Devotional, Devotion, Prophecy, Bible Study, Bible discussion, End of Days, End Times, Enter Ministry, Underground Church, Church, Fellowship, Tribulation, Salvation, Ordained, Love, Heaven, Miracles
Author: Michael Young, Sr.
I am a practicing Christian, a disciple of Jesus, a husband of over 50 years, a father and a grandfather, a business man, a veteran and a friend to all who will have me.
I have served or am serving, at various times, as an Evangelist, a Pulpit fill pastor, an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and as Senior Pastor of a church plant. My passion is for practicing and teaching the Bible, building small groups, reaching the lost with the message of the Gospel of Jesus, recovering the straying Sheep of God and the gathering together the Called of God, in neighborhoods, business settings and in churches by equipping other Christians.
I have authored a few small books and I have a background in professional business management, finance and investments.
I am glad to meet you, even if it is virtually. Write me at any time and let's become friends.
IS SCIENCE FINALLY STARTING TO CATCH UP WITH WHAT GOD,THROUGH THE BIBLE, HAS BEEN SAYING FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS?
What Is EPIGENETICS?
Epigenetics is one way that scientists learn how the things around us and the choices we make change the way our genes work. We often think of genes as factors we have no control over. After all, we inherit them from our biological parents. And from the moment we enter the world, those genes determine so much about us — from our eye color to our risk for certain diseases. Genes feel set in stone and predetermined. But what if we could change how those genes work in ways that improve our health?
Scientists have known for a while that our environment and individual attitudes and behaviors shape our health.
For example, the latest research shows epigenetic changes are involved in:
your relationships and social interactions, the community you live in, including your church, and the ways it supports (or doesn’t support) you.
Scientists are still investigating how these exposures and encounters translate to changes in your cells. In general, these factors create epigenetic marks on your DNA that affect how your cells work.
Can you positively influence your epigenome? Mayo Clinic says yes!
“Every cell in your body is listening to what your mind is thinking”
I ask again, “can you positively influence your epigenome?” Mayo Clinic says “yes”, AND THE BIBLE TELLS YOU HOW!
To begin with, the Bible says that the wages (or payment) for sin is death. (see Romans 6:23).
Galatians 5:19-21 tells us, “Now the deeds of the flesh [the sinful nature] are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God”.
(The “flesh” refers to the sinful nature inherent in humanity, a concept rooted in the fall of man (Genesis 3)).
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
(The term “fruit” signifies the natural result or product of the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in a believer’s life. Fruit of the Spirit is in the singular, indicating a unified whole rather than separate attributes. This suggests that these qualities are interconnected and grow together as a result of the Spirit’s work.)
“For the mind set on [or governed by] the things of the flesh [the sinful nature of man] is death”(Romans 8:6 (a)).
HENCE – THE TYRANNY OF SIN
John 8:34, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.”
However, John 8:36, tells us that, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”.
How does this come about? The Bible says to MEDITATE, SET YOUR MIND ON, THINK ON THESE THINGS…
(FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT):
Example Verse: Joshua 1:8,“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful [i.e., observe] to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success [i.e., shall have insight]. NASB.
Meditate: Strong’s Hebrew #1897, ‘hagah‘, occurs twenty-five times, embracing a spectrum of sounds and intentions that range from quiet meditation on God’s instruction to the throaty growl of unrest or complaint. The varied settings show that what the lips utter and what the heart ponders are inseparably linked in biblical spirituality.
Joshua 1:8inaugurates the covenant life of Israel in the land: “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night.” The verb, ‘meditate’, marks an audible, continual musing that shapes obedience and prosperity.
(Psalm 1:2 echoes the same rhythm of day-and-night devotion, portraying the blessed man whose inner dialogue is saturated with the Torah. The Psalter expands the theme: “When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6), and “I will meditate on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds” (Psalm 77:12)).
Meditation is thus an act of covenant loyalty, anchoring memory, identity, and hope.
Ministry Implications
Discipleship: Biblical meditation is not silent daydreaming but voiced rehearsal of Scripture that renews the mind and readies obedience.
2. Preaching and Teaching: Effective proclamation springs from patient, prayerful rumination; the pulpit should echo hours of scriptural pondering.
3. Pastoral Care: The verb invites sufferers to articulate their pain before God, legitimizing sighs, groans, and honest lament within faith. 4. Spiritual Warfare: Because ungodly schemes begin as whispered plots, guarding the heart’s meditations is crucial for personal and communal holiness.
(FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT):
Example Verse: Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on [i.e., think on] these things.
Meditate – think on: Strong’s Greek word #3049, ‘logizomai’, means To reckon, to consider, to account, to think, to impute. And its cognates describe the mental act of reckoning, calculating, counting something as true, or crediting something to an account. While the term can speak of simple arithmetic or deliberation, the New Testament frequently uses it for God’s gracious act of crediting righteousness and for the believer’s deliberate act of counting divine realities as present facts.
Summary: It is a good thing to memorized Philippians 4:8, but what it says that we are to do is to THINK ON THE THINGS that are “pure, things are lovely, things that are of good report, virtuous things and anything that is praiseworthy”. (Try it).
Strong’s Greek word #3049, ‘logizomai’, THINK ON, portrays both God’s decisive action in salvation and the believer’s ongoing mental alignment with revealed truth. To “reckon” is to let God’s verdict in Christ define reality, shaping faith, ethics, and perseverance until glory.
Alternatives:
Example Verse: 1 Timothy 4:15,“Meditate on these things [ESV puts it ‘practice these things,’ and the NASB puts it ‘take pains with these things’]; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
Meditate / Pre-meditate / Devise with great pains: Strong’s Greek #3191, ‘meletaó.’ means to meditate, to care for, to practice, to study.
Strong’s Greek #3191, ‘meletaó.’ moves along two closely-related tracks: sustained inward contemplation and deliberate outward practice. As Scripture employs the verb, it gathers both strands into a single movement of the heart—what the mind settles on, the life works out.
Scripture never divorces meditation from revelation. The mind does not drift inward to find truth; it anchors itself in what God has spoken. Christian meditation is therefore verbal (rooted in the Word), intentional (repeated), and worshipful (directed to God).
Summary: Strong’s Greek #3191, ‘meletaó.’, meditate, binds thought and action. From the conspiratorial councils of Psalm 2 to the disciplined ministry of Timothy, Scripture shows that whatever the heart continually turns over will soon guide the hands. Christian meditation therefore refuses vain plotting and commits itself to the Word, confident that such focused practice will display tangible progress and advance the gospel.
Example Verse: Colossians 3:2, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Set Your Mind On: Strong’s Greek #5426, ‘phroneó’, appearing in varied forms twenty-six times, describes an interior posture that guides outward behavior. More than mere cognition, it involves the settled disposition of the will—what one “sets the heart on.” In Scripture, the verb often answers the question, “Where is your mind anchored?” and so serves as a diagnostic of spiritual health.
Summary
Strong’s #5426 ‘phroneó’, Set Your Mind On, spans intellect, emotion, and will. It calls believers to align every inner disposition with the character and purposes of God revealed in Jesus Christ, producing unified, humble, mission-focused communities whose outward life testifies to an inward mind set on things above.
“Our thoughts and emotions affect every cell in our biology. There is so much science and so much research in the last 20 years in mind-body connection, that is the science of epigenetics, that we know that the environment and emotions affect your genes. It is your emotions that can change your genes.”
“So what emotions are you living with? Anger, guilt, regret, fear, lack, unworthiness? That is just going to create more disease. But if you are living more in gratitude, love, joy, happiness, those emotions get conveyed by your nervous system into every cell of your body, and they turn on genes which created more health, they turn on genes with create more immunity in your system. The emotions we live with will ultimately decide our health and happiness.”
It would be easy to read this chapter as if it were spoken to and meant for the Jews and the Pharisees in particular. But, as a reminder this chapter reveals the most profound truths of Jesus’ Mission, His Purpose, His Identity as the “son of man” and The Son of God and of our destiny as believers, both now and for all eternity.
John 8:26. I have many things to say and to judge regarding you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I say to the world.”
Verse 27. They did not realize that He was speaking to them about the Father. Verse 28. So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. Verse 29. And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” Verse 30. As He said these things, many came to believe in Him.
(Commentary Break): These words of Jesus were a riddle to some, such as “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am.” This phrase introduces a direct statement from Jesus, emphasizing His role as a teacher and authority. In the Gospel of John, Jesus often uses direct speech to reveal deep spiritual truths and to clarify His identity and mission. This setting is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the people in the temple courts.
The term “lifted up” is a reference to Jesus’ crucifixion. In the cultural and historical context, crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, symbolizing shame and suffering. However, Jesus uses it to signify His glorification and the fulfillment of His mission. The title “Son of Man” is a messianic term from Daniel 7:13-14, indicating both His humanity and divine authority. This phrase foreshadows the crucifixion as a pivotal event for revealing Jesus’ true identity.
“Then you will know that I am He”, points to the recognition of Jesus’ divine identity post-crucifixion. The phrase “I am He” echoes the divine name revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, suggesting Jesus’ unity with God. The crucifixion and subsequent resurrection serve as the ultimate revelation of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and confirming His teachings.
Jesus says, “I do nothing on My own”, emphasizing His complete dependence on and unity with the Father. This reflects the consistent theme in John’s Gospel of Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will. It highlights the Trinitarian relationship and the divine mission of Jesus, who acts not independently but in perfect harmony with God’s plan.
Finally, Jesus says “I speak exactly what the Father has taught Me”, which underscores the divine origin of Jesus’ teachings. In the cultural context of first-century Judaism, a rabbi or teacher would often speak on their own authority or tradition. However, Jesus claims His teachings come directly from God the Father, affirming His role as the ultimate prophet and teacher. This aligns with Deuteronomy 18:18, where God promises to raise a prophet who will speak His words. Jesus’ teachings are thus presented as the ultimate revelation of God’s truth. (Green textis from Biblehub.com commentary).
Others recalled that what Jesus is saying was foretold in scriptures and came to believe. A good example for us. (End Commentary Break).
The Truth Will Set You Free
Verse 31. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; verse 32, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Verse 33. They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”
(Commentary Break): “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It is worth repeating. Jesus has said elsewhere that it is those who endure to the end who will be saved (Matthew 24:8). You will be made safe, whole, made well and you will be set free from the penalty the power and the curse of sin – which is death. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 34. Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. Verse 35. Now the slave does not remain in the house forever; the Son does remain forever. Verse 36. So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free. Verse 37. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you are seeking to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. Verse 38. I speak of the things which I have seen with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.” Verse 39. They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. Verse 40. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. Verse 41. You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born as a result of sexual immorality; we have one Father: God.” Verse 42. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came forth from God and am here; for I have not even come on My own, but He sent Me. Verse 43. Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot listen to My word. Verse 44. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies. Verse 45. But because I say the truth, you do not believe Me. Verse 46. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? Verse 47. The one who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”
(Commentary Break): These verses and the ones to follow give us deep insights into the true relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. They are both amazingly and frighteningly true beyond natural comprehension. Additionally, Jesus is addressing these Pharisees, Jews, and is speaking to them through their own historical, religious practices and cultural context. Jesus tells them they are slaves to sin, and that being a slave to sin means, (1), the person has no rights or permanent residence in the ‘household’ in which they claim to reside and (2), they have no control over their destiny. Their future is separate from the spiritual family of Abraham, with a lonely eternal death. However, Jesus tells them that if He sets you free, you are not only set free from the penalty and curse of sin, but He has removed the shackles of sin and you are free to become a child of God and a brother of Jesus, with full rights as a joint heir. But these Pharisees who claim descendancy of Abraham, fail to recognize that birth descendancy is insufficient to claim a permanent relationship with God; and secondly, they ignorantly and defiantly wish to kill Jesus, Who comes from the Father as the prophesied Messiah. If they were truly of Abraham then they would know He is Who He claims to be. But they do not know and cannot know because His words has not place in Him, and their true spiritual father is not Abraham, but is the devil. This should be a clear and stark warning to all of us, who presently claim the name of Christ, yet do not what He says. According to Hebrews 6:4-6, “It is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”(End Commentary Break).
Verse 48. The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not rightly say that You are a Samaritan, and You have a demon?” Verse 49. Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; on the contrary, I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. Verse 50. But I am not seeking My glory; there is One who seeks it, and judges. Verse 51. Truly, truly I say to you, if anyone follows My word, he will never see death.” Verse 52. The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets as well; and yet You say, ‘If anyone follows My word, he will never taste of death.’ Verse 53. You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Verse 54. Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; verse 55, and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you; but I do know Him, and I follow His word. Verse 56. Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day, and he saw it and rejoiced.” Verse 57. So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?” Verse 58. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Verse 59. Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and left the temple grounds. (End Chapter 8, part 3).
(Commentary Break): What we read and hear in verses 48 through 59 is a clear contrast between an earthly or natural physical perspective and understanding versus a heavenly and a Spiritual perspective view which gives wisdom. The former is of the flesh which leads to death, and the latter is of the Spirit which leads to life. (End Commentary Break).
Romans 8:5-9 tells us that “For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” From the Greek language, to ‘set their mind on’ translates to mean to ‘frame up, to enter into and become captive to or imprisoned by one’s own continual thoughts’. If it is of the flesh, then it a death camp, a prison holding cell, where one is held until their sentence of death is executed. However if it is of the Spirit, it is a waiting room, so-to-speak, for heaven – which leads to life and peace.
This message from Jesus was not intended solely for the Pharisees of His day, but for anyone and everyone of a ‘Pharisaical spirit’ of all the ages.
(The adjective pharisaical literally means “similar to the Pharisees.” In common usage, though, the word pharisaical is employed to describe someone who is hypocritical and-or self-righteous, traits that the Pharisees in the New Testament were known for. The Pharisees elevated their own traditions to the level of Scripture. While not denying the value of some traditions, we should make sure we hold to our traditions lightly while we have an iron grip on God’s Word. The Pharisees pretended to be passionate for God while their hearts were far from Him. We should strive to obey the law of Christ and urge others to do the same, declaring God’s truth with compassionate love (Ephesians 4:15)).
Let’s set our minds on the Spirit and be set free!
“Are you faithful witnessing Christ to others?” I have had this same or similar conversation dozens of times with other Christians, either personally, during small group bible studies or in congregational discussions,
The answers vary, but one of the most frequent and most troubling answers is, “No, I do not”, or, “Yes, but in my own way”. The reasons people don’t witness or ‘share the Good News of the Gospel” range from “I am afraid”, to “I don’t like to do that”, “I don’t know how”, or most troubling, “that is not my spiritual gift”. What runs through my mind when I hear these things, are things like:
“Fear is not of God”,
“What does ‘like sharing the Gospel’ have to do with it when it comes to obeying God and His Word?”,
“You can and must learn how”,
“You really do not understand what the Bible requires of you, do you?”, and,
“It is called THE GREAT COMISSION for a reason”.
I am certain that the majority of Christians have the wrong idea, an incorrect impression or understanding of what it means to be a witness for Christ or to “witness about Jesus”. I know in fact, that we, the Church, have been taught wrong – terribly wrong – and the results range from dismal to spiritually catastrophic both for the waiting and watching world and for the confused Christian.
For example, when it comes to ‘witnessing’ most people have the idea that they must recite a ‘script’ or hand out a track such as ‘the Roman Road’ or leave cards lying around that say, “Jesus Loves You” with John 3:16 printed on them. Some others have suffered the labor of knocking doors, handing out flyers and asking leading questions before being asked to leave. (For the few that have limited success in getting someone to pray the ‘sinner’s prayer’, follow-up is usually ineffective-to-non-existent.)
Acts 1:8 gives us one of the primary commands about witnessing: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Reading this carefully you will discover that it is nothing you do, on and of yourself:
(1). You will receive power,
(from the Greek word, lambánō, from the primitive root, lab-, meaning “actively lay hold of to take or receive,” – properly, to lay hold by aggressively (actively) accepting what is available (offered). Strong’s Concordance # 2983, lambánō, “accept with initiative“, emphasizes the volition, andassertiveness of the receiver.
(2). When the Holy Spirit has come upon you.
(3). And you will be my witnesses
To recap: Once the Holy Spirit comes upon you, then you will receive the power of the Spirit of God, and then you will be my witnesses. It seems to be saying that it is not something you simply choose to do or be, but you WILL BE.
If this is so, then how do we experience and apply this power? You just do it! And if you are still puzzled, know that in concert or in conjunction with this amazing movement of the Holy Spirit upon the believer, you will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38 ), and then you will receive The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.
These supernatural graces, are given to individual Christians by the Holy Spirit with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ which is The Church and are needed to fulfill the mission of the Church. Spiritual Gifts enable Christians to serve the Lord and His Church.
Three important Truths have been lost over time, and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and, is in fact, soiling His Bride.
Truth #1. Having become a Christian, a Christ Follower, we become visible witnesses of Jesus and The Gospel.
I have heard people say, “He, or she, is a good witness for Jesus” or “they are a bad witness”. Okay, Either way, you have become a witness. You can tell people ABOUT Jesus and the Gospel, but as the old saying goes, “they may not be able to hear you because your actions are speaking so loudly that they cannot hear your words”. But the good news is that you are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Just stay with it.
Truth #2. Many in the Church have become grossly “self-serving”.
It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.
Jesus, Himself, said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”
That is our calling also. We are not here “to be served”, we are here to serve.
Truth #3. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is we are “The Church”.
We have become accustomed, over the last two millennium (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’ and invite others to come to church. But that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church. We are the visible witness and witnesses of Jesus and the Gospel of Christ.
Jesus created His Church, His Body, and made it so the whole Body fits together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. This is our witnessing, and the world is watching.
The Holy Spirit guides us, convict us, defends us and empowers us.
Jesus transformed the practice and attitude of ‘going to church’. He also teaches about not allowing external things to convict or to defend us. We are to depend on and call upon the Holy Spirit for those things. Jesus has told us that His laws are now written upon our hearts and in our consciences.
We must BE the Body of Christ, The Church, and behave as such, or we simply are not following Jesus.
No matter what we believe or say or do, we are not a follower of Jesus and we should not call ourselves by His Holy Name, if we are not behaving as Jesus says.
We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to serve. We are God’s church.
Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives you, His Body. See if you can find which gift or gifts are yours. Can you imagine how different things would be in The Church and the world around us if we engaged and used these Gifts, daily?
Prophecy Word of wisdom Apostle Apostle
Serving Word of knowledge Prophet Prophet
Teaching Faith Teacher Evangelist
Exhortation Gifts of healing Miracles Pastor
Giving Miracles Kinds of healing Teacher
Overseer Prophecy Helps
Mercy Distinguishing spirits Administration
Tongues Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Sometimes, Spiritual Gifts are mistakenly considered to be a natural talent or a person’s proclivity, a natural inclination. Natural talents can mimic Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but, they will never accomplish God’s purposes effectively.
Please remember, these are not natural talents. These are supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Here is a more detailed description and function of the Gifts.
Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”. It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land. Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. (There is no passage in the Bible saying this gift was temporary nor that is has ceased)
Prophet: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11). The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something from God’s Word that God brings to your mind”.
Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” 1 Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (1 Corinthians 14:4).
Evangelist: An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.
Pastor: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.
The term “poimén” primarily refers to a shepherd, one who tends, leads, and cares for a flock of sheep. In the New Testament, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it describes those who care for sheep, while metaphorically, it refers to leaders or pastors who guide and nurture a community of believers, akin to a shepherd with his flock.
The image of a shepherd was deeply embedded in the cultural and religious consciousness of the Israelites, often symbolizing leadership, provision, and protection. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Bible, where God is depicted as the ultimate Shepherd of His people, and leaders are often called to emulate this role.
(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)
Teacher: Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.
Service: The word translated as “ministry” is diakonia, which can also be translated “service”. Since there are many types of ministries and service to the Church, this then describes a broad array of gifts rather than a single gift.
Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.
Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with extraordinary generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those possessing this gift will go beyond this normal giving.
Overseeing: This gift speaks to the various roles found in the Church. While many think of roles such as administration, management of funds, strategy planning, etc. as functions outside of the supernatural realm, in reality individuals in these positions are just as in need of supernatural empowerment as are ministers of the gospel. This is sometimes inappropriately called ‘leadership’.
Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.
Word of wisdom: An utterance or message of wisdom supernaturally granted to an individual. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling in the believer of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.
Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth. It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.
Faith: This refers to that strong or special faith “which removes mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19–20), and faces the most cruel martyrdom without flinching”. It is distinguished from the “saving” and “normal” Christian faith.
Gifts of healing: The ability to supernaturally minister healing to others. The plural indicates the variety of sickness healed and the many forms the gift takes, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying the name of Jesus or by the sign of the cross.
Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.
Discerning of spirits: The capacity to discern, distinguish, or to discriminate the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it emanates from a good or evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy as it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.
Tongues: The supernatural ability of speaking an unlearned language. Paul seems to have distinguished between the public use of the gift (which must always be interpreted) and the private use which was for the spiritual strengthening of oneself.
(Among Christians there is a discussion as to whether tongues were/are always xenoglossy, which is speaking an unlearned human language, or whether it also included/includes glossolalia, which is speaking an unlearned and allegedly non-human language of heavenly or angelic origin).
The Apostle Paul had a lot to say about tongues in the church. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:23, Paul says, “Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane?” Paul encourages order, reason, and emphsizes the higher gifts of prophecy and teaching.
Interpretation of tongues: This gift always follows the public exercise of the gift of tongues.
(In 1 Corinthians 14, the Apostle Paul required that all speech in Christian worship should be intelligible. This required that speech given in an unknown tongue be interpreted in the common language of the gathered Christians.)
Helps: This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor. Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.
Administration: Also called the gift of governing, the Greek word translated “governments” is kubernesis, the verb form of which means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then refers to the God-given capacity to oversee or guide the Church through storms and difficult seas.
(NOTE: Many versions of the Bible and many theologians and bible teachers say the word “leader” or “leadership” is a Spiritual gift. That is a misunderstanding of the correct word and intention of the word “overseer”. )
I pray that you will consider the Gifts God has given you and how you can serve His Church and affect the world around you as we make ready for His return.
There are few things in the Christian life and walk that will make most people more uncomfortable than “witnessing the Gospel” to others when doing it by their own effort, in their own way and in their own power. Conversely, there is nothing more exhilarating or satisfying that being a witness for Jesus through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It becomes a natural, (make that a supernatural) thing.
There are many places you can find and take a Spiritual Gifts test for the purpose of applying what God has so graciously and generously given you. Here are just two of such web sites:
It is important that you and I be careful not to read these verses just as an observer of a past event, or we will have missed the profundity of these prophetic words. There are few places you will find Jesus explaining and claiming His Deity as the Son of God as He does here. It is best if, before you read further, to pray and ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart and mind with the truth of His wisdom. Then, as you read, place yourself there, with Jesus, as He speaks these words of light and truth into the darkness of the world and to the darkened minds of the ruling religious elite of that day. (You and I must come away from this exchanged as a changed person, in light of Who Jesus truly is.)
John 8:12,Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
(Commentary Break): Jesus begins with “I Am”. He uses the Koine Greek word, “egó” for “I”, which is only used or expressed when emphatic; juxtaposed with “am”, or “self-existent”. This clearly communicates that Jesus is claiming Deity. Even to His own disciples, this is an amazing, and to some, a shocking statement. Those of us who have been Christians for any time have heard that Jesus is God, so many times, that we have become far too accustomed to, and emotionally numbed to what should be a shocking, humbling and amazing reality. Additionally, Jesus speaks these words in the “aorist” tense, which combines past, present and future tenses in one – “I was, I am, and I forever shall be”. Jesus is saying He has always existed, is here now and shall be forevermore. Only God can make such a claim and Jesus puts an exclamation on this realty when He is crucified, is raised from the dead and then ascends into the heavens to sit at the Right Hand of The Father, forevermore.
Jesus flatly states that “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Simply put, Light is life, darkness is death. Those who follow Jesus in the resurrection will abide with Him and, as He says in Revelation 22:5, “And the night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” Otherwise, those who do not follow Him will be cast into an outer darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth, into an eternal lake of fire (Matthew 13:41-43). (End Commentary Break).
Verse 13. So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” Verse 14. Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. Verse 15. You judge according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. Verse 16. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. Verse 17. Even in your Law it has been written that the testimony of two people is true. Verse 18. I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” Verse 19. So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” Verse 20. These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple area; and no one arrested Him, because His hour had not yet come.
(Commentary Break): The Son of God, being God Himself, speaking directly to God’s own chosen people, and they do not believe Him. The same can be said about our unbelieving world. So, if God Himself, comes to them and us, in the flesh, in the form of a man, cannot convince them of the truth, what does this say about our testimony and our ability to lead others to believe? It says that we cannot lead others to believe. However, Jesus says that “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws Him.” (John 6:44), but we are to “Go and make disciples” of those He draws.
(Concurrently, Jesus says that “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people unto Myself” Now, He was saying this to indicate what kind of death He was going to die.)
Again, it should be a shocking revelation that God’s own chosen race would reject Him as if they were not drawn by Him to Himself. Here is the seeming mystery that although God draws all people, the choice is still in their hands. And Jesus’ words are true for those who claim to know God but do not follow Him, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” So, for all those who willingly and willfully ignore the Words and commandments of God while claiming to believe? (End Commentary Break).
Verse 21. Then He said again to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” Verse 22. So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Verse 23. And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. Verse 24. Therefore, I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”
(Commentary Break): What Jesus is saying to the Pharisees is applicable to anyone and everyone who does not believe and follow Jesus. When Jesus says “I am going away, and you will look for Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come. You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world”, He is warning that when that day comes, when your physical body dies and you, at that point, look for Jesus to rescue you, it will be too late. You cannot come to Him nor with Him.
Jesus also explains the established order of “Higher and Lower”. It is not only God’s established order of authority, i.e., “as it is in heaven, so it shall be on the earth”. The things below the earth are temporal and bound for destruction, and the things from above are eternal. So, if you die in your sins (from the Greek word, ‘hamartia’, meaning “to miss the mark, and the ‘mark’ is being redeemed, saved by Jesus, and becoming a joint heir in the Kingdom of God) you miss all that God had planned for you, both now and eternally. “If you die in your sins” whether a Jew or a Gentile. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 25. Then they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “What have I even been saying to you from the beginning?
(Commentary Break): It is as if Jesus is speaking to rebellious and truant children – and indeed He is. Ask yourself, “How would Jesus speak to me about this question?” (End Commentary Break – End Chapter 8, Part 2).
John chapter 8, verses 12 through 25 are among the most mysterious in the Bible. Jesus is speaking from a spiritual, heavenly perspective, words too deep for the natural mind to grasp. But it is now well known, even from a scientific perspective, that matter is never destroyed. It can change form, but it is eternal. Same with our bodies and minds. We die but we do not cease to exist. We simply change form from the natural man or woman, boy or girl, and continue in a spiritual state, and that spirit will either go to an eternal darkness or will live and abide in the Eternal Light and presence of God.
Jesus’ and His Words, in fact, lead to life. Follow Him.
This chapter reveals the most profound truths of Jesus’ Mission, His Purpose, His Identity as the “son of man” and The Son of God and of our destiny as believers, both now and for all eternity.
John 8:1, But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Verse 2. And early in the morning He came again into the temple area, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began teaching them. Verse 3. Now the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, and after placing her in the center of the courtyard, verse 4, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of committing adultery. Verse 5. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” Verse 6. Now they were saying this to test Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.
(Commentary Break): There are at least four major takeaways from these verses. (1). Accusations of sin. (2). Sinners and sin. (3). The penalty of sin. (4). The deception of sin. This is always the pattern, is it not? We, or someone, sees or perceives sin, so they accuse, either through private judgment, gossip or a direct and public accusation. We brand others as sinful and deserving some kind of punishment, and in this case the scribes and the Pharisee’s edict or punishment for this sin is a physical death of the accused. Therein lies the deception, both in the life of the accused and of the accusers.
Oddly, however, at this point Jesus says nothing, but stoops down and writes on the ground with his finger. Perhaps He was just letting this scenario play out? No one can know what He was writing, but don’t get the idea that He was ‘doodling’ while He listened and pondered the matter. Jesus knew. He knew what the woman had done, how she felt, He knew her mindset, her remorse and her fears. He also knew the heart and the motive of the scribes and the Pharisees was to test and accuse Him and this woman was just a sinner worthy of collateral damage, as far as they were concerned. So, Jesus waited. (End Commentary Break)
Verse 7. When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Verse 8. And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Verse 9. Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. Verse 10. And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” Verse 11. She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer.”
(Commentary Break): Now we see three more major takeaways in these verses. (1). Revelation. (2). Realization. (3). Redemption. Jesus stand straight up, faces the accusers and reveals what is hidden – no one, no not one, is without sin. All are guilty. The scribes and Pharisees realize they have been found out, so they leave, one by one, the older ones (perhaps signifying greater awareness) first. Then it is just Jesus and the sinner – the woman. And once again Jesus stands straight up, faces the woman, forgives her and sends her on her way reminding to sin no more. The Pharisees believed that only God can forgive, so this would have been a visual testimony to Jesus’ claim of Deity. (End Commentary Break).
These verses present us a pattern and an example for us to follow. When we hear an accusation of sin, like Jesus, it is wise to quietly and patiently consider the source of the accusation, the accuser, the sin, and the sinner, knowing that even now, the penalty of sin is death – even spiritual death. And where there is sin, deception abound. So, we are to stand up and face the accusations with patience and Godly wisdom, and allow God to reveal what is hidden, and realize that none of us are without sin, but there is forgiveness and redemption in Christ Jesus. This is our example.
In John 6:53–58, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this Bread will live forever.” Upon hearing these words, many of Jesus’ followers said, “This is a hard teaching” (verse 60), and many of them actually stopped following Him that day (verse 66).
When Jesus said we must “eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood” (John 6:53), He spoke, as He often did, in parabolic terms. We must receive Him by faith (John 1:12). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). We understand that we need physical food and drink; Jesus wants us to understand that we also need spiritual food and drink—and that is what His sacrifice provides. (see https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-eat-flesh-drink-blood.html).
Oh, Yeah? Is it that simple? Eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood Is little more than “receiving Him by faith”?
Well Jesus was more graphic and a lot more precise:
John 6:55, For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Verse 56. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my bloodabides in me, and I in him. Verse 57. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. Verse 58. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”
Leviticus 17:11 says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” But drinking blood was strictly forbidden in Jewish law (Leviticus 17:10-14), making this statement particularly shocking to the Jew. It signifies the new covenant in Jesus’ blood, which is essential for eternal life. This anticipates the sacrificial death of Christ and the shedding of His blood for the forgiveness of sins.
Additionally, we are told that Jesus is the Word of God. So, metaphorically speaking, eating His flesh is tantamount to getting your spiritual nourishment from The Word of God.
Well, with all that said, I would ask “who accomplished this – metaphorically, of course – that is, eating Jesus’ Flesh and drinking His Blood? Could we at least say that Jesus’ Apostles came as close as anyone? I think that is a safe statement. Could you agree? If so, then is the litmus test of “Eating Jesus’ Flesh and Drinking His Blood”?
HAVING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER
John 13:34-35, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”
FAITH & OBEDIENCE
John 15:14, “You are My friends if you do what I command you.”
THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU
John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, [a]you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
GREATER WORKS
John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.”
BECOMING POOR & DESTITUTE IN SPIRIT
Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
BEING GENTLE
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the gentle, for they will inherit the earth.”
HUNGER & THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”
BEING MERCIFUL
Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.”
BEING PURE IN HEART
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
BEING A PEACEMAKER
Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
SUFFERING PERSECUTION AS A CHRISTIAN
Matthew 5:10-11, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.”
These are not the things we typically strive for but the Bible consistently tells us these are the sufferings and rewards of one who follows Jesus as His disciple – i.e., “eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood”.
Read these synopses of the Apostles:
Matthew was the disciple who had been a tax collector before he met Christ. He wrote the Gospel of Matthew after the Ascension. He likely spent a great deal of time writing to and teaching the Jews in Judea before he went abroad to do missionary work for the Gospel. He was martyred, some say stabbed to death for His faith in Jesus, in Ethiopia in 68 AD.
Simon Peter was one of the first Apostles to be arrested, and the first to preach a sermon after the day of Pentecost. He would be called by God to affirm the acceptance of gentiles into the church, as well as lifting the food restrictions in the age of grace. He was considered a leader of the early church in Jerusalem, and wrote two letters that were inspired by the Holy Spirit as part of Scripture. At some point that is not recorded in the Bible, scholars believe he was brought to Rome, where he was crucified upside down.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,is believed to have gone as a missionary to parts of the Greek colonies on the northern sides of the Black Sea near modern day Crimea, as well as other areas of Greece. Church history holds he was martyred by crucifixion in Patras in 60AD. Tradition holds he was on the cross for three days.
James son of Zebedee and his brother John were cousins of Jesus. The Bible records, “About that time King Herod violently attacked some who belonged to the church, and he executed James, John’s brother, with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2). Tradition holds he was the first of the Apostles to be martyred.
John son of Zebedee wrote five books of the Bible, the Gospel of John, the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John, and the Book of Revelation during the years after the Ascension. He also took responsibility for Mary, the mother of Jesus during this time. At some point he was arrested, and according to tradition, boiled in oil but did not die. He was exiled to Patmos where he received the visions that inspired Revelation. After several years in exile, tradition says he spent his last years in Ephesus, dying between 98 and 100AD.
Philip is believed to have taken the Gospel to Gaul, or modern day France, as well as Turkey, specifically the city of Hierapolis. Scholars believe he was both crucified and stoned to death.
James Son of Alphaeus is held to have gone to Syria to support transplanted Jews there, but that he mostly helped run the church in Jerusalem. Church tradition holds he was arrested by Ananias and told to deny Christ; he was taken to the top of the temple, where he boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, but he was then pushed off the temple and stoned. He is said to have died from a blow to the head.
Bartholomew aka Nathanael may have gone to India, as there are two records that indicate this, though most of them are from the 4th century. Stronger tradition holds that he went to Armenia, partnering with Thaddaeus. In Azerbaijan, Christians believe he brought the Gospel there as well. Tradition says he was flayed and then crucified in 71 AD.
Thaddaeus is believed to have partnered with Bartholomew for many of his missionary travels, so he may have gone to India and Turkey. He may have gone to Armenia as well. Tradition holds that he suffered martyrdom in 65 AD in Syria, in the city of Beirut.
Simon the Zealot is believed to have left Jerusalem and gone to Africa, traveling the northern empires like Egypt, Libya, and Mauritania. Some even think he may have gone to Spain and even Britain and then Persia. Tradition holds he was martyred in the Middle East by being crucified upside down then sawed in half around 74 AD.
Thomas may have doubted the stories of the resurrected Jesus, but after he saw Jesus, he became zealous. Scholars believe Thomas went the farthest of the apostles, and there are multiple records that he went as far as India. While there are varied accounts of his death, it is generally agreed that he was speared to death by Hindu priests in 70 AD. The city of Mylapore has a place they believe is his tomb.
Matthias is believed to have mostly stayed in Jerusalem, helping the members of the persecuted church and edifying the saints. He may have gone north, and some traditions hold that he went north of the Black Sea. It is generally held he died in Jerusalem, though there are differing accounts of how he died. He may have been stoned, crucified, or beheaded.
Paul would go on to have three missionary journeys across the Mediterranean, suffering much for the cause of Christ as the primary missionary to the gentiles. His life is recorded in the Book of Acts and across the multiple letters he wrote that became a part of the New Testament. He was imprisoned in Rome, and some believe he was executed under Emperor Nero in 66 AD by beheading.
While the fates of the apostles are somewhat shrouded by lack of documentation and two thousand years of separation, their devotion to the Lord should be inspiring, and a reminder that these men proudly and bravely bore the marks of “eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His Blood”.
And we must remember that persecution of believers is still a common trait among true followers of Jesus, all across the world, and ask ourselves, “Am I fitting in as a follower of Jesus”?
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: It seems to me that something has happened since the days of the Apotsles, so that have now have a really toned down and tamed version the written word. I mean, read it for yourself. This wasn’t meant to be some little sinner’s prayer when they initially wrote about it!!
CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “While it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion”. – Hebrews 3:15.
The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.
First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.
Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:
“While it is said: “Today, if youwill hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” – Hebrews 3:15.
IN CONTEXT
The verses which come just before and following Hebrews 3:15, our focus verse, give us the context of God’s instructions. Hence, Hebrews 3:1, says,
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus; verse 2, He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. Verse 3. For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. Verse 4. For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Verse 5. Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; verse 6, but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.
Verse 7. Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
“TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
Verse 8. DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME,
AS ON THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
Verse 9. WHERE YOUR FATHERS PUT ME TO THE TEST,
AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.
Verse 10. “THEREFORE, I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION,
AND SAID, ‘THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART,
AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS’;
Verse 11. AS I SWORE IN MY ANGER,
‘THEY CERTAINLY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.’”
Verse 12. Take care, brothers and sisters, that there will not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. Verse 13. But encourage one another everyday, as long as it is still called “today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Verse 14. For we have become partakers of Christ if we keep the beginning of our commitment firm until the end, verse 15, while it is said,
“TODAY, IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.” Verse 16. For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? Verse 17. And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose dead bodies fell in the wilderness? Verse 18. And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? Verse 19. And so we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:
While it is said: “Today, if Ihear His voice, I will not harden my heart as in the rebellion”. – Hebrews 3:15.
(My Commentary):
God, by way of The Holy Spirit inspiring and working through His Apostle Paul, reminds us of our heavenly calling. He compares the supremacy of Jesus as the builder and architect of God’s House, the Church. And that we are to hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope – Christ, Jesus!
Then He warns us that “IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE”, do not harden your heart as the Israelites did in the wilderness. God swore that neither they nor anyone who would follow their example of unbelief, because those kind “ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DO NOT KNOW MY WAYS’, so neither ‘THEY (nor any who are unbelieving, rebellious and disobedient) SHALL ENTER HIS REST.’”
So, let’s say together, this is my testimony: “Today, if Ihear His voice, I will not harden my heart as in the rebellion.” I will love, Him, follow Him, serve Him, and obey Him.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: (Coming Soon). “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” – Hebrews 12:8.
Every cell in your body is listening to what your mind is thinking.
Our thoughts and emotions affect every cell in our biology. There is so much science and so much research in the last 20 years in mind-body connection, that is the science of epigenetics, that we know that the environment and emotions affect your genes. It is your emotions that can change your genes.
So what emotions are you living with? Anger, guilt, regret, fear, lack, unworthiness? That is just going to create more disease. But if you are living more in gratitude, love, joy, happiness, those emotions get conveyed by your nervous system into every cell of your body, and they turn on genes which created more health, they turn on genes with create more immunity in your system. The emotions we live with will ultimately decide our health and happiness.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:19-24).
For the mind set on the things of the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6).
Previously, Jesus had summoned His twelve Apostles and gave them authority over unclean spirits, and told them to heal every disease and every sickness, instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; but rather, only go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (see Matthew 10:1-15). Then we read in John 1:11-13, “He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God.”
So began the spread of Christianity and God’s gift of salvation being offered to the entire world. This marks the beginning of the prophesied great apostasy and the great persecution of Christians. Jesus warned that they would be handed over to tribulation and would be killed and hated by all nations because of His name. And at that time many would fall away from the faith, and they would betray one another and hate one another. And that many false prophets would rise up and would mislead many people. And because lawlessness would increase, most people’s love would become cold. This would be one of the hallmarks that the Last Days were well underway.
First Missionary Journey
Acts 13:1, Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas (son of prophecy), Simeon (hearing) who was called Niger (black, a Christian), Lucius (illuminated, a Christian) of Cyrene, Manaen (a Christian) who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. Verse 2. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” Verse 3. Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
(Commentary Break): The Holy Spirit “said” (to lay forth). We must assume the Holy Spirit spoke to all who were present: Barnabas (son of prophecy), Simeon (hearing) who was called Niger (black, a Christian), Lucius (illuminated, a Christian) of Cyrene, Manaen (a Christian) who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul; and the Holy Spirit said “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.”
[The phrase “set apart” indicates a divine selection for a specific purpose, echoing the Old Testament practice of consecrating individuals for God’s work (e.g., Jeremiah 1:5). Barnabas and Saul (later named Paul) were chosen for a mission that would expand the church’s reach beyond Jewish communities. Barnabas, known for his encouragement and leadership, and Saul, a former persecutor turned apostle, were uniquely equipped for this task. Their selection underscores God’s sovereignty in choosing and equipping His servants.] (the foregoing purple text is an excerpt from a BibleHub.com commentary).
However, if all you or I get from this is a narrative on the expansion of the Church, then we are reading the Bible only as an historical document, but the Bible is not meant to be an historical document!
The Bible is the Breathed Word of God, (2 Timothy 3:16); the Bible is the longest love letter ever written, and it is written by the One True God to His beloved created ones; the Bible is the Word of God and it is alive and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword; The Bible penetrates and divides the soul and spirit of each man, woman and child, and discerns the thoughts and intentions of each person’s heart and mind (Hebrews 4:12); The Bible is creative, it is causative, instructional and prophetic – prophetic in the sense that it tells the truth to you, past present and future; and when that Word dwells in you, it tells the truth through you! Therefore, the book of Acts and this chapter and these verses in particular are speaking to you! They are instructing you and creating in you and causing you to hear and to do what God has instructed to His Church – it is telling the Truth through you if you are obedient to His Voice. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 4. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Verse 5. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. Verse 6. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, verse 7, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
(Commentary Break): God has a plan for each of our lives and it begins with this missionary journey. And it is not a plan to suit our personal whims, wants, selfish goals, desires, and supposed needs. It is His plan of telling the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is for the purging, cleansing, refining, redeeming and restoring His creation and His created ones into the very image and likeness of Jesus in preparation for us to spend eternity in His presence in a new and perfect heaven and a new and perfect earth. (see Daniel 12:12). This was written to you, about Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul on a missionary journey, but it is also written to you and about you. You too are sent! Now, go! (End Commentary Break).
Verse 8. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Verse 9. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him, verse 10, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the Lord? Verse 11. Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Verse 12. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
(Commentary Break): Paul and the others are confronted with dark magic and resistance to their Message, and Paul, instead of being in fear of offending someone and instead of shrinking back, responds with a strong spiritual rebuke, saying, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the Lord?” Then, upon instructions from the Lord, Paul proclaims, “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him. How can this be? How can this happen? Is this just a story to amaze us, today? Or is it an example of the prophetic power of a fully submitted and obedient servant of the Most High God?
This reminds me of God’s servant David, as he stood before the giant, Goliath, and spoke these words, “Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a saber, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand<mh5462, 3027=””> you over to me, and I will strike you and remove your head from you. Then I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild animals of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that this entire assembly may know that the LORD does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and He will hand<mh5414, 3027=””> you over to us!” </mh5414,></mh5462,></mh6793c,>
Then it happened, when the Philistine came closer to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with the sling and the stone: he struck the Philistine and killed him, and there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and finished him, and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” (see 1 Samuel 17:45-51).
This only comes about when we are fully submitted to our God, fully prepared by His Word. Then we can say that we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of our soul (see Hebrews 10:39); and we will overcome because of the Blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony, that we did not love our life even when faced with death! (see Revelation 12:11). (End Commentary Break – End Chapter 13, part 1, The First Missionary Journey).
What we are reading tells and shows us the difference between calling oneself a Christian and actually being a Christian. Although it is worthy to note that not everyone can be like Paul or Barnabas, but each of us have been called to go into the world around us and proclaim the Good News of Jesus, preaching and saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give”. We have been equipped by the Holy Spirit with Gifts for the building up of the Body and as a witness to the risen Christ.
One could say that Jesus, in this chapter and in these verses, is stating His case as the Son of God, the Messiah, the prophesied and the promised One. Some are believing, others are not believing.
And this is exactly what Jesus was talking about when He said, “For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household”, and “do not think I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”.
People then and people now decided who Jesus is by their opinions, religious law, tradition, and by physical and natural standards. But some will judge Who He is because God will draw them to Jesus. The end result will be life complete and eternal or eternal death and the horrors of an outer darkness.
John 7:25. So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this man not the one whom they are seeking to kill? Verse 26. And yet look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him. The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they? Verse 27. However, we know where this man is from; but when the Christ comes, no one knows where He is from.”
Verse 28. Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. Verse 29. I do know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” Verse 30. So they were seeking to arrest Him; and yet no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come. Verse 31. But many of the crowd believed in Him; and they were saying, “When the Christ comes, He will not perform more signs than those which this man has done, will He?”
(Commentary Break): The wording in the preceding verses, from the NASB, could be a little confusing to understand without context. So, I will re-phrase, hopefully for clarity: Verse 25, So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Isn’t this the man the Jewish authorities are trying to kill? But look at Him. Verse 26. Still, He is teaching out in the open where everyone can hear Him, and no one is trying to stop Him from His teaching. Have the authorities have decided that He really might be the Messiah, and that is why they are leaving Him alone? Verse 27. And besides, when the ‘real Messiah’ comes, no one will know where He comes from – He will just appear – and we know where this man’s hometown is. Verse 28. And while Jesus was still teaching in the Temple, He shouted out and said, “So you say you know Me and where I am from? Yes, but you know very little about that. Listen. I am here but not on my own volition; I am sent by One who is very Real, but you don’t know Him! Verse 29. But, I know Him because He is the One (speaking of God the Father) Who sent Me.
Still, there were many in the crowd that believed Him, saying that if He must be the Messiah based on the signs and miracles He has done – and even if there was another Messiah, how could He do more than Jesus has done?
Now to you and to me: Do you ever find yourself doubting about Jesus? After all, they said He was coming back, and now it’s been over 2,o00 years and still He has not arrived, and the world is getting darker, more chaotic and more dangerous by the day. Is it even true that He is alive and coming back to get us? It was hard for the people in His day to believe, so how much harder for us today? But, try to understand and accept that we really do not walk just by sight, but by faith. And, Jesus has told us that if you cannot believe just by the Words He spoke, then believe Him because of the Works He has done! (John 14:11).
Henry Blackaby, in his book and study, ‘Experiencing God’ speaks of ‘spiritual markers’. A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you. Can you remember the moment you became a child of God? There were specific times when He called you to His ways of living? Point to times when He clearly guided you in a decision? Those times when He spoke powerfully to you about a commitment you should make? Keep track of these important moments! Regularly rehearse them and notice the steady progression in the way God has led you. This will help you understand God’s activity in your life now, and give you a sense of direction as you face future decisions. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 32. The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him. Verse 33. Therefore, Jesus said, “For a little while longer I am going to be with you, and then I am going to Him who sent Me. Verse 34. You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.” Verse 35. The Jews then said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we will not find Him? He does not intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, does He? Verse 36. What is this statement that He said, ‘You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come’?”
Verse 37. Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Verse 38. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” Verse 39. But this He said in reference to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
(Commentary Break): Jesus will explain these things several times before His crucifixion and resurrection to emphasize that once they see Him ascend to the Father, they will know where He has gone and that can know that He will come back to get them, just as He has said He would. Then, Jesus gives instructions on how they can follow Him once the Spirit is given, and He is glorified, both now and then in the Resurrection! “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (End Commentary Break).
People’s Division over Jesus
Verse 40. Some of the people therefore, after they heard these words, were saying, “This truly is the Prophet.” Verse 41. Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” But others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not coming from Galilee, is He? Verse 42. Has the Scripture not said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” Verse 43. So a dissension occurred in the crowd because of Him. Verse 44. And some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
Verse 45. The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, “Why did you not bring Him?” Verse 46. The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken in this way!” Verse 47. The Pharisees then replied to them, “You have not been led astray too, have you? Verse 48. Not one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? Verse 49. But this crowd that does not know the Law is accursed!” Verse 50. Nicodemus (the one who came to Him before, being one of them) *said to them, Verse 51. “Our Law does not judge the person unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” Verse 52. They answered and said to him, “You are not from Galilee as well, are you? Examine the Scriptures, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.” Verse 53. And everyone went to his home. (End Chapter 7).
This debate still rages today. Is Jesus the Messiah, the Savior of the world? Does He meet all the prophetic requirements of the Messiah? Is He really God or just a good man and a good teacher? Are our established religions and religious orders to be believed, or is what Jesus taught the truth? Is He really the only way to God the Father and into heaven and eternal life?
You have to decided. But be aware of this: It is not possible to believe if the Father has not first drawn you. Pray and ask so you may believe.
Do you find religion, in general, and Christianity specifically, offensive? Perhaps you dislike Christians and Christianity because of something that happened to you, or because of something you perceive or maybe because of something you saw or heard about that was distasteful, hateful, hypocritical or incongruous with your personal belief system (if you say you have one), or perhaps you see Christianity as being out of step with your personal worldview? (Here is a short view related to these matters, presented by Dr. Jordan Peterson, a clinical psychologist, author and teacher.)
Now, just for your information – and hopefully we might find some common ground with any potential doubters or antagonists – please be aware that even various Christians and Christian denominations don’t always agree. Many denominations are even antagonistic toward one another. For example, there are over 200 Christian denominations in America alone, and over 33,000 various denominations and cults identifying with or calling themselves Christian. So, you are not alone if you have been offended, are an antagonist, or just don’t believe in any one Protestant Christianity.
Scholastically, I am probably one of the least equipped to tackle this matter but that might just be the necessary strength for me to tackle this subject. (What I mean is that I don’t have an excess of “P.h.D. trees” in my forest. In fact, I don’t have any of those “trees”).
So much of Christianity that is taught nowadays, is either (1), way too complicated to understand, to believe, to accept and to employ, or (2), it is way too easy to be effective in any possible and lasting life change.
If you had been with Jesus, you would have seen that Christianity was both “taught” and “caught”. What I mean is, He first, would say the Words (i.e., He taught and explained what would become known as Christianity – named after Him, the Christ, of course); Secondly, He showed the Works. (I.e., He led by example, doing what He taught while His followers watched and learned what His Words meant through demonstration); then, He sent the workers, (His disciples), to do the same as He was doing, and instructed them to teach others as they had learned.
And by the way, following Jesus is NOT complicated but it certainly is NOT easy – it is, in fact, hard. And it is hard because it produces a radical transformation and a complete renovation of one’s life. A transformation from what was wrong in your life mentally, emotionally, and physically, to something amazing, and so satisfying and rewarding that you have to experience it to believe it. Let me explain.
I will skip the ‘really hard theology’ and begin ”just where you are”. Regardless of how you believe you came into being, (besides the obvious physical means), we both can agree, “here you are”. And regardless of what you believe will happen to you at the end of your life, that being your physical death, we can both agree that it is coming, one day. (So, we at least can have these things in common).
In the meantime, “here you are”. The Bible says, (I.e., God says), that there are two main things about your existence, or two ways to live your life and two destinations after your life.
NOW,
(There is One Way). You can live your life “saved by God”, or
(Then there is the Other Way). You can live your life according to your own opinions, likes, and dislikes. You get to decide the course and guess at the outcome.
AFTER,
(There is One Way). You are destined for eternity with God in heaven” after this life, or you spend eternity in darkness, terror, and in a lake of fire.
(Then there is the Other Way). You decay into nothingness.
((Oh, and by the way, scientists tell us that matter never disappears. It can and does, however, change form. And that includes the atoms and matter of which you are made. So, the idea that when you die, it’s over, is just wrong. The soul or spirit, the energy of your existence continues forever! FOREVER! Where is goes and what happens is what is important. And no matter what you think or wish would happen, science and God’s Word agree on this – you never end.))
Some people believe that how you live your life now decides where you go after you die – heaven or hell.
Whereas some other people believe that you live now, then you die, and that’s the end. There is nothing more.
Most all believe that the quality of life you have now, to some degree or another, is dependent on how you think and conduct your life now. This is true to a large extent, but those who believe this way should be confounded by the infinite scenarios that can take place for that determination. Then there are those who adhere doggedly to “life is short, live it up and damned with the consequence”, to which many say that “stupid is as stupid does”.
Finally there is “THE WAY”. I am talking about the Christian way of living now and what comes after this life; that is by being “Saved”. Yes, “saved”. This choice tells us that we live an ordered life now, according to the Bible and will be saved from perishing (decaying or being destroyed) after this life. And because God has offered such an unimaginable gift simply because you choose to believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus. Sounds easy, right? But it is not easy. Allow me to explain.
I will start with the easy-to-follow version, first.
What it means to be Saved. (I am going into the literal meaning of this idea or concept of being Saved, according to the Bible. The way I will explain this, which comes from the language in which it was written, is usually skipped over because it just sounds and seems too good to be true. So, most Bible teachers and pastors just skip the explanation and the promises and give an abbreviated and reconstructed version that has little power to effect the change in your life because it omits any motivation).
“To be saved – SOZO – in the Bible, means to be rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety“. To deliver or protect— (From Strong’s Bible Concordance).
SAVED: To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose), NOW and for all of eternity,
You can be made safe, made healthy, and made whole in your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.
You can be made safe, made healthy, made whole in your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.
(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God at work in you, by way of your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.)
This is the Good News that God gave John to proclaim.
This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.
This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now.
And this is the reason Jesus sends His followers, His disciples, into the world – to tell the world about this Good News. In its simplest terms, this is the outcome of believing in Jesus, trusting Him and following Him.
Honestly, now. Who would not want these things in their life? You can ask millions who have received this GIFT, or you can just do it for yourself!
GOING DEEPER
Maybe you are still asking “how does this come about? Or, how can this be true?” If you really want to know, then hang on, because this may get a little strange at first. But considering all we now know about the brain, the mind, the psyche, how they interact, and the power of belief and faith, I hope you get this: You are saved by God’s Grace, this is His unearned and unmerited favor toward you, through your faith in Jesus and by your faithful submission to Him. (see Ephesians 2:8-9).
The book of Matthew 4:17 explains it this way: “Jesus began to preach and say”.
The words for ‘preach and say’, as used here, come from the Greek language, are ‘kerusso’. This is NOT a casual statement nor is it just a narration. It is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has already been done, first in the Spiritual realm and then is to be manifest in the natural. It is not a general statement nor is it a request. It is a PROPHETIC command. Kerusso! Jesus is saying that you have to do this first, then the rest can come about.
Next, let’s notice that Jesus says“Repent”.What is often overlooked but should be glaringly obvious is that Jesus does not tell us WHAT to repent from. We typically assume we are to repent of our sins. But that is not what He actually says. He simply says,“Repent”.
But REPENT from what?
“Repent,(‘metanoeo’), from the Greek, means to change one’s mind – to change one’s mind for the better. (And, here is the task that makes this so difficult for most people!)
(And if it is so, that we are just to REPENT of our sins, it is just as important to know that the word Sin, from the Greek language is the word ‘hamartia’ –literally means to be without a share in; to miss the mark. To miss the mark both of all that God has intended for your life and all that He has for you now, and for all of eternity.)
It is commonly accepted that Jesus meant that we are to heartily amend, with abhorrence of our past sins. And it can mean that and it DOES mean that. BUT it MEANS SO MUCH MORE.
When Jesus says to REPENT, the overall meaning, the connotation of this word it to CHANGE AND CONDITION YOUR MIND TO THINK LIKE JESUS, TO SEE THINGS FROM HIS PERSPECTIVE AND TO RESPOND IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATIONS OF LIFE AND DEATH AS JESUS DOES.
This requires a radical redefining of our understanding. It demands that we turn our minds to what Jesus says and what He means – even if it makes us uncomfortable.
Jesus is saying that REPENTANCE is a radical reformation and shift in our paradigms. It is a change in our attitudes, and of our mindset, our will and emotions from how we naturally see things to HOW JESUS SEES THINGS. It is a change in all the choices we make in life so that WE CAN SEE THEM AS JESUS SEES THEM.
Jesus is saying we must change how see or view and deal with our relationships with others, our families, marriage, and even our disputes. How we react to being wronged, how we give of ourselves, of our time of our resources. How we view work, money, wealth, and anxiety. How we view our community, our country and the world and how we view the lost – from how we see them – to HOW HE SEES THEM. We must see the world around us and what Jesus is commanding of us AS HE SEES it. THAT IS TRUE AND COMPLETE REPENTANCE.
We begin to see that the Words of Jesus are life giving words. They protect us, they guide and direct us. They strengthen us and provide us with purpose and hope.
And finally, in this verse, Jesus says, for the kingdom of heaven is nowat hand(The words ” the Kingdom of Heaven” are so descriptive that you must take the definition of each word and consider their impact and importance.
The Kingdom of God is now at hand, describes the long awaited arrival of the Messiah who is now to establish His Kingdom on earth. As the “Lord’s Prayer” even says, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. A Kingdom of forgiveness, of grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation. A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.
His Kingdom is a royal power, a kingship, dominion, rule and the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.” This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,
And finally, the phrase, the kingdom is now “At hand.”(“At hand” comes from a Greek word with a meaning like the ‘crook of your arm’ and with the action like a mounting wave which has the power to knock you off your feet and roll you over and over; indicating a distance which is as close as your hand is to your wrist, AND as Luke 17:21 puts it, “the kingdom of God is now within you”. Romans 10:8 ALSO tells us, that “THE WORD (OF GOD) IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”.
Jesus is saying, we are to “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.
Now, FINALLY – Here is The Mystery:
Believe it or not, and as strange as all this may seem, the One who spoke these prophetic words, possesses the power which is able to transform your life, so radically, so completely, so thoroughly, that those who knew you beforehand, would hardly recognize you afterwards. In fact, if and when you embrace and absorbed His Words into your heart, mind and soul as His devoted follower you would hardly be able to recognize yourself when the process is complete.
You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”
You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different. Made new. Reborn. A new creation.
This can be most easily accepted by a new believer, as the rest of us may think, “yes, I have already done this”. But when Jesus, speaking to Nicodemus, said, “you must be born again”, He spoke those words in the Aorist tense which means this is a continuing action. The Aorist tense has no regard for the past, present or the future. In this tense they are one-in-the-same. In other words, “In Christ Jesus, you are born anew, each and every day”. He is not saying you must be saved over and over. He is saying our repentance and rebirth in Him is made new and refreshed each and every day. This sanctifying process of perfecting us into the image and likeness of Jesus continues until we are, one day, home with Him, at last!
Please understand that what I am about to say, does not negate the trials, tribulations and troubles we will face in this life. They are part of our being sanctified. Nonetheless, this intensely real power to which I am referring, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and in the twinkling of an eye, as Paul said, IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE IN LIFE, He can begin to solve those problems, smooth out the difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity – IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN AND PURPOSES, AND ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO ENDURE THIS PROCESS.
Does this mean your will always be physically well or mentally strong or rich by the worlds standards or famous? No. No. A thousand times no.
But it does mean that you can find purpose and meaning and usefulness in even the worst of life’s circumstances.
He can free you to go and shape your life as God would have it – a life full with purpose and of promises met.
He can throw open the MANY prison doors that hold you captive, and liberate you.
He is the healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.
He can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.
He can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in ordinary books.
He can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.
He can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.
He can provide you the type of prosperity that means freedom. Not as the world knows prosperity. But the type of prosperity that means true Freedom. Free to be and to do and to go as God has called you to be and to do.
This Power of God can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.
But Jesus said,“You must first repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.
So, if your life is lacking the continuous flow of the fruit of the Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Now, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.
If your life is missing out on the works that Jesus did, and even greater works of teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom which can heal all kinds of sickness and diseases, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.
If you are living in loneliness, fear, doubt lack and want, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.
If you and your behaviors are “friendly” with the world but at odds with the Words and Teachings of Jesus, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.
You know, from the day we are born until the day we die, the twenty-third Psalm tells us that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death in this lifetime. And that God has set at table before us in the presence of your enemies, and that He has anointed our heads with His Oil and that our cup overflows. And His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. And our dwelling place will be in the house of the Lord, forever.
The day of our salvation is now at hand. You can experience the richness of being saved. You can feast at the table He has set before you, even in the presence of your enemies of lack, want, sickness, poverty, disease, loneliness and the like. You no longer need to miss the mark or to be left out of the things He has prepared for your life to Bless you and to prosper your soul.
You are made safe, and rescued from eternal harm. You will have found a rich and fulfilling purpose in and for your life, now. You can be made secure in all your relationships and in all the matters of your life. You can be assured of an eternal life with Him. THIS IS THE TABLE HE HAS SET BEFORE YOU.
For the kingdom of heaven is now at hand!
((Now, Father, we ask that you bless our heart and minds by having heard Your Word and ask You, Holy Spirit, to plant the seeds of Your Word deep into the soil of our hearts and minds that they will take root and produce your fruit in our lives, some thirty, some sixty and some one hundred fold, and that we will continue to be transformed evermore into the image and likeness of your Son, and our Lord, Jesus. Amen.))
Too much? Okay then. Just take it by faith, believe, trust and obey Him – if you can.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: (Then there is the more ‘complicated version’ which tells about how God has designed a system of right and wrong, and the treatment of good and evil, that punishes all sin – rebellion toward God and His Ways – with both a physical and a spiritual death which leads first to an earthly grave and then to an eternity in hell.
(On the other hand, and to make it even more complicated, because God is, by nature, merciful, forgiving and gracious, He will forgive all your sins and will allow His own Son to die a physical and a spiritual death in your place as punishment for all your sins – that is, if you will believe in Him, (Jesus), and will follow His example in life – you will be allowed to live eternally with God in heaven, just as if you had always believed in Him and had never sinned. I know, it doesn’t make much human sense, does it? I told you it was complicated, but that’s the deal, or the Covenant as God calls it. (There is much more to the legal side of all this, but let’s skip the lessons on Jewish religious thought and belief systems). Oh, and one other thing – God allowed Jesus to be literally killed at the hands of the ruling religious elite at or around A.D. 30, and then as crazy as it may sound to some, He rescued His Son in the middle of all this. Yep. God raised (Jesus from the dead and took Him to heaven ‘as the first born of many’ sons. So, if you believe in Him and follow Him, you too will be rescued and raised from the dead to as one of “the many sons – and daughters” to follow after Jesus into the heavenly home He has already prepared for you!)
We have all heard someone say things like, “This is how we do it here.”
Or, “What sets us apart from everyone else is our vision, which is ”.
Or, “What we believe you and everyone else here should be doing is ”.
“What I think you should be is ”.
(I, I, I, Me, me, me, mine, mine, mine.)
Smug: Having excessive pride in oneself, a high estimation of one’s own ideas or one’s achievements.
Self-satisfied, complacent, self-congratulatory, more or less superior, pleased with oneself, self-approving, well pleased, proud of oneself, somewhat better than others, self-centered
2) with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.
Synonyms for the word “proud” found in the bible: ἀλαζών is properly a boaster, who tells great things concerning his own prowess and achievements, with the implied idea that many of his claims are false. This word naturally describes a trait which manifests itself in contact with one’s fellow men, not one which exists simply within the heart.
This describes one who thinks too highly of himself, describing a trait which is simply internal, not referring primarily to external manifestation, although this is implied. It means one who is proud, the external manifestation when it appears being in the form of arrogance in dealing with others.
You see, smugness is the conviction that you are, at least, just a little bit better than other people.
This would be arrogance if it wasn’t also mixed with a pinch of humility.
Smug people know they’re better, and the fact that they’re also humble about it makes them even better still.
No wonder they’ve got that annoying smile.
Ughhhh. I have to admit, I have found myself exhibiting some of these things at times. God, please help me.
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue.
(yes, there are five more, but we can stop here for now)
So, is there a way I tell if I am being smug?
Here are a few things I might need to watch for.
1. If I think my answer is the only correct answer, I might be smug.
2. If other people annoy me for no reason other than the fact they are there, I might be smug.
3. If I am always, even a little, critical of the places I go and the people I encounter (or see), I might be smug.
4. If I struggle with even the meaning of humility, I might have a problem with being smug.
5. If I really dislike smug people, I might have a real problem with being smug, myself.
6. If I take extreme pleasure and find extraordinary joy in seeing a smug person embarrassed or humiliated, I might have a problem with personal smugness.
There’s more we could list, but we all get the idea.
This is a serious matter, but, here is a funny routine, by comedian Brian Regan, about this matter (funny, if it weren’t so true)
THE ME MONSTER
Let’s pray for one another to rid ourselves of anything that displeases God.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves”; (Philippians 2:3).
A group of pastors were asked what was their primary ministry objective. One pastor answered, “The Kingdom of God”. When asked did they mean “The Church”, they simply repeated, “The Kingdom of God”. When asked, “but, what about the people of God – The Church?”. Whereupon, they repeated “The Kingdom of God” was their primary calling for ministry. (I.e., these pastors believe their view of the corporate structure and function of God’s Kingdom was their primary calling, ministry and mission – not the Church! (This is a widespread phenomenon. Many pastors and staff view the Church (membership) as a distraction and a burden to be dealt by way of programmed activities (as a means to keep the ‘church people’ busy while the staff does their Kingdom Work). Scriptures see these pastor and staff as negligent, improper, manipulative and abusive in their treatment of the church, and subsequently the way Christians treat one another as they respond to this type of ‘leadership’).
What does the Bible say about each and every Christian’s primary calling, mission and objective, however?
“You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30).
You are to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31).
“Go and make disciples, of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to follow all that I commanded you”. (Matthew 28:19-20).
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this the world will know that you are My disciples”. (John 13:34-35).
Love – Agapao – to love (in a social or moral sens).
{chiefly of the heart (wholehearted, unconditional, devoted) while G5368 is chiefly of the head (feelings, conditional, sentimental)}
Aorist Tense – has loved, does love, will always love (past, present, future – a continuous action, without beginning or end).
For God so loved the world,
World –Kosmos – an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government; ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, ‘the heavenly hosts’, as the ornament of the heavens; the world, the universe, the circle of the earth, the earth, the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family, the ungodly multitude;
that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
Perish – apóllymi, ap-ol’-loo-mee; from G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:—destroy, die, lose, mar, perish. To Kill, put an end to.
God created the world (kosmos) and loved, loves and will always love His creation so much that He had and has and will continue to have no intention of causing it to perish – However, He has not and will not force His creation to love Him, appreciate Him, believe in Him nor to obey Him. But all the men and women who refuse to believe in Him, will perish (be destroyed) by their own choice, by their own volition. Those that remain – those who believe in Him – have the right to be called the children of God and are joint heirs with Jesus, and will live eternally with God.
V. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. V. 18 The one who believes in Him is notjudged;
Judge – Krino (krínō, kree’-no); properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:—avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
Believe(s) – Pisteuo – pisteúō, pist-yoo’-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ):—believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Please, please, please, dear Christian brothers and sisters, let’s stop going down the errant path of ‘self’ and “repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”. Jesus has told us that although He is God, He did not consider even that as something to hold over people. He tells us that He came to serve and not to be served. This is the way – He is the Way. This is our only hope in these last days! Let’s love one another just as God loves us! Please.
During a men’s breakfast, one man asked “what should we be doing in anticipation of the return of Jesus and the rapture?” There were several answers. Then I shared an experience I had at a revival meeting a couple of years earlier. An evangelist and guest speaker came to the pulpit and asked the question, “Jesus is coming back soon. Are you excited?”, to which the congregation exploded in cheers and applause.
Then this evangelist became quiet and in a low and serious voice he said, “Too many Christians are doing little more than staring skyward waiting for the Lord to return, but He has told us we are to be busy with His works. So, it is time we stopped looking at the sky and get busy with the Father’s business!” He then went on to preach about the relationship between Abraham and his nephew Lot. God instructed Abraham to leave his land and go where God would instruct Him, in Canaan. The two travelled together, but soon they land they came to would not support both families and lot began to grumble and complain. In brief, Abraham was generous to Lot and gave him choice of the land they had come to, and Lot was self-serving and chose the choice lands. Abraham took what was left and dug his wells and pastured his flocks. God rewarded Abraham’s obedience to Him, his kindness and generosity toward Lot.
The takeaways and examples for us, especially in these last days and in preparation for His Return, are:
Trust in Divine Direction: Abraham showcases the blessings that flow from obedience.
Flee from Sin: God’s urgent command to leave Sodom encourages believers to depart from compromising environments.
Intercession: Abraham’s plea for Sodom demonstrates the power of prayer for those in peril or unbelief.
Grace Under Pressure: Even when we make shortsighted decisions, as Lot did, God offers rescue to those who heed His call.
Conclusion
Abraham and Lot’s accounts converge to depict both the rewards of faithfulness and the repercussions of unwise choices. Supported by biblical manuscripts and corroborated by historical and archaeological discoveries in the regions around the Dead Sea, the story stands as a testament to divine sovereignty, mercy, and the outworking of God’s plan through His chosen people.
As the narrative unfolds, these two figures continue to inspire readers to trust divine promises, heed God’s warnings, and anchor their hope in the One who fulfills all covenant faithfulness. Their lives illustrate that true prosperity emerges not from the world’s allure but from walking in step with God’s word.
Scriptures tell us that just before Jesus returns there will be an onset of cosmic and terrestrial cataclysms (Matthew 24:29), such as the world has never seen before and never will see again (Matthew 24:21). So what does this have to do with what we be doing in anticipation of the return of Jesus and the rapture? It has everything to do with being obedient to God’s commands in these Last Days; to be inspired by Abraham’s obedience and to inspire others to trust divine promises; to heed God’s warnings, and anchor our hope in the One who fulfills all covenant faithfulness. Our lives, like the life of Abraham, should illustrate that true prosperity emerges not from the world’s allure but from walking in step with God’s word.
And it is sadly true that, in my observations, far too many Christians are doing little more than waiting around, ‘staring skyward’ waiting for Jesus’ return, in anticipation of certain events to occur – many of which have already begun. The Lord Jesus said we are to be about His Works as this day draws near. He also warned against idleness, in no uncertain terms: “Why do you call me Lord, when you have not done the things I commanded you?”
Whereupon, another man pointed out how his pastor was going to receive many crowns for his hard work, but he probably would receive very little. Yet another man cautioned that we should be careful and witness as often as we get the opportunity, and yet another man said, “we should make the opportunities and take them or we might here ‘depart from me, I don’t know you because you did not do what I said’.
WOW!
But let’s get this straight. What am I to do and how am I, are we, as Christians, to be prepared for Jesus’ return? Rather than complicate and already complicated matter, let’s look at what Jesus says we are to do, to be and to be doing in preparation for His Return and the End of The Age.
Signs of Christ’s Return
Matthew 24:1, Jesus left the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. 2 But He responded and said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
Verse 3. And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Verse 4. And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Verse 5. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people. Verse 6. And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. Verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Verse 8. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. 12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. 14This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:21, For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.22 And if those days had not been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.
The Glorious Return
Matthew 24:29 “And immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER Hiselect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.
Parable of the Fig Tree
32 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: as soon as its branch has become tender and sprouts its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation (this epoch – “to become, and signifies a change of condition, state or place“; i.e., these conditions…) will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
36 “But about that (exact) day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
Be Ready for His Coming
42“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
45 “Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household slaves, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 47 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ 49and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk; 50then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know, 51and he will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Parable of Ten Virgins
Matthew25:1, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; 4 but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps. 5 Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 However, the prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.
Parable of the Talents
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents.17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.
19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’
22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’
24 “Now the one who had received the one talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed.25 AndI was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’
26 “But his master answered and said to him,‘You worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed?27 Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’
29 “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30And throw the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Judgment
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’
41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not [i]take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ 46These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew28:18, And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So, what are you to be?
Galatians 5:22Be filled with the Spirit and demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.
Philippians 2:2, Be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. 9 For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.
14Do all things without complaining or arguments;15so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding firmly the word of life.
So, how are you to do what are you to do?
Acts1:7, But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (martyrs – whether by dying for or giving up your own life for Him) both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
Not everyone is an evangelist, are they? Nor is everyone a preacher or a pastor. God has given each of us our own unique spiritual gift that is for witnessing and the building up of the Body of Christ.
SO, DO YOU KNOW YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT?
Have you ever wondered about that or been asked that question before?
So, do you? Do you know your Spiritual Gift? And, if you do know your Spiritual Gift?
Spiritual gifts, (charismata) are an endowment or extraordinary powers given by the Holy Spirit.
These supernatural graces, are given to individual Christians by the Holy Spirit with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ which is The Church and are needed to fulfill the mission of the Church. Spiritual Gifts enable Christians to serve the Lord and His Church.
Two important Truths have been lost over time and this loss is rendering God’s Church as less effective in Her mission and is, in fact, soiling His Bride.
Truth #1. The Church has become grossly self-serving.
It is through Spiritual Gifts that God empowers and enables us to serve Him and to serve His Church, which is His Body. We are, as Christians, to serve the Lord and His Church.
Jesus, Himself, said, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” and that is our calling also.
We are not here to “be served”, we are here to serve.
Truth #2. You and I are The Body of Christ, that is we are “The Church”.
We have become accustomed, over the last two millennium (beginning with Constantine) with the idea that we ‘go to church’, but that is impossible in God’s Kingdom and in His economy because we are The Church.
Jesus created His Church – His Body – and made it so the whole Body fits together – perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The Holy Spirit lives IN us to guide us – His Body – to convict us, defend us and to empower us.
Jesus transformed the practice and attitude of ‘going to church’ and having externals things to convict or to defend us. Those requirements are now written on our hearts and in our consciences.
We must BE the Body, The Church, and behave as such, or we simply are not following Jesus.
No matter what you believe or say or do, otherwise, you are not a follower of Jesus and you should not call yourself by the Holy and set apart name (Christian) if you do otherwise.
We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus and called to be His Witness and to serve.
We are God’s church.
Here is a list of the Gifts which God gives His Body. See if you can find which gift(s) is/are yours? Can you imagine how different things would be in The Church and the world around us if we engaged and used these Gifts, daily?
Romans 12 1 Corinthians 12 Corinthians 12 Ephesians 4Prophecy Word of wisdom Apostle Apostle
Serving Word of knowledge Prophet Prophet
Teaching Faith Teacher Evangelist
Exhortation Gifts of healing Miracles Pastor
Giving Miracles Kinds of healing Teacher
Overseer Prophecy Helps
Mercy Distinguishing spirits Administration
Tongues Tongues
Interpretation of tongues
Sometimes, Spiritual Gifts are mistakenly considered to be a natural talent or a person’s proclivity, a natural inclination. Natural talents can mimic Gifts of the Holy Spirit, but, they will never accomplish God’s purposes effectively.
Please remember, these are not natural talents. These are supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Here is a more detailed description and function of the Gifts.
Apostle: The title apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “a messenger, one sent forth with orders”. It refers to one who has been delegated authority by another in a foreign land. Apostles were the first leaders of the Church; they were commissioned by Jesus to initiate and direct the preaching of the gospel. (There is no passage in the Bible saying this gift was temporary nor that is has ceased)
Prophet: In the New Testament, the office of prophet is to equip the saints for the work of service through exhortation, edification, and consolation (1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:3 Ephesians 4:11). The prophet’s corresponding gift is prophecy. Prophecy is “reporting something that God spontaneously brings to your mind”.
Prophecy is addressed to the human understanding “he who prophesies speaks to men,” Corinthians 14:1-25. The prophet “edifies the church” (14:4).
Evangelist: An evangelist is one who devotes himself to preaching the gospel. In the New Testament, evangelists preached from city to city, church to church.
Pastor: This term derives from a Greek word for “shepherd”. Pastoral Gifts include integrity and compassion.
(The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep to defend the sheep from attackers to heal the wounded and sick sheep to find and save lost or trapped sheep to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
During World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying alongside him to maintain visual contact.)
Teacher: Someone who devotes his or her life to preaching and teaching the Christian faith. When teaching is provided for the Church by God, two gifts are actually given—to the Church is given a teacher and along with the teacher comes a divine capacity to teach.
Service: The word translated as “ministry” is diakonia, which can also be translated “service”. Since there are many types of ministries and service to the Church, this then describes a broad array of gifts rather than a single gift.
Exhortation: The ability to motivate Christians “to patient endurance, brotherly love, and good works”.
Giving: Those with this gift share their own possessions with others with extraordinary generosity. While all Christians should be givers, those possessing this gift will go beyond this normal giving.
Overseeing: This gift speaks to the various roles found in the Church. While many think of roles such as administration, management of funds, strategy planning, etc. as functions outside of the supernatural realm, in reality individuals in these positions are just as in need of supernatural empowerment as are ministers of the gospel. This is sometimes inappropriately called ‘leadership’.
Mercy: Possibly identical to the gift of helps, the mercy-shower possesses a ministry of visitation, prayer, and compassion to the poor and sick.
Word of wisdom: An utterance or message of wisdom supernaturally granted to an individual. For Paul, wisdom refers to “the knowledge of the great Christian mysteries: the Incarnation, Passion, and Resurrection of Christ, and the indwelling in the believer of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2; Ephesians 1:17)”.
Word of knowledge: The knowledge referred to is often said to relate to understanding Christian doctrine or scriptural truth. It is sometimes said to be connected with the ministry of teachers.
Faith: This refers to that strong or special faith “which removes mountains, casts out devils (Matthew 17:19–20), and faces the most cruel martyrdom without flinching”. It is distinguished from the “saving” and “normal” Christian faith.
Gifts of healing: The ability to supernaturally minister healing to others. The plural indicates the variety of sickness healed and the many forms the gift takes, such as healing by anointing with oil, by the laying on of hands, by saying the name of Jesus or by the sign of the cross.
Working of miracles: The performance of deeds beyond ordinary human ability by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Visions. An outpouring of this gift is prophesied in Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 and is expected to increase and be of great value in the “last days”.
Discerning of spirits: The capacity to discern, distinguish, or to discriminate the source of a spiritual manifestation—whether it emanates from a good or evil spirit. It seemed to have been particularly associated with prophecy as it would be necessary to know whether a prophetic utterance was truly inspired by God.
Tongues: The supernatural ability of speaking an unlearned language. Paul seems to have distinguished between the public use of the gift (which must always be interpreted) and the private use which was for the spiritual strengthening of oneself.
(Among Christians there is a discussion as to whether tongues were/are always xenoglossy, which is speaking an unlearned human language, or whether it also included/includes glossolalia, which is speaking an unlearned and allegedly non-human language of heavenly or angelic origin).
Interpretation of tongues: This gift always follows the public exercise of the gift of tongues.
(In 1 Corinthians 14, the Apostle Paul required that all speech in Christian worship should be intelligible. This required that speech given in an unknown tongue be interpreted in the common language of the gathered Christians.)
Helps: This gift has to do with service to the sick and the poor. Possessor of this gift has a “spiritual burden and a God-given love for the needy and afflicted”.
Administration: Also called the gift of governing, the Greek word translated “governments” is kubernesis, the verb form of which means “to steer” or “to be a helmsman”. This gift then refers to the God-given capacity to oversee or guide the Church through storms and difficult seas.
(NOTE: Many versions of the Bible and many theologians and bible teachers say the word “leader” or “leadership” is a Spiritual gift. That is a misunderstanding of the correct word and intention of the word is presbyter or “overseer”. )
I pray that you will consider the Gifts God has given you and how you can serve His Church and affect the world around you as we make ready for His return.
There are many places you can find and take a Spiritual Gifts test for the purpose of applying what God has so graciously and generously given you. This is His Gift to you for witnessing, serving, and being prepared for His Return.
I want to remind myself and you, the reader, that the New Testament of the Bible, generally speaking, and chiefly the Book of John and specifically these verses, are not just a religious documentary or a simple narrative of “The Life and Times of Jesus”, but they are (1) the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, (2) useful for our teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, and (3) are the very breath, “the breathed out Word” of a Living God. (This is the potential of what you are holding when you hold a Bible in your hands. Think about it.)
It is as if Jesus is simultaneously living two realities for us to see and witness – because He IS simultaneously living two realities for us to see and witness. First, He is the only One True Living God, the living Word of God – The Son of God, the Second part of the Trinity of God; He is the Son of Man. Secondly, He is the Son of man, God made flesh, living among us, Emmanuel, God with us. So, what we see with our natural eyes is the manifestation of “God the Son” appearing to us as has pierced through time, space and reality. He has come to us from His Kingdom, as the scripture say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand”, which is the Spiritual realm of God; and He has come to us, walking among us in the natural world. Put another way, we are seeing the manifestation of God’s Will within His created natural world: “His Kingdom come, His Will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”.
With these things in mind, don’t just read these words, but “eat them and drink them”, for they are His Flesh and His Blood which give life!
Jesus Teaches at the Feast
John 7:1,After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. Verse 2. Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near. Verse 3. So His brothers said to Him, “Move on from here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. Verse 4. For no one does anything in secret when he himself is striving to be known publicly. If You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” Verse 5. For not even His brothers believed in Him. Verse 6. So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always ready. Verse 7. The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify about it, that its deeds are evil. Verse 8. Go up to the feast yourselves; I am not going up to this feast, because My time has not yet fully arrived.” Verse 9. Now having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.
(Commentary Break): ‘Jesus was walking in Galilee’ is significant by both definition and the tense of this verb. It is saying “He was continually walking, on purpose and with a purpose”. This was not a casual or curiosity stroll. Jesus is on mission. He is executing the Will and Plan of His Father. This is a clear mandate to any and all of His followers, including you and me. Every minute of every day we should be aware that we too are on mission for God, going about with His purpose on and in our mind, doing His Will.
It is also significant that this event in scriptures is taking place during the Feast of the Booths, or Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, is a Torah-commanded Jewish holiday celebrated for seven days, beginning on the fifteenth day of the month of Tishrei. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals on which Israelites were commanded to be at a certain place at an appointed time – in this case, a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Biblically an autumn harvest festival and a commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt. We should realize that The Exodus, a freeing of the Jews from captivity, was a pattern, a foreshadowing of our being set free from our captivity to sin and death. THIS IS NOT A PHILOSPHY or a metaphor. It is a reality of what has already occurred in the Heavens and is now being manifest upon this earth. We are called, just like the Jews, at Sukkot, to be at a certain place at a certain time. More on this to follow.
Next, Jesus’ disciples begin to encourage Him to become more public so more people and especially His disciples would see His works and believe in Him. Jesus responds by contrasting His divine mission with the worldly perspective of His brothers. Their “time” refers to their freedom to act according to their own desires and schedules. This reflects our human tendency to operate independently of God’s timing and purpose. In a broader sense, it highlights the difference between human and divine perspectives on time and purpose. This is the lesson we should take from this.
Jesus’ remark that “My time has not yet come”, underscores Jesus’ awareness of His divine mission and the specific timing ordained by God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is conscious of the “hour” or “time” set by the Father for His actions, particularly His crucifixion and resurrection. This reflects the prophetic nature of His ministry, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. It also emphasizes His obedience to the Father’s will, a key aspect of His role as the perfect servant and sacrifice. And, once again, this is the model for all of us, His disciples. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 10. But when His brothers had gone up to the feast, then He Himself also went up, not publicly, but as though in secret. Verse 11. So the Jews were looking for Him at the feast and saying, “Where is He?” Verse 12. And there was a great deal of talk about Him in secret among the crowds: some were saying, “He is a good man”; others were saying, “No, on the contrary, He is misleading the people.” Verse 13. However, no one was speaking openly about Him, for fear of the Jews.
Verse 14. But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple area, and began to teach.
(Commentary Break): The timing, “halfway through,” indicates that Jesus chose a moment when the city was bustling with activity and the religious atmosphere was heightened, allowing His message to reach a wide audience.
The temple courts were the outer areas of the Temple in Jerusalem, accessible to all people, including Gentiles. This setting was significant as it was a central place for teaching and discussion, where rabbis and teachers would often engage with the public. Jesus’ presence here underscores His role as a teacher and His willingness to engage with the religious leaders and the people in a public forum. The temple was the heart of Jewish religious life, making it a strategic location for Jesus to reveal His teachings. Dear friends, this is our pattern and model.
Jesus’ teaching in the temple courts highlights His authority and wisdom, which often astonished those who heard Him. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus taught with direct authority, often challenging traditional interpretations and focusing on the heart of the Law. His teachings were rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, fulfilling prophecies and revealing deeper truths about God’s kingdom. (the foregoing 2 paragraphs are taken from BibleHub.com bible study notes).
Verse 15. The Jews then were astonished, saying, “How has this man become learned, not having been educated?” Verse 16. So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me. Verse 17. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself. Verse 18. The one who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
(Commentary Break): Now, please pay careful attention. Jesus is not only fulfilling prophetic scriptures, He is teaching and training His disciples for when their time comes. Jesus says, “My teaching is not My own, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is of God, or I am speaking from Myself.” I hear so many Christians ask or pray saying, “if it be your will”, as if His Will is always an unknown and unknowable thing. Yet Jesus says that “if anyone is willing to do His will, he will know…”
Jesus is teaching that which is Right, what is Good and Acceptable and Perfect, to Abstain from evil and lust, and to Give Thanks in all things!
The frequency of the use of a word or phrase in the Bible potentially tells us the importance or uniqueness of that word or idea communicated by that word or phrase. But, regardless of the frequency of this phrase, I would say that the “Will of God” is a pretty important idea.
So, use the Bibleto decide what God says about GOD’S Will, and here are four instances of the twenty-five occurrences of the phrase “God’s Will” from the Bible, where the Bible clearly explains God’s Will:
1 Peter 2:15, “For such is the will of God, that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;”
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Do you want to know about the teaching, whether it is of God? Then you must know and do the Will of God. Then you can see the power of God’s Word and His Spirit work for good in your life? Does using these four verses sound too simple? You can expand on these verses, but, just try these for a start.
DO RIGHT. (1 Peter 2:15),
RENEW YOUR MIND TO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. (Romans 12:2),
ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. (1 Thessalonians 4:3),
IN EVERYTHING, GIVE THANKS. (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
Interesting, isn’t it? Knowing and doing God’s Will produces a life that is RIGHT, GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, PERFECT and produces THANKSGIVING. Isn’t that what you want for every circumstance in your life? Think about it. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 19. “Did Moses not give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law? Why are you seeking to kill Me?” Verse 20. The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill You?” Verse 21. Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all are astonished. Verse 22. For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and even on a Sabbath you circumcise a man. Verse 23. If a man receives circumcision on a Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry at Me because I made an entire man well on a Sabbath? Verse 24. Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
(Commentary Break): Jesus points out that they seek to kill Him because the say He is deliberately breaking the Law of Moses. The crowd deflects and suggests that Jesus has a demon who is causing Him this strife.
Now Jesus points out their ignorance of the Law and of their hypocrisy. The Law of Moses made an exception in the Law for circumcision on the Sabbath, yet they hold Jesus as guilty of breaking the law if He would heal or make whole, the entire person on the Sabbath. He then tells them not to judge by outward appearances, i.e., by strict legalistic standards (by the letter of the Law), but look at the heart on the intentions of a person before you judge.
If there is one great failing in Christendom, this is the one. We are so quick to judge unfairly, but equally as quick to overcompensate and to overlook evil in the name of forgiveness. If you have ever been judged unfairly, you have felt the sting of legalism and injustice. But, then you see someone else deliberately sin and find forgiveness just because of who they are or who they know, you have to stomach they hypocrisy. This is the fall of the Church.
Brothers and Sisters, let’s do all we can, by the grace and power of God to not judge and criticize and condemn others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge, so that you will not be judged unfairly. For just as you hypocritically judge others when you are sinful and unrepentant, so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure used to pass out judgment, judgment will be measured to you. Think about it, why do you look at the insignificant speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice and acknowledge the similar egregious log that is in your own eye? Use godly wisdom, common sense, and moral courage together with God’s written word to discern right from wrong, to distinguish between morality and immorality, and to judge doctrinal truth. There are many judgments that are not only legitimate, but are commanded (John 7:24; 1 Corinthians 5:5, 12; Galatians 1:8, 9; 1; John 4:1-3; 2 John 10; however, do not judge another without carefully examining their intentions and without examining your own heart and actions. (End Commentary Break).
Jesus’ teaching is both revolutionary and counter-cultural and the path to life more abundant. But not as the world sees abundance. This is an abundance of life that is worth living. A life of peace, love, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A prosperity of the heart, mind and soul. It is a life that begins in the spirit and is then manifest in the world, “As it is in heaven, so it shall be on earth”.
Or, you can click on this image to take a test and grade it yourself by clicking on this image.
