October 22, 2025

What Is Your Congregation Known For?

Silhouette of a Preacher

Local churches are made up of Christians working together for the cause of Christ. However, not every congregation will be judged favorably by the Lord. When the Lord addressed the seven churches of Asia, two of them were commended for their faithfulness – Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). The rest were in danger of having their “lampstand” removed (Revelation 2:5), which was a symbol of the Lord’s approval. He knew that they did not measure up to His standard. Though they may have had “a name that [they were] alive,” He knew if they were “dead” (Revelation 3:1).

A congregation develops a reputation based upon what they do. However, this reputation does not always match the Lord’s judgment of His people in that place.

On different occasions, I have heard brethren comment that the church should be known more for what it is for than what it is against. Generally, those who make comments like this have introduced doctrines or practices into the local church (or would like to do so) and do not want to respond to challenges from other brethren about whether such teachings are in harmony with the Scriptures or their proposed practices are authorized by God’s word. So they attempt to turn the tables against those who raise questions about doctrinal correctness and Scriptural authority, exempting themselves from having to defend what they say and do.Continue Reading

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October 1, 2025

After the Time of the Apostles

The Crucifixion of Peter

Peter wrote his second epistle shortly before his death. In fact, he told the brethren that “the laying aside of [his] earthly dwelling [was] imminent” (2 Peter 1:14). Though not recorded in the Bible, historical accounts suggest that Peter was crucified in Rome.* Over the next several years, all the apostles would depart from this life, with most of their deaths resulting from persecution. Eventually, these brethren would be without Peter and any of the other apostles.

Today, we also have no living apostles.** Like the brethren at the end of the first century, we live in the world without personal direction from the ones chosen to be the “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We work to teach others without the ones commissioned by the Lord to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). We carefully study the words they wrote as they revealed “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:10-16) without the ability to hear them teach or to ask questions to help our understanding.

It might seem as though we are at a disadvantage. For the Christians living in the last part of the first century, the prospect of losing access to the living apostles may have felt the same. However, in this letter written near the end of his life, Peter assured them (and this applies to us as well) that they had everything they needed to serve God and obtain His promises.

Let us notice what Peter said about this just in the verses leading up to his statement about his death being “imminent” (2 Peter 1:14). What would they still have after the time of the apostles? What do we still have?Continue Reading

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September 17, 2025

God’s Declaration to All Men

Paul in Athens

When Paul addressed the philosophers in Athens, he taught them about the “unknown God” (Acts 17:23). He explained how the living and true God is different from all man-made idols. God created the world, made us in His image, and provided us with all good things to enjoy. Paul concluded his message with the declaration that God was now making to all:

“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

This message was not for the Athenians alone. All men who lived from that time to today, and for as long as the world stands, need to heed this message. So let us examine what God is declaring to us even today.Continue Reading

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September 3, 2025

A Man of Integrity

Man at Sunset

Proverbs 31 is known for its description of the virtuous woman, also known as the excellent wife.* Job 31 provides a similar type of description for the man. It outlines what a man of integrity looks like.

Integrity is an uprightness of character that is displayed in every area of life. It is complete and consistent, not selective and sporadic. It is vital that men have integrity. By examining this chapter, we can see how to become men of integrity.Continue Reading

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August 20, 2025

Leaving Behind the Fruit of Our Labor

Older Man Thinking

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the wise man spoke about the futility of life “under the sun.” One of the reasons why he saw his earthly existence as futile was that he would leave the fruit of his labor to someone else. In the passage below, he described the real possibility that his earthly possessions would be left to someone who would squander them or act foolishly with them.

“So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

“Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.

“Therefore I completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.

“For what does a man get in all his labor and in his striving with which he labors under the sun? Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-23).

What’s the point? In essence, this was what the wise man was asking. He viewed with despair the prospect of the material things he worked hard to obtain and maintain going to someone who would not appreciate or use them properly.

When we reach the age at which our time on earth is growing shorter, we will likely start having similar thoughts as the wise man. We may ask, What should happen with our wealth or possessions when we die? Are there principles and instructions in God’s word that will help us with this? Yes! We will consider some points in this article.Continue Reading

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August 6, 2025

Steps to Achieving Righteousness

Walking Up Stairs

The book of James is filled with practical instructions for our lives as Christians. In the following passage, James discussed, in practical terms, how to be righteous.

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:19-22).

Our aim is to “achieve the righteousness of God.” How do we do that? James outlined four steps we can take to reach this goal.Continue Reading

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July 23, 2025

Christ Is Better Than the World

Jesus Saves

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).

In the verses above, Paul encouraged the brethren in Colossae to remain faithful to Christ, while also warning them of the danger of being taken captive. In essence, there were two paths before them – the way of Christ and the way of the world.

It is just as true today as it was then that the world uses various tactics to make its way seem appealing (philosophy, deception, traditions of men, and the elementary principles of the world). In the verses that follow, Paul explained why Christ is better than the world, so that they would remain faithful to Him.

Let us consider the five reasons Paul gave to explain why Christ is better than the world.Continue Reading

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