Category: Reflections Articles

The apostle Peter calls upon Christians to follow the example of our Lord. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Paul agreed, encouraging the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Peter’s words specifically refer to the suffering of Jesus, as our sacrifice for sin. He did not revile in response when mistreated; He did not threaten; He bore our sins in His own body; He healed us by His own stripes.

As we contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus, it serves as a wonderful example for us to emulate, as His disciples. Consider the following points:

Continue reading “Jesus: An Example in Sacrifice” →

This past week the Mueller report was submitted, and the Attorney General of the United States revealed that the report exonerates the President from the charge of criminal conspiracy to collude with Russia in the 2016 election. For the last two years many leaders in the opposition party were convinced that the President was guilty. Now that the report has been released, recommending no indictments, many continue to believe in his guilt.

The purpose of this article is not politics. I am aware that many want to see the report before making any final decisions, and that others will not be satisfied until they not only see the report, but the mountain of documents upon which it is based. My point is that many will stubbornly hold to their personal conviction regardless of what is actually so. And this tendency is not limited to a particular political party, or even politics itself.

Continue reading “When Truth Doesn’t Match Conviction” →

The apostle Paul obviously considered the church in Thessalonica to be a faithful congregation. “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). They had received the gospel of the Lord from Paul and others, and through their obedience to it had become “examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1:7).

The concept of faithfulness is married to an acceptance of truth, coupled with an effort to conform to it. Consider Paul’s description of the Christians in Thessalonica, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).

Continue reading “The Thessalonian Example” →

In Luke 11, one of the Lord’s disciples made this request, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (1). This is the only time recorded in the gospels where a disciple ever requested teaching on a specific subject, though the disciples often did ask Jesus for further explanation when confused about the Master’s words. This request was commendable, and Jesus honored it.

Continue reading ““Lord, teach us to pray”” →

Humility is a trait that every Christian should possess. Consider that God rewards it, and rejects its antithesis. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6).

The word humble (tapeinos) is defined by Thayer: 1) not rising far from the ground. 2) metaphorically: a) as a condition, lowly, of low degree; b) brought low with grief, depressed; c) lowly in spirit, humble.

Consider the primary definition, something low to the ground. It serves as a wonderful picture of what it means to be humble. It is not surprising that the picture we have of pride is that of one who has his nose high up in the air.

Continue reading “Humility Examined” →

In Colossians 1:3, Paul wrote, “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” His specific reason for thanking God at that time was the “faith in Christ Jesus” and “love for all the saints” that the Colossians had exhibited to him.

Paul serves as a good example of one who was mindful of the blessings of God, and who endeavored always to acknowledge them. We too should be quick to thank God. We have much for which to be thankful:

• Spiritual Blessings. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” ALL is inclusive. Every aspect of our spiritual lives. It encompasses our standing with God, our relationship with His people, our opportunities to worship and serve, the privilege of adoption, the hope of heaven.
• Physical Blessings. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Again, this is an inclusive concept. God created the physical universe, and wonderfully fashioned man from the elements He had created. Our homes, our families, our food, our health — all of these are blessings that have their origin with God. “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

Prayer is offered to God for many reasons. We petition Him for forgiveness, offer praise to His name, make petitions to Him on our own behalf, and on behalf of others. All of these are legitimate and important. No aspect of prayer is more important than acknowledging the blessings bestowed upon us by our God, and thanking Him for His grace.

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 106:1).

The United States is among the most tolerant and permissive of societies. Yet it is a society that is extremely intolerant of a very few things. One example of intolerance is with regard to “political correctness.” There are certain attitudes and ideas, which if expressed, lead to the ruin of public reputations and careers. Often those who rush to condemn these attitudes, (what they call “hate speech”), are the same ones who clamor over the right to freedom of expression. This is incongruous, but is nevertheless a rather prominent feature of our day.

This is also true in religion. These permissive influences claim that all religions have worth and that religious criticism is a form of that “hate speech.” Pleas for toleration have led many to the irrational claim that all these terrorist attacks by Muslim fundamentalists had “nothing to do with religion.” They ignore the fact that such extremists have declared a “jihad” (holy war) against all non-muslims. Continue reading “Contending for the Faith” →

A peculiar aspect of our culture is a tendency to shy away from any reference to militancy as a positive characteristic. I suppose that there has been so much violence that people are uncomfortable even entertaining the concept of a legitimate use of force — i.e., a defensive application.

And yet, scripture commonly makes use of the concept.  For example, Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith…”  In another place, Paul described the characteristics of the mature Christian in militaristic terms, exhorting the Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). Continue reading “A Militant Faith” →

I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.

“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”

John Warwick Montgomery

So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.

Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).

Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:

1. Truth is objective, not subjective.
2. Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
3. The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
4. Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).

It is right to emphasize the importance of gaining knowledge of God’s word.  The Psalmist expressed the proper attitude toward seeking such knowledge when he wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).  However, it must be recognized that gaining knowledge is the means to an end in its impact on the Christian’s faith.  It is not an end in itself.  Our standing with God is not dependent upon of our knowledge of truth per se, but upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord.

One might object that knowledge of Christ is necessary for that acceptance, and that is entirely true.  Jesus affirmed this very thing when he said to a group of Jews who expressed their faith in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).  We are to be disciples of Christ.  To be His disciples, we must know and adopt His teachings.  However, it is important to remember that the newborn babe in Christ is as accepted of God as the most mature Christian.  Immediately upon being washed in the blood of the Lamb, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, and can claim the right to an eternal inheritance.  The Ethiopian Eunuch who “went on his way rejoicing” (cf. Acts 8:39) immediately following his baptism, had equal claim to the heavenly Father as the aged Paul, who had “fought the good fight” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7) as a learned and mature apostle of the Lord. Continue reading “Proper Attitudes Toward Knowledge” →

Merriam Webster defines self-identification: “the act of identifying yourself as a particular kind of person.” It is a term that has only recently gained prominence. Typically, it is used with regard to race, gender or sexual attraction. A dictionary example given is that of a man who has one parent who is black and another who is white, who self-identifies as black.

Most examples of self-identification are logical. I have children, thus self-identify as a father. I also self-identify as a husband, as a grandfather, as an American, and proudly, as a Texan. These examples are fact based. However, some other recent examples of self-identification defy logic and fact.

Continue reading “How My Self-Identity Influences My Actions” →

The Lord’s church today needs devoted disciples! Webster’s New World Dictionary, in describing the nuances of the term “devote”, states, “Devote suggests the giving up or applying of oneself or something with the seriousness or earnestness evoked by a formal vow (to devote one’s life to a cause).” Consider the Apostle Paul’s sentiment as recorded in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” It must be stated that the only true disciple of Christ is the devoted disciple of Christ.

Continue reading “Devoted Disciples” →

In our society, the religious views I hold are considered by the majority to be hateful and intolerant. Words like bigot, misogynist, legalist, homophobe, Islamophobe and worse are used to describe me simply because I hold to a Christian worldview that is informed by the holy scriptures. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont senator recently stated that an individual who held such values to be true, “is really not someone who is what this country is supposed to be about.”

Continue reading “I Do NOT Preach Hate!” →

James wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” (James 4:1). Commentators differ on what “wars” James refers to — big ones, or little ones. However, the motivation for is typically the same — Lust!

Selfish desire is at the root of most strife, whether disputes between nations, or petty squabbles among individuals. James wrote, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war” (4:2).

One nation covets the land or resources that are owned by another. One ruler wants riches he sees beyond the borders of his own land. Lust and covetousness is the root of war!

The same is true in religion. Wars have been fought because of sectarian jealousies. The continual war between Jews and Muslims is fueled in part by claims made on the old city of Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount. Each faction covets the same plot of land.

Strife was caused in Corinth because each faction wanted exalted status (1 Corinthians 1:10-15). Conflict existed between two women in Philippi, presumably for the similar reasons (Philippians 4:2). Paul’s remedy? “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

Selfish desires bring war and conflict. Humility brings unity and expressions of love and peace.

Social Media in our day and time is ubiquitous. In December of last year, Facebook boasted an average of over 1.23 Billion daily users. That is about 4 times the entire population of the United States, every day! Other popular Social Media sites include Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
With such ubiquity comes the danger of abuse and sin. Christians need to be aware of the potential pitfalls of using these sites, lest we “fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:7).

Continue reading “Social Media Guidelines” →