Category Archives: f) Apologetics, & Interpretations

Observations and perspectives on interesting, controversial, confusing, or troubling concepts in the word of God.

Benefits of Christianity in This Life

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In Christ, we find purpose and peace while looking forward to the promise of Heaven. The blessings we receive during our earthly life of faith come from our identity as children of God; knowing our lives are in the care of our Heavenly Father, who is in complete control. What follows are the main benefits Christians experience during their short time on Earth.

Peace from God.

Those who are at peace with God enjoy peace from God. 

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

Peace with God means being reconciled to him, no longer his enemy. Peace from God is a state of calmness, free from anxiety, filled with contentment, clarity, completeness, joy, and the confidence to live according to the truth that contradicts the chaos of the world. We experience abundant peace when we are in harmony with God’s will. By seeking God and staying close to him, his peace permeates our daily lives. This provides consistent evidence of his love, deepening our faith, and increases our reliance on him. When we immerse ourselves in his Word, pray, and keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, our souls are filled with a deep peace that only God can give.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you . . . After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 & 10

If you live only for yourself and pursue your heart’s desires with self-reliant pride, then any peace you find will be fleeting. The apostle Paul reminds us to be anxious for nothing; instead, he urges us to pray about everything.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Here, our Lord assures us that we can find peace in this life:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

All Things Work Together for Our Good.

It is a great comfort to know that God is in control of our lives and everything we experience. We rest confidently knowing that God ultimately uses all things for our good, even if it doesn’t seem so at the moment.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 

God uses every event and circumstance – whether good, bad, or terrible – to accomplish his will for those who belong to him. His purpose is to shape us to be more like his Son, and there is no better outcome we could hope for than becoming more like Jesus Christ. Although we may not always understand the why, how, or when of what God is doing, we trust him because we belong to him, and he takes care of us. This is the comfort that God’s children enjoy. Those who have rejected Jesus are left to navigate life on their own, and not everything will ultimately work out for their own good.

Meaning & Purpose

Living for God, with the promise of eternal life in Heaven, gives us clear meaning and purpose. We are to glorify God, which means giving him weight, recognizing his significance, and making him essential in our lives and the lives of others. This involves honoring him in our words, actions, and thoughts and striving to live in loving, grateful obedience. Transcendent meaning and purpose come from serving God, rather than chasing the fleeting pleasures of this world. Living in Christ and fulfilling your God-given purpose will make your life meaningful and significant.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Clearly, the world has nothing to offer that truly fulfills. Consider those who seem to have it all – those who have the world by the tail and have hit the heights of celebrity, wealth, and success – yet still find themselves so troubled that they put a rope around their neck and kick out the stool to find peace. It is a tragic end to the lost souls who jump to their eternal conclusion.

Mortal Death & Eternal Life

Ultimately, we all share the same physical fate; no one gets out of here alive. However, Christians need not fear death, because we who trust in God’s promises can rest in the assurance of these two truths:

First, our lives are in God’s hands, and he alone will determine when our time on Earth will end. We will not be called home to Heaven one second before God’s will allows it.

Second, we are headed to eternity with God in Heaven—a far better place than where we are now.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

As you deepen your faith, your confidence in life after death grows more certain. This assurance provides Christians with courage and great comfort as they face their inevitable departure from this mortal life. Jesus repeatedly assures us that those who believe in him will have eternal life, and we trust what he tells us

Security in Christ

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Submit to Jesus Christ, and you will be saved for eternity. We serve a faithful God who will never abandon us. Jesus himself reassures us in this beautiful verse:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. John 10:27-30      

Closing Plea

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Our instinct is to live self-directed and do as we please, but if the conclusion is that there must be a God, then it seems imperative to understand what that means for us individually. It could be that our instincts are wrong, that understanding what God tells us is to our dramatic benefit, and dismissal is to our tragic detriment.

On the other hand, if you believe that humanity and our world came about by chance and there is no God, then you can spend your life chasing pleasure, comfort, and security. You can follow your heart’s desires, achieve what you can, accumulate more stuff, love your family and yourself, crush your enemies, and try to live a good life (though I’m not sure why). Then comes death. You are gone, forgotten, and forever perished. What was the point? Maybe there wasn’t one, as the Atheist would say. Do you buy that?

This work presents the critically important message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The choice before us is either acceptance or rejection, and everyone will have to give an answer. Here is a beautiful one-verse summary of the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not on the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3:36

I hope God uses this work to encourage you to come and see.

A Limited Time Offer

The time we spend on Earth is brief. The choices you make now and the person you become will determine the quality of your life for eternity. You have the chance now to accept God’s gift. But if you die in your sins before you come to your senses, it will be too late.

Testimony of Transformation

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When you become a Christian, you become a new kind of person.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

As a child, I was well-versed in the message of salvation, and in my teens, I publicly declared my faith in Jesus Christ and was “saved.” My father and I were baptized together in a small Texas Southern Baptist church during the same evening service. That was around 1974. The foundation of my education in God’s word, laid so long ago, was instrumental in my preparation, but it wasn’t until I was in my mid-50s, 40 years later, that I felt drawn, led, or driven – however you want to put it – to turn to God. It was then that I experienced a profound change, in many ways dramatic, and finally became a new kind of person.

It was a combination of challenging circumstances that brought me to this point. My father, whom I was very close to, was terminally ill, and we knew his death was imminent. The anxious thought of losing him, a figure of stability and security in my life, along with other life pressures, heightened my primary source of anxiety and stress: a highly demanding job. I felt that my knowledge, experience, and confidence were, at best, the minimum needed to succeed. I worried that I lacked the competency to handle the role, and the workload felt overwhelming.

The pressure to perform was overwhelming, and a crippling fear bloomed inside me. This ongoing sense of failure anxiety affected every aspect of my life. At its worst, I couldn’t perform well at work. Fear would grip me during meetings, causing me to freeze in panic. With a pounding heart, sweaty palms, and an inability to breathe, think, or speak, I had to endure the embarrassment of excusing myself from meetings. The worry that this might cost me my job intensified my stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle of fear. It became clear that I couldn’t manage or cope with it on my own; self-reliance no longer carried me through the tough days.

The unexpected benefit of weakness is that God uses it to draw us closer to him. When I realized I had reached the limit of my ability to cope effectively, I turned to God. To the best of my ability, I surrendered my entire life to him, including all my challenges, insecurities, and failures. I placed my job, my role as a father and husband, my attitude, happiness, and future in his hands, and the result was astonishing.

I experienced a shift in attitude, perspective, and priorities as my desire to live in a way that pleases God became my highest priority. The issues and trials in my life continue, but I find that, with God’s help, I can now handle and navigate them effectively. I have learned that this life is a test; I expect to face an abundance of challenges and difficulties as God works to develop and mature my soul and character to be more like Christ. The growing conviction that God is in control, along with my faith that the struggles in this mortal life are insignificant compared to the eternal joy ahead, helps calm my fears and anxieties about the day’s affairs. I have learned to trust in God.

I felt his loving kindness as he comforted us through my father’s passing. I was there when Dad took his last breath, and although the separation was difficult, we found peace throughout it all. I felt his support as he established me at work, far beyond what I thought possible. Through him, I gained competence, worth, and reassurance – not just in the job but in knowing that his plan for me was the best I could hope for. He blessed my marriage with increased understanding, tolerance, and patience, along with a stronger desire to serve. Eighteen years of marriage now, and we have never been closer or more complete together.

Most importantly, I have peace knowing that all things now work for my good, and after my mortal life, I will spend eternity in Heaven. I strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I have true peace with God. I now understand and experience the often-repeated paradox in the Bible: “Whoever wishes to keep his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will keep it.” I am grateful that God gave me the time to reach this point. My 40 years of wandering in the wilderness had come to an end. 

As I mature in my faith, I see self-serving attitudes fading away, replaced by a resolute desire to please God. This transformation is not instantaneous; it unfolds throughout your life as you pursue God and he works to make you more like Christ in motives, thoughts, and behavior. As you immerse yourself in God’s word and absorb truth from sound teachers and fellow believers, he opens your eyes to understand what is right and proper while convicting you of what is wrong and unacceptable. Actively pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, and you will experience transformation. Undoubtedly, you will look back in disbelief at what you once sought in the world, how you lived your life, how you treated others, and what you thought was acceptable.

Wisdom Defined

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The wisdom from God is the skill to live life according to his plan. It is this wisdom that guides us to make decisions and conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to God. His wisdom enables us to navigate and endure life’s trials with calm delight and remain steadfast in the faith. The result of possessing his wisdom is an abundant life that glorifies God.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise (profit) of it is better than the merchandise (profit) of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious that rubies; and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour, her ways are of pleasantness, and all her paths are of peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth (hold) her. Proverbs 3:13-18

Wisdom is manifested when knowledge is applied with good judgment, a quality developed by experience. Knowledge comes from the word of God and good judgment is bestowed upon those who seek his will. James tells us that God gives wisdom freely to all who ask in unwavering faith. Read James 1:5-6

Fear God

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Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

To fear God is to live in acknowledgment of who and what he truly is – the only living God, the creator of all things, the judge of our souls, whose wrath can utterly destroy us, yet whose great love can absolutely save us. Because of this, we live in awe (fear, even paralysis, and overwhelming possibility), respect, reverence, and obedience to our Father, who has total authority and power over everything. That is what the fear of the Lord means.

If we fear him, we are compelled to live in obedience to his word, strive to live according to his will, and conduct ourselves in a manner that pleases him. It is God who empowers us to do these things and grants us the wisdom to live our lives according to his plan.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 8:10

Humility and Pride

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Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:10

Humility is the subtle attribute that at first seems incidental, but in God’s word rises to be one of the most Christ-like characteristics we could hope to attain. Being humble means putting the interest of others ahead of ourselves – just as Jesus did for us.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Jesus Christ, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8

In humble obedience, Jesus went to the cross to atone for our sins. It is, therefore, not difficult to reason why God, the ultimate righteous authority, would have no tolerance for the arrogance of man – a creature who exalts himself even though he, on his own merits, falls terribly short by any righteous measure. James 4:6

Being humble does not mean thinking less of yourself; instead, it means thinking of yourself less. Humility is not a lack of confidence, low self-esteem, or weak submissiveness but instead living in the confidence of your value to God and that he will take care of the circumstances of your life. Being humble is living with the absence of pride, working to serve others rather than seeking your own gain.  In pride, we are self-focused, self-sufficient, ungrateful, and hardened to God’s saving grace. The Bible is crystal clear that God abhors pride and arrogance. It repeatedly warns against being prideful and that God exalts those who are humble.

A man’s pride will bring him low, but honour shall uphold the humble spirit. Proverbs 29:23

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18-19

JJesus also tells us that to be the greatest is to be the least, with childlike humility

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4

What You Say Matters

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Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. James 3:4-8

You can destroy your life with what you say. In a moment of foolishness, you can hurt others, ruin your reputation, and dishonor God. An undisciplined tongue is the hallmark of a fool. Discipline in what you say, along with listening and calm control, are markers of a mature Christian . . .

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19

The things you say also reveal what is in your heart. Listen to what people say and understand what they really are. . .

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks that which fills his heart Luke 6:45

Here Jesus tells us that the things you say are so impactful that judgment and salvation hang in the balance . . .

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

Those who live in Christ, seeking the approval of God above all else, say things that are different from those who are lost in the world. People who spew boastful arrogance, slander (tearing others down), obscenities; offensive, malicious, and derogatory gossip are displeasing to God. Not to mention those who dishonor and disparage God, using his name as profanity!  This is all filth from the world and should not be present in those who live in Christ. What you say matters and you will be held accountable for what comes out of your mouth.

But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37

Often the best plan is to keep your mouth shut. Unless you are sure what you are about to say is rooted in the truth, adds some value, is not self-serving, and is pleasing to God, you are best served to keep it to yourself.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. Proverbs 17:28

Discipline, Self-Control, and Moral Excellence

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And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

In the verses preceding those above, Peter tells us that “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” are given to us by Jesus. Because of all that is ours in Christ (salvation), Peter tells us to do the following:

Giving all diligence, add to your faith – this is striving with maximum effort, a result of self-discipline, to enhance your belief in the word of God (faith) with the following 7 excellent qualities:

  • Virtue is moral excellence.  The characteristic in your life that allows you to stand out as a godly individual. The model of moral excellence is Christ, and virtue is a product of sanctification.
  • Knowledge is spiritual discernment, insight, and understanding of the truth in the word of God. This is required to pursue moral excellence.
  • Temperance is self-control. This is to not allow the desires of the flesh to direct your thoughts and actions, the opposite of lustful indulgence. Temperance is essential to Christian living, otherwise, we are no different than the Pagans.
  • Patience is perseverance and endurance under temptation without succumbing. This patience never gives in to difficulty or sin.
  • Godliness is reverence for God.  This is a practical awareness of God in every area of life. Godliness is at the heart of moral excellence.
  • Brotherly Kindness is loving your neighbor. This is the second most important commandment!
  • Charity is love, which is the greatest virtue and the most important commandment! Love of God results in love for our brother, and our attainment of the other six qualities.

If these things are evident in your life, then you will be an effective witness to the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift from God, but becoming a mature, exemplary disciple of Jesus requires effort.

Joyous Gratitude

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Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

We rejoice because of what we know to be true about God and his plan for us. We rejoice because everything is under his control, and he causes all things to work together for our good Read Romans 8:28 We rejoice because by his grace we have been saved from condemnation and made heirs to his kingdom. We rejoice for blessings we do not deserve and penalties we will not pay.

We are grateful for all these things! No matter our circumstance, we give thanks to God because our salvation is eternal, while the trials of this life are temporal. We are grateful for the ridiculous volume of blessings that have been showered down upon us.  We are grateful that we were drawn to believe. We are grateful because every good thing in our life has come from him.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

A hallmark of the godly person is joy and gratitude! Being joyfully grateful is a wonderful and effective witness to the love of God and clear evidence of a transformed life.

Awake and Alert

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Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 

I like the New American Standard translation . . . Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. All that you do must be done in love. There is a lot packed in this short verse about competence in living a consequential Christian life.

  • Watch ye – to be alert, awake, and to know what is going on. Be aware of what the adversary is doing and what is going on in your life. Do not exist in a spiritual stupor where you fall prey to Satan, temptation, apathy, or false doctrine.
  • Stand fast in the faith – to be firm in what you believe and what you know to be true. Do not let human wisdom infect and twist your faith. The lies and garbage of the world are incompatible with the revelation of God. 
  • Quit you like men – to act like men. That is to be mature and courageous. Do not be childish in your understanding of the word.   
  • Be strong – be strengthened by the lord and the power of his might. Resist temptation and be resolute in seeking and following the will of God.
  • Let all your things be done with charity – Do all this with an attitude of love – a love that is not an emotion but self-sacrificing service to the one in need. We should complement a staunch defense of the faith with brotherly love.

Being spiritually alert, steadfast, mature, and strong in love will make you what God wants you to be. Living by these principles results in a powerful, transformed life. Those who remain spiritually stunted, oblivious to the pursuit of the faith, are at great risk of being devoured by our adversary.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8