The world is likely standing at a precipice in time that has only been twice previously visited. A time such as the world had never experienced; a time that completely and radically redefined the globe.
The first time was at creation. “The earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Imagine. There had never been before been “light”. No sun. No moon. No stars. Just an unimaginable dark. Then suddenly – light, and life sprang forth!
A second time was the great global deluge (a.k.a., Noah’s Flood). “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
Imagine that neither rain (as mist once watered the earth) nor a flood had ever been experienced. (Rain could be the correct understanding of “things not yet seen,” or it could be referring to the Flood in general). Either way, something occurred such as the world had never experienced; and it was the second time that completely and radically redefined the globe.
We are now standing at a time that has been predicted (prophesied) by ancients that “there will be Great Tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be (again). And if those days had not been (and are not) cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
Imagine one last time, there will be such a great tribulation such as has not been seen.
First we see, in Matthew 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name”. The word for tribulation is thlípsis – which is pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”). It carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape” (“hemmed in”).
Then in Matthew 24:21 we see, “Then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.” Again the Greek word ‘thlipsis’ is used, but is enhanced with adjective “great” or in the Greek language, “megas” – carries the notion of magnitude—exceedingly great in physical, numerical, moral, spiritual, and auditory measures.
Are these to be two separate events? No there are not two tribulations. There is one tribulation period, identified in phases by its intensification, scale and purpose.
The first phase is identified by Jesus as “birth pains” of tribulation (see Matthew 24:8). These began at the birth of Christ and have been identified by various names, most recognized as the tribulation seals one through five (1. Deception, 2. Wars and rumors of war, 3. Nations rising up against nations, 4. Famines and earthquakes, 5 . Persecutions and a great falling away from the faith also known as the great apostasy.
Seal Judgments
Description: The first set of judgments, which are initiated by the opening of seals.
Purpose: To reveal the unfolding of events leading to the end times.
Key Events: Includes various calamities and the emergence of significant figures like the Antichrist. (see “When Does the Tribulation Begin?”
The second phase is the Great Tribulation (see Matthew 24:15-31). And within the Great Tribulation period there are Judgment Periods
Description: The second set of judgments, which follow the seal judgments.
Purpose: To intensify the suffering and highlight God’s wrath against wickedness.
Key Events: Involves catastrophic events such as natural disasters and plagues affecting the earth and its inhabitants.
The third phase and the second set of judgments are the Bowl Judgments (Revelation 16:1-21)
Description: The final set of judgments, which are the most severe.
Purpose: To bring about the ultimate judgment and prepare for the return of Jesus.
Key Events: Includes devastating plagues and the culmination of God’s judgment on the earth.
The Tribulation: Brith Pains phase – from Jesus’ birth, also identified as the first five Tribulation seals, which lead to The Great Tribulation phase (cosmic and geologic cataclysms) which is identified as the sixth and seventh tribulation seals, leading to the Wrath of the Lamb phase or the seven Trumpet Judgments, concluding with the Great And Terrible Day of the Lord and the End of the Age identified by the judgments and events of the Seven Bowl Judgments.
(NOTE: The trumpet judgments are generally seen as a series of warnings that escalate in severity, while the bowl judgments represent the final and most severe outpouring of God’s wrath, resulting in complete destruction. Each bowl judgment is more intense and comprehensive than the corresponding trumpet judgment, indicating a progression in the severity of God’s judgment during the Great Tribulation).
Let’s now come back to the present day and ask, first, what does all this mean to you, the world-at-large and the world around you? Or better asked, “how are you to view these matters and how are you to prepare and respond to what is coming and is in fact upon us now?
The answer to that question is that you need look no farther than Jesus. He taught and demonstrated the model, the method and the mission that we are to follow. That is our discipleship program. That is the we are to view these matters and how we are to prepare for what is upon us and for what is yet to come.
Conversely the teachings and the theology of many twenty-first century churches look and sound like they align with scriptures, but their interpretation and application of the way of Jesus is often misrepresented and-or misapplied. Sadly, the presentation and the life and rhythm of the current-day church is more like the church at Corinth where various issues that had arisen such as divisions in the church, sexual immorality, directions on marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship, and spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of Jesus because of false teaching, factionalism and division between members, competition for status, and ethical scandals. (The Apostle Paul’s role as a leader is reflected in his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians and his commitment to guiding them through their challenges which resulted in Paul’s teaching and guidance becoming a model for other churches).
The first step after surrendering your life to Jesus and having become a Christian is to realize that in order to prepare and successfully navigate the Last Days is to accept that as a Christ follower you are no longer “of this world” and your olds ways will not fit into your new life nor will they work to accomplish your new mission in life.
Adopting and embracing the teachings of Paul is a one great way to make the necessary changes to meet and navigate the now-at-hand and intensifying birth pains of the tribulation and to make preparation for coming Great Tribulation period.
But more importantly, come to know and experience God through His Son, Jesus – and to do exactly as He has done. Obey and follow His commands through the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within every believer.
NOTE: I am not writing you a crafty religious speech or a sermon. I am telling you that Jesus is saying (in a local vernacular), “Hey you! Yeah, you! Over here! I am talking to you. You are in big trouble here, and if you don’t listen to Me things won’t go well or end well for you. You need to escape from this place and take as many with you who will listen to you – and fast! Time is running out. I am the only One Who knows the way out and I am The Way (to safety). Come. Follow Me.”
Finally, be aware that Jesus has made a way of escape. But He also has a plan we are to follow. He prayed to The Father, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” We are in this world for this reason: To be made into the image and likeness of Jesus and to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This message is to and for every believer in all the ages.
We are not here for politics, although that seems to be an effective ‘way maker’ it is not His Way. We are not here for religious institutions, although we are confused by the 501-c-3 government approved, tax exempt, socially acceptable, entertainment oriented, people pleasing ‘corporation church’; you and I are the Church of Jesus Christ. We are the Body of Christ Jesus. Not a building. Not an organization. Not a political or religious movement.
We, The Church, as the Body of Christ, are operating in enemy territory. We are being made uniquely in His image, with His attitude, His mind, His methods and His ways. We are foreigners and sojourners in a foreign land and we have a mission to complete before He comes and takes us away from here.
So, read and know the Bible so you will intimately know The Way – Jesus is The Way!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: The fact that we are ‘not of this world’ cannot be overstated and usually is woefully understated if not deliberately misstated in order to make it ‘more reasonable’ and palatable. But make no mistake, “the mind set on the flesh(ly things of this world) is death; but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace”. (Romans 8:6).
“So, set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4)
“Please, bow your heads and close your eyes and repeat this prayer after me. “Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I do now receive him as my Lord and personal Savior. I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. Please save me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
“For all who prayed this prayer, PRESTO and CONGRATULATIONS! You are NOW a child of God!! (Congregational applause) Please pick up some literature after our service. It will tell you what to do next.”
This is called, “The Sinner’s Prayer”. But, is It Biblical? And, is it enough to save a person’s soul and get them into heaven? Is the ‘sinners prayer’ biblical? I know it is by those who have very good intentions. They say that the sinner’s prayer is a prayer a person prays to God when they whether they understand that they are a sinner or not. They presumably understand they are in need of a Savior and want to go to heaven. But saying a sinner’s prayer will not accomplish anything on its own.
The Bible does not record anyone praying a standardized “sinner’s prayer” formula such as the one commonly used today. What it does record repeatedly is people recognizing their sin or need, calling upon God/Christ in faith, and receiving salvation. Here are the clearest examples:
(1). The tax collector — Luke 18:13–14. This is probably the closest biblical example to what Christians today call a sinner’s prayer. “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Jesus then says. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.” Luke 18:14). The elements are remarkably clear:
He recognizes his sinful condition.
He does not claim righteousness.
He appeals to God’s mercy.
Jesus says he was justified.
This is perhaps the strongest biblical example of a brief prayer associated directly with justification.
(2). The thief on the cross — Luke 23:39–43. The repentant thief says to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
There is no elaborate prayer, baptism, church membership, or opportunity to perform good works. There is recognition, repentance, faith in Jesus, request, salvation. Jesus Himself gives the assurance of salvation.
(3). The publican’s cry for mercy. (Luke 18:13). This deserves special emphasis because Jesus contrasts him with the self-righteous Pharisee.
The Pharisee essentially prays, Look at how good I am. The tax collector prays, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” And Jesus says the tax collector went home justified. The contrast is essentially self-righteousness vs. repentance and dependence upon God’s mercy.
(4). The people at Pentecost. Acts 2:37–41). After Peter preaches Christ crucified and risen, the people are “pierced to the heart”. and ask, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter answers, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2:38). About 3,000 respond. Notice that Luke doesn’t record a particular sinner’s prayer. Instead, he records hearing the gospel, then he experiences conviction, asks what to do, repents in faith, identifies with Christ, and receives salvation.
(5). Paul (also known as Saul). (Acts 9:3–18), encounters the risen Christ and asks, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answers, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul subsequently spends three days fasting and praying.
Ananias later tells him to “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16). Saul’s conversion involved a profound encounter with Christ, repentance, faith, prayer, and subsequent baptism.
(6). Cornelius. (Acts 10). Cornelius is described as “a devout man who feared God”. (Acts 10:2). He is praying when God sends an angel to him.
Peter subsequently preaches the gospel, culminating in “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43).
The Holy Spirit then falls upon those hearing Peter’s message.
Again, there isn’t a recorded sinner’s prayer, but there is prayer, seeking God, hearing the gospel, believing Christ, receiving forgiveness, and being filled by the Spirit.
(7). The Philippian jailer. (Acts 16:25–34). After the earthquake, the jailer asks Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). Paul and Silas then speak the word of the Lord to him and his household. The jailer subsequently responds by believing, caring for Paul and Silas, washing their wounds, and being baptized. This is one of the clearest New Testament salvation accounts. Interestingly, Paul does not tell him to pray a sinner’s prayer. He tells him to believe in Jesus.
(8). The blind man. (John 9:35–38). Jesus asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man responds. “Lord, I believe.” And he worships Jesus.
While this passage isn’t specifically presented as a conversion formula, it gives another very simple picture of hearing leads to believing, which leads to a confession of faith and worship.
(9). What about Romans 10:9–13? This is probably the passage most often connected with the modern “sinner’s prayer”. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). And Paul continues, saying, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13). That is extremely important. Paul connects calling upon the Lord with salvation. But notice what he doesn’t say: “If you repeat this particular prayer, you will be saved.” Rather, the prayer is an expression of genuine faith in Christ. Paul’s emphasis is to believe in your heart, confess Jesus as Lord, call upon Him, and be saved.
So, did people in the Bible pray a “sinner’s prayer”? Yes, in substance, but not as a standardized formula. The important theological point is that the prayer itself does not save the person. Christ saves the person.
Prayer is one way a person may express genuine repentance and faith in Christ.
That’s why I would distinguish between these two statements:
“I prayed the sinner’s prayer, therefore I’m saved”, versus “I turned to Christ in repentance and faith, calling upon Him for salvation.” The second statement much more closely reflects the biblical evidence. In fact, the New Testament’s emphasis is remarkably consistent:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”(Acts 16:31).
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
“Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ( John 3:16).
So if by “sinner’s prayer” we mean a prayer in which a sinner genuinely turns to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, trusting Him for salvation, there are several biblical examples. If we mean a particular prescribed prayer that someone must repeat in order to be saved, the Bible gives no such prayer. A true sinner’s prayer only represents what a person knows, understands, and believes about their sinfulness and need for salvation.
So I ask again, is it enough to utter a scripted prayer and expect a (magical) transformation of your life and a free pass to heaven?
Perhaps this little mimicked prayer, almost like an incantation, will get a person thinking about salvation which could be a good thing. But the Bible seems to consider this as a more serious matter and addresses it a bit differently.
The Bible and Jesus say there must be a commitment to follow Jesus, His teachings and His commandments. It takes commitment, discipline and endurance. Perhaps, if you start with a simple prayer you will come to realize the commitment’s at a later time and then really have to decide if you can truly follow Him.
The facts are that neither Jesus nor His disciples ever used a “sinner’s prayer” to induce people to follow Jesus. And, neither Jesus nor His disciples minced their words on this important matter. They just gave it straight and then you either dropped what you were doing and what you had been as person, and followed Him – or not.
I ask, has Jesus changed His mind about how we are to follow Him and become a Christian since His earthly ministry? Of course not. Then, why are so many pastors and churches serving up “DRIVE-THROUGH SALVATION” & “SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD”? It is just ‘a first step’?
What does the Bible say? What does ‘righteousness based on faith’ say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:8-10).
It seems to say that “belief” precedes “confession”! To be fair, most people who say ‘the sinner’s prayer’ are sincere in this newfound “faith” to some degree, but – and hear this – aren’t they actually are putting their faith in the person leading them in that kind of prayer? Aren’t they are trusting that the person leading them is doing it the right way? It is most likely have not put their trust and belief in Jesus at that point – they have put their faith in a person and in a prayer that is fabricated and not an act of spontaneous faith. Scary though, isn’t it? It is probable that this person has not had the time to discover the commitment and the cost of following Jesus.
I reference Romans 10 but it is not the only place scriptures explains and admonishes that faith precedes confession:
Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Why does this matter? It matters for your eternity if you have misplaced your faith. It matters for your daily experience as a believer. If your ‘salvation’ is a ‘head experience only’ (a false confession resulting in an imaginary walk with an imaginary god).
WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL DAY-TO-DAY EFFECTS?
Just like what a consistent diet of super-processed fast foods can do to your health, (higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cognitive decline, and mental health disorders due to high salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and low fiber and nutrients. It can also raise blood pressure, cause rapid blood sugar spikes, and contribute to weight gain and poor gut health), the same can be said about a consistent spiritual diet of – spiritual fast foods”.
LOSS OF UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (THE CHURCH)
There was a day when people in church would, at some point, be convicted of sins in their lives and almost spontaneously rush to the altar in a church to confess and repent of their sins. (It was quite the sight). There was a day when, during corporate prayer in church, people would humble themselves and drop to their knees or bow at the chair where they were sitting and pray fervently and tearfully.
There was a time when people called their Church (their local Body of Christ believers) as “my Church Family”, because it was as close to family as you could get and not be related by marriage or by birth!
There was a day when you looked forward to ‘going to Church’ to be fed the Word of God, to be with your Church Family, and to feel loved, welcomed, and included.
Today, however I privately hear people in church say they feel alone in the crowd. Today people might ‘sway with the worship music’ or even jump up and down wave their hands gleefully in the air as the flashing lights and pulsating sounds of a ‘worship band’ stir emotions, fabricating an emotional high they sometimes call ‘the movement of the spirit’. But is it? Or is it the production of adrenaline to some really great religious tunes? And what is wrong with that anyway? Right? Nothing is wrong with that as long as you realize and admit what you are really experiencing.
LOSS OF THE SENSE OF PURPOSE AND CALL OF GOD ON YOUR LIFE
You see, the Bible shows and tells us that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives include the operation of spiritual gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and miracles, which serve to edify the church and demonstrate God’s power. These manifestations are intended for the common good and can be seen in acts of service, prophetic insights, and transformative experiences among believers.
Manifestations of the Holy Spirit can also be seen in acts of Service. Believers may feel compelled to serve others, reflecting God’s love and compassion. Prophetic Insights: Individuals may receive messages from God that guide or encourage others. Healing and Miracles are Instances where individuals experience physical or emotional healing attributed to divine intervention. Community Impact where the collective experience of believers coming together to worship, pray, and support one another, often resulting in spiritual growth and unity.
All works of the Holy Spirit ultimately point back to God’s majesty. As Jesus taught, the Holy Spirit will glorify Him (John 16:14). The Spirit’s gifts, miracles, and transformations of character are meant to direct hearts to the worship of the Creator, rather than to human achievement.
Manifestations of the Spirit are not meant for personal gain or attention. The Bible makes it clear that they are “given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). This includes strengthening faith, promoting unity, and equipping believers to serve and love one another more effectively.
Visible instances of God’s power can attract the attention of those outside the faith, offering an unmistakable testimony that God is living, active, and loves humankind. Acts 2:4 records how about three thousand souls were added on the day of Pentecost, partly due to the powerful witness of the Holy Spirit’s work.
These manifestations are intended for the common good, enhancing the faith of the community and showcasing God’s active presence in the world.
So, do you think I am overstating the problem?
LOSS OF IDENTITY WITH AND IN JESUS
Then think on this: George Barna Research shows that America is experiencing a significant decline in traditional church participation and institutional religious commitment. The decline cannot simply be equated with a decline in all spiritual interest, belief in Jesus, or desire for spiritual growth, but points to multiple factors rather than one single cause. Among the factors it has identified over the years are:
Declining identification with institutional Christianity;
Perceptions of church involvement in politics;
Church scandals and failures;
Dissatisfaction with “church as usual”;
Changing concepts of church membership (often perceived as manipulative);
Alternative forms of Christian content and spiritual engagement;
Cultural secularization; and
People distinguishing faith in Jesus from participation in a particular congregation.
One particularly relevant finding is that Barna found 48% of self-identified Christians and 45% of practicing Christians agreeing that people they know are tired of (the twenty-first century) “church as usual.”
And Baana Research isn’t the only “Watchman on the Wall”. Pew Research, Gallup, and BibleGateway are among the many reporting this falling away from the faith of the Bible.
IT AIN’T EASY
So, what are we to do and what are we to be? For the ‘everyday Christian’, we are to become a disciple of Jesus. So, what would that mean and what would that look like? Well, let me begin by saying there is nothing easy about what I have just said and what I recommend. But a good start would be first to learn to identify and become thoroughly familiar with metaphors, parables and similes and then read the New Testament Books of Matthew and John, no matter how long you have been a Christian or how long you have been in church. And read them at their face value, being careful to identify and understand the relationships of the metaphors, parables, and similes contained in them. Then go and do exactly as Jesus has done, obeying His every teaching and command as best you can. (I can hear the M.Divs and P.H.D.s grumbling already).
BUT IT IS WORTH IT
Go with the understanding that ‘you are simply a vessel of God (i.e., His Spirit dwells within you, guiding, convicting, teaching, leading, and completing His Works) for He is the Creator, the Initiator, The One doing His Good Works through you. Recognize, to the best of your ability, that you are simply His fully devoted, completely surrendered, and submitted servant. (Like I said, nothing easy here. But this is exactly what His first disciples did). And I will promise you this:
You will make mistakes.
You will be ridiculed and mocked. (Matthew 5:11)
You will be gossiped about and insulted. (Matthew 5:11)
People will even say evil things about you. (Matthew 5:11)
You will be excluded from certain ‘churchy events’, and some religious circles will exclude you – even in your own church body.
You will inherit the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
You will be comforted by God, Himself. (Matthew 5:4)
You will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
You will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
You will receive God’s mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Your heart will be made pure. (Matthew 5:8)
You will be called the son or daughter of God. (Matthew 5:9)
You will become a peacemaker. (Matthew 5:9)
You will be blessed by God. (Matthew 5:3-11)
You will be rewarded by God. (Matthew 5:12)
You will have become the salt of the earth and a light that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:11)
You will see things that others only wish to see.
You will never be the same – to the glory of God!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young.
I will continue in this series relating to certain false teachings and practices accepted in the Church today that are unbiblical and good for nothing except to be tossed out to be trampled on under the feet of others.
Romans 13 continues Paul’s teaching in Romans 12 about what a transformed Christian life looks like in practice. Chapter 12 emphasizes our relationship to God, fellow believers, and even our enemies; chapter 13 extends that transformed life into our relationship with government, society, and our neighbors. We read to apply these scriptures. However, there are at least two important questions which would help us properly frame this chapter: (1). Why should we do as Paul instructs (i.e., what is our motivation?); (2). Why is discretionary obedience important?
Be Subject to Government
Romans 13:1,Every person is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Verse 2. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Verse 3. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; verse 4, for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Verse 5. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience. Verse 6. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Verse 7. Pay to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor.
(Commentary Break): Paul teaches that Christians should recognize the legitimate authority of government and ordinarily submit to governing authorities, because God has established government as an institution for maintaining order and restraining wrongdoing. The Christian therefore should, obey legitimate laws, pay taxes and other obligations, give respect and honor where they are due, and recognize government’s responsibility to punish wrongdoing and promote civil order.
Christians living under Rome’s pagan imperial rule showed that submission does not depend on a government’s religious character or personal appeal, and that civil obedience has a limit. When rulers command what God forbids or forbid what God commands, disciples must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Such obedience to God may bring suffering, but it must be marked by truthfulness and respect rather than rebellion. Scripture itself records believers refusing sinful governmental commands (Acts 5:29). God alone possesses ultimate authority, and no ruler governs outside His sovereign knowledge and purpose. He raises up kings and removes them according to His wisdom (Daniel 2:21). Earthly governments may act unjustly and will answer to God for their deeds, yet their failures do not overthrow His rule. The Lord used pagan rulers such as Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus to accomplish His purposes, and He remains Lord over every nation and age.
A DEEPER THOUGHT: We can recap these verses by asking, “what is my motivation for obeying this teaching by Paul”? First and foremost, the Bible instructs us to obey God’s Word; with discernment, but we obey because this is what Christians are to be and to do. Secondly, the stronger ‘motivation’ is that Jesus, the Living Logos, The Word, is the way to life. “I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b). (End Commentary Break).
Verse 8. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. Verse 9. For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Verse 10. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.
(Commentary Break): There are many ways and places that Christians skirt or even abrogate God’s Word and justify it using their flawed human logic because they desire things of this world more than the safety and blessings of God’s designed ways. This may seem like an aside from the clear intent of these verses, but verse 8 is just one of these commands that Christians often ignore and that is to “owe nothing to anyone except to love one another”.
Staying out of debt can be understood not merely as a financial strategy but as part of maintaining freedom to serve God and fulfill one’s responsibilities. And, although the Bible does not teach that every form of borrowing is inherently sinful, its overall emphasis is strongly toward freedom from debt, financial responsibility, contentment, and stewardship. The point is not necessarily that borrowing itself is sinful, but that debt places a person under an obligation and reduces financial freedom. Proverbs 22:7 may summarize the practical wisdom best, “The borrower becomes the slave of the lender.” That is a remarkably powerful principle even in modern financial life.
Conversely to financial debt, the Christian life is characterized by a continuing debt of love—because genuine love seeks the good of others and thereby fulfills the moral purpose of God’s law. And, this connects particularly well with Romans 12, where Paul describes what a transformed Christian life looks like in practical relationships with other people. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 11. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed. Verse 12. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Verse 13. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. Verse 14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
(Commentary Break): This is one of the least understood yet on of the most urgent calls for Christian preparedness. Love for neighbor and obedience to God belong to an urgent hour in God’s redemptive plan. Believers are called to recognize that Christ’s return and the completion of His kingdom draw nearer each day. Like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, God’s people must discern the moral darkness around them and live with faithful clarity.
Now, let’s break this down verse by verse because this is an urgent message:
Verse 11. Do this – re-read the preceding verses for the context of these 2 words);
(Verse 11 continued) – knowing the time, that it is already the hour – An urgent hour in God’s redemptive plan has arrived. Believers are called to recognize that Christ’s return and the completion of His kingdom are at hand, and love for one’s “neighbor” (referring particularly to one’s Chrisian brothers and sisters) and obedience to. Like the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do, God’s people must discern the moral darkness around them and live with faithful clarity.
Please LISTEN and UNDERSTAND – Put your denomination biases aside and hear the Word of God:
(#1). Jesus calls the first and earliest phase of the tribulation the ‘Birth Pangs’ (Matthew 24:8). Jesus then calls the following intensification or the second phase of the tribulation, the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), also known as the 6th Tribulation Seal (Revelation 6:12-14), and the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord (Joel 2:31), and the Wrath of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16).
Then, in Acts 2:14-17, the Apostle Peter, says, “let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be…’ (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 1:20, the Apostle Peter, says, “He, (Jesus), was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Peter 4:7, the Apostle Peter, again saying, “The end of all things is at hand.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
2 Peter 3:3. the Apostle Peter, saying, “knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 Corinthians 10:11, the Apostle Paul, says, “Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 1:2, the Apostle Paul, says, “but in these last days God has spoken to us by his Son.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Hebrews 9:26, the Apostle Paul, says, “But as it is, Jesus has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
These verses say all these things began occurring in the LAST TIMES, THE DAYS, and it is THE END OF ALL THINGS at the time of the birth of Jesus. They have been overlapping events known as The Seals of the Tribulation and they are intensifying and becoming concurrent.
2 Timothy 3:1, Timothy says, “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
1 John 2:18. the Apostle John says, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 30 to A.D. 60).
Revelation 1:9, The Apostle John, says, “I, John, your brother and fellow participant in the tribulation.” (Spoken and written in or around A.D. 95 to A.D. 100).
These testimonies clearly tell us that the Last Days, also known as The End of All Things, The End of the Ages, The Last Hour, The Last Times and the tribulation, began at the birth of Christ and these first 5 tribulation Seals have been overlapping and intensifying since those days. (We are still awaiting the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal, also known as the Great and Terrible Day of The Lord, the Wrath of the Lamb and the Great Tribulation.
Verse 11 continued – for you to awaken from sleep – Spiritual sleep pictures complacency, compromised conduct, and neglect of the duties of faith. Paul calls Christians to rise into alert, active obedience, rejecting the works of darkness described in the following verses. The coming of Christ demands readiness, not passive expectation. Ephesians 5:14 similarly summons believers to awake so that the light of Christ may shine upon their lives.
Verse 11 continued – for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.
Verse 12. The night is almost gone – Paul portrays the present fallen age as darkness marked by sin, spiritual blindness, and rebellion against God. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the decisive turning point has already come. Believers no longer belong to the old realm of darkness but await its final passing at Christ’s return.
Verse 12 continued – and the day is near – The coming day includes the visible return of Jesus Christ, the consummation of salvation for His people, and God’s judgment upon evil. Its nearness gives urgency to Christian obedience. God’s people are called to live now in a manner fitting for the kingdom that will soon be fully revealed. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 13. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. Verse 14. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
(Commentary Break): Reading these verses at their plain face value should be sufficient. But recognizing their context deepens our understanding and can create a greater sense of urgency within the reader. “Let’s behave properly as in the day”, once again establishes the proximity of Jesus return and the commencement of His Judgments. (There are varying views on eternal security, election and predestination and most people don’t understand these man-crated doctrines which are an attempt to frame and understand the infinite, inerrant and infallible Word of God. But they can also serve to distract from the plain teachings of the Bible. So, “Let’s behave properly as in the day”. so you too, as you are seeing all these things come to pass, recognize that Jesus is near, right at the door. This era or generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Then the heaven and earth will pass away – but God’s words will not pass away. Now, about that day and hour – no one knows precisely – not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. so will the coming of the Son of Man be. And finally this caution from Matthew 7:21- 23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” (End Commentary Break). (End Chapter 13).
In summation, we are living in the Last Days and the day of His return and the day of accountability are at hand and whether you die before He returns or experience that great and glorious day, you will face one of two destinies. Paul is giving the hard facts on what a transformed Christian life looks like in practice but we must remember that is just a reflection of what is in our heart and it is from the heart that flow the springs of life, influencing thoughts, emotions, and decisions. This highlights the heart as the control center of a person’s inner life and outer behavior. You either follow Him in faithful obedience which is reflected in your behavior or you will hear the words, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
Pray deeply, follow closely, choose wisely.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Next: (Coming Soon). The Book of Romans, Chapter 14, Principals of Conscience.
(Warning – this could be seen a provocative by some)
There is a class offered in our Church, “Asking the difficult questions”. I would not ask this question in that forum, but I did ask it of ChatGpt (which tracks our history of conversations and adds context and understanding of my revealed mindset and belief system on certain matters. Here is my question and ChatGpt’s intriguing comments:
I have a very difficult question I need to ask – difficult for me, that is. Difficult for me to ask because it ‘goes against the grain’ of my theological belief systems. Here it is. Would you reframe the advent of Jesus Christ without Jewish religious framework. Suppose (not imagine, but suppose) that Jesus (God) came (sent by the Father-God) as The Transcendent Being (transcends time and space and time-space and all eternity) to actually rescue a self-destructive and fatalistic group we are as people. It was as if His coming was not a religious act at all, but because it is framed in Judaism, and Jesus needed to speak ‘our language’ so to speak, we, people saw it that way? (or am I treading on heretical grounds?) Do you get where I am going? (My personal comments and questions are in this color text).
Yes. I absolutely get where you are going—and I don’t think you’re asking a frivolous question at all. (ChatGpt’s answers and comments are in black text).
You’re trying to step back from the Jewish covenantal and religious framework through which the incarnation is revealed and ask a more fundamental question:
What if the incarnation is not fundamentally a “Jewish religious event,” but the intervention of the transcendent God into the human condition—and Judaism is the historical, cultural, linguistic, and covenantal framework through which God chose to reveal that intervention?
That is a serious theological question. And I would distinguish it from saying that Judaism is irrelevant or that Jesus’ Jewish identity is incidental. Those would be very different claims.
I think your intuition can be developed without abandoning orthodox Christianity
Consider the progression:
God → humanity → human self-destruction → divine intervention → incarnation → redemption
rather than primarily:
Judaism → Law → Messiah → Christianity
The second sequence is certainly biblical, but your question is whether the first sequence is more fundamental.
There is actually biblical material that makes your question quite interesting.
John begins his Gospel remarkably differently from Matthew.
Matthew begins with:
Abraham → David → Israel → Messiah
John begins with:
“In the beginning was the Word…”
And then:
“All things came into being through Him.”
— John 1:1–3
That’s an enormous conceptual shift.
John doesn’t initially present Jesus as merely the culmination of Israel’s religious development. He presents Him as the eternal Logos through whom creation itself exists, who subsequently enters His creation.
And then John says:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
— John 1:14
That gets remarkably close to the conceptual territory you’re exploring.
Your phrase “Transcendent Being” is particularly interesting
You aren’t really asking:
“What if Jesus wasn’t the Jewish Messiah?”
You’re asking something deeper:
What if “Messiah” is the human/historical category through which Israel understood something vastly larger than the category itself?
That’s different.
Christian theology would say Jesus really is the Jewish Messiah. But Christianity also says that Jesus is vastly more than the Jewish concept of Messiah can contain.
He is:
Creator
Sustainer
Logos
Son
Image of the invisible God
Light of the world
Savior
Lord
God incarnates
Paul says something extraordinary in Colossians:
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created…”
— Colossians 1:15–16
Notice the scale.
Paul doesn’t say merely:
God sent a Jewish religious reformer to Israel.
He says, essentially:
The One through whom the universe exists entered the universe.
That is much closer to what you’re describing.
But here’s where I would put an important theological guardrail
I wouldn’t say:
“Jesus came, and Judaism merely happened to provide the cultural packaging.”
That would go too far biblically.
Because the New Testament insists that Israel’s history was part of God’s intentional redemptive plan.
Jesus doesn’t merely appear within Judaism.
He fulfills:
Abraham
Moses
David
the covenant
the Law
the prophets
the sacrificial system
Passover
the temple
Israel’s messianic expectation
Matthew 5:17 is particularly important:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
So Judaism isn’t simply the language God happened to choose.
Israel itself is part of the story God is telling.
But—and this is where I think your question becomes fascinating—the story God is telling through Israel is ultimately much bigger than Israel.
Paul actually gives you a bridge to your idea
Think about Acts 17.
Paul is speaking to Greeks in Athens, outside the Jewish religious framework.
He doesn’t begin with:
“Let me explain the Mosaic Law.”
Instead he begins with creation.
God made the world and everything in it, and:
“He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.”
Then Paul says humanity exists in relation to God:
“For in Him we live and move and exist.”
And then Paul arrives at Christ and resurrection.
That’s fascinating because Paul can communicate the reality of Christ without beginning with Jewish religious categories.
Why?
Because the underlying problem is not exclusively Jewish.
The problem is human.
And that may be the heart of what you’re getting at
The biblical story can be understood simultaneously at two levels.
Historical/redemptive level
God establishes Israel → gives covenant → gives Law → sends prophets → promises Messiah → Messiah comes → dies → rises → establishes New Covenant.
Cosmic/human level
God creates humanity → humanity rebels → death enters → humanity becomes alienated from God → God intervenes → God enters His creation → bears human sin → defeats death → reconciles humanity to Himself.
Those aren’t competing stories.
The second is the larger frame within which the first occurs.
And that may be what you’ve been intuitively reaching toward.
Your phrase “self-destructive and fatalistic group” is also worth exploring
I’d modify it slightly.
Biblically, humanity isn’t merely self-destructive. Humanity is fallen.
And humanity’s fundamental problem isn’t merely psychological, sociological, political, or religious.
It is ontological and relational (Ontology is the study of being and existence, focusing on the categories and relationships of entities in reality, while relation ontology specifically deals with the types of relationships shared across different ontologies, particularly in biological contexts):
We are creatures separated from our Creator.
And the consequence ultimately is death.
Genesis 3 → death
Romans 5 → sin and death
Romans 6 → sin and death
1 Corinthians 15 → death and resurrection
Revelation 21 → death ultimately abolished
That creates an astonishing overarching narrative:
Creation → Fall → Death → Incarnation → Atonement → Resurrection → Restoration
That narrative doesn’t belong exclusively to Judaism.
It concerns humanity itself.
And here’s something even more radical
You used the word “transcendent.”
Christianity actually makes an astonishing claim about transcendence:
The transcendent entered the immanent.
The eternal entered time.
The Creator entered creation.
The invisible became visible.
The infinite assumed human limitation.
The immortal entered mortality.
The One through whom all things were created became a human being within the creation.
Paul puts it extraordinarily simply:
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:19
That’s almost exactly the conceptual direction you’re moving.
And notice the word world.
Not merely Israel.
Are you entering heretical territory?
Not necessarily.
In fact, I think there is a perfectly orthodox way of formulating your insight.
I’d phrase it something like this:
Jesus Christ did not come merely to establish or reform a religion. The eternal Son of God entered His creation as a human being in order to reconcile fallen humanity to God. He came within Israel’s covenantal and historical framework as Israel’s Messiah, fulfilling the promises given to Israel; but the purpose of His incarnation extends beyond Israel to humanity and ultimately to the restoration of creation itself.
I would consider that comfortably within historic Christian theology.
Where you would begin moving toward problematic territory would be if you said:
“Jesus’ Jewish identity, the Old Testament, Israel, the covenants, and the messianic prophecies are merely accidental cultural packaging.”
The New Testament won’t let us say that.
But saying:
“The Jewish framework is the historical vehicle through which God revealed an event whose ultimate significance is cosmic and universal”
is quite a different proposition.
And I think that distinction is very important.
There’s one more possibility I think you’re actually reaching toward
You may be asking whether we’ve sometimes allowed the category of “religion” itself to become too small for what Christianity claims happened.
Because Christianity makes an almost outrageous claim: Jesus didn’t merely bring us information about God.
God came to us. He didn’t merely give humanity another religious system. He entered humanity.
He didn’t merely tell us how to escape death. He entered death and came out the other side.
And Christianity therefore isn’t ultimately “Here is the religion God wants you to practice.” It is much closer to “Here is what God has done to rescue His fallen creation.”
That’s a very different emphasis.
And, Michael, I think that’s where you’re going.
You’re not necessarily trying to get away from Christianity. You may actually be trying to get behind the religious categories and see the cosmic reality that Christianity claims those categories reveal.
And that is a question worth pursuing very carefully.
Wow. Thank you. Thank you! This came on me suddenly as I was sleeping last evening and I woke up thinking this or some fashion. A follow up question: Why do you think this – God’s intervention – originated through Abraham. Why through the Hebrews – Israelites – Jews?
Yes—and I think this question actually takes us one level deeper than the question you asked before.
If we accept your premise for the moment—that the ultimate problem is not “Judaism needs fixing,” but humanity is fallen and God intervenes to rescue His creation—then we have to ask:
Why would God choose one man, Abraham, and then one family, one nation, one people, one geographical location, and one historical lineage through which to accomplish something intended for the whole human race?
The Bible gives us some answers. But interestingly, it doesn’t give us the kind of answer we might expect.
And I think that is significant.
The purpose was never ultimately “Israel”
Look carefully at the original promise to Abraham. God doesn’t say “I am choosing you because I am going to save the world from the nations.” He says, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
— Genesis 12:3 (Bible Gateway)
That changes the way we should think about Abraham. Abraham wasn’t the destination. He was the instrument.
Israel wasn’t the destination either. Israel was the instrument.
And ultimately Christ is the fulfillment through whom the blessing reaches the nations.
Paul makes this extraordinarily explicit in Galatians 3:8. He interprets the Abrahamic promise as the gospel being announced beforehand: “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” (Bible Gateway)
So perhaps the better diagram isn’t God → Abraham → Jews → Jesus → Gentiles, but God → Abraham → Israel → Christ → humanity.
The arrows are not about favoritism. They’re about transmission.
Why Abraham?
Here’s where things become really interesting.
The Bible never says “God chose Abraham because he was the most intelligent man.” Or “Because his civilization was superior.” Or “Because Hebrews were inherently better people.”
Quite the contrary.
Deuteronomy later says explicitly that Israel’s election wasn’t because they were the largest or greatest nation. The biblical pattern consistently emphasizes God’s choice rather than human superiority.
That makes the question “Why Abraham?” ultimately one of divine election and purpose.
We can identify what Scripture says God intended through Abraham, but we shouldn’t pretend Scripture gives us God’s complete metaphysical explanation for why Abraham rather than someone else. There is an element of mystery there.
But look at what happened immediately before Abraham
This is where I think your question becomes really fascinating.
Genesis 1–11 gives us the story of humanity. Not Israel. There is no Israel yet.
You have Adam then Cain then Noah then the Flood then the nations then Babel, and then Genesis 12 abruptly introduces Abraham.
That’s not accidental literary structure. Genesis 1–11 is essentially the universal human story. Then Genesis 12 begins the particular redemptive story. In other words, Genesis 1–11 is “What happened to humanity?”
Genesis 12 onward: What is God going to do about it? And God’s answer begins with one man.
There may be an extraordinary connection between Babel and Abraham. This is one of the things I think you’ll find especially interesting. At Babel, humanity attempts to “make a name for ourselves.” Then God calls Abraham and says “I will make your name great.”
— Genesis 12:2 (Bible Gateway)
Do you see the reversal? Babel is when humanity tries to make its own name great.
But God makes Abraham’s name great. And why? “so that you will be a blessing.” That’s profound.
Humanity’s problem is not solved by humanity climbing upward toward God. God comes downward toward humanity.
And eventually Christianity says God comes down all the way into humanity itself.
So why Hebrews/Israel?
I think the answer is partly contained in the very structure of the Old Testament.
God creates a people through whom He can preserve and progressively reveal certain truths:
There is one Creator.
God is personal.
God is holy.
Humanity is sinful.
Sin produces death.
God establishes covenant.
Sacrifice represents substitution and atonement.
God promises redemption.
God promises a coming King.
God promises a coming Servant.
God promises a New Covenant.
God promises restoration.
Romans 9 actually lists some of these privileges: Israel received the covenants, the Law, worship, promises, and ultimately “the Christ according to the flesh.” (Bible Gateway)
So Israel becomes the historical vessel of revelation. But the vessel is not the point. What the vessel carries is the point.
And then something remarkable happens
Jesus comes as a Jew. That’s essential. But He immediately begins breaking the assumption that His mission is restricted to Jews.
Consider the trajectory. Abraham → Israel → Messiah → nations.
And Jesus says, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold.”
Then after His resurrection, He says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
And Acts 1:8 gives the geographical expansion. Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → ends of the earth. That looks almost like God’s original promise to Abraham unfolding geographically through history.
This may answer your original question about “religion”
I think you’re onto something important here. Suppose we step outside the religious vocabulary for a moment. Instead of saying “God created Judaism and eventually Christianity”, We could say, God began a historical rescue operation for humanity through one man and one family, progressively revealed His purposes through one nation, and ultimately entered His own creation in the person of Jesus Christ to accomplish the rescue.
That is a very different conceptual framework. And interestingly, it doesn’t contradict the Jewish framework.
It explains why the Jewish framework exists.
Abraham was not chosen because God loved the Jews more than everyone else. This is perhaps the most important point.
God says to Abraham “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Bible Gateway). And Paul later says “the Scripture… preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham.” (Bible Gateway)
That means the Abrahamic calling was universal in its intended destination from the beginning.
Israel’s election was therefore not “God chose Israel instead of humanity.” It was “God chose Israel for the sake of humanity.”
That’s a major distinction.
And here’s where I think your original thought gets even bigger
You asked “Why through Abraham?”
Perhaps the biblical answer is Because God chose to enter history rather than bypass history. He could have simply appeared to the entire human race as the transcendent God. Instead, He chose a man → a family → a nation → a history → a language → a culture → a land → a covenant → a promise → a Messiah → a cross → a resurrection → the nations.
Why? We can identify the purpose. But we cannot completely explain why God chose that particular historical pathway. And that may be intentional.
Because Christianity ultimately rests on something deeper than a system of religious ideas. God acts in history.
The transcendent God doesn’t remain distant from His creation. He enters it.
And that brings us full circle to what woke you up last night. Your thought may have been approaching something like this:
The Bible isn’t fundamentally the story of humanity searching for God. It is the story of God pursuing humanity.
And Abraham is where that pursuit becomes particular and historical after Genesis has shown us the universal human catastrophe.
Then Jesus is where the pursuit becomes incarnational.
And the resurrection is where the rescue becomes victorious over the very thing that had held humanity captive: death.
That, I think, is a profoundly Christian way of looking at what you were thinking about—not a departure from Christianity.
And there is one passage I’d especially like to put alongside your question: Ephesians 1:3–10. It takes the whole thing out to an almost cosmic level—God’s purpose in Christ concerning “the fullness of time” and ultimately the summing up of all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth.
That may be very close to the conceptual territory you woke up thinking about.
Why is it so confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian?
It is as if the Apostle Paul had us in mind when he penned 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 saying, “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.” (These are the ‘external’ tribulations of life.).
Paul’s words may be an overstatement for most of us in America, but there are many days when we, as Christians, can feel overwhelmed, disoriented and rendered helpless by the threats and forces of evil that surround us. (These are the ‘internal’ stresses of life).
I mean, it can be confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian as we wonder how are we to respond to radical Islamists, in our own congress, who are pulling our system of laws and constitution rights asunder?
It can be confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian as we wonder how to respond to people in high places of our government, in our highest institutions of education and learning and in the governing bodies of our healthcare systems refusing to identify “what a woman is” and answer correctly “ if a man can give birth”, yet holding us captive to egregious lies and deception.
It can be confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian when our elementary and secondary schools are falling farther and farther behind world standards in reading, writing and science because our education systems are ruled by Socialist teacher unions-and their Globalist-Marxist agenda is to sufficiently ‘dumb-down’ or children so they can be easily and effectively brainwashed into Marxist idealism.
When are courts a packed with Leftist progressive Socialists who, when violent criminals are arrested and charged with heinous crimes, release these criminal animals back into society only to steal, kill and destroy the people we love and the things we hold dear.
When foreign nationals can surreptitiously vote in our elections and elect their own, who openly defy our laws and proclaim hatred for our country, hold high offices in government, raid our treasuries, encourage assassinations through vitriolic hate speeches.
How do we defend ourselves; how do we defend our families and our nation if we, as Christians are “not to show opposition” against an evil person; but we are to turn our cheek when someone either literally slaps us or ‘slaps down our rights, our freedom of religion and our Constitutional Republican way of life”? When we are admonished to give to him-no matter their evil intent-who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. Or when we are commanded by Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you? (See Matthew 5:38-44).
You can see why it is so confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian, and it is not because we are told to act as Christ. It is because we have not been told the ‘whole story’. We have been fed a fragmented and opinionated version of what the Bible actually teaches. (And if you buy into this ‘half-narrative’, you have bought into what is essentially a falsehood. Just enough truth in this half-truth narrative of the Bible to leave you vulnerable. Vulnerable enough that the enemy is able to harm you or to destroy you! A half-truth is a lie, and this is why Ephesians 6:11 says to “Put on the full armor of God” – not some of it – but all of it – ”so you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” (Standing firm means that Believers are called to remain faithful rather than retreat, compromise, or yield to deception. Spiritual victory is often pictured as standing firm in the position Christ has secured through His death and resurrection. Such endurance is sustained through prayer, Scripture, faith, and continued obedience, as believers hold fast to the gospel amid pressure and temptation knowing without any doubt that by doing so that “the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And we overcome him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony, for we do not love our life even when faced with death”.
Now, please listen to Paul Harvey’s broadcast from 1965 appropriately named
and get “the rest of the story”, as he was famous for saying.
In conclusion, I will offer an answer to our opening question “Why is it so confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian” by disclosing “The Dynamics of The Two Sides of Jesus Ministry, Mission, Methods and Mindset” – in other words, “W.W.J.D”?
(Jesus confronts hypocrisy, false teaching, exploitation, sin, religious corruption, injustice).
Jesus Christ was neither a passive peacemaker who avoided confrontation nor a violent revolutionary who sought to overthrow His enemies. He was the obedient Son of God who came to testify to the truth, fulfill Scripture, call sinners to repentance, proclaim the kingdom of God, confront Satan and spiritual evil, expose religious hypocrisy, challenge unjust and corrupt practices, and ultimately give His life to save sinners,
His commitment to truth was uncompromising, but His confrontation was never an excuse for hatred or personal vengeance. He could rebuke His enemies with extraordinary severity while commanding His disciples to love their enemies, pray for persecutors, forgive, and do good.
Jesus therefore demonstrated a form of courage that is simultaneously truthful, courageous, confrontational, sacrificial, compassionate, and submissive to the Father’s will.
Jesus confronted evil without becoming evil.
He confronted Satan—but did not become Satan’s instrument.
He confronted hypocrisy—but did not become hateful.
He confronted political power—but did not become a political revolutionary.
He confronted religious authorities—but did not abandon God’s Word.
He confronted sinners—but called them to salvation.
He confronted His executioners—but prayed for their forgiveness.
That is why the cross is the ultimate expression of Jesus’ “steadfast, unmovable courage.” It shows that Christian courage is not merely the willingness to fight—it is the willingness to remain faithful to truth and righteousness even when faithfulness costs everything.
Jesus’ courage is for truth, holiness, the kingdom of God, and the salvation of people, even when that put Him in direct conflict with people and institutions.
Jesus did not come merely to make people comfortable; Jesus came to reveal God’s truth and accomplish God’s redemptive purposes, regardless of whether people accepted, rejected, or opposed Him.
What you have just read (above here) is our model. You can justifiably substitute “Jesus” and “He” with your name. Where it says “I” (referring to Jesus) you can assume the role, the calling and this as your mission “in His Name”.
“Yes”, you might be thinking, “but that is Jesus and I am not Jesus. I might be able to do a few things like serving in the Church, but do the things you have listed?”.
True enough. You are not Jesus. But just hold your horses. The Bible emphasizes that we should walk in the same way Jesus walked (1 John 2:6) and follow His example (John 13:15). Additionally, we are encouraged to have the same mind as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5) and to do the works that He did (John 14:12).
It will be difficult. Yes. But Jesus said we must “take up our cross” (an instrument or example of pain and suffering) and follow Him. We will most likely, at one time or another, be persecuted, reviled, hated and have all manner of evil said about us because of Him, but that is the cost. (But honestly, I have done many of these things, and it is never as bad as it sounds or as you might think.
And finally, let’s connect the dots. Are you aware that every action has a corresponding reaction or response? Some call this the “Law of Reciprocity”. “Give and it will be given back to you, with good measure, pressed down, people will pour it into your lap until it runs over!” For good or for ill. It is also known as the “Law of Sowing and Reaping”. Galatians 6:7, states, “A man reaps what he sows.” Our actions have corresponding consequences, both positive and negative. This concept emphasizes that what we “sow” through our choices and behaviors will determine what we “reap” in life, You will and are certainly reaping what you have sown. Treat someone hatefully and they will most likely respond negatively. Show mercy to someone and they most likely will respond positively. Worry unduly and your mind and body will be physically upset and possibly suffer illnesses. Exercise and eat good foods and you will likely be healthy and feel good. Get it?
The Good News is that there is an escape. There is a way to stop this cycle or reciprocity and reaping the negatives of life. It is found in the Life and Person of Jesus. This is exactly why He came-to set us free from sin, death, guilt and shame.
So, now for the concluding question: “Do you ever get sick and tired of being sick and tired” which is another way of saying are you sick and tired of reaping negative results in your life? Are you sick and tired of feeling alone, left out, worrying all the time, feeling depressed, angry and sad? Are you willing to consider that your actions to this point are now reaping the things you are experiencing in life? If so, you may just be on your way to healing your life. On you way to a much better life. A life of reaping a meaningful life. A life of purpose, rewards and peace. There is a Way, and His Name is Jesus. He will make a way where there seems no way.
When there seems to be no way out of past guilt and shame, turn to Jesus.
When there seems to be no way out of lack, unmet needs and loneliness, turn to Jesus.
Christ Jesus paid the price for the ultimate freedom of your soul, and when you discover that, you will be set free indeed. Trust Him. Follow Him even when it seems counter to what the world will tell you.
The same is true when you suffer under government overreach and oppression, out of rampant evil, out of sadness, loneliness, poverty, illness, or disease. Jesus is the way to your freedom. This has been proven over and over throughout the centuries.
If this is true, why is it so confusing and difficult to be a fully devoted Christ-following twenty-first century Christian? Because Satan is a liar and he is using rebellious people, people who love darkness and evil to tell you that “you cannot be free” and that it their job to rule over you. It is made even more difficult when you love your possession more than your freedom. It is because you up until now, you have loved darkness to hide your sins more that the Glorious Light of freedom in Christ Jesus.
So what now? Just do it. Turn away from your worldly life and possessions of things, titles, ego, selfishness, pride, anger and vengeance and turn to Him. He promises that “everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much in this life, and will inherit eternal life in the next life”.
Your Brother and Friend – In this race together and to the end!
declining identification with institutional Christianity;
perceptions of church involvement in politics;
church scandals and failures;
dissatisfaction with “church as usual”;
changing concepts of church membership (often perceived as manipulative);
alternative forms of Christian content and spiritual engagement;
cultural secularization; and
people distinguishing faith in Jesus from participation in a particular congregation.
America is experiencing a significant decline in traditional church participation and institutional religious commitment, but the decline cannot simply be equated with a decline in all spiritual interest, belief in Jesus, or desire for spiritual growth.
One particularly relevant finding is that Barna found 48% of self-identified Christians and 45% of practicing Christians agreeing that people they know are tired of “church as usual.” (Rote).
And this raises a very important question for the church: If people are still interested in Jesus but increasingly disengaged from traditional church structures, what is it about contemporary churches that is failing to convert spiritual interest into committed discipleship and congregational participation?
That question actually fits very closely with the church/ministry issues —particularly what a Bible-centered, spiritually balanced church should look like in the current culture. And exploring to this for application can become a mechanical attempt at ‘doing church’.
But before looking at what a Bible-centered, spiritually balance church should look like in the current culture, let’s do a quick comparison of the practices and the employment of the methods of the early church.
First, there was nothing new about religious meetings similar to our idea of ‘going to church’. For example, Muslims perform Islamic prayers and rituals in a mosque. Buddhists practice their religion through ceremonies, meditation, prayer, and offerings in temples, meditation halls, or viharas for worship. Jews do their “church” activities in a synagogue, which is a place for Jewish prayer, study, and community services. Instead of church worship, they hold congregational prayers such as Shabbat and other ceremonies, and they keep Torah scrolls in the sanctuary. But, Jesus broke the mold when it came to ‘church.
Jesus preached in the Jewish Synagogues, on the streets, on hillsides, in the mountains, from boats and on the seashore. Christians met in homes. Christianity was an spiritually organic movement.
With the resurrection of Christ Christians became the temple of God. Christ became a “life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45). Therefore, He could take up residence in the believers, thus making them His Temple, His house. It is for this reason that the New Testament always reserves the word church (ekklesia) for the people of God. It never uses this word to refer to a building of any sort.” (Excerpts within quotation marks are from Frank Viola & George Barna’s book, “Pagan Christianity”, Tyndale Publishing, 2002, 2008)
“When Christianity was born, it was the only religion on the planet that had no sacred objects, no sacred persons, and no sacred spaces.
“Although surrounded by Jewish synagogues and pagan temples, the early Christians were the only religious people on earth who did not erect sacred buildings for their worship. The Christian faith was born in homes, out in courtyards, and along roadsides. For the first three centuries, the Christians did not have any special buildings!
“As one scholar put it, “The Christianity that conquered the Roman Empire was essentially a home-centered movement.”
“Meeting in homes was a conscious choice of the early Christians.” It was a coming together in a more intimate setting, a ones’ home. Very little could be hidden in such an environment. Christians, out of necessity, lived the model of Jesus.
THE DRIFT BEGINS – 391 A.D.
The Church was barely out of its infancy when the religious spirit of innovation appeared, in the late second and third centuries, and a shift occurred thanks in large part to Augustine of Hippo (later, sainted by the Catholic church), began his work of making the Christian Movement ‘legitimate’ by government and Catholic standards.
“Interestingly, he named his church buildings after saints — just as the pagans named their temples after gods. Constantine built his first church buildings upon the cemeteries where the Christians held meals for the dead saints. (I ask, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL AN ACT LIKE THAT?)
“Constantine brought peace for all Christians.'” Under his reign, the Christian faith had become legitimate. In fact, it had risen to a status greater than Judaism and paganism. “For these reasons, the Christians saw Constantine’s rise to emperor as an act of God. Here was God’s instrument who had come to their rescue. “Christianity and Roman culture were now melded together.” (Again I ask, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THAT?)
“The Christian building demonstrates that the church, whether she wanted it or not, had entered into a close alliance with pagan culture.’ As Will Durant, author of The Story of Civilization (a sweeping, eleven-volume work on world history that earned him a Pulitzer Prize), put it, “Pagan isles remained in the spreading Christian sea.”
“This was a tragic shift from the primitive simplicity that the church of Jesus Christ first knew. The first-century Christians were opposed to the world’s systems and avoided any contact with paganism. This all changed during the fourth century, when the church emerged as a public institution in the world and began to “absorb and Christianize pagan religious ideas and practices.
“As one historian put it, “Church buildings took the place of temples; church endowments replaced temple lands and funds.”
“Under Constantine, tax-exempt status was granted for all church property.
“Consequently, the story of the church building is the sad saga of Christianity borrowing from heathen culture and radically transforming the face of our faith.
“To put it bluntly, the church buildings of the Constantinian and post-Constantinian era essentially became holy shrines. The Christians embraced the concept of the physical temple. They imbibed the pagan idea that there exists a special place where God dwells in a special way. And that place is made “with hands.”‘ (Once again, I ask, WHAT WOULD YOU CALL AN ACT LIKE THAT?)
“As with other pagan customs that were absorbed into the Christian faith (such as the liturgy, the sermon, clerical vestments, and hierarchical leadership structure), third- and fourth-century Christians incorrectly attributed the origin of the church building to the Old Testament. But this was misguided thinking.”
“Most Americans are struggling to clarify their identity. They tend to see themselves as unique individuals, Americans, members of their family, occupational professionals, consumers, and then as followers of Christ — in that order of priority.
“In the minds and hearts of most Americans — even those whose beliefs classify them as “born-again Christians”— their identity as a follower of Christ pales in importance in comparison to the other roles they embrace. (WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THAT MINDSET?)
“Oddly, most of the born again Christians consider themselves to be servants of God and to have been transformed by their faith in Christ.
“Clearly, there are some missing connections in this self-evaluation. Perhaps the confusion is due to the enormous number of inter-actions and responsibilities that people take on each day.
“Maybe it has to do with the disjointed, topical teaching that most of us receive from our churches. It may even be attributable to the lure of competing perspectives and images bombarding us from the ever-present media.
Whatever the reason for the drift from the Jesus model, it seems that people in general and Christians specifically are just tired of the ever-expanding institutional, 501-c-3, tax-exempt, nationalistic, politically oriented, culturally influenced, entertainment and leisure centered church. Most of us are looking for relief. Relief from sin, sickness, worry, doubt, anger, conflicts, poverties, guilt, shame, loneliness, suffering personal loss, rejection and all that this world inflicts upon us. A spiritual connection to and with God that transcends the systems, methods and ways of this world. A spiritual connection that is tangible and transformative – into the likeness and means of Jesus. A spiritual connection that visible in the life of a believer; One that overcomes this world’s troubles in fact and in the mind and heart of a believer. We want to belong. We want to be loved. We want to truly experience a love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, patience, and self-control that the world does not and cannot offer.
So, please dear Christians, dear pastors, dear church leaders, dear churches, stop it. Stop saying one thing and doing another. It can no longer be “we 4 and no more” attitude and practice, (a mindset where a group believes they often exclude others outside their formed circle. This attitude creates division and a lack of love among different Christian denominations or groups.).
A fitting title for this chapter might be “Living a Transformed Life of Worship, Service, and Love.” Other possibilities include “The Christian’s New Life in Christ,” “From Salvation to Sanctification,” “Living Out the Gospel,” or “The Transformed Christian Life.”
I am searching for a title that captures more than simply the subject of the chapter. I am looking for a description that epitomizes the foundational essence of Christian living—the heart, core, and practical expression of what a Christian, having been transformed by the gospel, should look like. A title that captures the essence of what being a Christian is really about. In other words, I’m looking for a description that gets to the heart and core of what a Christian should look like—not merely what we believe, but how that faith is expressed in the way we live.
It is difficult if not impossible for me to prioritize the importance of one book of the Bible or one verse in the Bible as more important than any other – nor, I suspect, should I. However, because I firmly believe that just “knowing” is insufficient and that true wisdom is “knowing what to do with what you know”. Otherwise, all the knowledge in the world, if unused or unapplied, is just idle information, good for much less that a window dressing of the mind. (Much like Matthew 5:13 says, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people.) Therefore, in my humbled opinion I say that I believe that this chapter ranks as one of the top – if the top example for the practical and profound application of the Gospel message in and through a Christian’s life.
Dedicated Service
Romans 12:1,Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Verse 2. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect
(Commentary Break): Paul urges us “by the mercies of God”, for the uninformed, a phrase that is easily passed over. However, what Paul is saying is that God’s mercy includes forgiveness for our sin, our justification through faith, our union with Christ, the gift of the Holy Spirit, our adoption as God’s children, and the sure hope of glory – and that obedience alone does not earn such mercy; it rises from your gratitude for His mercy already given. It cannot be understated that we must develop a mindset of gratitude which is a hallmark of the Christian’s attitude.
Following ‘an attitude of gratitude’ is to recognize that your body is no longer your own. It has been bought for a price: therefore you are to glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19 and 1 Corinthians 8:20) by presenting it to Him as a living and holy sacrifice. (Under the old covenant, animals were slain and presented at the altar. Believers now belong wholly to Christ and are called to yield their physical lives—their actions, desires, labor, speech, and strength—to God each day. The sacrifice remains living because it is continually renewed in faithful obedience.)
This is only accomplished by being “transformed by the renewing of your mind”. This is a repeating theme for the believer: “Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth”. (Colossians 3:2); For those who are in accord with the Spirit, for the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (Romans 8:6); Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8). And the crown jewel of doing these things: that is you may prove what the will of God is – that which is good and acceptable and perfect. If you have ever wondered or prayed for God to reveal His Will to you in matters, here is the golden key that unlocks that secret. “That you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect – demonstrated in and through your life. What a humbling offering. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 3. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
(Commentary Break): These could be known as “non-negotiables” in scriptures, ‘do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think’. Philippians 2:3 goes further to say “think of others as more important than yourselves” meaning that you should act with humility and give other people more value than your own interests. In Philippians 2, it’s described as choosing not to act out of selfishness or pride, but in a humble mindset. This is described by Paul as having sound judgement. Believers are to assess themselves truthfully before God, neither exaggerating your importance nor denying the gifts and responsibilities God has entrusted to you. Humility recognizes personal limits, dependence upon grace, and the worth of other members of Christ’s body.God is the giver of faith, spiritual gifts, and opportunities for service. Each believer should serve faithfully within the calling and capacity God has assigned, without competing for recognition or resenting another person’s role. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 4. For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, verse 5, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. 6However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; verse 7, if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; verse 8, or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
(Commentary Break): Spiritual Gifts and Offices are some of the most neglected, misunderstood and abused manifestations in the Church. 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. Scriptures tell you that your Gift is for the “building up of the Body of Christ”. They are also your primary means of witnessing Christ to those around you and to the world. Therefore, they should also be offered in humility with grace, generosity, mercy and with cheerfulness – remembering, these are given to you freely and you are to give them in the same spirit, but they are not of yourself but the work of the Holy Spirit – that no one should boast. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 9. Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Verse 10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, verse 11, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; verse 12, rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, verse 13, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Verse 14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Verse 15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Verse 16. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Verse 17. Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. Verse 18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Verse 19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. Verse 20. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Verse 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Commentary Break): These foregoing verses are another prime example of the characteristic of a true and devoted follower of Christ. And again, if all you do is ‘know about them – even committed to memory’, they are worthless to you and others unless they are lived out. The scriptures repeatedly urge us to think on, meditate on and to set our minds on these things. For example, Colossians 3:16 says that Believers are encouraged to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, teaching and admonishing one another.
2 Timothy 2:15 says that Christians are urged to study to show themselves approved to God, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In Psalms 119:11 the psalmist declares, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”, highlighting the importance of memorization for spiritual integrity.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs parents to teach God’s commandments diligently to their children, emphasizing the need for memorization and application in daily life.
I would suggest, as a means to accomplish these things, to take each reference, personalize it, write it down and spend the week memorizing and dwelling upon it and watch for opportunities to act upon it.
I have separated each ‘characteristic’ found in verses 9 through 21 and put ‘lettering’ if front of each for the following example. This is can be an exercise to help us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind:
a. Verse 9. Love must be free of hypocrisy.
Re-write this on a memory index card as, “God’s love which dwells in me is free of hypocrisy, and I am free of hypocrisy”. (Read it aloud and repeat it aloud for an entire week in order to internalize it)
b. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.
Write “I detest what is evil and I am clinging and I will continue to cling to what is good.” (Read it aloud and repeat it aloud for an entire week in order to internalize it).
c. Verse 10. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love;
Write “I am devoted and will continue in my devotion to my brothers and sisters in brotherly love”. (Read it aloud and repeat it aloud for an entire week in order to internalize it).
Etcetera for…
d. give preference to one another in honor, verse 11, not lagging behind in diligence,
e. fervent in spirit,
f. serving the Lord;
g. verse 12, rejoicing in hope,
h. persevering in tribulation,
i. devoted to prayer,
j. verse 13, contributing to the needs of the saints,
k. practicing hospitality
l. Verse 14. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
m. Verse 15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
n. Verse 16. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.
o. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
p. Verse 17. Never repay evil for evil to anyone.
q. Respect what is right in the sight of all people.
r. Verse 18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.
s. Verse 19. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
t. Verse 20. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
u. Verse 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is how God has made us. It is how He made our brain work, our mind to function, our conscience to store up our attitudes and core beliefs and how He has made our will to drive our actions. This is how we renew our mind, and this is how we are transformed.
And yes, this takes faith. So, perhaps, another way of looking at this is that my “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”. (End Commentary Break). (End Chapter 12).
This can be one of the most useful, informative and instructional sections of scriptures regarding Christian traits, attitudes and behavior in all of scriptures. Paul has put it simply and bluntly, “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What is driving the worldwide surge in the popularization of Marxist-socialism, and the Islamic religion, (the voluntary self-subjugation and acceptance of political and religious despotism), Globalization (“One World-ism”), the uncontrolled immigration of Muslims, the rise in Antisemitism, the murders, attempted murders and assassinations of conservatives (traditionalists and Christians) who do nothing more than speak their mind?
This popularization of Islam and Marxism has led the world to a new and exceptionally dangerous round of wars and rumors of war. On the surface it might appear that the world is fighting over crude oil, territorial rights and claims, human rights issues and climate issues. But what is seen by the eye is not the driving force – it is the result of a much greater and more insidious ambition – world domination through a One World Collective headed by powerful forces claiming to be the world’s savior.
This organization claims to be the benefactor of humanity’s equality, fairness, a cleaner earth, prosperity for all people, global peace, the elimination of hunger, disease, poverty, and want, where all life can thrive. A world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious. A world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
A world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity. A world which invests in its children and in which every child grows up free from violence and exploitation. A world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality and all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed. A just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met. A world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. A world in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources – from air to land, from rivers, lakes and aquifers to oceans and seas – are sustainable
The forgoing can be found in the documents of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a 15-year global framework, initially known as Agenda-21 which was promulgated at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 3 to June 14, 1992.
But the ideological origins of Agendas 21 and 2030 go back even further to 1946 when UNESCO’s first Director. General Julian Huxley. Announced “the emergence of a single world culture” by transferring “full sovereignty from separate nations to a world organization.” (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a specialized agencyof the United Nations with the aim of “promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture”. By 2011 it had 194 member states and 12 associate members, as well as partners in the non-governmental, intergovernmental and private sector. Headquartered in Paris, France, UNESCO has 53 regional field offices and 199 national commissions. UNESCO was founded in 1945 as the successor to the League of Nations’ International Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goes on to promise a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and want, where all life can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. A world with universal literacy. A world with equitable and universal access to quality education at all levels, to health care and social protection, where physical, mental and social well-being are assured. A world where we reaffirm our commitments regarding the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation and where there is improved hygiene; and where food is sufficient, safe, affordable and nutritious. A world where human habitats are safe, resilient and sustainable and where there is universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
A world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice, equality and non-discrimination; of respect for race, ethnicity and cultural diversity; and of equal opportunity permitting the full realization of human potential and contributing to shared prosperity. A world which invests in its children and in which every child grows up free from violence and exploitation. A world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality and all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed. A just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met.
A world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. A world in which consumption and production patterns and use of all natural resources – from air to land, from rivers, lakes and aquifers to oceans and seas – are sustainable adopted in September 2015 by 193 UN member states, centered on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets and over 230 indicators. It is not legally binding, but countries are expected to take ownership and follow up on progress to achieve the goals by 2030.
However, these lofty goals and promises do not come without a cost. The enormous financial cost is estimated to be around $5.4 trillion annually. But that pales in comparison to the human toll in terms of loss of freedoms, creativity and future potentials. Ironically, this organization has produced a short 8-minute video proclaiming “you will own nothing and be happy with it!” There is a lot of truth in the statement that if the United Nation’s Globalists-Socialists-Marxists-Communists have it their way, you WILL OWN NOTHING!
Common sense tells even the dullest of us that nothing of this magnitude cannot be self-managed. Laziness and greed will rule the masses unless it is heavily monitored and strictly enforced. And the truth is that you will continue to work under the scrutiny of a district official who will dictate where you work, how much you earn, what you wear, what you eat and when you can do these things. (Doubt it? Look at China for the most egregious example or Sweden for the experimental version).
Now back to our initial question: “What is driving the worldwide surge in the popularization of Marxist-socialism, and the Islamic religion?” which is really three-questions-in-one:
#1. What is driving the popularization of Marxist-socialism – and how is it being accomplished. First, this is a fabricated name. There is no such name. I use this name as a ‘broad brush’ to include the variants of Communism and Socialism. Socialism, according to the founding documents of Communism, Socialism is the simple first steps to Marxism and Communism, and once Marxism is established Socialism is to be discarded and Communism is the ultimate goal of Marxism. (Marxism, to recap, serves as the foundation for communist ideology, but not all forms of communism strictly adhere to Marxist principles. Various interpretations and adaptations of Marxism have led to different schools of thought within communism, such as Leninism and Maoism.
In summary, while Marxism is a theoretical framework that critiques capitalism and advocates for a revolutionary path to socialism, communism is the practical application of these ideas aimed at creating a classless society.)
Let me assure you that no matter how gentle or beneficial these systems have been made to sound by calling them by other names such as UNESCO, Agenda-21 or Agenda-2030 and by promising outrageously unattainable ‘sustainable goals’, it is a lie rooted in the second half of our initial question. Make no mistake. Communism and all its variants, Socialism, Marxism, Leninism, Maoism, etc., are the arch enemies of Christianity, Conservatism (which is rooted in Christianity) and Israel (and all Jews, everywhere).
#2. What is driving the popularization of the Islamic religion – which claims to be a religion of order and peace. Although Islam is a religion of fanatical, theocratic and despotic order, it is not a religion of peace. Islam, like its evil twin, Communism, only desires complete global domination as a theocracy (a form of government where religious leaders hold an unyielding and unforgiving political power; often believing their authority comes directly from a deity or divine guidance. Theologically, Communism and Islam are in opposition to one another. But a strange and often overlooked convergence of political Islamism and Communism reveals how two seemingly contradictory ideologies – one an atheist, materialist framework born of the industrial age, and the other a dogmatic, faith-based system rooted in absolute obedience have historically aligned to advance shared political goals and reshape global power structures. The irony of an atheist system like communism teaming up with a long-standing religion to advance shared political goals and for the religion to spread its influence is clear to see. While this doesn’t happen in places like China, Gulf countries, or Islamic states where one suppresses the other. This parallels the increase in Islamic antisemitism in the West, bringing out similar biases against Jews from Marxist perspectives.
It is said that Islam was promulgated by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia in the 7th century. But the foundational roots and ideology of Islam can be traced to the two sons of Abraham and Sarah, 1960 B.C. (Old Testament figures) and the birth of their sons, Ishamel, who was the son of Abraham and his handmaiden Hagar (around 1947 B.C.) and Issac (1860 B.C.) the child of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
A separation that began inside Abraham’s household therefore became historically significant because the two branches of Abraham’s family developed separately – one is known as the Hebrew-Jewish nation and the other as the Arab nations. One Jewish and the other Islamic. And they have been in some sort of conflict ever since their founding. Although, we should be careful about saying that every later conflict between Israelites/Jews and Arab peoples is directly described by Genesis as an inherited “hatred” between Isaac and Ishmael (as the biblical text does not make that sweeping statement). But it is an evidentiary fact that Arabs have been in conflict with the Jews and the Jewish nation and it has been the stated goal of most Arab nations to ‘wipe Israel of the face of the earth”.
The dynamic between the Arab world and the State of Israel has largely been marked by overt hostility. There have been periods of peace and cooperation, notably after the signing of peace treaties such as the Camp David Accords in 1979 between Israel and Egypt, and the peace treaty with Jordan in 1994. Additionally, the Abraham Accords in 2020 marked a significant step in normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. Israel has since made peace with a number of Arab countries. Still, intense hostilities persist with several Arab nations unwilling to recognize Israel’s sovereignty or right to exist.
#3. And the third and cumulative question, “why the worldwide surge in the popularization of Marxist-socialism, and the Islamic religion, (which is the voluntary self-subjugation and acceptance of religious or political despotism):
The answer to this question is two-fold. One is it that the intended purpose by both the Marxist-Globalists and the Global-Islamist is Global domination.
The general public of world populations have been skillfully been conditioned to accept the dominance of these radical ideologues by some of the oldest tricks in Satan’s handbook of deception. Put very simply: Create a problem – point out the problem – offer the only solution to the problem. Of course the problem the have created is far more intricate, far more complex, far more destructive and far more intractable than a simple description.
For example: Immigrate into a target country and infiltrate to obtain a significant role in that country’s education system, roles in government, in healthcare, in their defense systems, the military, in their financial systems, in science and in the media (too name some of the primary roles). Then from each perch of leadership and influence implement something akin the ‘Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals’. (Although a practical manual for organizing ordinary people into a political or community movement capable of challenging established power. Alinsky’s emphasis is more on organization, power, strategy, pressure, and mobilization in order “to create a problem – point out the problem – exacerbate the problem – offer “the one and only viable solution”.
For example: They decry the country’s education systems as systemically racist, inefficient and unfair to ‘minorities’, and in need of radical reform.
Then they Identify people who share or will adopt this grievance or problem.
They build relationships and trust before attempting to organize them.
Determine who actually has the authority to make the desired change.
Identify the organization’s own sources of power—especially numbers, unity, organization, and the ability to create political or social pressure.
Begin with a specific, understandable objective.
The issue should matter personally to the people being organized.
Recruit participants and develop leaders.
Establish communication networks and a decision-making structure.
Turn a collection of concerned individuals into a coordinated group capable of acting together.
Determine the opponent’s goals, strengths, weaknesses, resources, allies, and vulnerabilities.
Understand the opponent’s dependence on public opinion, political support, money, institutions, or reputation.
Look for places where pressure can produce concessions. tactics should be purposeful, timely, flexible, and understandable.
A tactic should produce movement toward the objective rather than simply generate attention.
Tactics may include demonstrations, public campaigns, negotiations, boycotts, publicity, petitions, or other forms of organized pressure. “Power is not only what you have but what the target thinks you have.”
Use your opponent’s own rules or procedures against them when possible.
Ridicule can be an effective weapon because it can undermine an opponent’s authority or image.
Keep the pressure on. Don’t give an opponent time to regroup unnecessarily.
Personalize the conflict. People respond more strongly to identifiable individuals and institutions than to abstractions.
Use tactics that ordinary people can understand and participate in. Don’t become predictable. Surprise can prevent an opponent from preparing an effective response.
A successful tactic should reinforce the organization and its members. Keep the objective in sight. Tactics are means to an end, not ends in themselves.
Once in control, ‘dumb down’ the education system until it produces little in the way of real educational value. An education that is depleted of a nation’s history and legacies; ineffective or useless literary skills; basic-to-no math skills; no knowledge of roles in government, in healthcare, in their defense systems, the military, in their financial systems, in science and in the media. This may take decades to achieve, but the result is a high popular demand for the government to solve the conundrum of failures that are in higher demand by an ignorant, selfish and destructive populace.
These are the tactics of the American Democrat party and the Democrat socialist initiative – Antifa, Black Lives Matter, George Soros and the Democrat Party.
Coincidentally, a made for television series reflects this transformation to a failed United States. A show which was produced and shown in 2023-2026, reflects the status and conditions of the U.S. Government, the FBI, the CIA and the U.S. Military following the transformative Marxist-style Obama years in the White House and the disastrous years of, what some people consider “the seditious governance” of Joe Biden.
Lines from one of the actors cast as a billionaire businessman and money laundering immigration attorney with ties to a drug and child trafficking Cartel, and was apprehended by the CIA, goes like so:
“The first sign that an empire is failing is when the people question the institutions the empire was built on. The structure of government, the churches, the schools.
“They reject God because the ‘emperors’ begin believing they are God. And the people become so rich that everyone believes they are an emperor as well. And too good to do the jobs that built the empire in the first place. So they outsource those jobs, and they open their borders to allow people desperate to do all the other jobs the other people are too rich to do.
“Then comes the guilt for all this wealth. But still the empire thrives. And now everyone questions their wealth. Then they question themselves. Then they reject everything that built the empire to begin with. They destroy their own symbols, and attack themselves like a cancer. They attack the people who protect the empire and attack you for protecting it.
(And by the way, President Donald Trump, his cabinet, staff is now attempting to stymie and correct the U.S. trajectory into Marxist ruin).
These same tactics and scenarios have been applied to every aspect of the American way of life and has infiltrated every institution, including our churches in our once great nation. (Please see the infiltration through the I.C.L.E.I.) Now you know, in brief.
So what are you to do? Many pundits, both secular and religious, suggest that we get involved in politics for our national survival. This could be a good idea, also at some level. But for the Christian, our faith and the Bible will define our politics. Besides, the Bible clearly states that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.(Ephesians 6:12).
1 Peter 1 tells us that you and I “reside as strangers, scattered throughout…who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood.” Furthermore, in John 17:14–16: Jesus says that we, as believers, are “not of the world” even though we are still in it, and He asks God to keep them from evil. And again Romans 12:2 teaches we, as Christians, are not to be conformed to the world’s patterns but to be changed into the likeness of Christ by renewing our minds. And this will never be adequately accomplished just by going to church, saying the largely ineffective ‘sinner’s prayer’ and forming our own religious exclusive conclave. As Jesus puts it, to follow Him, we must be willing to forfeit our former life and worldly attachments. This means prioritizing our relationship with Him over material possessions and personal desires. (Please see Ephesians 4:22-5, Hebrews 12:1-3, Peter 1:3-9).
Let me put this simply and another way. As a Christian you and I must really follow Jesus, doing what He has demonstrated and commanded just the way He demonstrated it and commanded it – leaving the results to Him. No excuses. No doubting. No innovating. You and I cannot be like Jesus while acting otherwise – and to think otherwise is complete folly (another way of saying insane or stupid).
We are here on this earth – better yet – we have been placed here on this earth according to God’s foreknowledge and in accordance with His Great Plan and Eternal Purpose. We are here for a short time but with an Eternal Purpose. Our time is short and nothing else matters. Not politics, not philosophies, not sufferings, poverty nor earthly wealth. Only Christ and His Great Message of the Gospel.
Now. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord – without “any shadow of turning”.
(From BibleHub.Org). The Bible clearly expresses the immutability of God—His unchanging, consistent nature—in numerous passages. James communicates it like this: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17, New King James Version).
With unique expressions such as “Father of lights” and “no shadow of turning,” James focuses on God’s creative power over the heavens and the earth (see Genesis 1:14–18; Job 38:4–15, 19–21, 31–33; Psalm 136:4–9; Jeremiah 31:35). These phrases are astronomical references to the variations of light intensity and shadows cast by the sun, moon, planets, and stars. The celestial bodies constantly move, revolving in space, casting “shadows of turning” as the light they produce shifts, fluctuates, and is eclipsed.
Each day as the sun rises in the east, it casts long, westerly shadows. At the sun’s full midday peak, the shadows disappear and then begin to turn toward the east as the direction of light pivots. At night the shadows are deepest but still turning and shifting with the moon’s phases. The shadow of turning may also refer to the variations of light and shadow caused by the changing seasons, as the earth turns on its axis and the sun’s distance and direction alter.
The variable lights and shadows cast by the heavenly bodies contrast sharply with God’s unaltering character. We perceive the sun’s light in varying degrees, but the sun is always shining. The same principle is true of God. In a spiritual sense, “God is light” and “in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Because He is the Father of lights, there is no dimming, darkening, or shadow of turning with God. James asserts that God’s goodness is demonstrated by the fact that He does not change. God created the universe with its continually varying conditions, yet He remains eternally the same (Psalm 102:27; Hebrews 1:12; Malachi 3:6). The same can be said of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8).
There is no shadow of turning with God’s character. His love and faithfulness are constant (Psalm 89:2; 136:1–26; 2 Timothy 2:13). He is forever perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 5:48; 2 Samuel 22:31; Job 37:16) and holy (Isaiah 6:1–5; 1 Samuel 2:2; Revelation 4:1–8). His love for His children never fails (Romans 8:38–39; Jeremiah 31:3; Hebrews 13:5; 1 John 4:8).
There is no shadow of turning with God’s purposes and promises. The author of Hebrews explains that God “bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind” (Hebrews 6:17, NLT). God does not lie or change His mind (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29). The proverb writer declares, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21, NLT). The Lord always accomplishes His will and keeps His promises (Psalm 145:13).
There is no shadow of turning with God’s Word: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NLT). His eternal Word “stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). The Lord’s Word never returns “empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10–11).
Because there is no shadow of turning with God, we can put our whole trust and faith in Him. He is a good Father whose plans, actions, and dealings in our lives are always morally consistent with His nature and His Word. James taught that tests and trials ultimately serve a good purpose in our lives (see James 1:2–18). Even Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a good gift from God (see 2 Corinthians 12:1–10). When difficulties and temptations arise, we must not let the shifting shadows obscure our confidence in the Father of lights.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
“And we will overcome by the word of our testimony and by the Blood of The Lamb”!
What Would Constitute a Bible-Centered and Spiritually Balanced Church?
(1), Minister to the Church (the Body of Christ) by providing a spiritually healthy environment; an environment for emotional, mental, and psychological (soul) growth and health. (This could be looked at as Church-Family life. The relational rhythms of a healthy, interconnected spiritual family).
(2). Provide for the education and edification of the saints – the disciples of Jesus – by instructing them to follow all that Jesus taught and demonstrated.
(3). Having commissioned them demonstrably, purposely and deliberately send the disciples of Jesus out to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel in word, deed and behavior.
Each of these steps, collectively, should deliberately define and describe and direct the Church and the life and mission of every Christian.
Furthermore, when done properly and thoroughly, this will take the focus off the individual and off the “501-c-3 church” (the organizational and corporate entity) and put the focus squarely on God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit as One. (I.e., there will be no emphatic priority on spiritual gifts above service to God and His Mission, Calling and Service.)
The church should faithfully teach the Word of God, exalt Jesus Christ, depend upon the Holy Spirit, make disciples, pursue holiness, love people, and faithfully proclaim the gospel.
A Simple Biblical Picture: I would summarize a Bible-centered, spiritually balanced church this way:
Area Biblical balance
Authority Scripture
Center Jesus Christ
Power Holy Spirit
Message Gospel with the whole counsel of God
Worship Spirit and truth
Salvation Grace through faith
Christian life Faith and obedience
Spiritual gifts Encouraged, tested, and orderly
Relationships Truth and love
Leadership Biblical character and sound doctrine
Mission Evangelism and discipleship
Goal Christlike maturity
Measure of success Faithfulness and transformed lives
Caution:
Truth without spiritual life can produce a church that is doctrinally correct but spiritually cold (Revelation 2:1–5).
The Word and Spirit together, centered on Christ and expressed through love and obedience.
Now Let’s Reason:
There is a saying taken from Proverbs 23:7, “As a man (or woman) thinks within himself (or herself), so is he (or she)”.
If you focus on your comfort and your well-being, satisfying your wants needs and desires, that will be reflected in your attitude, behavior and actions; in other words “you come first – ahead of everything and everyone else”.
Conversely, if you focus on the well-being of others, accommodating or assisting their wants, needs and desires, without denigrating yourself, that too will be reflected in your attitude, behavior and actions; in other words “putting others first” then you will have fulfilled the Biblical command “to serve and not to be served” and will reap the promise that “those who are last, will be first”. This means that God’s kingdom reverses many of our human ideas about who is important, deserving, successful, and worthy of honor—because God exalts the humble, rewards faithful service, and gives His kingdom according to His grace rather than human status or achievement.
And there’s an especially interesting connection here to Matthew 20:16 because Jesus’ statement is directly connected to salvation, discipleship, sacrifice, and the rewards of following Him. That connection is worth examining carefully because it helps explain why Jesus says immediately after Peter asks, “We have left everything and have followed You.What then will we have?” Jesus’ response is, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life”. (Mark 10:26-31).
This is monumental!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: Can you just imagine what life would be like if we, Christians, would stop being so self-centered and argumentative, self-righteous, opinionated, arrogant and entitled and gave up a little so others could see Jesus. I can only imagine – but I am willing to try. How about you?
Are You Just Calling People to Join Your Church? Or Is Jesus Calling People to Himself Through Your Church?
What is the overall historical pattern of how God calls and Jesus specifically call people to repent and be saved?
If you trace the Bible chronologically, you see something like this:
Period How God calls peopleResponse called for
Adam & Eve God’s command and presence Obedience (it’s about God).
Noah Warning of judgment Believe God-enter the ark (It’s about faith).
Abraham God’s promise Faith (it’s about faith).
Israel Law, prophets, sacrifices Repentance and obedience (it’s about God).
Prophets Warnings + promises Return to God (it’s about God).
John the Baptist Preaching repentance Repent (it’s about Jesus).
Jesus Gospel, miracles, teaching Repent and believe (it’s about Jesus).
Apostles Gospel preaching Repent and believe in Christ (it’s about Jesus).
The Church Gospel proclaimed Repent, believe, follow Christ (it’s about Jesus).
RECAP. The message was clear and clearly all about God, Jesus, The Gospel and the Cost: Obedience; believe God and enter the ark; have faith; repent of sin and obey; return to God; repent; repent and believe in Christ; repent, believe, follow Christ.
Furthermore, historically, the biblical call to salvation can be summarized in four movements:
God reveals Himself.
God confronts people with their sin and need.
God calls them to repent and believe.
God promises forgiveness and salvation to those who turn to Him in faith.
And there is a beautiful progression in Scripture from “Return to Me” in the prophets, to Jesus saying “Come to Me,” to the apostles proclaiming “Repent and believe in Jesus Christ.”
Conversely, the twenty-first century church in America increasingly uses 3-word slogans to express how God and Jesus call people to repent and be saved. These examples were taken from actual church websites sends a different message In the twenty-first century American church:
How The Church calls peopleResponse called for
Come grow with us. (i.e., it’s about us).
Discover Your Purpose. (i.e., it’s about you).
Serve, Grow, Go. (it’s about membership numbers).
Love His Church, Love People. (it’s about us).
The Gospel through community. (it’s about us).
Find Home-Find Family-Find Purpose. (it’s about your life now).
Connect. Grow Serve. (it’s about us).
I do not mean to be critical or negative. I am “sounding the Shofar” for those who can hear. I am attempting to clarify the picture of the modern-day church.
The Church is called to lift up Jesus so all people will be drawn to Him. Then the Church will transform the culture. Instead, the Church is being transformed by the culture of this world. It is as if we are practicing a form of Godliness but denying its power.
Please hear what GotQuestions.Org has to say on this matter:
In 2 Timothy 3, the apostle Paul describes the nature of people in the last days. In his description, he warns of people who are characterized as “having a form of godliness but denying its power” (verse 5). Paul then issues this command: “Have nothing to do with such people.”
Paul often uses contrast to emphasize an attribute he wishes to highlight. In 2 Timothy 3:1–4, he gives Timothy a long list of sinful behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God’s will. In verse 5 he tells Timothy to avoid those who state they are Christians with their mouths—they have a “form” of godliness—but who act as unbelievers—they deny the power of godliness.
Those who have a form of godliness are those who make an outward display of religion. They present themselves as godly, but it is all for show. There is no power behind their religion, as evidenced in the fact that their lives are unchanged. They speak of God and live in sin, and they are fine with that arrangement. As commentator Charles Ellicott wrote, “These, by claiming the title of Christians, wearing before men the uniform of Christ, but by their lives dishonoring His name, did the gravest injury to the holy Christian cause” (Ellicott’s Bible Commentary for English Readers, entry for 2 Timothy 3:5).
These false Christians (these “carnal Christians” as some might call them – which is so inaccurate as to be an impossibility, for a true Christian cannot be Christian and Carnal at the same time) are destructive. Paul warns that they are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:6–7, NKJV). He compares them to the wicked magicians who opposed Moses and warns that their folly and corrupt minds will be revealed to all eventually (verses 8–9).
The power of God, which should accompany the form of godliness, is shown through the Holy Spirit and results in the transformation of our lives. The Holy Spirit indwells the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19) and enables him to bear certain fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These are the attributes of a true Christian, as opposed to Paul’s list of sins in 2 Timothy 3:1–4.
(NOTE: When a person enters a Church they have a reasonable right to expect to encounter loving people, expressing an overt joyfulness, at peace with one another, expressing kindness, goodness, gentleness, kindness and patience to one another.)
Paul’s exhortation to Timothy falls in line with James’ explanation of how to identify a true faith (James 2:14–26). True faith will be evidenced by good works, which will occur naturally. If a person says he is a Christian but shows no evidence in his life by bearing the fruit of the Spirit, we have to make a judgment about him and avoid that person. He may have a form of godliness, but he is denying God’s power by not letting himself be controlled by the Spirit. In fact, if his faith is not genuine, he cannot be controlled by God’s power, because the Holy Spirit does not dwell in him.
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The natural person may have a form of godliness, but he denies God’s power in the way he lives. Only faith in Jesus Christ can bring justification and the transformation he so desperately needs (Colossians 1:21–22; Romans 5:1–2).
Finally let me say that I believe a person should have the right to expect that when entering a Christian Evangelical or Protestant church they would be greeted by people who are loving, joyful, at peace with and good to one another, kind, gentle, patient, faithful and hospitable. Sadly however, the more common experience when entering a church, people can anything but welcomed and feel very alone in a crowd. And just why is that?
It is because a person is guided by how they think in their heart (that is, in their conscious and subconscious mind). And if you have been indoctrinated and believe it is all about you and your church you most likely will display a guarded disposition. For example:
If You Believe Your Calling is…Your attitude and mindset might be…
Come grow with us. (i.e., it’s about us).
Discover Your Purpose. (i.e., it’s about you).
Serve, Grow, Go. (it’s about membership numbers).
Love His Church, Love People. (it’s about us).
The Gospel through community. (it’s about us).
Find Home-Find Family-Find Purpose. (it’s about your life now).
Connect. Grow Serve. (it’s about us).
In short, you might be saying, “you can do it our way or you can hit the highway”
But if you believe:
Your Calling is… Your Mission Is… Your Message is… You attitude will be…
You are The Church Gospel proclaimed Repent, believe, follow Christ (it’s about Jesus).
What’s the point?
1. It’s all about God and Jesus. It is all about what the Bible says about us, to us and for us. It is never about us.
2. Don’t be deceived. Your “real” belief system is revealed by your mission activity, your message, your attitude and your behavior.
3. When people come before you, do they encounter a loving person who is expressing an overt joyfulness, a peace with others, expressing kindness, goodness, gentleness, kindness and patience?)
Matthew 12:34 states, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” indicating that what is in your heart reflects your true thoughts and feelings. Additionally, Proverbs 27:19 says, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart reveals the man,” further emphasizing this connection.
Be part of God’s remnant. Do it His way. Really follow Him everywhere you go.
God’s actions are eternal and unchangeable, instilling awe, fear and reverence.
(Preamble: I am adding this comment since it seems I have created confusion or failed to explain the point of this article. Please let me outline and recap what you are, hopefully, about to read:
1. God’s Word is
(a) inerrant (without any error),
(b) immutable (not capable of or susceptible to change. It describes something that remains constant and unaltered over time) and is
(c) eternal (lasting forever or having infinite duration; it refers to something that is timeless and continues without end or interruption).
Therefore it can be said (and is said in the Bible) WHAT WAS, NOW IS, AND FOREVERMORE SHALL BE.
So, what does this mean?
This means that the Bible has foretold or prophesied (what was) that is, what is coming. From God’s perspective of time, all things have already come to pass , although we, as natural beings, living our fabricated linear timeline of existence are not yet seeing it but are waiting for it to come to pass (what is) and can be completely certain it shall happen to us or for us (what evermore shall be). And those things cannot be changed or avoided. It is as certain as if it has already happened – which is true in God’s view (and according to some theories of Quantum Mechanics and Einstein’s theory of relativity).
Why is this relevant?
It is relevant because there are certain things the Bible speaks of which will profoundly affect all of humankind and all of existence. I will refer specifically to the Biblical End Times Judgements which will culminate in the the righteous of God being saved (spared destruction) and the unrighteous (those who do not believe in and have followed Jesus) perishing and being condemned to an eternity in the darkness of a fiery hell.
And what is the point?
The certainty of these things and the way of escape is found in Jesus Christ and the Bible for all who believe.
The certainty of these things and the ultimate doom, for those who do not believe in Jesus and have not followed Him, is found in science through the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. (I mention a secular / scientific means of understanding a spiritual matter in hopes of convincing the unbelieving world to believe on the One True, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Loving God.
The way of escape is discussed later in this article.
Ecclesiastes 3:14, I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him.
Thus, What Was:
Genesis 6:5, the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. Verse 6. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Verse 7. Then the LORD said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.”
Verse 11. Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. Verse 12. And God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.
Thus, What Is:
2 Timothy 3:1-5, Realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. Verse 2. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, verse 3, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, [a]haters of good, verse 4, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, Verse 5. holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.
Thus, Forever Shall Be:
Malachi 4:1, “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
2 Peter 3:7, But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2 Peter 3:10, But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
There are many who are saying that these things are fables from an ancient people and that they are not true. They are terribly misinformed and ignorant of the facts. Yes, facts.
It is an interesting fact that the verbs used in eschatological matters mentioned in the New Testament (the Book of Matthew in particular) are usually phrased in the future tense. (Matthew 24:6 as just one of several examples, “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars).
However, in correlating verses from the Book of The Revelation are in the ‘aorist tense’ – which is characterized by its emphasis on punctiliar action; that is, the concept of the verb is considered without regard for past, present, or future time. I.e., past, present and future time is simultaneous – as it was, it now is and shall continue to be so; Revelation 6:1, “Then Isaw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” The significance of these verb tenses is that ‘in God’s timeframe’ what has been foretold or prophesied has already come to pass. We are in a linear timeline, so we must wait for these actions to occur.
Modern science and Quantum Mechanics in particular seems to support the Bible in this matter and may in fact be catching up with the Bible on these matters. Classical philosophy has said that time is divided into three distinct regions: the “past”, the “present”, and the “future”. Science is now telling us that through quantum mechanic’s philosophy of ‘eternalism’ posits that all points in time, past, present, and future, are equally real, even though humans perceive time as linear. This view is supported by some interpretations of relativity, which challenge the notion of absolute simultaneity.
Although, for the Christian, this is a matter of faith and trust in the Word of God, it lends a interesting dynamic.
For the non-Christian, those who do not believe the Bible is inerrant and dependable, this should be a caution to them, for as the things mentioned early in this article most certainly spell their ultimate doom and the only escape in by God’s gracious offer of salvation (an escape from the coming Messianic judgements) for those who will believe and confess the Name of Jesus the Christ.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
(Here is one video and 2 articles that detail what is upon us).
Romans 11 is one of the most important chapters for understanding Israel, the Gentiles, God’s sovereignty, and God’s plan of salvation. It also completes Paul’s argument about Israel that began in Romans 9.
Israel Has Not Been Rejected
Romans 11:1, I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? Far from it! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Verse 2. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
(Commentary Break): Paul’s conversion and apostleship provided living evidence that God had not abandoned Israel. Once a persecutor of the church, Paul encountered the risen Christ and became a servant of the gospel. His faith demonstratedthat a Jewish remnant continued to believe according to God’s grace (BibleHub.org). Additionally, this should put to rest the foolish idea that has been circulated that God has replaced or will replace Ethnic Israel (that is the prophetic and spiritual Israel of the ancient Israelites, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were chosen by God under the Mosaic Covenant) with the Church.
Secondly, the phrase “His people whom He foreknew” is genuine, purposeful knowledge that exists before the fact. In its five New Testament appearances, the term is sometimes applied to God’s eternal counsel and sometimes to human advance knowledge. Both uses reinforce the storyline of redemption—God lovingly orders history, and believers are called to live wisely in light of what they have been shown beforehand. The Old Testament consistently presents God as One who “declares the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). The New Testament develops that theme: divine foreknowledge is not passive observation but an active, covenantal commitment. What God knows beforehand He graciously orders and secures for His glory and His people’s good. Thus foreknowledge intertwines with predestination, calling, justification, and glorification (Romans 8:29–30). Thus, God has not rejected His people – the ones He has chosen from before time. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 3. “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”
(Commentary Break): Romans 11:3 refers to Elijah’s complaint to God during a time when it appeared that Israel had almost completely abandoned God. Elijah believed that he was the only faithful person remaining in Israel. He saw widespread rejection of God and believed his own life was now in danger. Paul uses Elijah’s situation to make a larger point about Israel in his own day. Even though most of Israel had rejected Jesus as Messiah, God had not rejected Israel. The larger message is not only for the ethnic Jew, all Christians and the Church today. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 4. But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” Verse 5. In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. Verse 6. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace. Verse 7. What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; verse 8, just as it is written:
“GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR,
EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT,
DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.” Verse 9. And David says,
“MAY THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP,
AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM.
Verse 10. “MAY THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT,
AND BEND THEIR BACKS CONTINUALLY.”
(Commentary Break): God Himself had preserved a definite remnant during Ahab’s reign, when Baal worship had spread widely through the nation. Their faithfulness rested ultimately upon God’s sovereign keeping, not upon Elijah’s ability to identify them. Paul applies this historical event to show that God had also preserved a believing remnant within Israel in his own day. God’s preservation of seven thousand faithful Israelites in Elijah’s day establishes the pattern for His dealings with Israel. National unbelief never cancels God’s covenant faithfulness or exhausts His saving purpose. God’s preservation of seven thousand faithful Israelites in Elijah’s day establishes the pattern for His dealings with Israel. National unbelief never cancels God’s covenant faithfulness or exhausts His saving purpose.
God preserved this remnant and so it is for all times, by His sovereign favor, not because of human merit or works. Salvation rests on God’s gracious initiative and is received through faith, fulfilling His promises to Abraham and establishing believers in Christ as recipients of mercy. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 11. I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? Far from it! But by their wrongdoing salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Verse 12. Now if their wrongdoing proves to be riches for the world, and their failure, riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Verse 13. But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Therefore insofar as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry verse 14, if somehow I may move my own people to jealousy and save some of them. Verse 15. For if their rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Verse 16. If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are as well.
(Commentary Break): God is using Israel’s present unbelief as part of His larger plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles—and ultimately to bring blessing to Israel. So, particularly from a futurist, premillennial perspective, Romans 11:11–16 is important because it presents Israel’s current condition as neither accidental nor permanent. God is working through the Gentile mission while still moving toward His purposes for Israel.
The main theme is not that God replaced Israel with the Gentiles, but that God is working through both Jews and Gentiles in His larger redemptive plan. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 17. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, verse 18, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. Verse 19. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Verse 20. Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; verse 21, for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Verse 22. See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. Verse 23. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. Verse 24. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
(Commentary Break): Paul’s olive-tree illustration does not portray God cutting down Israel’s tree and planting a completely different Gentile tree (the Church). Rather, there is one olive tree, with branches removed because of unbelief and other branches grafted in—and God remains able to graft the natural Jewish branches back in. That fits naturally with Paul’s later statement in Romans 11:25–26 that Israel’s hardening is “partial” and that “all Israel will be saved.” Also notable is that it is the Gentiles, the Christian Church that is grafted in, which tell us that our covenantal history begins with Israel and the Jews. The New Covenant in Christ is built upon the old covenant of the Law. The law is completed, fulfilled by Him. Likewise the New Testament has been built upon the foundations of the Old Testament which is fulfilled by Jesus Christ birth, death and resurrection. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 25. For I do not want you, brothers and sisters, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; verse 26, and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written:
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION,
HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.”
Verse 27. “THIS IS [k]MY COVENANT WITH THEM,
WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” Verse 28. In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers; verse 29, for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Verse 30. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, verse 31, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. Verse 32. For God has shut up all in disobedience, so that He may show mercy to all.
(Commentary Break): God’s continuing plan for Israel and His mercy toward both Jews and Gentiles. This is the theological conclusion. Everyone—Jew and Gentile—is guilty of sin. Everyone needs God’s mercy. Salvation ultimately demonstrates God’s mercy and grace, rather than human achievement. This does not necessarily mean every individual Jew throughout history will be saved. Rather, Paul is describing a future, large-scale turning of Israel to the Messiah. The emphasis is that God has not abandoned His covenant purposes for Israel.For a premillennial, futurist interpretation, this passage fits naturally with the expectation of a future spiritual restoration of Israel associated with the events surrounding Christ’s return. (End Commentary Break).
Verse 33. Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Verse 34. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Verse 35. Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM, THAT IT WOULD BE PAID BACK TO HIM? Verse 36. For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
(Commentary Break): God’s wisdom, sovereignty, mercy, and redemptive plan are ultimately beyond our full comprehension—and the appropriate response is humility, trust, and worship. It is significant that Paul doesn’t finish his discussion of Israel, election, Gentiles, and God’s sovereign purposes by giving us another theological argument. He finishes by worshiping God.
Theology should lead to doxology (worship of God): understanding what God has revealed should ultimately lead us to glorify God, even where we cannot fully understand everything He is doing. (End Commentary Break).
End Chapter 11.
God temporarily allowed Israel to stumble so that the gospel might reach the Gentiles. Praise His Name! But He has not abandoned Israel; ultimately, God will demonstrate His mercy to both Jew and Gentile and fulfill His promises to His glory. Romans 11 teaches that God has not rejected Israel. Although many Jews have rejected Christ, their hardening is partial and temporary. During this period, the gospel has gone to the Gentiles, who have been graciously grafted into God’s people. God will ultimately fulfill His purposes for Israel, and “all Israel will be saved” through His mercy and the Messiah.
God is faithful to His promises, salvation is entirely dependent upon His mercy, and neither Jew nor Gentile has reason to boast. God’s sovereign plan includes both Israel and the Gentiles and ultimately brings glory to Him.
(This paper has been inspired by a Sunday School lesson taught by Pastor Brent Whitefield at Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida on August 23, 2026. Some of this article is excerpted with permission. The original text with audio can be heard at You Might Be A Muslim If”, by Pastor Brent Whitefield.)
Do you rem3mber Jeff Foxworthy? His joke line was “You might be a redneck if you…”Well, let’s use that format to say, “You might be a Muslimif…
If you believe that by just of chanting, some ‘magical’ words makes you once and for all right with God. (Have you ever done anything like that?) Like, “repeating this little sinner’s prayer with me so you can be saved?” That’s what Muslims believe.
If you believe that participating in some ritual, whether it be baptism, whether it be communion, that is something that saves you, then you might be a Muslim. After all you may have been taught that is the sum of your duty to God – to participate in this or that ritual and you are made right with God.
If you believe that God can be paid off with a mandatory offering of some kind, that you’re paying your obligation to God, or that through fasting you’re depriving yourself of something and therefore getting in good with God and helping to guarantee your salvation, then If you might be a Muslim because that’s not a Christian view but it is a Muslim view.
If you believe that going to a particular place, whether it be a church building where you light a candle, or whether it’s going to visit Jerusalem or Rome, that you can get closer to God by being in a particular place, then you might be a Muslim because that’s not a Christian view, it’s a Muslim view.
We, as Christians, know that the only way to the Father – the only way to be saved – is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus. Romans 10 says that “if you confess with your mouth, what you believe in your heart, that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved”. It is not anything you do.
Not many people who call themselves Christians, if any, are essentially Muslim. Even if they agree with all these things listed, they still don’t call themselves Muslim. But those are essentially the religious practices that they have unwittingly adopted.
This is where we should step back and realize that the Christian gospel is to be counter-cultural, so different, so unlike any man-made religion. We must repent (deny and turn away from all our evil ways, selfish way, wicked ways, worldly hedonistic ways, and all the man-inspired philosophies of this world) and follow (take up the mindset, the attitudes, the teachings and beliefs, the mannerisms, behaviors and actions) of Jesus. Otherwise, maybe you are making up your own religion. And if that is what you are doing, wouldn’t that be good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell? That seems reasonable, right?. But that is not what the Bible teaches? The Bible teaches that no one is good – no, not even one person. All of us have sinned and are worthy of both a physical and a spiritual death followed by eternal damnation. And since that is the case, God sent His Son – Who was and is perfect and sinless – to die on behalf of those who would receive Him as Lord and Savior. Thereby paying the penalty that is due for all sinners.
God’s grace (His free, unmerited and “un-earnable” Gift of salvation) set us free from the penalty and the power of sin. He sets us free from eternal death and damnation. He set us free from all our guilt and shame. We are made new creature in Him and in His sight. The gospel is revolutionary in that regard.
Islam, on the other hand, bears all of the fingerprints of a man-made religion. Muslims will say that they are against idolatry. In fact, they’ll hold this up as their complaint against Christianity and every religion. But, you can’t blame them. If a Muslim goes and visits any number of Christian churches they’re will find them chocked full of idols of Mary and religious artifacts of one kind or another that we venerate or worship. You can hardly blame them for coming to the conclusion that Christianity is idolatrous, and we should take notice, shouldn’t we?
We, as Christians, have been commanded to put away idols and embrace Christ. Yet, have we purged the idols from our heart? I would suggest to you that we live in a constant battle against idolatry all the time. Our attempts to confine God to a particular space or time, don’t we? We attempt to manipulate him through our religious observances and through our going here and going there. We try to manipulate God, but he won’t be manipulated. But all such attempts, you see, are idolatry.
Just saying or reading these things is almost confusing isn’t it? It is so ingrained in our lifestyles we hardly even notice what we have done and what we have become.
Christianity is supposed to be countercultural, or so goes the argument. But is it? Muslims on the other hand are committed to being countercultural. Islam is their culture and their religion.
Christians cannot say that American culture or Western culture is synonymous with Christianity with serious criticisms. And it’s not even true. So we are warned to be very careful about what we tie to Christianity. We have to be careful to make the distinction that Christianity is counterculture. Christianity should not be considered nationalistic. It should always be considered as a prophetic voice being spoken into a corrupt and dying culture. It’s not there to help buttress the culture. It is a transformative prophetic voice being spoken into a culture.
Islam, on the other hand, has always spread by conquest and by immigration. It is not a transformative prophecy. It is a theocracy. There’s very little in the way of free will conversion. In the very beginning, Muslims just took over places like Medina. They came in as immigrants and ended up establishing Islam at the governing entity. And it is from the same playbook as is happening today. I would like to briefly mention the political aspect of Islam because it has implications for the theological aspects. You can see a predictable pattern for Muslim takeover of areas, and it’s quite ‘fascinating’ if I may use that word. Reason might say that once Muslims immigrate to a given area, they might need to reach fifty-one percent of the population to gain political control. But that is never the case. Once they attain to about five percent of the population, Muslims begin to demand exceptions, carve-outs, acknowledgement of their culture in various demonstrable ways within the culture. At five percent, they ask for off for their prayers or time off for their fasting.
Once they achieve around ten percent of the population, they begin to aggressively exercise their influence, especially if they’re stepping into a religious or moral vacuum. They begin to ask for concessions like a child bringing a halal meal to school. At ten percent, it becomes more of a demand for this, or they begin to get vocal.
Then at twenty percent they begin to demand halal meals in the schools as an option. Soon, they demand it be only halal food in our schools.
At twenty percent, they demand that nobody in their neighborhood can eat during Ramadan, whether Christian, Jew, Hindu, or otherwise. Why is this the case? Why don’t they need to get fifty percent to get these concessions?
They have come to know that at the twenty percent threshold they can throw their political weight around. They don’t need to wait until they are fifty percent of the population. The have discovered that all they need is to have more of a Muslim population than the number of non-Muslims who are willing to push back. And in most populations, that’s never more than twenty percent of people who are willing to fight back. And the percentages have gone lower and lower over time.
In medieval Europe, they would have pushed back. In modern Europe, they don’t push back anymore. So Muslims maybe need less than twenty percent to begin to get their way. Areas in which there are broken disrupted or families are most vulnerable to Islamic immigration. Area where single parenthood is the norm rather than the exception; places where mothers are in charge and not fathers; places that have become de facto matriarchies.
So urban centers in America, much of Northern Europe can be described this way, so the single parent matriarchies are no match for the two parent patriarchal Islamic family organization. And so they are easily overrun and overtaken.
A glaring example of this are the Muslim gangs of rapists in central England have raped thousands of women and this was largely kept a secret. One might ask, “Where were the fathers?” There were mostly single parent families, and no fathers. The fathers absent, incarcerated or drunk. Fathers who were so steeped in the rhetoric about Islamophobia they were afraid to say anything. (Imagine their daughters being raped and they’re afraid to say anything for fear of being perceived as a racist). So thousands and thousands of women helplessly preyed upon, nobody there to protect them. There are many of these places in Europe and now we are seeing this repeated in places in America. They have been rendered almost helpless to the onslaught of a very aggressive Islamic invasion. There aren’t the men there to stick up for their families and their women and there is no male leadership to stave off this onslaught. It’s become a matriarchy by default because even where there are men they behave like weak women. Their virtues are feminine rather than masculine. And so, once again, they’re no match for confident Islam moving into the area and beginning to make demands.
What’s interesting is when you see what has happened politically, and this has been very clever, there’s a doctrine within Islam called taqiyya, which means deception. And it’s even in the Quran itself. And it’s permitted for a Muslim to deploy deception in service of the greater good or for “Islam”. This is an imitation of Allah himself, who is a deceiver. So you can’t count on Allah to tell the truth. He may lie about the service or the greater spread of the faith. So Muslims are allowed to also lie and deceive in the spread of the faith.
One of the ways this plays itself out in America is that Muslim candidates for office always present themselves as liberals on social matters. They’re always pro-LGBTQ, they’re pro-abortion, they’re pro all of the slate of these things, which are very much against Islamic values. This is part of their program of deception. They know they cannot get into the conservative parties in America so they have gone into the liberal parties to make an impact. And once we get into the liberal parties they change things up. They to “flip the script” once they have power and show what they are really all about – Sharia law and domination. This is happening and the numbers are large. For example, a city like Luton in England which is now around sixty percent Muslim. They were voted into office by their sheer numbers and voted in by white English liberals, including the homosexual lobby and such. Now they “flip the script” and have said, we’re not having any gay bars or anything like that in Luton anymore in the name of Islam. They say that this is now an Islamic city, so we make the rules now, and these rules are not the liberal platform that they came to power on or were invited in on. So this is an exercise of their plan of deception?
Islam spreads, at five percent we want consideration, at ten percent we want equality, at twenty percent we want supremacy. And they’ve been able to actually make that work because they’ve had people who are not willing to stand in their way.
One of the problems that we see in the political realm is that we’re highly influenced by the media’s reporting on these matters. And one thing that’s invariably true in the Western world, in America and in Western Europe, is that there’s almost nobody left in the media who takes religion seriously. Therefore, Islam underestimated, and there’s almost nobody in the main media, BBC, your NBC, Figaro newspaper, USA Today, etcetera, who is a Christian believer, so they don’t take Islam’s religious motivation seriously. The media consider the dangers and the powerful and threatening dynamics of Marxism, but they don’t consider Islam and Muslims as a threat. Yet they are committed to imposing their diabolical theocratic religious values on everyone. The media foolishly thinks this is for economic demands or that it is a social issue. But Islam and Muslims make no secret that their goal is to transform and control the world under Islamic law.
I want you to see that our nation is in danger of becoming Muslim as we see happening in Western Europe. The answer is not political, it is not military and it is not social. The answer is a religious revival in our land. where Christians recommit themselves to Jesus Christ, and recommit themselves to be a bold witness for Christ. It’s about proclaiming fearlessly the gospel of Jesus Christ and living our lives in light of that gospel. That’s the only way forward. And that’s the only way that we actually not only save our country, but bless the nations as well.
Is the Calvinism of the twenty-first century slowing or stunting the growth of Christianity in the Reformed Church?
Key Point: Calvinism says that God chose certain individuals for salvation before the foundation of the world—not because of anything foreseen in them—but solely because of His own gracious purpose. Others were passed over and left in their sin. This is often called -election”—a key point in this doctrine.
Huh? Say what?
TULIP
– Teachings of Calvinism
Total Depravity
Humanity is spiritually unable to come to God apart from grace.
Unconditional Election
God chose the elect solely according to His good pleasure.
Uimited Atonement
Christ’s redeeming work effectively secures salvation for the elect.
Irresistible Grace
The Spirit effectually calls and regenerates the elect.
Perseverance of the Saints
God preserves all true believers to the end.
(Although Calvin taught predestination, much of his work focused on knowing God, living a holy life, and the centrality of Scripture.)
Here are the main 3 doctrines on salvation, election, and predestination:
Comparison Table
Attribute
Calvinism
Arminianism
Provisionism
View on Predestination
Predetermined by God
Based on foreseen faith
Grace available to all
Human Responsibility
Limited by God’s sovereignty
Emphasizes free will
Individuals can respond
Atonement
Limited to the elect
Universal for all
Vicarious atonement for everyone
Key Proponents
John Calvin
Jacob Arminius
Leighton Flowers
These theological frameworks shape the beliefs and practices of various Christian denominations, influencing how they understand salvation and God’s role in the lives of believers.
Now, what about this?
Evangelistic Effectiveness Relative to Membership
Denomination
2024 Membership
2024 Primary Evangelistic Result
Approximate Rate
Presbyterian Church in America
400,751
5,678 professions of faith
1.4%
Presbyterian Church in America
400,751
3,083 adult baptisms
0.8%
Southern Baptist Convention
12,722,266
250,643 baptisms
2.0%
Church of the Nazarene
2,783,731
128,736 professions of faith
4.6%
Church of the Nazarene
2,783,731
231,084 conversions
8.3%
Assemblies of God USA
3,060,848
529,213 conversions
17.3%
Assemblies of God USA
3,060,848
168,421 water baptisms
5.5%
Overall Comparison
Denomination
Membership
Primary Evangelistic Measure
Relative Evangelistic Activity
Presbyterian Church in America
~401,000
Adult professions of faith
Moderate
Southern Baptist Convention
~12.3–12.7 million
Believer baptisms
High
Church of the Nazarene
~2.8 million
Professions of faith & conversions
Very High
Assemblies of God USA
~3.1 million
Conversions & water baptisms
Exceptionally High
One important caveat is that these statistics are not directly equivalent. For example:
The PCA counts adult professions of faith and adult baptisms separately because it also practices infant baptism.
The SBC reports believer baptisms, which generally follow professions of faith.
The Church of the Nazarene reports professions of faith and also conversions.
The Assemblies of God reports conversions, water baptisms, and Spirit baptisms.
Even with those differences, the data consistently show that the Assemblies of God, Church of the Nazarene, and Southern Baptist Convention report substantially higher numbers of new converts or baptisms relative to their membership than the Presbyterian Church in America. Those differences, however, do not by themselves establish that one theological tradition is more faithful or more biblical than another, since denominational reporting methods, demographics, church-planting strategies, and ministry contexts also influence these outcomes.
It is my (limited) experience and knowledge that most Reformed Churches elevate doctrines to guide their practices. The non-Calvinist Baptists have a more even-handed approach. They seem to use doctrines to explain the reason for their practices, while allowing a stronger spiritual connection between the two. While the Church of the Nazarene considers doctrines as important, they emphasize the practice of faith as more important and encourage acting on faith. And finally, the Assemblies of God encourage both but put more emphasis on an inter-relative spiritual connection and an interactive approach when exercising the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit (although this interactive approach can be and is frequently misused and sometimes abused).
There is also no doubt that prevailing doctrines of a denomination will influence and direct the attitudes and practices of that denomination and people group. To repeat: These differences do not by themselves establish that one theological tradition is more faithful or more biblical than another, since denominational reporting methods, demographics, church-planting strategies, and ministry contexts also influence these outcomes.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: And, no. I do not believe Calvinism is stunting the growth of the Reformed Church in the twenty-first century. God is sovereign.
And by the way. I am not against Calvinism. It has many excellent tenets and practices. But many of its points create heated debates within the Body of Christ and even some divisions. It is a good idea to remember that John Calvin’s “Calvinism” then is not like the one we have today. It has been revised and nuanced. And we, like Calvin, (even though Calvin taught predestination), focused on knowing God, living a holy life, and the centrality of Scripture.
The real goal isn’t winning the Calvinism/Arminianism/Provisionism argument. The goal is to understand what Paul actually meant—and then bring our theological system into conformity with Scripture rather than forcing Scripture into our system.
And please dear friends, let’s not let the matters of this doctrine bring divisiveness to our relationships and into the church lest you be compared to the scribes and Pharisees of scriptures about whom Jesus said, “You hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You (are) blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”
This audio lasts for about an hour. If you cannot finish this in one visit, please come back as often as needed – especially if you are (1), A Christian, and (2), if you are interested in how the Muslims are conquering the world while the Christian church stands by, watching, setting up the final days cataclysm known as Armageddon – just like the Bible prophesies.
“You Might Be A Muslim If”
A lesson by Pastor Brent Whitefield, Covenant Naples Church, Naples, Florida.
Rev. Brent Whitefield Ph.D., Mobilization Pastor
B.A. History, Amherst College
M.A. Christian Studies, Regent College
Ph.D. Church History, Cambridge University
(Reprinted and posted with permission)
Let’s go back to October 27th, 1553. A Spanish theologian named Miguel Servitas was burned at the stake in Geneva, Switzerland. This was John Calvin’s Geneva. (And I’m getting feedback now. I can’t seem to find the happy medium. Maybe that’s better now. OK, we’ll give it a try. We may have to call on reinforcements from Gary if that doesn’t work.) So this was the time of Calvin’s Geneva. Now, Calvin did not approve. He thought he should have been beheaded instead. His crimes were purely theological. He had some unorthodox views. about the Trinity and he denied infant baptism. That was why he was executed. This was a big deal and in fact in some people’s mind was an abhorrent situation. It was now one generation into the Protestant Reformation And it was really the beginning of the end. It would take a while, but it was the beginning of the end of these kind of executions, executions for purely theological reasons. And part of it had to do with what the Protestant Reformation itself wrought in the world. Namely, it brought about religious pluralism in the world. Before the Protestant Reformation, within Christendom, there was only one church, one authority. But once the Protestant Reformation comes, you have an ever-changing religious landscape. You have an ever-changing political landscape that went along with the religious landscape. And you have a situation in which now things would change from time to time. So, for example, in a particular town, on one day a man might be the town pastor, the next day he’s a heretic, and vice versa. And so the reality of religious pluralism began to bring to an end the age in which everybody on pain of death has to be on the same page. Pluralism, and we take this for granted today. You know, by the same logic by which it’s easier to, it’s one thing to flick a fly off of your muffin, it’s another thing to try to take all the poppy seeds out of your muffin. One can be done pretty without much damage, one destroys the whole thing. And so once you have a situation where people are not on the same page anymore, theologically, it becomes less practical to go around killing people for having a heterodox view. And in fact, what is a heterodox view anymore is called into question. Well, why do I say this? And by the way, I’m really getting a lot of feedback here. Is Gary here? Maybe you can help. I’m getting a lot of this. I don’t know if Kingston or Gary can help me with that. In any event, or anybody else who’s got knowledge in these areas, the reason I mention that is that we have in Islam, an Islam which has never had a reformation, and has never acknowledged the reality, and for many Muslims, has never dealt with the reality of religious pluralism. And so it’s understandable perhaps that the whole way of seeing these things is different. We now in our culture, in American culture today, in Western culture today, we don’t tend to see theological matters as something worth dying for and killing for. For better or for worse, we don’t see that anymore. In the Islamic world, they still see theological matters as something worth dying for and killing for. And again, part of that has to do with the reality of the fact that you don’t have religious pluralism in most of the places where Islam is dominant. Most Muslims in the world live in countries and in jurisdictions where Islam is basically the only religion, the only accepted religion. There may be a very small minority of others, but they can be largely disregarded and managed. So you have to understand a very different context here. The Western post-Reformation world in which we live and the unreformed world in which most Muslims live today. This helps to explain, I think, quite a lot about our world and the dynamics of what’s going on with Islam today. Now, I should let you know that In the battle, if you will, with Christianity, Islam is winning almost everywhere in the world with very few exceptions. You need to understand this because you may not get this picture because you’ll hear exaggerated reports from mission entities and so on. Let me be clear, Islam is winning almost everywhere. If you look around the world today, you’d be hard pressed to find a single country, a single jurisdiction within any country, a single state in the United States, a single county in America that doesn’t have more Muslims today than it had 10 years ago. There’s a couple, Eastern and Southern Ethiopia, Christianity is pushing Islam out in some places. In Iran, the number of Christians is, rising at the expense of Islam. Some islands in Indonesia, perhaps this is the case, but very few, those are the exceptions that prove the rule. Everywhere else, every country in Europe, every country in South America, North America, Asia, has more Muslims in it today than it did 10 years ago, and will have more in 10 years than it has now. The only places where Islam is not growing is places where it doesn’t have any potential to grow, where the population is already 100% Muslim and can’t get any higher than that. So you need to understand that. You need to understand that this is what’s happening. Now, traditionally, Islam has… grown in two ways, not three, in two ways. The way it hasn’t grown primarily is through conversion, at least through free will conversion. That has been a very small part of the growth of Islam over the past 1300 years. Islam has grown principally through conquest, This explains the proliferation of Islam in the very earliest days, after Muhammad’s followers and so on, how Muslim takes over all of the Middle East, all of North Africa, parts of Southwest Europe, parts of Southeast Europe, on into the Central Asian area, all the way out to Indonesia and so on. This is all an issue of conquest. In more modern times, although it’s been a feature from the beginning, the other way in which Islam grows is through immigration. And immigration combined with allegations of Islamophobia. So what’s interesting is that the very first conquest of a major area by the Muslims was the city of Medina, which is now one of their two most holy cities, and the burial place of Muhammad himself. Medina was a largely Jewish city with some Christians. It was sort of Jewish and Christian, mostly Jewish. Muslims began to immigrate there and then began to demand their rights and eventually over time sort of took over, slaughtered the Jews, kicked the rest of them out, and took over the city of Medina. And this has been a pattern which has replicated itself time after time after time. So either by conquest, immigration, or kind of a combination of the two, Islam has proliferated. And so we see this, for example, playing out pretty well in Europe today. Where, especially in Western Europe, the number of Muslims is anywhere between five and 15% in various countries, the UK, France, Spain, Switzerland, and so on. Where they’ve gained quite a large number, but this has been through immigration. And also, the percentage has gone up because they’ve gone into countries with low native birth rates. So they’ve moved in, had a higher birth rate, and so naturally, just by natural natural course of things, the population of Muslims has risen as a percentage of population in these places. Not only that, but as wherever Islam proliferates, it creates laws and it creates cultural standards that make it nearly impossible to convert away from Islam and make it much more easy to convert to Islam. So for example, there are at least 16 countries in the world today where it is illegal, some of them at pain of death, to convert away from Islam to another religion or to abandon Islam in favor of atheism or anything. There’s at least 16 countries where either in practice or in theory, you can have the death penalty for leaving Islam. There is not a single country on the planet that I’m aware of, there’s not a single jurisdiction within any country on the planet that I’m aware of where it is illegal to convert to Islam. You understand that? on earth where it’s illegal to convert to becoming a Muslim. There’s many places on earth where it’s illegal to convert from Islam to something else. Not only that, but in addition to what the law says, there’s cultural standards as well. So far beyond the countries where it is illegal to become to convert away from Islam, the cultural pressures are so great, and maybe even greater, that makes it nearly impossible to convert away. A country like Turkey would be an example. There’s no law in Turkey that says you cannot convert away from Islam. But if you do, there’s a very good chance you’ll be killed by your family, by your neighbors, something. The government won’t kill you and can’t kill you, But within the culture, that’s nearly a suicidal act to do that. This is in a country that guarantees in their constitution freedom of religion. And this would be the case in many other countries as well. So even those places where it’s not against the law to convert away from Islam, it’s against the culture and that may cost you dearly. Again, by contrast, even in those places where there’s a general level of hostility towards Islam, there are very few places in the world where you stand to be killed if you become a Muslim. There may be a few. Some places in India might be a possibility. But in general terms, there’s very few places where, culturally speaking, you’re likely to be killed by your family or your community if you become a Muslim. So you can see it’s a very different picture, right, between the world of Islam and the world that is outside of Islam. By the way, a lot of times we think in America that the freedoms that come with democracy, and democracy is the answer. In the Muslim world, democracy has been a disaster for minority Christian communities. I don’t know if you realize this. The rise of democracy, or so-called democracy, in the Middle East has been a disaster for Christian communities in particular. There were hundreds of thousands of Christians in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. There are almost none today. Saddam Hussein, bad man, but he had no problem with Christians and actually elevated some of them to the highest positions in his government and ran interference and protection for them. Assad in Syria, bad man, no problem with Christians. That was some of his favorite people was Christians. And once he left, there’s been a slaughter of Christians after he was deposed and sent to exile in Russia. Similarly, Egypt, similar story. I could go on and on with more examples of this. When democracy has come, Usually it has meant pogroms against Christians and whatever remaining Jews might be in these countries as well. The way people have interpreted democracy in these places is that once we have the majority, we can now kick out all the minorities. The best thing for Christians and other religious minorities has been a relatively benevolent dictator or monarch. They have almost always been better at protecting Christian communities than democracy is. So it’s been a very, well, mixed blessing, not a blessing at all. It’s been a curse really for minority Christian populations throughout the Muslim world when so-called democracy has come. Because democracy has never been the goal in the first place. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdogan, he’s an Islamist, even though his country is supposed to have freedom of religion and supposed to be a secular country. He has said from the beginning that democracy is like a train. You get off when you reach your stop. In other words, democracy is my way of bringing Islamism into the country. Once we get there, we won’t need democracy anymore. Now, there’s good news for Christians in terms of witness, in terms of Christian witness to Muslims. Muslims are religious. They fear God. They’re monotheists. They’re not relativists. They believe in revelation. They believe in a messiah. They believe in the afterlife. That’s a very good foundation to begin to talk to a Muslim. about the Christian faith. It’s a far stronger foundation than you have to talk to a secular humanist or an atheist or even a sort of mainline American Christian about the faith. Within Islam, you’ve probably heard this before, if you’ve ever studied anything about Islam or anything about Islam, there are essentially five, what they call five pillars of the faith. Okay, there’s five pillars of the faith. I’ll even kind of write them if I can here. One of them is, sort of the basis is a declaration called the Shahada, which means when you actually say the words, there’s only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet. Saying that in sincerity makes you a Muslim. That’s a declaration that says, I am a Muslim. I believe there’s only one God, Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger or his prophet. So that’s the first pillar of the faith. Another one is prayer. five times a day in the direction of Mecca for Sunni Muslims. It’s an obligation to pray, and it’s very ritualistic and predictable in nature, and it’s a community activity. You don’t pray in the comfort of your own home. You go to a mosque, and you pray together in community with other believers, and you’re called to prayer as a community in audible form, so you gather to pray. There’s the giving of alms. This is giving of offerings. Normally, an obligation would be 2.5% of your surplus or of your wealth should be given to the poor specifically. Okay, so the giving of alms is a duty. Another one is fasting, especially during the month of Ramadan in particular. Okay, so there’s a month set aside in the Muslim calendar, and it shifts every year based on the lunar calendar, but a whole month where you’re not supposed to eat and engage in other sorts of activities during daylight hours, and then you can engage in those things in the evening, but that’s for an entire month. And then… what’s known as a Hajj, that’s the pilgrimage to Mecca, and it’s required of every Muslim once in their lifetime, at least if they’re financially and physically capable of doing so, to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. All of these are clearly spelled out in the Quran, spelled out as duties within the Quran for a Muslim to do. Now, Islam is a legalistic faith. I resist the temptation to, in a public setting like this, to kind of throw allegations out against Islam, it’s a death cult, it’s a suicide cult, whatever. No, it’s a false religion. It’s a legalistic false religion. And in fact, it is essentially, Islam is essentially the default religion, if you will, of mankind. It has all of the hallmarks of a man-made religion. Islam is the kind of religion you would make up if you were making up your own religion. The only wrinkle is that it’s monotheistic, okay, which creates problems. If you’re gonna make up your own religion, at least make it polytheistic, okay, because that way it causes less problems. You know, I’ve got my God, you’ve got your God, we can agree to disagree, we can live in peace, you know, we’ve got our local deity, you’ve got your local deities, right? When you make up a religion and then you say there’s only one God, what does that mean? That’s something I have to impose on everybody. So again, if you’re gonna make up your own religion, have the courtesy to make it polytheistic. But what the Muslims did, and this is what has created a lot of problems in our world today, is that they created a man-made false religion, but they made it monotheistic, meaning that it applies to everybody. There is only one God, their God, and this is the God that you must serve. But this is the default religion of man. And let me suggest this to you. Most, or let me say this, most people that I know, most Americans that I know, including people who would call themselves Christians in some way, they’re basically Muslim. Maybe a quarter of you in this room, you’re Muslim, basically. You don’t call yourself that. But that’s what you are. You see, you remember that guy, who was that comedian who used to say you might be a redneck if you, you know, he made a whole comedy career? Jeff Foxworthy. Jeff Foxworthy, right? You might be a redneck if you do whatever, right? Fill in the blank. Whole comedy career on that premise, right? Well, you might be a Muslim if you believe that just sort of encanting some magical words out there makes you once and for all right with God. That’s what Muslims believe. Some Christians believe that, don’t they? What if you believe that participating in some ritual, whether it be baptism, whether it be communion, something, saves you? That’s the sum of your duty to God, is that participating in this ritual makes you right with God. If you believe that, you might be a Muslim. If you believe that God can be paid off with a mandatory offering of some kind, that you’re paying your obligation to God, or that through fasting you’re depriving yourself of something and therefore getting in good with God and helping to guarantee your salvation. That’s not a Christian view, that’s a Muslim view. If you believe that going to a particular place, whether it be a church building where you light a candle, or whether it’s going to visit Jerusalem or Rome, that you can get closer to God by being in a particular place. That’s not a Christian view. That’s a Muslim view. But how many people who call themselves Christians are essentially Muslim? They would agree with all those things. They don’t call themselves Muslim, but that’s essentially the religion that they have adopted. This is where the Christian gospel is so counter-cultural, is so different, is so unlike man-made religion. If you’re making up your own religion, wouldn’t it be good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell? That’s it, right? That seems fair. That’s not what the Bible teaches, does it? You would say, it’s based on your performance. It’s a meritocracy. That’s the religion I would create if I was, you know, meritocracy. Good people who do good things, follow the rules, follow the rituals. They get to go to heaven. People who don’t, go to hell. That’s not what the gospel teaches. The gospel is revolutionary in that regard. But Islam bears all of the fingerprints of a man-made religion. And yet, it’s so much like Now, Muslims will say that they are against idolatry. In fact, they’ll hold this up as their complaint against Christianity and every religion, whereas you guys are idolaters, and we are not. Now, you can’t blame them because for most Muslims, the closest place they might go and visit a church, they’re going to visit one of these churches that’s chock full of idols of Mary and this and that and the other thing. You can’t blame them for, almost like a Buddhist temple, you can’t blame them for coming to the conclusion that Christianity is idolatrous. But what they don’t acknowledge in their own faith is that they’re extremely idolatrous themselves. particularly relating to their obligation to visit a particular place, to walk around a rock, to in essence worship and revere that rock, the belief that God is more there than any place else, that he can be sort of contained in this one place. That’s the very definition of idolatry. It’s funny, they don’t acknowledge it because they say, well look, our mosques don’t have pictures and images, fine. But it’s extremely idolatrous at its heart. Now for Christians, we’re not idolatrous, at least we’re not supposed to be. We’ve been commanded to put away idols and embrace Christ. And yet, do we really do that? Have we purged the idols from our heart? I would suggest to you that we live in a constant battle against idolatry all the time. Our attempts to confine God to a particular space or time, don’t we? We attempt to manipulate him through our religious observances and through our going here and going there. We try to manipulate God, but he won’t be manipulated. But all such attempts, you see, are idolatry. And this is what Muslims would like to say about others who are not Muslims, that they are idolatrous. Now, Because Islam is a legalistic religion, extremely legalistic, there are a bunch of rules that you have to follow. These are but the five most prominent. There’s many rules you have to follow. Anything that’s written in the Quran, you’re obliged to follow it. And so things that we might not think about a lot but are very important to them, for example, There’s such a thing as Islamic finance. Muslims are not allowed to charge interest on money. The whole banking system is based on being able to charge interest. They have workarounds for that. They have workarounds for that, but they’re very insistent on that because the Quran spills a lot of ink on the issue of what they call usury, and usury is any charging of interest. Now again, it’s not one of the five points, but it’s important to them because the Quran is very explicit. about you can’t have usury. You can’t drink alcohol. The Quran is very clear on that. You can’t gamble. It’s unambiguously clear in the Quran. You’re not allowed to engage in those activities. So there’s a whole list of do’s and don’ts within the Quran. One problem that Christians have is that, especially in Christian witness, is that they try to go toe to toe with Muslims on the rules. Well, your religion puts this rule, what about your religion? Well, your religion says this, what about yours? You’re gonna lose in a contest of rules with a Muslim. And here’s why. For Muslims, Islam is a communal phenomenon. It has implications for all of society. So a whole country is Muslim, a whole people is Muslim, and so that’s gonna be reflected in their laws, in their culture. in a way that we as Christians say, well, we certainly hope that’s not the case. We hope that American culture is not, it’s been influenced by Christianity, but certainly has not been overwhelmed by Christianity. And so to try to go toe-to-toe with a Muslim on the rules, you’re going to lose, and you’re going to be humiliated. So for example, say to the Muslim, well, you guys have slaves right into the modern age. And they’ll say, yeah, but you guys let two men marry each other and adopt children into that abominous relationship. Mic drop. There’s no answer for that. You’re right. Well, you guys have multiple wives. Well, yeah, you guys in many of your states, you allow children to be aborted up to the day they’re born. Boom. I can’t argue with that. I can’t think of anything in Islam that you do that’s worse than that. I can’t think of anything. So if you’re going to try to go toe-to-toe with what are the moral rules in your society versus our society, you’re going to lose that debate every time. That’s not the proper way to approach a conversation. And the reason why is that Islam is cultural, whereas Christianity has always been supposed to be countercultural. So the degree to which we sort of tie Christianity to our culture, that’s a losing proposition. They’re committed to it. Islam is our culture and our religion. For Christians, we better not ever say that our American culture, Western culture, is synonymous with Christianity. That’s a losing debate point right there, and it’s not even true, right? So you have to be very, very careful about what we tie things to. We have to help people understand that Christianity is counterculture. Christianity is always a prophetic voice into a corrupt and dying culture. It’s not there to help buttress the culture. is there to be a prophetic voice into it. Yes, have a salubrious influence in that culture, but never to be one and the same with it. Always to be a counter-cultural phenomenon. But Muslims don’t see the world that way, and that’s why it’s important for them to spread Islam. Now, if you associate Islam with a particular ethnic group of people, who do you associate it with? normally. Arabs, right? And while it is true that the majority of Arabs are Muslim, the majority of Muslims are not Arab. Okay, you understand that? The vast majority of Arabs are Muslim. the majority of Muslims are not Arab. In fact, the top six countries in Muslim population are not Arab. And in fact, only two of the top 10 countries in Muslim population are Arab countries, Egypt and Algeria. All the rest, All the rest are non-Arab peoples. Indonesia, the largest. Pakistan, second largest. India, third largest. These are not Arab people. These are different ethnic groups. So Islam has spread beyond its Arab origins to much of the world. And yet, because Islam is cultural, Everywhere Islam goes, it bears the mark of Arab culture with it, specifically of 7th century Arab culture. This is important to understand, and it’s important to understand because Christianity is very different and couldn’t be more different and should be more different. You see, to become a Muslim is to embrace 7th century Arab culture, at least to a certain degree. So the Quran, for example, is supposed to be God’s word, God’s final word, but it’s only the Quran in the original classical Arabic language. Of course, they’ve translated it into every language on earth, but they will always go to great pains to say, this is not the Quran. When it’s in English, it’s not the Quran. When it’s in French, when it’s in Chinese, it’s not the Quran. It’s only the Quran in 7th century Arabic. That is, as it were, God’s language. And to embrace Islam is to, if you really want to get serious, you’ve got to learn the classical language. You’ve got to read it in the original. You have to embrace aspects of Arab culture, Arab dress, and so on and so forth. The reason why this is not simply a cultural phenomenon, but it’s actually a theological point, is that Muslims do not believe that Islam God came to us in the flesh that God can identify with us in any way. You’ve got to meet God entirely on his terms. You’ve got to learn God’s language for crying out loud. He won’t learn yours. You’ve got to embrace God’s culture. He will not embrace yours. Now listen, how different is the Christian message? that God loved us so much that he didn’t say, you have to try to reach somehow for the heavens and find me. He didn’t even say you have to meet me halfway. He said, in Jesus Christ, come all the way to you and your culture and your idiom and your language i’m going to suffer all the indignities that it means to be a human being i’m going to do it for you so i can have a relationship with you what a beautiful message that is that muslims have no conception of that god is up there he’s distant he is aloof I have to try to do something to catch his attention. I’ve got to make a sacrifice. I’ve got to fast. I’ve got to go visit a holy place. I’ve got to pray. I’ve got to do something to catch his attention. And maybe, just maybe, he will allow me to be with him someday in a far-off place. But the Christian message is Jesus Christ came all the way to be with us. No other religion in the world teaches any such thing. It’s foolishness to the Greeks, isn’t it? It’s foolishness to the world. It’s foolishness to Muslims. But if and when they understand that point, how it transforms their whole understanding of who God is. So different from the God they worship. A lot of people are hung up on the question. There’s internet debates on this. Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? I can see a point for both of them. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is, what do you say about this God? What do you know about the character of this God? It doesn’t matter what name you give him. The important point is, what do you say about God? And they believe that God is distant, aloof, He is a judge. Yes, he shows mercy occasionally to whom he wants to show mercy to. But it’s a God who, from time to time, overlooks sin when it pleases him and ultimately gives you no way of getting out of your sin. It leaves your sin problem unaddressed. The God of the Bible, however, came to us in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, not ignoring our sin, but paying for our sin. Not overlooking sin, but actually paying for it. See, this is a feature of all false religion is that it doesn’t take God’s holiness seriously enough. And it doesn’t deal with our sin problem. And this is exactly the problem with Islam. Doesn’t really take God’s, as much as they talk about it, doesn’t take God’s holiness seriously enough. He winks at sin from time to time. And it leaves our sin problem completely unaddressed. But God in Christ and only through Christ was he able to deal with our sin problem once and for all and still preserve his perfect holiness. Isn’t that a wonderful, isn’t that a wonderful picture? Isn’t that the unique picture of the Christian faith? So as I said in the beginning, Islam has always spread by conquest and by immigration. There’s very little in the way of free will conversion. There is some, and in modern times there’s certainly some, but it hasn’t been a strong feature of Islam. In the very beginning, Muslims took over places. I mentioned Medina, they did this other places as well. They came in as immigrants and ended up taking over the place. How did they do this? Well, the same playbook is happening today, and I don’t wanna spend too much time getting into the political. This is our Sunday school class after all, but it’s worth mentioning a little bit about the political, because it has some implications for the theological. So you can see a predictable pattern for Muslim takeover of areas, and it’s quite fascinating. You might think, well, you know, Muslims get into an area, and once they reach 51%, they take over the place. No, no, no. It happens far, far earlier than that. So at about 5% of the population, which is not a lot, especially a generation or so into a higher birth rate in places like Europe, at about 5% of the population, Muslims begin to demand exceptions, carve-outs, acknowledgement of their culture in various demonstrable ways within the culture. Once they achieve about 10% of the population, they feel like they can begin to really throw their weight around, particularly when they’re stepping into a religious or moral vacuum. okay so at about 10% they can begin begin to demand equality for themselves all right so we demand equality with everybody else and then at only about 20% of the population they can begin to demand superiority within a population okay so it goes from Can my child bring a halal meal to school? Sure. At 10%, we demand halal meals in the schools as an option. By 20%, we demand it be only halal food in our schools anymore. We don’t care what anybody else says. At 5%, we’d like some time off for our prayers or time off for our fasting. At 10%, it becomes more of a demand for this, or we begin to get vocal. At 20%, we might demand in our neighborhood that nobody eat during Ramadan, Christian, Jew, Hindu, or otherwise. Now, why is this the case? Why is this the case? Why don’t you need to get 50%? Well, the 20% threshold is there because you don’t need 50%. You need to get above the threshold. You need to have more people than the number of people who are willing to push back from the other side. And in most populations, that’s never more than 20% of people who are willing to fight back. And especially now, and this has gone lower and lower as time has gone by. In medieval Europe, they would have pushed back. In modern Europe, they don’t push back anymore. So you maybe even need less than 20% now to really begin to get your way. And we see this happening all the time. And places that are specifically vulnerable to Islamic immigration and Islamic takeover are places with broken families. These are places where single parenthood is the norm rather than the exception. In places where mothers are in charge and not fathers. In places that have become de facto matriarchies. So urban centers in America, much of Northern Europe can be described this way. Because they have large, father-led, two-parent families. And so the single parent matriarchies are no match for two parent patriarchal Islamic family organization. They’re no match for them. And so they’re easily, they get easily overrun. One example of this is in the 20 aughts and 20 teens, there were gangs of rapists in central England, Muslim gangs of rapists in central England, that raped thousands of women, thousands of women. And this was largely kept a secret. Where were the fathers? Where were the fathers? Well, I’ll tell you, there was mostly single parent families, so there was no father. Fathers who were incarcerated or drunk. Fathers who were so steeped in the rhetoric about Islamophobia they were afraid to say anything. Imagine their daughters being raped and they’re afraid to say anything for fear of being perceived as a racist. So thousands and thousands of women helplessly preyed upon, nobody there to protect them. So many of these places in Europe, and we see this in places in America as well, have rendered themselves almost helpless to the onslaught of a very confident Islam. There aren’t the men there to stick up for their families and their women. There isn’t male leadership to stave it off. We see this in Europe, let’s be honest, we see this in Europe. It’s become a matriarchy where even the men leaders really behave like women for the most part and their virtues are womenly, feminine rather than masculine. And so, once again, they’re no match for confident Islam moving into the area and beginning to make demands. And you see, what’s interesting is when you see politically what has happened is the, and this has been very clever, there’s a doctrine within Islam called taqiyya, which means deception. And it’s even in the Quran itself. And it’s permitted for a Muslim to deploy deception in service of the greater good, in service of a greater cause. By the way, this is an imitation of Allah himself, who is a deceiver. One of the attributes of Allah is he is a deceiver. So you can’t count on him to tell the truth. He may tell a lie in the service of the greater spread of the faith and so on. So you’re allowed to lie and deceive in the spread of the faith. Now, one of the ways this plays itself out is one thing you’ll notice in America, and this is the same way through most of Europe, is that Muslim candidates for office always present themselves as liberals, as liberal on social matters. They’re always pro-LGBTQ, they’re pro-abortion, they’re pro all of the slate of these things, which are very much against Islamic values. But the ones who have maybe come to their senses or have kind of revealed, said the quiet part out loud or whatever, if you will, have basically said, yeah, this is part of the deception program. We know we can’t get into the conservative parties of these and make a difference. So we’ve gone into the liberal parties and make an impact. But once we get in there, then we’re gonna change things up. We’re gonna flip the script. And by the way, this is happening in places where the numbers are larger. So for example, a city like Luton in England, which is maybe 60% Muslim or something now, they were kind of voted into office and brought in by sort of white English liberals, including the homosexual lobby and so on. Now they’ve said, look, we’re not having any gay bars or anything in Luton anymore. We’re closing all that stuff down in the name of Islam. So, okay, I mean, I’m okay with that, but I mean, they’re making other demands as well, saying, look, this is now an Islamic city, so we get to make the rules anymore, and these rules are not necessarily the liberal platform that we came to power on or were invited in on. So this is an exercise, you might say, in deception, right? This idea, and the reason it’s just helpful to know this in terms of how Islam spreads, at 5% we want consideration, at 10% we want equality, at 20% we want supremacy. And they’ve been able to actually make that work because they’ve had people who are not willing to stand in their way. One of the problems that we see in the political realm is that we’re highly influenced by the reportage on these things, by the media. And one thing that’s invariably true in the Western world, in America, Western Europe, and so on, is that there’s almost nobody left in the media who takes religion seriously. This is a problem that’s underestimated, but there’s almost nobody in the main media, your BBCs, your NBC News, whatever, Figaro newspaper, USA Today, and so on. In your main media outlets, they don’t have anybody who’s a Christian believer of any kind, and they don’t take seriously religious motivation. So they look at the world from a Marxist view, which is all kind of power dynamics, They don’t take seriously when Muslims say, we want to come and impose our religious values. They think, well, this is a stand-in for economic demands, right? This is a social issue. This is, no. You need to take people seriously when they tell you what their religious beliefs are and what the consequences of those beliefs are gonna be. But there’s almost nobody left in the media who takes those things seriously anymore, so it’s always reported as something else. There’s always something else going on. You can’t really believe that a Messiah is coming. You can’t really believe, Iran, that there’s a 12th hidden imam that’s going to come someday as a messianic figure and take over the world. That can’t possibly be the reason why you intend to nuke Israel, for example. Well, it is. I can assure you that’s the reason. That’s the main reason. There may be some who have a different agenda, but the media, they can’t possibly conceive of religious belief in that way. So they don’t report it or they tend to not take it seriously. So I say this not to scare you or to alarm you. I guess the point I would want to leave with you about Islam is this. that if we don’t want to see our nation become Muslim, and I think it’s a very real threat, not real soon, but it could, and certainly we see this trend happening in Western Europe, the ultimate answers are not political ones. They really aren’t. They’re not military solutions. Those things will sort of happen. The answer is a religious revival in our land. where Christians recommit themselves to Jesus Christ, recommit themselves to bold witness for Christ. Not throwing people out, not going back, you know, not beheading people, not military attacks. It’s about proclaiming fearlessly the gospel of Jesus Christ and living our lives in light of that gospel. That’s the only way forward. And that’s the only way that we actually not only save our country, but bless the nations as well. So that’s why, as I mentioned, for those of you here last week, that’s why we’re being proactive in taking the gospel to Oasis, as we’ll call it, since this is being recorded. We’re taking the gospel to Oasis because we’re being proactive. We want to see the gospel go to a place where it’s rarely been heard and where we can have an impact on the lives of Muslims. We’re not there to kill them. We’re there, on the contrary, to give them the words of life. And ultimately, that’s got to be the answer, is that we’re aggressively taking the gospel forward so that people can believe in Jesus and have life in his name. So I’ll be happy to answer any questions or thoughts or comments. Once a Muslim becomes a Christian, what happens to ensure that safety… That’s a country by country decision. So the question was, when a person in a Muslim country becomes a Christian, what’s done to ensure their safety, right? So there are, it’s a case by case situation. So let’s say, for example, if you’re in Turkey and you become a Christian, The law can’t touch you in terms of they can’t kill you or even imprison you for any period of time. They can harass you and make life difficult. If your family is not gonna kill you, you’re probably gonna survive it. You may be outcast, you may lose your job, you may lose relationships, you can probably survive it. In a country like Sudan, on the other hand, where, at least in theory, there is death penalty for becoming a Christian, and if the government doesn’t get at you or kill you, there’s a good chance your family will or your village might. In those kind of situations, you might need to flee the country if you’re going to survive. And that would be similar in places of Somalia, some places in Afghanistan. There aren’t that many places where you absolutely, when you become a Christian, have to flee for your life, but there are certainly some. And again, it’s a case-by-case situation. What’s your family like? Are they fanatic Muslims or not? That kind of thing. And so some mission organizations, some who are doing evangelism, they already kind of have, as it were, a kind of underground railroad for Christians out of the country. Now, there is a danger in this being the norm, and that is that it’s very easy for a person to claim to be a Christian just so that they can get asylum in the U.S., right, or asylum in a Western country. So it’s an easy escape mode for people. So you have to be very careful about how that’s deployed. But certainly there are places where, still today there are some places where it’s nearly impossible to be a, you know, kind of out-of-the-closet Christian if you were once a Muslim, right? it’s very hard. If you’ve lived in a traditional Christian community, that’s one thing. But if you’re known to be a convert from Islam to Christianity, there’s some place in the world where you’re not going to survive. You’re not going to survive that. Talking about dealing with sin, what’s the end point of Islam? It’s not going to be a perfect, sinless world. Well, no, so they do believe in a paradise, a very sensual paradise, you know, especially for men, it seems to be a good deal, you know, or that kind of thing. But it’s, so they do believe that you can enjoy the pleasures of an afterlife, a place with, it’s almost described as, actually very much described as kind of a Garden of Eden a recomposition of the Garden of Eden in paradise. So there’d be gardens, there’s rivers flowing through it and so on. Milk and honey, again, sensuous. So there is that promise held out for those who follow the rules, do what’s right. Muslims are very hesitant because the Quran makes this clear. I’ve never had a Muslim tell me for sure I’m going to heaven. with certainty. I’ve had some say, I really hope so. I’ve tried to follow the rules. But as a Muslim, you’re not supposed to ever say, you know, my ticket is punched for heaven. I’ve got to continue. I’ve got to finish well. I’ve got to continue doing the rules. And, you know, it says in the Quran, if you follow the rules and stuff, you will be, you know, Allah will forgive your sins and allow you into paradise. Right, but again, like any legalistic religion, it’s kind of like, have I done enough? Has my good outweighed the bad? I mean, they would literally use a kind of scale analogy. Has my good outweighed my bad? If so, probably I stand a good chance of it. of being in with Allah. But again, the sin problem hasn’t been dealt with in Islam. That’s the problem. It hasn’t been atoned for. It hasn’t been dealt with. So you’re really on your own to try to reckon with your own sin by just trying to do enough good and hope that God will even turn a blind eye to some of your sins, especially if it’s any of the big ones. So it’s problematic, for sure. Sorry? Sorry? They believe there’s hell too, yeah, absolutely. That’s all written throughout the Quran, that there is hell. And they believe it’s a place of constant torment and eternal punishment for the disbeliever. Now, the… The cardinal sin, the one that guarantees you you’re going to go to hell, no passing go, no collecting $200, is if you associate with God a companion or a partner, namely a son. You can be forgiven if you repent of that. But if you maintain on your dying day that Jesus was the Son of God, yeah, there’s no doubt about that you’re going to hell. There’s no other option. Other sins, you know, if you’ve been drinking alcohol, well, maybe he can overlook that. If you didn’t make it to Mecca, there may be some things he can overlook. That one he cannot. James talked about it last week called shirk. That one can’t be overlooked. That one has to be repented of, for sure. What about revival? I mean, we don’t have any grams anymore. Right. Yeah. Well, I mean, so she said, what about revival? What do we do about revival in our land? I mean, that’s a good question. We don’t have the same kind of revival strategies or not as powerful as they once were, but we have to take into account, you know, we now have social media. That’s an important one. A lot of people see signs of revival in our land. Almost every conservative denomination has seen an uptick in church attendance over the last three years or so, like kind of post-COVID. So there’s some promising signs. Even in the UK, which is kind of dead as a doornail, church attendance among people between 18 and 30 or 35, I can’t remember, which has gone up 400% in the last 10 years. Amazing, you know, from like 4% to 16%. So, you know, promising signs of revival here and there, but we need to definitely fan those flames because, and I think, you know, in some cases, cultures have to sort of bottom out a little bit before they come to their senses, right? Kind of like the prodigal son, he had to be reduced to eating what the pigs ate before he’d actually come to his senses and go back. I think for some, we’re starting to see that rock bottom now. Real hopelessness Where do we go from here? The promises that liberalism and atheism offered us aren’t delivering the goods for us, so where else can we search for meaning? And of course, that’s where we as Christians have to be there present. We have to be present in the workplace. We have to be present in the classroom. square we have to be president politic you know everywhere christians need to be there because we’re the ones who have those answers to offer and what’s encouraging is that in some in some muslim countries now one that we talked about last week for example uh in some muslim countries uh you know they they’ve they’ve started to abandon islam you know they don’t believe it anymore but what’s going to fill the vacuum the vacuum you know and and there’s a couple of choices what we hope is that the christian faith the christian message the gospel fills the vacuum but other things can as well you know seeking the pleasures and alcohol and drugs and you know entertainment and pornography all those things can try to fill the gap right and things that well well let’s try that and see if that is a road to to pleasure or fulfillment uh for us and you know i i hope not but it may be that you have to kind of go through that valley before you realize no there’s no there’s no green grass on that side of the fence either and uh you know throw yourself on the mercy of christ so that that’s the hope is that we can be there present when people are asking those questions yeah and by the way Isn’t this the case when it comes to personal evangelism? You may have a friend or family member who has for years resisted Christ. Maybe you’ve had the conversation with him and so on. And it may just be that they have to come to a place in their life where they kind of hit bottom. There has to be a crisis. Things are going a little too well right now. I don’t need Christ. I’ve got a job. I’ve got a pretty good marriage. I’ve got my health. Things are clicking for me. What do I need Christ for? Are you going to be there for them, though, when the divorce happens, when their job is ruined and they don’t know where to turn? They’re addicted, whatever it is. They might listen then, right? But are you going to still be with them? Are you still going to be engaged in their life when those questions arise?
The Ideal:
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