In the tapestry of a religious environment, unity and fellowship should be the guiding principles that weave individuals together. However, in recent times our church community has been experiencing a shift. An often-overlooked aspect lurks beneath the surface, causing subtle ruptures among people who should ideally find solace in their shared beliefs. It is not always doctrinal disputes that trigger discord; instead, subjects such as politics, diverse cultures, backgrounds, sports, and other … [Read more...] about The Silent Division: Mixing Politics and Faith
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The Danger of Political Correctness
If Christ were to run for political office today, would He be elected? Hypothetically, we could reason and say, “Well He is honest in all His dealings, He is a hard worker, He is willing to help anyone, He sets the standard for moral uprightness, etc.” What is there not to like? By today’s standards, there is plenty. Jesus Christ was not “politically correct” — not by today’s view. He, with His supernatural and spiritual understanding, said things that illuminated the truth, things that went … [Read more...] about The Danger of Political Correctness
Instilling Trust in God’s Church
What percentage of Americans would you guess trust the government in Washington to do what is right at least most of the time? According to the Pew Research Center, it has been at about 17% during the previous administration and during this present one. That puts public trust of government at near historic lows. We don’t have to guess at what effect this cynicism has had on national unity because the distrust and animosity among the citizenry is almost palpable. The important thing to realize is … [Read more...] about Instilling Trust in God’s Church
The Humanist Philosophy of Life
It would be no overstatement to say that one of this modern world’s most pervasive worldviews is that of humanism. The American Humanist Association defines humanism as “a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.” As the term implies, humanism is the reliance upon the human self. When this is coupled with secularism then God is eliminated from … [Read more...] about The Humanist Philosophy of Life
Pride vs Humility
Humility is not one the fruits of God’s Holy Spirit but it is an integral part – the soil – of the process that produces the fruit. Christ said that we should produce fruit: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you" (John 15.16). "He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk … [Read more...] about Pride vs Humility
Garments, Wineskins and Fasting
Parading their self-righteousness, the Pharisees, the religious elite of Christ’s time, and their followers fasted twice a week. Yet the disciples of Christ did not. The religious leaders demanded to know from Christ why his followers didn’t fast. Jesus answered with a parable about wineskins and garments. “Then He spoke a parable to them: 'No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the … [Read more...] about Garments, Wineskins and Fasting
Perils Of Spiritual Denial
How does spiritual denial affect our preparation for Christ’s return? The apostles Peter and Paul initially felt that Christ would return in their lifetime. Much later, realizing he would die before Christ returned, Peter worried that God’s people would grow slack and forget the intensity needed to endure. We may know what is right, but do we act on it? Or do we justify our lack of energy for God’s way of life? Once, while browsing a gift shop, I found a miniature baseball bat that had … [Read more...] about Perils Of Spiritual Denial