. It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. Peace has to do more with character than circumstances.

Life was difficult at that time just as it is today. Taxes were high, unemployment was high, morals were slipping lower, and the military state was in control.

Roman law, Greek philosophy, and even Jewish religion could not meet the needs of men’s hearts. Then God sent His Son.

Jesus, God’s Greatest Gift

We all love gifts, don’t we? Gift-giving on Christmas day isn’t just for kids anymore but for adults too. This is why all over the world, exchanging gifts is a tradition that doesn’t seem to be going away.

Did you know that even people who claim to not believe in Christ enjoy Christmas as much as Christians do?

But as followers of Christ, we must never forget what Christmas is all about. More than 2 thousand years ago in Bethlehem, God’s greatest gift came down to save mankind from sin (John 3:16). Jesus, the eternal God, came to dwell among us and became the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of man.

So you see, gift-giving started with God. But He did not give us the most precious gift because we deserve it. We don’t, but He gave anyway.

We may never be able to out-give God. But knowing what God sacrificed for you, what are you willing to give to Him as a sign of your gratitude? If God asks for your time and talent, are you willing to say yes?

Celebrating Christ

Is it just me or is the Christmas season the busiest time of the year? Is it just me or is it also a very stressful time of year as well? Why do we make it so stressful?

Instead of meditating on the greatest gift that we received from God, we are so occupied with all the preparations. We spend so much time shopping for Christmas presents and delicious food to serve.

I see nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas with family and friends. But if our excitement for the festivities overshadows our gratitude to God then we need to reevaluate our priorities.

Aren’t we supposed to be celebrating the Creator of the universe giving humanity peace?

What are you celebrating every Christmas season?

Peace from the Prince of Peace

Throughout history, humanity has always fought with each other for their own fleshly sinful desires (James 4:1). And they continue to reject the Lord’s principles. Yet despite that, God still loves us anyway (Romans 5:8).

That is why the Lord sent peace down from above. Yeshua is the only one who could bring peace to this world and our hearts since He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Only Yeshua can bring reconciliation and peace between the Lord and humanity (John 14:6).

Conclusion

Are you seeking peace on earth and goodwill to men? Peace comes only from Christ. The peace that is from above is not only peace to be reconciled to God. It is also enough peace to overcome the stressful times of our lives (John 16:33).

If you want peace, ask God and He will give it to you (Philippians 4:6-7).

Do you believe that the Lord can give you peace with God? Then you have to act like He can give you peace in all stressful circumstances just as He promised.

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

Recommended Resource:

One Perfect Life: The Complete Story of the Lord Jesus by John F. MacArthur

Read the best news the world has ever been given about the most significant life in all history—Jesus Christ. In One Perfect Life, Dr. John MacArthur shares with us the complete story of the Eternal Christ from Genesis to Revelation.

Using Matthew as the base text, Dr. MacArthur blends the gospels and other biblical material about Jesus into one continuous story that will help you better understand Scripture and grow stronger in your faith.

No other harmony of the Gospels includes such extensive study notes to help you unpack the meaning of each verse.

Features include:

Verse-by-verse explanations from one of the most important pastor-teachers of our time
Every verse connected to Christ from Genesis to Revelation
A harmony of the Gospels that demonstrates the inerrancy of Scripture
New King James translation

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

By Alice | December 15, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

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

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

So, who is right?

Salvation by Faith Alone?

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

Here is part of what he wrote:

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

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

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

ABSOLUTELY!

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

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

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

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

Refuting a Catholic on Salvation

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

My comment on his article:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Avoiding Debates

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Do We Get Saved?

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

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

Be Born Again to Enter Heaven

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

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

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

May I refer you to these articles on this site:

Born Again: A New Religion
Nicodemus Transformed by Jesus

Salvation is by Grace through Faith

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

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

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

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

Jesus is the Way to the Father in Heaven

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

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

My Conversation with a Muslim

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

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

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

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

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

The Role of the Church

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Resource:

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Difference between Tithes and Offerings

By Alice | December 5, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Tithe

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

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

Law of Tithing in the OT

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

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

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

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

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

Testing God in Tithes

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

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

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

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

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

Special/Love/Free Will Offering

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

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

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

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

We give generously to acknowledge God’s love.

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Resource:

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s the Truth about God?

By Michael Heilman | November 30, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

Who is God? What’s the truth about Him? Many people have asked this question.

With so many opinions, how is anyone able to figure out what the truth is since we have not spoken with or seen God? The reason we have not spoken with or seen God is that we are spiritually dead and God is holy.

Jesus is God

We read this in John 5:25, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”

In so many words, the only way man could find out who God is would be if God became a Man. In the above-mentioned verse, Jesus uses the title Son of God as a way to communicate the truth. And that He is the only one that has seen and spoken with God and was God Himself.

God the Son who is from all eternity had the right to grant life. The distinction involves Jesus’ deity versus His incarnation. In becoming a man, Jesus voluntarily set aside the independent exercise of His divine attributes and prerogatives (Philippians 2:6-11).

Jesus here affirmed that even in His humanity, the Father granted Him the “life-giving” power, i.e, the power of resurrection.

The truth about Jesus being God is confirmed by John 1:1, 14. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

These verses further elaborate on the fact that all of reality was spoken into existence by the Word.

The Word Created Everything

The Word had all the essence or attributes of a deity. Jesus the Messiah was fully God and He was the Father’s agent involved in creating everything in the universe (Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:2), including you and I.

While Christ as God was uncreated and eternal, the word “became” emphasizes Christ’s taking on humanity (John 1:14). This indicates that the infinite became finite and the eternal was conformed to time. The invisible God became visible and the supernatural One reduced Himself to the natural.

Since we were created by the Word, wouldn’t that mean we are accountable to Him? John 1:14 is saying that Jesus, who is God, became Man: the only begotten Son of God became the Son of Man. Why would the God of the universe become a Man?

John 3:16 gives us the reason why. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Supreme Love of God

The Son’s mission is bound up in the supreme love of God for the evil, sinful world of humanity that is in rebellion against Him. The word “so” emphasizes the intensity or greatness of His love. The Father gave His unique and beloved Son to die on behalf of sinful men (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Because of rebellion, man became the enemy of God. But through the work of Christ on the cross, He brought man and God together again. God has been reconciled with man and has turned His face in love toward the lost world

Since God loves us and our sin has already condemned us, Jesus did not need to condemn us. We need salvation from our own sinful choices and attitudes. No matter how righteous anyone thinks they are, they are nothing compared to God, since we all have broken God’s law.

God Redeemed Sinful Man

Lust is adultery to God. Little white lies are still lies to God. Stealing is still wrong to God. Hatred is the same as murder to God. Being fanatical toward anything other than God is idolatry. All of these and many more are sins toward God.

In spite of all of our sins, Jesus came to save us and clean us up so that we could spend eternity with Him. Jesus loves everyone enough He does not want anyone to go to hell and be separated from Him for eternity. He loves us so much that He suffered, died, and rose again so that we would have a way to become right with God.

Christ died that we might die and He died that we might live. But He also died so that we might share in the new creation. Our new relationship with Christ has brought about a new relationship with the world and the people around us.

Jesus is the Truth of God

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

This is the sixth “I am” statement of Jesus in John (see John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 9; 10:11, 14; 11:25; 15:1, 5).In response to Thomas’ query, Jesus declared that He is the way to God because He is the truth of God and the life of God.

In this verse, the exclusiveness of Jesus as the only approach to the Father is emphatic. Only one way, not many ways, exist to God, i.e, Jesus Christ (John 10:7-9; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24; Acts 4:12).

Conclusion

Then the question is, do you believe the truth about God? Do you believe that God became a Man, died, and rose again? God did all these to save you from the punishment of your own sinful choices so you could know who He is. God desires to change you and be right with Him.

The Bible tells us in John 3:17-18, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

If you sincerely believe these passages, talk to God about it. Repent of your sin and ask for forgiveness offered through the finished work of Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Strive to know the real truth about God and live every day to please Him.

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

Recommended Resource:

Knowing God by J. I. Packer

For over 40 years, J. I. Packer’s classic has been an important tool to help Christians around the world discover the wonder, the glory, and the joy of knowing God.

In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals, and this 20th-anniversary edition is updated with Americanized language and spelling, and a new preface by the author.

Stemming from Packer’s profound theological knowledge, Knowing God brings together two important facets of the Christian faith― knowing about God and also knowing God through the context of a close relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

Written in an engaging and practical tone, this thought-provoking work seeks to transform and enrich the Christian understanding of God.

Explaining both who God is and how we can relate to him, Packer divides his book into three sections: The first directs our attention to how and why we know God, the second to the attributes of God, and the third to the benefits enjoyed by a those who know him intimately.

This guide leads readers to a greater understanding of God while providing advice to gain a closer relationship with him as a result.

Just Do It: Revisited

By Michael Heilman | November 10, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

Has someone ever told you to do something and when you asked why, they simply said, “Just do it?” When this happens, I can’t blame you for not wanting to do as you’re told. We all have the freedom to think for ourselves and decide to do what we’re asked to do or not.

How do we know if what someone asked us to do is beneficial to us or not? They can’t just expect us to take them at their word, right? But what if it’s God telling us something and adding, “Just do it.” Will that make a difference?

Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

The book of Ecclesiastes ends where the book of Proverbs begins (Proverbs 1:7), with an admonition for us to fear God. The fear of the Lord is that attitude of reverence and awe that His people show Him because they love Him. Christians also fear the Lord because they respect His power and His greatness.

The Fear of God

When a person fears God, he/she will pay attention to His Word and obey it. He or she will not tempt the Lord by deliberately disobeying or by playing with sin. An unholy fear makes people run away from God. But a holy fear brings them to their knees in loving submission to God.

The fear of the Lord must result in obedient living, otherwise, that “fear” is only a sham. One who is a dedicated believer will want to spend time daily in Scripture, getting to know the Father better and discovering His will.

Doing What is Right

There is a popular company today with the slogan, “Just Do It.” What does that mean? Could it mean we just do it because we think it is right? Or just do it because it feels good? Perhaps we just do it because the government approves of it?

Well, it sounds like “Just Do It” is based on the phrase, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Thus implying that our choices do not have consequences and we are not accountable to anyone but ourselves.

This is just outright unbiblical! Ecclesiastes 12:13 says humanity’s first duty is to fear God and His Word. Our first responsibility is not only to fear God because we are accountable to Him. If we continue reading Ecclesiastes 12:14, it says God will bring every work into judgment. God will judge even every secret thing we have done, whether good or bad.

We need to understand that God created life, therefore, He alone knows how to manage it. He wrote the instruction manual, and wise is the person who reads and obeys.

Final Words

I must reiterate that each of us has the freedom to make decisions for ourselves. When somebody tells you to do something, you have the right to decide whether you will do it or not. Even when the government or somebody in authority orders you to do something, you must think about the possible effects.

I’d say it’s another thing when it’s God telling Christians to just do it. We can trust that God desires what’s best for His children. God will never tell us to do something that would harm us.

God exhorted His born-again children to live in self-control daily (Galatians 5:23). With the help of the Holy Spirit, God will; enable us to make choices that honor Him rather than choices to please ourselves.

Every person, saved or lost, should ask themselves, “Am I living with a Just do it attitude? Or am I living with the fear of God and making biblical choices?”

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

Recommended Resource:

Saying Yes to God: How to Keep in Step with the Spirit by Timothy Geoffrion

Saying Yes to God is written to help maturing Christians better recognize the voice of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The book is a practical resource for those looking for fresh insight to break through barriers and personal limitations in their relationship with God.

In effect, this book offers hope to all those who earnestly want to know God better and to live Christ-centered, Spirit-led lives.

Readers will not feel judged or shamed but will hear a gentle but firm and persistent call to believe that God truly is at work in their lives, calling and leading them.

Not only can they learn to recognize the Spirit’s voice better, but they can learn how to work with God in tremendously satisfying and fruitful ways.

This book’s particular contribution lies in its simple presentation of important spiritual concepts, use of illustrations drawn from the author’s spiritual life coaching practice, and global teaching ministry.

It has a special emphasis on how to love others better as an outflow of one’s faith and personal relationship with God.

Trusting God During Sufferings

By Alice | October 20, 2022 | Comments 6 comments

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

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

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

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

1. Suffering Reveals What is in Our Hearts

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Suffering Loosens Our Grip on this Life

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

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

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

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

3. Suffering Comes with the Freedom to Choose

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

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

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

4. Pain Can Warn Us of Danger

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

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

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

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

5. God Suffers with Us

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

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

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

6. We Find One Another in Times of Crisis

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

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

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

7. Suffering Is for Our Good

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Resource:

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller

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

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

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

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

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

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

Comfort One Another (Scripture Verse)

By Michael Heilman | October 15, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

There are so many things in this world that could discourage believers in Jesus. Many countries are still suffering economically as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Several schools are still to resume full face-to-face classes and many businesses never got to reopen.

How then are we supposed to comfort one another as the Scriptures say?

Bible Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:18, NKJV

“Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

In his letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul addressed the concern of those whose loved ones have died (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). After hearing Paul teach about the mystery of the Rapture, the people had come to believe it and hope for the reality of their Savior’s return. They were living in expectation of that coming, eagerly awaiting Christ.

Verse 13 indicates they were even agitated about some things that were happening to them that might affect their participation in it. They knew Christ’s return was the climactic event in redemptive history and didn’t want to miss it. The major question they had was, “What happens to the Christians who die before He comes? Do they miss His return?”

They had an imminent view of Christ’s return, and Paul had left the impression it could happen in their lifetime. Their confusion came as they were being persecuted, an experience they thought they were to be delivered from by the Lord’s return.

Christ’s Return – The Blessed Hope

Paul then explained to them in detail the chronology of events that will take place when Christ comes back for His church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). He exhorted them to comfort one another because there is hope for the believers in Christ. This is the blessed hope that the Lord will “catch away” those who belong to Him before the Day of the Lord comes.

The primary purpose of 1 Thessalonians 4:18 is not to teach a scheme of prophecy. Rather, it is to encourage those Christians whose loved ones have died before the Rapture happens. The comfort here is based on the following:

Christ will resurrect the dead and will participate in the Lord’s coming for His own.
When Christ comes, the believers who are alive will be reunited with their loved ones.
They all will be with the Lord eternally.

Comfort One Another

What is so comforting about these words from 1 Thessalonians 4:13? We have hope that the world cannot offer.

This world has so many different addictions in their search for hope but they are not able to find it. It’s because they refuse to turn to the only One who can give them hope – Jesus Christ. Have you turned to Christ?

Since Jesus conquered death and the grave, those who trust in Him will receive a new and perfect body (1 Thessalonians 4:14). There is coming a day when all the saved, both the dead and alive in Christ will be caught up to be with Jesus forevermore (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).

It is also comforting to know that God has not appointed the church to endure the wrath of God on this earth (1Thessalonians 5:9). The outpouring of God’s wrath will begin when the seals are opened (Revelation 6:1-17) which occurs after the Rapture.

Be Watchful and Sober

1 Thessalonians 5:6 gives us instructions on how to respond to God’s words. We should not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. What are we watching for?

There are many indicators that Jesus will be returning for His church soon. Two prophecies that are being fulfilled are in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

The falling away from Biblical Christianity has already begun. Very few will listen to preaching against sin. On the contrary, many churches endorse sin. Only a few know how to share the Gospel with others. In some cases, many Christians are too afraid to give the Gospel because it might be considered “taboo” in their community.

This is exactly why biblical literacy is at an all-time low. We can cite many examples that there is a visible falling away from Biblical Christianity.

The other prophecy is the rebuilding of the third Temple. Not only is there a political party pushing to rebuild the Temple, but five red heifers just arrived in Israel as a sacrifice in the new Temple.

Israel is also building a railroad to transport people to the Temple from the airport starting in April 2023 just in time for Passover. In so many words, the Jews are planning on having the Temple by April next year.

We all better be watching for the return of Christ; He is coming soon!

Final Words

How strong is your desire to know and obey what God says? Are you comforting others with the words of assurance from God? There may be chaos in this world and many reasons to be discouraged.

But God’s word is true and trustworthy. We can hold on to the blessed hope that the Lord is coming to save us from the wrath of God. We must continue to encourage and comfort one another, especially in times when we see others losing hope.

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

Recommended Resource:

Can We Still Believe in the Rapture by Ed Hindson and Mark Hitchcock

Christian Fiction … or Biblical Fact?

Today, the hope that all believers on earth will be “caught up” to heaven is being challenged by new waves of criticism.

Is the rapture really taught in the Bible? Can we really expect Jesus to gather up His followers before the Antichrist is revealed?

In this well-reasoned and thorough defense, prophecy authors Mark Hitchcock and Ed Hindson examine the concept, context, and consequences of the important and long-expected event known as the rapture.

Discover the answers to such questions as…

What is the rapture—and is there any historical precedent for it?
Why do some believers object to the idea of a rapture?
Does the timing of the rapture really make a difference?

As you explore what Scripture says about the end times, you’ll get a grander glimpse of your glorious future and the deepest hope of every follower of Jesus.

Why Do Christians Believe in the Resurrection

Christ’s Resurrection: The Foundation of Christianity

By Alice | October 10, 2022 | Comments 2 comments

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

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

Jesus was Executed in Public

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

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

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

The Tomb was Highly Secured

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

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

The Tomb was Found Empty

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

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

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

The Resurrected Jesus Appeared to Many People

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

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

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

Jesus’ Apostles Dramatically Changed

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

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

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

Christ’s Disciples Died as Martyrs

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

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

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

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

Jewish Believers Started Worshiping on a Sunday

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

Recommended Resource:

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

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

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

This book explores the following areas:

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

Understanding the Spirit World

By Admin | September 25, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

The spirit realm is real even when many people do not believe it is. This is why we need to have a deeper understanding of the spirit world. What is the doctrine of the spirit world and why does it matter?

The Reality of the Spirit Realm

The spirit world is that invisible realm inhabited by holy angels who actively serve God by ministering to the believers (Hebrews 1:14). But it is occupied by Satan’s demonic forces who oppose God and continuously wage war against God’s people (Ephesians 6:12).

Have you noticed that things in our world aren’t always as they seem? One of the primary reasons why is the fact that Satan and his followers exist. We need to understand that the challenge for every Christian is far greater than merely dealing with the visible details of life.

The believer’s primary struggle for well-being is not only dependent on their flesh-and-blood relationships. Rather, it also involves unseen friends and enemies.

Angels: God’s Servants

The Bible tells us explicitly that angels are created spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 148:1-5). Angels are also endowed with power (Psalm 103:20), have a personality (Luke 1:26-38; 15:10), and do not die (Luke 20:36).

God created angels to worship (Hebrews 1:6) and serve the Lord (Psalm 103:20), and minister to believers (Hebrews 1:14).

Natural observations may not reveal the angels’ importance to us. However, faith in the Word of God assures us that God’s angels often mediate to carry our God’s sovereign acts in our lives.

What’s more astounding is the assurance of the Scriptures that angels do not always remain invisible. Thus, the letter to the Hebrews urges us to not forget to entertain strangers. Because by doing so, some have unwittingly entertained angels (Hebrews 13:2).

Satan and His Demons

Who is Satan? Satan is an especially powerful angel who rebelled against God. Although his act of rebellion is not described directly in the Bible, he is alluded to in Isaiah’s description of the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:12-15). Ezekiel did the same in Ezekiel 28:11-19 when he referenced the king of Tyre.

The Bible also calls Satan the following names:

the devil
Lucifer
Beelzebub
Belial
serpent
dragon
ruler of the world
god of this age
prince of the power of the air
angel of light
accuser
deceiver
tempter
liar
murderer
the evil one

And because of Satan’s constant activity against God and His people, he is a far greater threat to us than any enemy, personal or national.

Who are the demons? They are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion. Theologians and Bible scholars believe that about 1/3 of all the angels joined Satan and God drove them away from heaven. Some of these demons are active as members of Satan’s army (Ephesians 6:12) while God locked others up in prison (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).

These personal agents of Satan’s evil empire can stimulate and arouse the worst capacities and desires within us. Indeed, they don’t make us evil. However, they willingly dominate those who refuse to surrender their hearts and lives to God.

The Activities of Satan

Satan, with the help of his demon followers, plants false Christians among the true (Matthew 13:24-30, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). He seeks to devour the Lord’s people (1 Peter 5:8) and falsely accuses God’s children (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-5; Zechariah 3:1-10; Revelation 12:10).

Satan also rules over the unsaved world (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2) and can possess unbelievers (Mark 5:1-13; Acts 5:16). He deceives people through his outright lies (John 8:44) and his cleverly-designed thought systems (Colossians 2:8, 20-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-3).

Christians are constantly interacting with the working of Satan and his minions. Like Peter (Matthew 16:23), we are unaware of God’s ways that even our good intentions can serve Satan’s purposes. It is for this reason that we must continually depend on the Lord’s guidance and leadership.

Christ Defeated Satan and His Forces

Just when Satan thought he was winning, the Lord Jesus broke his power by His death and resurrection (Colossians 2:14-15; Hebrews 2:14-15).

Today, the devil and his forces operate as defeated foes. They know they are doomed to the lake of fire (Matthew 8:29; Revelation 20:10). This is why they are working double time to mislead and deceive God’s people.

We must keep in mind that God has already determined Satan’s final outcome. His predetermined fate is a terrible reality that should help us to avoid either carelessness or despair.

Defeating Satan

How do Christians defeat Satan? Those who have placed their trust in Christ can overcome Satan in their daily lives by:

submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9)
being aware of his strategy and avoiding the sins that give him a foothold in our lives (1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 1 Timothy 3:6-7; Ephesians 4:26-27)
putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18)
rejecting all forms of occult activity such as magic, witchcraft, and spiritism (Leviticus 19:26, 31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Micah 5:12; Isaiah 8:19)

Conclusion

Satan and his demon followers are real and they dominate the spirit realm.

Many of us may have experienced his attacks and suffered his wrath. This leads to the question, “Why is God allowing His people to go through Satan’s schemes and tactics? Why does Satan still have a hold on the believer’s life?”

Jesus already defeated Satan; He has won the victory. Satan seems to be winning now but his fate has already been sealed. He is destined to suffer in the lake of fire together with his followers.

If you haven’t accepted God’s gift of salvation, now is the time to do it. Acknowledge you’re a sinner, confess your sins, and receive God’s forgiveness.

Surrender your life to God and live for His glory while waiting for Christ‘s promised return.

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Recommended Resource:

Spiritual Warfare in the End Times by Ron Rhodes

Understand the Battle Before You Enter It

When you think about the end times, you’ve probably already considered the rapture, the tribulation, and the Antichrist. But are you prepared for the spiritual warfare that is already escalating around us as we draw closer to the final days?

Now more than ever, it is essential to equip yourself with God’s truth so you can stand against the encroaching darkness.

In Spiritual Warfare in the End Times, bestselling prophecy author Ron Rhodes powerfully exposes Satan’s most destructive and effective tools of spiritual injury—and the means of rendering them ineffective.

Though Satan will always want to diminish your capacity to serve in God’s kingdom, God promises you’ll never fight him alone.

Spiritual Warfare in the End Times will provide you with all you need for victory both now and in the future.