As Christians, we believe the Word of God is the sole authority in all matters. Scripture is the sold source of God’s special revelation (2 Tim. 3:16-17; cf. Prov. 30:5; Ps. 12:6; 145:13). Tradition, emotion, and preference are not divine revelation. All things must be submitted to the Word of God. Francis Schaeffer observes, “The Reformers went back to the teaching of the Bible and the early church and removed the humanistic elements which had been added.”^[1]

The Word of God reveals God to us.

God has chosen to reveal himself to us through the Bible. He declares, “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Tim. 3:16a). Here also, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21b). All of Scripture has been communicated by God through the agency of man. Even though man is involved in the process of recording Scripture, it is still God’s message. He “carries” them along to write what he desires. The Bible is God’s message. He revealed it. Since Scripture is God’s message, we can trust what is contained in them. The reliability and authority of the Bible is based upon God’s person and character. The Lord cannot lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). Whatever God says is true. Whatever God’s Word says is true.

The barometer of truth is the Bible. The standard is not what any man or tradition says is true of God. Any description of God that contradicts the Word is not true or accurate. The doctrine of Sola Scriptura upholds and defends this standard.

The Word of God reveals God’s standards to us.

Scripture teaches us who God is and what his standards are. The Lord loves righteousness (Ps. 33:5; 11:7; 37:28; 1 Tim. 6:11). He is holy in all of his ways (1 Sam. 2:2; 1 Pet. 1:15). But, how do we know what our Creator views as righteous? We can only know such things from the Bible. God has revealed to us what he considers righteous in his Word.

God desires people to live righteously. He hates sin (Ps. 5:4; Prov. 6:16-19; Ps. 11:5; Rev. 2:6). It is contrary to his nature (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 4:8). God’s law is his standard of righteousness. It is based upon his righteous character. It pleases the Lord when people do what his Word requires (Eph. 5:17; Matt. 7:21; John 14:15; Luke 14:26-27). God wants us to do what is righteous for righteous reasons. So, not only are our actions important but also our motivations. We know these things because God has revealed them to us in the Scriptures.

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura helped recover the belief that God’s Word is the sole authority in regards to what God’s standards are. It does not matter what any man says or any tradition upholds, if they violate or contradict Scripture. In this age, the Lord does not speak outside of Scripture.

The Word of God is used by God to save and sanctify.

Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” God uses his Word to bring conviction of sin and repentance (Heb. 4:12-13; Jer. 23:29). He uses his Word to bring salvation to those who believe (1 Pet. 1:23-25; Rom. 1:16-17; cf. Rom. 10:17). It is necessary to hear, repent, and believe the gospel to be saved. If anyone says, “Well, I have always believed. I have always been a Christian.” This does not pass muster with Scripture. We are born dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1; Rom. 3:23). If anyone says, “When I was younger, (fill in the blank with the relevant person) told me I am a Christian.” It does not matter if someone told you that you are a Christian. It matters that you are actually are a Christian. You must be born again. Each person needs to repent of his or her sin, believe the gospel, and be born again through Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross.

The Roman Catholic Church taught that the sacraments[2] are required for salvation. Pope Benedict XVI declared that Protestants cannot have legitimate churches because they have separated themselves from the Roman Church.[3] Pope Boniface VIII declared, via a papal bull, that, “The Church is one, holy, catholic, and also apostolic. We believe in her firmly and we confess with simplicity that outside of her there is neither salvation nor the remission of sins. . . . It is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.”[4] Scripture teaches that salvation and remission of sins is found in Christ alone, which is received by grace alone through faith alone.

The Lord uses his Word to sanctify us and make us more like Christ (Rom. 8:28-29; Acts 20:32). Lou Priolo writes, “Sanctification is a work of God whereby the Holy Spirit conforms those whom he has regenerated into the image of Christ. But unlike justification (an act of God whereby he declares sinners justified who have trusted in Christ), sanctification requires our cooperation.”^[5] Lou goes on to say, “And since the Word of God is a necessary ingredient in this process, it stands to reason that the best way to work together with the Spirit is to spend time ‘day by day’ in the Book that he wrote to help us accomplish our goal.”^[6] Listen to Ephesians 5:8-10, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” God uses his Word to grow us in obedience and practical righteousness, i.e. righteous living and motivations.

The Roman Church teaches that the sacraments, administered by the Catholic Church, are necessary for sanctification. Sanctification in Catholicism also includes an indeterminate time in Purgatory, after death, prior to entering heaven. Does Scripture teach such things? The answer is no. The Bible teaches that God sanctifies us progressively, through his ordinary means: the Word (Acts 20:32), prayer (Eph. 6:18-19; Phil. 1:3-11), mutual ministry in a local church (Eph. 4:11-16), the testing of our faith (Jas. 1:2-4, 12; 2 Cor. 1:3-7), etc.. These are the means that the Holy Spirit uses to conform us to the image of Christ (cf. Rom. 8:29). What does the Bible say happens when a born-again believer dies? He or she is transported to heaven immediately (2 Cor. 5:8; cf. Luke 23:43). There is no place or time of purification between death and entrance into heaven.

The Conclusion of the Matter
The Protestant Reformation was birthed out of the realization that the Roman Catholic Church had elevated tradition and clericalism, which includes the papacy, above the Scriptures. Martin Luther and others found, in Scripture, that salvation is by faith alone through grace alone in Christ alone. The Reformers rejected the unbiblical teaching that salvation was through the sacraments – baptism and confirmation in the Roman Church, participating in the Roman mass, and receiving absolution of sins through confession to Roman priests, frequently accompanied by some form of prescribed penance. Luther, Calvin, and others found, in Scripture, that Christ alone is the head of the Church. This contradicts The Roman Catholic view of apostolic succession and the existence of the papacy.

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura helps to protect us from false teaching. It helps to ensure that we believe and teach that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone. God’s Word is the sole standard and authority for our faith and practice.

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[1] Francis August Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. (Old Tappan, NJ: Crossway Books, 1983), 87.

[2] The Roman Catholic sacraments are baptism and confirmation in the Catholic Church by an ordained Priest, participating in the Roman mass, and receiving absolution of sins through confession to Roman priests, frequently accompanied by some form of prescribed penance.

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jul/11/catholicism.religion

[4] Unam Sanctum, Papal Encyclicals Online, http://www.papalencyclicals.net/bon08/b8unam.htm

[5] Lou Priolo. Pleasing People: How Not to Be an Approval Junkie. (United States: P & R Pub., 2007), 151.

[6] Lou Priolo. Pleasing People: How Not to Be an Approval Junkie. (United States: P & R Pub., 2007), 152.

In this post I am going to focus on the blessings of the Protestant Reformation that have been passed down to us. The Reformation helped reclaim essential doctrines for the Christian Church. The Five Solas of the Reformation are: sola Scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria. These truths are essential to biblical Christianity. Here is a brief overview of the Five Solas:

Sola Scriptura

As Christians, we believe the Word of God is the sole authority in all matters. Scripture is the sole source of God’s special revelation (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; cf. Prov. 30:5; Ps. 12:6; 145:13). Tradition, emotion, and preference are not divine revelation and must be submitted to the Word of God. Francis Schaeffer observes, “The Reformers went back to the teaching of the Bible and the early church and removed the humanistic elements which had been added.”[1]

Sola Fide

Scripture teaches us that faith alone is required for receiving salvation. There are no acts or ceremonies which contribute to one’s regeneration. Salvation is by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 4:1-8; Gal. 2:15-16; 3:2-3). This does not negate the need for repentance. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin. Scripture teaches that for one to exercise saving faith he must first repent of his sin (Luke 24:47; Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:10; Heb. 6:1; Acts 17:30-31; 20:21).

Sola Gratia

Scripture teaches us that salvation is by grace alone. No one is saved by works but by the grace of God. Grace is the unmerited favor of God bestowed upon the one who receives Christ by faith (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 5:1-2; Gal. 2:21).

Solus Christus

Scripture teaches us that salvation in Christ is received by faith through grace. So, salvation is found in Christ alone (John 3:16-17; John 14:6; 1:11-12; Acts 4:12; 5:31; Rom. 10:9-13; 1 John 5:12-13). The Lord Jesus is God incarnate. He is truly God and truly man (from The Council of Chalcedon, 451 A.D.).[2] One must come to Christ in repentance and faith to be reconciled to God. In Christ alone, not through any other intermediary (not Mary, not the Pope, not a priest) is salvation found.

Soli Deo Gloria

Scripture teaches that God alone is to receive glory (Ps. 96:3; 1 Cor. 10:31; 6:20; cf. John 12:28). Salvation is the work of God. He is to receive glory, honor, and praise. There is no one else who receives glory for redemption, reconciliation, and sanctification. There is no man, saint, or clergy member who is to receive glory. Glory be to the triune God alone.

These Five Solas helped recover and preserve the essentials of biblical Christianity. They had a significant effect on the Church and the culture. The Solas even affected the arrangement of the church platform. Prior to the Reformation, the pulpit was physically located off to the side and the altar was central. In the Roman Catholic Church, the altar was centrally located (behind the rood screen)[3] because that is where the Roman Mass was observed. This made the re-crucifixion of Christ the focus and means of meeting with God. This is an extrabiblical view and practice. Christ died once for sin (Heb. 9:28). He will never die or be offered as a sacrifice again (Rev. 1:18). The Protestant Reformation led to the pulpit being moved to the center of the platform rather than off to the side. Why? Scripture is central and the sole means of God’s special revelation to humanity. It is sufficient for life and ministry. God’s Word reveals the Lord to us (Heb. 1:1-2). It is how he speaks to us (2 Pet. 1:20-21). Schaeffer writes, “As the rood screen was removed in the churches – because with an open Bible the people had direct access to God – so also in a direct approach to God the congregations were allowed to sing again for the first time in many centuries.”[4] The Word of God is the center of our gathering and worship.

The Reformation helped recover and preserve the centrality of the Word of God. The Word overrules tradition, preferences, and creeds. Scripture reveals Christ to us. Scripture reveals to us the way of salvation. Scripture reveals to us how God wants his people to think and live. Scripture reveals to us how we are to worship. No other source communicates to us in the same way. So, nothing else should take the place of the Word in the gathered church or the Christian life. This means that other elements should be secondary or even lower on the list of priorities (sometimes not even to be included). I will expand on this in the future (i.e. the Regulative Principle).

May you treasure and prioritize the Word of God in your Christian life and in your gatherings with your local church. Soli Deo Gloria!

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[1] Francis August Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. (Old Tappan, NJ: Crossway Books, 1983), 87.

[2] https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/truly-god-truly-man-council-chalcedon

[3] The rood screen is a physical screen that separated the laity from the clergy and the altar. It communicates the separation between God and man. It also depicts the distinction between the clergy and the laity.

[4] Francis August Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. (Old Tappan, NJ: Crossway Books, 1983), 90.

From Whence Did This Come?

Christian nationalism has been a hot topic recently in the evangelical world. It became a designation for anyone who opposed abortion, LGBTQ+, BLM, or Covid-19 measures. Basically, anyone who held to anything resembling a Judeo-Christian morality was branded a Christian Nationalist. It was commonly used in relation to the events of January 6, 2021. Media outlets were declaring that “white Christian nationalists” were guilty of trying to overthrow the U.S. Government. Many were saying, “It was the worst attack on national sovereignty since the Civil War.” It is a good thing the South had Robert E. Lee instead of Buffalo Man or the Confederacy might still be standing today. All joking aside, the cultural elites were pinning the blame for this unfortunate series of events on “white Christian nationalists.” It was not used as a term of endearment. Yet, in the days that followed, some “evangelical thought leaders” began parroting the mainstream media’s narrative.

These same thought leaders decried the validity of any real danger from Critical Race Theory. They circled the wagons and dismissed the CRT boogeyman. So, different camps began to emerge. Well, this is not quite true. The camps already existed and merely became more obvious. They existed during the Covid-19 response, the Black Lives Matter protests and riots, the proliferation of CRT, the varied opinions concerning Donald Trump, and the mask mandates and Covid vaccines. The differing viewpoints have carried forward into the Christian Nationalism debate.

Covid-19

The lockdowns and mask mandates were part-and-parcel of the Covid-19 measures that divided evangelical Christians. Most evangelical Christians operated under the mantra, “Obey the Government unless it causes you to sin against God.” This philosophy had not been put to the test much over the years. So, the idea went unchallenged. We did not consider whether or not it was actually holistic biblically. Most are unaware that this idea is found in the Augsburg Confession of 1530, which is a Lutheran Confession. It was written by Philip Melanchthon and its ideas were heavily influenced by Martin Luther. Luther had been excommunicated by Pope Leo X on January 3, 1521. The confession stated that one should obey the government, “save only when they command sin” (Article XVI Of Civil Affairs).[1]  It must be noted that this is different than the Roman Catholic view at the time. Prior to the Protestant Reformation (1500’s) the Roman Catholic Church appointed the Holy Roman emperor and thus the law of the land was controlled by the Roman Catholic Church. Prior to this there was no common belief that you would ever disobey the State. Obviously, the Lutheran Confession was a departure from the commonly held view and practice of the time. It allowed for the possibility that the Government could require unacceptable things. The confession’s view was adopted by evangelicals historically. The 1689 London Baptist Confession says, “Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty” (Romans 13:5-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2).[2] Yet, some evangelicals did not adhere to the Covid-19 measures. What happened? Was it merely because they don’t like to follow the rules? This would be a lazy and inadequate conclusion.

Grace Community Church and Pastor-Teacher John MacArthur were the most visible examples of non-compliance in the United States. The elders of Grace Community Church recognized that the Federal and State Governments’ restrictions on churches exceeded the authority given by the U.S. Constitution and the authority given by the Scriptures. Furthermore, the authoritarian measures were not consistently applied. Casinos, liquor stores, porn shops, and marijuana dispensaries were all allowed to operate while churches were restricted or in some states forbidden to meet. Black Lives Matter protests and riots were not restricted or shut down. These were certainly well attended. Mask mandates and social distancing measures were not enforced. Mainstream media was not calling for an end of the riots. They were not considered “super-spreader” gatherings but church services were. This is what generations gone by would have described as, “stranger than fiction.” Beyond the State’s overreach of its Constitutional authority, it overreached the authority that God bestowed on the State. The Lord has given the Civil Government the responsibility to punish evil and reward good (Rom. 13:1-5). For this reason, the State bears the sword. But, it is important to recognize, God is the One who determines what is evil and good.

Who Does the Government Answer to?

Scripture states that the Lord established Government. He established it to restrain evil and promote good in society (Gen. 9:5-6). This is prior to the Mosaic Law. It is prior to the existence of the nation of Israel. God’s instruction following the flood judgment would keep evil and violence in check. God would prevent humanity from filling the earth with violence as occurred before the flood (Gen. 6:11-13). The Lord established Civil Government to protect human life, the food supply (Gen. 9:3), man’s freedom to worship (Gen. 8:20), and the family (Gen. 9:1, 7).[3] These are the divinely appointed parameters. Jesse Johnson writes, “Civil leaders are not owed obedience when their commands exceed the limits God has placed on them.”[4] 

So, what is outside of the governmental sphere? The worship, doctrine, and governance of the church. The Government has no authority over the church’s worship. This includes the ordinances, the regularity of worship, the location of worship, the service order, singing of praise, financial giving, hugging, and shaking hands. This means the Government does not have the constitutional authority or the biblical authority to mandate masking, social distancing, attendance limits, or singing bans. These are ecclesiastical matters, which are overseen by the pastors of local churches (1 Pet. 5:1-5; Acts 20:26-32). Thus, they are beyond the sphere of the Government’s authority. Secondly, the Government has no authority over the church’s doctrine. The church’s teaching is determined by God according to the canon of Scripture (Jude 3). Pastors are to teach sound doctrine (2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Tim. 4:11-16; Acts 20:26-28) and correct false doctrine (Titus 1:9; 2:1). Pastors are called to ensure that sound doctrine is taught in the local church. Those who teach false doctrine will be held accountable by the Lord and should be rebuked by the church (1 Tim. 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:3-4; Titus 1:10-16; cf. Jas. 3:1; Rev. 22:18-19). A church’s doctrine is outside of the scope of the Civil Government’s authority. Lastly, the Government has no authority over the government of the church. The church follows God’s Word in how it governs itself. This includes hiring and removing pastors, appointing and removing deacons, approving and overseeing church budgets, and adding, disciplining, removing, or restoring members. These things are outside the Government’s authority. Differences in how evangelical Christians and churches viewed and responded to Covid-19 measures led to a divide in the evangelical world.

Big Eva

One thing that became apparent over time was that those who faithfully adhered to the Covid-19 measures, and criticized churches who did not, also were speaking out about the dangers of “white Christian nationalism.” In addition, they were voicing support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Wait… So, the evangelicals who were faithfully adhering to mask mandates and social distancing also spoke out against so-called “white privilege” and confessed the potential guilt of their ancestors from generations ago? They uncritically aligned themselves with Black Lives Matter and its Marxist worldview, rather than adhering to a biblical anthropology. All lives matter because all of mankind is made in the image of God (Gen. 9:5-6).

These views were also accompanied by a strong distaste for Donald Trump. They were disgusted by the bombastic, arrogant, and immoral behavior of the former President. Big Eva’s leaders called into question the propriety of Christians voting for Trump as President. These same thought leaders appear to have forgotten the reputation and immoral behavior of his opponent. Evangelicals for Biden helped elect a man whose administration desires to provide unhindered access to so-called gender transition for minors, abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy, and unashamed support for the LGBTQ+ agenda. They permitted the harassment of sitting Supreme Court Justices, which is illegal. They also deny that there is a concerted effort to promote critical theory (i.e. wokeness) and the sexualization of children in Public Schools. But, at least there are no more mean tweets. It should help us all sleep better at night.

January 6

The events of January 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol were unfortunate and unwise. There is no legitimate excuse for the lack of restraint and wisdom displayed on that day. It highlighted the deep-seated mistrust of the election process. This was on top of the pervasive mistrust of our institutions. Yet, this event was the catalyst for many to herald the dangers of “white Christian nationalism.” It was as though a theocracy was imminent. Our elections are to be free and fair according to the Constitution and the laws of our nation. When this is in question there is a legal process by which to try those claims. What was interesting was Big Eva leaders were ridiculing the theory that the election was not fair. They churned out articles chastising evangelicals for their ridiculous tin foil hat-wearing conspiracy theories. They declared that it was absurd for Christians to think there was any election corruption. Just as absurd as it was to think that Covid-19 leaked from a laboratory in China, or that said laboratory was funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars. Nothing to see here, the evangelical elites said.

Who is worried?

So, who was worried about these things? Mainstream media, social and political progressives, and progressive evangelical thought leaders (Big Eva leaders) were out in force to call our attention to the danger of “white Christian nationalism.” Big Eva was warning of this dangerous idol. Social media was ablaze with warm feelings for pluralism. Drag Queen Story Hour was described as a blessing of liberty. David French surmised this was preferable to the dangers of “white Christian nationalism.” This is not satire. I wish it was. The evangelical church has been split on wokeness, politics, and Covid measures. So, the narrative in 2021 that “white Christian nationalism” is the greatest danger facing the U.S. and the evangelical church was hard to take seriously. Yet, in the last two years, a growing number of evangelicals have decided to own the characterization.

Today

Let us move forward to today. Stephen Wolfe and Canon Press have released the book, “The Case for Christian Nationalism.”[5] There have been podcasts, articles, social media posts, conferences, and books released addressing Christian Nationalism. Evangelicals are not monolithic theologically. There are fundamental doctrines that one must believe to be considered an evangelical Christian. Evangelicals have differed on eschatology for some time. I believe that reality feeds much of the debate today concerning Christian Nationalism. Unfortunately, the debate is becoming heated. In fact, in some discussions, there is more heat than light. Sadly, this has been true in the past regarding differing eschatological views among evangelicals. Some have gone so far as to make eschatology a test of Christian faithfulness or even a test of whether one is regenerate. This attitude now characterizes the response of some regarding differences over Christian Nationalism.

In my next post, I will focus on why I believe it is foolish to disfellowship or pronounce anathema over a person who holds to the fundamentals. If someone has repented and placed his faith in the finished work of Christ, he is a brother, regardless of differences over secondary or tertiary issues.

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[1] https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/

[2] https://www.grbc.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/The-1689-Baptist-Confession-of-Faith.pdf

[3] See Jesse Johnson’s book highlighting these biblical principles, “City of Man, Kingdom of God: Why Christians Respect, Obey, and Resist Government.

[4] Jesse Johnson, City of Man, Kingdom of God: Why Christians Respect, Obey, and Resist Government, (N.p.: BookBaby, 2022), p. 57.

[5] Stephen Wolfe, The Case for Christian Nationalism, (Idaho: Canon Press, 2022).

We are now in the season when we celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This historical event, which happened in accordance with the Lord’s eternal plan, provides hope for all genuine believers worldwide. The Christ died for our sin and rose again from the dead so we might have eternal life and peace with God. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus has secured for us certainty regarding our eternal destiny. “We are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8, Legacy Standard Bible). 

The resurrection of Jesus was part and parcel of the gospel message of the apostles and the First Century Church. Paul declared the death and resurrection of Christ as a matter of first importance (1 Cor. 15:3-11). Scripture teaches that apart from the resurrection of Christ we would still be dead in our sin (1 Cor. 15:12-20). Since he is raised and seated at the right hand of the Father we have guarantee of our salvation (Rom. 6:1-11). Since Jesus is raised we have guarantee of our own resurrection. Brothers and sisters, the finished work of Christ (i.e. his death for sin and resurrection from the dead) is our hope, security, and joy. Give the Lord thanks and praise for redemption through Christ!

I am sure that you are aware of the tragedy that occurred at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee on March 27, 2023. Six people were tragically murdered on that day. We should continue to pray for those who have been affected by this senseless loss of life. When tragedy occurs people tend to react emotionally rather than rationally. Others capitalize on such events to push their favored agenda. As Christians, we must resist getting caught up in unthinking, emotionally charged rhetoric or responses. As Christians, we must hold fast to Scripture and sound doctrinal convictions. In our day the biblical doctrine of Anthropology is under attack. Anthropology is the biblical doctrine of man, that is, what the whole of Scripture teaches about mankind. So, what do we need to know and remember? What follows is not an exhaustive study of the subject, or we would be here for a while. This is an examination of what God says is fixed, unalterable truth regarding mankind. 

• God created mankind personally in his own image (Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1). We are not God, but there are things that are true about God that are also true about us (i.e. God’s communicable attributes). Thus, there are things that are true about God that are not true about us (i.e. God’s incommunicable attributes). 
• God created mankind with one of two genders – male or female (Gen. 1:27; cf. 2:21-25). Gender is established by God. It is immutable, that is, unchangeable. 
• God created mankind without sin (Gen. 1:31). Thus, at creation, mankind was in perfect union with God and was not a sinner. 
• Mankind chose to rebel against God and sin entered the human race (Gen. 3:1-11). Sin is passed down to all humanity because we inherit it from Adam (Rom. 5:12-21). We are born sinners and are totally depraved. Total depravity means every aspect of our person is affected by sin. It doesn’t mean we are as evil as we could be. It does mean that every part/aspect of who we are is polluted by sin (ex. emotion, intellect, will).
• Since mankind is created in the image of God, life is sacred (Gen. 9:5-6). God as Creator has determined when life begins and ends. The Lord has established that life is a divinely bestowed right because he is the author of it and sovereign over it. Murder is wrong because mankind bears the image of God. God holds murderers accountable via the sphere of the Civil Government. God uses the Civil Government to restrain evil and uphold justice (at least when they are functioning properly, according to God’s design). Apart from this divinely established order in society, violence would fill the earth.
• Mankind is given responsibility and he is held responsible for his actions (Eccl. 12:14; Matt. 12:33-37). This is known as the sanctity of personal responsibility. Each person is accountable for his or her own actions. God will evaluate each individual’s life and actions. Each person will be responsible for what he or she has done.
  • Adam was accountable for his actions (Gen. 3:17-19, 22-24).
  • Eve was accountable for her actions (Gen. 3:16, 22-24).
  • Moses was accountable for his actions (Num. 20:10-11; Deut. 32:51-52).
  • David was accountable for his actions (2 Sam. 11:1-12:23; 24:1-25).
  • Saul (i.e. Paul) was accountable for his actions (Acts 9).
  • Cain was accountable for his actions (Gen. 4:1-16)
  • Esau was accountable for his actions (Gen. 25:29-34; 27:30-41)
  • Pharoah was accountable for his actions (Exod. 7-14).
  • Nebuchadnezzar was accountable for his actions (Dan. 4:4-33).
  • Judas was accountable for his actions (Matt. 26:20-25).
  • Alexander the coppersmith was accountable for his actions (2 Tim. 4:14-15).
  • The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were accountable for their actions (Gen. 18:20-21; 19:1-11).
• In holding individual human beings accountable, God does not blame the actions of others for an individual’s sins. Those other people may be guilty of sin, for which they will be held accountable, but the individual is still responsible for his or her actions. 
• In holding individual human beings accountable, the Lord does not blame the instrument or tool of wrong/evil. The individual, created in the image of God, is accountable for his or her actions. The blame cannot be conveyed to the tool by which the evil was carried out.
  • God did not blame the stones that were used to kill Stephen (Acts 7:54-60).
  • God did not blame the spear that King Saul used for the attempted murder of David (1 Sam. 19:10) or the attempted murder of Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:32-33). 
  • God did not blame the sword used to murder the priests of Nob (1 Sam. 22:16-21). 
  • God did not blame the sword used to murder James the apostle (Acts 12:1-2).

When the Lord instituted capital punishment (post-flood), he does not address the instrument or mode of murder (Gen. 9:5-6). He does address the person guilty of shedding another person’s blood (i.e. murder). Thus, God holds the individual accountable for his or her actions. 

We live in a society that has adopted a mindset of radical individualism. This has been accompanied by a victim mentality. If someone disagrees with me then I am being attacked or victimized. The logic follows that whatever a “victimized” person does cannot be helped because he or she is a victim. This perverse and unbiblical logic is being promoted at the highest levels of our Civil Government. Our culture has taken the blameshifting approach modeled by Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:12-13). Adam’s sin was not his fault, it was Eve’s. Eve’s sin was not her fault, it was the serpent’s. These individuals sinned against God. They did what was wrong but it was not their fault (according to them). It was someone else’s fault. Yet, God held each of them individually responsible for their personal sin.

Our society has also adopted the attitudes of Cain and Esau. These men sinned against God. Cain murdered his brother Abel because Cain’s sacrifice was not acceptable and Abel’s was (Gen. 4:1-16; cf. Heb. 11:4). Esau despised his birthright (given to him by God) and traded it for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:29-34; cf. 27:30-41; Heb. 12:15-17). Yet, they believed that they got a raw deal and shouldn’t be accountable for what they did because they are really victims of their own circumstances. This does not fly with God. The Lord holds each of these individuals accountable for their actions. 

We are not unreasoning animals or machines which have no control over or responsibility for our actions. Francis Schaeffer wrote, “Because of his rebellion man chooses to go lower rather than return to his proper place as a creature before the absolute Creator… he moves down from being man into the lower existence of the animals and the machines.” This is a rebellion against the Lord who made us in his image. We are not unreasoning animals. We are not impersonal machines. We are human beings. We are given life and responsibility by God. He is the Creator and Lord of all. He is the one who has established the principles of the sanctity of human life and the sanctity of personal responsibility. Thus, these principles stand whether they are popular or not, whether they are rejected or not. Brothers and sisters, hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and do not be conformed to the unbelieving world (Rom. 12:1-2). 

You have likely heard reports of revival at some universities in the United States. As Christians, we should pray that the Lord would bring revival across this nation. But, what is revival? Revival occurs among believers. For one to be revived, you must have been alive spiritually in the first place. Unbelievers are spiritually dead and thus cannot be revived. Revival is the result of God’s Spirit moving in the hearts of believers. Historically they have been fueled by the people of God becoming dissatisfied with the spiritual condition of churches and educational institutions. This dissatisfaction led the saints to pray fervently for God to bring repentance and reformation. It started with prayer. Revival was not scheduled nor can it ever be. God acts according to his sovereign will. He acts according to his holy character.

Revival is not a biblical word. Yet, we read of events in Scripture that sound like what we refer to as revival. In such instances, the Lord brought conviction of sin, repentance, and brokenness among those believers who had been affected. There was a clear grasp of one’s sinfulness and God’s holiness. It was not mere emotionalism. Emotionalism without repentance and progressive sanctification is not biblical revival. There must be growth in practical holiness and obedience. True revival brings a greater degree of Christlikeness among those affected.

Scripture speaks of revival in Ezra 9-10. Chapter nine details Ezra’s prayer for himself and the nation of Israel. Ezra confesses his sin and the sin of his people. The Spirit of God brought conviction of sin among the people. Their response was to weep bitterly (Ezra 10:1). They confessed their sins (Ezra 10:2). They repented and acted in obedience to God’s Word (Ezra 10:3-17). Nehemiah records details of revival as well (Neh. 8-10). In this particular revival, Ezra preaches God’s Word (Neh. 8:1-8). The people wept over their sins and mourned (Neh. 8:9-11). They worshiped and listened to the Scriptures (Neh. 8:13-18). The people of God mourned and fasted (Neh. 9:1). They repented and confessed their sins (Neh. 9:2). They read the Scriptures for a quarter of the day (Neh. 9:3a). They confessed their sins and worshiped for a quarter of the day (Neh. 9:3b). As they worshiped the Lord, they recounted God’s acts of faithfulness and their acts of unfaithfulness (Neh. 9:4-37). Finally, the people committed themselves to faithful obedience to the Lord (Neh. 9:38-10:39).

So, if we synthesize these features of biblical revival into a list, here they are:

1. Weeping and mourning over personal sin and the sin of God’s people (Ezra 10:1).
2. Confessing and repenting of personal sin in prayer (Ezra 10:2; Neh. 9:2, 3b).
3. Committing to personal obedience of God’s Word in prayer (Ezra 10:3-17; Neh. 9:38-10:39).
4. Worshiping the Lord and listening to God’s Word (Neh. 8:13-18; 9:3).
5. Mourning and fasting (Neh. 9:1).
6. Worshiping the Lord by recounting God’s acts of faithfulness and our acts of unfaithfulness (Neh. 9:4-37).

In history, there have been a few notable revivals. The First Great Awakening (1730-1740) featured an emphasis on the preaching of God’s Word with a distinctively Calvinistic theology. It began in England and was closely associated with the preaching of George Whitefield (a Calvinist) and his friend John Wesley (an Arminian). The movement spread to Scotland, Switzerland, Holland, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe. George Whitefield also traveled to Georgia to preach in 1738. Whitefield was more expressive in his preaching style than many at the time. Whitefield was willing to preach to anyone, including slaves and Native Americans. Revival also occurred in New England in 1734 through the preaching of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards (a Calvinist) was the central figure in New England (particularly between 1740-1743). Edwards is well known for his doctrinal preaching (ex. “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” preached in 1741) and Theology (ex. his book, “Religious Affections”). Edwards was not opposed to emotion. Yet, he believed that emotion “should not eclipse the need for right doctrine and rational worship.”[1]

The First Great Awakening was marked by emotion, orthodox[2] Theology, and orthodox preaching. It featured a close fellowship among orthodox believers and orthodox Protestant churches that crossed denominational lines. There was an emphasis on outward evidence of salvation (i.e. changed lives; spiritual fruit).[3] The revival created a sense of unity among the 13 colonies. Historian Justo Gonzalez wrote, “At the same time, new ideas were circulating regarding human rights and the nature of government. Those ideas, joined to the growing sense of commonality among the colonies would produce momentous events.”[4] The Great Awakening also led to the establishment of educational institutions, Princeton, Brown, Dartmouth, and Rutgers. Benjamin Franklin, who greatly admired George Whitefield and loved to listen to him preach, helped found (along with 24 trustees) what came to be known as the University of Pennsylvania.[5]

During the First Great Awakening, many were praying for revival and the coming of the Kingdom of God, namely Jonathan Edwards. Jonathan Edwards held to a Postmillennial eschatology, which believes the church will prepare the way for Christ to return by influencing the world to become “Christianized” (not all people will be saved, but the world will become increasingly Christian).  A group of believers in Scotland sought to persuade Edwards and others like him to join them in Scotland. Edwards subsequently wrote the book,“An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and visible union of God’s people in extraordinary prayer for the revival of religion and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom on earth, pursuant to Scripture-promises and prophecies concerning the last time.”[6] Edwards and other Postmillennialists did not see their eschatological (view of the end times) position come to pass. Yet, many believe that their prayer for revival resulted in the modern missions movement.

The Second Great Awakening began in New England (1795-1830). The leaders intentionally sought to avoid emotionalism. It was also not an anti-intellectual movement. One of the proponents of the movement was Timothy Dwight, the president of Yale.[7] Dwight also happened to be the grandson of Jonathan Edwards. William Carey traveled to India to pursue missionary work in 1793. In 1806 five young men, who were students at Williams College in Massachusetts, met to discuss William Carey’s “An Inquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathen.” They met in a wooded grove near Williamstown, Massachusetts. The men were interrupted by a thunderstorm. As the story goes, they sought shelter near a haystack where they continued praying and discussing the need for the gospel to go to China and the Orient.[8] It came to be known as the Haystack Prayer Meeting. It led to the establishment of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. ABCFM sent out many missionaries, including Adoniram Judson, to India in 1812. One of the participants of the Haystack Prayer Meeting, Samuel Mills, also helped found the American Bible Society and the United Foreign Missionary Society.

The Awakening also led to changes in society. Some of the social changes that took place during this time were the formation of groups seeking the abolition of slavery (the American Colonization Society) and the prohibition of alcohol (the American Society for the Promotion of Temperance, founded in 1826).[9] The temperance movement was mainly led by women. Temperance societies also began to fight for women’s rights in society.

When we look at history, there are other results of spiritual revival among God’s people:

1. Unbelievers come to know Christ through repentance and faith in the gospel.
2. An increase of believers involved in evangelism and the work of missions.
3. A positive influence on the culture with resulting societal change. When the people of God grow in personal holiness it affects the culture around them.
4. The people of God become involved in outward acts of Christian charity.

The Second Great Awakening also spread outside of New England. The United States had won its independence from England and its citizens began to travel west. At the time of the Awakening, people were moving as far as the Mississippi. Those on the frontier were not as orthodox in their beliefs and practices, as those in New England where the revival began. There was more emotionalism and less sound doctrine. I will speak more about this in a moment.

When we consider the details of extra-biblical historical events described as revival, we find that they are a mixed bag. There are some good and some bad (and probably some that fall in between the two). There appear to be believers who were radically and supernaturally changed (i.e. repentance, confession of sin, worship, increased levels of obedience, and growth in personal holiness). There have also been some odd or even unbiblical occurrences. During the Second Great Awakening, there was a service at the Red River Meeting House in Logan County, Kentucky (June 1800) where people were barking like dogs, convulsing, howling like wolves, laughing uncontrollably, and rolling around on the ground.[10][11] A similar phenomenon occurred at the Cane Ridge Revival in Bourbon County, Kentucky (August 1801). The Cane Ridge event was attended by as many as 20,000 people. They cut down trees for people to sit on and the multiple preachers stood on stumps as they spoke simultaneously to the crowd. Historical accounts record the closing of bars and brothels as a result of the events.[12]

Some people enjoyed the “feeling” or “vibe” of the event and their lives were not changed. They continue in their sin or unbelief or even return to their sin shortly after the event. The parable of the soils speaks of a similar reality (Mark 4:3-20). Some people appear to receive the Word and then fall away when faced with difficulty (Mark 4:16-17). Others hear the Word but are unfruitful because they are consumed with the cares of this present world (Mark 4:18-19). Finally, some hear the Word, accept it, and are spiritually fruitful (Mark 4:20). I think the same principles apply to revivals.

I will leave you with 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” So, the biblically wise response to events like these is to: be biblically discerning, be prayerful (for wisdom and for God to be working in the lives of his people), and recognize that we will not know the genuine character of such an event until years later. Is there lasting spiritual fruit? The same principle is true regarding someone professing salvation in Christ. Is there lasting spiritual fruit? We will only know over time. Brothers and sisters, be praying for the Lord to work. Ask him to work in your life, your family, your church, your town, your state, your country, and this world.

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[1] Justo L. Gonzalez,  Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day, Volume 2. (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1984), 229.

[2] Orthodoxy is defined as the, “Theological beliefs judged to be essential to Christian truth. Derived from two Greek words (orthos and doxa), the term literally means “right opinion” and has come to refer to established beliefs or doctrines. In traditional Christianity the basis for orthodoxy is divine revelation, particularly in the Bible.” Daniel G. Reid et al., Dictionary of Christianity in America (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990).

[3] Timothy Paul Jones, Christian History Made Easy. (Peabody, MA: Rose Publishing, 2009), 134.

[4] Justo L. Gonzalez,  Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day, Volume 2. (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1984), 230.

[5] http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/becomingamer/ideas/text4/franklinproposals.pdf

[6] https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupid?key=umn04757

[7] Justo L. Gonzalez,  Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day, Volume 2. (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1984), 245.

[8] https://www.gotquestions.org/Haystack-Prayer-Meeting.html

[9] Justo L. Gonzalez,  Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day, Volume 2. (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1984), 245.

[10] https://blog.richmond.edu/jerkshistory/tag/methodists/page/7/

[11] https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/blog/post/frontier-revivals

[12] Ibid.

The Lord in his incomparable wisdom and divine sovereignty chooses to bring us through valleys. In such times we feel alone and weak, confused. We don’t usually see the other side, the light at the end when we are in the midst of the struggle. Still, we look to the Lord in prayer. We look to the Lord by digging into his Word. We seek help, encouragement, and guidance from brothers and sisters in Christ. We need help because we are at the end of ourselves. Psalm 23 provides hope and encouragement for us in such times. It provides hope and encouragement for living people who are believers.

In Psalm 23, David declares that the Lord being a part of his life changes everything. Regardless of what he faces, the Lord provides for him and sustains him. Yahweh is David’s shepherd. This is a very personal statement. The Lord ensures that David lacks nothing. We know that God does not give us everything that we want. He does provide for our needs. In the midst of the valley, David’s relationship with the Lord does not change. In the midst of the valley, your identity as a follower of Christ does not change. He is your shepherd. You are his sheep.

David’s needs are provided for by the LORD (2-3).The Lord provides a place of nourishment and rest for his people. Green pastures are a place for sheep to feed which is beneficial for them. It didn’t happen without work. A shepherd had to clear the land to prepare it for the sheep. Allen Ross writes, “The psalmist is saying that the LORD meets his spiritual needs – and in the process gives him the very best. As grass would be food for the sheep, the word of the LORD would be provision for the ‘hungry’ spirit.”[1]

God is faithful as our shepherd to replenish us and guide us, even in the midst of our troubles (3). The LORD restores my soul. Some think this refers to God restoring a believer to fellowship with him after sinning, repenting, and confessing sin to him (1 John 1:9). Likely this refers to the Lord restoring the soul of the believer, that is, to renew strength, renew spiritual vibrancy. He refreshes us when we are weak or downcast. Psalm 19:7 speaks of God’s Word reviving our souls. If our downcast souls are the result of sin, then yes, we should repent and confess our sins to him (Ps. 32; 51).

Brothers and sisters, no matter the circumstances you are in, the LORD of all the earth is with you if you know Christ. Uncertainty troubles us. Danger scares us. No matter the uncertainty, no matter the danger, the LORD does not flee. He will remain faithful to accomplish the good work that he began in you (Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24; Rom. 8:29; Eph. 2:8-10). He will never forsake you (Heb. 13:5). No one can snatch you out of his hand (John 10:27-30). Nothing can separate you from God’s love in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39). Your soul is secure in the Savior. You are not alone.

Verse five shifts from the imagery of a shepherd and sheep to the imagery of a host and an honored guest. God prepares a table before his servant (5). This abundant provision is offered in the presence of David’s enemies. In this culture, it was the duty of the host to provide for and protect his honored guest. This speaks of God providing for his servant’s needs, even while his enemies are still present. The Lord does not always remove the trouble, at least not right away. The LORD causes David’s cup to overflow. He has more than enough. God has filled his life with good things. He is walking through a valley of deep darkness and his God provides for his needs.

The Lord’s favor is with his servant (6). Since we know the Lord, his goodness and faithful love (חֶסֶד) will be with us. Our God is causing all things that come into our lives to work together for our good (Rom. 8:28-29). The verb translated here as “shall follow me” (רָדַף) has the idea of “to pursue.” God’s goodness and faithful love will pursue us as his covenant people all of our lives. No matter what the allows, no matter how painful, no matter how hard, God’s goodness and faithful love will pursue us (Ps. 36:7-10; 2 Cor. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:18). When David says he will dwell in the house of the LORD forever, he was speaking of the Tabernacle. There was no Temple during his lifetime. Solomon, his son, built the Temple. The thought being conveyed is the servant of the LORD will enjoy God’s presence eternally. He will pursue the LORD because God’s servant desires his fellowship. As New Covenant Christians, we have the hope of dwelling in the presence of the LORD eternally because of our salvation in Christ. Christ is our hope (Phil. 3:20-21).

Christians, the LORD being a part of our lives changes everything. Regardless of what we face, the Lord provides for us and sustains us. As I said earlier, Psalm 23 is for living people. It is for people who know the Lord. If you know him, he is with you, in a faithful covenant relationship, no matter how hard the circumstance. The Lord will remain faithful to you, provide for you, and abide with you until the end. The key question is, “Is the LORD your shepherd”? If he is not your shepherd, this Psalm cannot be a comfort to you. How can you know the LORD as your shepherd? Acknowledge your sin to him and ask his forgiveness. Believe that Christ died for your sin and rose again from the dead to save you. Confess that Christ is your Lord and Savior. Then, and only then, is the LORD your shepherd.

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[1] Allen P. Ross, A Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 1. (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2011), 561.

“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). This powerful and timeless verse has great implications for each generation of Christ-followers. The necessity of sound doctrine and biblical faithfulness in our lives cannot be understated. The same is true in our ministries in our local churches. We must maintain biblical fidelity in each generation. If we do not, it is to the detriment of those present and those to come.

The church is called to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). The command in the passage is to, “Make disciples of all nations” (v. 19b). To do so, we must:

• “Go” – We approach others and seek to make disciples. We don’t simply wait for those who need Christ to come to us.
• “Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Those who repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are to follow the Lord in obedience by receiving believer’s baptism.
• “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior and been baptized are in need of being taught. This ongoing training is what we commonly refer to as discipleship.

The great encouragement we have in this mission is:

• Jesus has been given, “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).
• Jesus will be with us, “always, to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

So, as we seek to carry out the mission the Lord Jesus has given the church, he possesses all authority in heaven and on earth and he is with us to help us. We are not alone. We are not to rely on our own strength and authority. We are obeying Christ and relying upon him.

We must be wise and discerning as we serve the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a temptation to do things to “get results”. This tempts us to do things to please the unbelieving world. We reason that it will help increase numbers. The numbers in mind usually refer to people. Bear with me as I unfold the logic behind such a mindset. If we have more people then we are successful. If we have more people we will have more money. If we have more money we are successful. If we are going to accomplish these things then we have to do church in a way that unbelievers will like or at least not be offended. Brothers and sisters, we never determine success in ministry by merely analyzing attendance. Faithfulness to the Lord and his Word is greater than mere attendance figures. Faithfulness to the Lord is greater than mere financial figures. These are easy to evaluate. The world evaluates businesses and entertainment based on financial statements and attendance. The problem for the church is when the goal becomes numbers alone (attendance and finances as primary indicators of health). The goal in such a situation is not more disciples. It is just more people. The goal ceases being increased service and giving as a result of growth in Christian maturity because the focus has shifted from the Lord and toward people. When the focus is on people as consumers, we will seek to please them rather than Christ.

How do we maintain a proper focus and biblical balance? As Christians, we must hold fast to the Scriptures as our authority. They are sufficient and authoritative. We must know them. We must adhere to them in how we live and serve. We must not look to the wisdom of man for the authority or standard for how we live and serve. Secondly, we must hold fast to the gospel as our hope. The gospel is what God uses, by his Spirit, to save those who repent and believe. We don’t give people a message of false hope. They do not need to believe in themselves or follow their hearts. They do not need to feel better about themselves as they live in rebellion against God. Finally, we must honor Christ as Lord. We belong to him. Jesus is Lord of every local church. It is according to his Word that we will carry out this ministry. Jesus has called Pastors to ensure this is the case (Acts 20:26-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). They will give an account one day for how they have led you and the evaluation will be based upon how faithful they were to teach and lead local churches to do things according to God’s Word (Heb. 13:17; cf. 1 Tim. 4:15-16; 1 Thess. 5:12-13).

We must know the Lord and fear his holy name. This sets us apart from the unbelieving world. It is a God-honoring, biblical reality (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Titus 3:3-8). As Christians, we are supposed to be different because of Christ and his Word (1 John 2:5-6). Let us rely upon the Lord in prayer as we seek to love and honor him in our lives and service in our local churches.

We have begun a new year, 2023. A new year is something that even unbelievers in the world anticipate. Why is that? It’s because a new year is met with hope. Maybe this year will be better than last year, or so the thinking goes. Christians think the same type of things. Brothers and sisters, we as believers face trouble in this life. The Lord Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). The difficulties we face should not surprise us. This is a fallen world. Yet, in the midst of it all, God is at work and his grace overflows to his people. The Lord causes even the painful and difficult moments to work together for our spiritual good (Rom. 8:28). He works sovereignly to cause us to grow in Christlike maturity, wisdom, and perseverance (Rom. 5:1-5).

So, this new year every believer will experience trouble. Some will be the result of our own sinful choices. Some will be the result of the sinful choices of others. Some will be because we will live in a fallen world that has been cursed as a judgment for sin (Gen. 3:17-18; Rom. 8:20-22). Yet, the Lord will not abandon you amid such trouble. If you know him, through faith in his Son Jesus Christ, you have entered into a covenant relationship with him. Born again believers are members of the New Covenant through Jesus’ blood (Heb. 9:15; 8:6; 2 Cor. 3:6; cf. Matt. 26:28). The Lord is our God and we are his people.

Brothers and sisters, Christ has called you to live for his glory and honor. You and I are to become more and more like Christ. We are to live each moment of each day in light of the truth, Christ is Lord. As you begin this new year, remember these truths:

• Jesus is Lord over all (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23).
• Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33b).
• Jesus causes all things to work together for our spiritual good (Rom. 8:28).
• Jesus has caused us to be a part of the New Covenant. We are his people, bought with his blood (1 Cor. 11:23-26; 6:19-20).
• Jesus will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5b-6; Rom. 8:31-39).

As a result of these truths:

• Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37).
• Obey God’s commands out of love for him (John 14:15; 15:10; cf. 1 John 2:3; John 14:24).
• Think in a Christlike, biblical way (Phil. 2:5-10; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5).
• Live in a Christlike, biblical way (1 John 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:15; Col. 2:6).
• Proclaim the gospel and make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 1:28-29).
• Contend for the faith (i.e. God’s truth handed down to us; Jude 3).

Believers, as we have these truths in mind we are able to face the new year with the mind of Christ.