Author Archives: Barry

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Matthew 24:10-13

There is a lot of deception taking place in our world today. Some deception is acceptable, such as in war or in sports, that are used to win battles or a game. But there is also deception that is sinister and devious, such as fake news, false advertising, misinformation, and half-truths. This type of deception is being used most often by politicians to conceal the truth or advance their agenda, and by scammers attempting to manipulate people to steal their money. This is also nothing new. History is also full of deceptions, with the most famous being the Trojan Horse used by the Greeks to win the Trojan War that became a global symbol of deception.

All people are sinful, and we live in a sinful world, so we should not be surprised that deception is used quite frequently to persuade us to think a certain way, accept a belief, or trust a particular group or leader. This has been magnified in our time through advancements in technology, such as the internet, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI). These tools make it much easier to deceive others on a much broader scale and are more difficult to detect or refute.

One of the other areas where we see a lot of deception today is in the Church. This is also nothing new and has been going on since Christianity began in the first century AD. For example, immediately after Jesus’ resurrection, the guards at the tomb reported to the chief priests what had happened. The chief priests paid the guards to say that the disciples came and stole his Body to deceive anyone as to what had really happened (Matthew 28:11-15). They did not want the true and real story to get out!

Paul’s letters to the Church in Corinth and Galatia, and to Timothy, clearly point out the presence of false prophets and teachers in the early Church. He warned the Church to avoid them and to cling to the gospel as they were first taught (Galatians 1:6-7). As a matter of fact, the early Church assembled all of its bishops at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD to establish the true foundation for the Christian faith and to combat false teaching by some of the bishops.

Yet somehow today, there are those inside and outside of the Church who continue to try to deceive Christians and pull them away from the gospel and the true faith in Jesus. As Christians, we must be on our guard in order that we not be deceived into accepting beliefs or a theology that sounds good but is not true. As it says in 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” That time has certainly come today just as it has in the past!

So, how do Christians protect themselves from being deceived about their faith? I believe that there are 3 common ways that Christians are being deceived today that all Christians should be aware of. Knowing them can help us to defend and protect our faith.

1. Denial of Biblical Truth

Perhaps the biggest deception that Christians face is to doubt the Bible and deny it is the Truth. In our society today, many people believe that every person can have their own truth and that there is no absolute truth. Or they try to convince us of supposed “errors” in the Bible and that therefore it can’t be all true. These deceptions try to draw us away from God’s truth and get us to accept man’s ways instead of God’s Word (Isaiah 55:8-9). The Bible tells us that God is truth (Isaiah 45:19) and that all His words are true (Psalm 119:160). Christians must trust in the truth of God’s Word and not let man deceive us into thinking we know better than God. We cannot allow ourselves to fall into the same trap as Eve did when Satan deceived her into believing his lie that we can know what God knows. Satan continues to use this deception to this very day, and very effectively as well!

2. Scriptural Misrepresentation

Another common way that some try to deceive Christians is through the misrepresentation of Scripture. Sometimes Scripture is quoted out of context which can lead some Christians to accept a belief that the Scriptural passage does not specifically say. One common example is Matthew 7:1 which says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” This is often used to tell Christians not to judge others at all. This passage is incomplete and goes on to warn us not to condemn others but rather to help them, and us, live out our faith. Scripture can also be twisted to support a theology or belief that is not Biblical or of God. Common examples are that “God helps those who help themselves” (Proverbs 14:23) or that “God will never give you more than you can handle.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) The intent of this deception is to misuse Scripture to justify man’s efforts, desires, or beliefs rather than God’s will and purpose. This is very dangerous and will lead us to focus on our own accomplishments instead of what God has done for us through His Son Jesus on the cross!

3. False Teaching

There is also a lot of false teaching in the Church today, from beliefs such as doing good works will get us to heaven (works righteousness), that following Christ will enrich us (prosperity theology), or that God’s Word must keep up with the times (progressive theology). Most of these deceptions come from inside the Church and from a reinterpretation of God’s Word or an attempt to modify it to fit today’s society. It often stems from the desire of man to add something extra to what God’s Word says in order to meet our expectations instead of God’s purpose. The Bible says in Malachi 3:6, “I, the Lord, do not change.” And in Proverbs 30:5 it says that “Every word of God is flawless.” In other words, His Truth, His Word, and the Gospel are eternal and do not change! Man should not try to change or reinterpret God’s Word to suit our own thinking. Instead, we should always be trying to align our ways with God’s ways and submit our will to His will and His Word!

So, as Christian, we should not allow ourselves to be deceived by these deceptions and be wary of those who try to draw us away from the Lord. Instead, we must be on our guard and stand firm on God’s Word, His promises, and our faith (2 Peter 3:17). We must all remember to “trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“But you will receive power then the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

As Christians, we are all told to be witnesses for Jesus in our world according to Acts 1:8. That means that we are called to share the gospel (salvation through Jesus) and to be witnesses for his Truth and His life as well. But increasingly in America, we are told to keep our faith to ourselves and that our Christian views have no place in our government or political discourse. As a result, many Christians today are afraid or unwilling to speak up and witness for Christ in America.

I just finished reading Letter to the American Church, a book by Eric Metaxas. In this book he compares the Church’s response to Adolf Hitler in 1930’s Germany with our present-day situation in the United States. It is a warning for the Church in America to speak out against the evil that is prevalent in our nation lest we allow that evil to result in unimaginable suffering as the Germans did. And while we recognize that the German Christians did not know what was ultimately to come, not speaking out against the wrongs taking place at the time when they had the chance to do so is a warning for us today.

In 1930, the Lutheran Church was the dominant and largest Church in Germany and an important part of the German culture at that time. The Nazis desired to integrate all of the Protestant Christian Churches into the Nazi Party. So, in 1933, they formed the German Evangelical Church that answered to the Nazi Party. This new Church supported the racist and nationalist ideology of the Nazi party, banned the Old Testament, and replaced the cross with a swastika. Many Lutheran and other Protestant pastors and leaders joined this new Church.

But there was one German Lutheran Pastor who did not. His name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He saw the evil of the Nazi ideology and tried to warn the Church by speaking up. He stood up to the Nazis and was arrested, imprisoned, and finally executed just weeks before the collapse of the 3^rd Reich and Germany’s surrender. The others chose not to speak up for a variety of reasons, including fear of being arrested, being sent to a concentration camp, or losing their church positions. They did not have Dietrich’s courage nor his discernment. Instead, they remained silent and protected their church status. They gave in to the Nazis.

I agree with Eric Metaxas and believe the American Church today is at a similar crossroads. Will the pastors, leaders, and Christians in the American Church today speak up about the evil that’s taking place in our nation, or will we simply give in and go along to try to protect what we have?

I admit that this is a difficult question that each Christian must answer for themselves. Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “In fact, everyone who wants to lead a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus also said in John 15:18 that “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” Jesus goes on to say in John 15:20-21 that “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you that way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”  In other words, when we speak up for Christ we should expect resistance, intimidation, and persecution in some form. But that does not give us an excuse to stay silent and ignore our calling as followers of Christ to be witnesses for Him and His Truth.

We have been experiencing the decline of Christianity in America for many years. Today, about half of Americans say they have no religion. It is obvious that the Church no longer has the influence it once had in America. The reality is that America has already become a pagan nation that is against God and His Word. This is evidenced by the strong support for abortion, gender self-identification, government restrictions on parental rights for their children, the pervasive public use of profanity, and the growth of evil and violent themes in television programs and movies. America has abandoned its Christian values and principles and now prefers to rely on pagan beliefs like science, man’s intelligence, and relative truth rather than God’s Word.

I think it’s important to state up front that the upcoming election won’t change this. Our nation is drifting more towards paganism every day. Our culture is eroding and no election or change in government will reverse that. The only thing that will reverse this trend is the Word of God spoken and witnessed to by Christians who are followers of Jesus Christ! If we want to save America, we must first save each American by speaking God’s Word and the gospel into their lives. We must remember that governments and elections will come and go, but God’s Word is forever! (1 Peter 1:25)

One of the challenges we face in America today that did not exist in 1930’s Germany is a divided Church. The Church in America is not unified today because perhaps half of all churches don’t believe in God’s Word nor take it seriously when it speaks to the issues of our day. These churches have adopted cultural values instead of relying on Biblical teaching. They have given in to the pagan culture. But that doesn’t mean we should just “throw in the towel” and give in. Instead, we who truly follow Christ must summon the courage to speak God’s Word boldly and without hesitation regardless of the consequences. To do otherwise would be to deny our faith.

So, what will we American Christians do? Will we speak up or give in? Will we have the courage to stand up against the evil in our nation today and speak up despite the persecution and risk? Or will we give in and stay silent, protect what we have, and allow the evil to continue?

I have chosen to speak up as this blog indicates. But I also intend to do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:14-17) and accept the consequences. As Martin Luther once famously said, “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God Help me.”

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

Proverbs 14:12

I was recently driving somewhere I had not been before, and I made a wrong turn and ended up on a dead end street. The only option I had to get where I wanted to go was to turn around and go back to where I made my mistake and get back on the right road to my destination. As I thought about what just happened, it occurred to me that the same thing happens on our journey in life. As Christians we know our destination is heaven. But sometimes we take a wrong turn and end up at a dead end and not on the road to eternal life.

I think that dead ends are a wonderful metaphor for all people who take the wrong path in life and end up where they do not want to be. When that happens, the best option is to turn around and get back on the right path! As Christians, we call that repentance!

But let’s first define a dead end. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a dead end is “a position, situation, or course of action that leads to nothing further.” This can be typically thought of in 3 ways. First, there is no exit, such as a dead end street. You can either stay there or turn around and go back. Second, there is no advancement, such as a dead end job. You are as far as you can go in your company hierarchy, military rank, or current vocation. There is no way to advance from where you are without changing your destination. Third, you have reached a termination point, such as the end of a railway line, a cliff, or an ocean. You must find another way to get to where you want to go.

The same is true for our journey in life. I think it’s somewhat safe to say that most people want to go to heaven when they die. That is true for Christians, but also for Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, other religions. Even those with no religion would still like to go to heaven! However, many people still think that there are many paths in life they can take to get to there. But the reality is that there is only one way to heaven according to Scripture. Jesus said in John 14:6, that “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As God’s son, He had the authority to say that and He could not have said it any more clearly. He is the only way to God and heaven!

So, we must beware of all the other paths in life that are dead ends that lead us away from God and heaven. I would like to share 4 major dead ends in life that most people encounter.

1. The path of wealth

We live in a materialistic world. It’s a world that offers wealth to those who chase after it. While we need some level of wealth or money to live on, it was never intended to be our focus. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19-20 not to “store up for ourselves treasures on earth” but to “store up treasures in heaven.” He was warning us about the lure of wealth and the god of money. Jesus also said in Matthew 6:24 that “we cannot serve both God and money”! Money is an idol that can draw us away from God and take us down a path of ruin as well as separation from God. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Since we also cannot take our wealth with us when we die, the path of wealth is a dead end!

2. The path of fame

Many people desire to be famous. They want to do something important or be recognized by the world. In music, it’s to be a top performer with millions of global fans. In entertainment, it’s to be an actor in high demand for movies or television shows. And for others it’s to be a top social media influencer, a top physician, a top author, or dare I say, a popular mega church pastor! Although Jesus is the most famous person in all of history, He never sought fame. Instead, he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). And He often told those he encountered or healed not to tell others about him (Matthew 12:16, Mark 9:9) and walked away from crowds that sought to make him king (John 6:15). Seeking earthly fame means wanting our way and earthly praise instead of God’s way and His blessing, and so the path of fame is another dead end!

3. The path of glory

Another path in life that many choose is the path of glory. Usually this occurs in sports where athletes and teams compete to see who the best athlete, player, or team is. The focus is always on winning and was exemplified by legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi who said, “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing!” But athleticism doesn’t last forever, and trophies are forgotten after the next season’s champion is crowned. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24). In other words, the race we want to run is the race to get to heaven, not the race to achieve a world record or a championship that will one day be exceeded by someone else. The glory we receive on earth is always temporary. Jesus said, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1) Earthly glory is fleeting and does not last. The path of glory is also just a dead end.

4. The path of knowledge

In our world of science, technology, and education, many people pursue the path of knowledge. They think the more they learn about our world, the more they can control it and manipulate it for their good or what they believe is the good of others. But this quest for knowledge often excludes God and His Word. They believe that science holds the answers or that humans are capable of knowing everything apart from God. That sounds exactly like what Satan said to Eve in the garden of Eden: “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) Human knowledge is insufficient without God and His wisdom (Proverbs 2:6). God created the heavens and the earth, and humans can only try to learn what God already knows! Earthly knowledge cannot save us. The path of knowledge is another dead end!

It is obvious that none of these 4 paths lead to anything that lasts. They are truly a “dead” end because they only lead to death (Prov 14:12) and not eternal life. Why? Because the focus is on self and not God! God calls all of us to submit to Him, to worship Him alone, to sacrifice for others, and to serve Him. Whatever we strive for in this earthly world must be for God’s glory and purpose and not our own.

So, beware of dead ends! If we want to go to heaven there is only one way, and that way is to put our faith and trust in Jesus alone. As Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men way by which we must be saved.” Every path other than Jesus will result in a literal “dead” end to our life!

“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”

Psalm 106:3

It is abundantly clear that America is more secular today and has moved further away from God and his moral law as summarized in the Ten Commandments. Our country has become more concerned with individual rights and the freedom to do as each individual chooses and is less concerned with whether they are right or wrong for society as a whole.

For example, if we look at the issue of abortion, we will notice that those who are for abortion argue from the viewpoint of the “right” to do what they want with their own body. Those who are against abortion argue that abortion is murder and “wrong” and that it is immoral to take the life of an innocent baby. It is easy to see how this has become such a divisive issue when people look at it from two different points of view. One view looks at the issue from a legal perspective (Rights) and the other from a moral perspective (Wrongs).

Other similar examples include stealing, divorce, and adultery. In some areas of the United States, a person can steal up to $950 from stores without prosecution. Prior to 1963, divorce was only allowed for acts of infidelity (based on Matthew 19:9). Today, divorces are granted for virtually any reason. And when it comes to adultery (sex outside of a marriage between a man and a woman), these actions are essentially encouraged through legalized prostitution, pornography, and homosexuality. And this is supposedly all done in the name of what’s best for society, regardless of the moral issue of right and wrong!

Is there ever a good reason for our laws to make legal what is morally wrong? Let’s look at 2 other important questions that will help us to answer that question.

One question we should first ask is, why do we need criminal or civil laws at all? Aren’t most people basically good? If that were true, which it isn’t (Romans 3:23), there would be no need for laws because no one would break them. As Paul said in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” But we know that humans are sinful and capable of evil, and so we need laws to protect us from each other. Laws are designed to discourage harming another person and to punish those who do so. Without laws and justice, every society will devolve into absolute chaos. So, we need criminal and civil laws to ensure a safe society for all citizens.

For many centuries, western nations based their criminal and civil laws on God’s moral laws, such as do not kill, do not steal, do not lie, and do not commit adultery. These all come from His Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and were the standard that was used to determine what was wrong to do. Consequently, criminal and civil laws mirrored the moral laws and appropriate punishments were set when these moral laws were broken. But over time, western nations and governments have substituted God’s moral laws with what man, or the majority or the people, think they should be. This has only served to create more harm in our society as evidenced by increases in violence, crime, and divorce.

The second question we need to ask is, who determines what is morally right or morally wrong? There needs to be a consistent standard if society is to have a fair and unbiased system of justice that treats everyone the same and holds each individual accountable for their own actions and behavior. To answer this question, consider the 3 main options that are available.

First, each individual can determine for themselves what is right or wrong. This seems to be what many people want in our culture today. As it is often said by many people today, “everyone can have their own truth!” The problem with this option is that there is no standard of conduct that can ever be applied the same to everyone. Trying to construct a legal system based on individual perspectives and arbitrary morals would be impossible! As it says in the Judges 21:25, “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” It didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.

Second, right and wrong can be determined by each government.  This is what seems to be happening more and more as governments want to establish their own rules for what is considered morally wrong to do. But this is also subjective and often changes due to changing political leadership or changing views of morality by a majority in each society. In either case, there is no objective standard that is consistent over time and applies to everyone equally.

The third option is the only one that makes any sense, and that is where right and wrong are determined by God, the Creator of all human beings. He designed us and therefore only He can truly determine what is morally right or wrong for all people no matter where they live. He sets the perfect objective standard for how people should treat one another because we were all created in His image (Genesis 1:27) and He has written His Law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). And when we disregard God’s moral laws, we end up only harming ourselves (Deuteronomy 11:28). Breaking God’s Law has consequences, whether we acknowledge God or not. There will be a Judgment Day (Romans 14:10-12). As the 1966 song by Bobby Fuller says so clearly, “I Fought the Law and the Law Won!” We will ultimately lose if we continue to go against God’s moral law.

So, is there ever a good reason for our rights under the law to take precedence over God’s moral law? The answer is clearly, NO! Although our freedoms and our civil rights are important for a safe and prosperous society, they should never be used to do harm to others. Morality should always supersede legality. The Apostle Paul confirmed this when he said to the Galatians, “You my brother were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

The freedoms and rights that Americans or citizens of any nation enjoy should never give us the legal “right” to do what is “wrong”. Our actions and behavior should always follow God’s moral principles. We should always consider our actions as to whether they might harm others, regardless of our legal right to take those actions.

So, let us do what is right, not what we have the right to do. Let’s not turn our Rights into Wrongs!

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12:27

The Christian Church today hardly resembles the one that Jesus’ disciples started 2,000 years ago. The Church began on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to man (Acts 2:1-4). Those early believers started meeting together and “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42) They studied the Scriptures together, they ate together, and they prayed together. Luke goes on to record that “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) And indeed His Church has continued to grow since then, so much so that there are now over 2.2 billion Christians and 3 million churches worldwide (World Outlook, 2010 edition)!

And yet despite this incredible growth, His Church today is divided and fragmented. Individual churches still meet weekly for worship but rarely meet with other churches except at denominational gatherings. The Church can be defined as the global body of believers who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their savior. Although all Christians may no longer be unified in our practices, Jesus’ words before his bodily resurrection still remain the purpose of His Church. Jesus calls all Christians, individually and collectively, to “go and make disciples of all nations… and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) We were not called to build church buildings, make church members, or teach others to memorize the Bible. We are called to share the gospel and make disciples of Jesus Christ! That is the sole purpose of the Church and the reason it was established.

So, when is a church not His Church? Let me share 6 ways that this happens.

1. When a church accepts cultural values over Biblical teaching.

The Bible is essential for every Christian and is the Word of God that should govern our beliefs and actions. It was written to inform us of God’s commands, His faithfulness, His mercy, His Truth, and most importantly, His Son Jesus. It is the sole document that we must rely on if we are to obey God and put our trust in Jesus. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) When a church deviates from God’s Word and accepts cultural values or practices that do not conform to Biblical teaching, they are no longer being His Church. These churches are man-focused instead of God-focused and are no longer able to effectively make disciples for Jesus Christ.

2. When a church is focused on outward results instead of inward transformation.

Too often churches present their accomplishments instead of Jesus or the gospel to attract non-believers to attend their church or ministries. They tout their membership size, their well-known preacher, their talented praise band, their facilities, and their plethora of programs. While that may be a good marketing strategy, it leaves out the purpose for all of that, which is to preach Christ crucified for their salvation, and to call them to submit to, and follow, Christ. Local churches can be large, well-attended, and well known, but that does not mean that their church is full of disciples – people who desire to know God more and to daily follow Christ. When churches are focused on outward results instead of inward transformation, they cease to function as His Church was designed to function.

3. When a church prefers organizational efficiency over spiritual impact.

There are many churches that strive for operational efficiency. Their services start on time and end on time, and they get people in and out of multiple worship services with ease and efficiency. Their church is equipped with the latest technology to enhance the worship experience and provide instant information and connections. Their church also communicates with its members through multiple channels (email, text, etc.) and updates their website and social media pages daily. And while the church may run like a well-oiled machine, their ministry may have little or no spiritual impact on those who slide in and out of church with no contact or engagement with anyone. When this happens, a church is not His Church as it was intended to be.

4. When a church seeks political solutions instead of discipleship.

When Jesus came to the earth, He never sought political power or a human kingship. As He told Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) Jesus came for the hearts of mankind, to show us how to draw near to God and treat one another. His message was one of love, submission, and obedience to God, not political or government control. The Apostle Paul went even further when he said that “everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1) Therefore, the role of His Church is to influence and change the hearts of mankind and not to leverage the government to enforce Biblical obedience. While Christians are called to participate in elections and the governing process as citizens, our priority as His Church is always to disciple others to become followers of Jesus. Only when individual hearts are changed will a nation change!

5. When a church is financially stable but spiritually bankrupt.

Jesus said in Mattew 6:24 that “You cannot serve both God and Money.” He meant that money could become an idol that we worship which draws us away from God. When we rely on money instead of God, we no longer trust in God for what we need. How many congregational meetings focus on the finances of the church rather than the spiritual growth of the church? How much money is spent on keeping the church operating while cutting back on expenses for discipleship and outreach? The Church was never called to be financially solid and always in the black. The Church is called to be “Salt & Light” (Matthew 5) and to serve others in Jesus’ name while trusting in God for the financial provision needed to accomplish His purpose. To be His Church a church must remember to “Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

6. When a church lacks a missional emphasis.

As a church grows, there is a temptation at some point to get comfortable with what it does and how it does it. When that happens, the church ceases to change and becomes inwardly focused on maintaining and serving its membership. In the process it becomes deaf and blind to the world around it and no longer attracts non-believers. To remain vibrant and relevant to the community, a church must always have a missional emphasis and be ready to adjust to meet the needs of the culture that surrounds it. It should always be looking for those who don’t know Jesus in order to bring them into their church to find Him! As Paul said, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1Corinthians 9:22) When a church ceases to find ways to reach the world with the good news of Jesus, it is no longer acting like His Church.

My prayer is that all churches in the world will be His Church that not only draws people to God and His Word but also leads them to become a disciple of Jesus and follow Him! But they can’t do that without a spiritual focus and reliance on the Lord and His Holy Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord!”

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:9-13

This month in the USA we will celebrate Father’s Day on June16th. On this day we show our appreciation and thankfulness for our earthly fathers. But it is important to appreciate and be thankful for our heavenly Father on this day as well. It is God the father who gave us life, and He is the one who sustains and provides for us in this life. I am thankful for my earthly father who raised me, took me to church, taught me Godly values, and loved me unconditionally during his 101 years on this earth. He also had a strong influence on who I am today.

One of my favorite movies is Kindergarten Cop. In this 1990 movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a tough police detective who must go undercover as a kindergarten teacher in an elementary school to try and locate the ex-wife of a dangerous criminal. The only clue he has is their 5-year-old child who he believes is in his class. To find her through their child, he interviews each student and asks them, “Who is your daddy and what does he do?”

As I think about Father’s Day I am reminded of this movie and this question. Who really is our daddy and what does he do?

My earthly father grew up on a farm and after serving in the Army in WWII, he earned a college degree in dairy technology. He then went to work for Kraft Foods and spent his entire 35-year career there, working first on cheese research and development. He spent the last 15 years supervising Kraft’s global cheese production at their plants around the world. His job was partly responsible for my desire to work internationally as well.

While my earthly father took me to church, taught me Godly values, and served others inside and outside the church, he did not share his faith nor try to disciple me spiritually. He kept his faith private while actively serving in our church and community. That was typical of many people back in the 1960’s. The person who encouraged my faith more than anyone else was my wife, Kim. She had a very strong faith when we met in college and was instrumental in my journey of faith and commitment to serving the Lord in ministry. But I also had some spiritual “fathers”, men who discipled and mentored me in my life and helped me to grow spiritually.

Over the years I have come to realize that while I love and respect my earthly father and my human spiritual fathers, I love and trust my heavenly Father more. God is my true “Daddy” (Abba Father) because He loved me so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for my sins so that I might be His child forever (John 3:16)! What God has done, and still does today, is greater than what any human father or spiritual father could do. He created me (Psalm 139:13), has called me to be His child (1 John 3:1), and has made me an heir of His kingdom (Romans 8:17)! He promises to never leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) and to be with me forever (Matthew 28:20).

My heavenly Father also reminds me that my true home is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and that I am only a visitor on this earth. While here on earth He commands me to honor my earthly father and mother (Exodus 20:12) and to take care of the family He has given to me (1 Timothy 5:8). But He also calls me to follow His son Jesus (Matthew 16:24) and to lead others to Him as well (Matthew 28:19). These are things I am more than willing to do because of what He has first done for me!

God has also made me an earthly father and a grandfather and has given me the responsibility to disciple my children and grandchildren (Proverbs 22:6). It can be a challenge in today’s culture, but it is something I strive for every day because my descendants need to know who their true “Daddy” is as well. When I leave this earth and go to join my heavenly Father (and my earthly and spiritual fathers), my descendants need to know where I am and where their true home is as well. They also need to put their faith in Jesus and trust Him with their lives and families so they too can return home and enjoy what our heavenly Father has prepared for them and all who believe in Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:9)!

So, this Father’s Day, when we honor our earthly fathers, let us not forget who our real “Daddy” is and remember to thank God our Heavenly Father and praise Him for His work in our life! Let us also thank God for our spiritual fathers who discipled us and encouraged our faith. And for those of us who are men, let us seek to be spiritual leaders in our family, in our churches, and in our nation, so that God our Father is honored, glorified, and made known to all people!

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

There are many voices in our world today that try to tell us what to say, what to think, and how to act. The loudest voices often come from our government, our academic institutions, and our media. They try to convince us that they alone have the knowledge, the truth, and the solutions that will make our lives better. And although most of the nations in our world are democratic and espouse freedom of speech and personal choice, there has been a growing threat of increased control over what people can publicly say, what they are taught to think, and how they are expected to behave. This should be concerning to all people who value their freedom!

At the heart of this threat is the attitude that man has the power to determine what is true, right, or beneficial for everyone. This belief in man’s wisdom and ability to know all things began with the age of scientific discovery and the enlightenment of man in the 17^th century and continues to this day. It was also the beginning of humans turning away from God and relying on ourselves rather than Him and His Word (see my related blog from June, 2015: God or Me? | FaithLife Ministries) When we stop relying on God for truth, wisdom, and behavior, we see the inevitable destruction of our society. The fall of the Roman Empire in the 5^th century is one well-known historical example.

God has spoken about this throughout His Word, but never more clearly than in Micah 6:8 (see above). I remember our pastor giving a sermon on this Scripture many years ago and indicating that this one verse sums up the entire Old Testament. But it also provides us with the 3 things that really matter in our world. And if we want a better world and a better way to live as humans, here is what our Creator tells us about how we should live.

1. Act Justly

The first thing that really matters to God is that we act justly. When God calls us to act justly, He is saying that we must act according to the truth. And it is not our truth, but His truth! In our world today, many people believe that truth is relative and that we can each have our own truth. But that is absurd. There can only be one truth. And the truth that really matters is God’s truth. We find His truth in His Word – the Bible! His truth defines what is right and wrong and is the standard for human behavior. Isaiah 45:19 says, “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” When we deviate from His truth, we end up denying Him and hurting one another. When truth becomes relative or subjective, it also becomes a weapon to wield against others who may disagree. God’s Word also says in Leviticus 19:15 that “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” When we decide what is truth, we sin and harm others in the process. We are called to act justly according to God’s truth!

2. Love Mercy

The second thing that really matters to God is that we love mercy. God has been merciful to us by redeeming our lives at the cross through His Son Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins. Consequently, we should be merciful to others. Jesus taught this in the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. Jesus also said in Matthew 9:13 that “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” When we do not show mercy to others, we who are Christians deny our faith and are no better than pagans who do not believe. Mercy is also a reflection of our character as humans as it indicates our true beliefs. It almost seems as if our world no longer values character. All that seems to matter to some people are race, ethnicity, gender, and social status. In today’s world people are judged by their outward appearance and not their human character. As Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said in 1963, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Whatever happened to that vision for America and the world? When we show mercy to other, we love others and fulfill Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

3. Walk Humbly with God

The third thing that really matters to God is that we walk humbly with Him. This declares that He is God, and we are not! Even Jesus humbled himself before God, and “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6) When we are humble like Jesus this clearly shows others that it is God, and not us, who is sovereign over all things. Our humility acknowledges Him as the source of truth in our world and is the One we should all trust for our well-being and earthly needs. The Bible teaches us that we are to work for what we receive in this world. 2 Thessalonians 3:10says, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”  But we are also taught that “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) In other words, we must earn our way in this world and take responsibility for our own lives while at the same time recognize that we can only do that by answering God’s call in our lives, serving others in His name, and allowing His Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. When we humble ourselves before God and put our faith and trust in Jesus, we allow God to make us examples of what it truly means to walk humbly with our God!

We know that the world is corrupt and full of sinful people. But we also know that we were put into this world to not only worship our Creator, but to also Shine His Light to others (Matthew 5:16).

So, as followers of Christ, let us act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. These are the 3 things that really matter if we want to live in a better world!

“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

Leviticus 19:15

“That’s not Fair!”  is a very common expression used here in the United States. It is said in many different situations and refers to someone not getting what they think they deserve or not being treated the same way as other people. For example, it is used by children who complain that a brother or sister is getting something from their parents that they didn’t get. It is used by students who think other students get better grades and treatment from their teachers than they do. It is used by athletes and coaches who believe that fouls and penalties are not called fairly by referees and umpires. And it is also used by people who believe they are treated differently by the police or our justice system because of their skin color, gender, or economic status.

So, what does the word ‘fair’ actually mean? According to the dictionary, the word ‘fair’ is defined as “marked by impartiality and honesty; free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism, and conforming with established rules.” In other words, it means that people are treated according to an established set of rules that should apply the same to everyone. When people complain or believe that they are not treated fairly or that something isn’t fair, it generally means that they think the rules or standards are not being applied the same to them as to others.

The Bible tells us that we should judge (treat) our neighbor or others fairly (see Leviticus 19:15 above). It means to not show favoritism to one person over another. Jesus calls us to “love our neighbor as ourselves” (Matthew 19:19). But we so often fail to do this because humans are sinful beings, and we have our biases and prejudices that impact how we treat or judge others. And many times, we don’t even recognize that we are doing this to others. However, we are often quick to recognize it when it is done to us! We must remember the golden rule from the Bible: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)

The issue of what is fair only matters when there is a standard set of rules that apply to everyone. Without a standard set of rules, there is no ability to know what is considered right or fair.

In our nation, those standard set of rules are our Constitution and the laws that are established to govern personal conduct. These are the foundations of our legal system. And it is our law enforcement and justice system that must make sure that the rules are applied fairly. Although I believe our system of justice here in the USA is the best in the world, it is not perfect. The system may be good, but the rules are enforced and applied by people – judges, police officers, lawyers, etc. – who are not perfect. Today, we are seeing our laws not being enforced at all or being applied to some people and not to others. If we want our legal system to be fair, the laws must be applied the same to every citizen, regardless of who they are. The fact that they sometimes aren’t is due to sin and sinful people, not our laws or system of justice.

Perhaps a bigger question is this – “is life supposed to be fair?” When God created the heavens and the earth, and human life, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31) Life in the garden of Eden was perfect and completely fair! But because of Adam & Eve’s sin, the earth, and the people in it, became corrupt and life was no longer fair!

I think we all would acknowledge today that life isn’t always fair. Is it fair that some children grow up with a mother and a father and some children don’t? Is it fair that some people are born rich and others are born poor? Is it fair that some people get cancer and others don’t? Is it fair that a tornado takes out one home and leaves the house next door untouched? The reality is that life is random and unpredictable and therefore can’t be fair. Things just happen that are beyond our control. As the movie character Forrest Gump famously said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get!”

But as Americans we do get to choose the life we want to pursue. Our nation was founded on the principle of our citizens’ right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It means that every citizen has the right to determine the outcome of their own life. To accommodate this, our economy is structured as a free market system. It is designed to provide equal opportunity but not to guarantee equal outcomes. It enables our citizens to pursue their own outcomes based on freedom of choice, individual ability, and effort.

A free market economy allows for the free exchange of money for goods and services and labor for earning wages according to everyone’s individual preferences. While there is a set of laws (rules) that govern the activity in the market, people are free to make their own choices for the work they choose to pursue and the purchases they make, while companies must compete for their labor and their business. Because the market is based on millions of individual choices and transactions between buyers and sellers, it results in mutually agreeable outcomes. What could be fairer than that! This system rewards those who show initiative, take risks, create new products and services, develop their skills, and work hard. And history has proven this system to be superior to every other economic system in providing freedom, economic opportunity, wealth creation, the reduction of poverty, and ultimately, more fairness!

But there is something that truly isn’t fair in our world today. It’s the fact that Jesus, God’s own Son, would willingly suffer and die on a cross for every human being so that we might be forgiven, reconciled to God, and inherit eternal life. If God was fair, we would all be punished for every one of our sins – and they are many! For as Paul wrote in Romans 8:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Instead, God chose to send His own Son Jesus to our world to take upon himself the punishment for all our sins, so that we may be made righteous through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. It wasn’t fair, but it was the only way we could receive forgiveness and have our sins accounted for. And it also isn’t about anything we did to earn it. It is solely because of but Christ’s love for us and His obedience His Father (Ephesians 2:8-9)!

So, when you hear someone say, “That’s not Fair!”, remind them what Jesus did for them and everyone else on the cross 2,000 years ago. It was the most unfair thing that has ever been done!

We will never live in a completely fair world because of sin. So, we should be grateful every day for what Jesus has done for us. And it should lead us to want to worship Him and tell others about Him as well! That’s only fair, right?

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

When people ask, “who are you?”, what is your response? How do you identify yourself? Do you define yourself by your name, your family (I am a husband/wife or father/mother), your career (I am a doctor, salesman, etc.), your hobbies (I am a musician, artist, athlete), your politics (I am liberal or conservative), or your faith in Christ? It’s an important question that we all must be ready to answer when it’s asked of us. How we identify ourselves tells people what is truly important about our life and who we are.

The rock group, The Who, wrote a song about it back in the 1960’s, asking the question, “Who Are You?” This song was popular at the time but gained even greater popularity when it became the theme song for the television show, CSI: Las Vegas, a forensic crime drama about determining the identity of a deceased person and their cause of death.

God created every human being as a distinct, unique person. We have unique DNA and fingerprints. No two people are exactly alike, even if they look alike, such as twins. This is the essence of our legal and criminal justice system and how victims and criminals are identified uniquely and not solely on the basis of appearance or witness testimony.

Unfortunately, we currently live in a world that now wants to label people according to their appearance and group affiliation. The world wants to identify people by their race, skin color, ethnicity, wealth, sexual preference, and political affiliation, just to name the most common. People are grouped together so that they can be “labeled” and treated according to their group affiliation and not their individual value, uniqueness, or character.

Here in the USA, we have had a sad history of treating people based on labels and stereotypes. And in my lifetime, we have made tremendous progress on removing these labels and trying to accept all Americans based on their value and worth as individuals. I still remember watching Martin Luther King, Jr’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the mall in Washington, DC in 1963 where he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” I doubt if he would be pleased today to see how in the past few years we have gone back to judging people based on their skin color instead of their character.

I believe that our nation is destroying itself from within, and that Satan is using elements of our society to push the Marxist tactic of “labeling” the enemies of the State in order to consolidate political power and force their ideology on all Americans. They want to eliminate political opposition, remove freedom of speech, and draw people away from God to worship the State. And it all begins with labeling people according to groups instead of valuing them as unique individuals and allowing for individual freedom. And while it appears to be more political on the surface, in reality this is spiritual warfare as identified by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12 where he wrote, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

So, what are we to do as American Christians to combat this menace to our nation and our freedom? I believe there are 3 things that we can, and must, do.

First, we must recognize this as spiritual warfare, and not just political posturing. We must “hate what is evil and cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We need to understand how Satan works and rebuke him when we encounter evil. We also need to understand the ideology of Marxism and that it is inherently anti-God. They want to destroy the family, eliminate freedom of speech, eliminate religion, and force people to acquiesce to the State in all matters (Exodus 20:3).

Second, we must “peel off the labels” that society puts on people and refuse to stereotype and group people according to outward appearances or racial differences. This is what the Nazi’s and the Japanese did in World War II, and it resulted in the murder of more than 12 million people! There is only one race – the human race! And when we mistreat others based on their skin color, ethnicity, or religion that is different from ours, we are ignoring God’s call to humility and respect for others (Philippians 2:3-4).

Third, we must lift up the individual based on their own individual character and merit. We must see other people as God sees them, as humans created in His image (Genesis 1:27) and as sinful people in need of Jesus as their Savior (John 3:16). The State does not value the individual nor seek to save people. Instead, they only seek to enslave and control them!

So, who are you? Do you identify yourself as a child of God? Do you acknowledge that you are a sinner in need of a Savior? Do you value others as God does, and look at their character instead of their outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)? If Christ truly lives in us, then we must identify ourselves as His disciple. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

If we want to change our society or our nation, we must begin with ourselves. As Christians, we must be the ones to become Jesus to others. We must “peel off the labels” from others and treat them as we would want to be treated (Luke 6:31). When we do that, we glorify God, we honor His creation, and we show the world a better way!

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.“

Ephesians 4:32

February is sometimes called the month of love because it’s when Valentine’s Day is celebrated. The essence of Valentine’s Day is true love. It is supposed to be a day when people reaffirm their love and genuine affection for others. Valentine’s Day began as a celebration of a Christian Saint named Valentine. He was imprisoned, tortured, and executed for performing and upholding Christian marriage in 269 AD.

But today Valentines Day has become more of a secular celebration of friendship and romantic love. When asked what love means, it is likely that more people today can quote the famous line “love means never having to say you’re sorry” from the 1970 movie Love Story by Erich Segal than what the Bible says about love.

While the secular world may have its definition of love, it is not the same as God’s definition of love. The Bible teaches that “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16). The Bible also says that “we love because God first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ) As Christians, we acknowledge that our love comes from God. Therefore, it is God who defines what love truly is.

So, how exactly does God define love? The most common Greek word for love used in the New Testament is agape love. This is the highest form of love, and it means to choose to love someone. In other words, it’s loving someone for no other reason than they exist and are human just like us. In 1^st Corinthians 13, Paul lays out several characteristics of God’s love – it is patient and kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud, rude, or self-seeking, it is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. And love never fails. We could probably stop right here, and most people usually do.

But the Bible also tells us that love is sacrificial (John 15:13), love is loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44), love is loving others as ourselves (Matthew 19:19), and that love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). These too are great indicators of the kind of love in our hearts that God desires us to have.

So, how do we know if we have God’s love in our heart? Jeremiah said that “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus added in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts; murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” We are all born with a sinner’s heart and loving others as God desires does not come naturally. However, overcoming our sinful nature with God’s love is something we must continually strive for as followers of Christ.

But there is one characteristic that exemplifies our love towards others more than any other – forgiveness! The simple, yet difficult, act of forgiveness can only happen if we are humble, kind, not proud or self-seeking, and truly love others as ourselves, including our enemies and those who have done wrong to us. Forgiveness is a choice, and when we choose to forgive, we develop a heart like His. But we first need God’s Holy Spirit in us to make that choice!

God said in 1 Samuel 16:7 that “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  When God looks at our hearts, what does He see? Does He see humility, kindness, a love for others, and forgiveness? Or does He see evil thoughts, anger, malice, and pride? If we are honest, probably both! After all, we are still a fallen race.

God’s heart is a heart of forgiveness. He sacrificed His one and only Son so that we could be forgiven and reconciled to Him (John 3:16). Because he looks at the heart, God uses our ability to forgive as a measure of our love for Him and others. When Jesus was asked by Peter if seven times was enough for him to forgive someone, Jesus said “I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22) Forgiveness is a priority and a reflection of a heart of love. We are commanded to forgive others as God forgave us in Christ! (Ephesians 4:32)

There was a song written in 1989 by Don Henley (of Eagle’s fame) about forgiveness that captures the essence of forgiveness as an act of love coming from the heart. The song describes a broken relationship that was his fault. The chorus declares “I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter, but my will gets weak, and my thoughts seem to scatter, but I think it’s about forgiveness, forgiveness, even if, even if, you don’t love me anymore.” His lyrics recognize the need we all have to forgive even if we are not forgiven by others. The last line of the bridge declares, “life goes on, you keep carrying that anger, it’ll eat you up inside.” How true that is!

Jesus told a parable about an unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:21-35. In this parable Jesus is speaking to Peter and explaining how God views forgiveness. The parable tells of a king who forgave a large debt to one of his servants. However, this servant would not forgive a small debt a fellow servant owed him. Instead, he had the person thrown in prison until he could repay the debt. When the king found out, he was so angry at this servant whose debt he forgave that he had him tortured and thrown in prison until he could repay his debt. Jesus then says to Peter and his disciples that “This is how my Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” In other words, God takes our forgiveness of others very seriously and expects us to forgive others as he forgave us.

So, do we have forgiveness for others in our hearts? Have we forgiven people who have wronged us, or are we waiting for them to first apologize to us? God’s love cannot be in us if there is no forgiveness. God indeed looks in our hearts and measures it by our ability to love others and forgive others as He loved us and forgave us. Let us all seek to be forgiving people!