How will everyone know who Jesus’ disciples are? It is by the way they love, so much so, that even lost sinners might recognize who Jesus’ disciples are.

Love and Life

There are thoughts of eternity in the human heart. God “has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Eccl 3:11), so the desire to live a long life is set deeply into our hearts, but there is more. All human beings desire something else, and that is the desire to be loved. For a child, a skinned knee, a dead goldfish, and hurt feelings are all made a little better by the loving care of a mother. A child doesn’t care how much mom knows at the moment…the child does care how much she cares.

Love and Health

In one study at Yale, men and women who felt the most loved and supported had substantially less blockage in their coronary arteries. [1] Similarly, researchers from Case Western Reserve University studied almost 10,000 married men and found that those who answered “Yes” to this simple question: “Does your wife love you?” had significantly less angina (chest pain) than those who felt unloved by their spouse. [1] When researchers at Duke surveyed men and women with heart disease, those who were single and lacked companionship were three times as likely to have died after five years. In all three studies, the protective effects of love were independent of other risk factors, and surgery patients who were loved experienced quicker recoveries because they had more purpose. Someone loved them. So then, it’s not only laughter that’s good for the soul (Prov 17:22), but love.

Love of Pets

Pets are considered part of the family, and loving pets and being loved by pets is good for us too. Those who owned a pet (dogs, cats, primarily) had lower blood pressure, an extended lifespan, and boosted mood levels. People who owned pets experienced release of pain killing and mood elevating endorphins. It’s not surprising that animals are therapeutic with the mentally disabled, autistic children, juvenile delinquents, and nursing home residents, among others.

Love is a Verb

Love is infinitely more than just feelings. Love is a verb, but love also includes intangible things like feelings of security, acceptance, and affection, but love is also tangible, and is displayed by actions that provide evidence of that love. Love is not just a feeling or being whipped up into an emotional state. Love is a verb. It’s what you do! It’s not impossible to give away too much love, nor can one ever receive too much love because the human heart has an ever-expanding capacity to love and be loved. God gave His only Son because He loves us and showed it in a physical or tangible way (John 3:16). That’s love in action!

Hate Brings Judgment

It is difficult to reconcile the fact that someone hates their brother or sister and yet professes to be Christ’s. Hating a brother or sister is dangerous ground because Jesus said, “whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matt 5:22). The Apostle John states that “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them” (1 John 2:9-11). Whoever hates their brother or sister may think they’re in the light, but they’re walking in darkness. God calls anyone a liar who claims to be a believer and yet hates their brother or sister, so “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? This commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).

The Silent Lamb

Jesus Christ “was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter…”

One of the greatest differences between the way of the world and the teachings of Jesus is how we respond to sinners or enemies. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). This means we don’t give people what they deserve (payback, revenge, etc.); we give them what they need, and that is love, even if we don’t feel like it. Jesus prayed to the Father, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34a). When Jesus “was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet 2:23). I must do the same when reviled for Christ. When I ponder the fact that the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, “was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7), how then can I open my mouth?

A Potent Witness

In John 13:34, Jesus gives the disciples (in fact, all believers) a new commandment. He says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” That explains why the Apostle John emphasized love so much in his letters. The type of love Jesus is talking about is pouring oneself out for the benefit of others. It is showing love to others when they don’t deserve it (like I’ve received when I didn’t deserve it.). God did the same for us (Rom 5:6-10). Jesus knew that love would make His disciples known because the world doesn’t love like that. This kind of sacrificial love can be a powerful magnet that draws people to Christ.

Jesus’ True Disciples

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). By what? It is by this unconditional, sacrificial love for one another that “everyone will know,” and that surely includes non-believers. John MacArthur said, “We might be the only Bible some people read,” and he’s right! An important part of this passage is where Jesus said, it is “By this” depth of love that others will know we’re His disciples. This indicates that people will know we’re His disciples by our love for one another. They won’t know we are His disciples by our theology, our seminary training, our Sunday school lessons, or by doing good for others. It is by our love that convinces lost sinners, so by loving one another, everyone will know that we are Jesus’ disciples. If we’re less than loving to one another, people will have a hard time discerning whether were His or not!

A Tangible Love

The Apostle Paul gave one of the most beautiful definitions of love in the entire Bible. He wrote, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:4-7). Love is not some greeting card or “I love you,” as much as it is patience, humility, bearing with others, believing or giving people the benefit of the doubt, hoping for the best in people, and is able to endure all things (from others!). Faith and hope are essential, but love is the greatest (1 Cor 13:13), so instead of focusing on the gifts of the Spirit, why not focus on the fruits of the Spirit, and the greatest of these is love. Now, what does that look like? You express it when you “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:14-15). And when you love people so much you’re willing to offend them in order that they might be saved, that’s tangible, physical evidence of the love of God in you.

Summary

Just as God did to us, we must do to others, and that is, we don’t give people what they deserve…we give people what they need and that is love. And we must make the first move as God did with us (1 John 4:19). God has sent us the greatest love letters of all time – 66 books that show His love for us, and several of these books tells us to love others, so “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but indeed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Love without deeds is hypocrisy; a deed without love is legalism. Love must be “indeed and in truth.”

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: How Can You Love the Unlovely (Unlovable): A Christian Study

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1. Love is Real. Dean Ornish. Newsweek; U.S. Edition. Oct 2, 2005 http://www.newsweek.com/love-real-medicine-121033 (Accessed Dec 11, 2017).

How do scientists explain the origin of the universe? What proof is there that everything that exists arose from a pre-existing quantum field?

Before the Bang

How do scientists explain the origin of the universe? What proof is there that everything that exists arose from a pre-existing quantum field? My next question is, how can something pre-exist? And what caused the pre-existing quantum field to come into existence? You see my point? One of the axioms of science is that things cannot appear from absolute nothingness without cause, energy, or pre-existing components. That scientific fact alone ought to get our attention, and yet atheistic scientist insist that life arose spontaneously (Yes…over long periods of time…more on that later.), and they theorize the universe popped into existence by something that pre-existed. Basic science has proven that there must be an outside cause for everything that exists, including life, and that the universe and life itself could not have popped into existence out of nothing or without some cause. That means this “cause” must have existed before anything else did. So before the Big Bang, or the moment of Singularity, something, or perhaps, Someone must have existed to be the agent of these causes (the universe and life).

Physical and Thermodynamic Barriers

The Law of Thermodynamics is about the laws governing our universe and these laws strictly prevent matter or energy from simply appearing from nothing. The first issue is that Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created. It can only change from or move from one place to another. The Sun creates enough energy to sustain life on earth, but the earth is not the source of that energy. The sun is. The Thermodynamic Laws have systems that require external energy inputs to organize, as you see the universe has organization. They call it the “Cosmos” which means “order” or “harmony” from which we get the word cosmetics. We can see that the universe is organized and there is harmony even in our own solar system. Never seen a planet smash into another, yet.

Quantum Fluctuations & the Infinite Digressions

Now the opposite of cosmos is chaos, and we all know what that is. I get an image of a new teacher’s first day in Kindergarten. When scientists state the Mass-Energy Equivalence (E=mc2), it means matter requires an equivalent energy source. When there are Quantum Fluctuations, particles are alleged to have arisen from pre-existing quantum fields, so they claim that matter (the universe) does not come from nothing, but then the question is: Who created or caused the Quantum Fluctuations to occur. Where did it come from? What was the source, and where did that “source” come from? You see? It’s the infinite digression that keeps pushing back to the need for a cause, or as the Greek Philosopher stated, “The Unmoved Mover” or “Prime Mover.” Aristotle argued that everything in motion is moved by something else, and to avoid an endless chain of causes, there must be a primary, unchanging source that initiates all motion without being moved. For Christians, that chains stops and starts with God. There is simply no other rational explanation because this “Prime Mover” showed intelligence in the organized movement of the universe. We cannot argue with the Law of Causality because it says that every physical event requires a preceding cause. Nothing has ever moved without the Mover, and we know who He is (Psalm 19:1-2).

Caltech Science Exchange

Spontaneous Generation Debunked

First of all, some definitions are in order. We begin with abiogenesis which deals with the origin of life (sometimes called biopoiesis). It is the theory about the natural process by which life allegedly arose from non-living matter, such as simple organic compounds. Biogenesis, however, is the opposite of spontaneous generation or abiogenesis. Biogenesis asserts that living things can only be produced by another living thing, and not by a non-living thing or inorganic matter. Now this (biogenesis) has been proven true scientifically; not so with abiogenesis. For centuries, people believed living organisms could spontaneously spawn from non-living matter (e.g., maggots from rotting meat). Eventually, this was proven impossible. [1]

Life From the Living

In 1668, Francesco Redi scientifically proved through observation that maggots come from fly eggs. He used covered and uncovered jars. Then, in 1859, Louis Pasteur clearly disproved microbial spontaneous generation completely. He used swan-neck flasks to provide concrete evidence that life cannot arise by chance or spontaneously. Biogenesis Law says that living cells only arise from pre-existing living cells while the theory of Abiogenesis leans toward life’s origin requiring millions of years of gradual chemical evolution. It was not a sudden, spontaneous jump but one that took millions of years. So why do they call it “spontaneous” if it involves millions of years!? It doesn’t sound spontaneous to me!

Time and Chance

Portrait of Louis Pasteur Photograph by Nadar, 1895

What they are really saying about the origin of life, and some say, the origin of matter, is that Space + Time + Chance = Everything. In other words, what begins as an impossibility becomes certain through the miraculous and the miraculous comes through time. But what is time really? What are time’s properties? How can time be a cause? How much does time weigh? What does time consist of? Can you touch it? Actually, time is not a thing but only a measure in time, so time is a non-being and has no power to create. So you can add time to something, but have you really added anything? Did time do something to you or for you? And, did time exist before matter? Was time a causative factor in the creation of the universe? Can time exist without matter? Can time create? No. It would not seem so logically speaking.

The China Bowl

Things will move from order to disorder.

Let’s say you dropped a perfectly formed china bowl on the floor. If you collect these shattered pieces on the floor and drop them again and again, will they become more organized or more ordered? Will they become more complex? No. If I do it enough times and over a longer period of times, even millions of years, will time and chance make it into another china bowl or something “upward” like a china teapot? Naturally, no, but that’s just what evolutionists want us to believe happened for life to originate. Personally, I don’t have enough faith to believe that.

The Cosmological Reality

Even the Big Bang is now considered “spontaneous creation,” moving from absolute nothingness in modern physics, so what was the Big Bang? It is where space and time expanded from an infinitely dense singularity. The singularity supposedly contained all the universe’s energy in a pre-existent state, so it is believed that time itself began at the Big Bang. Interestingly, the total universe energy may equal exactly zero. [2] In other words, the positive matter cancels out negative gravitational energy. [3] What’s the big deal about that? The universe, all physical matter included, “represents a highly improbable arrangement of matter and energy, an extremely improbable arrangement by time and chance,” so says Professor Edgar Andrews of Oxford University. He continued by saying, “The Laws of fundamental constants of nature give every appearance of being fine-tuned to permit the existence of intelligence life on earth (known as the Anthropic Principle).” Just like the china bowl repairing itself by dropping it incessantly over and over again is impossible, so it is impossible for the universe or life to become more organized any more than a china bowl’s broken pieces can turn back into a china bowl.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

1. Is Spontaneous Generation Real? ThoughtCo.com https://www.thoughtco.com/spontaneous-generation-4118145 {Accessed Aug 7, 2026).

2. What Happened Before the Big Bang? NBCNews.com https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/what-happened-big-bang-ncna995216 (Accessed Aug 7, 2026).

3. When Did Time Begin? NewScientist.com https://www.newscientist.com/article/2468497-when-did-time-begin-hint-it-wasnt-at-the-big-bang/ (Accessed Aug 7, 2026).

Here is some related reading for you: The Importance of the Creation vs Evolution Discussion

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

T oday, discontentment is everywhere, but Christians should shine like a beacon of contentment, since their contentment rests with Christ.

Money and the love of money can control us in many circumstances.

First Timothy 6:7-8 “for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

I brought nothing in and can bring nothing out of this world, except my soul and that’s through trusting in Jesus Christ. It’s so easy to own possessions but easier still to have possessions own you! There are risks at having a lot of possessions because “those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Tim 6:9). It’s not that money is the root of all evil, but it can be a root of evil when money takes root in you (1 Tim 6:10).

First Corinthians 4:7 “For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

Think about that verse for a moment. Name one thing that you came up with by yourself. Is there anything you have that you did not receive from God? The Apostle Paul is trying to humble the pride-oriented Corinthian church, but that should humble us too. Shouldn’t we be content with what we have, since all we have is from God?!

Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

A believer that worries about money is never more like an atheist at that time. Why? They are not trusting God’s promise to provide for them as the Bible says He will. Money can forsake us, but God, never! It is very easy to start trusting money more than trusting God takes care of us, especially when funds get low! Worry is a lack of trust. The solution is to believe God’s Word and to be content with whatever we have and in whatever state we find ourselves in. God is in total control of the good, bad and the ugly, and will bring about the best for us from all of those (Rom 8:28).

Philippians 4:11 “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”

If Paul were in need, you’d never know it from his letters. He was content…to even be in prison, and that’s where he wrote the Book of Philippians, called by some as the “Joy Epistle” or letter. To us it might seem remarkable that he was content chained to guards and behind prison walls. In many of these Roman prisons, there were nights that were freezing cold, cockroaches everywhere, rats, human excrement, and little or no sunlight, day or night. There was likely every sort of stench and smell you could imagine….but Paul had to learn to be content. So where else to learn contentment than in such disconcerting circumstances? You don’t learn contentment when everything’s going well.

First Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day thought gain was godliness. In fact, unless you were rich, you were not likely to be a Pharisee or Scribe or Temple leader. They ascribed wealth with God’s blessing, but the fact is, some people can’t handle success. And the Pharisees were such. Godliness with contentment is great gain.  It’s like you’re telling God, “I am satisfied with what I have Father. You have blessed me with so very much. Thank you God.” A godly contentment is not dependent upon circumstances or suffering or lack of money.

Luke 3:14 “Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

Early in John the Baptist’s ministry, there were dozens of converts who came to him but one Roman soldier asked, “What shall we do.” I find it very interesting that even Roman soldiers were drawn to John the Baptist. They must have seen that he was a godly man with a consuming passion for God and in his preaching, they must have been convicted. John the Baptist had the same counsel for the Roman soldiers that Paul did for Timothy; “be content with your wages.” In fact, both commands to the Roman soldiers had to do with money; be content with their wages but also, don’t extort money from anyone else by making false accusations or even threatening them. Roman soldiers had a history of doing that to their subjects.

Second Corinthians 12:10 “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

For the sake of Jesus Christ, Paul endured all his sufferings, and there was great suffering in this man of God. It didn’t matter because he learned to be content and even in his weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Paul realized that God is more glorified in weaker vessels since His power is more easily displayed and made visible. And that gives God all the glory and no credit for us. That’s as it should be (Psalm 115:1). Our weakness provides God an opportunity to show Himself strong.

Paul the Apostle, by Rembrandt. 1657

Exodus 2:21 “And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah.”

It was written of Moses that he was the meekest man or earth (Num 12:3) and most meek people I know are content people. You do realize that meekness is not weakness. Meekness has been described as strength under control but meekness also shows contentedness because it tells God that you are satisfied in life. Moses went from the palace in Egypt to living in tents in the desert, but he was contented…contented with God.

Summary

It’s not really about a glass half full or half empty. It’s about being thankful you even have a glass. I do hope these Bible verses have made you feel a little more content with your life and can now rest more easily in God’s precious promises. As disciples of Christ, we are to be content even with persecutions, name calling, insults, and other such behavior because that brings a huge blessing (Matt 5:10-12). If we have truly found our contentment in Christ, then no insult or slander against us could ever take away our contentment. That’s because our contentment is not in things but in a Person, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: How to Live a Life of Contentment: 7 Christian Tips

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

God’s attributes also say a lot about His character, but here are 5 major attributes of God that are essential.

God is Holy

The only attribute of God that is mentioned three times in all of Scripture is that God is holy. Isaiah the Prophet wrote that the seraphim, which hover over the Lord’s throne, “Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:2-3)! God is not just holy, but He is holy, holy, holy to infinity. That is the greatest emphasis you can use in the Hebrew language. It is the only attribute of God that is mentioned three times. Isaiah was undone after seeing the Holy God, said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5)!

Compared to God, even the best of our works are filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), but we are called to be holy. Naturally this doesn’t mean we’ll be sinless and live in perfection. That’s not possible this side of the veil, but the Apostle Peter admonishes us that just “as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Of course, believers are declared holy before God through Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:21), but we must strive to live out holiness before God and before the world.

God is Love

People say they love God, and that’s fine, but it must be understood that God made the first move (John 6:44; 1 John 4:19). Scripture teaches that “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19), and not the other way around. It was God who “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him” (1 John 3:16-17). Christ made a way for us over 2,000 years ago, so those who are loved by God also love those who are loved by God, since “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Micah the Prophet describes the love of God very well, writing, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (7:18-19). Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13), and Jesus did just that, testifying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Love is costly, but His love brings everlasting life. It was the only way we could be reconciled to God.

God is Good

When a man came up to Jesus and ask Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17c), but the rich man had it all wrong. Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Wait! Isn’t Jesus God? Isn’t Jesus good!? Yes, but the man apparently didn’t know that he was talking to the Lord because he called Jesus “teacher.” The point is, God is good…and as for humans? Not one is good…no, not even one of us (Rom 3:10-12)! He alone is good and He is always good. He is a “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land” (Psalm 68:5-6). Aren’t we glad He is a good God? He is good to those who are not!

God is Unchangeable

Jesus Christ is “…the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8). Again, aren’t you glad God is not like us and changes His mind about people? What if God withdrew His offer of salvation or changed His mind about you after something you did? What if He decided not to save us because we sinned too often? Thankfully, God does not change His mind. Malachi the Prophet wrote, “For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed” (Micah 3:6). God never has a bad day and then takes it out on others like we oftentimes do. God is the same today and He will be the same forever. To me, that’s a huge relief. The psalmist declares that even His Word is forever, writing, “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). His Word is as eternal as He is, since we know that “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

God Full of Glory

If we read enough Scripture, we start to see that God desires to be glorified, and we can glorify Him too in our lives. This is one of the chief purposes for God creating mankind. We should seek to glorify God in our lives, like from abstaining from sexual immorality. We can glorify God in our bodies by controlling our passions (1 Cor 6:18; 1 Thess 4:3). The psalmist wrote, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness” (Psalm 115:1), so it is to you, “O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chron 19:11). The Apostle John was an eyewitness of His glory; not only on the Mount of Transfiguration. John understood that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: 7 Attributes of God You May Not Know

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Book of Jude seems as if it was written for today, and it really is, so find out why.

Who was Jude?

The Book of Jude is not very long (only one chapter), but those twenty-five verses have a lot to say about the last days, and today, it is strikingly similar to the way it was in Jude’s day. Jude is the half-brother of Jesus Christ, having the same mother, and the range of date for this book is incredibly wide, with conservative scholars placing it between the years 70 to 90 AD. If so, it was written shortly before or somewhat after Jerusalem’s fall in 70 AD.

The reason I think the date is much later is because Jude refers to the Apostle’s predictions for the last days (Jude 1:18) as having already come true (Jude 1:17), but clearly, Jude’s epistle is just as relevant today as in the day it was written. That’s the way the Word of God is. It is timeless truth, never changing, always perfect in every way. It is a book for eternity. Jude begins by telling us that he’s “a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (Jude 1:1), so Jude is a servant of Christ. He didn’t claim Jesus as his brother…but as a servant (Greek, “doulos” meaning slave). Notice that Jude puts these relationships in the proper hierarchy; Jesus is His Lord and God (and not his brother), and only by birth is Jude physically related to Jesus.

The Last Days

The Book of Jude seems as if to point to the last days leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. To begin with, the “last days” have been the “last days” for the last 2,000 years. Since Jesus’ ascension, we have always been living in the last days. The phrase “last days” or “end times” is very prominent in the New Testament (Acts 2:17; 2 Tim 3:1; Heb 1:2; James 5:3; 2 Pet 3:3), and it does not refer to a set amount of time or days. Even though two thousand years later, Jesus has still not came back, but we are now and have been living in the last days since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, meaning Jesus could come back at any given moment. And you can be sure He’ll come back when least expected (Mark 13:35-37; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 16:15).

Manuscript of Jude, vs 3-4 Author Unknown

The End Times

Jude wrote this book out of necessity for the church. You can tell it’s different from the rest of the New Testament books because it refers to a later time period than most of the others do. Jude writes with a sense of urgency, saying he “was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3). So it was necessary for Jude to write this to contend for the original gospel delivered once and for all. Contending for something means we have to fight for something or defend it, and in this case, it was the faith that was once “delivered to the saints.” This statement is clearly in the past tense.

I’ve heard it said, “If it’s new, it’s not from God; and if it’s from God, it’s not new,” so that’s why “new revelations” from people trouble me deeply (Rev 22:18). Just as it is today, “certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). This perversion could be the “quid pro quo” God who promises to bless your “seeds of faith,” or adding things to the gospel like, “Jesus Christ + baptism (or tongues, etc.) = salvation.” Jesus plus anything equals nothing!

Don’t Add to the Gospel

Many swallow these lies because those who brought them in to the church came in under the cover of darkness, or “under the radar,” which is why they have “crept in unnoticed.” If they had been noticed, someone would have said something, but that’s why Jude believes we must contend for the faith originally delivered by Christ and expounded by the Apostles because people are adding elements to the gospel of Jesus Christ all the time. That means it’s not really a gospel at all (Gal 1:7-9). Satan has his own imitations, but clearly, God has already spoken through His Apostles and Prophets (Heb 1:1-2), and again these vereses in the Greek are in the past tense! God is no longer making deliveries! The gospel has already, once and for all, been delivered through the Son of God, Jesus Christ (the Gospels) and the Apostles and the Prophets.  We dare not add anything more than that which has already been said.  We must never “go beyond what is written” (1 Cor 4:6).

Devoid of the Spirit

Since the date of this book’s writing may have come after most of the Apostles had died, it makes sense that some of the prophecies the Apostles gave had already been fulfilled.  Jude writes to remind them about “the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:17), and what “They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions” (Jude 1:18). We know it’s not those within the Body of Christ that Jude writes this about, but “these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 1:20).  Without the Spirit of God, no one is a child of God (Rom 8:16). Looking religious means nothing because it’s not about religion; it’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Satan’s Ministers

We are reminded that Satan has his own ministers, and this deceiver will make them look like angels of light (2 Cor 11:4-5), but they only appear that way because they bring a message of darkness.  It usually is “Jesus + something,” which would make Jesus’ death on the cross foolishness and useless.  Satan was once called Lucifer, meant “light bearer,” but today, he is the prince of darkness (Isaiah 14:12-15). A gospel look-alike that neglects matters of sin, repentance, confession, sanctification, living in holiness, coming out of this world, being Jesus’ disciple, and doing what Jesus’ disciples would naturally do (Matt 25:35-36). Satan has no gospel at all, only a counterfeit unable to save. If the Apostles were here on earth today, they would be appalled at some of the “buffet-style” religions that claim to be Christian. There is only one way and through One Person whereby we must be saved (John 6:44; Acts 4:12). We can’t have a little of this and a little of that, because without the whole gospel of repentance and faith (Mark 1:14-15), you have half the truth, and a half-truth is a whole lie…straight from hell.

Kiss of Judas – Giotto (date unknown)

Summary

I do not write a lot about the end times events or the last days, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important, but I believe it’s best to focus on Christ and to be ready for His appearing at any moment. I am not a Bible prophecy hound who is constantly searching out for more “signs,” but I do pay attention to what the Scriptures say.  I see what’s going on in the world, however I don’t do that at the expense of studying and reading the rest of Scripture.  Is Jesus’ returning soon? I don’t know. Are we living in the last days? Yes, but I know a better question: “Have you put your trust in Christ? Are you ready for His appearing because He could come at any moment?” If not, there are other prophecies that will come true someday (Rev 1:7, 20:12-25), so the question remains: “Will you put your trust in the Savior today?” Eternity is a very long time to be wrong.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: Book of Jude Commentary: Study and Summary

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Here are 4 incontrovertible evidences that the morality of America and the world has slipped in the last 20 years and it’s only going to get worse.

Slime Time TV

This might be the most evident sign of all about the increasing sin nature in America and the world. If you remember some of the TV shows in the mid 90’s, you probably never heard God’s name taken in vain, you never saw images that you had to shield your children’s eyes from or you never had to blush at the sexually explicit images or specifically the predominance of sexually immoral relationships. Today, I call it “Slime Time TV” because that’s what it is. What was inconceivable just twenty years ago is now common place. Like the frog in a pot that’s heating up on the stove, society doesn’t seem to notice that they’re being desensitized to sin, especially sexual immorality. Most of the sitcoms today have unmarried couples having sexual relationships, same-sex couples are seen as typical, and having an affair, even an adulterous affair, is seen as the new norm. The boom of sexually explicit materials over the Internet, TV, on smartphones, and magazines, has grown filthier over the last twenty years. Is there any debate that our society, indeed our whole culture, has swiftly become another Sodom and Gomorrah? Abortion on demand, graphic images in almost every movie, and primetime television is not suitable anymore, even for adults.

The Growth of Profanity

I was in the grocery store not long ago and I couldn’t believe the language that I was hearing from children and I don’t mean teens…children less than ten years of age! Most used “damn” as God’s last name even while young children were present. Jesus’ name is used as a cuss word. Certain words like what I call the “F bombs” are carelessly thrown around and have become as common place as hello or good morning used to be. A euphemism is generally an innocuous word or expression used in place of one that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant but today, the number of euphemisms is horrendous like “Jeez” (for Jesus of course). Even the over-used “Oh my God” is said by most people without a second thought. They totally ignore the fact that it is taking God’s holy name in vain. I say in vain because they use it without thinking, or thoughtlessly and with no purpose except to make a point. If someone needs to swear to make a point, it’s not a very important one. God says He will not hold those guiltless who take His name in vain (Ex 20:7; Duet 5:11).

The Growth of Rudeness

Whatever happened to “Thank you, excuse me,” and “You’re welcome?” They seemed to have become extinct with the 90’s. Gone are the days of letting someone go ahead of us. Instead, there are countless road rage incidents where people have lost their temper and even killed someone just because someone pulled in front of them or took the parking space in front of them. If someone is slowing us down in traffic, we like to get right on their bumper or we fly the so-called “birdie” at them (which is the middle finger) which is symbolic of “Blank you!” I have never seen tempers so shortened or patience having worn so thin in all my 70 + years and it is getting worse. The things many of us did in school seem to pale in comparison to what is happening in schools today; stabbings, shootings, and death threats to name a few. I can remember getting in trouble chewing gum but it’s not a gum problem anymore, it’s a gun problem. We have 75 mph turnpikes, microwaves, supersonic jets and we get impatient or angry if we have to wait ten seconds for anything. We have become a society which is focused on “me” and not on others. It has been the slow death of politeness, manners, and patience.

The Growth of Crime

We don’t even need to go back twenty years ago to see just how serious of a spike there has been in crime, but not just crime, violent crime. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that the number of violent crimes rose 22% from 2010 to 2012 and was the result of an upward swing in simple assaults, from 4 million in 2010 to 5 million in 2012. That’s a spike of nearly twenty five percent in a short two year period for violent crime with crime trending upward. According to the Justice Department the rate of U.S. violent crime continued to go up in 2013, continuing its climb for nearly the last two decades due to a jump in assaults. There was a 22 percent increase in assaults in this time period.

Summary

It is easier to look back twenty years ago to see the decline in America’s morals but this is happening around the world too. This decline in morality includes a steep rise in sexual immorality and promiscuous behavior; the large growth of profanity, even among youth; the growth of rudeness and decline of patience overall in society, and again, the spike in crime that continues to increase every year, particularly violent crime like assaults. Jesus spoke about the end of the age in the Olivet Prophecy and in one place in particular He said, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt 24:12). That time has apparently come. As it was in the days of Noah, violent as it was, so it is in the days in which we live.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: Biblical Signs of the Declining Morality of America and the World

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Church must prevail, she cannot fail, therefore, the Church always wins.

The Church Always Wins by Theresa Burley

“and on this rock I will build my church.” Mt 16:18a

Empires rose with iron hands,
And kings proclaimed their proud commands;
Yet saints still gathered, prayers on winds,
the Church always wins.

In catacombs by candlelight,
Believers worshiped through the night;
Though threatened, hunted for their sins,
the Church always wins.

The lions roared, the prisons filled,
The mighty thought God’s people stilled;
But faith endured where fear begins,
the Church always wins.

“and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” Mt 16:18b

Through countless wars and raging flames,
Through slander cast upon His name,
Love lit the dark where hope grows thin,
the Church always wins.

When tyrants burned the sacred Word,
And truth was silenced, mocked, unheard,
Its message lived in hearts within,
the Church always wins.

Though kingdoms fall and monuments fade,
Though every earthly power decays,
Christ’s people rise again and then,
the Church always wins.

The world has tried with doubt and scorn,
Declaring faith a thing outworn;
Yet new disciples still begin,
the Church always wins.

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” Rom 8:37

Not made of stone or stained-glass walls,
But every soul who hears and calls;
The living saints, redeemed from sin,
the Church always wins.

For Christ declared the gates of hell
Would never over His people prevail;
His promise stands where time has been,
the Church always wins.

And when the final trumpet sounds,
When heaven’s King is crowned and crowned,
The faithful gathered home with Him,
the Church always wins.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Author’s Bio: Theresa Burley writes about faith the way she has lived it—not as someone who has all the answers, but as a traveler still walking the road. Her poetry is shaped by seasons of joy, loss, questions, hope, and the quiet ways she has seen God’s faithfulness through them all. She lives in Kansas, where she enjoys time with family, creative pursuits, and finding reminders of grace in everyday life.

Here is some related reading for you: What is the Purpose of the Church? A Bible Study

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Are there signs that church members are not feeling welcome? If so, what are the warning signs and what can you do to address the issue of people not feeling welcome at your church?

Ignoring the Back Pew

We are creatures of habit and just like creatures of habit, the same people will sit in the same place in church every Sunday. In some cases, if you sit where they normally sit, they might look at you funny when they see you sitting in their place. For some strange reason, people like to sit in the same places. Now I can understand why some sit in the front or near the front. They might be hard of hearing and the location of the speakers might better enable them to hear the messages, but you’ll notice in about every church you visit that there are those who sit in the very back pews and they often sit by themselves. Is it only because they like to get out of services quickly? Probably in some cases but there may be more to it than that.

Neglecting Hospitality

Those who sit in the back are not those who always feel unwelcome but many times they do. Before I was called into the ministry, I looked for people in the back rows during the “meet and greet” time in services and also before services started. Often, that’s where new people show up. I always looked for people that sat there because the new attendees knew very few people there and they didn’t feel comfortable enough to sit closer to the front. That’s okay. I see why they might do that. I did that too at one time. Anyway, if you see new people sitting in the back in more isolated areas, maybe they aren’t feeling welcome. The old church I attended had designated “meet and greet” people. I loved that idea. Sometimes I would ask them if I could sit with them and if they agreed, I’ sit with them during services. I tried to make everyone feel welcomed but my purpose was to seek out anyone that was new. I would go up and make eye contact with them, introduce myself and tell them “Welcome.” Maybe you need someone in your church designated as a “meet and greeter” to seek out those who seem to isolate themselves by sitting alone and are always in the back pews, in particular newer people. If no one ever does this, that could be a sign that this church doesn’t welcome new people.

Seeking Out the Single People

This is close to what I wrote earlier but is only different in the sense that there are some who sit alone. They could be single mothers, single men or women, and elderly widowed or widowers that have lost someone. Maybe they’re not interacting with anyone in the congregation because they’re hurting. I am a people watcher. I love to watch people…not starring at them but I like to watch for cues that something is not right. One person I saw was sitting there with his head down and barely mumbling the words to the worship song. I sensed that they were hurting. I tried to talk to them after services but they slipped out before I could reach them. The next Sunday I resolved to find him, but for some reason, I never saw him again. Did I drop the ball on that man? Did our church drop the ball on making that person feel welcome? Did anyone even try to talk to him and introduce themselves? During the “meet and greet” I did meet and greet him once but he didn’t say much.

Search and Rescue

During the “meet and greet” time, I looked at him and instead of getting up out of the pew, he remained seated but that didn’t stop me from going up to him and shaking his hand and telling him “I’m so glad to meet you and that you came today.” Making people feel welcome is so important and introducing yourself to new people is essential because you might not see them again. You may never get a second chance. You may only have one chance to make them feel welcome and if that opportunity goes by with no one to welcome them, then that may be the last time you see them. If you see someone sitting alone and no one goes up to speak with them, that is a serious warning sign that new people don’t feel welcome, so be the one to seek them out.

Potluck and Activities Attendance

We had a potluck year’s ago at a church I formerly pastored and I noticed there were a few people missing that were normally there. I found out why from our elder’s wife. Someone had said something about a friend of theirs who was not saved. They made a derogatory comment about them and so the elder’s wife went out into the parking lot to see if they were still there. They were still sitting in the car, apparently fuming. How sad. If you have a problem with gossip, and I would imagine every church does to some extent, then you may be running new people out of the church by loose tongues. One of the most destructive of all things that we can do as the Body of Christ is to gossip. Not only gossiping about members but about their family or friends who are not saved. Since those who are outside of the Body of Christ have no access to the power of God through the Holy Spirit, it isn’t surprising to hear about things that they do that are ungodly, so instead we should pray for them. I believe we should always find something good to say about everyone.

You might also look for a person or a family sitting and eating all by themselves. Why not sit down next to them and open up a conversation and get to know them. New people sitting all by themselves at a potluck might indicate that they don’t feel very welcome. They might not be wallflowers but they might just be being ignored.

Church Grounds

What does the property of the church look like? Is the property kept clean? Does someone keep the lawn cut? If the church looks dirty and trashy on the outside, new people might think that they don’t care and so why would they care about attending there? That is a clear warning sign if no one is in charge of keeping up the church property. What about the sanctuary? Is it clean and free of trash and old bulletins? The bathrooms are critical for new visitors. If there is no organization on cleaning and upkeep of the property that shows that the membership really doesn’t care at all and they visitor will pick up on these cues on their very first visit by what they see on the outside and what they see on the inside. Does the church sign look inviting or is it out of date or is dirty and unkempt?

The Entrance Exam

I heard of an experience where a new man came into a church and one of the first things that he was asked was “Do you speak in tongues? Have you ever been filled with the Spirt?” Wow…when does the entrance exam begin? If one of the first things we do is to ask a new person what their doctrinal beliefs are this sends a strong message to the new person that unless you agree with us you shouldn’t be here. That was the last time that this man ever darkened their doorstop again. I can’t say that I blame him. Instead, why not introduce yourself to the new person. Never presume whether they have been or haven’t been saved. Why not get to know them first. Don’t pummel them with twenty questions right after you meet them. For churches that hold dogmatically to certain beliefs that are non-essential, that can give the impression that they don’t like anyone with different beliefs. This church will probably never welcome someone new who doesn’t believe exactly as they do. I am not saying that the essentials are not important (e.g. Rom 10:9-13, Acts 4:12, Rom 3:23, 6:23), but we must show grace in the non-essentials.

The Final Checkup

If some of these things are not being done or these needs are not being addressed, then the new person that walks through the door may never come back again. Which of these are missing?

Do we introduce ourselves and do we ask anything at all about new visitors…about their family, work, where they live, etc.?

Do we ever do follow up visits for new members?

Do greeters wear name tags and offer to pass out temporary name tags for new people?

Does the church lobby offer any kind of brochure about the church and what the church’s purpose is?

Does anyone ever invite them to participate in a community event or service project once they’ve been there a few Sundays?

Does anyone ever shake their hand and make eye contact?

Does the church ever consider sending them a welcome letter and offer a home visit if they wish?

Would a church ever feature information on new members or their families in the church bulletin that the visitor could read to see that are welcoming to new people?

Would anyone ever welcome them to join a Sunday school class and offer to sit next to them to introduce them to others in the class?

Would the church ever offer them an opportunity to serve?

Does the church sometimes smother them with too many people all at once?

Who would tell parents that a children’s church or a nursery is available for their children?

Does anyone ever portray friendliness to the new visitors?

Does the church have any type of training for church greeters?

Does the church have a dedicated place in the sanctuary or the entrance hallway for visitors with information on the church that they can take with them so that they can look it over then or later?

Does the church brochure or flyer with information about the church focus primarily on doctrine and not on serving?

Does the church offer a Welcome Folder or packet with information about the church or a personal letter from the pastor, contact information, a map of the church and a list of church services and functions?

Does your church ever ask for a show of hands for new visitors?

Does the pastor, deacon, elder, or worship leader ever publicly acknowledge new visitors?

Does anyone ever offer to take new visitors out to lunch after services?

Conclusion

The next time a new person walks into your church, why not go up to them and introduce yourself and say “We are so very glad to have you with us and we’d like to welcome you to our church family? If you have any questions, just ask, my name is Joe Smith. Feel free to let me know what I can do for you. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” If you are not being Christ-like to new people then you might want to have the church do a self-examination. Hospitality is more than a gift of the Spirit. It is what Christ would do so, “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Gal 6:10).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: Would Jesus Be Welcome in Your Church?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

W hat is the story of Ananias and Sapphira all about? Here’s an account of their story from Scripture with a commentary that follows.

Before Ananias and Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira – Artist unknown

Chapter divisions were a product of Bible scholars and we can tell that the story of Ananias and Sapphira didn’t actually begin where their name is first mentioned in Acts 5 because Acts 5:1 says “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira,” so we must turn back to the last few verses of Acts 4 to see where the story swings into action which is preceded by the conjunctive word “but” in Acts 5:1. In Acts 4:34-37 we read “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” Apparently Ananias and Sapphira saw what happened and wanted to be thought of as highly as Barnabas was. That gives us a better understanding of what happened next in chapter five of Acts.

Acts 5:1-2 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

Here is the first hint of trouble. They had given to the church with the probable intent of being seen by men and women in the church. Their gift had followed the other church members giving and Barnabas generous gift (Acts 4:34-37), so the timing of their gift is not lost. The thing to remember is that they both conspired to give but “kept back” for themselves “some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet” so that they could be seen by others. The verse indicated that his wife is in on this too.

Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

The Death of Ananias – Raphael c.1515 Victoria and Albert Museum

We don’t know how Peter knew that Ananias was lying. Whether it was the Spirit of God that spoke to him or not, we just don’t know. We do know that Ananias did lie and it was Satan that inspired him to do so. Ananias had every right to give a portion and hold back some of the money as Peter said, but to indicate that all of the profits were given for the church shows deceit in Ananias’ heart. He wasn’t really lying to Peter and the apostles but to God the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:5-6 “When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.”

It was immediately after hearing these words from Peter, and really they were the words inspired by God, that he fell down dead on the spot so it is no wonder that “great fear came upon all who heard of it.” The author of Hebrews correctly states that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31), because after death, judgment comes (Heb 9:27).

Acts 5:7-8 “After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

This confirms the fact that Sapphira was in on this deception (Acts 5:1), and to make certain that she was, Peter asked her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much” and she confirmed that it was for “so much.” Now there is no doubt that both Ananias and Sapphira were in collusion together and what happens next is the same thing that happened three hours previously to her husband.

Acts 5:9-10 “But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.”

‘The Death of Sapphira’, 1654-1656. Artist: Nicolas Poussin

As expected, the same outcome resulted in Sapphira lying to God as did her late husband Ananias. She fell dead on the spot. She was buried next to her husband. Peter confirmed the fact that her and her husband had agreed together (conspired) “to test the Spirit of the Lord.”

Acts 5:11 “And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

Who could blame them? The phrase “great fear” means a strong reverence and respect fell upon the whole church and everyone “who heard of these things,” indicating that those outside of the church heard about it too. This makes sense of Acts 5:13 which says, “None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem,” which meant that those outside of the church didn’t dare join them unless they were sincere or genuine in their belief in Christ. This verse doesn’t mean that others were afraid to join the church because in the very next verse it says “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Act 5:14).

Summary

This is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30).

The fear of God is not so much a fear of being struck dead but means having a deep, abiding, holy, reverential respect for God and for telling the truth. The Apostle John says writes, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that” (1 John 5:19). The sin that leads to death is likely different for each believer. When believers fall into unrepentant sin or serious sin (adultery, violence, etc.) like the Church at Corinth was experiencing, God called some home (they died). Why? It was because they were getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11). The Apostle Paul said this is “why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor 11:30). Their sins lead to death, but that doesn’t mean spiritual death or that they won’t be saved. Just like Ananias and Sapphira, they committed a very serious sin, one where God took them home, but they were taken into the Kingdom because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. God showed the church and the public that He desires a pure and holy church where we do not lie to one another and we do not rob glory from God and ascribe it to ourselves (like Ananias and Sapphira did).

Conclusion

Today, God is still adding to the church, even though there is more persecution of the church today around the world than ever before, but God’s church will prevail no matter what Satan or man does and as Jesus said “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18b). He is still building His church today, one soul at a time.

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: What is the Sin that Leads Unto Death?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Maybe you’ve read where Paul says he’s become all things to all men, so what does he mean by that?

What He Didn’t Mean

Maybe you’ve read where the Apostle Paul says he’s become all things to all men, so what does he mean by that in 1 Corinthians 9:22? Here’s what he doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean Paul compromised with sin in the church. Paul didn’t mean that it’s okay to blend in with the world or become like the world in order to win the world? I believe Paul means he tries to reach people and share the gospel in a way that makes sense to his audience, whether Jew or Gentile. The gospel is still the same for both, but he approaches people more from where they’re at in life and their belief system. Paul does not mean he waters down doctrines to accommodate people’s own belief, but that he is not quick to judge others but rather he is quick to share Christ. The audience doesn’t matter to him…it does matter to him that the gospel is shared with anyone with ears.

At Their Level

The best way to understand Scripture is to read the entire context of a certain verse, like reading the whole paragraph or better yet, read the entire chapter. We should never read just one verse and try to build a belief system on that. You end up with a cult or a false doctrine. So what did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Cor 9:22). Again, it doesn’t mean he became a sinner to sinners. We know Paul better than that! He tried to meet people at the own level at which they were at. He would share Christ with a blind invalid just as easy as he would with Caesar.

Meeting Them Where They’re At

When the Apostle Paul went to Athens (to the Greeks in Athens (at the Areopagus), he even quoted one of their philosophers to make a point (Acts 17:8). It was likely the 6th-century BC Cretan philosopher Epimenides. Paul’s quote was that “We are also his offspring.” This points directly to God Who truly is the Creator and Author of all life on earth. Paul used that philosophy Paul mentions the idol to the “unknown god” and then points them directly to the one true and living God Who “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). Paul used one of their own poet’s quote to point out Who the true Creator was so that He was “unknown” no longer.

Accommodating Others

Saint Paul delivering the Areopagus Sermon in Athens, by Raphael, 1515

When I say that we can be accommodating to others, I surely don’t mean we can accommodate sin in the church or in our lives or in the lives of those in the Body of Christ. It’s more like meeting people where they are rather than expecting them to adapt to you. It means shifting your approach, language, and attitude to connect with different types of people in order to open a spiritual conversation to share Christ. It does not mean you are a “chameleon” for a greater good. On the divinity of Christ, on the sinless-ness of Christ, on the death and resurrection of Christ, we change not! We might change our approach in sharing the gospel, but we never change the gospel. Paul became all things to all people and tells us exactly why he wrote this, in writing, “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Cor 9:23). It is “for the sake of the gospel” so “that I may share” it with them. Paul said, “I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them” (1 Cor 9:19), so he’s simply interested in winning souls, and not in compromising with the essentials of the faith. Even if Paul has to become like a servant to someone, he will, if that’s what it takes for someone to hear the gospel. To Paul, that’s all that mattered.

Summary

To “Become all things to all men,” is more like a directive on the empathy and adaptability we might have to show in sharing Christ. We have a man who is deaf in our church and I am slowly learning sign language (and I mean slowly!), but I am trying to reach him where I can communicate with him and thus, fellowship with him.  I can’t do that unless I become like him and have to sign my words. I am praying that God might use my inferior sign language (very weak!), in order for this man to feel welcome and part of the Body of Christ, as indeed he is!  So we must ask ourselves: “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching” (Rom 10:14)? Then ask, “how are they to preach unless they are sent” (Rom 10:15a)? And is that someone you?  If not you, who?  And it might even take sign language.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: Essential Beliefs of Christianity Christians Should Not Compromise On

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.