Tag Archives: Christian

October 2, 2025 · 11:10 AM

Did Charlie Kirk Start A Revival?

I’ve heard the word revival a lot more recently, ever since Charlie Kirk’s funeral. His funeral feels like the beginning of something new, that is, something old rekindled: unashamed public faith in Jesus Christ.

Before his assassination, many people were aware of the bold public witness Charlie was living for Jesus. Others were unaware. Those of us who did not know about Charlie have been amazed and impressed to discover what a brilliant and passionate witness for Jesus Charlie was.

The early news reports after Charlie’s murder painted him as a political activist. Perhaps because the writers were from the secular camp in our culture. They always wash their stories clean of any potentially positive references to Christianity. They diligently work to present a world that is ‘free’ from any religious influence, unless they can paint religion as bad.

There is some truth to the notion that Charlie was a political activist. But it is a half-truth at best. Charlie’s political positions were inspired by his commitment to Christ. Charlie understood that Jesus is Lord, Lord of all, not just private life. For those who are true followers of Jesus, he is Lord of our public life, including our politics.

It’s true, sincere Christians don’t always agree on politics. But we should agree that our faith in Jesus is not a lamp under a bowl. We should agree that Jesus has called us to witness for him publicly. We should agree that Jesus insisted that violence is not the way to promote the gospel.

Charlie didn’t just promote the gospel on social media platforms. He personally went to places where he could engage with people face to face, eye to eye, heart to heart. Charlie was imitating our Lord. Jesus dialogued with people openly and publicly.

Jesus was accused of saying bad things. In fact, he was accused of blasphemy, of slandering God. In our culture, Christians are accused of saying bad things. We are accused of hate speech for our devotion to God and his standard of right and wrong. In fact, if we question identity politics, we are treated as blasphemers against the gods (idols) of our culture.

Jesus reminded us that the cultural leaders hated him, and he warned that they will hate us as well. Jesus modeled a loving boldness that risked personal harm out of concern for those who are lost and confused in this dark and deceptive age. Charlie followed Jesus’ model.

People like Charlie Kirk are reminders to Christians that Jesus’ words are still true. Charlie is a reminder that our task as believers is unchanged. And, Charlie is a reminder that our victory is secured. Charlie didn’t lose. He enjoyed a harvest that is still unfolding here on earth and he will enjoy the presence of our Lord in heaven forever.

When we speak the truth in love, we share the spiritual harvest. We share Jesus’ eternal victory. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, CSB).

May the Lord inspire us and empower us to share the good news about Jesus with confidence,

Brother Richard

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July 9, 2025 · 7:00 PM

Should Christians Support Israel?

God promised Abraham to make him into a great nation. Those who blessed that nation, God promised to bless. Those who cursed it, God would curse (Genesis 12:3).

Why did God choose Abraham’s descendants, Israel, and give them special consideration? Through Abraham’s offspring, God promised to bless the nations. God chose to use Israel as a blessing for all peoples. How?

God gave Israel his written word. He used his chosen people to give the Bible to the world. Even greater, God brought our Savior into the world through Israel. Jesus Christ is the offspring of Abraham who was promised by God. God sent his Son Jesus to be the Savior for all the nations.

Now that Israel has given us the Bible and Jesus, is God finished with them? Does the New Testament Church take over and replace Israel?

It is true that the Church has become God’s representatives for his great kingdom work in the world today. Jesus told the unbelieving Jewish religious leaders that the kingdom of God would be taken away from them and given to those who would bear its fruit (see Matthew 21:33-46).

Is that the end of God’s plan for Israel? No. The New Testament tells us that God’s gifts and promises to Israel are irrevocable (Romans 11:28-29). God made promises to Abraham’s descendants that he will not forget or cancel. One of those irrevocable promises is to give the piece of land on the east end of the Mediterranean Sea to the people of Israel in perpetuity.

For generations Israel was stiff-necked and hardhearted toward God. Finally, after many warnings through his prophets and many disciplinary actions through surrounding nations, God expelled Israel from the Promised Land. But he sent prophets to assure them that their exile, though painful, would only be temporary.

Throughout the Old Testament, God promised to gather his scattered people Israel from around the world and return them to the land he gave Abraham. This promise remained unfulfilled for so many generations that some students of Scripture concluded it was symbolic or spiritual, not literal.

Then, after almost two thousand years, Jews returned to their homeland and established the modern state of Israel in May of 1948. What seemed impossible became a literal fulfillment of God’s ancient promise.

Not everyone was impressed. Muslim nations surrounding Israel immediately attacked, trying to destroy the Jews and claim the Promised Land for themselves. But God protected the modern state of Israel, and he has continued to do so for decades.

It is true that the modern state of Israel is largely a secular state. But the New Testament promises that all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26). A time is coming when a great revival will visit God’s chosen people and they will be blessed with saving faith in Jesus.

The New Testament Church has not and will not replace Israel. The Bible tells us that the Church is grafted into God’s promises and his plan of salvation (Romans 11:17-23). The Church is included but Israel is not excluded.

In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John records his God-given vision of the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and the new earth. He sees twelve gates and twelve foundations. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed on the gates. The names of the twelve apostles of Jesus are on the foundations. Both Israel and the church are represented in the eternal city of God, together forever.

Must we agree with every detail of every policy and action taken by the modern state of Israel? God promised Abraham he would bless those who bless his descendants, not those who agree on everything. So, we bless Israel. We choose sides with them and not against them. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

Our support for Israel is an acknowledgement and affirmation of God’s great plan of salvation. God chose to use Israel to bless the nations, including ours. We support God’s plan because we trust him and his ways. We want his blessing for our nation. As the psalmist writes, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12).

May God richly bless his people,

Brother Richard Foster

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April 4, 2025 · 8:53 AM

God’s Word Need An Update?

The church in Thessalonica was new. The believers had recently heard the gospel and put their faith in Jesus. They were enduring persecution from fellow citizens who rejected the good news about Jesus. They needed more instruction in their newfound faith. They needed mature and experienced leadership.

The great first-century missionary Paul had planted the church. But he was forced to leave the city because his life was threatened by violent opposition. Paul writes to them after he gets welcome news that they are persevering in the faith. His letter is filled with both encouragement for their progress to date, and instructions for their continued success.

In one place, the missionary thanks God for the Christians in Thessalonica because of their response to God’s word. They welcomed it “not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The new Christians did not consider the good news about Jesus to be a human creation. They knew that Paul’s words about Jesus were not his own invention. They recognized the message as something far more, the very words of God. Paul’s proclamation was God’s revelation about eternal salvation by grace through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

For two thousand years Christians have welcomed God’s word, not as a human message, but as it truly is: the word of God. And, for two thousand years, God’s word has also met with doubt, disdain, and denunciation.

“Did God really say . . .?” That was Satan’s question to Eve in the Garden of Eden. His question was meant to plant doubt in her mind about God’s word. That same provocative question is still asked today. It is still meant to plant doubt in hearts and minds about the faithfulness of the Bible.

Is it really God’s word? Or, is it merely a human message? If it is merely a human message, then we are not required to believe and obey, right? In fact, if it is a human message, then we may need to update or alter it from time to time.

Efforts to update and edit the Bible’s message are rampant in our culture. Some people foolishly believe they can improve God’s word. Those who doubt the perfection and authority of the Bible try to retain some of the words in Scripture so they can maintain a façade of godly authority. But they have rejected God’s authority.

If God’s word is no longer the perfect standard and authority for truth and goodness, then what is? What standard is being used to judge and adjust the Bible? Popular ideas based on sinful desires are the guide for editing Scripture. Alternative notions about sex, marriage, family, parenting, gender, and other fundamental truths are being promoted as replacements for God’s revealed design.

Those who doubt God’s word dare to redefine God’s love. They treat love as a synonym for desire. Love is whatever they want it to be. Anyone who disagrees with them is accused of being hateful. But God’s word demands a higher standard for love, a standard exemplified by Jesus. God’s word boldly proclaims the truth, shining as the much-needed light in a spiritually dark age.

In Paul’s letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he went on to remind them that the word of God “works effectively in you who believe.” Their faithfulness to the gospel, despite the persecution they were enduring, was visible proof that God’s word had taken root in their hearts and was working to bear spiritual fruit for eternal life.

Despite the accusations of hatred from those who doubt the Bible, God’s word still works effectively in all who believe. Those who welcome God’s word for what it truly is will always meet opposition in this broken and dying world, but we will always enjoy God’s effective work and eternal hope in our hearts and for eternity.

May we welcome God’s word for what it truly is,

Brother Richard

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November 13, 2024 · 8:58 AM

Will We Suffer Persecution For Our Faith?

Did the outcome of our recent election protect freedom of speech in America or endanger it? The political party we support will probably determine our answer to that question. What about freedom of religion? Are we holding our ground? losing ground? Not many would say that we are gaining ground on this vital liberty.

Whatever our beliefs about freedom of speech and freedom of religion at this moment in our nation, we should be aware of two things. Followers of Jesus continue to suffer persecution for their faith in other parts of the world. Christians in America may not join in that suffering anytime soon, but we should always be aware of the possibility.

David Lin is an American pastor who was recently released from prison in China. He was incarcerated there for almost twenty years. Hundreds of other American citizens are still imprisoned in China.

The Chinese government is using AI (artificial intelligence) and face recognition software to persecute Christians and other religious groups. The people have no religious freedom, despite the government’s claims. Instead, religious oppression and persecution are commonplace.

Sadly, some voices in the U.S.A. are casting doubts on our traditional beliefs in freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Some even want to scrap our federal constitution and replace it. They obviously want a governing document that does not include freedom of religion.

What should we do? As Christians, we should be exemplary citizens. We should be informed, vote according to our beliefs and values, and serve in government if and when God calls us to do so, representing him to the best of our abilities.

But how should we think about the increasingly negative attitudes about Christianity in our country and the persecution of believers abroad?

We tend to ask the question: Why does God allow his people to suffer oppression and persecution? Sometimes God uses governments to discipline his people. God used Babylon to discipline his chosen people Israel in the Old Testament.

But oppression is not always God’s discipline. God allowed Pharaoh to oppress Israel so he could demonstrate his power and convince Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Israelites that he is the one and only true and living God.

What is clear, however, is the fact that God does allow governments to oppress his people. This is the testimony of Scripture from both Old and New Testaments. Why?

Sometimes God allows his people to be tested. Job was a man of extraordinary faith. Satan accused Job, saying that Job only trusted God because God protected him, making his life easy. Remove the protection, Satan challenged, and Job’s faith would collapse. God allowed Satan to test the strength of Job’s faith.

Revelation 13 reveals a time of great persecution against Christians at the end of this age, persecution that will be worldwide. God urges his people to be faithful when facing tribulation for their faith in Jesus despite the cost.

Persecution for faith in Jesus is as old as the church itself. In the early days of the church, Peter was arrested for telling people about Jesus. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, the same ones who turned Jesus over to be crucified, they threatened Peter and the apostles. And just to get their point across, they flogged them. These beatings were vicious. Sometimes people died.

Surprisingly, Peter and the apostles were rejoicing. Rejoicing! Why? Because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. They weren’t seeking pain or persecution, but if it came to them, they were honored to endure it to demonstrate their faith in Jesus.

Every follower of Jesus does not suffer persecution or oppression, but many believers have suffered for their faith over the past two thousand years and many brothers and sisters in Christ suffer today in certain parts of the world. Whatever our struggles may be, we tend to ask the same questions. When ‘squeezed’ we ask: Is Jesus really Lord? Should I keep my faith in Jesus? The answer from God’s word is emphatically, Yes!

God agreed to allow Satan to test Job’s faith, but he placed limits on Satan’s attacks against Job. Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life. At the end of this age, God will only allow the Antichrist to run amok for forty-two months. God decides the limits.

God is the ultimate power and authority. Satan can only go as far as God permits. We can be certain that God has not lost control, that Satan has not taken charge, that random forces have not become our master. And we can be certain that God still loves us and has a plan for us and wants the best for us. We can still enjoy his blessings now, sure that our struggles will give way to great glory forever.

May God empower us to remain faithful to him despite the cost,

Brother Richard

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July 10, 2024 · 4:21 PM

Church and State: David or Daniel?

The State of Louisiana just passed a law requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. This new law will undoubtedly face multiple legal challenges. Several groups have already announced their opposition, citing the separation of Church and State.

Opponents of Christianity have often used the separation of Church and State as a legal tool to deny Christians influence in the public square, including public schools. Sadly, this approach has been successful in many cases.

Why are the Ten Commandments so controversial? Why do we need a law to simply post the Ten Commandments for school children? Why do so many people see Christianity as a threat?

When King David ruled Israel some three thousand years ago, citizens expected the government and religion to work hand-in-hand. Aside from the occasional power struggles or corruption, the king and the priests shared common goals and worked together for the benefit of the nation. They recognized that national prosperity required a solid spiritual foundation.

At the beginning of our nation’s history, a friendlier and more cooperative relationship existed between the State and the Church. Citizens agreed that spiritual guidance was good and necessary for secular institutions. The Ten Commandments were not controversial. They were welcomed.

Our founding documents denied the government power to prohibit the free exercise of religion. It was common at the time for European governments to favor one expression of Christianity over all others, often coercing citizens and sometimes persecuting them. As a result, our founders limited the federal government from respecting an establishment of religion.

These wise words in our First Amendment were not intended to create an absolute wall of separation that refused any cooperation between Church and State. Primarily, they were intended as protection for the Church from a coercive State.

Things have certainly changed! We now live with growing hostility toward Christianity. Groups wish to use the government not to respect an establishment of religion, but to silence the voice of Truth.

Predictably, pagan expressions are encouraged, often promoted in attempts to compete with and defeat the efforts of Christians. If Christians start Bible clubs in schools, opponents start Satanist clubs. If Christians teach kids about sexual integrity and purity, opponents send drag queens to twerk for the kids at the library.

This is not the first time that God’s people have lived in a world that is hostile to godliness and spiritual truth. Some four hundred years after David was king in Israel, the people had become defiant and disobedient toward God. They refused to listen to his warnings. He expelled them from the Promised Land. They found themselves living in Babylon.

In Babylon, God’s people were a minority. They were often despised and treated as outsiders. Sometimes they were treated like enemies of the State. One man hated them so much that he tried to use the power of government to destroy them completely (see the book of Esther).

Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego lived during this difficult period. They were carried away from the Promised Land against their will. They were forced to live in Babylon, a pagan land hostile to their beliefs. Despite the risks of persecution, they decided to remain faithful to God.

Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for praying to God. His friends were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship idols. They stood for God and God stood by them.

Followers of Jesus in the U.S.A are finding circumstances to be more like Daniel’s were in Babylon than David’s in the Promised Land. But we need not despair. Even when we find ourselves in a hostile pagan culture, we can follow Daniel’s example. We can choose to be faithful to God despite the short-term risks and difficulties. God is faithful. We will share in the victory!

May the Lord inspire and enable us to always be faithful to him and to his truth,

Brother Richard

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September 1, 2022 · 10:45 AM

Don’t Go Halfway To Church

Jesus promised to build his church. He assured his disciples that the gates of Hades will never prevail over his church. This wonderful promise is recorded in Matthew 16. It is the first appearance of the word “church” in the Bible.

The underlying term used for church in the ancient Bible language is ekklesia. Bible teachers sometimes point out that ekklesia consists of two parts. The first part is ek, which means from or out of. The klesia part of the word is closely related to klysis,the ancient word for call or calling.

When we put the two parts of ekklesia together, we get something like “called out.” Some Bible teachers conclude from this combination that church means the called out ones, or those who are called out. In other words, “church” means those who are called out from this world of unbelief, called out from those who are in rebellion against God.

Come out of the world and be different! Be holy! That’s certainly an important part of God’s call to his people, his church. Believers are called to come out and be distinct from the unbelieving world. However, the word ekklesia means more.

First of all, we should note that combinations of words don’t always determine or even hint at the resulting meaning. For instance, butterfly does not mean that dairy products sail through the air on wings. The combination of butter and fly creates a completely new meaning: a delicate little critter with beautiful markings.

The word ekklesia is not bound by the meaning of its parts. The combination creates a fresh emphasis. Ekklesia is not focused entirely on what Christians leave behind, called out of the world. Instead, it points to what we are called to. The word emphasizes the fact that followers of Jesus are a people who gather together in an assembly.

We are the “assembly” of believers, so we assemble. We gather. Another English word that expresses the meaning of ekklesia well is “congregation.” As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we congregate with one another.

If we limit the word ekklesia to a negative connotation, being called out from, then we could stay at home alone and convince ourselves that we are being the church. After all, we have left the world behind, right? But leaving the world and being alone is not the meaning of church.

Staying at home to worship alone is halfway church. Retreating alone to a favorite place in nature for private worship is only going halfway to church. It is retreating from the unbelieving world, but it is not gathering with believers.

When we follow Jesus, we gather with brothers and sisters in the Lord. We congregate with Christ’s people, his church. We assemble for Christian fellowship and God meets with us in a special way.

When we assemble for Christian fellowship and worship, we send a message to the world: God is alive and well and working in us and among us! Our meetings are meant to be a positive witness to the world. Our meetings are meant to show the world the love of Christ.

Every enemy we have tries to keep us from church. The world works to lure us away by planning its best activities during church time. The devil whispers in our ear about what a failed and pathetic group God’s people is. Our own flesh, the sinful nature, urges us to pursue personal fun instead of public faith.

When we listen to God’s Spirit and follow his ways, we fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. We grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We worship and serve God together. We are a light in a dark world. We fulfill our eternal calling.

Going halfway to church is not far enough. Let’s be faithful in our generation. Let’s go all the way to church!

Brother Richard

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August 12, 2022 · 11:31 AM

Does God Love An Un-Cheerful Giver?

The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). That is, God loves it when we give our tithes and offerings with a glad heart.

To tithe means to give a tenth of our increase (our income) to God by supporting his work (the local church). Offerings are the contributions we make in addition to our tithe.

What if our heart is not cheerful? Should we give when we can’t be happy about it? If we think of giving as a duty, should we stop giving?

The great missionary Paul spent a couple of years gathering an offering from various churches in Gentile cities. The money was meant to provide relief for poor Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who were struggling to survive.

When the time approached for him to deliver the offering, Paul wrote to believers in Rome and shared his plans with them. He asked them to pray that things would go well in Jerusalem.

Paul saw the threat of a division in the church between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. He hoped a generous offering from Gentile churches to Jewish believers would not only provide for their needs, but also create goodwill and promote unity between the two groups.

As he wrote about the offering, the apostle noted that the Gentile churches were pleased to contribute to this project. Then he wrote that they were obligated to give material assistance because the Gentile believers had enjoyed spiritual blessings from the Jewish Christians (see Romans 15:26-27).

His remarks seem to be contradictory. Did the Gentiles give financially to the work of the church because they were pleased to do so or because they were obligated to do so? Did they give as an expression of delight or from a sense of duty?

Giving to God’s work is a joyful responsibility. Joy and responsibility, delight and duty, they can stand together. They need not cancel each other out. A duty can be an act of discipline and an act of discipline can bring deep satisfaction.

Think about parents and their kids. We believe parents have a responsibility to provide loving care to their sons and daughters. Those of us who are parents and grandparents agree. We accept the notion that we have an obligation to our children. We are responsible.

But we also have a desire to care for our children. It pleases us. Knowing that it is a responsibility does not rob us of our desire to do so, nor does it erase our joy in caring for them. In fact, knowing that we are fulfilling our God-given responsibility only adds to our pleasure.

Giving to God’s work is a duty, but it can also be a delight, a joy. Duty and desire combine without diminishing one another.

The apostle also believed that the offering he gathered would have a spiritual benefit not only on the individual givers, but also on the larger community of Christians. He wanted the gift from Gentiles to Jews to inspire unity among believers, to remind them that they were part of an eternal family with a shared mission.

The spiritual discipline of giving binds us together in our common Christian faith. We can accomplish more when we combine our efforts. And, we share the joy of a job well done when our Lord uses our gifts to advance his kingdom.

May the Lord inspire us to honor him with our giving,

Brother Richard

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June 2, 2022 · 1:22 PM

God Saved Us To Do Good Things

The Bible verse for Vacation Bible School this year is Ephesians 2:10: For we are his (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.

The “we” in this verse refers to Christians, followers of Jesus. Immediately before this verse, we read about how to become Christians: For by grace you are saved, by faith; and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works so nobody can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Christians are saved by grace, not by works. Grace is the wonderful gift of salvation offered by God. He sent his Son Jesus to give himself as an atoning sacrifice, to die for our sins. He did this so that we can be forgiven.

Since God offers us salvation as a gift, we are not required to earn it by doing good works or by being good people. Jesus earned our salvation for us. This is good news. We would be incapable of earning a place in heaven. Why? Because only one who is perfect deserves heaven and nobody is perfect except Jesus himself.

God’s gracious gift of salvation comes to us through faith. Faith is the step of trust we take to believe God’s promise about Jesus and to ask him to forgive our disobedience. Faith includes a commitment to be a follower of Jesus, confessing Jesus as Lord. The result is God’s priceless gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

So, what about all those verses in the Bible that talk about obeying God and doing good deeds? After God’s grace saves us by faith, God’s plan lays out a path for us to follow which includes good works. It is vital for us to note that Ephesians 2:8-9 comes before Ephesians 2:10. We don’t work to get saved. We get saved to work.

Verse 10 starts by saying that we are God’s workmanship. It’s his work that saved us. He sent Jesus to die for our sins. That’s why it then says we are created in Christ Jesus. Jesus is our Savior, the one who died so that we can be a new creation. God also sent his Spirit to speak to our hearts and to transform us into the image of Christ.

Now we see in verse 10 that we are saved to do good works. God wants us to avoid spending eternity in hell, but his salvation is more than a rescue from eternal punishment. God’s salvation enables us to do good things that he prepared beforehand. Since he prepared these works, we know he will be pleased by them.

God prepared us for the works and the works for us. To be saved by faith in Jesus and to do the good deeds God prepared for us is to experience the fullness of a life well-lived. Since God prepared these works for us to do, we know that they will be meaningful, eternally meaningful.

The last part of verse 10 says that we are to walk in them (“them” being the good works). The Bible describes our daily lives as a ‘walk.’ We ‘walk’ through this world step by step, day by day, decision by decision. Our ‘walk,’ our daily life, has a direction and a destination.

The works prepared by God for us to do become a pathway that leads to a full and fulfilling life. By walking in the pathway laid out for us by God, we enjoy rich experiences of his presence, power, and blessing along the way. And we know that he is our great destination, to stand in his presence, to see him face-to-face, and to worship him with abundant joy!

What marvelous things God has revealed to us in his word! How abundant the blessings that God stands ready to pour into our lives!

May God always bless us with good deeds to walk in,

Brother Richard

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April 12, 2022 · 3:03 PM

The Great Signpost To The Other Side Of Death

Skepticism has reduced Christianity to an empty shell for some people. One writer described the unbelieving ‘liberal’ version of Christianity in words like these: A God without wrath brings people without sin into a kingdom without judgment by a Jesus without a cross.

Just one problem: A tomb without a body means a Savior with great power and a life after death. Jesus’ resurrection is a striking reminder that the Bible promises more to our existence than what we see in this world or what we experience in this age.

The Bible assures us that everyone is appointed to die once then to face judgment (see Hebrews 9:27). Many in our skeptical world want to believe that God’s final judgment is a myth, yet people have a surprisingly strong desire for justice.

Justice requires judgment. The ultimate justice requires the ultimate judgment. And the ultimate judgment requires the ultimate Judge: God himself.

Is this world our only chance for justice? If so, we are apparently doomed to tragic disappointment. Justice now is certainly worthy of our best efforts, but it is also important enough for us to be realistic and admit that this broken world always falls short of justice for all peoples, justice in all things, and justice at all times.

Jesus’ preaching and teaching ministry placed much emphasis on the final judgment. Of the 39 or so parables of Jesus recorded in the Gospels, 18 of them focus on final judgment. About half. Jesus’ parable of the 10 virgins, 5 foolish and 5 wise, is about final judgment. It points out that some will be ready, but not all.

The separation of the sheep from the goats is about the final judgment. It points out that judgment will be focused on how we acted in this life, especially with regard to Jesus’ brothers and sisters, the church.

His parable about the wedding celebration is about the final judgment. One who came in without the proper garment was cast out into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, eternal condemnation.

The parable of the talents is about final judgment. The Lord tells each of his servants, “Well done my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a little. Take charge of much!” Words that every follower of Jesus should long to hear.

God is able to make perfect judgments. He uses the perfect standard: his own personal holiness. He is not corrupted. Nobody can bribe him because everything is already his. Nobody can force him to act. He has all power. Nobody can deceive God. He knows all the truth.

The final judgment will not be an inquiry to determine the facts. There will be no depositions or investigations. The facts will be fully known. One of the challenges of justice and judgment in this world is that we don’t know all the facts, especially the secrets of the people involved. Sometimes the guilty go free. Sometimes the innocent are condemned.

On God’s judgment day, even the secrets will be revealed. In fact, all the secrets will be revealed. My secrets and yours. Once we know all the facts, even the secrets, we will know that God’s judgments are right, just, and true.

If we are concerned that God is too harsh (or too lenient), we needn’t be. We can trust him to do what is right. We can be certain now that when judgment day comes and all things are finally revealed, God’s judgments will be vindicated.

Judgment day will also reveal God’s grace and mercy. Once we know the full story of evil, we will appreciate the full value of God’s grace. What we know about God’s grace is truly great now, but it is nothing compared to what our understanding will be then. For all eternity, believers will praise God for his marvelous grace, astounded by his love, inspired to worship and enjoy him and his blessings.

The resurrection of Jesus is the great historical marker of God’s justice and mercy. According to his justice, God provided judgment for sin through faith in Christ Jesus. According to his mercy, he offers forgiveness and eternal life through trust in Jesus Christ. The choice is ours. Trust God and his ways, or trust ourselves and follow our own ways, hoping that the Bible gets it wrong.

The resurrection of Jesus is a clear signpost that more awaits us on the other side of physical death. A day of weeping and gnashing of teeth for some. A day of rejoicing and celebration for others. Choose life. Follow Jesus.

May the resurrected and exalted Jesus Christ be Lord of your life both now and forever,

Brother Richard

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October 13, 2021 · 10:52 AM

Retreat From The Faith or Contend For It?

Some good friends invited me to attend a conference in Orlando, Florida in September. I agreed and went. I’m glad I did.

The conference was a meeting of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Many if not most of the attendees at the conference were licensed professionals with advanced degrees and real-life experience in helping people.

These counselors believe the science of psychology and psychiatry can be useful in guiding people to healing. They have taken the time and made the effort to acquire advanced skills so they can be effective in assisting those who have experienced traumas in life or who struggle with other personal battles.

But there is more. Note the name of this group: American Association of Christian Counselors. They believe that God’s word is the ultimate measure of truth; and they believe that God’s grace in Christ Jesus is the ultimate healing for humanity. While they value scientific understanding and insights, they measure all conclusions by God’s revealed truth in the Bible.

At the conference, the leaders of these Christian Counselors sounded a note of warning. Hostile forces in the academic and professional world of counseling are threatening to silence the voice of Christianity in psychology, psychiatry, mental health, and related disciplines. How? They are threatening to deny accreditation and certification to anyone with biblical convictions, especially about marriage and human sexuality.

Years ago, I noticed that academic institutions were coercing Christians into renouncing the truth revealed in God’s word. In some instances, they were told to change their beliefs or change their profession. They were denied the opportunity to follow their calling, to counsel people in need. Their degrees and certifications were being held hostage.

Unfortunately, attempts to silence Christianity in counseling are only part of the story. Our culture is changing its mind about religious freedom and freedom of speech in general. Any dissent from the dominant political doctrine is now being painted as hateful, violent, and worthy of being cancelled, that is, silenced.

Jude was a Christian. He was also a half-brother of Jesus. He wrote the short letter in our New Testament which bears his name. His message to his original readers was short and simple: Contend for the faith that was once-for-all entrusted to the saints!

Notice he writes the faith. He is calling on God’s people to do more than defend their personal beliefs, more than a generic ‘faith.’ The Christian faith is revealed in the Old and New Testaments. It is God’s revelation that the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ is his Son and our Savior. For this truth, we contend.

Why must we contend for the faith? Because the faith is under fire. False teachers from inside the church, hostile unbelievers from outside the church, forces that are committed to erasing God from public policy and discourse are active on all sides.

How do we contend for the faith? First, we must learn the faith. How can we contend for the faith if we don’t know what it is? The faith is not a matter of personal opinion, general consensus, or clever fabrication. The faith is a revelation from God recorded in the Bible.

Second, we must live the faith. Christianity is not merely a mindset; it is a lifestyle. Knowing about Jesus is insufficient. The faith tells us that we can know Jesus personally and walk with him daily through the presence of God’s Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts.

Third, we must proclaim the faith. Jesus has given us a mandate to make disciples of all peoples. Living the faith means sharing the faith. Someone told us about Jesus. Now we must tell others.

Once we know the faith, apply the faith, and share the faith, we will be faced with hostility from the enemies of the faith. These encounters require us to defend the faith. Defense of Christianity must not be surly or harsh, but it must be confident and unwavering. We speak the truth in love.

Jude calls this defense of the faith contending for the faith. Those of us who recoil at conflict may think we can simply remain silent. But each of us will eventually be forced to choose. Christianity is personal but it is not private.

Will we retreat or will we contend for the faith?

May God’s Holy Spirit give us the inspiration and the victory,

Brother Richard

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