Growing Calloused to Evil

by Greg Gwin

It is easy to tell if someone is experienced with hard physical labor. A simple look at their hands will show it. Those who work at such tasks develop thick calluses from the repeated exposure to their work environment. The things that once irritated them and produced sore blisters now no longer hurt them. They have grown accustomed to these abrasives, their bodies have adjusted to them, and there is no more adverse reaction.

Sadly, too many Christians have developed a kind of spiritual callousness to the wicked world we live in. We are constantly bombarded by evil of every kind. We see it in person, we read about it, we view it on television, we hear it on the radio. We have unlimited access to it via the Internet and other media. Our neighbors are involved in it. Officials in high office are engaged in it.

Initially all of this evil irritates us. We are upset and disgusted by it. But gradually, by long exposure to these things, we become hardened. We’ve grown accustomed to the evil, and it no longer bothers us. We have adjusted to it all and there is no more adverse reaction. We can view the immorality and not be shocked by it. We can hear of the perverted deeds and not be repulsed. We are “street-wise.” We know about illicit sex, drug abuse, and every sort of wickedness. We talk about them with ease. We have become calloused.

The Lord does not want us to be this way. He desires us to live “in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom” (2 Cor. 1:12). He urges us to “be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil” (Rom. 16:19). He commands us to think on things that are “pure, lovely, and of good report” (Phil 4:8). Christian, are you keeping yourself “unspotted from the world?” (James 1:27).

Is the Gospel Powerful Enough?

by Edwin Crozier

I have now heard it all. Okay, maybe not. But surely this is close. Some church in Columbia, Tennessee is offering gas cards to visitors. I have no doubt some folks will proclaim, “How innovative! How creative!” Some might say, “Wish I had thought of that.”

I say, what happened to Romans 1:16? “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” (ESV).

Do we really believe it is the power of God to save? Or do we think it lacks something? I’m sure the church offering the gas cards would say they believe the Gospel has that power. They just don’t think anyone will come to hear the Gospel if they don’t prop it up with a material desire like free gas.

This, of course, is no different than numerous attempts going on each week by churches all over the country. When Vacation Bible Schools look more like county fairs with free crafts and bouncy rides, are we saying the Gospel is no longer cutting it? When assemblies are more like rock concerts or club hopping, are we saying the Gospel needs to be propped up? When we attract people to the congregation by having parties for the young people, mixers for the singles, mother’s day out for the parents and so much fun and games, are we saying that we just don’t think the Gospel is powerful enough to save people?

No church would say they are ashamed of Christ’s Gospel. But let’s get real. When folks ask, “What have you got for my children?” and we bow our heads, kick the dirt, and say, “Only the Gospel,” we are showing embarrassment. When a church is adding in all these fleshly frills to get folks to attend, they are saying, “We are kind of embarrassed that the Gospel doesn’t have what you want, so we’ll add it in. Maybe while you’re here, you might catch some of the Gospel by osmosis.”

I have two things to say about this. Perhaps if Christians in general would move beyond being unremarkably average and really allow the Gospel to change their lives, more people would be enticed to check out what is going on in our churches. At the same time, if I might borrow a phrase from a bestselling book, we just need to recognize that the world just isn’t that into the Gospel. Why would we keep trying to make the Gospel look more worldly just to get them to show up “at church”?

I think God is powerful enough to get the folks who are willing to submit by using His Gospel. He doesn’t need us to offer free gas in order to help Him out. If He needed that, He would have done it Himself. Do we not think that God could fill all the gas tanks in the world if that is what it would take to save people? Let’s just stick with what God has given us—the Gospel. That is powerful enough.

How Good is Good Enough?

by Mark Larson

Do we understand what it means to be saved by grace? Though many claim to depend on the grace of God for their salvation, many continue to live life as if they must earn their way to Heaven. “Am I good enough?” “Have I done enough?” “Have I pleased God enough that I may enter Heaven?” Out of concern for your eternal salvation, have you ever asked yourself these kinds of questions? If so, you may not understand salvation which is by grace — a favor bestowed freely by God, a gift we did not deserve.

“The Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24)

The gospel teaches that salvation is by grace (Eph. 2:5). Therefore, to leave grace out of the gospel is to teach a perverted or contrary gospel (Gal. 1:6-7). Yet, that is exactly what we do when we ask the question: “Am I good enough to be saved?” Such a question does not put trust in God’s grace, but “confidence in the flesh” or our own good works for our salvation (Phil. 3:2-3). Just as “salvation by grace only” or “salvation by faith only” are falsehoods, so is “salvation by works only” a false doctrine which can cause us to be lost.

Our understanding of the gospel of grace is absolutely essential. For the attitude we bring in our service to God has the power to justify or condemn us eternally (Luke 18:9-13).

Must Our Good Deeds Outweigh Our Bad Deeds?

There are many New Testament passages that teach that we will be judged according to our deeds (Mat. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:6-10; Col. 3:23-25; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12; etc.). Does it therefore follow that our good deeds must outweigh our bad deeds on Judgment Day? Muhammad thought so as taught in the Koran: “Then, he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) heavy, will be in a life of good pleasure and satisfaction. But he whose balance (of good deeds) will be (found) light will have his home in a (bottomless) pit.” (SURAH 101:6-9, The Quran). Is this what the New Testament also teaches? If so, by what standard or measurement do we use to determine if our good deeds are “heavy” enough to merit our eternal reward?

The Gospel is Not a Meritorious Law System

According to Romans 2:5-11, our obedience is of great importance to God, yet God will in no way “strike a balance” by rewarding Christians whose goods deeds outweigh their bad deeds on Judgment Day. Further in the text, the apostle explains how a person could be right with God (justified) if it was only through our keeping the law (any law; Rom. 2:12-16): “For not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified” (v. 13). How good is “good enough” to be right with God? Only perfect law-keeping would be “enough”! Yet, no one has been able to do this (Rom. 3:10, 23).

God’s Justice is satisfied only by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), how can God’s justice be satisfied? Only through the blood of Jesus! “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith…” (Rom. 3:24-25ff.). “The law of faith” declares that we are “justified by faith apart from works of [the] law” (v. 28) – any law-keeping in attempt to merit our salvation. No one can achieve righteousness (a right standing w/ God) by their own efforts of good works (Phil. 3:9). All need the blood of Jesus to be right with God.

Justification by Faith vs. Justification by Meritorious Works

“Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Rom. 4:3). Unable to boast by his “works” (i.e., unable to meet the “full quota” of good works), Abraham was justified by faith! (Rom. 4:1-5). Abraham’s faith in God was not faith alone, but an obedient faith which trusted in God for salvation (James 2:20-24).

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt” (Rom. 4:4)

The person who “works,” who does not put his faith in the Lord for salvation, is one who labors to earn his reward (i.e., righteousness before God). His reward is not a favor, but a debt owed to him based on personal merit. The serious problem in this approach is that a person would have to obey the law flawlessly to gain his reward! There can be no other kind of worker that God owes a reward! Yet, there is no such worker among men (3:23).

The Blood of Jesus is the Source of Our Righteousness

Since we sin or fail to perform good works perfectly, we cannot be right with God unless we are forgiven of our sins. And forgiveness is found only through the blood of Jesus (Eph. 1:7). Our sins will be charged to our account unless we go to Christ in faith for the forgiveness of our sins. Only then will we be righteous: “Just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” (Rom. 4:6-8). To whom does the Lord credit righteousness to his account? To the person whose sins are forgiven! When a person responds in obedient faith to the gospel of Christ, their sins are covered the debt of sin is cancelled! (Acts 2:38). Only in Christ can we be righteous before God (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ, not our works, is the source of our salvation (Heb. 5:9).

In What Sense will we be judged According to our Works?

God does the saving, not us (Tit. 3:5), but we must come to Christ to be saved. Sins we committed in life and did not repent of and receive forgiveness for will remain in the “record books” and be held against us at the Judgment (Rev. 20:12), unless we obey the gospel to have our sins washed away (Acts 22:16; cf. 2 Thes. 1:8). Once in Christ, we must demonstrate our faith by our works of obedience (Jas. 2:14-26). Our deeds in life demonstrate our faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God (2 Cor. 5:6-10). God is faithful to forgive Christians, but we must confess our sins with a penitent heart to be forgiven (1 Jn 1:9; Acts 8:22). This is a requirement of continued fellowship with God (1 Jn 1:5-10).

How good is “good enough”? No one is good enough without the grace of the Savior!

Knowing a Servant of God When You Meet Him

by Phillip Mullins

Phonies are everywhere. Counterfeit money, imitation diamonds, and false documents are used to deceive people, and often they do.

There are also phony Christians attempting to pass themselves off as the genuine article. This is a particular problem when it comes to teachers who claim to be speaking for God when they are not. How can you distinguish the genuine servants of Jesus from the counterfeits? 2 Timothy 2:24-25 outlines the marks of authenticity of the Lord’s people.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,… (v. 24). Dialogue about God eventually leads to points of disagreement because of the religious confusion that is so prevalent in the world. However, the one who truly walks with Christ will not be abusive in making his points. He will attempt to teach in a gentle and patient way. He will not use the Bible as a club, but instead, attempt to persuade by teaching from it. A person who thrives on quarreling is not a genuine servant of Christ.

“… in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, …” (v. 25). A true follower of Jesus does not display arrogance, especially when he is trying to persuade you on a point. Even if he is speaking God’s truth, he does so humbly. Yet, his qualities of gentleness and humility don’t mean he will not attempt to show you the error of your ways. Just as Jesus spoke words of rebuke and correction, His true servants will too. Following Christ doesn’t mean a person never disagrees or even condemns, because Christ did both. Yet, He always did it with the right motivation — love. Love demands of the servant of Jesus that he attempt to show you where you need to change and convince you of the truth of God.

You can’t be sure that one follows Christ and is teaching His saving message simply because he claims to be doing so. He must teach the message of the New Testament and manifest the same spirit the Lord did.

The ABCs of Bible Study

by Warren E. Berkley

ATTITUDE
If you have a strong desire to find out what’s right and to live as you should before God, that attitude will serve you well as you read and study the Bible. This desire becomes the motive that keeps you “on task,” as you seek to discover the right way of the Lord. “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart,” (Ps 119:2; James 1:21).

BALANCE
You should give attention to all the Word of God. There may be certain topics you develop a special interest in, and some passages may be especially relevant to current needs. But you need to have a good, overall knowledge of all the Word of God (Acts 20:27).

COMMANDMENTS
In your study, you will come across commandments; imperative statements which require action, and originate in divine wisdom. Carefully look into the context, and discover who the commandment is directed to. If the commandment applies to you, decide right then that you will obey (Ps 119:4; Rev. 22:14).

DILIGENCE
Diligence means great effort and care. If you read the Bible carefully, and study the context, define words and consult references … that requires effort, but pays great dividends. Pray as David did: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous thing from Your law,” (Ps 119:18).

EXAMPLES
All through the Scriptures, there are examples. We read of people who did good things, and afford us excellent illustrations of what’s right. There are also stories of good people who took wrong turns, and sinned against God. In other words, there are good examples and bad examples. We should study these, and let them instruct us (1 Cor 10:6; Phil 4:9).

FAITH
Effective Bible study requires belief in God, trust in Jesus, and full confidence in the truth of God’s Word. Mere intellectual or academic interests will never yield the fruit that is generated by faith (Rom 10:17; Heb 11:6).

GOD
One vital accomplishment of Bible study is to learn about God. There is really no other way to find out who God is, what He is like, how He reacts, and what He has promised, except in the Scriptures (Rom 11:22).

HELP
Don’t ever hesitate to ask for help. Have you ever been in a preacher’s office? The walls are lined with hundreds of books, and their purpose is to help the preacher understand the Bible. Dictionary books, concordances, commentaries and reference works simply imply that we may need some help. There is no shame in asking for help (Acts 8:30,31).

IMPLICATIONS
As you go through the written Word of God, not only will you learn from examples, and find commands that apply to you, there are also implications. Don’t call just anything an implication, but when the information in the text leads to a conclusion, accept it and consider it to be part of God’s revelation.

JESUS
“…God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…,” and this good news is the theme of the Bible. Look for this everywhere! In Old Testament prophetic passages, the psalms of David, the institutions of the Mosaic system, the gospel accounts, Acts, the epistles and the Revelation of John … Jesus is everywhere. Look for Him, and let every new experience of Bible study bring you closer to Him (John 3:16; Col 1:18).

KNOWLEDGE
Your object is to acquire a knowledge of God’s truth (Col 1:10).

LOVE for the Truth
Paul spoke of some who would perish, and he said they were deceived “because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” (2 Thess. 2:10). Therefore, a love for the truth is an essential quality of a good Bible student.

MATURITY
Growth to maturity in Christ can never be realized, apart from Bible study. As you learn of Christ, and study His will and apply what you learn, you involve yourself in a process that produces maturity (Col 1:28).

NOURISHMENT
Understand that you cannot have spiritual life without the divine food that sustains that life. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” (Matt 4:4; Heb 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:1-3).

OBEDIENCE
Honoring Christ and pleasing God by obeying the Word of God … let that be your constant object (Matt 7:24-27; Heb 5:9).

PATIENCE
Do you sometimes think it would be great to sit down with your Bible today, and have complete knowledge by noon tomorrow? That’s not reality. Be patient with yourself, keeping studying, and you’ll add more to your store of Bible knowledge after every session (Phil 3:15).

QUESTIONS
Use questions to learn about a text. “Who wrote this … Who was it written to … What was the historical circumstance … Are there are other passages that will help me understand this … What is there in this passage that I need to apply … How does this passage help me understand other parts of the Bible?” etc.

REVIEW
Don’t ever finish or “get through” with any portion of Scripture. Go back and review. Start over again with key passages, and you may learn something you missed before (Phil 3:1; 2 Peter 3:1).

STUDY
There is a difference between reading and study! When you read, that’s your first contact with the information. Next, you should think about that information: “What did it mean to them? What does this mean today? How do I apply this today? How does this passage or teaching relate to other parts of the Bible.” When you study, you apply the mind God gave you to the book He gave you (Eph 5:17).

TRACKING Promises and Prophecy
When you find a promise (Gen 3:15), or a prophecy (Isaiah 53) in the Old Testament, follow those passages to their fulfillment.

UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES
Especially when you read the stories in the Old Testament, don’t just regard those passages as historical narratives. Look for underlying principles that transcend dispensational boundaries (Rom 15:4).

VERSIONS
Bible book stores shelves are running over with all sorts of different versions and translations of the Bible, some good and helpful; others, twisted and inaccurate. Consulting several English translations can be helpful, but don’t get too far away from the standard translations (King James, New King James, American Standard, New American Standard).

WORDS
Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that “word studies” and definitions are boring or unnecessary. The fact is, God has chosen to communicate with us through words. We need to know what those words mean. Use a good Bible dictionary, consult references, and respect the Biblical significance of the words you read (1 Cor 2:13).

X Marks the Spot
Systematic reading all the way through the Bible is a great help to your understanding. Read a portion, mark an “X” in the margin, or put the date, then continue at that place next time.

YOURSELF
We may be tempted, in our Bible reading and study, to immediately think of others how they need this; how others have violated what the passage says. Our first concern must be self-examination (2 Cor 13:5).

ZEAL
As you read and study and gain knowledge, be sure that knowledge is accompanied by the zeal to teach and practice the truth of the gospel (Rom 10:1-3).

Exalted

by Jason Cicero

“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high” (Isaiah 52:13).

Made a Little Lower

In eternity, the Word submitted to the will of the Father. In the first century, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He “was made a little lower than the angels” (Hebrews 2:9). Angels are spirit beings of a higher order than physical men and women. The Word lowered Himself. A body was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5). The One who inhabits eternity inhabited a body for some thirty-three and a half years. He became flesh and blood. He was a baby, a young man, a teenager, a twenty-something. He was made a little lower.

Lifted Up

The Word became flesh for the purpose of being “lifted up” (John 3:14). The process of crucifixion was efficient. A hole was dug in the Earth. The cross was laid on the ground. The victim was laid on the cross where he was then nailed to it. The cross was then “lifted up” and dropped into the Earth. The Word “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9). GOD in the form of GOD cannot die. The Word made Himself lower than the angels so He could die. He became flesh “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9). He was made a little lower so He could be lifted up.

Exalted

The death of Jesus on the cross is not the end of the story. It was never intended to be the end of the story. Isaiah prophesied the story from beginning to end over seven hundred years before the Word lowered Himself. “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13). The I AM raised up His Servant and “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:30-31). When He, “by Himself purged our sins,” He then “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” exalted (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is worthy of exaltation because He lowered Himself, He sacrificed Himself, and He loved us without end. With the “myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands” around the throne, let us say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:11-12).

Is He exalted in your life?

From Glory to Glory

by Jason Cicero

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

The Image of Christ

The heart of real discipleship is a commitment to be like Jesus Christ. The Christian is to be centered on the word of God because the word is where Christ is seen: “Then He said to them, ‘These things are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’” (Luke 24:44). The Scriptures make Jesus come alive so He can live in our hearts: “…Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)!

The Glory of GOD

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Some translations say, “beholding as in a mirror;” others say, “reflecting like mirrors.” One implies contemplation; the other implies refraction. Which is accurate? Actually both. The verb katoptrizo can be translated either way. But which meaning did the Holy Spirit intend? In the context, the Spirit paralleled the Christian experience to the Mount Sinai experience of Moses (Exodus 34). After Moses beheld the glory of GOD, his face reflected the glory of GOD (2 Corinthians 3:7). Upon beholding GOD, Moses could not help but reflect GOD. The brightness he saw was the brightness he became. Beholding led to becoming. Becoming led to reflecting. Perhaps the answer to the translation question, then, is “yes.” Could it be that the Holy Spirit intentionally selected a verb that would remind us to do both? To behold GOD so intently that we can’t help but reflect Him? To behold is to study, to stare, to contemplate. This beholding is a serious pondering!

The Call

As we behold His glory, dare we pray that we, like Moses, will reflect it? Dare we hope to be mirrors in the hands of God, the reflection of the light of God? This is the call: “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). From one level to another – “from glory to glory” – reflect GOD’S glory in your life!

Reflecting GOD’S Glory

It’s not about us; it’s all about Him! He sends the message; we mirror it! Beholding leads to becoming. Becoming leads to reflecting. Get in the word! Deny self, take up your Bible, and learn of Him! Gaze at His glory in the word! Reflect His glory in your daily life!

Repentance

by Jason Cicero

The challenge of the gospel is the challenge of the human will. The challenge is not to get people to believe (John 2:23-24), confess (Luke 6:46), or be baptized (Matthew 3:6). The challenge of the gospel is the challenge of getting people to repent: to change what they need to change (Matthew 11:20-24). Sin has separated us from our God (Romans 3:23; 6:23). What are we to do with this guilt? This sin? Go to God and repent of it.

Repentance is not knowing we have done wrong. David knew he was wrong long before he repented (Psalm 32). Judas knew he was wrong and never repented (Matthew 27:3-5). Peter knew he was wrong before Paul called him out (Galatians 2:11-14).

Repentance is not feeling sorry about our sin. Judas felt bad about betraying Jesus. He was sure sorry he had done so. Yet he did not repent (Matthew 27:3-5).

Repentance is not regretting that your sin has caused pain to other people. Your sin affects everyone you know. Judas regretted the pain his sin caused Jesus. Yet, he did not repent (Matthew 27:1-5).

Repentance is not confessing your sin. To be sure, God would have us confess our sin (1 John 1:9). Saul confessed his wickedness and David’s righteousness (1 Samuel 24:17-19). Later, Saul confessed his sin to David (1 Samuel 26:21). Although Saul confessed, he did not repent.

Repentance is not a mere change of conduct. When Josiah set about to reform the southern kingdom of Judah the conduct of the people changed for a time (2 Chronicles 34:31-33; Jeremiah 3:6). A change of conduct does not necessarily reflect the repentance that God desires in the hearts of men.

Repentance is a change of the heart resulting in a change of behavior. Repentance is a change of behavior that results from a change in our feeling toward God. Repentance must begin in the heart because this is where sin begins (Matthew 15:15-20). You have to make up your mind to serve God. Only you can give Him your heart. And so, you must repent: “I am sick of sin and from this day forward I am finished with that. I am Yours!”

The Majesty of God

by Jason Cicero

“The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD has clothed and girded Himself with strength; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.” (Psalm 93:1)

The GOD we worship and adore is majestic. There are many synonyms for majesty: Beauty, comeliness, excellency, glory, glorious, goodly, grandeur, honor, magnificence, ornament, splendor. Majesty has to do with having an imposing form and appearance and carries with it overtones of superior power and position. When used of GOD it evokes a sense of amazement in the mind of the one beholding Him. Simply stated, GOD’s majesty is his “greatness” (Vine). GOD would have us see His majesty, respond to His majesty, and magnify him in our lives.

See His Majesty

Moses requested to see GOD’s greatness: “Please, show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:17 – 34:7). What Moses saw at Mount Sinai we are to see by faith! See GOD’s greatness through the eyes of faith! Gaze at His glory, majesty, and dominion. Grow in the grace of seeing Him: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…” (Ephesians 1:18). Each of us needs our own Mount Sinai experience. Wisdom unsearchable. Purity unspotted. Years unending. Strength undaunted. Love immeasurable. Glimpses of the majesty of GOD!

Respond to His Majesty

“So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped” (Exodus 34:8). The proper response to GOD’s greatness is worship! To worship is to prostrate oneself (literally or figuratively) in reverence to the great I AM. The externals (reading, prayer, singing, the Lord’s supper, giving, and preaching) are important, but our hearts must be engaged in order for GOD to be glorified! In worship, GOD longs for you to turn to Him “with all your heart. So rend your heart, and not your garments…” (Joel 2:12-13).

Magnify Him in My Life

To magnify is to make great, to enlarge (Vine). GOD is great; but is He great in your life? Have you made these words your own: “…in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20)? Magnifying GOD in every aspect of your life glorifies GOD!

The GOD we worship and adore is worthy of our praise because His is majestic! See His majesty. Respond to His majesty. Magnify Him in your life. He is worthy. “…to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (Jude 25)

The Truth Shall Make You Free

by Jason Cicero

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32-32).

Jesus is “the truth” (John 14:6). “The truth” will set me free.

Freedom from…

The sway of the wicked one! The “whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Jesus sets me free from Satan’s sway, from the Devil’s influence. I can choose to be free from the wicked one in Christ!

The lies the wicked one tells! The Devil is “a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Jesus sets me free from the Devil’s deceptions. I can choose to be free from the one who “does not stand in the truth” in Christ!

Hopelessness! Those without God are also without “hope” (Ephesians 2:12). Jesus sets me free from hopelessness. I can live confidently in Christ!

Doubt! Satan has sowed seeds of doubt in the hearts of men from the beginning (see Genesis 3:4). Jesus sets me free from the Devil’s seeds of doubt. I can know in Christ!

Uncertainty! Satan would have us believe that we just can’t be certain of anything (see John 18:38). Jesus sets me free from uncertainty. I can be sure of who I am, what I am doing here, and where I am going in Christ!

Despair! The enemy intends to tear us down (see 2 Corinthians 1:8). Jesus sets us free from despair. I can be lifted up in Christ!

The bondage of sin and death! Satan tempts us to sin which leads to bondage and death (see Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus sets me free from the bondage of sin and death. I can serve freely and live in Christ!

Know Him today! Allow Him to set you free! Rejoice in your freedom!