Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Category: Teachings of Christ Jesus

  • Do it Rightly

    One of the remarkable prophecies in the Bible pertains to the arrival of the Son of God. Scripture proclaims, “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. From the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

    Christ, the incarnate Jesus, was born and lived a life much like ours—fully human yet free from sin, and, unlike us, fully divine. He shared wisdom inspired by God the Father, accomplished His mission, and willingly went to the cross for the redemption of our sins. He died and stayed in the tomb for three days and three nights, as He had prophesied (Matthew 12:40) and as foretold in Hosea 6:2. On the third day, He was resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:4). For forty days, He appeared alive (Acts 1:3) before being taken up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16)—not in a bodily form, as many had assumed. Stephen saw Him standing at the right hand of the throne of God (Acts 7:56) just before his martyrdom, indicating His reign. This fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7. Therefore, Jesus reigns now and forevermore.

    Scripture declared: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest?’” (Isaiah 66:1) The idea of the third Jerusalem temple isn’t a Christian teaching, because God’s throne is in heaven, not earth. He reigns over all creation in heaven. Yet, God now dwells among us Christians; hence, Scripture said Jesus Christ and His Church is the New Temple (Ephesians 2:19-22). Temple  means to dwell, same with tabernacle. In other words, it means God dwells with His people, the church; hence, God’s people is the New temple. 

    The church then isn’t a place, neither is it an organization or institution, but an assembly of Christians. When would Christians, especially pastors, correct that misunderstanding? I hope it’s not due to the fact that you want and need to keep Christians coming into your congregation? Don’t get me wrong. I am not against collective gatherings of the church, for as long as the integrity of the church isn’t compromised. However, the question often asked “Where do you go to church?” is a misrepresentation of the true meaning of the church. 

    Christians invite people to embrace the Gospel, so it is wrong to say we can invite anyone to the church. It’s only after they have repented and believe, then they become a part of God’s church. Contrary to popular belief, God’s church is not a hospital. Instead, it is the gathering of the redeemed, who have been healed by the grace of God. Their perfection lies not in themselves but in the blood of Christ Jesus. Hence, Paul instructing Christians said: “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you.’” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13)

    Again, Paul declared: “Do you not know that your bodies (i.e. the individual Christian) are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:15-20)

    Once more, Paul declared: “Do you not know that you (“you” Greek plural, i.e. the church) are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you (“you” Greek plural, i.e. the church)? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

    Christians have overlook their responsibility to evangelize and disciple individuals before welcoming them into the church, the body of Christ. This oversight can lead to confusion and challenges when believers interact with those who do not understand the faith. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul advises the church, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” It is a serious error to allow a predator to infiltrate and prey on the flock.

    This leads to the conclusion that launching discipleship programs within the church, which include both believers and non-believers, is akin to putting the cart before the horse. Such an approach simply won’t be effective.

    Let’s be honest: do you often see familiar faces joining one discipleship program after another? There aren’t many new faces, are there? Evangelism and discipleship go hand in hand; they are intrinsically linked. One cannot truly exist without the other. However, it’s never too late to make a change. In John 6, many disciples followed Jesus, but when He began to teach the truth about Himself, the Scriptures say, “Many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66). We must be willing to face the consequences of change.

    But of course, that’s unacceptable, epecially since the mindset of ROI (return of investment) has been instituted into the leadership. Therefore, the reality of the present-day churches would just persist, like a spinning carousel without stop, increasing its speed, until something gets detached, damaging its structure. 

    Like any God-fearing Christians in conventional churches, I also desire to see the church healthy and effective for evangelism and discipleship. But how can the church do her role, if Christians among yourselves are the ones receiving discipleship without end?

    I have seen Christians leaving a congregation then starting a new one. They may have successfully drawn people into their congregation, but by repeating the same mistakes – bringing people to church without first evangelism and discipleship – in time they are back to square one. They intended to do a 180 degree change but ended up with a 360, finding themselves right where they left. Frustrating and disappointing, I can relate. 

    Stop concentrating only on numbers and instead adopt the methodology of Christ Jesus. Begin small and exclude those who are not ready. As we see in Scripture, the small group—including Paul, who was specifically called for missions outside of Judea—became the catalyst that, within forty years, reached the far corners of the then-known world – Rome. Ultimately, that was where Paul ended up, as we read in the book of Acts, wasn’t it?

    Many have not noticed, but Paul had repeatedly declared the Gospel reaching the end of the world. See passages below:

    (1) “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’” (Romans 10:18)

    (2) “but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” (Acts 26:20) The Gentiles receiving the Gospel also implied the ends of the world. No one was excluded anymore. And that’s exactly what Israel refused to do, though it should have been their mandate from the beginning of their creation as God’s people. See Genesis 12:1-3, “Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”

    (3) “This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.” (Romans 15:22-24) Rome, clearly represents the ends of the then known world. 

    (4) “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.” (Colossians 1:3-6)

    Again, it’s not too late to make the change, and do it properly. But sacrifices ought to be done. The first step, however, is recognizing that it’s been done wrong. 

    Jesus shared a parable saying, “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property” (Matthew 25:14). In this parable, Jesus represents the man who goes on a journey, which symbolizes His death, resurrection, and ascension. He entrusted His property—the church—to His servants.

    In the parable, each servant was given talents according to their ability (Matthew 25:15-18). These talents represent Jewish money or resources. Therefore, when the master returned and discovered that one servant had buried his single talent in the ground, he rebuked him, saying, “Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest” (Matthew 25:27).

    The command of Jesus Christ is, and has always been, to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20)—not just to construct buildings and label them as churches. Christians are given different talents for evangelism and discipleship. However, many have wasted their talents by focusing on activities unrelated to these missions.

    Concerning God’s church, Paul explained, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building (i.e., the church). According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Co 3:6-11)

    The sole and true foundation of the church is Christ Jesus and His Word. Paul here called on Christians to be concerned and faithful to God’s Word. The ultimate goal of the church, God’s people, is to build a community of Christians. This is what Jesus mandates us to do. Unfortunately, some Christians, perhaps misled by tradition and practice, have prioritized physical structures over people.

    So, ask yourselves, according to the parable of Jesus in Matthew 25:14-30: how will you be received by Him—faithful or unfaithful?

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Are there Minor and Major Doctrines in the Bible?

    The concept of the “end of the world” is not found in the Bible. It’s a mistranslation; the Bible actually refers to the “end of the ages.”

    In 1 Corinthians 10:11, Paul writes, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, to whom the end of the ages has come.” In this context, “them” refers to Old Covenant Israel, as Paul declares that the end of the ages has arrived for them.

    Furthermore, Hebrews 9:24-26 explains, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer Himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own; for then He would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” 

    Isn’t it evident that with the incarnate coming of Jesus Christ, Old Covenant Israel reached the end of the ages?

    With the temple destroyed and the Old Testament regulations no longer applicable, this signifies the conclusion of the Old Covenant era, paving the way for the New Creation or New Covenant era, as ushered in by Christ Jesus. Consequently, Paul asserted in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

    Isn’t the New Covenant also the everlasting covenant? Hebrews 13:20 states, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant.” Since it is an eternal covenant, why do we still hear teachings about an impending end? Doesn’t this seem contradictory to God’s word?

    Scripture only mentions two ages. Jesus Christ said, “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32)

    Paul also mentions these ages: “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)

    Additionally, Paul writes, “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding Him up to contempt.” (Hebrews 6:4-6)

    Scripture also notes, “As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’” (Matthew 24:3)

    Have you noticed that the disciples associated the destruction of the Jewish temple with the return of Christ and the end of the age? Remember the Bible speaks of only two ages: the coming of Jesus Christ marked the coming end of the first age, and His return will bring it to completion. The New Covenant is eternal and therefore has no end. As a result, the disciples of Christ were living in the intermediate period of the two ages. This concept is highlighted in the Book of Hebrews, which states: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

    According to the Bible, what age should we be in today, millennia after the destruction of the temple? It seems illogical for Christians to talk about a coming end. The Jewish temple has long been gone, just as Christ Jesus had declared its end, making it unreasonable for some Christians to discuss the rebuilding of the temple, especially since the Bible does not indicate that a third temple in Jerusalem will be constructed. This belief is not a Christian teaching; rather, it stems from those who continue to adhere to Judaism, which implies a rejection of Christ Jesus. Sadly, numerous Christians have fallen to this lie.

    Claims regarding the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple have been circulating for decades, and those who support these teachings can be compared to the boy who cried wolf. Deuteronomy 18:15-22 cautions us against such individuals, identifying them as false prophets. Conversely, any assertions that contradict Christ’s declarations inadvertently label Jesus a liar. No wonder, Paul asserted and declared: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1Ti 4:16)

    Many Christians mistakenly believe that the doctrine of Christ’s return is a minor issue that does not impact one’s salvation. However, the doctrines of the Bible are interconnected; they form a unified teaching about Christ Jesus and His offer of salvation.

    Consider John 14:1-7:

    “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

    Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?”

    Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”

    This passage emphasizes the importance of understanding Christ’s teachings, including His return, as part of the holistic message of salvation.

    Jesus emphasized two important points here. First, He is the only way to the Father. Second, no one will be able to be where He went until He returns. Jesus said, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.”

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • A reflection on the story of Cain and Abel

    The immediate consequences of Adam’s fall, the representative of all humanity, were evident in the story of Cain and Abel. Cain, acted like the devil, he murdered his brother Abel. Jesus Christ condemned the unbelieving Old Testament Jews, declaring, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

    We may therefore say, anyone who destroys Christ’s body, His church, is the same. Hence, Christ’s command to the apostles, in John 13, was to love one another. And it is echoed throughout the NT Scripture.

    Consequently, the notion that humanity has become utterly depraved, lacking the capacity to please God, can be challenged by the same narrative. The story of Abel’s offerings, which were pleasing and acceptable to God, exemplifies this. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that Abel did not attain salvation for himself. After the fall of Adam, mankind retains the ability to choose between good and evil. Nevertheless, they have lost the ability to return to the original condition of God’s creation—in His image and likeness. Refer to Genesis 5:1-3, and compare Adam’s condition when God created him to that of Adam having Shem. After the fall, Shem no longer reflects God’s likeness, but Adam’s.

    Here’s one reason, among many others, why I didn’t embrace the Reformed perspective of the Bible. I believe we should study the Bible without the bias of history, whether from the early church fathers or the Reformation, but only from the historical context of the biblical church, which is covered in the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation.

    The letters of Paul were apologetic, serving as a defense of the faith against the prevalent false teachings, particularly targeting Judaism and Judaizers. These principles remain relevant today. Just as comparing counterfeit money to genuine money requires learning, understanding, and intimate knowledge of the genuine ones, so too does it require learning, understanding, and intimate knowledge of the genuine teachings of the Bible. So, even if the counterfeit money continues to evolve and appear like the genuine money, it will still be distinguishable to you. The same may be said for the Christian teachings.

    Scripture is timeless, but it has cultural nuisances that needed to be understood, learned and correlated to today. So Paul’s words continue to resonate now, he said: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

    And again Paul instructed, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Is Christ Anti-family?

    The book of Proverbs warns us twice, saying, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). This highlights the tendency of humans to follow their own paths instead of adhering to biblical teachings. Sad to say, this behavior is also evident among many who claim to be Christians.

    The Christian walk is filled with challenges. There’s a reason Christ said, “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt. 10:36). Family and loved ones have a significant impact—both positive and negative—on our journey with Christ Jesus.

    In Matthew 12:46-50, while Jesus was speaking to a crowd, He was interrupted by someone who told Him, “Your mother and brothers are outside wanting to speak to you.” This raises some questions: Why weren’t Jesus’ mother and brothers listening to Him? Didn’t they realize that His ministry was far more important than what they wanted to say? Couldn’t they wait until later to talk to Him?

    Some suggest that His earthly family was simply concerned for His well-being, which we’ll explore further. However, from within its context, Jesus responded, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” He then pointed to His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:48-50).

    Did Jesus suggest that His earthly mother, Mary, and His siblings by Joseph were not acting according to the will of God the Father? This raises questions about whether their actions were solely motivated by concern for His well-being. At least, that doesn’t seem to be the main point of the narrative. Additionally, John noted, “For not even His brothers believed in Him” (John 7:5).

    When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph realized He was missing. After finding Him in the temple, where He was discussing matters with the teachers, Jesus asked them, “Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father’s house?” At this moment, Luke made a notable remark: they did not understand what He was saying to them (Luke 2:49-50).

    This is not to say that Christ was against His earthly family; on the contrary, He valued family. Paul’s teaching in 1 Timothy 5:8 states, “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” This, among many other messages, emphasizes the importance of caring for your family. As Christians, our family is our first ministry—we should share the message of Jesus Christ with them. However, we must be cautious; if our family does not follow Christ, they can become a hindrance to our spiritual walk with Him.

    In John 15, Jesus told His disciples, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). This means that no Christian can bear fruit without being connected to Christ Jesus. Jesus went on to say, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6). This language indicates judgment; for more insight, refer to Matthew 3:7-10.

    True disciples of Christ Jesus bear much fruit, thereby glorifying God the Father. In John 15:7-8, Jesus declared, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this, My Father is glorified—that you bear much fruit and prove to be My disciples.”

    Jesus’ statement, “Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” should not be interpreted as a simple promise of “claim and receive,” as some professing Christians suggest. Instead, it is meant for Christians who genuinely aspire to bear fruit and become true disciples of Jesus Christ.

    True disciples of Christ Jesus remain in Him and in His Word. This serves as a warning to us Christians who believe we can stay connected to Christ without engaging with His Word. Believing in Christ cannot be separated from knowing His teachings. In other words, if we claim to have faith in Jesus Christ, we must also honor His Word. To honor Christ’s Word, we should be doers of it, not just hearers.

    It’s important to remember that, in Christ’s parable, only the good soil—the one who hears the Word and understands it—will bear fruit (see Matthew 13:23). When tempted by the devil, Jesus responded, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).

    Not all Christians have the privilege of having a family that shares their faith. Some must navigate the complex relationship between their family ties and their commitment to Christ, as well as their fellowship with other believers. Scripture warns that consistently associating with those who live in opposition to God’s teachings can lead to spiritual decline, causing one’s love for Christ to diminish (see James 4:4).

    No one can remain a Christian without God’s Word. Just as food is essential for our daily sustenance, God’s Word is crucial for maintaining our relationship with Christ Jesus. As Christians, we are called to lead others to Christ, not to allow ourselves to be led away from His Word.

    In the story of Martha and Mary, Martha expresses her frustration to Jesus because she feels overwhelmed with her many tasks, while Mary does not help her. Jesus responds to Martha, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42). What is the good portion? The Bible explains that Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching (Luke 10:39).

    Have you chosen the better portion, like Mary did? Has anything distracted you from hearing God’s words? Christ Jesus commended Mary for choosing the good portion. What about us? Isn’t the purpose of our weekly gatherings to keep us focused on His word? Isn’t that also the goal of our Bible study meetups — to engage everyone and foster learning from God’s Word? Is there anything so significant that it should prevent us from learning from Scripture? Complacency is a dangerous path for us as Christians.

    At one point, Christ’s earthly family—His mother and brothers—struggled to understand His actions and words. This is illustrated in the Gospel of Mark: “Then Jesus went home, and the crowd gathered again, so much so that He and His apostles could not even eat. When His family heard about this, they went out to take charge of Him, saying, ‘He is out of His mind.’” (Mark 3:20-21)

    That’s why Christ said, as we read earlier: “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:36-39)

    Christ Jesus personally experienced how His earthly family briefly became a hindrance to His ministry. Therefore, we may say that He spoke from both personal experience and from God’s perspective.

    Lot serves as a notable example in this context. When God called Abraham to follow His path, Lot chose to accompany him willingly. As their journey continued, their flocks grew so large that they needed to part ways. Lot settled in Sodom, a city notorious for its rampant sexual immorality. The Scriptures indicate, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked and great sinners against the LORD” (Genesis 13:13). When God decided to punish Sodom, Lot hesitated to leave and had to be forcefully evacuated (Genesis 19:16). This story illustrates how our surroundings and the people we interact with can significantly influence us. Consequently, Christ warns, “And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

    Always keep in mind the words of Christ. We all desire for our families and loved ones to know Christ Jesus and attain salvation. However, this can only be accomplished through God’s Word. Essentially, this is what Christ meant when He told His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

    Be discerning and avoid falling into the trap of Satan’s malevolent activities, which are not necessarily the devil himself but his equivalent evil works.

    Much like the story of Adam and Eve, the devil takes advantage of human emotions to exploit our weaknesses. Throughout history, the human heart has often served as the devil’s playground. This was demonstrated by Christ Jesus Himself when, for a brief moment, Peter acted as an adversary. By trying to deter Christ from His mission, Peter was hindering Him from dying on the cross—the very act meant for the salvation of all who believe in Him (see Matthew 16:21-23).

    As you can see, even Peter became a hindrance to God’s work for salvation. The same goes for Mary and Jesus’ siblings, as I explained earlier. Many times, we fail to recognize that people within our own social circle could act as obstacles, hindering us from following Jesus Christ.

    The basic meanings of “Satan” and “the devil” are as follows:

    “Satan” means “adversary” or “accuser.” In the Book of Job, Satan accuses God of favoring Job, claiming that Job’s only reason for devotion to God is the divine guidance and care he receives.

    On the other hand, “the devil” refers to a “slanderer” and represents the arch-enemy of humanity’s spiritual well-being. Jesus described the unbelieving Jews as “sons of the devil” because they continually distorted God’s word, preventing people from attaining salvation. In this way, they acted like murderers and liars, similar to the devil.

    Both definitions are taken from the Easton Bible Dictionary.

    God’s design for the family was intended to be a blessing for humanity. However, the devil corrupted this original creation, leading to strife within families. After the fall of Adam, the first murder occurred when Cain killed his brother, Abel. Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him but ultimately sold him into slavery, causing immense grief for their father, Jacob. Jesus Christ was betrayed by his own disciple, Judas, and by his people, the Jews, who handed him over to be crucified.

    Just as Eve became a temptation to Adam by offering him the forbidden fruit, Adam also failed Eve by not protecting her from Satan’s lies. The fall of Adam and Eve occurred because they loved each other more than they loved God, valuing created things more than the Creator Himself. This aligns with Paul’s argument in Romans 1:18-32. Although this passage references Old Covenant Jews, it applies to both Adam and Eve as well as Israel, all of whom had knowledge of God.

    Christians should be discerning when faced with temptation and remain committed to the teachings of Christ Jesus, regardless of what may hinder their ability to truthfully follow Him. As Christ said, “Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39)

    In Jewish tradition, the phrase “to lose one’s life” goes beyond just the concept of death; it encompasses a variety of life’s tragedies. This includes experiences such as bankruptcy, a broken marriage, family conflicts, or any unfortunate events and suffering. A prominent example of this is the story of Job, who endured the loss of his family, wealth, and health during his trials. In his despair, Job lamented, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? For then I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept; then I would have been at rest” (Job 3:11-13). Essentially, Job was expressing that he would be content with death, not because he wished to die, but because in death, he would no longer experience pain and suffering.

    In contrast, Jesus’ reference to finding one’s life pertains to the privileges of existence—such as wealth and family—even if these privileges come at the expense of contradicting God’s will; see Luke 12:16-21 as an example.

    Again, Jesus Christ said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26-33)

    Christ’s instruction and warning in Matthew 10:34-39 align with the passage in Luke 14:26-33 that you just read. These teachings are not isolated; they are significant and deserve our serious reflection. It’s important to clarify that Jesus is not anti-family. However, our natural inclination towards family can complicate our faith.

    Throughout Christian history, many individuals have chosen to follow Christ but not always with their families. Recognizing this dilemma, Paul offered some advice: “To the rest, I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. If the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother or sister is not bound. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to them, and to which God has called them. This is my rule in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:12-17)

    Paul did not contradict Jesus’ teachings or support divorce. Instead, he encouraged couples to live in harmony and to maintain mutual respect for one another, even if they held differing beliefs. He emphasized that Christians should never compromise their faith and must remain steadfast in their relationship with Christ Jesus. This is what Paul meant when he said, “God has called you to peace.” Similarly, in his instructions in Philippians, Paul urged believers to submit to God’s peace in the midst of inconsequential conflict. This can be seen in Philippians 4:1-7.

    Terah, the father of Abraham, decided to live in Haran until his death (Genesis 11:31-32). In Joshua 24:2, it is noted that Terah worshipped other gods. This suggests that one of the reasons Abraham was called to leave Haran was to follow God’s guidance more freely and distance himself from idol worship. Similarly, just as Abraham was called, we too are called to follow Jesus Christ.

    It’s ironic, isn’t it? The same tactic has been used against Christians, taking advantage of our natural social connections, yet many still give in to the same temptations. This underscores the frailty of humanity and, unfortunately, reveals that many have never fully understood the profound teachings of God.

    Do you understand Christ’s response to Peter’s question: “See, we have left everything to follow you. What, then, will we receive?” (Matthew 19:27)? Jesus replied, “Everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or lands for My name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)

    Once again, let me reiterate that Christ Jesus isn’t anti-family. He understands the plight of those wanting to follow Him, which comes with a cost. Are you willing and ready to follow Jesus at all costs?

    This message is for those navigating complex family dynamics. Not everyone shares the same faith, and the Apostle Paul encourages us to find peace in God. Abraham found his peace by trusting in and following God’s guidance. Paul also provided advice for couples with differing faiths. Shouldn’t we learn from the examples of Jesus Christ, Abraham, and Paul and apply those principles in our own lives?

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Learn from the past and bear fruits for Christ Jesus.

    Passage this morning: “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking about them.” (Matthew 21:42-45)

    Conclusion: Faith is a prerequisite to be kingdom people (Matt. 8:10). Scripture states, “Without faith, no one can please God (Hebrews 11:6).” To develop faith, we must understand and believe that Jesus Christ is the Word and that they are one. No Christian can claim to believe in Jesus Christ and yet doubt His Word. The Bible is then the centerpiece of how we learn to live as Christians and be kingdom people.

    Jesus, in John 15, emphasized that unless we abide in Him and His Word, we cannot bear fruits. Israel, however, failed to bear fruits because they rejected the True Vine, Jesus Christ. Due to their pride and desire to rule over God’s vineyard, they failed to produce any fruit. Tragically, they even killed Jesus Christ, the true heir of the vineyards, as revealed in Matthew 21:33-45.

    We Christians should learn from the Scriptures’ teachings and avoid repeating Israel’s mistakes. Consider John 11:45-50, Scripture said: “Many of the Jews who had come with Mary and witnessed what Jesus did believed in Him, but some went to the Pharisees and reported what Jesus had done. Consequently, the chief priests and Pharisees convened a council and asked, ‘What should we do? For this man performs numerous signs. If we allow Him to continue in this manner, everyone will believe in Him, AND THE ROMANS WILL SEIZE BOTH OUR POSITIONS AND OUR NATION.’ However, one of them, Caiaphas, the high priest that year, responded, ‘You are completely ignorant. You do not comprehend that it is better for one person to die for the people than for the entire nation to perish.’” (John 11:45-50)

    The religious leaders of Jesus’ time, defended the institution they had established, fearing to lose their authority, they ultimately killed Jesus Christ and later the people who had come to believe in His teachings.

    Destiny has nothing to do with history repeating itself; rather, it’s because people failed to learn from history. The Bible provides historical accounts of Old Covenant Israel and the early church to illustrate the mistakes of the past. Learning from the past should guide us not to repeat their mistakes. Christians, we cannot preserve the sanctity of the church through human means or ideas. Instead, we must learn from the Bible to avoid the mistakes of the past and follow the word of God. By abiding in Christ Jesus and His Word, we will bear fruits for Him.

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Confused Christianity

    Without a doubt, 21st-century Christianity comes in many shapes and forms. Christians differ in doctrines, but they seem to be unified in believing that the return of Jesus Christ is still in the future, though it has been millennia since Jesus promised His apostles that He would be coming in their generation. See Matthew 16:27-28.

    “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.””

    The synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark, & Luke – have the same assurance concerning the imminent return of Christ:

    “And He (Jesus Christ) said to them (apostles), “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”” (Mark 9:1)

    “For whoever is ashamed of Me (Jesus Christ) and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9:26-27)

    Not only that, Jesus Christ sending out the twelve apostles, instructing them on His message, said, “And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 10:7)

    “At hand” in the original Greek language means “near,” and near cannot by any means be thousands of years and continuing, as suggested by the Futurists. Jesus Christ did not just give them the message to proclaim, but He reinforced the message with the assurance that it was indeed occurring soon. See Matthew 10:23.

    “When they persecute you (the apostles) in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

    As I researched the validity of Jesus’ words, it’s sad, actually disgusting, to find known Bible scholars saying, “No, Jesus was confused or hallucinating when He uttered those words.” Some dismissed the passages saying, “There must be another meaning for that, but we just have to find out.”

    Funny that for as long as the passages or verses are convenient to their theological position, they adhere to the Words of Christ, but if it doesn’t, then it’s excuses after excuses. Scripture does not need affirmation from men; rather, the Bible is the dispenser of truth because it is the Word of God.

    One of the key disciplines in interpreting Scripture involves recognizing “time statements.” However, Futurists often overlook these time statements in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament, and instead suggest that they refer to the future. It’s important to remember that what the apostles considered “the future” is no longer future to us today.

    Hence, statements like “this generation” in Matthew 24:34 no longer make an impact on the readers, for time statements have been disregarded. See Matthew 24:29-34.

    “29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

    So some have suggested “this generation” refers to the generation who saw the literal signs of Matthew 24:29-34. Yet, they miss out on John’s confession in Revelation that he was already in tribulation. See Revelation 1:9.

    “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

    Scripture is a unity. The apostles’ writings cannot be different from the Words of Jesus found in the Gospels, the Book of Acts, or the Book of Revelation. Jesus’ words have their foundation in the Old Testament Scripture. The entire Bible is a cohesive revelation concerning the declaration and fulfillment of God’s words.

    See Luke 24:44.

    Then He (Jesus Christ) said to them (The disciples), “These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

    In recent years, we have witnessed the rise of fake news online. Most people now get their news from the web, particularly from platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Unfortunately, fake news spreads easily because many individuals click to watch or read without considering the source or the intent of the uploader or poster.

    Even if a Facebook post or YouTube video contains factual information, ignoring the date it was published can severely affect its relevance today. The same principle applies when reading and studying the Bible. It is essential to recognize the audience’s relevance, the timing of statements, and their historical accuracy. Failing to do so can lead to misinterpretations of Scripture, whether by inexperienced readers or poorly informed pastors.

    Jesus Christ warned, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” (Luke 6:39)

    Find someone who can teach you the disciplines of studying Scripture. Avoid using human-tailored Bible study materials, as they often reflect human influence. It’s important to recognize that even within different Bible translations, traces of human interpretation can be found. Let me be clear: the Bible itself is perfect, infallible, and without error; the issues arise with the translations.

    You don’t need to be a scholar of Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic, but it is beneficial to read the Bible by comparing different translations. Additionally, learning to use language tools, such as lexicons, is essential for in-depth Bible study. There are many free lexicon tools available online or for download. You just need to find someone knowledgeable to guide you in using these tools effectively.

    It’s never too late to start studying Scripture and practicing proper exegesis. Ultimately, Scripture reveals truths about salvation that extend beyond our physical needs and concerns, addressing both our current lives and eternity. Don’t let yourself become part of confused Christianity.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!