The Presence of Suffering-Why?

I continue the message from last week on the topic of suffering. Last week we focused on whether the presence of suffering proves the absence of God, and a simple story helped illustrate that it does not.  Stories are powerful tools to help us wrap our minds around seemingly abstract concepts like suffering. Jesus often used parables to teach important lessons about His Kingdom from the simple elements of our earthly existence.

There is much suffering in our world today. When our first parents in Eden made the fateful decision to disobey the commandment of the Lord and eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, their choice unleashed a “Pandora’s Box” of suffering on our world. Since then, we have been writing a history steeped in the blood, sweat and tears of the human race.

The Lord had given Adam and Eve every advantage in their perfect Eden home, yet they failed the one test of allegiance he placed in their path. Had he not put this test before them, satan would have accused him of making beings with no moral choice, mere robots acting on his whim. The Lord did not want a nation of robots; he wanted a people whom He could love and who would of their own free choice, love Him in return. Their eyes were already opened to good since He had open communion with them in the beautiful garden; it was only the knowledge of evil that was withheld from them but only as long as they desired not to know evil. They made their choice. They longed to know both good AND evil. Satan had conveniently tricked Eve into thinking that they were missing something when actually they were not! His clever use of rhetoric that fateful day is still felt in our world today in the form of terrible suffering from the consequences of years of sin. (Gen 3:1-10)

However, Christ did not leave us alone in our suffering. He, of His own volition, joined the ranks of suffering humanity to ensure that we would not die from the curse of sin. The blood, sweat and tears we shed in this life mingle with the blood, sweat and tears the loving Saviour shed as he walked the dusty streets of Galilee, and as He hung suspended on a cruel cross, too sinful for Heaven to regard Him as He took upon Himself the sins of all humanity, yet despised and rejected by the ones He came to save.

Christianity is no bed of roses. If you think by becoming a Christian, you will escape suffering, you are sorely mistaken. In fact, many have increased their sufferings by joining Him. “In this world you will have trouble,” He said, WITH THE CROSS STILL AHEAD, “but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die, for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"-Gen 3:1-9

Does the Presence of Suffering Prove the Absence of God?

Having the privilege of writing for the Lord means I am always on the lookout for good material which will inspire others. I can proudly give credit to Jesus for always giving me a word in season for the edification of His people, even those who have not yet surrendered to Him. I have been impressed over the last few weeks to write on matters that affect both the Church and those outside the Church, looking in. This is an excellent way to focus both on “outreach” and “in-reach”.

My observations of people outside the Church have led me to believe that the question I write about today is one that continues to plague them, often festering like a deadly wound that refuses to heal. They want to know how a loving God like Him who we profess could allow such suffering in the world today. While perusing the Internet, I came across a simple story that touched my heart, and in a little way, helped answer this question that admittedly, also plagued me at an earlier stage in my life. I have paraphrased below:

A devout Christian man visited his barber to get his scheduled trim. While going about the task, the two engaged in conversation and soon the conversation turned to matters of the heart. The barber did not believe in God and sure enough, before long, the age old question became the focus of the topic. “If God really exists, why does He allow so much pain and suffering?” The Christian man was stumped like many of us, and so the two men “agreed to disagree” on the topic of the existence of God, not wanting their religious convictions to hinder their friendship. The Christian man left the barber’s shop and stepped outside into the darkened street. In the faint glow of the street lamp, the first sight that greeted his eyes was the silhouette of a man. On closer inspection, he found him to be one of the many homeless people in the city. The man’s hair was long and unkempt, caked with dirt and matted against his scalp. His beard was grown out and his meager frame showed that he probably hadn’t eaten in days. After getting him some food, the Christian man walked back into the barber’s shop declaring vehemently to his friend, “Barbers don’t exist!” “Why do you say such a thing!” asked his friend, taken back in surprise. “You see that man over there with the long hair and untrimmed beard? How could barbers exist if we have people like that walking around?!” “It’s because he didn’t come to me”, replied the barber. “Well, replied the Christian man, we are left alone in our suffering because we refuse to run to God.”

Jesus has bid us in Matt 11v28: “Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Will you answer His call today? TO BE CONTINUED!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."-Matt 11:28

A "Crossless" Christianity?

The Apostle Paul described life as a marathon. Sometimes, what makes it even more grueling to most people is the discouragement and lack of appreciation one experiences along the way. This message is for those times when you feel that nothing you do is good enough or even matters. I wrote it specially for a friend of mine who was feeling discouraged, but it can be applied to everyone! Read it when you’re feeling down. It goes as follows:

“Christ stood as the most unappreciated and rejected character in the history of the world. He saw the cross looming before Him (Luk 9:31), but also knew that the number of those who would reject Him were like the sand of the seashore (Rev 20:8-9). However, He also saw that His sacrifice would bring many sons to glory (Heb 2:10). Christianity is a package deal, and no matter how much we try to throw the cross of self-denial, pain and rejection out of the package, we cannot succeed. True disciples are called to carry the cross daily. Jesus said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Matt 16:24)

Each of us has a different cross to bear, but know one thing-Christ’s cross was the heaviest cross for He bore the sins, shame and rejection of the whole world (2 Cor 5:21, John 11:50-52). Sometimes life is not about finding out what WE want, its being still in His presence and listening to His voice telling us what He wants from us-where He wants us to go, what He has planned for us to accomplish and who He wants us to become. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, embraced the will of His Father though it cost Him His life. You may be assigned thankless tasks in life, but do them without complaining, for the glory of God. John the Baptist, as his ministry faded into obscurity, said: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This world has put a lot of emphasis on “finding yourself” when really, what we should be focusing on is returning to the God who fashioned us in His likeness and desires a relationship with each and every one of us.

Work not for the appreciation of men, for it is better to seek the praise of God than men. Men’s praise is empty flattery, while God does not lie. The sweetest words you will hear one day will be said by Christ the Master Himself, when He says of you: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy that was prepared for you before the foundation of the world.” (Matt 25:21-34)

Remember in your time of trials, and indecision: Jesus loves you and has the perfect plan for your life. Don’t fight it-just surrender to Him. Walk in the dust of Your Rabbi, and do not put your trust in mere mortal men.”

The essence of discipleship-take up your cross and follow the Master!

Scripture refs: Luke 9:31, Rev 20:8-9, Heb 2:10, Matt 16:24, 2 Cor 5:21, John 11:50-52, Matt 25:21-34

Lead us not into temptation...

Some of us often think that we are invincible and cannot be tempted. The truth of the matter is that the perceived lack of temptation can mean one of two things. Either you are so strong in the Lord that all temptations are powerless against you, or nothing is a temptation to you any longer because you engage in sin with no resistance. No one can claim to be totally free from temptation.  Even our Lord was tempted in the wilderness by satan. Satan knows our weaknesses, having had a long time to study us and he is expert at ensuring that we are subjected to the maximum possible degree of temptation.

However, we are comforted by the fact that God does not allow us to be tempted beyond our capabilities and with every temptation comes a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). With this knowledge, we can view temptation as just another test which, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome with distinction. Sometimes God uses the temptations satan throws at us as a test of our loyalty to Him, but be assured that He is always in control and will not let satan tempt you beyond what you are able to bear. Temptations may get tougher as you get stronger, otherwise they wouldn’t be a temptation anymore! As the King of the Universe, God is within his rights to test any of His subjects, but as long as we meet the temptations in the power of His Spirit, we are safe.

Jesus once talked about the unpardonable sin i.e. grieving the Holy Spirit. Many have wondered what He meant by this. What is the unpardonable sin and how is it committed? The unpardonable sin may, aside from outright blasphemy, occur when one fails to take advantage of the aid the Holy Spirit provides in resisting temptation, choosing instead to indulge in the resultant sinful actions that the temptation spawns. The unpardonable sin is not necessarily a once-off act, but rather it is the dullness of the conscience that is the result of repeatedly neglecting to listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit of the sins in your life and His warnings against temptations.  Eventually, the Spirit of God will leave you to your own devices and there will be no forgiveness as you will no longer have the convicting voice of God’s gentle Spirit wooing you to repentance. The Psalmist recognized this when in Psalm 51, after having committed the heinous crimes of adultery and murder, he pleaded with God not to take away the influence of the Holy Spirit from his life. He knew that without such influence, he would be lost forever. (Ps 51:11)

If you are worried about having committed the unpardonable sin, chances are you haven’t! The fact that you are being tempted is a good thing as it means that you still have some good in you that satan seeks to destroy. Don’t give him the pleasure of totally corrupting you! Ask God for help in times of temptation. Don’t lead yourself into temptation by being in the wrong place at the wrong time or subjecting your senses to stimuli that lead to unwarranted temptation. Most temptations are triggered by the five senses. The strongest deterrent to temptation is active service in the kingdom of God, a strong prayer life and knowing how to apply the Word of God. 

"And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." -Matt 12:32

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."-1 Cor 10:13

"Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."-Ps 51:11

Jesus Christ-Saviour, Priest and soon-coming King

Beautiful Saviour died on a tree;

Heaven’s perfect Ransom

For sinners like me…

Grace so strong,

Love so free;

Lion of Judah, Lamb of Mercy…

As you hung on Calvary’s Cross

My sins to bear;

Not nails of steel, but Love kept You there…

Rising triumphant;

You won the victor’s crown

The grave could not hold the Matchless One!

Ever-living Conquering Son!

Eternal salvation for faithful believers won;

Interceding for us, Oh Perfect High Priest,

Preparing our place at the Heavenly Feast…

Soon to return as Reigning King,

The faithful will joyfully shout and sing!

From the clouds of glory, on a white steed you ride

Coming to claim Your waiting Bride…

Mansions of glory for the saints prepared;

For those You have loved

From the foundation of the world…

I love You Jesus!

Can’t wait to see You return…

This poem was inspired by Rev 19:11-16

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." -Rev 19:11-16

Jesus Christ - My Role Model, my Hero

My previous message was on the power of choices and how society has relinquished this God-given gift in favour of blindly following the masses. Following on the heels of this topic, comes the issue of role models.

We have the power to choose whom we would have as our role models. Usually these are people in whom we see certain desirable traits. These could be a combination of physical, mental or spiritual traits in a person that are cause for admiration.

However, we should remember that anything or anyone that takes the place of God in our lives is an idol. Idolatry is a grievous sin which was severely punished in the days of the Israelites as described in numerous instances in the Old Testament.

How ironical it is today, that we have TV shows called “Idols” that are fawned over by millions and famous actors in America are referred to as “idols.” People are so blinded by the devil and his temptations that not even the blatant label of “idol” screams danger to them anymore.

This trend is more pronounced among the youth of today. It is not uncommon to find young girls with myriads of pictures of topless men on their school stationery and parents spend loads of cash on expensive clothing for their toddlers featuring the latest so-called “superheroes.” Intelligent people, who work hard to earn their living, recklessly spend their cash on magazines and tabloids featuring the latest happenings in Hollywood. It is so sad that these people spend their lives studying the rich and famous, but those stars in Hollywood don’t even realize their adoring fans  exist! All they care about is how much money they are making at the box office.

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says in verse 1: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Hence, we should not choose just anyone to be a role model to us. Our looking up to someone should always be conditional on that person following Christ. In fact, this method is not infallible either as there are many false teachers gone out into the world to deceive many (1 John 4:1). Our Lord Himself prophesied that this would be the case as we grow nearer to the time of His return (Matt 24:5). Also, it is just as dangerous, if not more, when a servant of God is revered to the extent that he or she is “idolized” and church members cannot do without that person. This is a very unhealthy position to place yourself in, as only God should be revered to that extent. Christians must remember that spiritual gifts are given by God to each one of us so that we may work for Him; they are not reserved for a select few, because we can do all things through Christ who empowers and strengthens us (Phil 4:13).

To those seeking a role model, the best one to follow would be Jesus Christ Himself. Follow in His footsteps for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6)

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." -1 John 2:6

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."- Matt 24:4-5
Scripture refs: 1 Cor 11:1, 1 Cor 4:15-16, Matt 24:5

God never took away your Freedom of Choice!

Last year at church, we did a Bible study series on the power of choice. I have felt impressed by the Lord to bring to our attention some of satan’s new tactics on using our God –given freedom of choice against us. The Apostle Paul warned us of this.

God has never taken our freedom of choice from us. We are free moral agents and can choose who we wish to worship and pledge our allegiance to. Our choice determines our destiny. God has provided for the salvation of every person on this earth, but He will not override our freedom of choice. If we make the choice to serve satan (and there are many varied ways of accomplishing this end), we have chosen our own ruin and destruction and God will not intervene and IMPOSE His salvation upon us.

We need to however, be aware that even though Jesus has made it clear that anyone who serves his own evil desires and the desires of this world is against God, satan often lures us into thinking that we will not fall into this trap.

There are many things in society that are allowable today, that would have been taboo in generations past. The moral base of society has degraded to the extent that we have lost the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, ethical and unethical. Where before we had God-given moral clarity on various issues of life, satan has introduced “grey areas” and caused us to put reason, logic and the desire for acceptance ahead of what we know in our heart to be absolute Truth. People nowadays will do anything to be accepted, and this includes sacrificing our morals for a relative truth that satan propagates, that in actual fact does not exist. (2 Tim 3:7)

Satan tried to prevent people from knowing God in the Dark Ages by not allowing Bibles to be freely distributed to all men. When the light of the Reformation dawned in the hearts of men, and superseded the Dark Ages, satan realized that his tactics were no longer effective. Being the strategist that he is, he came up with a smarter idea to get us on his side. He introduced “information overload” which is the author of confusion. There is so much information to evaluate today that people have now taken the easier route of surrendering their power of choice and following anything blindly. The wide road to destruction is full of people who are afraid of making a choice, but choose to blindly follow others instead. In doing this, we unconsciously HAVE made a choice – the choice to surrender our true freedom and be part of “satan’s counterfeit Christianity/religion.” It is a religion that is widely accepted because it doesn’t stand for any principles, but instead accepts truth to be whatever you, as an individual, consider it to be.

The Bible is more widely distributed than any other book today, but very few of us know what God is saying to us through His inspired Word. Professed servants of God have been corrupted by satan to deceive the masses, and people who say they’re Christians are actually not! Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation! (Matt 24:4-8). The signs of Christ's return are being more pronounced every day. God never took away our freedom of choice; He just wants us to make the right decision because He loves us. The Bible describes a generation of people in the last days "who will be ever learning, yet never able to come to the knowledge of the Truth." You don't have to be part of that generation. Choose to know Jesus-the Way, the Truth and the Life! (John 14:6)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." -2 Tim 4:3-4

"Jesus saith unto Him: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me."-John 14:6

"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."- 2 Tim 3:7

Scripture refs: Read 2 Tim 3, ch 4:3-4

Looking to Jesus

Last week’s message dealt with the important topic of how to keep strong in faith even in the face of the perceived hypocrisy of others who profess to be part of the Body of Christ. This week’s message expounds further on this critical issue which can often serve either to make or break our own Christian character and relationship to God and our peers, be it in or outside the church environment.

In the world we live in, good role models are few and far between. Although spiritual mentorship has its merits, it also has limitations. Even those who seem to be the strongest disciples sometimes experience moments of weakness as can often be seen in the Biblical accounts. The beauty of being a Protestant Christian is that of realizing that there is but only one true Mediator and Saviour-our High Priest, Jesus Christ Himself  (Heb 4:14-16). Each of us is personally accountable for our own sins and the way in which we choose to conduct our lives. When we stand in judgment before our God and King, we will stand alone regarding our decision either to repent or be condemned. We will not , at that time, be permitted to blame others for our having been led astray as we have all been given the gift of free will which we are at liberty to exercise in making the decisions that will determine our eternal destiny. If we will not be able to blame others in that great day, why should we live our lives blaming each other now? It is high time that each of us takes responsibility for our own actions instead of trying to make scapegoats of others who are mere pilgrims on the same journey as us.

Psalm 118:9 emphasizes that it is better to put our trust in the Lord than in princes. It is better to trust in the unfailing arm of God than in fallen man. He has promised to uphold all who put their trust Him with His righteous right hand. Entreat the Lord for His mercy in dealing with your own sins and shortcomings instead of spending the majority of your time finding fault with others (Luke 6:41-42). Do not be afraid to correct others in the spirit of love as counseled in the Word of God, however do not become preoccupied with pointing out the faults of others while neglecting to work on your own failures lest you end up preaching to others and yourself be a castaway (1 Cor 9:27, Eph 4:15, 32). Always remember that the young in the faith are most likely to obediently take the counsel of those who practice the Word as well as teach it (James 1:22). David first asked God to remove his own transgression for only then could he effectively teach others how to live God’s way (Ps 51:12-14). No one has any desire to listen to hypocrites!

By looking to Christ alone as our example, we will be successful in ridding our churches of the spirit of rebellion and hypocrisy that seeks to destroy our credibility as witnesses for Christ and is a ploy by satan in his efforts to paralyse the kingdom of God. Let Christ be your role model, and teach others to whom you witness and minister to look to Him and not to you. This does not excuse you from your duty to be a good example of wholesome Christian living, but it will really help others to maintain their faith in Christ in the event that you do stumble and fall. Each individual’s relationship with Christ should be based on a personal experience of Him and not on the spirituality of the person who was instrumental in bringing that person to Christ.

Look to Christ, and seek to walk as He walked (1Jn 2:6). He is the author and perfecter of your faith!

"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."- 1 John 2:6

Keeping the Faith

In the world we live in today, it’s easy to find ourselves disillusioned and distracted. However, it was no different in the days when Jesus walked the earth performing convincing miracles, signs and wonders which testified of His divinity. In Matt 14:24-33, we see the well known story of Peter who got out of the boat full of disciples as he desired to walk on water to go to Jesus. This story has been used in countless sermons to illustrate important foundational Christian truths e.g. faith and the fact that Jesus is with us even in the midst of the storms of life. However, the Word of God, when carefully studied, can reveal new truths and insights to those earnestly seeking them. New truths can be learned from an old story!

Like all of us, Peter desired to grow spiritually and to be closer to Christ. He succeeded as long as he kept his eyes focused on Jesus. Today, we face greater challenges than ever before but in order to succeed and attain to greater spiritual heights, we will have to leave our comfort zones behind and desire to walk with the Lord, wherever He leads us.

One of the greatest hindrances to the Christian is hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is like the raging waves of the sea that Peter chose to focus his eyes on and when he did, it left him faithless and sinking. When you focus on the hypocrisy of others who call themselves brothers in the faith, you are actually shifting your gaze off Jesus and resting it on man instead. Rev 17:15 confirms for us that waters symbolize people and nations. Therefore, when you choose to feast your eyes on the hypocrisy of others, using their hypocrisy as an excuse to allow yourself to stray from the path the Lord has chosen for you, you have essentially affirmed that you look to man and not to Christ as your role model. There are many professing Christians who leave the faith and forsake the fellowship of the saints because they are searching for the “perfect church”. There is no one perfect church; the church today is made up of imperfect members, broken vessels that the Lord in His grace has chosen to fill with His Spirit and with whom He is still working to make perfect. (Phil 1:6)

When you leave the church that God has established because of the perceived hypocrisy of others, you are basically demonstrating that you regard yourself superior to them! You may find that you are suffering from a serious bout of self-righteousness and pride which in itself is one of the most abominable sins. Why would any person in their right mind leave the only One who can save him because of the untoward behaviour of another who has chosen to go his own way? It begs the question: Did you ever even truly know Christ, because if you did you would not let someone else’s hypocrisy get in the way of your eternal destiny in His Kingdom!

Keeping the faith is a daily choice that you must make. You must choose to keep the connection with Christ alive and strong every day of your life. He has promised that if you abide in Him, He will abide in you, and anything you ask according to His perfect Will for your life will be done for you. Instead of judging others for the hypocrisy and sin in their lives, choose to let Christ’s gaze meet yours. Choose to let the fire in His eyes penetrate your soul and remove all the dross and self-righteousness until you are covered only in His robe of righteousness. Don’t give up-remain steadfast!

Scripture refs: Matt 14:23-31, Rev 14:12, John 15:7

"And when he had sent the multitudes away, he [Jesus] went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.   But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"
Matt 14:23-31

The Pursuance of Novelty -Part 2

Jesus made a startling statement in Luke 17:26 by drawing a parallel between the times that will mark His return, comparing it to the days of Noah. We therefore need to study the days of Noah in order to understand the times we live in today. Our antediluvian ancestors also lived life in the moment, thinking that they were invincible. Jesus describes their carefree and frivolous existence until the day of reckoning came suddenly upon them. To them it seemed sudden, yet there was ample warning given to them to repent and turn to God-Noah witnessed to the wicked generation for 120 years, but his appeals were largely ignored. We face the same dilemma today. When no one seems to be listening to your message, what do you do? Well, Noah kept on preaching regardless!

Sometimes, it seems like the world is looking for something new when the gospel of grace is right in front of us. The gospel is the old, old story that makes new hearts yet many people refuse to surrender and let God change their hearts. Instead, they seek the thrill of chasing after relative truth that evades them like a stealthy phantom that can never be caught! God made us creative beings, but He never intended for us to be so busy chasing a novel existence and getting bored with everything, that we have no time to spend in His presence and learn of Him. Our pursuance of novelty extends even into the arena of Biblical doctrines and truths. We are in grave danger when we think that we have heard it all before, and we go seeking after a message because it seems new and interesting. There will no doubt be many false prophets and false Christs out there, who will use their own private interpretations of the Scriptures to make things sound very different and attract the attention of those who are not grounded on Christ, the Rock. Jesus Himself warned us about this in Matt 24:24.

Satan’s ploy is to use the same old vices and sins to trap us. The Old Testament records for us the tragedies and triumphs of key figures in Bible history and we notice that the same sins that were their downfall, are ours today! Murder, adultery, licentiousness and immorality abounded then like it does now, yet in our pursuit of novelty we have blinded ourselves to the effects of these heinous sins. We have been desensitized to them to the extent that they are a normal feature of the landscape to us. Human beings, despite their God-given intellect, are slow learners. Just like the Israelites who fell into idolatry over and over again, we repeat the insanity of following a pattern of sin that gets us nowhere but we refuse to relinquish our old ways because we are terrified of change and of total surrender to God. Then, to add insult to injury, we claim that reading about the lives of others in the same predicament as ourselves is boring and not necessary! How can a person understand the New Testament without having a strong foundation in the Old Testament? How can someone appreciate the redemptive work of Christ if he does not first understand the origin of sin? Our neglect of the Old Testament is precisely the reason why some Christians cannot reconcile the justice and mercy of God, as revealed through Christ. Our understanding of the Gospel is incomplete without both the Old and New Testaments.



"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." -2 Pet 2:1


 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." -1 John 4:1

Run to the Redeemer

When life pelts you with problems

And all around you dances darkness;

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When you’re in distress with nowhere to run,

Alone and afraid as friendships fade

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When your heart fails for fear,

And deadly doubt clouds your mind;

When you’re not sure you can carry on…

Run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.”

When the world seems to reject you

And testing trials assail you,

Remember Jesus will never forsake you;

He’s right there by your side

Man of sorrows acquainted with grief,

He’ll turn your cross into triumph

And give you relief!

So just run to the Redeemer!

His arms are open wide;

He’s a tower of refuge to those seeking to hide

He said: “Come to me all who labour,

Lay your burdens aside;

I will give you rest and respite.

Child, I will give you rest and respite.”

This poem/hymn was inspired by the words of Prov 18:10-"The Name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous runneth into it, and is safe."

The Pursuance of Novelty-Part 1

As human beings made in the image of a creative and powerful God, we have the innate desire to push ourselves to the limits in our search for novel and innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of life. From the electric light bulb to the telephone, the automobile, the computer and supersonic jets that soar across the heavens, our inventions continue to change the landscape of our world as we know it.

Wise king Solomon said in Ecles 1:9 that “there is nothing new under the sun…” Yet, since his time our world has seen the greatest changes in modern technology. Most of the scientists and great intellectuals of our time are alive today! In his time, armies were considered strong if they had iron chariots-today we face the ever increasing threat of nuclear disaster!

However, some things have never changed! The age-old problem of sin hasn’t changed, and despite our best efforts we are powerless against this scourge of satan on our own. Our pursuance of novelty hasn’t changed either; in fact it is one of satan’s prime methods of propagating his end-time deceptions. He knows we are attracted to anything new and exciting, and he takes full advantage of this. In our haste to discover novel truths, we forget the importance of learning the lessons that only history can teach us. The Lord has let us choose our destiny. Since the day our first parents made their first bad decision, we have been painfully writing our history in blood, sweat and tears. What a pitiful waste if we cannot use this opportunity to look back and learn from the mistakes of our past!

Just as the importance of the subject of history is undermined at public schools, so we find that Christians are neglecting their study of the Old Testament scriptures in favour of the New Testament, saying that things have changed! Yet, the sin problem still exists. We face the same adversary as our Old Testament counterparts did, and we serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8) Satan doesn’t even NEED to change his tactics because we still fall for them today! Generals and great military strategists study the work of their adversaries and the history of their nations’ battles to predict the course of future endeavours, but we as Christians fail miserably in this respect and we’re fighting a war for our very souls!

The New Testament itself says that ALL scripture is for our correction, reproof and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). There was once a time when the only scripture people had at their disposal was the Old Testament; if they had neglected to study it, would we have progressed to the extent we have today? 1 Cor 10:11 and Rom 15:4 explain that the Old Testament writings are for our learning and the same lessons will be our test in the times ahead. Just as an apprentice learns his trade from the master craftsman, let us not seek to reinvent the wheel, but let us read and learn from those who have gone before us! In respect of human affairs, there is nothing new under the sun-we know who wins the battle in the end. Therefore, let us stay true to our God!

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after."-Eccles 1:9-11

"And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."-Eccles 12:12-13

"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."-1 Cor 10:11

Out of Laodicea!

The book of Hebrews describes us as pilgrims on a journey to the Promised Land. Some have died while walking the journey, having seen glimpses and revelations of the fulfillment of the promise from afar off (Heb 11:13).

The journey is an arduous one and often we encounter oases of pleasure in the dry, dusty deserts of our lives. However, they are merely fleeting mirages, temporary distractions to keep us from attaining our goal. Jesus warned His disciples against trying to serve two masters, namely God and Mammon (Mat 6:24). He said it is an impossible task, a balance that could never be achieved. We therefore have to be careful that the pleasures of this world do not become a holiday resort into which we check in and never wish to leave!

In this world, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeking fame and fortune and a person is often judged solely on the pride and accompanying pomp of his chosen profession. As a result, many people spend their lives chasing after money, placing all their security and confidence in it. A job becomes not a means for making a living, but the reason for life itself! God gave us the gift of a honest day’s work to keep us out of trouble, but we have turned it into the source of most of our troubles!

As a result of this, we lead mostly sedentary lifestyles and suffer the consequences of poor health. Like the church of Laodicea described in Revelation, we have heaped up for ourselves gold and silver and we think we no longer need God. (Rev 3:17).We put our confidence in the world’s great marketplaces that can implode at any time, instead of putting our confidence in the Lord who was, and is, and is to come!

Our churches have become akin to social clubs, devoid of active service and training in righteousness and compassion. We have become “pew warmers”, having a form of religion and denying the power thereof (2 Tim 3:5). We think that we have done our duty when we have attended church on Sabbath and given our tithes and offerings. We no longer go out into the world as missionaries looking for opportunities to tell others about God while going about our daily tasks as was done in the early church. Instead we leave this to the missionaries on the frontlines and the pastors in the church. We can see the sad results of an inactive laity all around us-people who are not active in the kingdom of God have more time to dabble in sin and more time to succumb to temptation. The world is today “as it was in the days of Noah” when violence and immorality was rife. Jesus said it would be so, shortly before His return. (Luke 17:26-28)

Jesus cautioned us to watch and pray lest we fall into temptation. We have fallen asleep! We are indecisive, neither hot nor cold, yet God wants us to make a decision and take a stand (Rev 3:15-16). Let us pray that God would anoint our eyes with the eye salve spoken of in Revelation, that we may be cured of our blindness and realize our need for Him and our need to work for His Kingdom and not our own!

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."-Rev 3:14-19

The Power of the Spoken Word

All creation came into existence by the spoken Word of God. The heavens were ordained by Him, the starry host of them supported by the Word of His Power. It should therefore not be surprising that, even as created beings, our words hold great power and are often instrumental in shaping our own destiny and the destiny of others. Being made in the image of the Creator God, our words and thoughts are powerful and innovative, being surpassed only by God Himself (Is 55:9).

Indeed, the Bible reveals that life and death lie dormant in the power of the tongue and our words, once spoken, sow either life or death to ourselves and others to whom we speak. The power of choice is expressed and ratified through the use of speech and words once spoken cannot be retracted. The memory of them and the feelings and emotions they first induced live on long after the fact.

Our words have the power to unite or divide people, make them whole or eternally shatter their fragile lives. There are many who wander through life in confusion, choosing not to believe in God because of the careless words of others spoken in ignorance or arrogance. Negative words create negative energies which engender a spirit of discord and rebellion which are tools in the hands of satan, the master deceiver. He would have us believe that we are nothing, yet the Word of God says that we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and died to save us. Sometimes we make the mistake of listening to him and even talking like him!

How often have you found yourself involved in idle gossip or putting others down? Have you ever given someone a tongue lashing only to regret it later, wishing you could take back some of the nasty things you said in the heat of the moment? I think we can all safely say that none of us are innocent in this matter, so it would be good to look at some ways of reducing the damage we inflict on ourselves and others through our callous words, often spoken without much thought.

The book of Proverbs shares some wise counsel revealing that the words of a fool are many,  but the wise man is usually a man of a few words but of great power. A good practice to live by is to think before speaking and if you have nothing good to say, to rather remain silent and keep your peace. Do not speak riotous words, swear or engage in speech that would offend or provoke others to wrath. Let the beauty of the patience of Christ be observed in your speech and actions so that all the world may know that you are His disciple. Speak words of wisdom to the erring, comfort to those in despair and inspiration to the demotivated. Be a champion of those in need of defense. Always speak words of Truth in a spirit of love, even when correcting others. Let your thoughts and heart be brought captive to Christ in all purity for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. The Lord lays before us life and death (Deut 30:19). Choose life for only then can you speak words of life to others who need to hear them. Share your testimony with others and before you speak, ask yourself: Is what I am about to say something that Jesus would say? If not, don’t say it! Years of faithful witnessing can be destroyed by one callous word.

"...If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."-James 3:2

"And God SAID: "Let there be light," and there was light. -Gen 1:3

Scripture references: James 3; Gen 1; Phil 4:8; Col 3:2

 

The “Gift” of Tradition

Stories abound of young people who do certain things in a certain specific manner for no other reason than that it was done in this manner by their forefathers. In Mark 7:5-9, Jesus admonished the Pharisees for upholding their traditions above the commandments of God. The Pharisees had begun to perform the ritual washing as a mere tradition passed down by the elders; all meaning behind the act had been lost and people had started to just perform the washings for the sake of their forefathers.

Traditions often start out as useful elements of society and arise out of a certain specific need. However, as the generations roll on, the reason and truth behind the tradition is seldom passed down to younger generations, but only its empty form. The gift of tradition does much for the people of this world when it encourages common sense and caution, but for the most part satan has used this gift of our forefathers as a battering ram to break down our defenses and allow him a foothold in our lives. The story is told that in the war between the Greeks and the Trojans, that the Greeks simply hid a few soldiers in a wooden horse left outside the walls of the Trojan fortress and pretended to sail away. The Trojans, thinking the Greeks had abandoned the war effort and left the horse as a gift to their nation, wheeled it into the city as a victory trophy. That night, the soldiers hidden within the wooden horse secretly stole from their hiding place and opened the defenses of the city to their waiting comrades. Thus the otherwise undefeatable city of Troy was taken!

In the same way, satan uses traditions in the church to cause divisions in the Kingdom of God. It is Christ’s intention that His church be one Kingdom under one Shepherd, but the church has largely put the tradition of man over the commandments of God as revealed in His Word. This has resulted in myriads of schisms and different denominations all claiming to worship the same God, but each with its own traditional concept of which doctrines are the most important and which ones can be conveniently “done away with.” Popular preaching seeks to please the crowds, and if certain traditional standards are not upheld, members are lost. Indeed, the sayings of 2Tim 4:3 have come to pass in our lifetimes; the church has already started to fall away from sound doctrine, heaping up for itself false teachers who tell the people what they wish to hear, no longer condemning the practice of heinous sins but seeking safety in numbers. No longer is the Word of God and new light seen holistically in growing the people spiritually from strength to strength, but rather the powerful exert their influence in deciding what is supposedly important and what can be discarded.

Traditions also cause relationship problems between different generations if they’re forced to adhere to traditions that have passed their “sell by date” and are no longer relevant to the time in which we live. We must contend for the faith first delivered to the saints, seek the restoration of Apostolic Christianity, and not conform to false traditions of Babylon.

"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them: Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition." -Mark 7:7-9

Scripture references: Mark 7:5-13; Col 2:8;  Rev 18:4

The Finished Work of the Cross

Just before his death on the cross, Jesus uttered three significant words. These are recorded for us in John’s gospel (Jn 19:30) as: “It is finished.” The work of redemption had been completed, and the penalty had been paid. Salvation was freely available from that moment to anyone who would believe in the righteous Son of God.

However, the process was not an easy one. Jesus did not HAVE to leave the glories of Heaven to come to earth to be rejected and reviled by humankind, who He sought only to save. He could have left us to perish in paying the due penalty for our sins, through eternal death. However, He had made up His mind voluntarily that He would save us. He had the power to lay down His life and to take it up again; He chose of His accord to assert this power for our benefit (Jn 10:17-18).

 He could have decided to leave the work of atonement undone at any point in time prior to His crucifixion. At his arrest, He could have summoned ten thousand angels to rescue Him (Matt 26:63). However, our Saviour decided to go all the way for us. Even when His physical strength was all but exhausted, He hung on because He knew that it meant the difference between life and death for us.

In the same manner, we are called to be soldiers of the cross. Our mission is to spread the gospel to all nations preparatory to the return of our Lord in the clouds of glory. Sometimes, we feel that no one notices the work we do and conversions are few. However, we are not to give up in well-doing though we may be weary, for in due time we will receive the reward of a good and faithful servant if we do not lose heart (Gal 6:9).

Those who are involved in the work of teaching and church leadership are called to a higher responsibility and standard

(Jer 23:1-2). They must answer for leading astray those under their care, or for leaving the work concerning them unfinished. We should endeavour to leave no stone unturned in seeking the salvation of the lost, and in helping those privileged to be in His presence to remain there. We should work even harder, considering that there are many false teachers, who like ravenous wolves, disguise themselves as shepherds of the flock of God (Matt 7:15, Acts 20:29). Let not the blood of the uninformed be on our heads, but rather let us be faithful watchmen in warning others of the soon return of our Lord (Ezek 33:6, Ezek 3:20).

Let us finish the work we have been called to do, just as the Saviour’s meat and drink was to do His Father’s will and to finish His work (Jn 4:34). He finished the work He was called to accomplish on our behalf. Let us with like passion, finish the work that we have started! He has promised to be faithful to us in bringing the good work He has started in our lives to a grand completion. It is time for the great church of God to awake from our slumber and to work the works of Him who has commissioned us, for night will soon fall when no man may work (Jn 9:4).

A Little Piece of Heaven on earth

When the Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would be established, He answered by saying to them: “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

Even the people of the world who have not yet accepted the authority and salvation of Christ in their lives agree that we are on the cusp of something momentous. A new era will soon dawn that will change the world forever. However, no one knows the day or the hour of the coming of Christ; not even the angels in Heaven are privy to this information – it is only the Father who knows. (Matt 24:36)

So, what about the here and now? How does the coming Kingdom of God affect our lives today? Jesus indicated that the Kingdom of God, although only literally arriving in splendid glory at His Coming, already has its foundation in the heart of every believer. Christ reigns first in your heart! Your heart must be the seat of His royal throne.

It is only when we totally surrender our hearts to Him, that our lives on this earth become more meaningful and our trials easier to bear. Life may throw hard challenges at you, but with the beginnings of an eternal Kingdom in your heart, you can be an oasis of stability to others around you who are left reeling by the stresses and cares of this world. When they try to unravel the puzzle of your life, they will find Christ! When they look at you with a sense of awe and admiration, they look at Him with a sense of awe and admiration! You can become a mirror that reflects Christ to the world. When people say you’re a wonderful person, you can assert to them that they’re really calling Him wonderful!

God has put a little piece of Heaven inside the heart of each of His children and all the “sham, drudgery and broken dreams” of this world cannot crush it out of you! It is the hope of glory that will be fully revealed at His Second Coming. Do not let your soul be downcast; rather hope in God for Your Redeemer lives and you will soon see Him! (Rev 21, Job 19:25)

God's Word-Jet fuel for Christians

At a lunchtime Bible study at work, my friend touched on an important point. He said that yesterday’s revelation will not help us survive today. God reveals Himself to us anew each and every day of our lives, but in order to truly experience an adventure with Him, we need to reverence and hold sacred the time we spend in His presence.

In Exodus 16:18-20, we read of how the Lord provided the Israelites with manna from Heaven. You will notice that those who gathered more were not better off, and those who gathered less experienced no lack. God was trying to show them that He was their sufficiency in everything. Some of them kept the manna overnight, fearing that there would not be a fresh supply the following morning. To their dismay, it bred worms and had a foul stench. God was trying to show them that they could trust Him. In much the same way, we try to face today’s challenges with yesterday’s revelation.

Although there is nothing wrong with remembering what the Lord has brought you through in the past, it is essential that you do not remain stagnant. Every child of God needs to grow in the knowledge of his Father’s grace and experience His mercies that are new every morning. Oftentimes, we find ourselves trying to live a whole week on the blessings of last Sabbath! Just like an automobile needs fuel, we need the fuel of God’s Word to give us power during the week. We remember to replenish our physical bodies with food every day, but what about some “soul food”?

We somehow manage to get out of bed every morning and go to work because we know that we must work to survive. However, the truth of the matter is that without the breath of life that God gives you, and the power he gives you to earn wealth, you are nothing! (Deut 8:18)

When Jesus fed the five thousand with the loaves of bread, He was showing them not just His power to meet their physical needs, but also His body that would be broken for us so that He could establish the body of Christ. The bread symbolizes the Word of God of which Christ was the living representation. Though millions may eat of it everyday, there is always enough for everyone just as the baskets were not empty after feeding thousands of people. (Luke 9:12-17, Jn 1:1-14, Jn 6:58)

I have learned that there is no such thing as taking a Sabbatical from studying God’s Word. True rest is found only in the contemplative posture of discipleship. Satan will try to keep us as busy as possible because He knows that if he can distract us, he has won half the battle! The Apostle Paul writes that we should pray without ceasing; sometimes that’s easier said than done, but if we weigh our thoughts each day we will usually find that not much thought is given to the one who is sustaining us from one minute to the next.  There are those who long to be with the people of God but cannot, because of circumstances beyond their control. Those who can, must meet to pray for them like the church did for Paul in prison.

" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."-John 6:63

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."-Heb 4:12

The King who Serves

God is calling us all to active service in His Kingdom. Although His Kingdom has not yet arrived visibly in majestic splendor in the clouds of glory, we have declared Him King in our hearts and He remains the King of the Universe and beyond.

Jesus asks some interesting questions in Luke 17:7-10. He asked His disciples which master, having a servant who came in from the field, would give his servant permission to sit down and eat before having first served the master. He then states what the conventional master would do i.e. ask to be served first. The master would not thank his servant for having performed his duty since he was merely fulfilling his purpose, neither would the servant expect any thanks from his master for having done his job.

Contrast this with John 13:3-5 where Jesus, knowing His position as master and sent of God, laid aside His garments and took the position of a servant in washing the feet of His disciples. What was He trying to say? He was trying to show that He is not a master like the masters of this world, who too often do not deserve the respect given them. Being the Son of God, He has every right to our respect and worship and yet He assumes the posture of a servant.

Now examine Luke 12:37. Jesus speaks of the future reward of His servants i.e. those who have labored for Him in this world. If He were like other masters, He would not thank them or give them honours for merely performing their assigned tasks. However, this verse reveals that when His Kingdom in all its glory is established, the King of the Universe will still be the same Lord that serves His servants and bestows upon them honours they don’t deserve! It says that His servants who are found working at His return will sit at His table and He will come forth girded to serve them. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Heb 13:8)

He served during His time on earth. He gave His life to save us from our sins, and in the future He will still consider it a delight to serve those whom He loves. This shows that what you do doesn’t detract from who you are (Luke 22:24-30). The King remains the king even though He chooses to serve. So basically the message to us in Luke 17:7-10 is that we are not greater than our Lord. We should not expect any thanks from those we serve. We’re just doing our duty! Don’t let your service come tainted with ulterior motives or exercise a superiority complex over those you serve. Let the love of Christ, the servant-King, shine through your deeds. Let all the world see it and give glory to God! (Mat 5:16, 1 Cor 10:31, Col 3:17, Phil 2:14)

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."- Matt 5:16

What kind of brother are you?

The story in Luke 15 tells of a young man who demanded his inheritance so he could start a life of his own. After much deliberation, his father is forced to accede to his request as his son refuses to see the error of his ways. The son squanders his inheritance on riotous living, and soon is left empty - handed. Friends desert him as his inheritance dwindles. Eventually he is alone, left to fend for himself in an unfamiliar and hostile world. He possesses little skill or wisdom as he refused to use the time spent with his father to learn a trade or help in the family business. As a young Jewish lad he eventually finds himself hired as a keeper of swine, a job that in his culture would have been viewed as unclean and despicable.

Eventually he comes to his senses and returns home, planning to beg the forgiveness of God and his father and to secure a place among his dad’s hired labourers, as he is no longer worthy to be called his son. The magnitude of his sin weighs heavily on him as he walks the dusty road to his village. Suddenly from afar, he sees a figure running toward him, robes flapping ridiculously. He immediately recognizes his father, arms outstretched and looking less than dignified as he dashes toward his son to embrace him, kissing him on the neck. With tears in his eyes, he commands that the best robe be put on his son, sandals on his feet and the signet ring of authority on his right hand thus restoring him to the position of honour he once held as his son.

Meanwhile the older son who had remained with the father came in from the fields after a hard day’s labour and was less than impressed with the reason for the great celebration the father had arranged. After his brother had left home, he had to carry the workload of two men and he had no time for fun or celebration. He reasoned that he was better than his brother. After all he had sacrificed much to remain with his father. He felt unappreciated, and his grudging obedience to the father was taking its toll on him.

As part of the church of Christ, what kind of brother are you? Are you happy when your brother in the Lord comes home, sinful though he may be? Remember, you have sinned too. Take the example of Jesus to heart. As our elder brother, He chose to leave the glories of Heaven to risk all to save us. Now that we are safely home, he commands us to do the same. We are to go into the world, looking for straying children of our Father for He longs to welcome them home.

Scripture references: Luke 15:10-32