Luke 18:9-14 "9 Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:
10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood and began praying this in regard to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’
14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
How many times have we met people who are so fully impressed with themselves that they treat others as though they are irrelevant, even with contempt, as though they are not worthy of love and respect?
They choose people they think are beneath them, those who do not elevate them as special are often the targets.
Just as the Pharisee was proud of how good he thought he was for following all the rules, these "religious" types think they are special for their lavish lifestyle or their classy clothing style.
Pharisees were the worst of the hypocrites, so much so that God wrote about them in His Word.
Matthew 23:4-6 "…4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,"
Sometimes I wonder how many people attend large buildings they call "churches" to make sure others see them? Is it really about edifying one another in the gathering or is it about being seen by others as special and superior?
God gave us instructions to help us see what authentic Christianity looks like.
Matthew 6:5-7 5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard."
We serve God not to please mankind but to please God. He uses us for His purposes and we trust Him because He created us. When we have trusted in Him, we know we have a reward.
Colossians 3:24 "because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
When Christ is our focus in life, people will attempt to distract us from Him. They will place expectations and rules on us that God never gave. They will use intimidation and domination to pressure us to be like them instead of Christlike.
The freest believer is the one who is willing to walk alone with Christ even when no one else goes with them. They love people but they do not need them. They accept and appreciate others who walk with Christ but are content when they are not able to be with them.
Sometimes I yearn to be with believers who are far from me, but in my heart of hearts, I feel a connection even when they are so far away, and I know we will all be together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb soon.
Titus 2:13 "13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Too Earthly Minded to be any Heavenly Good
For years, I heard from family members how clean sports were and that they taught good sportsmanship and how to work with others.
Sadly, this is the rhetoric that was spoken to make sports appear acceptable to Christians. In my opinion, these were just excuses to justify teaching children to be competitive with others and excel in something to make their parents proud.
Boasting about the activities of the children has been extolled as a virtue in our day.
It is clear that God wants us to do the best we can with the gifts He has given us, however, doing our best to create a good product or to walk circumspectly is far different from competing to be better than someone else.
Perhaps the Bible teaches us to do the best we can at whatever task we have as we also help others excel with our support of them, to do the best they can. It is not about winning over others, it is about helping everyone be their best as they follow the Lord.
In fact, scripture tells us to help others reach their potential, nothing about competing to be better.
Philippians 2:2-3 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves."
James 3:14-16 "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice."
James 4:16 "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil."
Galatians 5:26 "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another."
Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs."
1 Peter 5:5-6 "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you."
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
1 Corinthians 10:24 "No one should seek his own good, but the good of others."
If a team in sports was taught to do the best they can and help their opponent do the best they can, then I might be able to agree it was a good thing, but that wouldn't make any sense in the very nature of competitive sports.
Perhaps it would be better to forget the ball games and teach everyone to serve the less fortunate, take care of the elderly and promote working together for eternal things.
1 Corinthians 3:11-14 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."
John 6:27 "27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
There will be those who say we are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good, but I say, those who are heavenly minded will be more earthly good because they will be living out their Christianity that not only cares for others but will bring the gospel to the unsaved, which is an eternal reward for those who become born again and also for those who serve Christ.
Sadly, this is the rhetoric that was spoken to make sports appear acceptable to Christians. In my opinion, these were just excuses to justify teaching children to be competitive with others and excel in something to make their parents proud.
Boasting about the activities of the children has been extolled as a virtue in our day.
It is clear that God wants us to do the best we can with the gifts He has given us, however, doing our best to create a good product or to walk circumspectly is far different from competing to be better than someone else.
Perhaps the Bible teaches us to do the best we can at whatever task we have as we also help others excel with our support of them, to do the best they can. It is not about winning over others, it is about helping everyone be their best as they follow the Lord.
In fact, scripture tells us to help others reach their potential, nothing about competing to be better.
Philippians 2:2-3 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves."
James 3:14-16 "But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice."
James 4:16 "As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil."
Galatians 5:26 "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another."
Luke 14:11 "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs."
1 Peter 5:5-6 "Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you."
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
1 Corinthians 10:24 "No one should seek his own good, but the good of others."
If a team in sports was taught to do the best they can and help their opponent do the best they can, then I might be able to agree it was a good thing, but that wouldn't make any sense in the very nature of competitive sports.
Perhaps it would be better to forget the ball games and teach everyone to serve the less fortunate, take care of the elderly and promote working together for eternal things.
1 Corinthians 3:11-14 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward."
John 6:27 "27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”
There will be those who say we are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good, but I say, those who are heavenly minded will be more earthly good because they will be living out their Christianity that not only cares for others but will bring the gospel to the unsaved, which is an eternal reward for those who become born again and also for those who serve Christ.
Expunge the Distortions and Become Holy
The modern church often distorts the truth of God's Word by using a sentence to describe a concept or principle, even commands of God, rather than seeking to understand God's meaning as given in the rest of the Bible.
When a concept, principle, or command is taken out of context, a wrong interpretation is passed on from generation to generation. By the time someone challenges the false belief, the people are so entrenched in it that it becomes a cultural icon, causing people to resist the truth out of hand.
Some of our modern ideas, such as the nature of forgiveness, repentance, divorce and remarriage, hell, not forsaking the gathering of believers, which day to meet, what happens at the gathering, the holidays, and many other things that have been added to Christianity that God never intended or endorsed have reduced Christianity to a paganistic ideolization of phylosophies that fly in the face of God's Word.
Sadly, when this happens, the people follow more unbiblical cultural things than they do Biblical truth. In adding so many untrue ideas, they have little left of true Christianity. They have developed a "religion" that no longer resembles the faith in Christ or His Word, the Bible.
These wrong beliefs shape how people view Christ, salvation and even how one lives their lives. They shape entire cultures that claim to be Christian but have no desire to know the truth. They live according to their own false truth and are resistant to God.
Just recently, a "pastor" attacked a person on the street for heckling him and threatening his family verbally. Many in the cultural Christian camp applauded this as though it was the right thing to do, when it in fact violated much scripture for the conduct of any Christ follower.
,
When the culture has been inculcated with Darwinistic psychology and standards of pagan religions we will miss the mark in the Christian life. And, perhaps those who do this, without interest in God's heart and mind, were never born again.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Not everyone who has been deceived by false doctrine is unsaved, but most are not born again. This brings us to the tasks for born again believers, that is to warn people who have been decieved that they may not be saved even though they attend a church gathering, and to rebuke those who appear to be saved but are allowing the culture to guide them instead of God's Word.
The challenge is for each one to ask God to reveal truth to them, without the input of any other person, that Christ would show them. The prayer might include the request to show them nothing but truth untainted by men, so that they would be cleansed of the cultural traditions that have distorted God's Word.
Our walk with Christ is a witness to the world; the last thing we should want is to distort God's principles making people feel comfortable in their lost state.
Ephesians 5:15-20 "15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father;"
When a concept, principle, or command is taken out of context, a wrong interpretation is passed on from generation to generation. By the time someone challenges the false belief, the people are so entrenched in it that it becomes a cultural icon, causing people to resist the truth out of hand.
Some of our modern ideas, such as the nature of forgiveness, repentance, divorce and remarriage, hell, not forsaking the gathering of believers, which day to meet, what happens at the gathering, the holidays, and many other things that have been added to Christianity that God never intended or endorsed have reduced Christianity to a paganistic ideolization of phylosophies that fly in the face of God's Word.
Sadly, when this happens, the people follow more unbiblical cultural things than they do Biblical truth. In adding so many untrue ideas, they have little left of true Christianity. They have developed a "religion" that no longer resembles the faith in Christ or His Word, the Bible.
These wrong beliefs shape how people view Christ, salvation and even how one lives their lives. They shape entire cultures that claim to be Christian but have no desire to know the truth. They live according to their own false truth and are resistant to God.
Just recently, a "pastor" attacked a person on the street for heckling him and threatening his family verbally. Many in the cultural Christian camp applauded this as though it was the right thing to do, when it in fact violated much scripture for the conduct of any Christ follower.
,
When the culture has been inculcated with Darwinistic psychology and standards of pagan religions we will miss the mark in the Christian life. And, perhaps those who do this, without interest in God's heart and mind, were never born again.
Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “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. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Not everyone who has been deceived by false doctrine is unsaved, but most are not born again. This brings us to the tasks for born again believers, that is to warn people who have been decieved that they may not be saved even though they attend a church gathering, and to rebuke those who appear to be saved but are allowing the culture to guide them instead of God's Word.
The challenge is for each one to ask God to reveal truth to them, without the input of any other person, that Christ would show them. The prayer might include the request to show them nothing but truth untainted by men, so that they would be cleansed of the cultural traditions that have distorted God's Word.
Our walk with Christ is a witness to the world; the last thing we should want is to distort God's principles making people feel comfortable in their lost state.
Ephesians 5:15-20 "15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father;"
Friday, July 3, 2026
Living by Faith and not by Man-made Rules
In Acts chapter 20, we are told that the Christians met on the first day of the week, which we call Sunday. Notice, though, that there is no command to do this, only a statement that this is the day they chose. This was not referred to as a "Christian Sabbath", nor was it called a day of rest.
And yet, our cultural society declared that all stores and businesses would be closed on that day so that it would be a day of rest. The only day of rest mentioned in the Bible was Saturday, the Sabbath for the Jews.
There was no command in the church age dispensation to take a day of rest. We can if we want or we don't have to if we don't want.
Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest, He lives in every born again believer who no longer observes the Jewish holidays or sabbaths.
Romans 14:4-6 "4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
As we can see, so many of our traditions incorporated Jewish Old Testament observances that were done away with when Christ rose from the dead.
Jesus Christ observed the Jewish Sabbath when He was still on the earth before He died and rose from the dead. After that, there was a new dispensation for the church in which we no longer observed the Laws of the Old Testament, which were works-based.
The focus after Christ rose became a faith-based observance not predicated on religious rituals or physical objects. We now worship in "Spirit and in Truth."
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
We are not earning our salvation with our own works, but rather we are saved because Christ is doing the work in us. It's all His work.
When Christ does the work in us, He is glorified! When we try to do our own works to appear spiritual, we are glorified.
Romans 4:4-5 "Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. / However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
Titus 3:5 "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
2 Timothy 1:9 "He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began."
Modern Christianity focsus on building up the pride in the congregation, doing works in their own flesh without ever asking Christ to transform them to glorify Him.
Authentic Christianity is when we trust in Christ, believe His Word and seek Him to transform us into His likeness. Do you see the difference there, in our own strength, according to our own pride, we try to be good so we can impress others and God.
But when God works in us as we seek Him, He is glorified, and the more we are led by Him, the less the world will like us. We do not seek to be accepted by people; we seek to be acceptable to God.
1 Corinthians 1:31 "Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Stop trying to be accepted by family, friends and neighbors and begin to obey Christ, no matter how others may see us.
Philippians 3:9 "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."
Galatians 3:10-11 "All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Hallelujah! When we are in Christ we are free indeed!
And yet, our cultural society declared that all stores and businesses would be closed on that day so that it would be a day of rest. The only day of rest mentioned in the Bible was Saturday, the Sabbath for the Jews.
There was no command in the church age dispensation to take a day of rest. We can if we want or we don't have to if we don't want.
Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest, He lives in every born again believer who no longer observes the Jewish holidays or sabbaths.
Romans 14:4-6 "4Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.…"
As we can see, so many of our traditions incorporated Jewish Old Testament observances that were done away with when Christ rose from the dead.
Jesus Christ observed the Jewish Sabbath when He was still on the earth before He died and rose from the dead. After that, there was a new dispensation for the church in which we no longer observed the Laws of the Old Testament, which were works-based.
The focus after Christ rose became a faith-based observance not predicated on religious rituals or physical objects. We now worship in "Spirit and in Truth."
Ephesians 2:8-10 "…8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
We are not earning our salvation with our own works, but rather we are saved because Christ is doing the work in us. It's all His work.
When Christ does the work in us, He is glorified! When we try to do our own works to appear spiritual, we are glorified.
Romans 4:4-5 "Now the wages of the worker are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. / However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness."
Titus 3:5 "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
2 Timothy 1:9 "He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began."
Modern Christianity focsus on building up the pride in the congregation, doing works in their own flesh without ever asking Christ to transform them to glorify Him.
Authentic Christianity is when we trust in Christ, believe His Word and seek Him to transform us into His likeness. Do you see the difference there, in our own strength, according to our own pride, we try to be good so we can impress others and God.
But when God works in us as we seek Him, He is glorified, and the more we are led by Him, the less the world will like us. We do not seek to be accepted by people; we seek to be acceptable to God.
1 Corinthians 1:31 "Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Stop trying to be accepted by family, friends and neighbors and begin to obey Christ, no matter how others may see us.
Philippians 3:9 "and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith."
Galatians 3:10-11 "All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
Hallelujah! When we are in Christ we are free indeed!
Edify meaning to Educate and Make Stronger
Edify: To educate, build up and make stronger as in "building a house."
We are instructed in the Word of God to edify one another in the Word when we meet together. Each one should come away from the gathering more wise and better educated than they were before they came.
When only one man speaks then only one man's perspective will cause people to trust in that man rather than in Christ.
Over the years, many people have used the word "edify" to mean praise or encourage. This is wrong according to the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "
So comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, just as you are doing."
When we meet together with believers, we are to share in educating one another. Sometimes this means someone will teach and the others will evaluate to make sure it is Biblical.
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification."
God's instruction to the gathering is that everyone participate in instructing and teaching one another. When all participate, they prepare themselves all week as the Holy Spirit instructs them in the word so when they meet together, everyone has something to offer.
In the modern church, the people do not participate, making them lazy to study during the week. They are not concerned about having anything to offer because the one man up front does all the talking and no one else is allowed to interrupt him.
1 Corinthians 14:29 "29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent."
In the gathering, there is an allowance for interruption so that all have an opportunity to interject. When something wrong is said, it can be handled immediately for all to hear. When good things are said, then others can share more to bring depth.
When a culture is based on pleasing others to make everyone feel better about themselves, they will resist the urge to correct when in error and also resist adding to what someone says to avoid embarrassing them that there was more to what they said. Feelings-oriented cultures make people enjoy themselves, but never truly train anyone to serve Christ.
When we obey the Word of God, doing things God's way everyone grows Spiritually and emotionally into mature and rational followers of Christ.
We are instructed in the Word of God to edify one another in the Word when we meet together. Each one should come away from the gathering more wise and better educated than they were before they came.
When only one man speaks then only one man's perspective will cause people to trust in that man rather than in Christ.
Over the years, many people have used the word "edify" to mean praise or encourage. This is wrong according to the Bible.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 "
So comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, just as you are doing."
When we meet together with believers, we are to share in educating one another. Sometimes this means someone will teach and the others will evaluate to make sure it is Biblical.
1 Corinthians 14:26 "What is the outcome then, brothers and sisters? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things are to be done for edification."
God's instruction to the gathering is that everyone participate in instructing and teaching one another. When all participate, they prepare themselves all week as the Holy Spirit instructs them in the word so when they meet together, everyone has something to offer.
In the modern church, the people do not participate, making them lazy to study during the week. They are not concerned about having anything to offer because the one man up front does all the talking and no one else is allowed to interrupt him.
1 Corinthians 14:29 "29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent."
In the gathering, there is an allowance for interruption so that all have an opportunity to interject. When something wrong is said, it can be handled immediately for all to hear. When good things are said, then others can share more to bring depth.
When a culture is based on pleasing others to make everyone feel better about themselves, they will resist the urge to correct when in error and also resist adding to what someone says to avoid embarrassing them that there was more to what they said. Feelings-oriented cultures make people enjoy themselves, but never truly train anyone to serve Christ.
When we obey the Word of God, doing things God's way everyone grows Spiritually and emotionally into mature and rational followers of Christ.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Obedience to God Means Obeying the Authorities
No organized church with its buildings needed to meet in those buildings during COVID-19. God never told us to meet that way in the first place; it would have been better to meet in homes and comply with the government as God commanded in the Bible.
God never told us to defy the government because we didn't agree with it. The only things we do not obey the government on is when it tells us to sin. Wearing a mask and staying home were not sins. This defiance against authority, when they have not told us to sin, is itself sin. It doesn't matter if you agree or not, if it is not sin then we must obey God by obeying the government.
Romans 13:1-5 "13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience."
Every spoiled and rebellious child thinks their parents are just trying to control them with their rules. Making up lies about controlling us was the way of spoiled children who didn't want to comply with the Bible.
Our form of government, "for the people and by the people," has turned our country into one full of spoiled brats who judge everything as controlling if they cannot have their own way.
Meeting in our homes can be and often is much better than those huge churches that violate more of God's commands than they obey. It is not surprising that they would disobey the government when God commanded them to obey.
I was appalled and grieved that so many people supported the pastor who walked across the street to beat up a person who was spouting threats. God never commanded such a thing, and the excuse that he was protecting his family is not valid.
That pastor does not belong in leadership when he cannot control his temper. He could have prayed from across the street, given the guy the gospel, or not gone outside to confront the reviler at all. He could have prayed to expel the demons of the man from across the street or in the building.
This is the sad and ridiculous message the modern churches are spreading, not the gospel of peace with a heart for the lost. They are "fighting for their rights", negating the gospel message while proudly advocating for selfish rights rather than bringing love to the community.
Sadly, now we have a pastor who has smudged the name of Christ by beating up a man who was probably possessed without concern about the demon who was compelling the reviler to speak.
Again, sadly, the reviler got what he wanted; he did what all narcissists do, poke and poke at the pastor until he exploded in anger while watching the police carry him off to jail. Who won here? The reviler was the winner because the pastor let his pride rage.
Satan always wins when we ignore the commands and mandates of the Bible to follow feelings. That church gathering of 1800 people needs to shut its doors, and begin in houses with those who believe in obeying the Word of God.
Just Saying!!!!
God never told us to defy the government because we didn't agree with it. The only things we do not obey the government on is when it tells us to sin. Wearing a mask and staying home were not sins. This defiance against authority, when they have not told us to sin, is itself sin. It doesn't matter if you agree or not, if it is not sin then we must obey God by obeying the government.
Romans 13:1-5 "13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience."
Every spoiled and rebellious child thinks their parents are just trying to control them with their rules. Making up lies about controlling us was the way of spoiled children who didn't want to comply with the Bible.
Our form of government, "for the people and by the people," has turned our country into one full of spoiled brats who judge everything as controlling if they cannot have their own way.
Meeting in our homes can be and often is much better than those huge churches that violate more of God's commands than they obey. It is not surprising that they would disobey the government when God commanded them to obey.
I was appalled and grieved that so many people supported the pastor who walked across the street to beat up a person who was spouting threats. God never commanded such a thing, and the excuse that he was protecting his family is not valid.
That pastor does not belong in leadership when he cannot control his temper. He could have prayed from across the street, given the guy the gospel, or not gone outside to confront the reviler at all. He could have prayed to expel the demons of the man from across the street or in the building.
This is the sad and ridiculous message the modern churches are spreading, not the gospel of peace with a heart for the lost. They are "fighting for their rights", negating the gospel message while proudly advocating for selfish rights rather than bringing love to the community.
Sadly, now we have a pastor who has smudged the name of Christ by beating up a man who was probably possessed without concern about the demon who was compelling the reviler to speak.
Again, sadly, the reviler got what he wanted; he did what all narcissists do, poke and poke at the pastor until he exploded in anger while watching the police carry him off to jail. Who won here? The reviler was the winner because the pastor let his pride rage.
Satan always wins when we ignore the commands and mandates of the Bible to follow feelings. That church gathering of 1800 people needs to shut its doors, and begin in houses with those who believe in obeying the Word of God.
Just Saying!!!!
God Forbids All Sin
God forbids all sin; however, it is not the sin itself that sends people to hell, it is the sinful nature. The controversy is whether or not someone who does not repent of divorce and remarriage, even defending it, was ever born again. We do sin at times but hate it because of Christ in us and our response to it is as follows.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Only those who have trusted in Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, trusting in Him will have the Advocate with the Father.
And finally; "1 John 3:8-10 "…8The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother."
The best thing to tell others who are living in sin is the warning that they may not be saved and should ask God if they are born again. If they are hostile to this warning, then they have probably never been transformed by Christ.
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Only those who have trusted in Christ's sacrifice on our behalf, trusting in Him will have the Advocate with the Father.
And finally; "1 John 3:8-10 "…8The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother."
The best thing to tell others who are living in sin is the warning that they may not be saved and should ask God if they are born again. If they are hostile to this warning, then they have probably never been transformed by Christ.
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