It’s Not Just That We Hear, But How We Hear

Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, 

more will be given, and from the one who has not, 

even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

—Luke 8:18—

God seeks our loving obedience, but He’s not a taskmaster who simply barks out orders demanding that we’re then expected to mindlessly follow. If anything, Christianity is a thinking person’s religion because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17; and also read Romans 1:5 / 16:26 concerning the obedience of faith).

“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:19–22).

As Jesus said, when asked about his family wanting his attention:

“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48–50).

Jesus Is Not a Manageable Deity

Babies are cute. No one would ever deny that. And the earth-shattering, mind-blowing truth is that God, the One who created everything, became human—the Creator willingly became a part of his creation—in the form of a defenseless (and probably cute) baby. For how little is written in the New Testament about Jesus being a baby, there’s so much that people believe.

The New Testament’s focus is not on the birth of Jesus, but on his purpose for being born: his death on the cross. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13–14).

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. . . . Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:14–15, 17).

“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:21–22). “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6 NASB).

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16 / 1 Timothy 6:15). “For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:11–12).

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9–11).

I pray our fascination with the baby Jesus doesn’t remain infantile (see 1Corinthians 3:1–4 / Ephesians 4:11–16). I pray our faith grows through our love for him and his word (John 15:4, 7–8 / Romans 10:17 / Colossians 3:16).

Rooting for Opposing Sides?

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one 

and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and 

despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon. 

—Matthew 6:24—

Ashley and I recently went to a hockey game. The Florida Panthers were playing the Boston Bruins in Sunrise. By the way, the Panthers shutout the Bruins 5–0 (this detail is not really pertinent to the story, but it’s a nice thing to share). It was a great game for Panthers fans! The odd thing was that the fan sitting behind us was rooting for both teams!

I’m not kidding! He’d get all worked up when the Panthers had a great play, and then when the Bruins had a great play, he’d get just as excited. So, all he did through the course of the game was excitedly yell at everything. It was confusing.

I’d think it rare to find people like that: who root for opposing teams at the same time. I’ve known people like him with other sports. I knew a man in North Florida who said he liked both Florida State and Florida?! He added that he liked all the “Florida” teams, including . . . UM. Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Here’s the thing—in sports it may seem simply weird that someone would be rooting for both teams to win (and lose?) simultaneously. Maybe they believe this way they go from the game (whatever game) winners. Again, I don’t understand it so I’m not sure what the reason would be to do something—crazy—like this.

Spiritually, and here’s our point, we can’t do this at all. As the passage above states: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). With God, it’s either/or. For example, there were those who accused Jesus of being on the same side as Satan as he performed miracles. In his defense, Jesus said, “And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:26). His conclusion was this: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15–17).

God seeks our soul’s eternal salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9 / Titus 3:4–7). And he’s done everything he can to secure it for us through his one and only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ (John 3:16–21 / Romans 8:31–39 / Titus 2:11–14 / Jude 24–25).

Some of what this means is that we can’t be duplicitous—a fancy word which means we can’t love two different masters. We can’t head in two opposing directions at the same time. If we’re heading toward heaven, then we’re heading away from hell, and vice versa. “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8–10).

Remember (and live by) Joshua’s words to Israel: “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Or, remember the challenging words of Elijah: “How long will you falter between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Consider what Jesus said to the church in Laodicea: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16). Again, Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. . . . For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Romans 6:17–19).

When we’re alone, or in traffic, or at work, or at home—whose side are we on? We can’t be heading in opposing directions at the same time. What are we meditating on to get closer to heaven? What are we doing to show we’re on God’s side? (see Titus 1:15–16)

When the Perfect Comes

"But when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away."

—1 Corinthians 13:10—

We live in an imperfect world. Not because it was created imperfectly, but it became imperfect as a consequence of sin. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:20–21).

And to Adam [God] said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:17–19).

The gospel is God’s good news to mankind of a place to live that is perfect:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1–4).

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:10–13).

As God prepares heaven as a place to be received (John 14:1–6), we need to prepare ourselves according to what He has revealed to us through His word (Romans 10:17; 14:23;  2 Corinthians 5:7) to receive it. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28–29; cf. Daniel 2:44).

Are we praying for the kingdom to come? In the prayer Jesus spoke, teaching the apostles to pray (Luke 11:1–4), Jesus began by saying, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come’” (v. 2).

Are we living in holiness? “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but 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 1:13–16).

As we were reading moments before from 2 Peter 3:11–12, “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”

Again, we prepare ourselves for a place prepared by the Lord. Heaven will be worth it all because there we shall see Him as He is: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:2–3).

A Lesson Learned from a Charcoal Briquette

First things first—the word “briquette” is easier to say than spell. I knew the basics (the potential letters to use) but not exactly how to spell this exciting word. I saw exciting because a briquette is used in the most wonderful way: grilling. And grilling is thrilling!

The main thing that I wanted to convey in this article is a lot more serious than spelling words or food.

The other day when I was preparing the grill, setting up the briquettes and lighting them on fire, I noticed that one of the hot coals was beginning to slip away. There was no feasible way at that moment for me to help it from slipping away from the rest of the white hot coals (I didn’t have gloves to stop it). So, I watched its decline.

It fell from the group of white-hot coals. And initially, it continued as hot as it had been. But it didn’t take but a few moments to become less ashen, and therefore less hot. Actually, within just about five minutes I could pick the briquette up barehanded.

So, I barehanded it back on top of the white-hot coals. And within moments it went back to its ashen and useful state.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:23–25).

What Have We Resolved in Our Heart?

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself (Daniel 1:8).

We make hundreds, and maybe even thousands, of choices every day. From the time we wake up to the time we go to bed, we’re making choices. Most of the things we choose may not ever seem to bear much consequence, but there are certainly choices we do make that bear a lot of consequence on the moment and into our future, even into eternity. As the apostle Paul put it: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Satan seeks to distract us from the things that matter most. And what matters most? Our relationship with our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Who we choose marry, who we choose to be friends with, the jobs we choose to make a living, the things we choose to entertain our thoughts … all of these things have a bearing on our relationship with Jesus, for better or worse.

Being a disciple of Jesus doesn’t mean we’re supposed to have nothing to do with the world. But it does mean we need to be wise. In our thinking we need to hold in the highest esteem the relationship we have with our Savior (Matthew 10:34–39). Consider what the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:9–13).

I know a lot of people who know nothing about the Bible remember Matthew 7:1 — “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Part of the problem, honestly, is that a lot of so-called Christians are quite judgmental. Part of the problem, also, is that the world doesn’t seem to understand or appreciate context. Jesus went on to say:

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you (Matthew 7:2–6)

We need to resolve in our hearts — where it all really needs to begin in our service to the Lord — not to “pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother” (Romans 14:13). We need to aim to conform ourselves to God’s way of thinking and behaving by loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43–48). How was Jesus among us? He didn’t act or speak condescendingly, but lovingly (Mark 10:17–23; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Timothy 2:1–6).

Indeed when we’re living right (or trying to live right) someone’s going to have a problem with us (2 Timothy 3:12). But we press on (Hebrews 5:12—6:1; Ephesians 4:11–16). We set our minds on things above where Christ is (Colossians 3:1–3).

If we’re going to resolve in our hearts to be more like Jesus, then we’re going to make the best effort to love others: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this attitude among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3–5).

Resolving to be like Jesus means we’re going to pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1). Why?

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. Love never ends (1 Corinthians 13:4–8).

Do We Believe Prayer Works?

1 Thess 5:17 reminds us to “pray without ceasing.”

Initially this may sound daunting—pray without ever stopping? We eat without ceasing—every single one of us eats without ceasing because, otherwise, we’d be dead from starvation.

Again, what about our praying? Do we pray without ceasing? How might we know?

In any and every relationship communication is the lifeline—the connecting point. Without communication there’s really no relationship to speak of. God speaks to us through His word: Are we listening to Him?

We all want more faith. That’s great, but how are we helping ourselves to His word? “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:17).

Are we growing in Christ? Do we only call upon Him in prayer when we’re in need? Or do we make the time in prayer to praise Him?

1 Pet 2:9 reminds us that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

James reminds us that if we lack wisdom we are to “ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (1:5-8).

The story is told of a congregation in a farming community that had been praying for rain. After one such prayer had been offered, a little boy sadly assessed it all by saying to his Dad that no one believed. “Why would you say such a thing?” The boy replied, “Because no one’s carrying an umbrella.”

Do we really believe prayer works? Are we asking God for rain and not carrying an umbrella?

Where Is Our Zeal?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14).

Zeal is essential in our service to the Lord. Consider the Lord’s zeal for the Temple:

In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:14–17).

Zeal isn’t everything, though. Zeal must be tempered by a knowledge of what it is that God wants (Ephesians 5:6–10). For example, the apostle Paul bore witness to the zeal of some of those Israelites for God, but their zeal was “not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:1–4).

We say things like, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” This is not entirely untrue. But with the Lord and his family — our family in Christ — we’re supposed to grow together; we’re not supposed to be so petty. This doesn’t mean that everything is going to go perfectly at all times, but it does mean that we’re going to bear with one another in love, being eager to maintain unity in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2–3).

Working together requires love. “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. . . . Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:11, 13–15).

Working together requires patience. The first thing the apostle Paul mentions about love is that it is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Working together requires working together. “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment” (Proverbs 18:1). I know there are times when we might want some space to ourselves. I don’t believe this is always wrong, but if we get to the point that we feel a lot better being alone than with being with brothers and sisters, then there’s a problem. Congregational growth often doesn’t happen because not everyone’s working toward it, which means they’re not even praying about it.

Paul wrote, “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16).

If we think we have nothing to contribute to the growth of the congregation, or we think that’s what others are thinking, then let me be clear: that’s Satan in your ear. Every member has an important part to play in the body of Christ:

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. . . . For the body does not consist of one member but of many. . . . But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. . . . Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it (1 Corinthians 12:12, 14, 18, 27).

So, where’s our zeal for the Lord? Discouragement is real, and can directly affect our zeal for the Lord, and for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The solution? Look longingly to the cross! “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. . . . but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6, 8).

“Do You Love Me More Than These?”

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, 

“Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

— John 21:15 —

The question Jesus asks Peter has everything to do with priorities. Peter, Andrew, James and John worked as fishermen. The statement Peter makes here is more of a declaration that he was going back to what he knew before he met Jesus three years before.

Jesus is asking us the same question: Do we love Him more than these? We’re not talking about fish, but rather, self, money and family.

Paul warned Timothy, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self” (2 Tim. 3:1–2). Do we seriously believe we’re the first people ever to be so consumed with self? It’s expressed in different ways — selfies, “Have it your way!”, “I’ve gotta have my music!” TV commercials overwhelm us with the idea that we’re the center of the universe; that we’re the standard; that what we think and do is the most important thing. Social media (Facebook, Twitter) urges us to tell the entire world what we think because what we think should matter to everyone, right?

Paul spoke of the promotion of self-made worship (Col. 2:23). Again, we’re in the twenty-first century thinking first-century thoughts! We’re doing what mankind has almost always done: putting self first. Remember, Paul spoke of difficult days where the first thing listed was the love of self. How dangerous self-love is.

When we’re consumed by self, God’s desires don’t really matter so much to us — they might coincide, or they might not. But when we think we matter more than anything, then we’ll ignore what God’s word teaches (Titus 2:11–15). And so we worship the way we want, buying into one of the biggest lies Satan’s ever told us: that it doesn’t matter to God how we worship as long we’re going to the church of our choice!

Jesus said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24). “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).

Paul put it this way: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:1–2). Self is the worst standard when it comes to worshipping our Creator — “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen” (Rom. 1:25).

Right alongside the misplaced priority of self is the love of money (2 Tim. 3:2). Being moved by the Holy Spirit of God, the apostle Paul wrote, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, 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. But 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. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Tim. 6:6–10). Later in the same context he then added: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:17–19). As Solomon put it: “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it” (Prov. 15:16).

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matt. 6:24; also read Luke 12:13–21). So why do we try? Do we believe we’re the exception to the rule?

Finally, we can be guilty of putting our families above God: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Jesus didn’t say it would be difficult to be his disciple by putting self and family first, he said we cannot do it.

Do we love Jesus more than these?

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). 

If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15).

Speaking the Truth in Love

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in 

every way into him who is the head, into Christ

—Ephesians 4:15—

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, 

but a false witness, deceit.

—Proverbs 12:17—

Not everyone who had the face-to-face opportunity to speak to Jesus while he was on earth used it well. Quite frankly it seems that hardly anyone did. But when the rich young ruler came to Jesus, he asked him an extremely important question: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

What I find most interesting is that what the Lord says in quick response was an essential snapshot of Mosaic Law. “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” The excitement in this man’s reply to Jesus is unmistakable: “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And with a cursory glance into the text we might think the conversation between Jesus and this man was done. But it wasn’t.

The full story of the rich young ruler and Jesus is found in Matthew (19:16–22), Mark (10:17–22) and Luke (18:18–23). One of the most significant details of this story, however, is only found in Mark. We find there: “And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).

Jesus loved this man. Some suggest that Jesus felt love for him because of his charm, but there’s nothing in the text of any one of the gospel accounts that would manifest this. It might be—and this just as speculative as anyone else’s guess—that Jesus’ love toward him was because of what he was about to tell him, knowing (possibly) the outcome. We don’t know, but what we do know—again—is that Jesus loved this man and told him the difficult truth that he needed.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Tim. 4:1–4).

Earlier in this second letter to Timothy, the apostle foretold “that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1–4).

We might believe that Paul was exclusively referring to our day and time. Alas, what he wrote could serve as divine commentary to practically all of mankind’s history. We too often give lip-service to truth, much like those in Jesus’ day (Mark 7:1–13), but we don’t want anyone to judge us on what we do (see Matt. 7:24–27). We offer platitudes while forging ahead living the way we want (Psalm 78:34–39).

We desperately need to love the truth (Psalm 119:160; Prov. 23:23; John 8:31–32; 17:17), and love those who are willing to tell us the truth (Prov. 12:17–22; 14:5, 25; Heb. 13:17–18). Paul insisted that he and the others who taught the truth had “renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2).

There are very many who do not love the truth (2 Thess. 2:9–12). They have itching ears, accumulating teachers that entertain them. “And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle . . . These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For . . . they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption” (2 Pet. 2:2–3, 17–19).

Jesus loved the rich young ruler, and spoke the truth in love. “Disheartened by the saying, [the ruler] went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22). Jesus didn’t run after him begging him or coercing him into obedience. The truth from Jesus’ mouth accomplished what he purposed, and succeeded in the thing for which he sent it (Isa. 55:11).

Consumer Christianity

Our culture is all about the consumer. We hear and believe things like—“The consumer is always right.” And the real problem comes into focus when we find people applying the consumer mindset to God, His church, and salvation. For example, the notion that one church is as good as another, or that we’re all heading to heaven in different ways. The expression, “Go to the church of your choice” seems to summarize the religious person’s consumer mindset.

One writer put it this way—“Every church has the problem of Consumer Christians: people who attend, sing, listen, drop in some money, and go home.” The point is simple enough: Consumer Christians lack a genuine connection to the Lord (they don’t understand the relationship He seeks with us) and even the relationships they are supposed to be a part of with other disciples: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Or, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).

These Consumer Christians among us have essentially left their first love (Revelation 2:4) if they ever had that love in the first place. And once they are dissatisfied—whether they find themselves disappointed in people or in God—they go shopping somewhere else to find what they’re looking for. “Self-made religion” is what the apostle Paul called it (Colossians 2:23). It existed in his day, and continues in ours.

When Paul wrote Timothy, he gave him the solemn charge to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:2–4).

With a consumer mindset, people look to God and the congregation of believers they are part of in a number of misdirected and dangerous ways.

Some will look to God as a harsh taskmaster that they really don’t want anything to do with; that He’s aloof and detached from real problems. He’s there, but He’s not attentive. They will look to the congregation as something they’re not a part of, speaking in terms of “What they do …” rather than, “What we’re doing.” The Consumer Christian doesn’t simply have high expectations, they have unrealistic and often subjective expectations they hold to firmly in their unfair condemnation of others without first considering themselves; that these high expectations (and rules) don’t apply to them, but do apply to everyone else.

We’re all going to fail one another at one time or another. We’re all going to disappoint one another, but when we eagerly show compassion and love to one another, we won’t hold it against anyone that they’ve failed us because we realize that we, too, fail others. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart … Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 1:22; 4:8).

Rather than being a Consumer Christian, we need to strive to be a Servant just like our Lord and Savior—“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). When we serve one another from a genuine heart of love we will “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15–16).

Instead of us asking what others could do for us, we need to ask what we could do to help others. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. … For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:12, 18).

Don’t be a Consumer Christian.

God and Judas Iscariot

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:7 —

Where do we begin? Evil exists, ultimately, because we have been designed by our Creator to make free will choices; to discern between right and wrong. Again, be design we are free to choose; God does not coerce us into making the right choices to His name’s glory. Furthermore, He will judge everything in perfect justice in the end (Romans 14:10–12; 1 Corinthians 4:3–5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27).

Free will is wonderful until someone’s free will adversely affects us, directly or indirectly. As when we were in school and one student made the dumb decision to act up; and then we all suffered the consequences.

Again, God allows things to be done—the good and the bad—and He will judge it all: every idle word we say (Matthew 12:36–37) and every thought and intention of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12–13). He didn’t stop Judas Iscariot from betraying His Son into the ruthless hands of the Jews (John 18:2, 5). “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. … What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:28, 31–32).

It’s not that God causes all things … He causes all things to work together (the Greek word sunergeō from which our word “synergy” comes from) for good. And for good to those who love Him! Truly, God’s grace toward us when we were helpless, when we were ungodly, is stunning! God should be praised for His indescribable gift (Romans 5:6–9; 2 Corinthians 9:15).

The first couple of chapters of the first book in the Bible describes a beautiful and sinless place identified as the Garden of Eden (2:8). We’re informed that in the beginning God “saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). But something happened …

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’” And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die!” (Genesis 3:1–4)

The word of God is clear that Eve was deceived (2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:14). But what Adam did was poorly discern between right and wrong: and he chose wrong, he chose to do that which was evil in the sight of God—he sinned. And there were immediate and far-reaching consequences. To this day we bear in ourselves the consequences of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12). We do not bear his guilt—that’s on him (see Romans 5:14)—but when we ourselves sin against God’s will, that’s on us. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24–25).

In Solomon’s assessment, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God” (Ecclesiastes 8:11–13).

All is not hopeless. We must depend upon the promises of God (see Hebrews 6:13–20). “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).

The Faith of Demons

You believe that God is one; you do well. 

Even the demons believe—and shudder! 

(James 2:19)

In referring to the imperative nature of having an active faith, the writer of the book of Hebrews admonishes us: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. … And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:1, 3, 6). What he writes here reminds us of Solomon’s foundation to knowledge which leads us to wisdom and instruction: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

But when we use the word “faith” we’re not just saying that we believe a certain set of facts without them effecting change in us. If we did, then we would be manifesting the faith of demons, who believe in God’s existence and shudder, but this realization or concession doesn’t effect change in them.

Consider what William Barclay wrote about this demon-like faith: “There is belief which is purely intellectual. For instance, I believe that the square on the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle equals the sum of the squares on the other two sides; and if I had to, I could prove it—but it makes no difference to my life and living. I accept it, but it has no effect upon me. … What James is arguing against is the … acceptance of a fact without allowing it to have any influence upon life” (The Letters of James and Peter, 73).

Is it any wonder, then, that the first word of the gospel is “repent”? The apostle Peter was asked “What shall we do?” after his audience had heard that they crucified Jesus who is Lord and Christ. Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:37–38). Again, the first thing he said to them was repent. Those with a demon-like faith would have simply walked away; but “those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

Repentance is not merely accepting the need to change our minds, but it is a call from God for us to conform to his will. Allowing the Bible to serve as its own commentary, we read Paul’s definition of what repentance is: “that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Ephesians 4:22–24).

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can that faith save him? And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled;” and yet you did not give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself (James 2:14–17).

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46–49).

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:1–2).

That Is Not the Way You Learned Christ

They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.

—Ephesians 4:19–21—

It’s easy to claim to be a follower of Jesus. Anyone can do it! There are many people who firmly (and sincerely) believe that it doesn’t really matter how they behave if they simply believe. The Lord didn’t teach this, and neither did his apostles.

Jesus said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:46–49).

In the context of our reading from Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul is urging them not to be like the culture around them, living in the futility of their minds: they’re to be different by putting off their former manner of life, being renewed in the spirit of their minds, and putting on the new self—

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:17–24).

The truth of God in the first century is the truth of God in the twenty-first century! God seeks in us a change, a difference from the world in which we live. It’s not always easy to be different than our surroundings, but we can do it if we’ll trust the Lord and follow his commands; and his commands are not burdensome (John 12:50 / 1 John 5:3).

It’s not just about reading the Bible, it’s about allowing God’s word into our hearts and minds—meditating (thinking) on his word (Psalms 1:2 / 19:4 / 63:5-7 / 119:15 / Philippians 4:8-9); spending time with his word, focusing on what matters most (1 Peter 1:13). The thing is, we’re all busy in our own ways, but we all know we should be making the best use of the time God is giving us (Colossians 4:5). We need to prioritize our priorities (Matthew 5:20 / 6:33). There’s a need to have some “down time,” but we don’t need to dwell there!

As the apostle Paul defended himself before King Agrippa, he said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:19–20).

God still calls us to repent, turn to him, and do the things he commands in his word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It’s not merely a matter of what we believe, but what we do (James 1:19-25 / Ephesians 2:8-10). It’s not just that we stop doing bad things (repenting) but that we do the right things. “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17). As the ESV Study Bible explains: “It is not only what people do that matters; the good that they fail to do is equally important to God.”

Pursue Love

If one member suffers, all suffer together; 

if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 

—1 Corinthians 12:26—

The word “love” is used 213 times in the New Testament (ESV). It’s used the most in the first letter of John (36 times) and in his gospel (26). The main point I want to underscore from this is that love is a very important concept from God to man—“For God so loved the world …” (John 3:16). And it’s not merely that God loved us, but that His kind intention is that we love one another.

The love God has for us is supposed to be shared by us toward one another:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:7–11).

Jesus taught the apostles—“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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35). The thing is, we know this … there’s nothing new to us in reading this passage.

But why is loving our brother sometimes difficult? Maybe we’d point the finger to our difficult brother! In all seriousness, the issue is not one-sided—it never has been, nor will it ever be. Indeed, there are those who make it challenging to be loved, but our Lord doesn’t admonish us to only love those who love us back. The harder thing is loving those who don’t love us back (and our Savior knows this better than anyone).

Jesus taught that we’re to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). I would hope we never consider a brother or sister as an enemy, but even if we did, we’re supposed to love our enemies and therefore love our brethren! We’re to strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father and love everyone (Matthew 5:43–48).

John wrote: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:15–16).

Paul admonishes: “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:1–5).

How do we go about pursuing love?

1. We need to hold in the highest esteem love as God does—“God is love” (1 John 4:8). “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love” (1 Corinthians 13:13–14:1). As Paul would conclude in his first letter to the Corinthians—“Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
2. Pray for one another (James 5:16). Selfishness is sinful (Philippians 2:3; James 3:13–18), but some pray selfishly. Our prayers should include others; we certainly want others praying for us, so we should pray for others. Jesus prayed for Peter (Luke 22:31–32). Jesus intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). Paul asked for prayers and we’re sure he received them (Ephesians 6:18–19).
3. Remember that Christ died for all of us—that His gift of love and forgiveness is for all the ungodly (Romans 5:6, 8; Ephesians 5:2; John 6:51; 1 John 2:2).
4. Be genuine in our love for others (Romans 12:9). We know the importance of really being loved; God has done this for us, we should be willing to do this for one another—“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25).

Honest and Good Hearts

And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have 

heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, 

and bear fruit with perseverance.

—Luke 8.15—

There are a couple of points to stress from this passage. First of all, as we raise our children and influence our grandchildren, nieces and nephews, let’s remember to instill in them honesty and goodness by our own examples of honesty and goodness. Most of us learn better (more permanently) not by being told what to do, but by being shown what to do.

They need to see these qualities in us that the Lord taught necessary to receiving the word of God (the seed, Luke 8.11). These qualities might be instinctive to some degree—some people seem to be predisposed to being honest and good more than others—but I believe the word of God can change us into becoming honest and good as we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3.18).

Another point to stress from Luke 8.15 is the dire need we have to learn from Jesus and grow in His grace: Jesus urges us all to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11.29). Learning from Jesus comes by learning about Him as He’s been revealed to us in His word (John 12.44–50), meditating upon it, gleaning from it the wisdom needed, and doing what we have learned by His perfect example (Ephesians 4.20–24). It’s not just about learning what Jesus taught, but also what He did in glorifying His Father.

Jesus is honest and good; therefore, we need to strive for these qualities. It’s not to say that other qualities—love, goodness, kindness, self-control, for example—are not necessary, but these two characteristics (honesty and goodness) are what the Lord explained are needed to receiving the word of God and being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12.1–2).

Bearing fruit with perseverance indicates that we’re bearing fruit (Galatians 5.22–24 / Philippians 1.9–11 / Romans 2.6–7) to God’s glory. “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15.8).

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6.31–36).

And how do we bear fruit? Jesus said, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15.5). As the apostle Paul put it, “Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3.14–17).

Growing in grace means that we’re wholly dependent upon God’s thoughts and ways as He has revealed them to mankind through the apostles and prophets (2 Peter 1.16–21 / Isaiah 55.8–11 / Zechariah 1.4–6 / Ephesians 2.19–20 / 3.4–5).

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2.1–4).

Our call to action is to learn God’s ways and do them: “Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves” (James 1.21–22). Remember, good and honest …