Standing In The Gap

Prayer is a divine weapon, a sacred act that Satan dreads when wielded by faithful Christians. In the church, prayer is God’s design to weave us into a tight-knit community, binding us closer than proximity ever could. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Intercessory prayer, lifting others before God’s throne, is a duty and privilege that transforms both the pray-er and the prayed-for.

Carl Pollard

Prayer is a divine weapon, a sacred act that Satan dreads when wielded by faithful Christians. In the church, prayer is God’s design to weave us into a tight-knit community, binding us closer than proximity ever could. James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Intercessory prayer, lifting others before God’s throne, is a duty and privilege that transforms both the pray-er and the prayed-for.

Why pray for each other? Scripture commands it. Matthew 5:44 urges us to pray even for enemies, fulfilling the call to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Pray for others the way you’d pray for yourself! Colossians 1:9 Paul models ceaseless prayer for others’ spiritual growth, while Galatians 6:2 frames intercession as bearing one another’s burdens, fulfilling Christ’s law. Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us that prayer knits the church together, spurring love and good deeds. Yet, how often do our prayers default to vague “bless them” pleas or focus solely on physical needs? Intentional intercession digs deeper, aligning with God’s will.

Biblical heroes show us this. Abraham pleaded for Sodom’s salvation (Genesis 18:22–33), mirroring God’s heart for the wicked to turn and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Moses stood in the gap for idolatrous Israel, offering his life to secure their forgiveness (Exodus 32:11–14, 31–32; Psalm 106:23). Jesus, in His High Priestly Prayer (John 17:1–26), interceded for His disciples’ protection, sanctification, and unity, modeling prayers for eternal impact. Paul’s prayers for the churches (Ephesians 1:15–23; Colossians 1:9–12) prioritized spiritual wisdom and strength over physical circumstances.

To pray intentionally, embrace three keys. First, keep God’s bigger story in mind. While praying for safety or healing is valid, God often uses trials to shape us into Christ’s image (Romans 8:28–29; James 1:2–4). Like Jesus in Luke 22:42, balance requests for relief with surrender to God’s will, praying for faithfulness through suffering. Second, use biblical models to form your prayers. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) prioritizes God’s will and provision, while Paul’s prayers (Ephesians 3:16–17) seek spiritual depth. Third, pray specifically and with persistence, as 1 John 5:14–15 assures that prayers aligned with God’s will are heard.

Intercessory prayer is a sacrificial act of love, a call to stand in the gap for others, as Moses did, or to plead for unity, as Jesus did. It’s a rebellion against Satan’s schemes, a bridge to connect our church, and a path to spiritual maturity. So, who are you praying for today? Let’s commit to intentional, fervent intercession, trusting God to work mightily through our prayers.

A Much Needed Fundamental Sermon

A heartfelt, well-reasoned sermon on the role of baptism in salvation, preached Sunday morning, September 28, 2025, at the Scottsville, KY, church of Christ by Carl Pollard, the local preacher there.

The Gospel Simply PutDownload

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book 2, Ch. 1.1-2)

Gary Pollard

(Continuing modernizing translation of this work by one of the early church fathers)

Up to this point, we’ve been talking about the earth and how it’s arranged. Now it makes sense to look more closely at the earth itself—its beginning, its end, the ways God has guided it between those stages, and even the mysteries some say took place before creation or will take place after the end.

The first clear point is that the world, in all its many changes and conditions, is made up of more than just intelligent and transcendent beings and many different species of each. It also includes animals—wild and tame, birds, and creatures of the sea. It includes places as well: the “sky” or “skies”1, the earth, the waters, and the air between them, which some call aether. From the earth come all plants and living things born in it.

Since the world shows so much variety, even among intelligent beings themselves, we must ask: what is the reason for this? What caused the existence of such a diverse world—especially if, as we said earlier, everything will one day be restored to its original state?

The most reasonable answer is this: this variety of lifeforms in the world reflects the variety of movements and choices made by those who fell away from their primal unity and harmony, which was the state God created them in. When they were driven out of that original goodness, and pulled in different directions by desires and motives, they transformed the simple, undivided goodness of their nature into many different kinds of minds and ways of life. 

God, with the unlimited skill of his intelligence, transforms and restores all things, no matter how they were made, toward a useful purpose and the common good. In this way, he brings creatures of very different dispositions back into a shared labor and goal. Even though their motives may differ, they all contribute to the fullness and perfection of one world. It is one power that holds the world’s diversity together and directs every movement toward a single function, preventing this vast creation from breaking apart through the conflicts of intelligences.

For this reason, we believe that God the Father, desiring the rescue of all his creatures through the mysterious plan of his Word and Wisdom, has ordered all things so that every spirit—whether soul or rational being, whatever form it takes—is not forced by compulsion into any path against its will. To do so would remove the gift of free will itself and alter the very nature of the created being. Instead, God has wisely adapted their differing purposes to fit the harmony of the world: some need help, others are able to give it, and others create struggles and contests for those trying to grow in moral goodness. This way, diligence is tested, victories are made more certain, and the ranks of honor are secured through the challenges of the struggle.

1 d est coeli, vel coelorum

Doing Hard Things Harder

Did you see where a Polish man made history by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest in Nepal without using an oxygen tank? On September 27, 2025, 37-year-old Andrzej Bargiel stood at almost 30,000 above sea level (nearly six miles high!) and began his descent following…

Neal Pollard

Doing Hard Things Harder

Neal Pollard

Did you see where a Polish man made history by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest in Nepal without using an oxygen tank? On September 27, 2025, 37-year-old Andrzej Bargiel stood at almost 30,000 above sea level (nearly six miles high!) and began his descent following “16 grueling hours moving through the death zone (above 8,000 m) without bottled oxygen. After only a brief moment on the top of the world, he clipped into his skis and dropped into his historic descent, racing the setting sun” (usatoday.com). No ropes or ladders, only skis! This was his third attempt, and this time was the charm. Not surprisingly, his sports partner was Red Bull!

He defied internal and external dangers aplenty, but his goal was so important that he ran every risk. He did something close to seemingly impossible! He took a risk to have his name remembered in the record books of man.

Writing from prison, Paul writes about what he was willing to do “for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7). He says, “I have counted as loss whatever things were gain to me” (8). “I have suffered the loss of all things” (8). “I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (12). “I press on toward the mark” (14). These were hard things!

He was put in a disadvantageous position for Jesus. He “suffer the loss of something which [he] had previously possessed, with the implication that the loss involves considerable hardship or suffering” (Louw-Nida, 565). He “moved rapidly and decisively toward an objective” (BDAG, 254), namely the goal of “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (14). 

He was willing to let go of human accolades and achievements (Phil. 3:4-7). He wanted something more and better. He was willing to stretch himself to the limit to achieve this goal. And he did it at full tilt!

What do you want more than anything in the world? What high and lofty goals do you have? You can pour your energy into some physical, financial, intellectual, or cultural feat, but make sure that your devote your greatest effort into something that will bode well for eternity. Pursue heavenly goals with gusto and maximum effort! You may not be in the annals of this world, but you will surely make Heaven’s Hall of Fame! 

The Praise Of Men Vs. The Praise Of God

Even among the Jewish leaders of Christ’s time, many believed—yet “for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess” Him (John 12.42 ESV). This demonstrated faith without bravery and conviction without the willingness to admit it openly. These men acknowledged Jesus was from God, but their understanding was superficial, held back by the fear of being excommunicated.

Brent Pollard

The Paralysis of Secret Faith

Even among the Jewish leaders of Christ’s time, many believed—yet “for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess” Him (John 12.42 ESV). This demonstrated faith without bravery and conviction without the willingness to admit it openly. These men acknowledged Jesus was from God, but their understanding was superficial, held back by the fear of being excommunicated.

What caused their faith to weaken? John offers a precise diagnosis: “For they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God” (John 12.43 NASB95). They valued human praise more than divine favor, choosing the temporary security of their standing in the synagogue over the eternal approval of God.

Fortunately, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea eventually overcame their spiritual hesitation and publicly honored Christ during His burial. However, their initial reluctance serves as a reminder: faith that is too afraid to stand firm is too fragile to save.

The Tyranny of Human Approval

Christ Himself revealed this spiritual contradiction: “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5.44 ESV). The question strikes at the core—those who are fixated on human approval cannot accept divine truth. They have selected their master, and it is not God.

This dependence on popular opinion turns aspiring followers into spiritual chameleons, altering their stance to fit the crowd. When religion is performed for applause, it becomes mere theater. God isn’t impressed by our polished public faith; He longs for genuine devotion that can stand alone if needed.

The “approval of men” that John describes acts as a demanding tyrant. It demands continuous performance, constant adjustment, and ongoing worry about how others see them. Those who serve this master often stay silent when the truth is unpopular and compromise their principles if speaking out risks their reputation.

How many souls have acknowledged Christ’s truth yet stay unbaptized, afraid of man’s reproach? How frequently do we modify our Christian beliefs to gain social approval? John 12.43, like Matthew 6.24, reminds us of a harsh truth: we cannot serve two masters. We must choose to live for either human praise or divine approval—never both.

The Liberation of Divine Focus

Scripture urges a complete reorientation. Paul exemplified this freedom by speaking difficult truths to the Galatians, even if it upset them: “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4.16 NASB95). He recognized that serving Christ involves giving up the desire to seek human approval (Galatians 1.10). At times, being faithful means facing unpopularity.

This isn’t just stubbornness; it’s a form of spiritual wisdom. Human approval is unreliable—today’s hero could be tomorrow’s villain. Public opinion is transient, like shifting sand, providing no steady ground for major life decisions. In contrast, God’s approval is constant, grounded in His unchanging nature and divine plans.

The Father honors those who honor His Son. Jesus assured that faithful followers will be acknowledged by the Father (John 12.26). This remarkable truth reveals that the Creator of the universe bestows His praise on those who support Him. No human commendation can match hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the King (Matthew 25.21 ESV).

The Practical Path Forward

This truth calls for action. We need to evaluate our motivations honestly: Are we content with a comfortable Christianity, or are we willing to confess Christ boldly, regardless of the cost? Do we choose which truths to speak based on their social acceptance?

The way ahead involves developing a divine preference—a heart that prioritizes God’s opinion above all else. This is achieved by meditating on God’s sovereignty, repeatedly reminding ourselves that He alone decides ultimate success or failure. It also develops through prayer, which aligns our hearts with His purposes instead of human expectations.

We should also keep in mind that opposition frequently indicates orthodoxy. When the world praises our faith, it’s essential to reflect on whether we’ve softened its firm edges. Christ assured us that following Him would attract reproach, not widespread approval.

The Eternal Perspective

Choosing between human and divine approval boils down to selecting the fleeting over the everlasting. Human praise, like morning mist, dissipates quickly, whereas God’s approval lasts forever. In John 12, rulers exchanged eternal recognition for temporary social security, resulting in an infinite loss.

However, those who seek God’s approval realize a freeing truth: His judgment is ultimately the only one that counts. When Judgment Day comes, the praise of people will fade away, but the Master’s “well done” will resonate forever.

Let us therefore eliminate the desire for worldly approval that stifles spiritual courage. Instead, let’s foster a love for God and His truth—a love that inspires holy boldness. While John’s rebuke is sharp (“they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God”), his underlying message is freeing: pursue the glory that only God can give.

His approval surpasses every worldly praise. His favor goes beyond all human admiration. Be discerning in choosing your audience—eternity is at stake.

The Truth

The most urgent question anyone can ask is, “What must I do to be saved?” Its answer determines your eternal destiny. Sadly, many people have believed false promises: good deeds, or a quick prayer, but Scripture speaks with unwavering clarity.

Carl Pollard 

The most urgent question anyone can ask is, “What must I do to be saved?” Its answer determines your eternal destiny. Sadly, many people have believed false promises: good deeds, or a quick prayer, but Scripture speaks with unwavering clarity. Baptism is God’s non-negotiable command for salvation, the moment sins are washed away and we call on Jesus’ name. Not a ritual or optional act, baptism is where God’s grace meets our obedience. This undeniable truth is seen in Paul, Peter, and Pentecost. 

Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, 22, and 26 sets the standard. As Saul, he hunted Christians, dragging them to punishment. On the road to Damascus, Jesus blinds him with a vision (Acts 9:3–6), telling him to wait in the city. Ananias finds Saul praying (Acts 9:11), but neither seeing Jesus, believing, or fasting for three days removed his sins. Acts 22:16 is unmistakable: Ananias commands, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” Paul’s sins stayed until baptism, not his vision, faith, prayers or belief took away his sins. This breaks the lie of “faith alone.” Baptism is God’s chosen moment for forgiveness, where Paul’s obedience met divine grace.

Peter leaves no doubt in 1 Peter 3:21: “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Linking baptism to Noah’s flood, Peter says it saves, not by washing skin, but as our plea to God for forgiveness, empowered by Christ’s resurrection. Romans 6:3–4 confirms baptism is where we die to sin, are buried with Jesus, and rise to new life. To reject baptism is to reject God’s plan for salvation.

On Pentecost, Acts 2:38 shows the church’s birth. Peter’s sermon convicts the crowd for crucifying Jesus, and they cry, “What shall we do?” Peter’s answer is absolute: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” That day, 3,000 were baptized, added to the church (Acts 2:41). Baptism wasn’t a later gesture, it was where forgiveness and the Spirit were received, God’s ordained step for salvation.

Scripture’s pattern is simple: Paul’s sins were washed away in baptism (Acts 22:16), Peter says baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21), and Pentecost links it to forgiveness (Acts 2:38). Mark 16:16 Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” Acts 8:36–38 shows the eunuch baptized immediately upon belief. No “sinner’s prayer” exists in Scripture, salvation requires hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17), believing Jesus is Lord (John 8:24), repenting (Luke 13:3), confessing His name (Romans 10:9–10), and being baptized. The world’s claim that baptism is optional is a lie; God’s Word demands it.

If you haven’t been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, your soul is at stake. Don’t delay, eternity hangs in the balance. That conviction in your heart is God’s call to obey. Repent and be baptized now before it’s too late. If you’re in Christ, proclaim this truth to others. Share it with loved ones, study with them, and lead them to Jesus. Baptism is God’s command to enter His family. Will you obey His Word today?

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book 1, Ch. 8.3-4)

The only ones who aren’t capable of evil are God the father, Christ the Word, and his Holy Spirit. God is the source of all goodness. Christ is the living form of Wisdom itself, and Wisdom cannot become foolishness. Christ is Righteousness, and Righteousness cannot become unrighteousness. He is the Word, which cannot become irrational; He is Light, which darkness cannot overcome. His Spirit is holy by its very nature, not merely by practicing holiness—holiness is inseparably built into his very nature, and he cannot be made somehow less holy.

Gary Pollard

[This is a continuing translation of Origen’s systematic theology in modern language]

In our understanding, there is no rational creature that cannot choose either good or evil. But this does not mean that every rational being has in fact chosen full pursuit of evil—it only means that they are capable of doing so. For example, every human being could in theory become a sailor, but not every human does. Or again, everyone could learn grammar or medicine, but not all become grammarians or physicians. In the same way, the fact that all rational creatures are capable of evil does not mean they have actually embraced it. Even the devil himself was once capable of good. Scripture tells us that he once lived in God’s paradise, walking among the cherubim. At that time, he was good. He could have pursued goodness, but he pursued evil with all of his power. In the same way, other created beings with the freedom to choose can either continue to do good or pursue evil instead.

The only ones who aren’t capable of evil are God the father, Christ the Word, and his Holy Spirit. God is the source of all goodness. Christ is the living form of Wisdom itself, and Wisdom cannot become foolishness. Christ is Righteousness, and Righteousness cannot become unrighteousness. He is the Word, which cannot become irrational; He is Light, which darkness cannot overcome. His Spirit is holy by its very nature, not merely by practicing holiness—holiness is inseparably built into his very nature, and he cannot be made somehow less holy.

Any other being that is called holy is holy not by nature, but by participation in the Spirit. This kind of holiness can be lost because it’s not intrinsic, but is a gift. The same applies to righteousness or wisdom in a person: these are not built in to our nature, but can be pursued and gained—or neglected and lost. But if we completely dedicate ourselves to wisdom and goodness, we will always enjoy those things to some degree, depending on how seriously we pursue them. God, in his goodness, calls and draws all created intelligences toward that blessed end where sorrow, pain, and grief will vanish forever.

From what we have already discussed, I believe it has been shown clearly enough that it is not by chance or some arbitrary decision that the “principalities” maintain their authority, or that other orders of spirits occupy their positions. Instead, they received their ranks according to their merits. What those specific merits were we do not know, and it isn’t our place to investigate. It is enough to recognize that God is impartial and just, arranging everything according to each being’s progress and merits, as Paul says: “There is no partiality with God.”

So the office that an angel has exists because of its merits. The “powers” exercise authority because of their moral progress. The “thrones” (those who judge and rule) administer justice because of their worthiness. The “dominions” rule not by chance, but by merit. In this way, that great order of intelligent beings in the heavens is organized into a variety of roles and ranks.

The same principle applies to opposing powers. They are usually called “principalities” or “powers,” “rulers of the darkness of this world,” “spirits of wickedness,” or “unclean demons”, and do not hold these offices because they were created evil. They obtained them through their own choices, advancing step by step in wickedness until evil itself became their pursuit and even their delight. These make up a second order of rational creatures—those so consumed by impulse that they are unwilling, rather than unable, to turn back.

A third order of rational beings is humanity itself. From among the human race, God elevates some to the order of angels, according to their progress in virtue. These are the ones who become “sons of God,” “children of the resurrection,” “children of light,” and “sons of peace.” They conquered in every struggle, killed the earthly nature within them, and defeated not only the impulses of the body but even the unstable movements of the soul. By uniting themselves to the Master, they become entirely spiritual, joined to him as one spirit, sharing his wisdom and discernment. At last, they reach a state of perfect spirituality, illuminated fully by God’s Word and Wisdom, and they themselves become indistinguishable in holiness.

We firmly reject, however, the idea put forward by some that souls can descend so far into sin that they lose their rational nature and become animals. Some point to supposed proofs in Scripture, such as the command that both a woman and an animal involved in bestiality should be stoned, or that an ox which gores must be killed, or even that Balaam’s donkey spoke with a human voice. But such arguments are baseless. We do not accept them, for they contradict both faith and reason. In due time, we will explain how those writings should rightly be understood.

From Kathy Pollard’s Bible-Marking YouTube Page

A DIFFERENT SPIRIT

Decades earlier, out in the wilderness, a young Caleb stood (nearly) alone. Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land (Numbers 13), in the minds of the terrified ten– the land of giants was unconquerable. Only two men believed that God was bigger, Joshua and Caleb. They urged the rest to move forward and take what He had promised, but it wasn’t going to happen.

Dale Pollard

Decades earlier, out in the wilderness, a young Caleb stood (nearly) alone. Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land (Numbers 13), in the minds of the terrified ten– the land of giants was unconquerable. Only two men believed that God was bigger, Joshua and Caleb. They urged the rest to move forward and take what He had promised, but it wasn’t going to happen. 

For his courage, God vows to Caleb: 

“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring him into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it” (Numbers 14:24). 

That promise wouldn’t be fulfilled for nearly half a century! By the time the land being divided among the tribes, Caleb was 85 years old. His spirit, however, was stronger than before. In Joshua 14, Caleb goes confidently to Joshua. He says,

 “I am 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me… Now therefore give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day” (Joshua 14:10-12). 

Which mountain? That would be Hebron. A mountain that was still inhabited by the Anakim– giants descended from the very people who melted the hearts of those ten spies years ago. To anybody else Caleb’s inheritance seemed like an impossible one. It would have appeared more like a curse– certainly not a blessing.  

But up the mountain he went. God and Caleb secured that territory (Joshua 15.13-14), and the mountain that covered the people in a shadow of their previous shame now serves as a reminder. Between Faith and fear, the former is the more formidable force. 

Four Quick Lessons:

  1. Faith will always outlast fear.
  2. Waiting is not wasted. Caleb looked forward for 45 years, but never became bitter or gave up on God.
  3. Strength is spiritual. That “different spirit” that Caleb possessed sounds similar to that of the saints (Romans 8.9-11, I Corinthians 3.16). 
  4. Excuses are useless, God uses the toothless (Caleb was 85). 

More Than A Dinner

One of the most endearing, beautiful features of the Lord’s church is the “one another” aspect of it. Have you seen it at work when someone comes forward during the invitation song, pleading for help with something in their life?

Neal Pollard

Florida Gators’ quarterback D.J. Lagway had just endured a terrible game the week before, throwing five interceptions against the LSU Tigers. That included a “pick six,” as safety Dashawn Spears returned his third pick for a touchdown. In a post-game interview, Lagway confessed, “I played horrible football today,. I’ve never had a performance like that in my life, so it’s kind of hard to process it, but at the end of the day, it’s all about how you bounce back’ (alligator.org).

Lagway’s teammates sensed that this was crushing for the young signal caller, so they made a decision. About 40 of them, the following Wednesday, took him to dinner. Head Coach Billy Napier explained that it was to “just to put their arms around him and move past it” (hailfloridahail.com). College Gameday’s Kirk Herbstreit saw this as a positive sign about where the team culture was. While Florida fans, witnessing the Gators’ atrocious 1-3 start, may see the positive culture as little more than a “moral victory,” it is the gesture that merits closer attention.

One of the most endearing, beautiful features of the Lord’s church is the “one another” aspect of it. Have you seen it at work when someone comes forward during the invitation song, pleading for help with something in their life? People will rally on the front pew with them. Scores more will come put their arms around them afterward. Even more will text, send cards, and otherwise make contact to check on them. Here is someone who may have failed or struggled in a way much more significant than a game, who confesses to failure or weakness. They feel defeated, weak, or overwhelmed, and, in vulnerability, they make that known.

What does the rest of the spiritual team do? They put their arms around them and move past it! It is significant that the Bible talks to us about this. James writes, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed” (5:16a). Think back to the proverb which says, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Prov. 28:13). The parable of the Prodigal Son not only shows how God responds when a sinner “comes home,” but it is the right response of the spiritually healthy to the spiritual struggler (Luke 15:22-32).

Let’s keep our eyes open for those who are limping along the road of life or even sitting there with their head in their hands. They may be ready to give up, but for a boost of encouragement from a brother or sister who cares. Your compassion might make all the difference!

Trust In God

Faith is not a fleeting emotion or a vague hope; it is the foundation of a life surrendered to God. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is not a blind leap but a resolute trust in the unseen promises of a God who never fails.

Carl Pollard

Faith is not a fleeting emotion or a vague hope; it is the foundation of a life surrendered to God. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This is not a blind leap but a resolute trust in the unseen promises of a God who never fails. Faith is what steadies us when life’s uncertainties threaten to unravel our peace. After all that has happened recently, faith has never been more essential for Christians. 

Scripture offers countless examples of faith in action. Take Abraham, called by God to leave his homeland for a place he did not know (Genesis 12:1-4). He had no map, no clear destination, only a promise from God. Yet he obeyed, not because he saw the outcome, but because he trusted the One who spoke. This is the essence of faith: moving forward when the path is hidden, anchored by confidence in God’s unchanging nature.

Jesus Himself taught that faith doesn’t need to be grand to be powerful. In Matthew 17:20, He said faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains. This is the truth: God does not demand perfect or unshakeable faith, but simply a heart willing to trust Him one step at a time. Whether facing loss, uncertainty, or fear, faith is the quiet resolve to believe that God is sovereign, good, and working all things for His purpose (Romans 8:28).

In a world that prizes what can be seen and measured, faith sets us apart. It’s not ignorance or denial but a deliberate choice to rest in God’s truth over visible circumstances. When trials come, when the job is lost, the diagnosis is grim, or the future feels uncertain, faith is the anchor that holds us fast. It reminds us that we do not walk alone, because the One who holds all things together is with us (Colossians 1:17).

Faith, then, is both our shield and our strength. It is trusting God’s promises when doubt whispers and hope seems distant. It is the courage to say, “I cannot see the end, but I know the One who does.” And in that trust, we find the peace and power to endure.

Don’t Wait To Say “Thank You”

received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.”

Neal Pollard

I received word this morning of the passing of one of my mentors and heroes, David Sain. I have known about this man and his great family since I was a boy, having watched a VHS video series by him entitled, “The Time To Get A Divorce.” When I moved to work with the Cold Harbor church of Christ at the age of 24, I got to meet David and get to know him better. He was preaching for the Wood Avenue church of Christ in Florence, Alabama, which congregation provided support for Cold Harbor.

From the beginning of this relationship, David encouraged me. He invested in me as a young preacher, counseled me, and even defended me in situations where he stood nothing to gain by doing so. He told me something early on that I have quoted repeatedly for over 30 years, including last Sunday morning in Bible class: “It’s not a matter of ‘who’s’ right, but ‘what’s’ right.” It has been so helpful in dealing with difficult and controversial topics. He blessed my local work whenever he came and preached. He appeared on a TV program in my local work, resulting in many Bible studies and 14 baptisms from the community. He was always a class act, who acted out of the good of others and for the strength and growth of the church. He was a builder.

In later years, he continued to email, write, and call me, ostensibly to encourage me. He did so, modeling a humility that did not negate my estimation of his greatness. It only enhanced it. He seemed to always have the right thing to say at the right time, a continual class act. He always appeared to “have it together,” yet he never claimed or affected perfection. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren in a doting and devoted way. Yet, he was courageous and compassionate, embodying as well as anyone I ever knew the principle of Ephesians 4:15!

I did tell him “thank you” more than once, but I never had the chance to articulate to him the things I’ve shared with you here. I reflected earlier today about that fact. Who else do I need to thank for their spiritual influence in my life? Who has planted seeds of success and strength in the garden of my life? Who do I need to seek out today? Somebody needs to be thanked for the good they have done to us and for us! Tell them now, while you can. They may not know you think that, and they will certainly be encouraged by it (Rom. 13:7).

A lesson from David in the last few months of his life.

Origen’s “On First Principles”: Book 1, Chapter 8.1-2

Gary Pollard

[This is a continuing translation of Origen’s systematic theology in modern language]

We need to approach the subject of angels in the same way. It isn’t by chance that certain tasks are assigned to specific angels. For example, Raphael is entrusted with healing, Gabriel with carrying out wars, and Michael with presenting the prayers and petitions of mortals.1 These roles were not given randomly. They were assigned according to the angels’ own merits—the zeal, effort, and excellence each one demonstrated before the world was created. Based on this, some were placed in the order of archangels, each given a specific responsibility. Others were assigned to the lower ranks of angels, serving under particular archangels or leaders. 

All of this was arranged by God—not randomly, but with perfect justice, according to what each angel deserved. So, for example, one angel was entrusted with the church in Ephesus, another with the church in Smyrna. Peter had an angel assigned to him, Paul had his own, and so on for all the “little ones” in the Church—for as Scripture says, their angels see God’s face every day. Likewise, “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him.” These things are not the result of chance, nor are they due to the way the angels were created—otherwise we might accuse God of favoritism. Instead, God, the just and impartial ruler of all, distributed these tasks according to the worth, goodness, and strength of each individual spirit.

Let us now address those who claim there are different kinds of spiritual natures, so we can avoid the foolish and irreverent myths of people who imagine that heavenly beings and human souls were created by different makers. They think it absurd that one Creator could have made rational beings of such different kinds. But in saying this, they fail to understand the real cause of the differences. They argue that it would be unfair for the same Creator to grant authority to some without merit, while making others subject to rulers. But as we explained earlier, the real reason for diversity among rational beings was not divine favoritism but the conduct of each being—whether they acted with diligence and goodness, or with negligence and sin.

Let’s use examples from human life. Paul and Peter are certainly recognized as men of spiritual character. Yet Paul persecuted God’s church, and Peter, when questioned by a servant girl, denied Christ with an oath. How could these men—who according to those who claim “different natures” must have sprung from a purely spiritual root—commit such serious sins? Didn’t Jesus say that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit? And if that is true, how could Peter and Paul, coming from a “good tree,” produce such evil fruit? Some try to escape the problem by saying it wasn’t really Paul who persecuted, but some other being within him, or it wasn’t really Peter who denied Christ, but another acting through him. But then why did Paul confess, “I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God’s church”? Why did Peter weep bitterly after his denial? They knew they had sinned, and this shows that the theory of “different spiritual natures” is groundless.

1 This comes from Tobit 3.17, 12.18; Enoch 9, 20.1-7; Dan 8.16, 10.13, 21; Rev 12.7

Don’t Be Fooled

The real battle we face is not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6.12). We shouldn’t be surprised to find that the world is filled with people who are…

Dale Pollard

In the Screwtape Letters, written by C.S. Lewis, there’s an interesting part in the fourth letter. Uncle Screwtape is a demon writing to his nephew, Wormwood. He’s giving him advice on how to ensure the spiritual failure of his “patient” which is the term used for the human that each demon is assigned. He tells Wormwood,

“Be sure that the patient remains completely fixated on politics. Arguments, political gossip, and obsessing on the faults of people they have never met serve as an excellent distraction from advancing in personal virtue, character, and the things the patient can control. Make sure to keep the patient in a constant state of angst, frustration, and general disdain towards the rest of the human race to avoid any kind of charity or inner peace from further developing. Ensure the patient continues to believe that the problem is ‘out there’ in the ‘broken system’ rather than recognizing that there is a problem within himself. Keep up the good work,
Uncle Screwtape.”

Though Lewis wasn’t quoting the Bible, he certainly ties in biblical principles. The real battle we face is not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6.12). We shouldn’t be surprised to find that the world is filled with people who are “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” (2 Timothy 3.1-5). Don’t forget who the enemy is and don’t let the distractions of the world convince you that the fight is anything other than a spiritual one.

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Snakes, Saraphs, and Salvation

Herodotus casually mentions that there were snakes that would fly from Egypt every year from the Sinai wilderness (Herodotus 2.75-76). This may strike fear in the heart of any snake-fearing person, but it sure is interesting. Marco Polo would also write in his travel log about flying venomous “birds” as well as snakes of gigantic proportions as he explored Asia. 
The Bible records several strange serpents and one passage in particular is especially fascinating.

Dale Pollard

Herodotus casually mentions that there were snakes that would fly from Egypt every year from the Sinai wilderness (Herodotus 2.75-76). This may strike fear in the heart of any snake-fearing person, but it sure is interesting. Marco Polo would also write in his travel log about flying venomous “birds” as well as snakes of gigantic proportions as he explored Asia. 

The Bible records several strange serpents and one passage in particular is especially fascinating. 

In the book of Numbers there’s an account that’s made many readers scratch their heads as they wonder what these fiery serpents are (6-9) that God sent to plague the Israelites. 

“The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people so that many people died in Israel. So the people came to moses and said “we have sinned because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us. And Moses interceded for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses make a fiery serpent and set it on a standard, and it shall come about that everyone who is bitten when he looks at it he shall live. And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard and it came about that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked at the bronze serpent he lived.”

Some commentators have suggested that perhaps the strange description is of a particular kind of venomous snake. Others have made the observation that the Hebrew word for serpent here (Saraph) could be symbolic to indicate their color since it means “burning ones.” Interestingly enough there are bronze colored serpents around today in Australia that are incredibly poisonous. Perhaps there’s something to this based on the Lord’s instruction to Moses to fashion a serpent made of brass. Of course this description could also literally be taken to mean snakes which either breathed fire, or were somehow on fire. God was, after all, punishing a people who had complained of their miraculous meals of manna. 

Though the identity of these fiery serpents may always be a mystery, the lessons taught to us through this event are powerful. The connections John will make (Jn. 3.14-15) as well as the Hebrew writer (12.2) focus on the crucifixion and the concept of looking to Jesus for our salvation. 

The relationship between belief and action here are also telling. Those Israelites that believed were led by that same belief to look— then were healed. If we believe Jesus can and will heal us of our sins, then that belief must lead us to the water (Act 2.38, Mk. 16.16). 

The Anger Of The Lord

The Word of God provides so much comfort, consolation, encouragement, strength, hope, and excited anticipation. It is food and drink for the soul. David describes it as beautiful and beneficial (Psa. 19:7-10). It makes us alive and saves our soul (1 Pet. 1:22; Js. 1:18). It sanctifies (Jn. 17:17). 

Neal Pollard

The Word of God provides so much comfort, consolation, encouragement, strength, hope, and excited anticipation. It is food and drink for the soul. David describes it as beautiful and beneficial (Psa. 19:7-10). It makes us alive and saves our soul (1 Pet. 1:22; Js. 1:18). It sanctifies (Jn. 17:17). 

Yet, the Word, consistent with God’s perfect character, contains warnings, rebukes, and threats all backed by the unlimited power and perfection of God’s nature. Back when God instituted His special covenant with the Jews at Mt. Sinai, He made it clear that His promises and blessings were conditional. Moses reviews this promise of God at the end of his life, saying, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known” (Dt. 11:26-28). 

At the end of 2 Kings, the remnant of the Jews still in the land (remember, Israel was destroyed and carried off into captivity in chapter 17) had drifted into the curse Moses spoke of. The prophets, like Jeremiah, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, had warned Judah, but the kings, priests, false prophets, elders, and the people, shunned the message. After His perfect patience had been repeatedly tried and finally exhausted, He displays His wrath.

Wicked Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin, mounted the throne in his father’s place. Though he only reigned three months, the record shows that “he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had don” (2 Ki. 24:9). The Babylonian Emperor, Nebuchadnezzar, besieged Jerusalem, carried Jehoiachin captive “his mother and his servants and his captains and his officials” (12), all the temple and king’s treasures (13), ” all Jerusalem and all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths” (14–leaving only the poorest people in the land), and “all the men of valor, seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand, all strong and fit for war” (16). Nebuchadnezzar put a puppet king on Judah’s throne, Jehoiachin’s uncle, Mattaniah, who Nebuchadnezzar renamed “Zedekiah” (17). He did evil in the sight of the Lord, just as his nephew had done (18)! Even in the face of such punishment and defeat, Judah’s leadership refused to humble itself and repent. In fact, Zedekiah was not only rebel against God but also the instrument of punishment in His hand (Babylon’s king, Jer. 25:9)(20).

Why would God allow this to happen to His chosen people? The writer of 2 Kings explains it this way: “For through the anger of the Lord this came about in Jerusalem and Judah until He cast them out from His presence” (20). Perhaps the people convinced themselves that since God had not acted in punishment against their parents and grandparents, He didn’t care about how they were acting and they were going to get away with it. Peter tells us how that is part of human nature. Using the past (the days of Noah) as an illustration of the end of time, Peter says that mockers with their mocking will ask where the promise of God’s coming is. They’ll say, “Ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (2 Pe. 3:4). They ignore what happened in Noah’s day (5-6). They ignore that God spares or destroys this world according to the word of His power (5-7). They ignore that God is not bound by time (8). They ignore that God’s perfect patience is at work right now, as He wishes for all to come to repentance (9). But, the day of the Lord will come (10a)! He will deal out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2 Th. 1:8). 

But, let us be convinced of this. God wants to pour out His blessings, approval, and incredible love upon all of us! Yet, He leaves the ball in our court. He wants nothing more than to hold us close to Him and have us spend our eternity with Him (2 Pe. 3:11-15). If we respond to that love in submissive obedience, we will feel the full force of His kindness. If we don’t, He’s loved us enough to show us what that will mean for us! May we be wise enough to avoid “the anger of the Lord”! 

Overcoming Evil With Good

On Wednesday, an assassin shocked the world by killing Charlie Kirk, a man known for his traditional viewpoints. Although he faced accusations of holding objectionable views, his actual offense was his effectiveness in conveying conservative and Bible-based concepts. Unable to defeat him in debates, his opponents resorted to silencing him with a bullet.

Brent Pollard

On Wednesday, an assassin shocked the world by killing Charlie Kirk, a man known for his traditional viewpoints. Although he faced accusations of holding objectionable views, his actual offense was his effectiveness in conveying conservative and Bible-based concepts. Unable to defeat him in debates, his opponents resorted to silencing him with a bullet.

Thursday commemorated 24 years since the 9/11 attacks that profoundly impacted our nation and altered countless lives indefinitely. For those of us who can recall, those feelings remain vivid. The haunting images of the smoldering World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and that desolate Pennsylvania field remain etched in our memories. Unease lingers in the pit of our stomachs when we hear the audio from that day: the radio chatter of first responders and the frantic calls to loved ones from the cellphones of those trapped on doomed planes or in the World Trade Center towers from which there was no escape.

Occurrences such as these deeply affect us and lead us toward hopelessness. If we are not cautious, they may also lead us to feelings of anger, a desire for retaliation, or a sense of hopeless withdrawal.

In moments like this, the words of the apostle Paul resonate: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21). These words serve as a vital reminder, encouraging us to go beyond mere resistance to evil and to face it with the goodness of Christ actively.

Evil’s Real Power—and Its Limit

Evil exists, and the Bible presents it plainly. Paul had witnessed persecution, political corruption, and violence up close. Nevertheless, he refuses to let evil prevail in the end. Why?

Because Christ has already achieved victory through the cross and resurrection, the most formidable weapon of Satan—death—has been rendered ineffective. Evil may inflict pain, but it cannot prevail against the people of God.

Responding to hate with hate allows darkness to take root in our hearts. Responding with retaliation might seem instinctive, yet it merely compounds the damage. As Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, drawing inspiration from the words of John 1:5, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Paul articulates the same concept in a compelling, Spirit-inspired statement: “overcome evil with good.”

Goodness as an Active Weapon

This call does not constitute passive avoidance. Paul’s instruction serves to motivate. In the lines of the surrounding context of Romans 12.21, he clearly articulates it:

• “Bless those who persecute you…” (v. 14).

• “Repay no one evil for evil…” (v. 17).

• “…if your enemy is hungry, feed him…” (v. 20).

Kindness transcends mere courteous expressions. This love, filled with the Spirit, nourishes, forgives, and serves, even when faced with mistreatment. This type of goodness illuminates a realm that transcends our earthly existence. According to the latter part of verse 20, such actions can “heap burning coals” upon the heads of those who wrong us. While vengeance ultimately belongs to God (Romans 12.19), we can find solace in the understanding that our goodness serves as a formidable weapon against evil.

Three Gospel Tasks Reframed

Considering Romans 12.21, the church’s mission takes on renewed urgency:

Evangelism: Proclaiming the ultimate good.

The goodness we provide transcends mere humanitarian efforts; it embodies the message of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and has risen from the dead. As the world grows weary of violence and retribution, individuals seek hope that evil cannot extinguish. Our testimony of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ serves as a powerful act of overcoming evil.

Edification: Strengthening the saints.

It is not uncommon for believers to feel disheartened or frustrated as troubling news continues to accumulate. Romans 12 encourages us to uplift one another in maintaining a gentle spirit. By engaging in worship, study, and fellowship, we nurture goodness and stand against cynicism.

Benevolence: Doing tangible good.

Addressing needs—nourishing the hungry, providing solace to the grieving, assisting neighbors in distress—is not a secondary endeavor. We are fighting a battle of the spirit. Each act of compassion proclaims that darkness does not hold the ultimate authority.

Living the Verse Today

How can we apply Romans 12.21 today?

• Pray for enemies and victims alike. Name them before God.

• Guard your words. Refuse to spread hatred online or in conversation.

• Share Christ. Offer the gospel as the deepest good, the cure for sin’s root cause.

These actions may seem insignificant in the face of widespread evil, yet they hold great power because God amplifies them. The kingdom flourishes through small, Spirit-inspired acts of kindness.

Hope That Overcomes

When Jesus confronted the greatest evil—an unjust cross—He triumphed not by summoning legions of angels but by surrendering His life and rising again. His resurrection demonstrates that goodness is not a sign of weakness, but rather the unstoppable power of God.

The anniversary of 9/11 and Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need for strength in our world. Let us stand firm against the shadows of this time. With our hearts anchored in Christ, let us overcome evil with good—making the most of our time through evangelism, edification, and benevolence until His return.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21).

All Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), © 2001 Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A New Heart From Jesus

Carl Pollard

As fall’s soft breeze turns to unexpected warmth, we feel the stir of change. But pain and loss are felt by many. These tragedies of the past week show our world needs Jesus, badly. Without Him in our homes and families, we see brokenness. Ezekiel 36:26 gives hope: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel spoke to God’s people in exile, far from home because they turned to idols. Their hard hearts led to trouble (Ezekiel 36:16-20). But God promised mercy, a new heart and His Spirit to help them obey (v. 27). This promise comes true in Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-6). Charlie Kirk was a young father and husband, killed at a school event over political disagreement. This shows us what hard hearts can do. Yet, God can soften our hearts, filling them with His love. 

Change starts inside. We give our hearts to Jesus, and He makes them new. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”That’s our peace, when the world is knee deep in anger and despair, Jesus wins over death. No matter the pain, we can trust Him and stay steady.

Romans 12:21 tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil, like the violence that took innocent lives comes from Satan (John 10:10). But we’re called to love, forgive, and share Jesus’ hope. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus met Jesus and changed, giving generously, fixing wrongs. His new heart showed. We’re to shine like that, letting our lives point to God (Matthew 5:16).

Our country needs Jesus. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Without God, we get chaos. But 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows the way: pray, humble ourselves, seek God. Healing starts in our hearts and homes.

Come, Lord Jesus. Let’s let Him change our hearts, rest in His promises, and do good to fight evil. When we put Jesus in our families, we bring His hope to our nation, one new heart at a time

Origen’s On First Principles: Book 1, Chapter 7.3-4

Gary Pollard

[This is a continuing translation of Origen’s systematic theology in modern language]

Now we need to ask whether those beings we have suggested to be living and rational—the sun, moon, and stars—received their souls at the same time their bodies were created. Scripture says, “God made two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars also,” which supports this first option. Or, did their spirit come from outside of them, being implanted after their bodies had already been made? It is my personal opinion that their spirit was not created at the same time as their bodies, but was given afterwards. But this needs to be shown from scripture, because it is easy to make claims by conjecture, yet much harder to confirm them with biblical testimony.

Consider this line of reasoning: If a human soul — which is certainly lower than that of heavenly beings — was not created along with his body, but was implanted from without, then how much more must this be the case with those beings in heaven? We will give some examples. How could the soul of Jacob, who won in the struggle against his brother in the womb, have been formed along with his body? What about John, who leapt in his mother’s womb and rejoiced when Mary’s greeting reached Elizabeth’s ears? How could his soul, or its faculties, have been formed along with his body? Or Jeremiah, who was said to have been known by God before he was formed in the womb, and sanctified before his birth?

Some might argue that God fills people with His Spirit and sanctifies them not according to justice or merit, but arbitrarily. How could that be true since scripture says, “Is there unrighteousness with God? By no means!” and again, “There is no favoritism with God.” That defense belongs only to those who claim souls come into being with bodies. So, if we compare humanity’s condition with heavenly beings, I believe we must hold that the same truth applies to both: their souls were not created with their bodies, but given to them from without, as reason and scripture alike suggest.

Let’s see if scripture gives us any clues about these heavenly beings. Paul writes, “Everything God made was allowed to become like something that cannot fulfill its purpose. That was not its choice, but God made it happen with this hope in view: That the creation itself would be made free from ruin — that everything God made would have the same freedom and glory that belongs to His children.” So, what does this mean? What is the “ruin” that creation was subjected to? What specific “creation” is Paul talking about? What does it mean “not willingly”? What does it mean “in hope”? And how is creation “freed from the bondage of corruption”? Elsewhere Paul says, “Creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” And, “Not only we, but the whole creation groans together and suffers until now.”

We need to ask: what are these groanings? What are these sufferings? But first, what is this “ruin”? I think it is nothing other than the fact of having a body. Even though the bodies of the stars are celestial (ethereal), they are still material. That’s why Solomon describes the whole physical world as a burden that weakens the soul’s strength, saying, “Everything is so meaningless. The Teacher says that everything is ruined.”

So, the stars are subject to ruin because they have bodies — even though glorious ones — and because they’ve been assigned the task of giving light to the human race. Paul says, “This creation was subjected to ruin not willingly.” In other words, they didn’t choose this service for themselves. They were subjected by God’s command, but also with the promise that when their ministry was complete, they would be freed from this bondage to corruption and ruin at the time of the glorious redemption of God’s children.

Until then, creation shares our burden, groaning and suffering with us out of love, while it waits in hope. Think about Paul’s words: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” The sun could say something similar: “I want to be released and be with Christ, which is far better. But to remain in this bright heavenly body is necessary for the sake of the children of God.” The same could be said of the moon and stars. Now, what is the freedom of creation, the end of its bondage? When Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father, then those living beings—having been first made part of Christ’s kingdom—will also be handed over to the Father. Then, when God is “all in all,” they will be, too (since they are part of creation). They will have God fully within them, just as He is in all things.

NOTE: While Origen is an early Christian writer, he is not inspired and his thoughts should be examined by Scripture