“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV). Every true Christian faces the challenge of living in the world but not being of the world. The Christian does not belong in many of the places where the sinful world abounds. A trip to downtown Nashville with all the bars, night clubs, strip clubs, party vehicles, gay pride events, etc. is not where we belong. Yet, the world thinks that we are the weird ones when we don’t join in. We were born here, but we don’t belong here anymore. We live here, but we are citizens of a heavenly place. We work here, but our duty is to the One who reigns above. We will die here (unless the Lord comes back first), but our eternal dwelling has streets of gold. We are called to live by a higher standard, a heavenly calling. We are not to give ourselves over to the darkness of the sinful world but “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). We are the salt of the earth, but if we stop making a difference, we are of no use and fit only …

Sarah and I have been married for 45 years, and so, you would think we would know each other pretty well. Yet, I am still finding out things about her and she about me! What have you found out about your mate that has totally surprised you? It takes a lifetime to get to know someone well. The same is true when one begins a walk with Christ as one of His disciples. How important is it to get to know God and His Son, Jesus Christ? Jeremiah recorded, “But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV). Similarly, the apostle Paul prayed for believers “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). He was keenly interested in the Christian’s spiritual growth. “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). Folks, we will not learn all there is to know about the Lord the moment after our baptism into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27) or in a few weeks, months or even years later. Hebrews 5:12-14 and 1 Peter 2:2 lay out the process of growing from a babe in Christ to completeness. Knowing Christ is …

One of the biggest detriments to spreading the Gospel is the fact there are so many denominations dotting the landscape that claim to follow Jesus and the Bible. It is no wonder, then, that Paul wrote in conjunction with Jesus’ prayer for unity (John 17:20-21), “…You all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV). The only way to discern between true and false religion or doctrine is to allow the Bible to be our sole guide. For this to happen, we must approach God’s Word in the right way. “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool’” (Isaiah 1:18). Begin with the Right Attitude In studying the Bible, we must want to know what God teaches rather than “confirm” what we already believe. This is part of what Jesus meant when He said to “…Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33; cf., Matthew 5:6). This attitude is displayed perfectly twice in the book of Acts. First, when Philip joined the chariot carrying the Ethiopian eunuch, he asked, “…Do you understand what you are reading?” to which the nobleman answered, “…How can I, unless someone guides me? …” (Acts 8:30-31). With that attitude, the outcome is …

A Sunday Assembly? You might think I am writing about a worship assembly. Perhaps, but not your typical worship assembly. This assembly is for atheists. The group, which has offshoots in various countries, including the United States, was started as a joke by two British comedians. One of the founders said how he basically enjoyed Christian worship, except for the God talk. So, why not have a similar opportunity to sing, laugh and feel a sense of togetherness and purpose? It is ironic that, after years of denying atheism was its own religion, it is now advocating a religious type of experience, including taking up a collection at the end (“Atheist ‘Mega Churches’”). Why would such a group find an audience when a real relationship with God in Christ offers genuine peace, love and meaning for today and for eternity? It most likely coincides with more and more people, when asked about their religious preference, identify themselves as none. People who leave organized religion may claim to be spiritual instead of religious, but they still want some positive feelings and experiences like they encountered while part of a religious group. There are many substitutes to true faith in which people engage to get good feelings about their lives. New Testament worship should be a positive experience, offering a relationship with God, forgiveness through Christ and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. It truly does reinforce to us that we are important, made in the image of God, counted precious in …

The greatest question anyone can ask is, “How can I know that I am saved?” The answer either points toward a future in Heaven with God or in Hell separated eternally from God (Matthew 25:34, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). We need to realize salvation comes in three movements. Saul of Tarsus learned from Ananias how he could be saved from his past sins. He asked him, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16 NKJV). The individual set free from his past sins can remain in a saved condition from day to day (1 John 1:7, 9). The ultimate salvation, though, is in Heaven (Romans 13:11). Each must be aware that there are unreliable ways of assurance regarding salvation. Feelings or conscience is not reliable. Though Paul persecuted the church, he told the counsel, “…Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1; 26:9). Sadly, one cannot rely on the assurance of a preacher. Apollos was unintentionally wrong before being taught by Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:24-28). In addition, Paul warned about those who intentionally deceive (Romans 16:17-18). Only God can give you or me true assurance of salvation. God’s inspired apostle to the Gentiles proclaimed there is no condemnation to those in Christ (Romans 8:1-2). Each must be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Being in Christ is an ongoing part of life (Romans 8:5-6). Living …

In the book of Job, God asked Satan where he had been. He told God, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it” (Job 1:7; 2:2 NKJV). Peter indicated Satan walks “about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Have you seen evidence that Satan has ceased his search for souls? The world seems to be filled with evidence that Satan still prowls about the earth. We, as Christians, ought to be on guard so we are not tricked by his devices. Satan has more experience deceiving us than we do at overcoming temptation. The devil is not fearful; rather, he is cunning, brave and deceptive. He uses any means at his disposal to conceal his actions as he stalks his prey. Since he is a capable adversary, what can we do to evade him? Peter instructed, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). Notice the instruction: In order to be found faithful, we must fight against the devil as he seeks our destruction. Paul reminded the Ephesian brethren that they were in a spiritual battle. Today, we fight that same battle, and we will continue to fight it until Jesus’ return. Let us be established in our faith and unwilling to …

Year after year it goes. Don’t be the “Average Guy”!

During the California gold rush, two miners hit it big in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In 1859, one of the miners, W. W. Bodie, died in a snowstorm, but his partner continued on. By the 1870’s, Bodie, California had become a boom town of over 10,000 residents. During this time, the town boasted of having 65 saloons and no churches. By the mid-1880’s, the gold was mostly gone, as were the people. Bodie closed in 1932 and is now a famous ghost town toured by many visitors. In many ways, our nation is duplicating the history of Bodie. We discovered the gold of democracy and religious freedom, growing into a strong, materially blessed, deeply religious people. However, our “gold” is fast disappearing. Democracy has given way to worldliness, and our spiritual beliefs have vanished like the gold of Bodie. Our church buildings sit mostly empty or with their doors closed while casinos, saloons, sports stadiums and concert halls fill to overflowing. Job argued to his friends, “If I have put my confidence in gold… I would have denied God above” (Job 31:24, 28 NASB). While our nation is denying God, the America I grew up in is fast becoming a ghost town.

The Lord commissioned Jonah to preach at Nineveh, but he didn’t go. Instead, a great fish swallowed Jonah and later vomited him up. Then, the Lord recommissioned Jonah to go to Nineveh. Therefore, Jonah arose and went, having been given a second opportunity to be God’s messenger. “Nineveh, that great city…” (1:1; 3:2) comprised more than “sixscore thousand” (120,000) innocents (4:11 KJV). The total population was approximately 600,000. “An exceeding great city of three days journey” (3:3). Herodotus said that Nineveh was 480 stadia in circuit, larger than Babylon and about 60 miles in circumference. The walls were 100 feet high with 1,500 lofty towers (Kitto, Vol 6 385). “The size could include the entire administrative district, which included the palaces of present and former kings outside of Nineveh proper” (Kearley class notes). We read in Genesis 10:8-11 of a man named Nimrod who went forth into Assyria and built “Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, and Calah. And Resen between Nineveh and Calah (the same is the great city)” (ASV). Keil maintains that these four places composed a large “composite city” consisting of “a range of towns, to which the name of the (well known) great city of Nineveh was applied” (Keil). Jonah entered into the city a day’s journey and began to cry against it. His message was brief: “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4 KJV). “So the people of Nineveh believed God” (Jonah 3:5). Note that the number of people who believed is not stated, but enough of them did to the …

The Bible is a book about faith for the faithful. In fact, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). On occasion, the word faith is thrown around loosely by people in religion. We may speak of being a person of faith. We might hear someone say that he or she has faith in God. While all of those are good sentiments to express, faith is much more than a verbal declaration that we are religious and believe in God. Faith is described as the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). This also tells us that those who do not have faith will be overcome by the world. Therefore, we should be clear about what the Bible means when it speaks of faith. In both the Old and New testaments, the idea of faith involves belief in the mind, but it is much more than this. Faith is to trust and to be willing to obey God because we believe that He will do what He promises (Acts 27:25). Faith leads to victory for those who possess it and exercise it in a way consistent with Scripture. Notice a few important things the Bible says on the subject of faith. We Cannot Please God without Faith Hebrews 11 has long been considered the great Bible chapter on faith. The word faith is mentioned or implied in just about every verse of the chapter. We are told in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to …