One key element of modern Christianity is the concept of salvation. It is often at the center of endless theological debates—salvation by works versus salvation by faith, the question of whether one can lose salvation, or the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved.’ These debates ultimately narrow down to a singular, anxiety-laden question: Are you saved? This approach often feeds off fear—the fear of judgment, the fear of what happens after death, and the fear of being excluded from God’s … [Read more...] about Salvation: Who’s In and Who’s Out
Reconciliation
Prophecy’s Relevance Today
As events in this world move along at a rapid pace, there’s an ever-growing interest in prophecy. We don’t want to get into the position of forcing parts of prophecy to come together to fit like a puzzle, but to take what is revealed to us by God, progressively putting them together to make an image that is factual according to scripture, not an interpretation of man. Peter is a particularly good place to start: " knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private … [Read more...] about Prophecy’s Relevance Today
Surrendering the “Old Man”
God has given humanity a purpose, and He has provided us insight and a roadmap on how to accomplish His purpose for each of us. Simply put, we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, in this case, to God the Father and Jesus Christ. You are to “…put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 … [Read more...] about Surrendering the “Old Man”
The Gospel: God’s Plan for Humanity
At a time when the world is experiencing so much anger, chaos, lawlessness, frustration and such a bleak future, God's overarching plan for humanity is more vital and critical for us to understand and apply individually than ever before. The Gospel is a message of hope and encouragement that highlights God’s love and mercy for everything He has created. It emphasizes His desire for the creation, the earth and all its inhabitants to dwell in peace and harmony with Him. It also highlights … [Read more...] about The Gospel: God’s Plan for Humanity
Leaven and Reconciliation
The original instructions given to ancient Israel regarding the first two Holy Days of the annual Holy Day cycle clearly emphasize the isolation of leaven. This applied to both the restriction of eating it and its removal from their dwellings (Exodus 12:15-20). The fact that the days of Unleavened Bread follow immediately after the Passover is important. Christ’s sacrifice paid the penalty for our sins and opened the way for us to come into a close, reconciled relationship with Christ and the … [Read more...] about Leaven and Reconciliation
Adjusting Our Focus
All around us the world is coming unraveled. Many elements of our society believe right is wrong and wrong is right. Morality of any form is out the door as a basis for all our institutions. Our economies have been pushed into the worst recession in a generation, with our government convinced that they can spend their way out of debt. Food supply disruptions causing shortages could result in millions of deaths this year alone in the poorest of countries. It is easy for … [Read more...] about Adjusting Our Focus
The True Nature of God’s Governance
As followers of Christ, we need to understand the true nature of God's governance within the God Family and to practice it correctly. We also need to define and develop an understanding of how God intends His 'shepherds' to nurture and feed Christ’s flock in accord with the spiritual nature of governance (1 Peter 5:1–4). The Apostle Peter, to whom Jesus said, “tend and feed my sheep,” teaches us to clothe ourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5). Peter’s instruction reminds us … [Read more...] about The True Nature of God’s Governance