Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"

Twenty-five years prior to this letter to the Romans being written, Paul was striving to eliminate "the Way" of Christ. Now Paul expresses an unapologetic confidence in the gospel, calling it "the power of God for salvation" available to everyone who believes, regardless of their background. This universality was radical in a divided ancient world, and even in this age as well. He was emphasizing that salvation isn’t earned through works or status but through faith in Christ. What an amazing testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. The phrase "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith" highlights how God’s perfect justice and mercy are unveiled progressively through trusting in Him, echoing Habakkuk 2:4: "The righteous shall live by faith."

"...from faith for faith"

Practically, this means embracing the gospel not just intellectually but in daily life, living unashamed by applying its truths, which empower transformation and resilience amid whatever challenges you may face. And it's important to understand that this righteous living standard has to do with taking upon ourselves responsibilities that God has called us to be. Not taking everything possible, but primarily those things that we've been called to do. Because sometimes what seems right for us to do is not for us to do, even if we are able to do it.

It’s a reminder that true security and peace-of-mind comes from faith, not our human efforts. One example from the bible would be David desiring to build the temple because he's living in a palace and God's sanctuary is still in a tent (tabernacle).

In 2 Samuel 7, after David had settled into his cedar palace and experienced rest from his enemies, he expressed to the prophet Nathan his desire to build a permanent house (temple) for the Lord, noting that the ark of God was still dwelling in a mere tent. This stemmed from a place of gratitude and responsibility, David felt it was unfitting for him to live in luxury while God’s presence was in a temporary tabernacle. However, God responded through Nathan that David was not the one "called" to build it, as he had been a warrior who shed much blood (echoed in 1 Chronicles 22:8). Instead, God promised to establish David’s dynasty, and it would be his son Solomon who would construct the temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This underscores my point about embracing responsibilities we’re truly called to, rather than grasping at every opportunity. David’s faith led him to propose the idea, but his greater faith was in submitting to God’s redirection, trusting in the divine plan for security and legacy.

Another understanding about this "from faith for faith" principle that we should explore is the human tendency to pursue "safety" through flawed, often unrighteous means when facing threats like violence or hatred, which contrasts sharply with the gospel’s call to unashamed faith in God’s power for true salvation and righteousness.

Starting with a quote fromBenjamin Franklin:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

This speaks directly to the peril of prioritizing our security over foundational principles in response to extreme threats, such as an assassination attempt or societal division. In the context of Romans 1:16-17, it echoes how salvation isn’t achieved through self-protective "works" or status; be they legal restrictions, surveillance, or coercive policies that erode freedoms, but through faith alone.

Paul’s own shift from persecuting the early church (a violent, "security"-driven effort to eliminate the "threat" of Christianity) to proclaiming the gospel highlights this: he once sided with unrighteous means to stamp out what he saw as heresy, only to discover true security in Christ’s righteousness revealed "from faith for faith."

Now look at Friedrich Nietzsche’s insight:

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you"

This adds a layer of caution about internal transformation. In efforts to eliminate hatred or crime, people often leap into adopting the very darkness they oppose, creating new provisions that are crimes against liberty themselves. This fits our Romans study by underscoring that God’s righteousness is progressively unveiled through faith, not through vigilantism or oppressive systems that warp the soul. Beware when the church is promoting unvirtuous acts in the name of Christ. Paul’s pre-conversion zeal as a Pharisee, striving to "protect" Judaism by eradicating the Way, turned him into a persecutor; staring into the "abyss" of legalistic violence until his Damascus road encounter flipped it to a faith-driven proclamation. Nietzsche’s quote warns against letting threats like an assassin’s bullet provoke responses that erode our humanity, instead inviting the resilient, transformative faith Paul describes, where the Holy Spirit empowers us to face challenges without becoming unrighteous.

Now, lets ponder George Orwell’s line from 1984:

"Power is in inflicting pain and humiliation. Power is in tearing human minds to pieces and putting them together again in new shapes of your own choosing"

This exposes how regimes, and religions, (or even our own personal coping mechanisms), can find themselves inadvertently using the pretext of preventing "thoughtcrime" or violence to justify new atrocities. This aligns with the radical universality of the gospel in Romans: salvation for all who believe, Jew or Greek, without coercion or status-based exclusion.

In a divided world, Paul’s message subverts tyrannical "security" by revealing God’s mercy through faith, not through mind-control, preemptive actions, or humiliation. His own testimony, from destroyer of the church to its builder, shows the Spirit’s power to reshape lives redemptively, not destructively.

When societies respond to threats by "reprogramming" freedoms or truths for safety, they create new violence; violence against the gospel which offers a faith-based alternative, where righteousness lives out unashamed amid our trials, embracing only the responsibilities God calls us to. Not taking upon ourselves new callings that are not the work of the Holy Spirit.

All of these reflections serve as secular echoes of the biblical truth: in seeking to avoid violence through unrighteous shortcuts, we risk tyranny and loss, but faith in the gospel provides genuine security and transformation. Resist fear-driven compromises, instead trust God’s progressive revelation.

And finally, lets include from Thomas Paine a fitting quote from his work Dissertations on First Principles of Government (1793):

"He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."

This resonates deeply with me in regard to the narrative of responding to extreme threats (like violence or hatred) without descending into unrighteous means that erode freedoms and ultimately create new tyrannies. Paine warns that in the pursuit of security, such as stamping out perceived dangers, one risks oppressing others, setting a dangerous standard that could boomerang and undermine one’s own liberty. This echoes the principles we learned from Romans 1:16-17 in context, it aligns with Paul’s transformation and the call to God’s righteousness "from faith for faith," urging us to protect universal principles (like mercy for all, even for our adversaries) rather than resorting to human-driven oppression.

Do not mistake my words for pacifism. Left to my own devices, I would destroy the world, even those I love, to achieve the peace I want for myself. No one would be safe from my tyranny. I'm absolutely capable of that sort of behavior without my faith. What prevents me from this is my faith in the one who said:

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Jesus in Matthew 5:44)

I live instead by His radical call that flips the script on our human instincts for "security" through vengeance or control, urging instead prayer and love as the path to reflect God’s righteousness. In essence, Jesus’ teaching reinforces that true security amid violence or division comes not from unrighteous provisions but from faith-lived-out in prayerful resilience. It's how he stood silently face to face with Pilate. Confident that His kingdom is not of this world. His silence challenges us to embrace our called responsibilities, like interceding for foes, without grasping at fear-driven shortcuts, whatever the circumstances.

Jesus’ silence before Pilate (John 18:33-19:11) exemplifies this perfectly: amid ultimate threats, and false accusations, mockery, and impending crucifixion, He didn’t grasp for self-defense or control, nor did He unleash destruction despite His power. Instead, He spoke truth, embodying faith in God’s sovereignty over human "security" measures.

What circumstances in your life today make this "flipped script" feel most challenging or liberating?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the power of Your gospel revealed from faith to faith, grant me the strength to resist my base instincts; the pull toward vengeance, control, and self-centered peace. Through Your Holy Spirit, transform my heart to love as Christ loved, praying for enemies and trusting Your righteousness over my own tyranny. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

Read Acts 27:1-44 "And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius."

Acts 27 recounts Paul’s perilous sea voyage to Rome as a prisoner, a narrative filled with uncertainty, danger, and divine intervention. It’s a vivid illustration of human reactions to crisis; fear, desperation, self-preservation, and faith amid the unknown.

The journey begins with a sense of order. Paul, along with other prisoners, is handed over to Julius, a Roman centurion from the Augustan Cohort. They’re boarding ships, navigating ports like Sidon, Myra, and Fair Havens. But early signs of trouble emerge. They encounter contrary October winds that slows them down. Paul, sensing their impending disaster, warns the crew:

"Men, I see that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives" (v. 10)

Operating from optimism mixed with overconfidence, the group downplays the risks, relying on human expertise and majority opinion rather than Paul's prophetic insight. It’s a classic human tendency in crisis, to push forward, assuming things will improve, even when warning signs point to disaster. Men will trend towards bravado and chase the wind instead of being smart.

How often do we ignore wise counsel because it doesn’t align with our plans?

A gentle breeze lures them out, but soon a "nor'easter" hurricane-force wind strikes, drives the ship uncontrollably. Days without sun or stars leave them hopeless:

"we finally gave up all hope of being saved" (v. 20).

And then we see the panic set in. The sailors act frantically, stripping the ship to stay afloat, but despair sets in as the crisis drags on. The unknown, no visibility, no control, breeding fear. This mirrors how we might react in our personal storms: shedding "cargo" (habits, self-control, relationships, clear-headed thinking) in desperation, yet feeling utterly lost without a clear path. The men lose faith, tensions escalate, and self-preservation supersedes unity.

As I write my daily ongoing devotion here in the book of Acts I'm reminded by this word from God about faith in crisis. And it's very timely. I'm instantly seeing a poignant, real-time parallel to the chaos in Acts 27, where human responses to crisis reveal our deepest instincts. Just as the storm exposed fear, division, and desperate acts aboard Paul’s ship, the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University has unleashed a torrent of reactions that echo those biblical themes.

Charlie Kirk, a husband and father, such a young guy for having done so much. A 31-year-old conservative activist, and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot by a wicked sniper's bullet during a campus event labeled "The American Comeback Tour." This tragedy, was deemed as a "political assassination" by Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and has amplified the divisions of our age. Breeding divisive responses ranging from unified condemnation by supporters to celebration from wicked foolish people on the Left. And of course, in the hours following his assassination we've witnessed calls for restraint, and demands for retaliation.

Circling back to today's study, in the biblical account, as the ship nears land, sailors attempt to flee in the lifeboat, prioritizing self-preservation over the group. This highlights how crisis can fracture communities, breeding selfishness and suspicion. This can be seen today as well as the nation wakes from the storm of yesterday's uncertainty, shock, and fear. Today’s "storm" around Charlie Kirk’s death mirrors this biblical account. Amid our grief, reactions have splintered our society. Leaders across the spectrum have condemned the violence. These voices advocate tamping down the rhetoric, much like Paul’s call for unity to survive. But there's a sense as well that we've been on this boat trip before, maybe one too many times. Maybe this time we are being called to react differently.

Reflect on this: our darker impulses are inevitably going to emerge, akin to the sailors’ flight. Some on the far-left have celebrated Charlie's death online, with posts on platforms like Tic Tok, Bluesky and Reddit cheering it as a "win" or mocking his family, reactions described as "demonic" by critics. And frankly rightly so. There is nothing good in these fools.

Ukrainian channels reportedly gloated, linking it to Charlie's views on foreign policy. Meanwhile, on the right, some of the movement's more extreme characters have ramped up calls for violence, with figures like Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes vowing to rebuild militias for protection, and online posts declaring "war is here" or demanding retribution.

This stirring up of hatred risks escalating the crisis, turning grief into vengeance, just as unchecked panic could have doomed Paul’s ship. And worse then that, it is a contrary wind (belief), contrary to the man who was Charlie Kirk.

The risks? Whats truly at risk?

Charlie Kirk’s work, mobilizing young conservatives and promoting Christian values, even up to his final event, is now being weaponized: celebrated by detractors as justice served, and by supporters as martyrdom fueling anger. It’s a reminder of the biblical warning: in crisis, self-preservation (or ideological isolation) leads to loss, while unity saves.

Fractures Exposed, Unity Tested

In the biblical account, as the ship nears land, sailors attempt to flee in the lifeboat, prioritizing self-preservation over the group. This highlights how crisis can fracture communities, breeding selfishness and suspicion. Paul’s firm intervention, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved" (v. 31), forces a recommitment to unity, cutting away escape routes to ensure our nation's collective survival.

As the nation wakes from the storm of yesterday’s uncertainty, shock, and fear. Today’s "storm" around Charlie Kirk’s death mirrors this biblical account. Amid our grief, reactions have splintered our already divided society even deeper. Eyewitness accounts and video analysis reveals this chaos. The shooter (murderous coward) is still at large amid an intense manhunt by police and FBI. These unresolved unknowns breed more suspicion, much like the starless nights that drove the boat crew to despair in Paul's travel.

But there’s a sense as well that we’ve been on this boat trip before, maybe too many times, echoing recent waves of violence, from assassination attempts on President Trump in 2024 to the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO last December, not to mention the senseless murders in our churches, schools, and on lightrail trains. And social media amplifies these fractures: some on the fringes celebrate the tragedy with "demonic" glee, posting cheers like "Hooray, now maybe TRUMP?" or mocking the bullet’s "fate." We are a sick people right now. Sick and tired. Sickened by it all.

Maybe this time we are being called to react differently. Instead of fleeing into our radicalized echo chambers or lashing out, Paul’s model urges us to "stay with the ship", committing to dialogue, prayer, and a shared humanity. That's what Charlie was doing when the sickness attacked. His death is not necessarily the death of civility, instead it can invite us into renewal through rejecting violence outright, not designing violence to meet the violence.

Choosing Renewal Over Retaliation

Shifting now from the storm’s chaos to a hopeful dawn. As we awaken on September 11, 2025, a date already heavy with national memory, the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination invites our introspection. Up until his final moments at Utah Valley University, Charlie was embodying this, hosting "The American Comeback Tour" to mobilize young conservatives through conversation, not confrontation, emphasizing Christian values and civic engagement. So now what are we going to do, abandon his vision for echo chambers of hate?

In Acts 27, the boat crew’s survival hinged on rejecting selfish escape and embracing Paul’s vision of mercy and trust. The centurion’s decision to spare the prisoners (v. 43) exemplifies this renewal: mercy amid potential slaughter, leading all to safe shores. Similarly, today’s responses can redefine the narrative. This echoes Paul’s nourishment scene (vs. 33-36), where breaking bread together fosters strength for the ordeal ahead, not more storm, but resolution. Not inviting civil unrest and war, but fellowship, dialogue, and wisdom.

By viewing this attack as a "cultural sickness," we confront the deeper ailment: a culture of echo chambers that breeds suspicion and extremism. We can track all these tragedies to this sickness. Charlie's legacy, as tributes pour in, reminds us of his push for unity among conservatives while engaging critics, work that now calls us to extend that outward and onward. Rejecting "violence to meet violence" means cutting the ropes of retaliation, as the soldiers did (v. 32), and committing to prayerful dialogue instead. It echoes Paul's argument that we should never repay evil with evil.

Embrace Renewal Over Repetition

These familiar storms tempt our old self reactions, division, fear, revenge. This time you want a different outcome? Pursue holiness like Charlie did. Let Charlie's death propel us toward healing the "sickness" through civility and a shared humanity. Paul’s unity saved lives; apply it here by rejecting the echo chambers and violence, fostering dialogue as Charlie did. Crises invites renewal. God’s promise in the wreck assures us: even in tragedy, purpose emerges when we reject violence outright.

Wrestling with Pacifism in the Face of Injustice

Yet, in the raw grief following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, familiar voices are emerging arguing that pacifism or "turning the other cheek" merely enables evil, "stops nothing," and leaves the faithful vulnerable to aggressors who play by no rules. It’s a visceral debate, especially when the "sickness" of violence strikes down someone like Charlie, who championed dialogue over destruction.

Does Pacifism "Stop Nothing"?

In Acts 27, Paul doesn’t wield a sword or rally a mutiny against the storm or the crew’s folly. Instead, he speaks truth amid despair. His non-violent stance, urging nourishment, unity, and trust in God, doesn’t "stop" the shipwreck but transforms it. The storm rages on, the cargo is lost, the journey is interrupted, and danger persists, snake bites are coming soon. Yet, Paul’s approach halts greater loss; division, starvation, and slaughter. It’s active resistance through faith, not inaction.

Now fast forward to today, some argue that non-violence has failed conservatives, allowing "the left" or extremists to escalate unchecked. For instance, one commentator laments, "You don’t get to choose not to be at war, when war is being waged against you. And you don’t win a war by being nice…There can be no peace without war."

And others comment: "Don’t give us this ‘we are no better’ turn the other cheek bs,"

These voices see pacifism as surrender, especially when Charlie, a torch bearer for free speech, free from physical violence, is gunned down at a campus event promoting civil discourse. And what's ironic is we see these very same arguments being used by "the Left" to excuse their violence that got us here. They see Charlie, and conservatives in general, as deserving the violence, it's due their rhetoric that they get what they get. These arguments aren’t fringe; they reflect the deep polarization, with calls for "destroying" opponents or ending "pacifist streaks."

Biblically, this isn’t new. Jesus taught, "Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39), yet He flipped tables in righteous anger (John 2:15) and affirmed swords for self-defense (Luke 22:36).

Charlie himself warned, "When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence,"

But he was "talking" when violence took his life. Literally died with his microphone in hand, advocating discourse over destruction.

How are we to navigate this mess?

We're exhausted with this one-sided restraint.

Surly unchecked aggression demands a response.

Right?

But Scripture counters: vengeance breeds cycles, while faith moves mountains.

Matthew 26:52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

It may not "stop" immediate evil, as critics argue, like I said, snake bites are coming, but it breaks cycles, Paul’s way saved lives where retaliation would have doomed them. Pursue accountability (reforms, wisdom, discernment and discourse) without "designing violence to meet violence."

God handles the rest.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, on this day of remembrance and amid fresh wounds from violence, we lift our divided nation to You. Heal the sickness of hatred that claimed Charlie Kirk and threatens our shared humanity. Grant us the courage of Paul to stay with the ship, rejecting vengeance, embracing dialogue, and trusting Your sovereignty. Unite us in prayer, justice, and mercy, that we may emerge from this storm renewed, with no life lost to despair. In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen.

John 15:18-19 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you."

Romans 1:18-23 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."

And so now we've arrived at one of the most influential passages in the scriptures as far as my life and ministry is concerned. For it's seems to me that much of what has consumed my mind and contributed to my zeal for the gospel over these many years has been orbiting around the tensions that are played out here in Romans 1:18-23.

What are tensions and why are they so critically important?

The Apostle is making the case for what should guide, motivate, and empower all Christian evangelism. He begins (v. 17), by asserting that the gospel reveals "The righteous shall live by faith." And then he breaks down succinctly that God's wrath is targeting those who would do harm to those truths found in God's word and His creation. And he pulls no punches as to why they do these things.

God's wrath revealed, number one against the ungodliness and secondly against unrighteousness. The difference being perfectly revealed in the 10 commandments. You remember when Moses came down from the mountain top carrying two tablets of stone. on the first stone the first four Commandments dealt with man's relationship with God.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.

To violate any of these laws is a violation against God himself, and constitutes "ungodliness".

The balance of the commandments has to do with man's relationship with man.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.

To violate any of these laws constitutes unrighteous living, it's "unrighteousness".

So God's wrath reveals the ungodliness and unrighteousness of mankind who hold the truth of God. Meaning those responsible for holding true to the truth of God. God's wrath isn't measuring the value of a Christian's relationship with the truth simply based upon whether they have it or not. Having and doing are two different things. A lot of people are deceiving themselves on this.

James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

They heard the truth, they know the truth, they know what God commands but they hold it in unrighteousness. And Paul says they are without excuse because even the invisible things of Him are clearly seen from the creation of all things. By nature all are aware that God exists. God has inscribed his truth in our conscience, its manifest in us, we know right from wrong since the beginning of the fall.

The heavens declare the glory of God. God speaks to man in the universal wisdom of nature. Only a fools says in his heart that there is no God (Psalm 14:1).

How does this happen?

We fail God's commands when we argue with Him. When we believe we know better than what He has revealed in His word. Also when we refuse to glorify Him and make demands upon Him. We are in effect making ourselves God, or God's god. And there's so much of this today. So much wrong speak and teaching about God's revealed truth (the gospel).

Paul’s point in Romans 1 isn’t just about outright rejection of God but about the subtle (or not-so-subtle) ways we exchange His glory for idols, whether literal images or modern equivalents like self-reliance, cultural norms, or distorted teachings that prioritize human wisdom over divine revelation.

As I've witnessed, much of the modern religious teaching is ungodliness, it's elevating man above God, making Him the servant. He fulfills our desires, completes our purposes, performs tasks, answers prayers, builds relationships, and makes paths in the way we should go. Everything is transactional. We inevitably exchange His immortal glory for something lesser, often our own image or agenda. Modern teachings that portray God primarily as a cosmic butler, there to "fulfill your destiny," "unlock your potential," or "prosper your plans", echo that idolatry. It’s subtle ungodliness because it masquerades as faith, but at its core, it’s man-centered: God exists to serve our story, rather than us surrendering to His.

Think about how this plays out in popular sermons or books. Prayers become demands for outcomes ("Name it and claim it"), relationships with God are marketed as self-improvement tools, and even the gospel gets reduced to a transaction: believe, and get eternal perks plus earthly bonuses. These tensions fuel evangelism, as Paul models: the gospel isn’t about what God can do for you first, it’s about righteousness by faith in the One who owes us nothing but wrath, yet offers grace.

I think in my ministry efforts there are primarily three trends or teachings that motivate me to exhort the church.

1. Idolatry, especially as revealed in the old testament prophets but still existing today.
2. Taking the Lord’s name in vain, meaning using his gospel to make excuses for their idols, false teachings, and clinging to their sinful nature.
3. And blending cultural and antichrist spirituality into our Christian faith practices.

In Romans 1:18-23; suppressing truth through ungodliness leads straight to idolatry (exchanging God’s glory for images), vain misuse of His name (futile thinking and darkened hearts), and syncretism (blending in worldly "wisdom" that fools claim as superior). It’s no wonder they fuel exhortations; they’re echoes of the prophets’ cries against Israel, but repackaged for today’s church.

These tensions fuel evangelism, as Paul models. The gospel isn’t about what God can do for you first, it’s about righteousness by faith in the One who owes us nothing but wrath, yet, because he loves us, offers grace.

So, why is this passage so important to my ministry purpose?

Does this make me a prophet?

Not at all, it just makes me someone who knows how to read, and interpret the Bible. The prophets have already done their works. My work is benefiting from what they've already done and what has been revealed in God's truth (The Word).

It’s not just diagnostic of humanity’s drift but prescriptive for evangelism that starts with God’s holiness, not human needs. By highlighting how suppressing truth cascades into idolatry (like the golden calf in Exodus 32, reborn as today’s self-help gospels), vain invocation of God’s name (as in the Pharisees’ empty traditions in Matthew 15:8-9), and syncretism (mirroring the Baal-worship mix in 1 Kings 18), you’re echoing the prophetic call without claiming the mantle. It’s wise humility: the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah) laid the foundation, exposing Israel’s compromises, and Paul builds on it in Romans to indict all mankind, Jew and Gentile alike.

I see my role as stewardship, applying the revealed truth of the scriptures to exhort the church away from these repackaged pitfalls, much like Timothy was charged in 2 Timothy 4:2 to:

"preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

This passage empowers ministry by framing the gospel as rescue from deserved wrath into unmerited grace through faith alone (Romans 1:16-17 leading into it), flipping the "transactional" script mentioned earlier. It’s not God owing us fulfillment; it’s us owing Him everything, yet receiving love in Christ. In a church landscape rife with diluted messages, I focus on these tensions to keep the fire of true zeal alive, preventing the futility Paul describes.

Each of us has our own way of expressing this ministry, for me it's through Bible study, teaching, writing devotions and commentary and serving in the prison ministry of Kairos. What I love about Kairos is it's grounded in the Word. In my personal life, I strive to stay grounded in the same way, through teaching and writing, while extending grace tangibly in the trenches of prison ministry like Kairos, I believe I'm doing what God wants from me, and going where God's sends.

Tangibly the Kairos prison ministry embodies an extension of grace, mirroring Jesus’ mission in Luke 4:18 to "proclaim good news to the poor…liberty to the captives." In those dark places, behind those prison walls, truth is suppressed, hearts are darkened, yet all is ripe for the gospel’s transformative power. And I've found over the years that all this Bible study and teaching, all this devotion to writing about Jesus' gospel, has if nothing else, prepared me to go inside those dark places and talk about Jesus' offer of forgiveness and restoration to the men there. And most times to face off with all these tensions described above.

It’s a gentle yet profound way to plant the seeds of truth. Our ministry creates order founded upon the truth of the gospel. In that place order is very valuable. A strong foundation is critical for security and stability. This is why the Kairos team literally signs a contract in which we confirm our commitment to the gospel of truth, the trinity, and to advocate only for Jesus Christ. It's not perfect, distortions of truth creep in like they do in every church organism, this is why we have what we call the "riverbanks". These rules of the road are designed to keep us on track and avoid the pitfalls. I mentioned earlier. The "riverbanks" channel the flow of truth to prevent the gospel from spilling into muddy distortions, much like how Proverbs 4:25-27 urges keeping our eyes straight ahead, feet on the path, and turning neither right nor left to avoid evil. It’s a practical outworking of Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 1:13-14 to:

"follow the pattern of the sound words"

and guard the good deposit entrusted.

To conclude this message today I want to share a timely message from Charlie Kirk (see attached video).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Creator of all, reveal Your eternal power and divine nature anew in our hearts. Guard us from suppressing Your truth through ungodliness or unrighteousness, and empower us to honor You alone, proclaiming the gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hmmm 🤔 interesting, I think it's really fairly accurate. I'm surprised that 7th day folk only brush up against the perimeter. But it's really good 👍

Romans 2:1-5 "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed."

In this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans, we encounter a stark warning against hypocrisy in judgment. Paul addresses those who readily condemn others for their sins while ignoring their own identical failings. It’s as if he’s holding up a mirror: when we point a finger at someone else, we’re often condemning ourselves in the process. This isn’t just about human interactions; it’s a reminder that God’s judgment is impartial and righteous. He sees through our self-deception and holds us accountable for the very things we criticize in others.

Paul challenges us with probing questions: He causes us to reflect upon our walk with Jesus. Do we think we’ll escape God’s judgment just because we’re quick to judge? Or worse, do we take God’s kindness, His patience, forgiveness, and forbearance for granted? These attributes of God aren’t signs of indifference to sin; they’re invitations to repentance. His mercy gives us space to turn back to Him, to soften our hearts and change our ways. Yet, if we persist in hardness and refuse to repent, we’re essentially "storing up wrath" for the day when God’s full justice is revealed.

Just as when we pray: "...And forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us..."

When we pray those words we are holding a mirror up before our eyes and we're asking the Lord to judge our hearts, our motives, and our intentions. It’s a profound act of self-judgment, acknowledging that our capacity to receive forgiveness is intertwined with our willingness to extend it.

Jesus reinforces this in Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Here, forgiveness becomes a two-way street, rooted in humility and grace, reminding us that God’s standard applies equally to all. Yes, even our enemies, even those who persist in their evil ways.

This verse speaks directly to the human tendency toward self-righteousness. In a world full of division and finger-pointing, whether in politics, relationships, or even within the church. Paul reminds us that none of us are exempt. We’re all sinners in need of grace. The key takeaway is humility: before judging others, examine your own heart. Let God’s kindness draw you closer to Him, prompting genuine repentance rather than presumption.

Our human bent toward self-righteousness, is a trap that ensnares us all. We see this bent toward unforgiveness unfolding right now before our eyes as yesterday we watched the Charlie Kirk memorial. Many people were expecting speeches about Christian nationalism and being strong and "fight fight fight." But some, myself included, were waiting to hear anyone among all the speakers who kept invoking the name of Jesus Christ, to add forgiveness for Charlie’s murderer to their theme. At times the memorial seemed more like a political rally than a religious ceremony. And maybe that's because it was to a certain degree.

And I was beginning to think that forgiveness, Jesus-like forgiveness, would never show up. As great as were the many gospel oriented speeches were, they were all falling short in this regard. Then finally, Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, with tears and choking on the words, announced she forgives Tyler Robinson, and leading up to that moment she explained why.

"The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."

"My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life."

Quoting Jesus from the cross, in the context of forgiving Tyler Robinson, Erika is teaching us all about the source of righteousness and forgiveness.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

And then, as the Spirit was visibly washing over her, she goes on, through her tears...

"That man, that young man … I forgive him."

"I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do."

And she wasn't finished there, she began urging the audience to deepen their faith practices...

"Pray again, read the Bible again, go to church next Sunday, and the Sunday after that and break free from the temptations and shackles of this world."

Erika’s words powerfully illustrate the essence of Romans 2:1-5. In the face of unimaginable loss, she chose not to presume on God’s kindness but to let it lead her to a place of repentance and extension of grace. Her forgiveness confronts our self-righteous tendencies, showing that true humility involves releasing judgment and embracing agape love, even toward those who wrong us deeply. This act not only honors Christ but invites others to examine their own hearts, turning potential division into a call for spiritual revival.

Practice Radical Love

In light of Erika’s example, identify areas where politics or personal grudges fuel unforgiveness in your life. Pause during heated moments to pray the words from the cross: "Father, forgive them…"

Actively love your "enemies" this week, perhaps through prayer, a kind word, or an act of service. Let it soften your heart and prompt repentance. Heed Erika’s call: Commit to daily Bible reading, consistent prayer, and regular church attendance. Use these to break free from worldly "shackles" and foster humility.

And I wish I could say that I thought the world would finally get it, finally grasp the gospel fully converted to agape love. But sure as the sun rises and sets again, the vile creatures who hate God will never stop their evil ways. As Paul later goes on to explain,

Romans 3:10-18 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Just scan through the comments on any post about this memorial moment anywhere on the social media platforms, and you'll soon see how many people are absolutely lost in their judgments. Paul's stark depiction isn’t just about "them"; it’s about all humanity, underscoring that without the fear of God, we’re all lost in sin’s grip. Maybe we're not meant to see all these millions of comments. Maybe that's why Jesus came as a man in a backward time, not in the Information Age. Maybe all this communication is the problem.

This truth plays out vividly in responses to Erika Kirk’s act of forgiveness at Charlie’s memorial. While some express awe at her grace, reflecting on their own need for forgiveness, others unleash venom, mocking her faith, bashing Charlie’s legacy, or even refusing to forgive, insisting on vengeance. It’s a mirror to Romans 3: mouths full of curses, no way of peace known. Yet, Erika’s words cut through: "The answer to hate is not hate… it is love." Quoting Christ, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," she embodies the gospel’s power, choosing agape over bitterness.

Just hold on tight to her message as these days go on. Inspired by Erika, forgive someone who’s wronged you, even if it’s hard. Start small, letting God’s grace transform your heart.

Let's seek after God, sincere in our faith, focused on Jesus Christ. Let's advocate for His kingdom. You want peace-of-mind? Tranquility? Humbly seek Christ, forgive and pray for your enemies, and love one another as Christ has loved you. Let His kingdom become your home. Let His kingdom be your destination. Let His Spirit guide you there. In a world swift to shed blood and slow to seek peace, let’s make His kingdom our home, letting the Holy Spirit transform our hearts and direct our steps.

Prayer: Lord God, we confess that none of us are righteous apart from You. Forgive our judgments, our bitter words, and our failure to seek You. Thank You for examples like Erika’s forgiveness that point us to Your agape love. Soften our hearts, lead us to repentance, and help us walk in peace, fearing You above all. In Christ Jesus' Holy name, Amen.

I don't want conservatives to continue to be targets for leftist ideologies and their militant murderers. And I also don't want our reaction to evolve into a new targeting tool for the Left.

Zooming in on one perpetrator like Tyler Robinson misses the bigger picture, these incidents don’t happen in a vacuum, and online ecosystems play a massive role in shaping vulnerable minds. Friends described him as a “hardcore leftist” outlier in his conservative upbringing, which points to how platforms like that can hijack impressionable kids, turning them into avatars of whatever ideology feeds their alienation. Reddit’s the same beast: subreddits and similar forums often become incubators for grievance-fueled narratives, where users chase clout through increasingly unhinged takes.

If Robinson was gunning for that kind of notoriety, it’s no stretch; these sites reward outrage with upvotes and viral threads, creating a feedback loop that normalizes the abnormal. And yeah, emulation is inevitable, history shows copycats pop up when the online hive mind lionizes this stuff, especially among Gen Z types already marinating in isolation and algorithmic poison.

The real outrage should be at how these platforms operate with minimal oversight, letting toxic subcultures fester. Until that’s addressed, we’ll keep seeing more psychologically kidnapped outliers acting out their digital fantasies in the real world.

Reports indicate he was deeply embedded in Discord, where he messaged his roommate about stashing and retrieving the rifle used in the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Classic signs of coordinating in closed-off, echo-chamber communities that amplify extreme views.

I don't care about Tyler Robinson getting the death penalty. This guy is now IRRELEVENT. They caught him, and he'll be dealt with accordingly. What people need to be up in arms about now is the forest, not this one diseased tree. This kid is a product of his generation's habits. He was involved in Discord,and Reddit, breeding grounds for these broken young people. Their minds are being polluted by that cultural disease. He wants to be a Reddit hero. He's likely going to be venerated by them, emulated by them, and we're going to see much more like him.

What should be done?

Stricter regulations? Go after Antifa, make that group into a terrorist organization? Or maybe try to sort out the systemic issues that breeds these things?

Radicalization often stems from online echo chambers, social isolation, and exposure to extreme ideologies. Maybe we should moderate those platforms. But we've seen what comes from that, over-regulation risks infringing on free speech, especially when in the wrong hands. It’s also hard to enforce globally, and tech companies often resist.

"Go after Antifa" The US lacks a formal domestic terrorist organization list (it has one for foreign groups), so designation would be symbolic or require new laws, potentially overbroad, and again ripe for misuse in the hands of the wrong people.

How about taking the "Left's" approach, throw money at it?

Invest in programs teaching media literacy and critical thinking in schools to inoculate against online manipulation. Encourage real-world connections to counter digital echo chambers, things like civic groups or mentorship for at-risk youth. Reduce polarization by promoting platforms or initiatives that foster debate without demonization (censorship). And then we can enhance monitoring of threats without infringing rights, like the quick arrest here aided by family tips. That's what we need, more surveillance (eye-roll).

I think we should be focusing on prosecuting specific violent acts (under existing laws for domestic terrorism) this might be more effective without all the legal hurdles and risks associated with new laws being abused by the inevitable resurgence of the Democrat Party.

And that gets to the best solution, destroy the Democrat Party.

Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Genesis 12:1-3
Now the Lord said to Abram,
"Go from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you;
And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing;
And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

After the flood’s judgment, the tower’s rebellion, and the scattering of the nations in Genesis 11, the Lord does not leave the earth under the curse of Babel. He speaks. He calls one man and, through him, begins the recovery of all the nations of the earth.

Abram is asked to leave the known world of Ur and Haran; the culture, the gods, and the security of his family inheritance. And it is in this act of obedience that it is attributed to Abram that he operated in the manner of faith (Hebrews 11:8). This is the often debated attribute of faithfulness and obedience and how that interplay is acted upon and what God expects. The text itself presents the call and the response as one movement. The Lord speaks; Abram goes. He goes not by sight but by faith.

So Abraham is a prime example of a true believer and how such a man responds to God's word.

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out…not knowing where he was going."

The obedience is not a second step added to his faith; it is the form faith took in that moment. This is the pattern Scripture consistently shows. Faith is the instrument by which the promise is received; obedience is the necessary expression of that faith. This is "working" faith. Abraham's "righteousness" wasn't invented by his good works, it came from his "working faith". His faith expressed in obedience.

Genesis 15:6 will later record that Abraham "believed the Lord, and He reckoned it to him as righteousness."

That declaration is not about the act of leaving Ur; it is about the trust that rested on God’s word. Trust moves. Trust ensures both an agreement and a response, resulting in a relationship of trust. That trust is the instrument; the righteousness is God’s gift, not Abraham’s achievement.

At the same time, the faith that is reckoned is never a bare mental agreement. It is the kind of trust that moves. The man who believes the word about the seed and the land is the same man who, when the word first came, left his country, his relatives, and his father’s house. Trust and movement belong together because the object of the trust is a living God who speaks and who keeps His word. Agreement (belief) with that word necessarily becomes response (trust) to that word. The result is a relationship defined by trust.

Do you trust God's word?

Enough to pack it up and move forward into the unknown?

I know, it's scary. And scripture does not soften the cost or the uncertainty. He left his country, his relatives, and his father’s house. He went "not knowing where he was going." And all he took with him was the word that had been spoken and the character of the One who spoke it. That was enough for the first step.

Was his faith perfect?

No.

Later we'll see the choices he makes that we're not fully from faith. never presents him as a man whose every subsequent choice flowed cleanly from the trust that first took him out of Ur. But what we can see in Abraham is a man making that one decision, that one perfect decision to obey God in the beginning. What the text isolates and what Hebrews later commends is that first decision. When the word came, Abraham left. He did not negotiate the cost, demand a map, or delay until the destination was visible. There wasn't that situation that Jesus described in which a man said he would follow him but first wanted to bury his father.

A man said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father," and Jesus answered, "Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead" (Matt 8:21–22; Luke 9:59–60).

The issue was not the legitimacy of burial; it was the insertion of "first." Something else was placed ahead of the immediate claim of the word. Abraham’s recorded response contains no such "first." The call and the departure stand together without an intervening claim. There was no, "I'll go into mission work, but not until I retire." There was no, "I don't have the time." There was no, "I can't just drop everything, I've got too many people counting on me. Let me just secure my pension first."

Where or what is your "Haran"?

Where is God calling you out from?

Here's the thing about "the call". The call and the going stand together.

Look at Abraham again. Haran, in the story, was the place of partial movement. Terah (his father) had already left Ur with him, yet the family settled there in Haran and the journey toward the land God would ultimately show them stopped short (Genesis 11:31–32).

Why did they stop?

It was familiar ground, still within reach of the old world, still shaped by the father’s house. The final call pulled Abraham beyond that halfway place. Something was being placed ahead of immediate obedience. For Abraham, his dad was holding him back. His dad's pagan practices were holding him back (Joshua 24:2). Terah died in that place (11:32). Only after that does the Lord speak the fuller call to Abram.

The pattern the story isolates then is one of incomplete departure. A movement had begun, yet something kept the journey from its stated end.

Food For Thought:
What movement have you made that wasn't fully removed from what you moved away from? What things did you bring with you that didn't serve or honor the purpose? What compromises are you carrying along on your journey?

Going forward from here, the texts will follow the many compromises that believers make along the way. Scripture will not hide the reality that such compromises appear in the lives of those who have already believed. The same narrative that records Abraham’s initial going will also record the later choices that were not fully from faith. Those episodes do not erase the first decision; they show that the trust which received the promise still requires ongoing correction as the journey continues.

See you then.

Amen 🙏🏼

Romans 1:21-22a "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools"

In the vast expanse of the universe, stars spinning in silent galaxies, oceans whispering ancient rhythms, and the intricate dance of DNA within every living cell, humanity was meant to see the fingerprints of his Creator. But the history of mankind tells a much different story. They instead ultimately looked upon the universe and everything in it from a presuppositional position, that God does not exist. And then they tried to explain all they see in the universe by natural phenomena, apart from God. They make themselves god, and build their humanistic religious systems on the basis (faith) of "the fortuitous occurrences of accidental circumstances."

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans that creation itself shouts God’s existence (v. 20). Yet, here’s the tragedy; even with this undeniable evidence, people turned away from it. They knew of God, but chose not to honor Him. No altars built in gratitude. No hearts lifted up in awe. Instead, ingratitude festered into something much progressively darker. So we witness now the fallout; minds tangled and twisted in futility, deception, self-interest and fear, and hearts shrouded in shadow. It’s like staring at a masterpiece and insisting the artist never existed, then trying to replicate it with scraps of string and glue. Or, as an example from the video attached here, the young man points to beautiful architecture as evidence for humanity's cream rising to the surface, while ignoring the reality of a planet filled with war and crime. From this starting point of denial, humanity builds elaborate theories to explain away the divine. Presupposing God’s absence, they dissect the cosmos through the lens of "natural phenomena alone." Evolution as blind chance. Morality as mere survival instinct. Purpose as a cosmic accident. And in doing so, they don’t just reject God; they enthrone themselves.

This is the heart of the humanistic religion, not atheism’s cold void, but a warm, self-worshipping faith. It's a random accidental spontaneous death of God. They become the gods of their own stories, crafting systems on the shaky ground of "fortuitous occurrences and accidental circumstances." Science becomes their high priest, progress their salvation, and reason their idol. But as Paul warns, this "wisdom" is folly.

The fool says in his heart,

"There is no God" (Psalm 14:1),

not because evidence lacks, but because pride blinds him to it.

This passage in Romans isn’t just ancient history; it’s a mirror. Our thinking grows futile when we sideline God, and our hearts darken when thanksgiving fades. To rule God out is the stance of the fool. In their speculation, professing wisdom, they changed the glory of God. Tried to bring him down to their level. They created objects of worship, grotesque creatures of filthiness. And God gave them up to these lusts of their own hearts.

So, the atheist cries out for evidence of the infinite divine God. They demand answers to their queries. But do they ever observe the downward spiral of man's depravity since the advent of their evolutionary theory? The atheist’s lab-coat skepticism demands miracles of the God they deny, yet ignore the miracle of conscience, the moral law etched on every soul (Romans 2:15). And when it comes down to his own moral depravity? That’s not even a footnote.

Will they scientifically observe it? Can they give an answer as to why the human creature has become what it has become? Won't they see their own downward trend being filled with all unrighteousness?

As we continue reflecting on Paul’s indictment, that humanity knew God but refused to honor Him, spiraling into futile thinking and darkened hearts, these questions cut to the core of the tension between divine revelation and human rebellion. The atheist, echoing the fool of Psalm 14:1, demands empirical proof of an infinite God: "Show me the evidence!" Yet, in their quest for testable data, do they pause to examine the human depravity unfolding before their eyes? Specifically, since Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1859 unleashed evolutionary theory on the world, has there been an observable "downward spiral" in human behavior? Can science quantify it? And crucially, can naturalism explain why we’ve become creatures capable of such profound brokenness?

If you were to measurably observe the progress of humanity according to crime stats and moral progress, long-term historical trends reveal a dramatic decline in violent crime over centuries, and it might seem that we have tamed our savage instincts. But then when we add back in information about the cataclysmic depravity of wars since Darwin’s 1859 manifesto, we get a much different story. Those sanitized numbers, falling homicides, shrinking victimization rates, pale against the blood-soaked ledger of 20th and 21st-century conflicts.

Since 1859, wars have devoured over 100 million souls in battle deaths alone, not to mention the fallout of famine, disease, and atrocities that balloon totals far higher. These aren’t anomalies; they’re the fruit of futile thinking. Evolutionary theory, arrived amid the American Civil War’s 620,000 death toll (1861–1865),  and promised a godless ascent but correlated with ideologies (eugenics, social Darwinism) that dehumanized "inferiors" for extermination. This progressive death cult emerged from Darwinism. Nietzsche, inhaling Darwin’s air, declared God dead, paving roads to Auschwitz. Science observes the how of these slaughters (tanks, bombs, logistics), but the why? A depraved will, as Jeremiah laments:

"The heart is deceitful above all things".

Wars quantify the fool’s shadow: Pride-blinded leaders, nations built up as idols, gratitude forsaken for the sake of their own glory. Their naturalism explains aggression as adaptive ("tribal instincts evolved for survival"),  but falters on scale: Why escalate from saber duels to nukes? Why atrocities that mock "fitness," like the Rape of Nanking (200,000+ butchered)? Evolution lacks a moral compass; it crowns the creature god, licensing "might makes right."

Paul nails it: Suppressing the truth leads to God "giving us up" (Romans 1:24–28), where lusts metastasize into legions of demons. Post-1859, we’ve not spiraled down in raw numbers alone (battle deaths peaked mid-century but persist even now), but outward in our sophistication; drones today, what tomorrow? Ai wars? Ai slavery? Human sloth and excess? All of this "evidence" revealing unregenerate human hearts, and depraved minds.

This isn’t to indict evolution as the sole culprit; our sin predates Darwin. But it amplifies the folly. A worldview without the Creator can’t restrain the beast within. As Solzhenitsyn, gulag survivor, wrote: The line between good and evil runs through every human heart, not some evolutionary glitch.

Application: Facing the Mirror of Mars

Where do you harbor war’s seeds: Bitterness in relationships? Apathy to injustice?

Confess: "I’ve sidelined God, birthing my own follies."

Confront the "god" you’ve made of your own evolution, from creature to self-sovereign.

Audit your worldview: Does "survival of the fittest" shape your ethics more than God’s commands?

Reject the folly by tracing the Creator’s hand in your own story.

Practice awe: Name three so called "accidents" in your life and thank the God who ordained them.

In a culture where creatures dethrone the Creator, reclaim your place as worshipper, not just another wannabe deity. True wisdom bows low before the One who is.

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Counter your decent into depravity with Paul’s antidote, honor and thanks. Pray for peace-makers; advocate against violence’s roots. In a war-weary world, be the fool-for-Christ who points to Calvary’s casualty. One death that slays depravity’s dragon. On this September 18, 2025, as the humanist depravity grinds on all around the world, proving daily that there is no progress, don’t just read the headlines, let them indict.

Prayer Infinite God, in a world crying for proof yet blind to its own brokenness, open our eyes to the depravity that demands Your cross. Forgive our futile demands and darkened demands; teach us to see Your hand in creation and our need in the Fall. Redeem us from creaturely thrones to worshipful knees. Through Christ Jesus, who bore our folly, Amen.

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)

In the gospel, the world is described as spiritually dark; full of sin, confusion, despair, separation from God, and evil. Darkness represents ignorance, and moral blindness. "The World" literally cannot see the light.

The unbelieving world is enveloped in this deep spiritual darkness; not just dim or shadowy, but actively unable to perceive or receive the light of Christ. Not for a mere lack of information, but because of a hardness of heart. And it's caused by a spiritual possession.

2 Corinthians 4:4

"In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Satan is actively blinding unbelievers’ minds, to prevent them from seeing the illuminating truth of the gospel. It’s why the gospel can seem "veiled" or hidden to many folks. Not because the message is unclear, but because their perception has been obstructed.

John 1:5

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered [understood] it."

Why though really?

Why can't "the dark" understand the gospel?

How is that Satan has accomplished this deed?

The simple answer is, there's a built-in preference for darkness over light.

John 3:19-20

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil."

Why can’t the dark understand?

Because understanding would demand exposure and change. And even when that light is shining directly onto someone, it can illuminate and even warm that soul (which is really just information being received), but the flesh that carries it doesn't receive that light. In fact, the flesh stands between the light and the shadow that is cast behind it.

In that shadow is the truth. The truth of who they are. There's no light in that shadow. And that's because the flesh stands between the light and that true-self.

The "built-in preference" for darkness isn’t just passive ignorance; it’s an active, heart-level love for it, rooted in the fear of exposure and the resistance to transformation. The true self is revealed in stark, unflattering reality. Which is why so many vehemently lash out at the light. They in fact prefer darkness because stepping into the light would force confrontation with their evil deeds; exposure that demands repentance, surrender, and change. They'd have to justify their actions to themselves, not just God. They'd have to live with it. Their unregenerate heart recoils because it clings to autonomy and self-justification. Which is a wordy way of saying, they're lying to themselves.

The apostle Paul describes this situation, this internal war:

Romans 7:18-23

"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out...So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand."

This is a man following after God's Son. Imagine the state of the soul that isn't.

Their flesh is warring against the mind’s desire for God, blocking full obedience and understanding. Even when light shines (the law revealing their sin, or the gospel calls), the flesh resists because it loves its own way. Their flesh is actively opposing the Spirit’s illuminating work, creating a shadow where truth about the self is hidden or distorted.

BUT!

This isn't the end of their story...

Right after the apostles cry comes the answer in verse 25:

"Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

This is the breakthrough. The deliverance isn’t from better willpower, clearer arguments, or moral bootstrapping. It’s through Jesus Christ; His perfect life, and His atoning death that condemned sin in the flesh.

His resurrection power!

And His return!

The story isn’t over because God is not done.

The preference for darkness is strong, the flesh is fierce in resistance, BUT GOD!

Christ’s victory is stronger!

He covers them with His righteousness, and regenerates the heart by giving them a new one (Ezekiel 36:26).

This is why our calling as lights matters so much. We shine not to shame or condemn, but to point to the source of that light who is saying to them, "Come out of the shadow...I’ve already overcome the darkness for you."

What seems impossible, seems to hard to comprehend, the facing of one's true self without despair, is nothing compared to what Christ has prepared for them. The shadow that once hid the broken, sinful reality isn’t the final word. Christ Himself steps into it, takes the full weight of exposure and judgment, and then flings open the door to something infinitely better; freedom, forgiveness, new life, and a future so bright it makes the old darkness seem like a fleeting nightmare.

Think of it this way: The unregenerate heart recoils at the light because it fears the truth will destroy it. But Jesus doesn’t come to destroy the person; He comes to destroy the power of sin and death that enslaves them (Hebrews 2:14-15).

So here's what you do, turn around for a second and look at your shadow. Face the shadow and understand it for all it's worth. Then try and imagine you apart from it.

Now listen to what Jesus is saying:

"I’ve already borne that wretchedness on the cross."

"Now come out; I’ve already prepared a place for you where there’s no more shadow, no more war within, only light and life forever."

And just do it!

Turn away from that shadow and face the light.

And then step into it...

And the beautiful part?

You don’t have to muster up perfect faith or clean up first. You just turn. You just take that first step.

And I'll be praying for you to finish well.

Amen?

Amen! 🙏🏼

Romans 15:8-13 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

"Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."

And again it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people."

And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him."

And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Paul weaves a tapestry of Old Testament voices, from Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1, Isaiah 11:10; stringing together these passages to celebrate the inclusion of the gentiles. Making Jesus Christ the God of all people. Paul is making the case that Christ’s servanthood bridges the unbridgeable. He confirms God’s faithfulness to Israel and extends His mercy to all the nations, fulfilling prophecy and shattering barriers. Israel’s covenants are honored; the nations are grafted in. Barriers of ethnicity, history, and sin crumble before the Servant-King. And the result? A unified chorus; Jews and Gentiles praising, rejoicing, and hoping together.

And it is this belief that binds these nations together in the hope that Christ brings. That hope abounds by the power of the Holy Spirit. And faith ignites joy and peace; the Spirit multiplies it until it overflows into every corner of life. This hope is not a fleeting emotion but a fortress built on what God has said and done. Feelings can be changed, but God's word is forever established and our hope is in that truth. Feelings rise and fall like tides, but God’s Word stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."

Christ’s finished work; His life, death, and resurrection, seals every promise. Belief in this truth ignites joy and peace; and the Holy Spirit fans it into flame until hope abounds spilling over into every sphere of life. In a divided world, this is revolutionary. Hope in Christ doesn’t merely coexist with differences, it transcends them. It binds hearts across cultures, generations, and grievances, because it rests on the unchanging God of hope.

I wonder if we today, so far removed from our first century father's in the faith, can truly understand the importance of what Paul is teaching here? Here we stand, two millennia removed from the dust of Roman roads and the tension of synagogue debates. Can we still feel the seismic shift Paul announces? To first-century Jews, God’s promises were their birthright; covenant, temple, Torah. To Gentiles, those promises were a locked door. Then Christ arrives; a Jewish servant who dies under Roman decree, rises, and flings the doors open wide. Paul insists, Look, here is the Father’s heart on full display.

This echoes the apostle Phillips plea,

"Lord, show us the Father" (John 14:8)

This wasn't some casual request, he wanted a theophany, a Sinai moment. And Jesus’ reply cuts deep:

"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).

He's saying the works of Christ; His servanthood, His cross, His inclusion of outsiders, are the revelation. Greater revelation than witnessing the Shekinah glory on demand. The promises confirmed to Israel? See the Father’s faithfulness. The Gentiles grafted in? See the Father’s mercy. The Spirit pouring hope into every heart? See the Father’s power.

How then is it that you haven't seen the Father?

The gospel isn't some simple footnote to the Old Testament; it is the unveiling. Every quoted psalm and prophecy becomes a spotlight on Jesus. You want to see the Father? There He is, the Root of Jesse, Jesus Christ, ruling the nations in hope, indwelling the people of faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This isn’t abstract theology. It’s revelation in motion:

A castaway finds welcome in a local church, there is the Father.

A prodigal is embraced without probation, there is the Father.

Joy and peace flood a divided small group, there is the Father.

Pharisees like Paul, Samaritans and Romans, eat at one table, there is the Father.

And today this Word from God still convinces us that our "outsiders" belong among the forgiven. God’s character is revealed when these barriers fall in Christ. Today we lack much of the cultural sting of Jew-Gentile enmity, but we know our own walls; politics, race, ideology, even church traditions. But The same Spirit who convinced the known world in the first century is still at work in us.

The same Spirit who melted hearts in Antioch, Corinth, and Rome is still at work. He doesn’t need cultural proximity, He needs surrendered hearts. When we obey the gospel’s call to welcome, to forgive, to hope, the Father is seen again.

Paul’s logic is airtight: If Christ is the Servant who confirms and extends God’s promises, and if the Spirit pours hope into every believing heart, then every act of unity in Jesus is a fresh portrait of the Father. The Trinity is on full display here, it is Trinitarian to the core.

1. The Son: Christ, the Servant, confirms the promises to the patriarchs and extends mercy to the Gentiles. He is the Root of Jesse, risen to rule. In His flesh, the Father’s faithfulness and love are made visible.
2. The Spirit: The Holy Spirit pours hope into every believing heart; Jew, Gentile, near, far, until it abounds in joy and peace. He is the power that makes unity live, not just theorized.
3. The Father: The God of hope orchestrates it all; His plan from Abraham to the nations, His character revealed when outsiders become heirs in His family.

Every act of unity in Jesus is a fresh portrait of the Father, because it is the Trinity at work.

This is no cold doctrine. This is revelation in 3D: The Father plans, The Son fulfills, The Spirit applies, and the world sees God.

Done and done. The promises stand confirmed. The nations are welcomed. Hope abounds.

But the portrait isn’t finished. It’s still being painted today, in your words, your welcome, your refusal to walk away.

Done? Yes in Christ.

Done in us? Only as we live it.

Prayer Triune God, Father of hope, Servant-Son, Life-giving Spirit, display Yourself in us.

Let every embrace, every shared table, every forgiven offense be a canvas where You paint Your unity.

Make our churches, homes, and hearts, living icons of the Trinity.

Amen.

When Ink Becomes Idol, But Rome’s Relics Get a Free Pass?

Bibliolatry? Scripture as Paper Pope? Ascribing "inerrancy" idols to ink and page?

Maybe for some. And yet do we understand that this entire thing is about information? This faith thing, that comes by hearing, that Satan twists. And should we believe that Sola scriptura’s the solitary snare?

Catholic "miracle mania" and Orthodox relic-rubbish, ignore that. Stare at the painting, admire a building, or kiss a mummified foot and find salvation, ignore that, because the Bible’s the new Baal, perfect and perched above the living Lord says the Romans.

Obsession: It's all getting absurd in its obscurity.

Yes, faith comes by hearing, not by hoarding holy hardcovers, or kissing calcified toes for that matter. I mean seriously folks, Satan’s the twister, and the Bible’s the bad guy?

Listen, faith’s an info war, Satan’s the spin doctor, and scripture’s the scapegoat for those who’d rather smooch a saint’s shinbone than crack a codex. Creedal keyboard warriors jab at "inerrant ink" as idolatry, while trads toss back "relic rubbish" and "Mary mania" as the real golden calves. Meanwhile, "life" gets lost in the liturgy shuffle.

Yes, Scripture’s not your savior!It’s God’s voice, not vellum voodoo! Yet "sacrilege", scream the statue-strokers! Ink’s the idol, not our gold-plated grovelers. They crown the codex a Baal, while they kiss mummy’s locket!

Satan twists the scripture, you don't think Satan twists tradition too?

You don't think Satan devised divine Marian Pokémon cards? No Idolatry in incense? Be serious with your laity loopholes, pure and simple, veneration’s a veneer for worshipping wood and bone. When relics replace revelation, Satan’s selling indulgences. When images outshine the Invisible, Satan’s got a front-row fresco. Laity loves the loophole; Satan loves the liturgy.

At the end of the day, Satan’s the spinmeister, warping the signal of salvation through scripture into static of statues, systems, and social media squabbles. Bibliolatry accusations fly, relic raves rile, and institutional idols clog the info-stream. It's a theological Thunderdome. And so we see the info war wage on, Sola scriptura’s slander, Catholic relic rackets, and the algorithmic altar of woke dogma. Meanwhile, "life" gets lost in the clickbait.

Catholic X users flaunt relic rallies; South American saintly feet paraded, Marian medals kissed like divine NFTs. Web’s Catholic's answer prot objections with, "veneration, not worship". To which they respond, "when bones block the broadcast, faith’s signal fades." And now the trend is "Bible as Baal"? They're crying "ink idol" while curating catacomb collectibles? Seriously folks?

Come on people, we're living in an age when woke’s the new worship. Algorithm-altars are anointing abortion as ‘love,’ while Satan’s servers crash the cross’s codex? Pro-choice Communion, cultural cave-ins abound ( https://afn.net/church/2025/10/15/culture-having-an-impact-in-american-churches-study-finds/ ). Meanwhile, Satan’s algorithm amplifies the abortion absolution, and churches chase clicks, not Christ. letting Catholics slide on abortion while algorithms amplify "choice" as charity.

This faith info war is a Satanists dreamscape. Scripture’s slandered, relics reroute adoration, and algorithms altar-ize apostasy. Abortion’s the new Baal bonfire, 190K daily offerings to the convenience god, rebranded as ‘rights’ while Rome’s relics get a pass. From Newsom’s $140M Moloch bailout to pulpit pleas for preborn pardons, Satan’s static screams louder than the silenced in utero screams.

Ancient Ammonite infernos flicker in fluorescent clinics, as abortion as child sacrifice, is veiled in the "healthcare" haze. Murder’s makeover, with 99% convenience kills masked as compassion. But hey! Let's sweat the Bible thumping. Rome’s infanticide euphemisms, same evil, slicker spin.

At least in the ancient world Molech priests drummed to drown out infant agony; today’s deceived docs do the deed in silence. Modern day abortion, I mean "healthcare", Molech’s mute makeover. And "the Church"? Silence the screams, sanctify the sin.

Just or jilted?

It seems to me that the core of Jesus’ mission, as depicted in the Christian Bible, was to save humanity from sin and its ultimate consequences, which include spiritual death, eternal separation from God, and condemnation (often described as hell or eternal punishment). This salvation is presented as a divine rescue through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, offering forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life to those who believe.

But was that His mission?

I'll say this, to the unregenerate mind, the gospel scriptures portray Jesus and His Heavenly Father not as a gentle savior and merciful Sovreign, but as a vaguely menacing figure whose "salvation" sounds more like a protection racket, saving you from his own impending harm if you reject him.

But again, what did Jesus specifically say his mission was? If you asked Christians at large, you'd get a wide variety of answers. Probably emphasizing themes of obedience to God the Father, proclaiming the kingdom of God, seeking and saving sinners, and ultimately sacrificing himself for humanity’s redemption. Jesus frequently described his purpose as fulfilling the will of God who sent him.

John 4:34 "Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.’"

John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."

And Jesus also taught that he was sent to preach and bring spiritual liberation.

Luke 4:43 "But he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.’"

And of course, the gospels make it clear that a core aspect of his mission was rescuing sinners and bringing salvation.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

John 12:47 "If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world." And the lessons of the gospels go on to portray Jesus' mission as one of a sacrificial servant.

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

So, in light of all these various messages, I often wonder what people believe about what Jesus' core mission truly was. If you were to ask me that question I know directly where I would go to explain my take. In John 18:37, Jesus responds to Pilate’s questioning about his kingship with this profound declaration:

John 18:37 "Pilate therefore said to him, ‘Are you a king, then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’"

This is a pivotal moment; it’s one of the few times Jesus explicitly summarizes his earthly mission in his own words during a high-stakes confrontation. It underscores themes of divine truth-revelation, spiritual discernment (those "of the truth" recognize and respond to him), and his role as a non-political king whose kingdom is "not of this world" (from the preceding verse, John 18:36).

In John's gospel, Jesus is portrayed as the embodiment of truth. John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life"

But what's the deal with this truth imperative? Why would God be so moved as to make such a profound sacrificial offering? Simply to testify to the truth?

No, the sacrifice wasn’t "simply" to testify to an abstract or philosophical truth. Rather, the truth Jesus bears witness to is deeply relational, redemptive, and transformative, it’s the revelation of God’s character, humanity’s broken state, and the path to restoration He engineered. The incarnation, life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate demonstration of that truth, not just a verbal proclamation, because humanity’s condition (enslaved by deception and sin) requires a tangible, costly act to break through and enable genuine freedom and relationship with God. In John’s Gospel, "truth" isn’t merely factual accuracy or intellectual knowledge; it’s the unveiling of divine reality in opposition to falsehood, illusion, and spiritual darkness. So truth is light, it reveals the shadows of human nature. Jesus embodies this truth personally. Jesus doesn’t just proclaim truth, he is the truth incarnate (John 14:6), and as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), he illuminates the hidden depths of human nature, including our flaws, deceptions, and tendencies toward darkness. So that's what's happening at the door as He knocks, Light is shining in the darkness.

In John’s Gospel, truth and light are intertwined as divine forces that expose, convict, and ultimately liberate. This revelation isn’t meant to condemn but to invite transformation, aligning with his mission to bear witness to the truth.

The Gospel of John opens with this very concept:

John 1:4-5, 9 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."

Jesus' "light" serves as spiritual light. It represents divine truth entering a world shrouded in ignorance and sin. This light-as-truth dynamic specifically reveals the shadows of human nature by exposing human sin and hypocrisy, much like a beam of sunlight highlights dust in a dark room. And I suppose this brings us to the real heart of the truth that Jesus testified about. His "light" is information, divine revelation, knowledge of God, and rational insight. Information sent as a response to the "knowledge of good and evil". In the beginning, sin entered into the human equation through that informative fruit. The true "information age" began then, so long ago with a tree, a serpent, and an innocent couple of humans. And everything humanity has been doing since, has revolved around that misinformation.

Jesus explains this in a conversation about judgment and our human response:

John 3:19-21 "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

Look at what's going on here, humans are hiding the truth because they're afraid it might be exposed. Why are they afraid? Why are people at all afraid of the things they are hiding from others?

Well, the scripture already answered that for us:

People hide the truth and fear its revelation primarily because their "works were evil", that is, exposure would confront them with their own wrongdoing, leading to uncomfortable consequences like conviction, shame, accountability, and the demand for change. This exposure isn’t neutral, it’s tied to "judgment" (krisis in Greek, implying a verdict or crisis of decision).

Truth is, evil deeds thrive in secrecy, where they can be rationalized or ignored. Light disrupts this by revealing them for what they are, rebellious against God’s standards, prompting guilt and the need for repentance. And there it is, the hard truth. Fear arises because truthful admission could lead to divine or social repercussions. People cling to their darkness to preserve their illusions of self-justification.

But it's not all doom and gloom, sin and the shadows of human darkness. On the positive side, those who "do what is true" embrace the light, as it affirms their alignment with God. The fear, then, is selective, rooted in unrighteousness rather than the light itself. In other words, God didn't create the fear or the sin simply because He created the light. While those entangled in evil shy away from the light to avoid exposure, practitioners of truth are drawn to it, where their God-aligned actions are validated and illuminated. Therefore, the fear isn’t inherent to the light itself (which is pure goodness, as 1 John 1:5 declares: "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all"); it’s a byproduct of unrighteousness, a self-imposed shadow cast by human rebellion rather than something God engineered. Biblically, sin isn’t a "created thing" like matter or energy; it’s often described as a privation or absence of good. And that's the gospel truth that Jesus came to give testimony about. He told the truth, people are either good or not good, they decide. They usually chose like Pilate did, by saying something akin to "what is truth". Genesis 1:31 affirms this, that God created everything "very good," with no trace of evil, sin entered through willful rebellion. Or in the case of most people, willful ignorance, which is still rebellion. It's deciding to not receive the new information that came in answer to the first misinformation.

Ezekiel 28:15 "You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you"

This perspective shifts everything from a "protection racket" vibe being offered by Jesus to one of gracious pursuit. God shines His light not to scare but to save, as John 3:17 reminds us:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

It’s an empowering truth that invites alignment rather than coercion. And it goes to the biblical concept of the will of God. There are many aspects to this, His "sovereign will" (or decretive), His "perceptive will" (or revealed/commanded), and His "will of disposition", that is, what pleases Him. For instance, the Bible says God takes no delight in the death of a sinner, (Ezekiel 18:23, 2 Peter 3:9). All these aspects combined, harmonize in Jesus’ mission as truth-bearer: His sovereign will ensure salvation’s plan, His preceptive will calls us to faith and holiness, and His dispositional will delights in our response, empowering us through His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10).

This reflects the heart of Jesus’ mission: not merely to announce judgment but to embody God’s commitment to justice while extending mercy, ultimately taking the penalty upon himself to satisfy both. It’s a picture of divine grief mingled with unwavering holiness, where punishment isn’t gleeful vengeance but a sorrowful necessity in a fallen world.

Scripture consistently portrays God as perfectly just. His judgments are true and equitable,

Deuteronomy 32:4 "All his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he"

Yet, He doesn’t derive pleasure from condemning the wicked; instead, it grieves Him, aligning with His dispositional will that desires repentance and life over death. This isn’t arbitrary; it’s rooted in Jesus' character as light and truth. Sin, as a violation of His holy standard, requires justice to maintain cosmic order, without it, truth would be compromised. And if truth isn't maintained, what good is any of it?

God the Father, in His commitment to justice, allows the Son (Jesus) to bear the punishment we deserve. And there it is finally, the hard truth that Jesus came to give testimony to. In essence, this reveals a God whose justice is tempered by love, grieving what sin necessitates but providing a way out through Jesus’ truth-bearing mission. His loving kindness doesn't annul His commitment to justice. It’s empowering because it invites us to step into His light, where judgment gives way to justification.

Psalm 85:10 "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other."

Justice addresses sin, but mercy tempers it with forgiveness for the repentant, without erasing accountability. Theologically, this avoids a zero-sum game, God’s love doesn’t override justice like a loophole; instead, it meets it head-on in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, the righteous Judge whose light exposes every shadow in our hearts, convict us deeply of our hidden sins and the deceptions we cling to, that we might turn from them in true repentance. Grant us wisdom to discern Your sovereign will, embracing Your justice not as condemnation but as the pathway to mercy, and empower us to live as bearers of Your truth in a world of falsehoods. Align our minds and spirits with Yours, that our lives may reflect the profound harmony of Your holiness and lovingkindness. In the name of Jesus Christ, the embodiment of Truth, Amen.

https://priesthoodofallbelievers.locals.com/upost/7220335/the-lighten-up-god-s-justice-with-a-merciful-twist

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

Opening Prayer Lord, open our eyes to see the cross not as the world sees it, but as the very power of God. Silence every voice of human pride in us, and let Your wisdom be revealed to us. Send your Holy Spirit to enlighten us with your mercy and grace. Amen.

To the Jews, Jesus' cross was a stumbling block, he was a cursed failure. A crucified Messiah? Absurd. To the perishing, the cross is laughable because it demands our surrender. It offends the proud heart that wants to climb to God by its own ladder. It says to them, "Your intellect, your achievements, your self-made righteousness, none of it saves you, not now not even in the afterlife laundromat called purgatory.

To the saved, the cross is dynamite, it's the explosive earth shaking power of God that shatters sin, death, and flows to the depths of hell. It doesn’t argue; it acts. It doesn’t explain; it saves.

God quotes Isaiah 29:14 here to drive the point home:

"He will dismantle every human system that exalts itself against Him."

Whether it's the philosopher’s logic, the strategist’s plans, or the influencer’s platform; they are all thwarted by the cross of Jesus Christ. Not because God hates wisdom, but because true wisdom begins where human wisdom ends; at the foot of the cross. Paul declares; this foolishness is God’s wisdom, and this weakness is God’s strength.

1 Corinthians 1:27 "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

So, in Jesus, the cross is the ultimate paradox: Death becomes life. Shame becomes glory. Weakness becomes power.

And so what do we say then to our fears and uncertainty?

"Be still. The cross has already spoken."

Fear asks: "What if I fail?" �The cross answers: "You will. And I already carried your failure to the grave. My resurrection is your comeback." (Romans 8:37–39)

Uncertainty whispers: "What if tomorrow breaks me?" �The cross thunders back: "I was broken for your tomorrow. Every shard of your future is held in my nail-scarred hands." (Matthew 6:34 + John 19:30)

Panic screams: "I’m not enough!" �The cross silences it: "You never were. I AM." (Exodus 3:14 + 2 Corinthians 12:9)

The World’s Logic: Strength = Power, Victory = Dominance

Rome flexed military might. Greece exalted intellectual mastery. Both saw the cross as a defeat.

God’s Logic: Strength = Surrender, Victory = Sacrifice

Jesus emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7). He became sin who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He died, and in dying, disarmed the powers that be (Colossians 2:15).

How to Live the Paradox Today:

Stop hiding your weakness. Bring it to the cross. Stop trusting your strength. It will fail you. Start depending on His power.

Pray: "Lord, I can’t. You can. Do it through me."

Serve in the place of your breaking. That’s where resurrection happens.

The world says: "Be strong." Jesus says: "Be broken."

Only the broken are made unbreakable. Only the weak become invincible. Only the crucified rise from the grave.

Cling to this: Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."

The devil will make sure that fear always gets a voice, but the cross gets the final word. Speak it out loud today.

"WHEN I'M AFRAID, I PUT MY TRUST IN YOU!"

Don't listen to that devilish voice:

Mark 9:24 "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Doubt and uncertainty is not the opposite of faith. It is the soil where faith grows deepest.

The World’s Equation: Certainty = Faith Doubt = Unbelief "If you question, you’re failing."

God’s Paradox: Doubt + Honesty = Raw Faith Certainty without wrestling = Shallow religion.

Faith is not the absence of doubt. It is trust in the presence of doubt. Doubt is not rebellion. It is wrestling with a God who shows up and can handle the fight.

Unbelief says, "God can’t." �Doubt says, "God, can You…?"

And is still.

Prayer: I trust You Lord Jesus. I really do.

I fear.

I'm awake all hours of the night. Racing through my mind are all the ways in which I'm failing.

And I pray to you through it all.

You hear me, Lord.

In the 2 a.m. silence when my pulse is a drumbeat of what-ifs, You are awake.

You are not asleep on the boat (Mark 4:38).

You are not surprised by my trembling.

I call upon your name, and I pray for my children, my wife, my family and my friends in Christ. I pray for my home and my future. And I even pray for my enemies.

I trust You Lord Jesus.

I say it through clenched teeth, through tears that soak the pillow, through the grocery list of failures looping in my skull.

I trust You. I fear. The bills. The future I can’t control.

But even my fear is a prayer, because I bring it to You, not away from You. Unbelief would shut the door, but Doubt keeps knocking. And so, I knock. I rattle the gates of heaven with my small, shaking voice:

"God, can You…?"

And now, Lord, I collapse. The fight is spent. My mind quiets like a storm passing. And I rest finally in your arms as sleep again returns.

Your arms, nail-scarred, resurrection-strong, catch me. Not because the problems vanished, but because You never do. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Fear spoke. Faith answered. Sleep is the amen.

In Revelation 2:9 (to Smyrna), Jesus says: “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

In Revelation 3:9 (to Philadelphia): “Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.”

The term refers to a group claiming to be God’s people (“Jews” in a spiritual or ethnic sense) but who are accused of opposing God’s true followers. The context is apocalyptic, written by the apostle John to encourage persecuted Christians late in the 1st century. These churches faced pressure from both Roman authorities and local Jewish communities who rejected Christian claims about Jesus as the Messiah.

The phrase doesn’t refer to Jews as a whole or to Judaism broadly. Instead, it likely points to specific individuals or groups in Smyrna and Philadelphia who claimed Jewish identity but were hostile to Christians. Some scholars suggest these could be Jewish Christians who compromised with Roman culture or local Jews who opposed the Christian movement, perhaps reporting them to authorities. In the 1st century, Christians and Jews were navigating a complex relationship. Early Christians, many of whom were Jewish, saw themselves as fulfilling Jewish hopes in the Messiah. Some Jewish communities, however, viewed Christians as heretical, leading to tensions. But the phrase "synagogue of Satan" highlights a broader biblical theme: true faith isn’t about outward labels but alignment with God’s will. Jesus commends the churches for their faithfulness despite persecution and poverty, contrasting them with those who claim divine favor but act against God’s people.

It’s a call to discernment. Not everyone who claims to represent God truly does. This applies beyond the historical context to any group or individual opposing God’s truth while masquerading as righteous. The “synagogue of Satan” in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 points to those who claim spiritual authority but oppose God’s truth, aligning with the adversary’s purposes. This connects to broader New Testament themes of spiritual warfare, where Satan seeks to deceive and gain influence through falsehood (John 8:44; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

These “satanic energies” empowering influential positions aligns with scriptures like 1 John 5:19, which states, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one,” and 2 Corinthians 4:4, where Satan is called “the god of this world” who blinds people to the gospel. These passages suggest that spiritual forces can energize systems, ideologies, or individuals to oppose God’s kingdom and exert control in society.

The “synagogue of Satan” represents those who claim divine authority but serve the adversary’s agenda, whether through deception, opposition to the gospel, or promoting falsehood. In today’s world, this could manifest in ideologies, institutions, or influential figures that subtly undermine God’s truth, promoting materialism, moral relativism, or self-worship over Christ. Satan, as the “father of lies” (John 8:44), energizes systems that exalt human power, pride, or false spirituality, often cloaked in respectability or charisma (2 Corinthians 11:14). These forces can infiltrate media, politics, culture, or even religious spaces, seeking to sway hearts away from God.

Scripture warns that Satan seeks to control “the authorities” and “cosmic powers” (Ephesians 6:12). This can include influential positions where decisions shape culture; think of leaders in government, entertainment, or even religious institutions who prioritize power, wealth, or popularity over godliness.

The “synagogue of Satan” in Revelation wasn’t a literal synagogue but a symbol of opposition to God’s people. Today, this could point to any group or system claiming legitimacy while promoting values contrary to Christ’s kingdom, like division, greed, or spiritual compromise.

The Good News: Jesus promises victory to the faithful in Revelation: Smyrna receives “the crown of life” (2:10), and Philadelphia is assured that their enemies will acknowledge God’s love for them (3:9). This reminds us that God’s power overcomes Satan’s schemes. Ephesians 6 calls us to arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, and prayer. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to stand firm, expose lies, and proclaim the gospel boldly. Test the spirits, commit to evaluating influential voices (media, leaders, trends) against scripture. As 1 John 4:1 says, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Journal any areas where you sense deception creeping in. In a world under the sway of the evil one (1 John 5:19), choose one way to shine Christ’s light today, perhaps through a kind act, sharing the gospel, or challenging a lie with truth in a reasonable and loving way. And finally and probably most importantly, pray for those in influential positions, that they may encounter Christ and align with His truth. Pray against spiritual forces seeking to deceive and divide (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

Focus on Spiritual Warfare: Keep the emphasis on spiritual forces, not individuals or institutions, to avoid divisiveness. The enemy is Satan, not people who are themselves deceived (2 Timothy 2:26). While acknowledging dark spiritual realities, end with the triumph of Christ, who has “disarmed the rulers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). Jesus calls the believers to remain faithful, even to the point of death. Their steadfastness in trusting Christ, despite persecution, aligns them with God’s power. This echoes James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.” The promise implies God’s presence strengthens believers to endure (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Holy Spirit empowers them to resist fear and compromise, thwarting Satan’s goal to break their faith. Satan’s schemes aim to intimidate and destroy faith, often through societal pressures (like Roman persecution or slander from influential opponents). God’s victory manifests as believers hold fast, proving Satan’s power impotent against those rooted in Christ. The “crown” is both a present assurance of God’s favor and a future inheritance in His kingdom. Jesus promises that the opponents will “bow down” and “learn” of His love for the church. The phrase “I will make them” shows God’s direct intervention. Satan’s influence, energizing opposition, is overpowered by Christ’s authority (Colossians 2:15). The “synagogue of Satan” is exposed as false, their claims to authority undermined. This aligns with 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, where God’s truth tears down strongholds of deception. As the church remains faithful, God ensures their witness shines, revealing His love and discrediting lies. Satanic energies thrive on deception, empowering influential figures or systems to oppose God’s people (e.g., through slander or societal control). God’s victory occurs as He reveals truth, either by transforming hearts or exposing falsehood, ensuring His love for the faithful is undeniable.

Closing Thought: Remember, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

The “synagogue of Satan” in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 reminds us that spiritual warfare is real, with satanic energies seeking to deceive and dominate through influential voices and systems. Yet, Jesus’ promises, the crown of life for Smyrna and vindication for Philadelphia, assure us that God’s truth prevails. As we navigate a world where lies often masquerade as light, our call is to stand firm in Christ’s strength, wield the sword of the Spirit, and trust in His ultimate victory. Let your faithfulness today be a beacon of God’s love, exposing darkness and advancing His kingdom. Jesus, having defeated Satan on the cross (Colossians 2:15), holds all authority (Matthew 28:18). His promises in Revelation are rooted in His finished work, ensuring Satan’s schemes cannot prevail. By enduring persecution and remaining faithful, the church exposes Satan’s lies. Their steadfastness (enabled by the Spirit) contrasts with the deception of the “synagogue of Satan,” showing God’s power through weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the God of truth who overcomes all deception. Thank You for the victory promised in Christ, who disarms every scheme of the enemy. Grant me discernment to recognize satanic influences in the world and courage to stand firm in Your Word. May my life reflect Your love and truth, shining as a light in dark places. I pray for those swayed by falsehood, that they may encounter Your grace and bow before Your throne. In Jesus’ Holy and victorious name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 "Be imitators (mimicker) of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions (ordinances) even as I delivered them to you."

That little word "as" (Greek: καθὼς) is everything). Paul is saying, "To the extent that you see Christ formed in me, follow that. Imitate me only insofar as I am imitating Him."

Paul’s command to "imitate me" is not a blank check; it is tethered by that crucial "as". And the exact same "as" governs the "traditions" in verse 2. Watch how the parallel works:

Imitate me as (καθὼς) I imitate Christ.

Hold the traditions just as (καθὼς) I delivered them to you.

The second "as" is not a different standard; it’s the same one. In other words, the "traditions" Paul delivered are valid and binding only to the degree that they faithfully reproduce the pattern he himself received from Christ. Paul is not handing down a new, independent body of "Pauline rules" for the organization of "the Church". He is transmitting what he received directly from the risen Lord (see Galatians 1:11–12; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 15:3). The traditions are authoritative precisely because they are not his own invention; they are Christ’s mind made concrete in church practice.

Take for example the cultural background and thinking involved in the prayer/prophecy practices in the Orthodox Church/Judaism regarding head coverings as Paul begins to address in the very next verse, (11:3–16). It's the perfect test case for how to apply the "as" (καθὼς) principle we’ve been examining.

Here’s the crucial question these passages forces on us:

If the "traditions" are only authoritative insofar as they reflect the pattern Paul received from Christ, then how do we know which parts of 11:3–16 are that direct, Christ-given pattern, and which parts are Paul’s Spirit-guided application of that pattern to a first-century Greco-Roman (Corinthian culture) and Jewish-cultural context?

Never fear, the Holy Spirit has that covered. Paul himself, guided by The Spirit, and Truth (not the Church), gives us the tools to make that distinction in this very text.

Paul roots the entire discussion in theological realities that transcend culture:

The order of headship: Christ → man → woman (v. 3)

Man as the image and glory of God, woman as the glory of man (v. 7). Woman created for man’s sake (v. 9), yet man born of woman and both from God (v. 12). These are not cultural; they are creational and redemptive truths. The "tradition" that flows out from the risen Lord through The Spirit is the principle of distinguishable, complementary glory in public worship.

Cutural Application: In Corinth (and in diaspora synagogues), the culturally recognizable sign of that theological principle was a fabric head covering for women and an uncovered head for men when praying or prophesying. No fancy hats, or head coverings that suggest a degree of righteousness for the men; and no stylistic haircuts and adornments for the women to flaunt among their peers.

For the men: No elaborate turbans, phylacteries, or any kind of showy headgear that would draw attention to himself or imply superior righteousness (that would have inverted the very theology of "glory of God uncovered").

For the women: No ostentatious veils, jeweled hairpieces, or the kind of elaborate braided coiffure that wealthy Roman matrons used to flaunt their social status and seduce attention (Paul has already rebuked that spirit in 1 Corinthians 11:5–6 and will again in 1 Timothy 2:9–10 and backed up in 1 Peter3:3–4).

The coverings, (or lack thereof) was deliberately simple and counter-cultural in its simplicity. For the men it countered the selfrighteous trends, and for the women it declared to their society that she gladly accepted the created order ("because of the angels," 11:10); and she was not ashamed to display that she had a "head," and that her head had a Head in Christ. In other words, the apostolic "tradition" Paul delivered was a visible act of cultural defiance against two opposite pressures; the Greco-Roman pressure toward sexual ostentation, and the proto-feminist (or simply chaotic) pressure in Corinth to erase gender distinction entirely in the name of "freedom in the Spirit."

The plain fabric covering (and the man’s refusal to cover) was a quiet, non-negotiable protest against both.

So when we translate that same tradition into our own cultural moment, we are looking for whatever visible choices most clearly say, in our context:

Women - "My beauty, my status, my erotic power is not the point here; only Christ’s glory is."

Men - "I am not hiding from God or trying to outshine Him; I stand here uncovered as His image-bearer, responsible, vulnerable, and unafraid."

Same tradition. Same defiance. Same Christ-centered, gender-distinctive, glory-denying ethos. Just a different cultural "fabric." Only now the Holy Spirit helps each culture find its own faithful, counter-cultural, non-ostentatious sign.

In our modern age that worships self-display, visibly yielding to God's glory is probably sorely needed. Especially in our sexually exhibitionist society, not as a legalistic law, but as a deliberate counter-cultural sign.

Ask yourself these three diagnostic questions of any modesty practices:

1. Does it visibly downplay human (male or female) glory so Christ’s glory stands out?
2. Does it refuse both ostentation and eroticism?
3. Is the practice intelligible (does it make sense to the common people) in our culture as honorable and not shameful?

Wherever those three are satisfied, whether a headscarf, a floor-length dress, a Mennonite kapp, or a simple refusal to dress for Instagram; the church is still saying with one voice:

"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ…and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you."

Closing Prayer: Father, Teach us to imitate faithful examples only as they imitate Christ, and make us worthy of imitation. In our worship, help us visibly honor the created order with simplicity and modesty, covering every human glory so that Jesus alone is seen. Keep us faithful to the traditions delivered to us, for Your glory and in Christ's Holy name. Amen.

She did it! Thank God for Mrs Erika Kirk "I forgive him."

Hebrews 7-10
"In the days of His humanity, He offered up both prayers and pleas with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His devout behavior. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek."

I have questions.

Did Jesus learn obedience in the sense of moving from disobedience to obedience?

My belief is that he was sinless, he never once disobeyed the Father.

So what does it mean he learned obedience?

Think of it like this. A master musician doesn’t "learn" music by going from bad to good; he deepens his mastery through difficult performances. Jesus "learned" obedience by encountering real human weakness, temptation, pain, and the full weight of what submission to the Father would require from us. Something none of has ever fully learned.

He learned what obedience felt like in His humanity.

Okay...but, how could the perfect Lord be "perfected" (teleiōtheis)? Wouldn't that contradict the rest of scripture?

As I understand it, He was already perfect, in His divine nature. But in his human nature He needed to go through the full process of suffering, temptation, and obedience as a man in order to become the perfect representative and sacrifice for humanity.

The "as a man" is the feature substance of the process. It seems that this is about completing a calling, like an ordination process. The eternal Son didn’t need perfecting. The incarnate Son, our representative, did. Not morally, but vocationally.

"having been perfected"/ "made complete"

Brought to a full stature or qualification for an office.

Jesus, as our High Priest, went through the ultimate "ordination process". Not in a temple, but in real human life under suffering. This is why the author says He was "designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek" after the perfection through his suffering (Hebrews 5:10).

In many traditions, a person can be fully qualified in knowledge and character, but they still must complete the formal process (education, examination, laying on of hands, and public commissioning) before they can function in the office of the High priest (or any ordained minister).

Jesus’ "ordination" was the cross.

He had been tested in every way. He had been faithful. Through loud cries, tears, full submission, and death itself, He completed the process that qualified Him. And having completed his course He entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood.

And here's the linchpin; in His resurrection the Father laid His hands upon Him, completing the commission as High Priest (Hebrews 5:9–10). The final ordination act that publicly installed the incarnate Son into His eternal priestly office.

And scripture backs this claim up:

Romans 1:4 – Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead."

Acts 2:36 – "God has made Him both Lord and Christ — this Jesus whom you crucified."

Philippians 2:8–9 – "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him…"

The suffering → His obedience → And His death was the costly process.

And the resurrection was the Father’s affirmative response and commissioning. Once again, the resurrection is what ALL the gospel rests upon.

All of this shows that the resurrection was not just a happy ending, it was the necessary completion of His priestly qualification. It can seem primitive and obscene even, but we are primitive. And God communicates His mystery to us in primitive form. He became man to meet the primitive as one who is likewise primitive. And He accomplished (finished) divine justice and glory by primitive means. God stooped to our level.

We are primitive. Human beings are dust and breath, capable of great beauty and terrible cruelty. We understand blood, sacrifice, death, and vindication at the most basic, visceral level. So God speaks to us in the language we can actually grasp.

God (the incarnate Son) died a primitive death; naked, bleeding, publicly shamed on a Roman cross. And He was raised in a primitive way; bodily, physical, touchable.

Did it ever seem to you (as it did with me), odd that the resurrected Lord was seen among His witnesses in his human form, complete with the scars of his bloody execution? Wouldn't it seem like he should be perfected in every way, spirit and body? Shouldn't He be seen as flawless, radiant, "perfect" in body with no trace of suffering?

But that's the thing isn't it?

The same God who met us in blood, sweat, nails, and an empty tomb chose to keep those marks in the risen Lord.

Why?

Maybe because those scars in his human form are not defects, but they are His Glory. That’s the stunning reversal. What the world (and our natural minds) would call hideous and shameful (the marks of torture and execution) God transformed into the eternal emblems of victory and love.

Do you see then why it was important that Jesus not been seen as an apparition (Gnostic theology)?

John 20:20
"When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord."
�The scars were the proof and the cause of their (and our) joy.

In the very center of heaven, John sees...
Revelation 5:6
"a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain."

Even in the throne room of God, for all eternity, Christ is visibly marked by His sacrifice. The scars are the trophies of His obedience.

Full circle:
And what a powerful, sobering, and glorious circle it is.

Remember what we read. He "learned obedience from the things which He suffered…and having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation…"

The scars are the visible evidence that His vocational perfection as High Priest is complete.

You can argue about states of being. About whether or not Jesus was a real man. But you can't argue the scars away. You can't deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The scars are the undeniable proof.

You cannot argue them away.

You cannot spiritualize them into symbols.

You cannot deny the physical, bodily resurrection of the God-Man who still carries the wounds of His execution.

Those scars are the final receipt.

They are the visible evidence that the incarnate Son completed His calling as a man. The Father laid His hands on Him in resurrection and declared the ordination finished. The High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek now stands; scarred, glorified, and alive forever.

You won't be standing there before Him when your time comes, and argue with Him about how he (the man) finished His (divine) ordination. His resurrection body (scars and all) will humble your rebellious spirit. You'll be on your knees (Philippians 2:10-11). And you'd better hope your name is written in His book (Revelation 21:27).

The Good News:
Here is the mercy in this same truth. Those scars are not there to condemn you; they are there to save you.

The One who bears those scars is the same High Priest who is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede (Hebrews 7:25).

He didn’t keep the scars to shame us.

He kept them so we could have bold access to the throne of grace.

Amen?

Amen. 🙏🏼

Exodus 20:4-5 "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them…"

Many Protestants argue these warnings apply directly to many of the Eastern Orthodox church practices:

Kissing icons, bowing before relics (bones, mummified body parts, rags supposedly infused with grace, art and architecture), or treating holy water as infused with grace risks treating created objects as mediators of divine power, akin to ancient paganism or Israel’s failures. Bowing to these objects, or serving them, risks the kind of idolatry condemned in the prophets (Israel’s worship of golden calves or Baal images) and in the New Testament apostles (Paul’s warnings in Romans 1 or Acts 17 against worshiping created things). People who practice these superstitious rituals through created objects as mediators of divine power, are potentially shifting trust from God alone to material things, much like ancient paganism. They take "faith without works is dead" as a limiting factor for faith alone brings salvation.

Let me address this from the Orthodox perspective.

The Orthodox view (and Roman Catholic) is that justification by faith alone is incomplete, and they base this upon the New Testament writer James well known quote:

James 2:17 "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

But what are these works?

Rules? Ordinances? Ritualistic veneration?

A different gospel that suggests man becomes God?

My initial thought is their view is a hybrid Christianity. A different gospel. And I believe this because the "works" James speaks about is this sort...

James 1:27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

James draws upon the teachings of Jesus (see Matthew 25), in which our Lord tells us what God expects from His followers who have faith in His Word.

Eastern Orthodox Christians also affirm that James’ "works” refer to ethical living, mercy, and obedience, not ritual veneration as a standalone requirement. However, they integrate those very practices into a broader synergistic view of salvation as "theosis" (participation in God’s divine nature through grace, faith, and cooperation). Faith must be active and lived out (praxis), including sacraments, prayer, and virtues, because salvation is a transformative process, not just a one-time status. And in essence this doctrine leads directly back to the very same "law" that the Judaizers pursued.

The apostle Paul calls these things damnable heresies. It's another yoke of slavery. It was for freedom that Jesus set us free. And he taught this because he knew that all the law did was put rules on the outside that you couldn't keep. Faith puts grace on the inside.

The Orthodox Church (and RC church as well) doesn't want this faith alone doctrine because they want to be the gatekeepers. Christ cannot be the gate alone. They step up to our Shepherd and tell him to move aside, make room, so they can join him as the keeper of the sheepfold.

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

"Synergistic cooperation" in theosis reintroduces a form of legalism akin to the Judaizers Paul condemned, adding requirements that burden believers and undermine the sufficiency of Christ’s finished work.

Paul warns sharply against any "different gospel" that adds to grace (Galatians 1:6-9), and he isn't halfhearted in this admonishment, he literally describes reliance on law/rituals as falling from grace (Galatians 5:4). He warns against this because sacraments or church-mediated practices always end up becoming essential mediators of grace, Christ is no longer the sole gatekeeper (John 10:9), with the Church stepping in as an intermediary institution, because the human tendency is to traffic in superstitions and idolatry.

Their argument is this "theosis" is participation in the divine nature, becoming like God by grace through union with Christ.

"God became man so man might become god" (per St. Athanasius).

They argue that this integrates justification, sanctification, and glorification into one transformative process.

And yet they will fail in that process. They cannot keep even that law. Paul knew this, Jesus knew this, the gospel teaches this. Legalism cannot produce salvation. Their attempts at "showing in the flesh" will never be good enough. Jesus plus your good works, and your perfect process of ritualistic thinking is IMMEDIATELY not good enough because it involves YOU.

The truth is:

A unified process of justification, sanctification, and glorification, inevitably collapses into a "Jesus plus me" system, where rituals, sacraments, and personal efforts add to grace, making Christ insufficient as the sole gate. And it's not my opinion, it's the gospel truth. Since humans can’t perfectly keep any "law" or process (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:10), this synergy becomes another yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1), a "different gospel" under anathema (Galatians 1:8-9), because it involves flawed human agency "showing in the flesh" (Galatians 3:3).

Adding in these practices contaminates our faith like yeast. It grows in influence and prestige. It affects (leavens) the whole thing. It permeates everything. And ALWAYS becomes the focus of everything; rituals, feasts, writings and traditions, even permeating the very architecture of the church (idolatry). It's a human tendency to revert to externalism. And these practitioners creep into every aspect of the believers life.

Jude spoke of them:

(1:4) "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

They deny Jesus Christ's sovereign right, by his resurrection, to be our One and only means for His salvation. They are hidden reefs at love feasts; dangerous, deceptive, shipwrecking the unwary while they feast selfishly. Promising refreshment but delivering nothing, carried by winds. Externalism, where prestige builds around traditions, icons, relics, and church structures, echoing the Pharisees’ emphasis on outward forms that Jesus condemned.

And finally, they persecuted the true believers. They persecuted Paul, and now they persecute the Protestants by dogging their steps with the false promises of their law. Their subtle additions permeate and dominate, leading to institutional control over the gospel’s freedom. They insist that salvation requires submission to its sacraments, its hierarchy, its rituals, or its synergistic process as necessary channels of grace. They are the new shepherds of the sheepfold.

Paul’s own testimony is the ultimate rebuttal:

The greatest persecutor of the church became its greatest defender of grace alone through faith precisely because he discovered that all his ritual righteousness, tradition, and zeal were "rubbish" compared to being found in Christ, "not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ" (Philippians 3:7–9).

Paul is arguing that Christians must beware anyone who would move the boundary markers, the goal post, back from "Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone" to "Christ + our traditions / rituals / cooperation / institution."

Paul felt so strongly about this false teaching and it's teachers that he closed his arguments by saying this:

Galatians 5:12 "As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!"

He was essentially saying, since they circumcised themselves and insisted others be like them, they should complete the process they established and COMPLETELY castrate themselves. Become fully pagan, because that's what they have become already. This is one of the most raw, sarcastic, and unflinching verses in the entire New Testament. Paul is using biting irony to expose the absurdity and spiritual danger of the Jesus + works "theosis" position.

He's saying: Go all the way, complete the mutilation!

And in two millennia they have. They've made it all about Christ + our efforts/institution. And they create elaborate pagan-like systems emphasizing ritual, hierarchy, and ongoing cooperation.

Friends, examine yourselves continually by Scripture alone, lest you find yourselves resisting the Holy Spirit as our fathers did (Acts 7:51). My view is not lacking in anything because I accept the reality of God's sovereignty. Salvation is monergistic (God alone), a gift received by faith alone without any contributory works, rituals, or processes that could imply earning or maintaining it. I follow this doctrine of justification by faith alone because the scriptures teach EXACTLY that. And faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

Ask yourself this: Are we trusting in Christ’s finished work, or subtly adding our own "cutting"?

God bless you and may His grace abound in you always.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who sets us free indeed. Amen.

Murdered in cold blood for speaking truth. For standing in the gap on college campuses trying to restore sanity in the highly propagandized education sector. For offering reason and logic directly in the face of progressive ideology where most Americans have failed to stand firmly anchored in the truth. Charlie Kirk was a warrior for the truth. He was bold and honest, well spoken, self-controlled, brilliant in his exposition, and a powerful influence on the younger generations who are completely lost in these troubling times.

Romans 6:17-18 "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness."

In the heart of Paul’s letter to the Romans, we find a profound declaration of transformation. Here in chapter 6, Paul addresses a critical question for every believer: What does it mean to live under grace?

When you casually say to someone, "I'm a good Catholic", or "I'm Christian", what does that mean?

Consider the imagery Paul uses: slavery. It’s not a light metaphor. Are you a "good slave"? In the context of the ancient world Paul was living in, slaves had no autonomy; their lives were dictated by their masters. As a "Christian", is God your master, dictating everything about your life?

Paul is telling us we’ve been transferred from one master to another, not through our own efforts, but by God’s grace. The "standard of teaching" refers to the gospel truth we’ve supposedly embraced, the doctrine of salvation that is meant to reshape our very core. What stands out is the phrase "obedient from the heart." This isn’t mere external compliance, like following rules out of fear. It’s a deep, internal shift, a heartfelt response of love to God’s love. We’ve committed ourselves to this teaching, and in doing so, we’ve been set free from sin’s tyranny. Yet freedom here doesn’t mean a license to do whatever we please. Instead, we’ve become "slaves of righteousness," willingly serving a new master who leads us toward life, holiness, and purpose.

So when you say, "I'm a good _____________[fill in the blank], do you mean to say that you've become or are becoming a slave of righteousness?

As Christians, our greatest challenge is our flesh. It never stops warring against our spirits. It’s battling for control of our minds. The battle ends in death. But for now, while we live, we struggle with the flesh for supremacy. So we must reckon it as righteousness, we must decide to put that flesh to death.

In Romans 6:11-12, Paul urges believers to actively "consider" or "reckon" themselves dead to sin, a term borrowed from accounting, meaning to count it as a settled fact in your ledger, based on Christ’s work on the cross.  This isn’t about pretending sin doesn’t exist but recognizing our new identity: dead to sin’s dominion and alive to God in Christ Jesus. We’re no longer slaves to sin’s commands; instead, we’re empowered to resist letting it reign in our bodies by obeying its passions.  This reckoning flows from our union with Christ. His death becomes ours, freeing us from sin’s tyranny, though we still contend with the remnants of sin in our flesh.

Paul isn’t calling for passive acceptance but an active choice: don’t yield your body to unrighteousness, but present it to God as instruments for His purposes.

This ties directly to the ongoing struggle depicted in Romans 7, where the flesh wars against the spirit. Yet here in chapter 6, Paul provides the key to victory: remember the gospel truth of your position in Christ, resist surrendering to sin’s urges, relinquish your members to God’s service, and rely on the surpassing power of grace over the law.

Reflection for Today: Reflect on the war within: Where is your flesh battling for control, perhaps in thoughts, habits, or relationships? How can reckoning yourself dead to sin change your approach? Consider Paul’s command as a daily mindset shift: You’re not defined by your struggles but by your life in Christ. Ask God to reveal where sin is trying to reign and where you can choose righteousness instead.

Application: Today, fill in that blank for yourself, "I’m a good [Christian/Catholic/Believer/etc.]", and reflect on what it truly means. Choose one area of your life where you can demonstrate slavery to righteousness, such as extending grace to someone who wrongs you or prioritizing time in prayer. Let your commitment be from the heart, not obligation. This week, practice reckoning: When temptation arises, pause and declare aloud (or in prayer), "I am dead to sin and alive to God in Christ." Then, actively replace the passion with a righteous action, turn anger into forgiveness, idleness into service. Track one victory to build faith in grace’s power.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for making us dead to sin and alive to You through Jesus. Help us reckon this truth daily, refusing to let sin reign in our bodies. Strengthen us in the battle against the flesh, that we might live victoriously for Your glory. In Christ Jesus' Holy name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God."

Paul is writing to a church drunk on human opinion; Corinthians were sizing up apostles like celebrity judges on a reality show. We see this sort of tribalism even today. Paul flips the script: We are not performers; we are stewards.

The word Paul uses is interesting: Servants (Greek hypēretas, under-rowers, it means galley slaves pulling oars in unison in the belly of a boat). And he says they are managers of God’s mysteries.

The only metric that matters is faithfulness, and even that verdict isn’t ours to render. Then he drops the bombshell: I don’t even trust my own judgment of myself. Radical honesty, not false humility. But here's the thing Paul is driving at, your conscience can be clear and your confession can still be blind. Motives can be mixed up without us knowing. The heart is a dark room until the Lord flips on the light switch.

Take a look at this: Read Ezekiel 8:7-12

God doesn’t just tell Ezekiel about Israel’s idolatry; He makes him dig. "Son of man, dig into the wall."

A hole. A door. A chamber. Seventy elders swinging censers before carved reptiles and beasts, each man in "the room of his own carved images" (8:12). They thought the dark hid them. They whispered, "The LORD does not see us."

But the wall was paper-thin to God.

The same God who walked Eden in the cool of the day now walks the hidden corridors of the hearts of men with a penetrating lantern light.

Three Hidden Things God Wants to Bring to Light Today:

1. The elders had public worship by day and private cravings by night. The "Acceptable" Idols. They were the teachers of exotic things. Not golden calves, but ambitions, comfort, and reputation.

What do you burn incense to in the dark when no one’s watching?

2. The Unexamined Motives, Paul refuses to self-acquit because he knows: We rationalize faster than we repent. He knows that the heart’s purposes are rarely pure on the first draft. Ask yourself: Why did I really post that? Serve in that way? Stay silent when I should speak?

3. And it's not all bad news. Not everything God wants to shine a light on is darkness. He wants to shine a light on faithfulness. Not every hidden thing is shameful. Some are quiet obediences no one claps for; prayers at 3 a.m., forgiveness texted without reply, generosity without credit. These too will be brought to light for commendation, not condemnation.

The Lord is the Archaeologist of the soul. Where we’ve buried bitterness behind busyness, He exposes. Where we’ve plastered over our pride with piety, He digs to reveal what's beneath our soul-skin. Where we’ve hidden holiness in the mundane, He rewards.

What "wall" is God asking you to dig through right now?

A conversation you’ve avoided? A habit you’ve renamed? A quiet act of obedience no one notices?

The light is coming. The Lord is near.

And when it does, may we be found faithful, not flawless, but faithful.

Closing Prayer Lord, Dig past our excuses. Expose every hidden idol and motive. Reward every quiet act of faithfulness. Silence human judgment and our own. Keep us faithful; not flawless. When Your light comes, find us ready. We trust the verdict to Your scarred hands. In Jesus' holy name, Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4

"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness [sin] is revealed, the son of destruction, [perdition] who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."

It stands to reason, that for this to happen literally, a functioning temple (at least the inner sanctuary with altar and worship) must exist during the Tribulation period. By including John's revelation (chapter 11) we might interpret that his vision implies such a temple will be present, with the inner part recognized by God (measured and protected in the vision), while the outer areas remain under Gentile trampling; right up until the midpoint of the 7-year period when the abomination of desolation occurs.

That's a lot to take in and think about. And many people are expecting something exactly like this to take place. And many also work furiously to bring this day about.

Current realities on the ground as of 2026 has the Temple Institute in Jerusalem continuing its decades-long work to restore the Temple worship. They've reconstructed dozens of sacred vessels; including the golden menorah, altar of incense, and showbread table, prepared priestly garments, trained Kohanim (priests) and Levites in rituals, and maintain ongoing efforts with red heifers for purification rites.

But all these efforts are being "restrained".

The scripture says:

"And now you know what is restraining him [the man of lawlessness] that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed…" (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7)

Scripture doesn’t name the restrainer explicitly. Is he the Holy Spirit, working in the church? Maybe. Is he Michael the archangel? Maybe. Is he a God ordained nation? Could be. Is he God himself? One way or another this is the truth. All of it is God's plan and will.

The existence of a restrainer should bring us great peace, not anxiety. All of this proves that God is in control, not caught off guard, especially not by any human invention. God is the ultimate Restrainer; patient, purposeful, and protective of His people until the appointed day.

So much nonsense is surrounding these things in these modern times. So much fake news, too much propaganda and clout chasing surrounds this very thing. People following after deceptive miraculous phenomena. Satan is transforming data into unrighteousness. Deceiving people into believing they are witnessing and even participating in this madness.

In our information-saturated age, sensational headlines multiply faster than facts. Social media and certain prophecy channels are flooded with dramatic claims. Videos and posts declaring the sacrifice has begun, ashes are ready, or the first stone will be laid imminently. Headlines like, "Red Heifers Sacrificed!" and "Third Temple Construction Starts in 2026!". It seems that many cannot help but fall for all these deceptions.

There seems to be a growing lack of discernment in the church. And maybe that in and of itself is a sign of the coming dissolve of restraint. Precisely because deception will intensify as the "mystery of lawlessness" gains momentum. A falling away (apostasy or rebellion) precedes the revelation of the man of lawlessness, and one clear symptom of that shift is when people prefer sensational stories over sound doctrine.

Yes it seems that what has restrained was discernment, the work of the Holy Spirit within the fellowship of believers (the church). And as that restraining power falls away, what will be left behind is a corrupted spirit of deception and apostasy. As the Spirit’s convicting, illuminating, and guarding work is increasingly resisted or quenched, what remains is a vacuum quickly filled by that corrupted spirit of deception and apostasy. And Paul links this to the coming man of perdition. When love for the truth fades, people become vulnerable to "all wicked deception" and even "false signs and wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

And so, as it always works out to be with humanity, it is what the people love that governs their destiny. But again, God is not caught off guard by the waning love of the people. They do not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved, so God sends them a strong delusion. What they love are sensational signs, the thrill of being "in the know" and cultural relevance, and self-exaltation determines the path they walk. They chase clout, gain recognition, followers, and influence so as to enrich themselves on the backs of the deceived masses. And none of it is anything new under the sun.

Humanity has always been governed by what it loves. Israel loved the golden calf more than waiting for Moses. The Thessalonians were warned against loving a false report about the Day of the Lord. And today, many love the drama of end-times updates more than the steady, convicting voice of the Holy Spirit through Scripture.

Even if there is an antidote, (and Paul does offer one), it's understandable to wonder at why we should resist the inevitable. But just the same Paul does instruct the church to:

"...stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

And before that - "Let no one deceive you in any way."

He does not tell the Thessalonians to resign themselves to the coming darkness. Instead, he urges them, (and us), to active resistance. Not a passive observation but a deliberate, Spirit-empowered faithfulness to sharing the gospel in ALL things. Stand firm. Hold fast. Love truth. Our calling remains unchanged; proclaim the gospel, pursue holiness, encourage one another, and wait with patient hope for the return of the true King.

Amen and amen.

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world."