March 27, 2024

Skeletons in the Closet

Skeleton in the Closet

The above phrase is an expression used to describe a secret from one’s past that, if discovered, would have a negative impact on that person. It might cause them shame, a loss of credibility, or even legal trouble. During a contentious political campaign season, it is not uncommon to hear reports and allegations about the secret past of the candidates as their opponents are looking for anything – even these “skeletons in the closet” – to discredit them.

When Jesus was on the earth teaching, many opposed Him – particularly the leaders of the people. The leaders were concerned that if Jesus continued to “go on like this, all men will believe in Him” (John 11:48). This was not what they wanted. It would be very convenient for them if they could find some “skeleton in the closet” in Jesus’ life. Then, they could discredit Him and turn people away from Him. Unfortunately for them, they could not do this. They could only produce false witnesses with inconsistent testimony (Mark 14:56).Continue Reading

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March 13, 2024

Why Do We Obey God?

Man sitting and thinking with the Bible

Sadly, most people in the world do not recognize God. Therefore, it is unsurprising that they do not obey Him. Yet for those who claim to be Christians, obedience ought to be a way of life. But why should we live a life of obedience? 

The New Testament clearly indicates that we do not obey God in order to earn our salvation. Because all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23), the only thing we have earned is eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). Jesus said, “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done’” (Luke 17:10). Even if we could perfectly carry out every command the Lord has given, we are still “unworthy slaves” who are dependent upon the grace of God.

At the same time, Jesus implied in the statement above that His people would obey Him (“when” – not IF – “you do all the things which are commanded…”). When He commissioned His apostles to go out and make disciples, they were to teach them “to observe all that I commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Obedience is expected of those who would be Jesus’ disciples.

That brings us back to our question: Why do we obey God? There are a few reasons presented to us in the Scriptures:Continue Reading

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February 21, 2024

“The Spirit Is Willing, but the Flesh Is Weak”

Jesus in the Garden with His Disciples Sleeping

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.’ And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’ And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’” (Matthew 26:36-41).

Jesus prayed to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His arrest. As was recorded in the passage above, three of His disciples (Peter, James, and John) accompanied Him. They were told to pray and to keep watch, but they fell asleep.

It was at this point when Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). This statement applied directly to those three disciples. However, it also has applications for us today. Furthermore, the principle was illustrated in Jesus and the events that followed.

Let us see what we can learn from this statement.Continue Reading

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February 7, 2024

You Are a Peculiar People

Crossroads

As the world around us grows more corrupt and people become more ungodly, faithful disciples of Christ will stand out. We may even become targets of ridicule, harassment, and persecution. This will make it tempting for us to try to hide our distinguishing characteristics as Christians in order to blend in with the world.

However, there are blessings that come from being different from the world as we strive to be what God wants us to be as His people. When the apostle Peter wrote his first epistle, he reminded Christians that they were “a peculiar people” (KJV) or “a people for God’s own possession” (NASB).

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession [a peculiar people, KJV], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Let us briefly notice how Christians are different from the world and why that is a blessing for us.Continue Reading

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January 24, 2024

Characteristics of Love

1 Corinthians 13, Love

Near the end of his first letter to Corinth, Paul told the brethren, “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). However, he did not leave them in the dark as to what it meant to do things “in love.” He defined this earlier in the same letter when he described the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). They were to walk in love as he described it to them.

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

We need to be reminded of these characteristics as well. The world tries to define love in such a way that it includes tolerating sin and encouraging others in their choices that are contrary to the will of God. Let us briefly notice these characteristics so we know how to walk in love.Continue Reading

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January 3, 2024

Renewed Day by Day

Sunrise

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Many see the start of a new year as a time of renewal – an opportunity to change the direction of their lives, to improve themselves in some way, and so on. The basic idea of this is good. However, as with all things, we need to think about it Biblically.

There are a few passages in the New Testament that talk about being renewed. When it is mentioned in the Bible, it is not tied to a certain day on the calendar. It is also not about just anything that might be new in our lives (new job, diet, exercise routine, etc.). Instead, the renewal discussed in the New Testament is always about improving our spiritual lives.

In this article, we will consider what the New Testament says about renewal – when it happens, what it means, and what the result of it is in our lives.Continue Reading

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December 13, 2023

Questions about Signs and the End Times

Destruction of Jerusalem

After Islamist militants attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, Israel went to war against Hamas – the Palestinian militant Islamist group in Gaza. Israel’s stated mission was to wipe them out.

When this conflict escalated, many wondered how it might fit into the prophecies contained in the Bible. There was speculation that it could be a possible sign of the “end times.” This is nothing new. Anytime there is a significant military conflict involving Israel, these discussions arise.

It is helpful to know what (if anything) the Bible says about this. Matthew 24 is a key chapter to help us on this point. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand and misinterpret this chapter. However, understanding what Jesus taught there will help us answer questions about whether some current event is a sign of the end.Continue Reading

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