The phrase, “Thus saith the Lord”, appears 415 times in the King James Version of the Bible. This phrase adds a sense of authority to the word of God, realizing that we are reading the very words dictated by God to His human authors. However, we need to remember that every word in the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It may not be a direct quote from the mouth of God to His human author, but it is the inspired Word of God. The Bible, in its entirety, from the first word of Genesis to the last word of Revelation, is the Word of God.

For those who identify themselves as sincere believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and who claim to be His disciples, this is such an important concept. Every word of the Bible is relevant to every generation because it is the eternal Word of God. It is unchanging, unalterable, inerrant, and carries with it the very authority of the One (GOD) who inspired it. Therefore, the message is one of grave importance for each disciple of the Lord.

Now, let’s think for a few minutes about the implications for our present cultural climate. Does the Word of God change with the shifting tides of cultural relativism? Is right and wrong determined by the acceptance of the majority? Do the rules change when the accepted practices of a society change from those long-held practices of the past? If so, do we become arbiters of what is right and wrong, true and false? And, if every individual becomes his or her own source of right/wrong, true/false, would that not mean that there can really be no such thing? Right/wrong, true/false become meaningless terms because neither can exist.

Let’s think of a few examples for clarity. First, the Bible denounces lying. This practice is forbidden in the list we refer to as the ten commandments: You shall not bear false witness. It is then repeated multiple times throughout the Bible. It is such a grievous sin that the Bible states affirmatively that there will be no liars in heaven, but that they will have their place in the lake of fire. But it seems that lying is an accepted practice if the situation dictates the use of deceit.

A second example we might consider is that of adultery. The Bible condemns the practice of extra-marital affairs. It clearly instructs that the sexual relationship is to be between one man and one woman within the confines of marriage. Yet, today, all sorts of sexual relationships are glorified in TV and movies, and these are duplicated in real life. The commitment of sexual purity before marriage and within marriage seem to be relics of an antiquated past.

Still another example might be that of biological identification. We are taught clearly and explicitly in the Bible that God created the human race. In the book of Genesis we are told that God created man in His own image, and distinguished the sexes as male and female. Today, we are witnessing an unprecedented move toward the eradication of all biological distinctions. Terms like man, woman, boy, girl, son, daughter, etc. are begin replaced by genderless designations. Pronouns such as him, her, he, she, are being eradicated and replaced by gender neutral terms that bear no sexual connotation.

We could continue these examples ad infinitum, ad nauseum, but for the sake of time and space I will trust that these three examples will suffice to make my point. And, I trust that they will cause us to think seriously about the question posed in the title of this blog: “Did God really say?” And, if He did really say it, did He really mean it? And, perhaps most importantly for us today, does He still mean today what He said then?

The beliefs and practices of the orthodox Christian faith are under attack like never before. I cited three examples, but so many others could be added. If you are a professing believer in Jesus Christ, do you know what the Bible teaches about these important doctrinal issues? Could you give a sound explanation as to the Bible’s instruction? Do you stand on the solid foundation of Biblical authority?

This may very well be the most important time in all of Christian history for Christians to know the truth, to stand for the truth, and to be unwavering in our commitment to the truth.

I’m going to close this blog with a very probing set of questions. You may find these offensive, and if so I sincerely apologize for offending you, but not for asking these crucially important questions.

1. Are you involved in a Bible-believing church, in which you are being discipled by mature, Biblically knowledgeable preachers/teachers?
2. Does your church leadership strive to be faithful to the clear teachings of Scripture, and stand against the liberal trends of our culture’s attempts to change the teachings of the Bible to fit their beliefs/practices?
3. Does your life display a consistent, progressive growth toward Spiritual maturity?
4. Is your personal goal to live your life in accord with the clear teachings of Scripture, realizing that in order to be a “friend” of Jesus you must obey His commands?
5. Is your desire to do all that you do for the glory of God, and are you striving to be consistent in your understanding of how to make that a reality?

We are witnessing anti-Christian, anti-God sentiment in this nation like never before. It is the responsibility of every individual believer in Jesus Christ to be true disciples, sincere followers of our Lord. It may prove to be costly, as Jesus warned that His followers would experience hardship of enormous magnitude toward the end of the present historical period. I am not suggesting that His coming is going to happen soon, but I am, along with so many others, looking at the clear teachings of Jesus about the cultural, societal, religious, climate of the days leading up to His coming for His bride, the church.

And I am reminded that He told us to be ready at every moment, because He could come at any moment. So, let the church arise! Let the individual believer arise! Let’s let our voices be heard. Let’s be what we are called to be: disciples, whose goal is to be conformed to the image of our Lord, Jesus Christ. And, to assist others to be disciples as we travel this road together.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

A few years ago, there was a movement among professing Christians that focused on the letters WWJD – what would Jesus do? It became rather common to see individuals wearing something with those letters prominently displayed. The premise was simple: before doing anything, pause and ask yourself that question: what would Jesus do?

Over the past few weeks we have witnessed unprecedented actions among citizens of the United States. We have seen our nation polarized like never before. This polarization has taken us down a path as a nation that has caused not only a sharp line of delineation between Republicans and Democrats, but also an underlying hatred for one another’s political point of view. There is anger and animosity at levels never seen before, and it grows more intense by the day.

Personally, I have very strong political convictions, and I have shared those convictions through my blogs over the past few years. Some have agreed, while others have disagreed. I have not written these blogs with the desire to cause divisiveness, but rather to simply shed light on issues of grave concern that face the American people.

But there is one thread that has run consistently through those blogs: our nation’s need for God. He is our only hope. Those who thought Barack Obama was the nation’s savior have now seen that his eight years in the White House laid the foundation for the civil unrest we see today. Then, those who truly believed Donald Trump would somehow turn this nation around are now in a state of unbelief that we are seemingly on the verge of an all-out civil war between the political factions that are so unbelievably polarized against one another.

Some are calling for more civil unrest – for protestors to continue causing havoc in our streets. Others are calling for civility among the parties – for politicians to sit down together and work with one another in solving our nation’s deep-rooted problems.

I am calling for something far greater, with a much more powerful ability to bring about the change we so desperately need in our nation: repentance. We need to turn back to God, to seek His face, to turn from our wickedness, to repent of our sin. We need to fall on our faces before Holy God with the sincere desire to surrender all to Him.

The verse quoted at the beginning of this blog is to be understood first and foremost in its context. This is a very personal word from Jesus to His disciples, encouraging us to seek the kingdom of God for our personal needs: food, clothing, etc. But the implications are much more far-reaching than that. The implication of this statement of Jesus is that His followers should trust Him, follow Him, obey Him, in all areas of life. This is the Christian way. This should be the Christian’s desire that undergirds all that we do.

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Libertarians – they are all alike in this: they cannot do what we have come to expect them to do. They are completely unable to change the current of cultural practice. They can influence through propaganda, but they do not have the ability to bring about the change that is necessary to bring about an end to the divisiveness we are witnessing in our nation. Only God can do that.

But please understand something of grave importance. Even for those who sincerely seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Jesus gave a sobering, somber word of warning. Read carefully and prayerfully the following words of Jesus:

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”

Matthew 10:34

These are powerful and profound words, indeed. Jesus clearly states that belief in Him, and commitment to His teachings, will cause a spirit of unrest, a lack of peace, between those who embrace Him and those who reject Him. To make this even more personal, Jesus says:

“Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Luke 12:53

From my personal perspective, what we see happening in this nation is directly due to the rift, not between Republican and Democrat, but rather between followers of Jesus and those who reject Him. There is a crevice of enormous proportions between those who strive to follow the God-centered teachings of Scripture, and those who follow a man-centered philosophy of life. Many, if not most, of the problems caused by our current cultural, societal practices, are the direct result of the schism between those who strive to follow the teachings of the Bible, and those who follow the teachings of human-originated principles which are steeped in humanism, secularism, and atheism, to name but a few.

In conclusion, let me go back to where I started this blog. Our only hope is to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Specifically, the God of the Bible. The God who created us. The God who set His affection on us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The God whose plan is being worked out through the events of human history. The God who will bring His plan to its predetermined conclusion at a time appointed by God.

For now, it is imperative that Christians unite around God: seek His kingdom. It is imperative that we, in a spirit of repentance, turn back to Him as our only source of hope and help in this time of desperation. He invites us to come to Him, cast our cares upon Him, and trust Him.

“She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” referring to the capture of the ark of God and to the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband.”

1 Samuel 4:21

Sometimes names bear a great sense of meaning. Parents will name their child(ren) after someone whose name they want to honor and pass on. I am named after my father, and thus carry on that family name. Others may be named after some well-known celebrity or other type of personality whose name they want to in some way memorialize.

In the Bible, it was a common thing for parents to name their child with the hopes of that child living up to the lofty name given at birth. For example:

“What is the importance of name in the Bible? A biblical name could record some aspects of a person’s birth. Biblical names sometimes expressed the parents’ reaction to the birth of their child. Biblical names were sometimes used to secure the solidarity of family ties. Biblical names could be used to communicate God’s message. Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God.”

Reference: get.bible/blog/post/names-in-the-bible-have-meaning

One such name of significance is found in the passage quoted above: Ichabod. The story, as recorded in 1 Samuel, tells of an incident in the history of Israel in which they had turned their backs on God, and, as a result, experienced the judgment of God at the hands of the Philistines. The Israelites were defeated by the Philistines in battle, and the Ark of the Covenant was captured. When news of this horrific event reached Eli, the priest, he immediately fell over, broke his neck, and died. His two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had died in the battle. News of these events reached the wife of Phinehas as she gave birth to a son. She, too, died upon hearing the news that her husband and father-in-law were dead and the Ark had been taken by the Philistines. As she was dying, she assigned the name Ichabod to her son, signifying that the glory of God had departed from Israel.

I, along with most Americans, have been awaiting the results from the senate race in Georgia. As I write this blog, those results are in, and both seats have gone to the Democratic party. Thus, as it stands at the moment, we have a Democratic President-elect and Vice President-elect, and a house and senate which have a Democratic majority.

As I heard the results of yesterday’s election in Georgia, the words of our focal passage immediately came to mind: the glory has departed. Now, I certainly realize that there are many who would disagree with my personal perspective on these political issues, but let me explain why I feel the way I do. My feelings can be summed up succinctly in the following news item copied from CP Politics on line:

“During a short invocation to mark the swearing-in of the 117th Congress, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., finished his prayer that was filled with scriptural and Christian-themed phrases by invoking other gods and concluding with the phrase “amen and awoman” instead of the traditional term “Amen.”

“We ask it in the name of the monotheistic God, Brahma, and ‘god’ known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman,” Cleaver, the former mayor of Kansas City, offered. 

If you’ll remember, it was at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, that a vote was taken to take the name of God out of the Democratic Parties platform. Let that sink in for a moment: a major political party in a nation that was founded on the principles of the Christian faith actually votes to remove God! And now, in a prayer opening the 117th Congress, the prayer is offered in the name of the monotheistic God, Brahma, and ‘god’ known by many names by many different faiths.

ICHABOD! The glory has departed. God is a jealous God, and will not share His glory with any other so-called god. When a nation that has identified with Him, then decides to walk away from Him by embracing the teachings of other religions, He will allow that nation to suffer the consequences of its own actions and decisions.

Let me conclude this blog with a reference to the following quote from Benjamin Franklin at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. It was at this convention that the Constitution of the United States was passed, at the urging of Franklin. Read the following slowly, carefully, with thoughtful deliberation:

On the final day, as the last delegates were signing the document, Franklin pointed toward the sun on the back of the Convention president’s chair. Observing that painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising sun from a setting sun, he went on to say: “I have often … in the course of the session … looked at that sun behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now at length I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting sun.”

I wonder if his sentiment would be the same if he were present today, witnessing the direction of our elected officials as they turn their backs on our rich Judeo-Christian foundation, while embracing “the monotheistic God, Brahma, and ‘god’ known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman.”

I can’t help but believe, with a great sense of sadness, that the sun is now setting over America. God, please, in Your grace, remember mercy. Turn our hearts back to You, as You are our only hope.

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”

James 4:13-15

I would venture to guess that most of us are thrilled to see 2020 disappearing in the rearview mirror. The last day of 2020 is a welcome sight, as we hope that with the changing of the calendar will come a changing of the tide of events. For many, this past year has been one of the most painful we have ever experienced. Multitudes have suffered the ravages of Covid-19. Countless individuals have tested positive for the virus, with symptoms ranging from the most mild to the most severe. Some have gotten through the virus with little to no suffering, while others have spent days and even weeks in hospitals fighting for their lives. And there are those who lost the fight, succumbing to the death tentacles of the disease.

We have witnessed our economy crumble from the most vibrant and successful to the most devastated. Jobs have been lost, businesses have closed their doors – some temporarily while others have been forced to close for good. Life as we had known no longer exists, with no semblance of being able to return to normal, whatever that might prove to be as the future unfolds.

The vast majority of us would love to see a miraculous change for the better take place magically at the midnight hour as 2020 morphs into 2021. We would all love to go to bed on December 31, 2020, and awaken on January 1, 2021 to witness a fresh new start with everything having been restored to its pre-pandemic state. We would love to see an eradication of the virus, with everyone healed of the disease. We would love to see a reopening of our economy, with jobs restored, and businesses given a fresh start. We would love to be able to have a massive bon-fire, with all the face masks and coverings burned as a testimony to the end of the virus. We would love to see social distancing as a thing of the past, enabling us once again to enjoy the embrace of loved ones whom we have not been able to ‘touch’ for the past months.

Yes, we would all love to see the troubles and trials of 2020 be swallowed up in a promising 2021, filled with days of health and prosperity. We may even be making plans to that end, with the hopes of somehow seeing a total reversal of fortunes. But the fact of the matter is, we can’t know. Life is filled with uncertainties. We would all do well to pay close attention to the words penned by James as quoted above: “You do not know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes. Instead, you should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ God is the only One who knows what the future holds.

Think about it: no one would have ever guessed that 2020 would be such a trying season for the entire world. But it did not catch God off-guard and unaware. As things began to unfold, and answers were sought as to where the virus originated, and how to best contain it, and how to manage the effects of it, it became increasingly clear that this was something that was unprecedented in all of human history.

And, it became clear that we were in desperate need of a divine intervention of God. It was obvious that we needed desperately to trust His will, to seek His favor, and to trust His purposes and plans to unfold as He sees fit.

If there is anything we should learn from this past year, it is that we are totally, absolutely, dependent upon the amazing grace of our Father in heaven. The new year may prove to be much better than the previous, or it may prove to be much worse. We should place our faith in God, trust that He always knows and does what is best, and strive to give Him thanks in all things and for all things, realizing that the best is yet to come for those who love Him and look forward to living with Him forever.

Let’s commit our 2021 to Him, and entrust the coming days to His glory. Happy New Year.

The Christmas story – how beautiful, how glorious, how touching, how majestic! When we look at the pictures on the front of Christmas cards, it is all so wonderful. Mary and Joseph, in that pristine, immaculate manger, with everything sterilized and sanitized, holding the newborn Jesus in their arms. And, as we are told in the beautiful song, “All is Well”, everything is right with the world. As the first verse of that song tells us:

All is well
All is well
Angels and men rejoice
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of love’s light
Sing A-le
Sing Alleluia

The stars are shining, the moon is bright, the sky is cloudless, the animals are subdued and quiet in the presence of Jesus. Darkness has fallen into the dawn of love’s light. All is well with the world.

But, wait just a second. Is it really? Is all really well with the world? Was it really quiet, and sterile, and sanitary? Were the animals really quiet and subdued? Was everything right with the world? Actually, no, it wasn’t. The reality is that Mary and Joseph are now branded for life with the reputation of Mary having given birth to an illegitimate child. It was openly known that Joseph was not the father. And, they were not in a clean, sterile environment when Jesus was born. Rather, they were in a filthy animal shelter. The stench of animal waste would have been overwhelming to the young parents.

And after giving birth to her Son, Mary and Joseph are put through test after test, keeping Jesus safe from the attempts of King Herod to destroy Him. Mary is actually given the message by Simeon (when she and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord):

“Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Lk 2:34–35).

Can you imagine what Mary must have felt when she heard the words, “a sword will pierce your own soul”? She must have been bewildered, as she tried to make sense of this strange message. Perhaps she thought to herself that, no, all is not well with the world. And if she did have that thought, she would have been right.

Let’s try to bring this closer to home. As we think back over the past year, we might be among the throngs of people who have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Maybe you, personally, have contracted the disease. Perhaps someone you know and love has actually died from the virus. Perhaps you have suffered financially due to your place of work or business has been forced to shut down in the midst of the restrictions enforced by our government. Perhaps you have suffered the personal pain and anguish of not being able to see loved ones due to the restrictions on gatherings. Perhaps you know someone who lives alone, and has not been able to have any contact with loved ones and friends.

Or, beyond the impact of the virus, maybe you have been impacted in some way by all the violence which has been witnessed in major cities across the nation. Perhaps you owned one of the many businesses that were vandalized and looted at the hands of criminals. Or, perhaps you have heard the “C” word from your doctor, who then laid out a bleak outlook for the coming battle with the disease.

In the midst of all the chaos, confusion, and uncertainty, are you still able to say, “It is well”? As believers in Jesus Christ, knowing the real reason for the season of Christmas, we should always be able to state affirmatively and assertively, “It is well!” Regardless of the circumstances of life that are seemingly insurmountable, we should say “It is well.”

Allow me to close with a story found in the Old Testament book of Second Kings. In the fourth chapter of that book we are told about a Shunammite woman. Elisha the prophet had prophesied that she would give birth to a son, and in time this prophecy came true. However, there came a day when the boy died, and the Shunammite woman asked her husband for permission to go visit the prophet. Her husband asked if all was well, and she replied that, yes, indeed, all was well.

He sent her off to see Elisha, and when he saw her approaching he sent his servant to meet her and ask if all was well. She informed him that her husband was well, that she was well, and that her son was well. Really! All is well? Her son is stone cold dead, and she replies to Elisha’s servant that all is well.

Thinking back over the year 2020, in the midst of all the personal trials and troubles, could we, did we, give testimony that all was well? We should have been able to do that, but did we? Or, did we bemoan our personal sufferings and losses? Did we gripe and complain that our business was shut down while others were left to go on as usual? Did we complain that we experienced the ravages of the virus while others were left unscathed?

Or, did we give glory to God in the mist of it all? Mary and Joseph did. The Shunammite woman did. Daniel in the den of lions did. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did. The Apostle Paul did. Jesus did. And by God’s grace, we can, too. It all comes down to our personal perspective on life. If we believe that all things do work together for good to those who love God (Rom. 8:28), and if we truly believe that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory set before us in eternity (Rom. 8:18), then it enables us to state with assurance, “It is well”.

This Christmas season there are those in your circle of influence who need to hear this truth: in Christ, all is well. If God, by His amazing grace, allows you to suffer, then in the midst of the suffering state with confidence that all is well. Let the testimony of your life bear the truth that in Christ we can rest with absolute certainty that all is well here and now, and all will be well, regardless of the outcome of our present state of circumstances.

Once again, from me and Teresa, we wish for you and your family a most wonderful, meaningful and blessed Christmas.

“Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11

I have been reading with keen interest some posts on social media concerning the celebration of Christmas. Statements such as: “it just doesn’t seem like Christmas this year”; “Christmas will not be the same this year because of this stupid virus”; “not being able to get together with family and friends is going to make for a miserable Christmas”; and other such sentiments as these. Reading such comments has made me once again stop and think about the real reason for the season.

Let me begin by stating the obvious: I am like just about everyone else when it comes to enjoying get togethers with family and friends. I enjoy the times of fellowship around a festive table garnished with the foods of the season. I love seeing family members that we don’t get to see except during these special times of the year. I cherish those moments of fellowship, feasting, and fun just as much as the next person.

But I also realize that, as enjoyable as these experiences are, they are not the reason for the season, and my experience of joy should not be dependent upon them. Let’s be reminded of the angelic message delivered to the shepherds on the most momentous night in all of human history: the night of Jesus’ birth. As those shepherds were doing what they had done for a thousand previous nights, their evening was interrupted by the appearance of an angel who had been sent to deliver an amazing message: “Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you.” That, as simplistic as it sounds, was the announcement that would change the world. As a matter of fact, human history is marked by that most miraculous night.

Think about the world into which Jesus came. It was a time of political unrest; a time of religious confusion; a time of spiritual darkness; a time of personal searching. Yes, a world much like ours today. A time in which people were looking for something which would give meaning to what seemed to be a miserable, meaningless existence.

It was into that political, religious, spiritual chaos that Jesus came. His arrival was totally insignificant in the eyes of the world. Born in a manger; laid in an animal trough; wrapped in strips of cloth; brought into the world by a poor carpenter and a young, teenage girl. If the world had taken note and paid any attention at all it would have been the attention of pity, not of praise.

Is that the way you feel this Christmas season? Are you miserable because of the current Covid crisis? Are you bemoaning the fact that you will not be able to get together with family and friends? Are you complaining about the fact that the “new norm” is nothing short of the worst “abnormal” you could ever imagine?

If it is, would you please try something for a few minutes? Would you try, as best you can, to put yourself in the shoes of Mary and Joseph? Would you imagine the discomfort they experienced on that most important of nights? Would you picture yourself separated from everyone you loved, in a place of absolute unfamiliarity? Would you imagine being refused a comfortable place to give birth to your Son?

And then, would you for a moment be reminded of that message: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” Don’t allow fear to rob you or the true meaning of Christmas. Don’t allow the demands of social distancing from friends and family cause you to be distanced from the Savior who was born that night so long ago. Don’t allow the social climate to rob you of the spiritual reality of Christmas.

Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, came into this world to make it possible for you to have a relationship with His Father. How did He do that? By being born in that obscure manger, living a sinless life, dying a substitutionary death, paying the penalty for our sin so that we might be reconciled to our Father in heaven. Nothing, in all of life, should be able to rob us of the true joy of the good news of Christmas.

Yes, we can have a merry Christmas, and help others do the same, by remembering the true reason for the season. So, from the Stewart family to your family: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Philippians 1:27

Years ago, when Teresa and I were both serving on staff at First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, the church conducted a seminar entitled “Making Your Mark”. We were challenged to live our lives in such a way that we would leave an indelible mark behind once we pass from this physical existence. The challenge was simple, yet powerful: live life as a sincere believer in Jesus Christ, totally committed to glorifying Him through absolute abandonment to His will. As I read the verse quoted above, I am reminded of that challenge.

I suppose everyone would want to live a life that counts for something. There are many worthwhile goals from which one could choose. Someone might choose to invest their life in the field of medical research, with the desire to find a cure for cancer. Someone else might choose the life of an educator, with the desire to instill in young minds qualities and virtues which would help them grow into mature adults who can give back to society. Still others might set their life goal on attaining monetary wealth with the desire to use that wealth for the benefit of others through charitable giving.

These are just a few examples of making one’s mark, and living one’s life in such a way as to influence others for good. But, each of these, as worthwhile as they are, fall short of the challenge offered by Paul in our focal verse: “As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Think with me about the challenge offered here.

First of all, let’s focus on the words “as citizens of heaven.” This is an extremely interesting statement. I can say that I am a citizen of the city of Pigeon Forge. I can also say I am a citizen of the state of Tennessee. Still yet, I am a citizen of the United States of America. As a citizen of this city, state, and nation, I am obligated to live according to the laws of each. I should live my life as a good citizen, living up to the standards of good citizenship as established by each entity. I should strive to be a good representative of each.

However, as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, I have a far greater obligation and responsibility: to live as a good citizen of heaven. As a citizen of heaven, I am to understand that I am a representative, first and foremost, of that reality. And how do I live as a good representative of that citizenship? By living a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As I stated earlier: I should live in total commitment, and with absolute abandonment, to the will of God.

I don’t think it has ever been easy to live life in total commitment to His will as revealed in His Word. There are so many teachings in the Bible which are in total contradiction to the beliefs and practices of our modern American cultural scene. For example, the Bible speaks clearly on the subject of the sanctity of human life, and yet our modern culture has embraced, to a large degree, a culture of death. Abortion on demand has become a common practice in our land, even up to the moment of birth. Euthanasia is becoming more widely accepted as a sympathetic means of ending a loved one’s suffering. Alternative lifestyles are the modern day norm, even to the point that individuals are given the liberty to identify as a male or female regardless of their biological reality. Human sexuality is determined by God, the Bible making it clear by the simple declaration that God created male and female, with a clear distinction between the two.

Still further, the world would have us believe there are many roads that lead to heaven. We would be taught to believe that all religions of the world are of equal validity, and it doesn’t matter which religion, or which “god” you choose to believe in, as long as you believe with sincerity. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of exclusivity. Jesus Himself proclaimed that He is “the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through [Him].”

As citizens of heaven, we are to live our lives worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are to stand for truth in the face of falsehood. We are to stand for truth, even in the face of opposition. We are to stand for truth, even in the face of adversity. We are to stand for truth, and, as Paul says in Ephesians 6, having done all, to stand. It may at times seem as if we are on the losing side, but as citizens of heaven, we are always on the side of victory. We may suffer at the hands of non-citizens of heaven for being citizens of heaven, but let’s remember: we are on the winning side. There will come the day of absolute vindication when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. It will be there that we will receive the reward of living a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Until then, let’s continue to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In the end, we will not be disappointed with the choice to live our lives for Him.

“For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:21

What a tremendously thought-provoking and soul-searching statement uttered by the Apostle Paul! Both parts of this verse are explosive with deep meaning, and mind-boggling conviction. As I read these words my mind goes into so many different directions, pondering the depths of this statement. Let’s try to break it down by looking at the three different components presented in these words.

First, Paul makes this a very personal statement: “for me”. This is an assertion of personal testimony, desire and commitment. Paul is affirming the fact that what he is about to say is his own statement of faith; his personal stance of loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ.

We all have specific commitments and desires in life. There are desires for family relations, career advancement, educational goals, financial security, and so many others that could be added to the list. What would follow the “for me” in your life right now? What word of personal testimony and desire would follow those two simple words? What is it that drives you to face another day with confidence and commitment? What is the goal you strive for? Think seriously for a moment, and then fill in the blank: “for me, ________________________”.

Second, Paul left no room for doubt or debate in his statement. He states assertively and adamantly, “For me, to live is Christ.” That is an extremely interesting statement, to be sure. What do you think he meant by writing those words? “To live is Christ.” Think with me for a moment about Paul’s situation as he penned these words. He was a prisoner, having been arrested for preaching the Gospel. He was in a state of uncertainty, not knowing if he would be executed, or set free. He was literally facing the possibility of continued life by being liberated, or death, by being executed. His life was literally in the balance. It is in the midst of those difficult circumstances that he made this statement: “For me, to live is Christ.”

He was living for Christ while incarcerated, and he would continue to live for Christ if he was set free. And please note that this was a real struggle for Paul. He goes on to say:

“Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ – which is far better – but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.”

Philippians 1:22-24

Paul’s strong desire was to be with Christ. He was not afraid of death, knowing that his physical death would result in his being in the presence of his Lord. But he realized that his death would result in the cessation of his ministry. Now, we know that his ministry would continue through the influence he has had through his preaching and missionary work, but he would no longer be here physically to continue. His writings would continue to be a source of ministry, but his physical labor would end. He knew that to continue his ministry by being released from prison would result in more fruitful work for him.

But the struggle was intense, as we see in the next part of verse 21: “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Wow! Have you ever had such a thought as that? “To die is gain.” Once again, I would ask that you take a moment and fill in the blank: To die is ____________________________.” Pause for a moment and think seriously before filling in the blank. Warren Wiersbe, in “The Bible Exposition Commentary,” makes the following observations:

“For to me to live is money and to die is to leave it all behind.”
“For to me to live is fame and to die is to be forgotten.”
“For to me to live is power and to die is to lose it all.”

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 70). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

These are just a few examples of how one might fill in the blank. Yours might be something far different, but to you it is just as powerful. To die is ________________________________.

When we turn our thoughts to the subject of death, we might think of it as that greatest of all enemies: the one that is lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce at the least expected moment, robbing us of those unfulfilled dreams, those unrealized goals, those unsettled issues, that we thought we had plenty of time to complete.

Death is no respecter of persons. If the Lord tarries His coming, we will all face our own personal appointment with death. And we should learn to face it with the encouraging words of Scripture: to die is gain. We gain the glory of God’s presence. We gain the beauty of Christ’s presence. We gain the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence. We gain the magnificence of heaven. We gain the reunion with loved ones who have gone the way of death before us. We gain the eternal home Jesus has lovingly prepared for us. We gain the new earth which has been made over in the likeness of Eden. We gain the end of sorrow, sickness, death, separation, corruption, sin, evil, temptation. Yes, our physical death is such an eternal gain. And, a great reminder from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans: the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory set before us! Yes! Yes! Yes! To die is gain!

But let’s not forget: to live is Christ. Our goal in this life is to live for Christ. We are to be witnesses to Him and for Him in all we do. Our world is becoming more and more anti-Christ, so it is all the more important for us to live for Him.

And, let’s also remember: no matter what we face in this life will fade into insignificance when we stand in the presence of the eternal God who loves us, and has prepared a place of such beauty and majesty that we will never again remember the sufferings of this life. So, let’s repeat after Paul: “For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

“My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.”

Philippians 1:20

As we continue to walk along with Paul as he corresponds with his friends in Philippi, we now come to an extremely interesting and thought-provoking verse. Paul states clearly that his desire is to honor Christ in everything – in life and in death. What an absolutely staggering statement.

Let’s begin by asking ourselves a serious question: have I ever been ashamed of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ? Has there ever been a time in my Christian life when I was given the opportunity to share a word of testimony, or give a presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or be a source of ministry or encouragement to someone in need, but allowed that opportunity to pass by because of being ashamed of my Lord? Perhaps I was in the presence of non-believers, people who were antagonistic to the claims of Christ, and I allowed their presence to intimidate me because I was ashamed to let them know I was a Christian. Perhaps I gave in to peer pressure, wanting to be accepted by the crowd, so I kept my relationship with Christ a well-hidden secret.

Paul’s desire was a lofty one, indeed. He states that it was his eager expectation and hope that his Savior would be honored through his life and his death. The following excerpt was copied from “The Bible Exposition Commentary”. “

I read about a devoted believer who was arrested for his faith and condemned to be burned at the stake. The night before the execution, he wondered if he would have enough grace to become a human torch; so he tested his courage by putting his finger into the flame of the candle. Of course, it burned him and he pulled his hand back in pain. He was certain that he would never be able to face martyrdom without failing. But the next day, God gave him the grace he needed, and he had a joyful and triumphant witness before his enemies.

Warren Wiersbe

Extreme circumstances; extreme measures; extreme faith; extreme witness. Life offers us many opportunities to bring glory to our Lord. Most of them will not put us into positions of danger. Rather, most will come through the daily occurrences of life. On the job; in the classroom; in the neighborhood; in the home. Everyday life is the arena in which most opportunities to glorify Christ will come.

However, there are those in other parts of the world who experience extreme dangers daily simply because they strive to represent Christ in a very anti-Christian environment. Their lives are in danger constantly simply because they bear witness to Jesus Christ.

And, let’s face it, with the ever-changing spiritual climate of the United States, the day may very well come when we, too, face increasing displays of antagonism against those who identify themselves as Christians. Are we settled enough in our relationship with the Lord that we are willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? Are we willing to witness for Him in life and in death?

Our ultimate purpose in life is to bring glory to Jesus. Let’s reevaluate our commitment, and renew our desire to be the best witness possible. He died for us; let’s live for Him. Therefore, as Jesus said:

“Let your light shine before others so that they might see your good words and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.”

2 Corinthians 1:8-10

I have often heard it said that God will never place upon us more than we can bear. I have a difficult time aligning that teaching with the words of Paul quoted above. Listen again to these very sobering words: “that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” It sounds to me that Paul was burdened down with more, much more, than he could handle on his own.

There are some who can surely relate to these words of the apostle. My wife, Teresa, recently suffered a medical emergency that, at the point of crisis, caused us to despair. Early on Sunday morning, September 27, I was awakened by Teresa as she suffered a massive grand mal seizure. She shook violently for several minutes. Our daughter immediately called 911 while I tried without success to help Teresa. The police arrived in a matter or minutes, but before they were on the scene Teresa quit convulsing and was deathly still. So still, in fact, that I was afraid she was dead. I could not feel a pulse, nor could I detect breathing. I lifted her arm and it fell to the bed, seemingly lifelessly.

When the police officers arrived, they quickly began checking for a pulse and for respiration. One officer finally detected a faint pulse about the time the paramedics arrived. They quickly assessed the situation, transferred Teresa to the stretcher, and moved her to the emergency vehicle.

Needless to say, at this time I was at a point of despair. Watching the love of my life convulse so viciously, and then go completely still caused me to think the worse. I’m not sure why we do that, but so often our minds go to the worse case scenario rather than to one of hope. It was at this time that I experienced personally and powerfully the amazing grace of God. I have oftentimes shared with individuals going through times of extreme adversity that God, in HIs grace, extends to us what I refer to as spiritual anesthesia. God’s grace protects us from feeling the full brunt of the trauma. I had shared that with so many, but now I have experienced it first-hand. There was a wave of peace that engulfed me. I realized that God was in full control, and that His will is always best, regardless of how it might appear to us.

That experience on September 27 was the beginning of a month long journey of hospital stays and a plethora of tests. After two nights in the hospital as a result of the seizure, Teresa was then hospitalized a second time for five days due to heart issues that occurred the next week. After brain scans, MRI’s, X-rays, endoscopy, EKG’s, EEG’s, it was finally determined that the seizure and the heart issues were all caused by an electrolyte deficiency. Teresa continues to recover from the trauma of these health issues, for which we are grateful to our Father in heaven.

But why? Why did God allow Teresa to go through this ordeal? Is there any word from God as to His intent in allowing His children to suffer? Well, actually there is. And, it is found in this same opening chapter of 2 Corinthians. Read carefully the following quote:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God allows us to go through certain experiences, and then wants us to minister to those who are suffering the same type of difficulty. Who better can minister to a person fighting a battle with cancer than someone who has already walked that path? Who can better minister to someone who has a wayward child, who is fighting depression, who is experiencing family or financial troubles, who is going through one of any number of other difficulties, than one who has already been through that same problem? And let’s always remember: God works in all things for the good of those who love Him. It may appear to be anything but good, but God works in it to bring about good. So, as Paul admonishes his readers, let’s give thanks in all things and for all things, because this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

And, we should remember also that we are God’s personal possession. He has sovereign control over all that happens, and will bring circumstances into our personal experiences that fit into His divine will. Our goal is to bring glory to God in everything by allowing His grace to be on display through us.

Let me close with a word of thanks for all the text messages, phone calls, and especially the prayers during this time in our lives. We are eternally grateful for the many expressions of love shown to us.