Tag: eternity

Why Suffering?

Gary Pollard

This week’s is possibly one of the most-asked existential questions out there. “Why is suffering a part of the human experience?” Believer and non-believer alike struggle with this one. Believers and even many agnostics struggle to justify the existence of an all-powerful, all-loving God with “bone cancer in children” and other seemingly senseless evils. Non-believers may struggle with the existence of suffering, too, especially if their worldview involves progressivism. After thousands of years of lessons learned, shouldn’t we have found a way to eliminate suffering? 

The Bible answers this question: we brought suffering to the human experience by violating the relationship we had with God. The story of the Bible is one that ultimately repairs this condition, thanks to God becoming human and sacrificing himself to repair that breach. On top of that, he came back to life as proof-of-concept and as a promise — we will have immortality, too. The message of Christianity is one that looks forward to a time without evil’s consequences (especially suffering and death). For many people, accepting the hard truth of our (i.e. humanity’s) culpability in the existence of suffering is too much. It can’t be that simple! 

We could illustrate this with an adapted pagan myth. Pandora’s box is well-known to many — she opened a box that contained all of the evil in the world, but with hope attached to them. There was no returning those things to the box and it affected everyone. While the framework of the story is decidedly pagan, it is rooted in historical fact. The first woman on earth did actually open something like Pandora’s box, introducing entropy to the planet for the first time. The consequences were far-reaching, as Christians believe all of humanity came from her. We are living with the consequences of Pandora’s box having been opened. 

Even if we look at this from a totally naturalistic standpoint, the existence of suffering does not necessarily preclude an all-powerful, loving God. In fact, it offers a fairly reasonable explanation for why suffering affects good people! What it does lack is anything resembling meaningful hope for a brighter future — this explanation ends with physical death, the beginning of eternal non-existence. A naturalistic explanation is something like this: There is suffering in the world because we’re all born ignorant and have to learn from the mistakes we make. Mistakes often have a ripple effect, and can sometimes negatively affect others. For example, a new driver’s inexperience may cause an accident that takes the life of an innocent person. It’s seemingly random, chaotic, senseless. What did that other person do to deserve death? Nothing, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even the naturalistic worldview understands that bending nature’s laws to prevent all tragedies would have devastating consequences in our current framework. 

So why doesn’t God intervene in every situation? The short answer is “we don’t know.” He does often intervene (cf. Hb 1.14; I Kgs 17.8-16; Ruth; Dan 3.8-30, and many, many others), but we don’t always know why. His perspective is infinite, ours is not. It’s frustrating, painful, and confusing at times, but we all accept that it’s temporary. We know that he won’t allow us to deal with more than we’re capable of handling with character intact (I Cor 10.13), but not too much beyond this. Christianity views suffering as part of the human experience that we’re quite ready to leave behind. This is why death is something we look forward to! 

We have sufferings now, but they are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us. Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when he will show the world who his children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen (Rom 8.18-19). 

I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have overcome the world” (Jn 16.33). 

The Devil’s “Classifieds”: Help Wanted

Neal Pollard

Everyone must have an occupation. Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla were, “by their occupation,” tent makers (Acts 18:3). Demetrius and others at Ephesus were “silversmiths” (Acts 19:24-26). Joseph and his household were shepherds (Genesis 46:33-34). Jonah was a preacher (cf. John 1:8).

Spiritually, everyone will have a “vocation.” Christians have a calling of which they are to “walk worthy” (Ephesians 4:1). An individual, in obeying the gospel, is “hired” by God to “fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness” and work “the work of faith…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). The workers are “holy brethren,” the work a “heavenly calling,” the foreman is “Christ Jesus,” and the work order was appointed by “Him” (the Father) (Hebrews 3:1-2,4). but. even within the context of Hebrews 3, there is warning that Christians might, through hardness of heart, switch employers. The devil surely considers Christians as his most coveted and prized workers, for he already had the world on his “roll” (cf. 1 John 5:19). If the devil advertised, can you imagine the enticing tasks he would list to draw away God’s child?

“Needed: Hungry Cannibal. Must enjoy the taste of division and have an appetite for ‘devouring your brother.’ This job is risky, as you may get consumed by him. But, if you enjoy having ‘the brethren for lunch,’ this job is definitely for you. Ignore Galatians 5:15.”

“Skilled stage-actor wanted. If you are an experienced pretender at religion, enjoy playing church, and wear the name Christian only as a ‘front,’ your skills are needed immediately. Impure motives (Matthew 6:16), lip-service (Matthew 15:7-8), a knack for pretending to be holy while actually being wicked (Matthew 23:13-15,23, et al), and a joy of danger (Matthew 24:51) all are pluses!”

Opening for sheep thieves. Must employ ‘innovative approaches’ (John 10:1), have a willingness to ‘finish the job’ (John 10:10), have a glaring disrespect for the Shepherd, and intimidate the Shepherd’s hired hands (John 10:12). Will supply one camouflage uniform (Matthew 7:15).

“Work for pirates available. Can you shipwreck faith (1 Timothy 1:19)? Are you the type who enjoys ‘lying in wait’ to upset the ‘vessel’ of weak Christians (cf. Ephesians 4:14)? Are you bold enough to take hostages for your employer (2 Timothy 2:26)? An ability to take away from God’s word is an asset (Revelation 22:19). Apply immediately. Too much good is being accomplished.”

“Would you like a sales position? We need you to sell Divine truth (Proverbs 23:23), bargain for this world’s goods with your soul (Matthew 16:26), and be willing to make your children expendable to be a ‘success’ (cf. 1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 22:6). All receipts are kept on file (cf. 2 Peter 2:13).”

“Experienced travel agent desired. Can you give tours of the :Far Country” of sin (cf. Luke 15:13)? Applicant needs to be able to lead others on our charted destinations (2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 3:17). If you can find creative routes away from the worship assemblies (Hebrews 10:25) and provide distracting excursions that lead groups away from involvement in church work (cf. Haggai 1:4,6; John 4:35; Matthew 25:24), we want you! Slothfulness (Hebrews 6:12) an appreciated quality for this job! Must be willing to travel away from your first love (Revelation 2:4).”

“Calling all unskilled carpenters: We are looking for individuals who build on the sand (Matthew 7:26-27). We will provide every foundation for you to build upon except Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10). You don’t even need to be good at framing (cf. Ephesians 2:21). We prefer that you keep busy rebuilding the sinful lifestyle you tore down by coming to the Lord (cf. Galatians 2:18; 2 Peter 2:0-22).”

All the while, Christ calls for workers, too (Matthew 9:37-38). Too many have answered the adversary’s ads (2 Corinthians 11:13; Philippians 3:2). both the Lord and “the Liar” (John 8:44) provide extensive retirement plans [after all, they’re both everlasting] (Matthew 25:46). While everyone will be rewarded according to his works (Matthew 16:27), the devil’s “perks” are profitless (cf. Romans 6:23)! Who are you working for?

Destination

Gary Pollard

Jesus chose the Passover as the memorial that his sacrifice would fulfill. He is the perfect lamb whose blood saves us from death. Israel was protected from the angel of death through the lamb’s blood on their doorpost, and we’re saved from death through the blood of the lamb. Death is the consequence of sin. By saving us from sin, he saves us from death’s permanence. When we say that he saved us from our sins and he saved us from death, we’re saying exactly the same thing. The two are interchangeable. Without sin there is no death. Without forgiveness of those sins, there is no life. 

Because of Jesus’s sacrifice and because he came back to life, taking a position at the Father’s right hand as our perfect high priest, he will save us from our own Egypt — this earth. Being saved from death isn’t where the Exodus story ended, right? Israel was also saved from a dysfunctional country. The Jewish people saw this parallel eight centuries before YHWH came to earth as Jesus (Is 65.17, 66.22). They were looking forward to the return of Eden, the perfect creation of the first time — before man had to fight the earth for food, and before woman had to experience pain in childbirth and submission to her husband. 

Peter makes the comparison between the first destruction of earth and the second, and quotes Isaiah and Jesus when he says, “But according to his promise, we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth where only goodness can live” (II Pt 3.13). This new earth does not have the curse God put on this earth when humanity sinned (Rv 22.3; Rom 8.15ff). The wording used II Pt and Rev 21, 22 strongly suggests a literal understanding of this teaching. The use of γης for earth (instead of κοσμος), the use of καινην for new (instead of νεος, though this is only suggestive and not something that stands alone as proof), and the use of παλλιγγενεσια (return to a former state) in Mt 19.28 all point to a literal understanding of this promise. 

We can add to this the fact that the word “heaven” is ουρανος — a word that was primarily understood to mean “sky” by Greek speakers from the Classical period on. In its plural form — usually the dative plural ουρανοις or genitive plural ουρανους — it could be the realm of the stars (it also means “skies” when context demands). It was understood to be the place where God lives. Jesus said as much in Mt 6.9, 6.14, and 6.32 (and fifteen other passages, mostly in Matthew). Our ultimate destination is not figurative. No figurative interpretation appears to have existed before the Docetics and other gnostic groups came to prominence in the mid-to-late 1st century. 

Salvation is not some intangible platitude or vaguely-defined ethereal existence. How would that produce effective anticipation or hope? It had to make sense to the people it was written to, and it had to use language native to their thinking. If not it wouldn’t have been as powerful.  

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (XXIV)

Unity And The Resurrection (Part 2)(15:29-58)

Neal Pollard

After having dealt with the many witnesses to the resurrected Christ, the erroneous denial of His resurrection, and the connection of the resurrection to His second coming, Paul turns his focus not just to the impact of His resurrection on how we live but also to our own resurrection. Notice at least three more observations in the second half of this chapter, designed to unite these Christians around the truth of the resurrection.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION (29-34)

Paul launches abruptly from the second coming to an odd argument in support of the resurrection–this enigmatic practice of being baptized for the dead (29). It has been said that there are about 40 different explanations for “the baptism for the dead.” I believe Paul is saying that some were motivated to be baptized out of their desire to be reunited with their saved loved ones after this life. I studied with and saw a man baptized (by Riley Keown and some firefighters) who was strongly motivated by a desire to be reunited with his Christian mother. That would be for nothing if the dead are not raised. 

Furthermore, why would a Christian risk danger and death if there is no resurrection (30-31)? What keeps a Christian from “Epicureanism,” simply being devoted to indulging the senses through food and drink, if there is no resurrection (32)? Why strive to live morally and surround oneself with moral influences, if there is no resurrection (33-34)? At least four vital implications are covered by Paul, if the dead are not raised.

THE NATURE OF OUR RESURRECTION (35-49)

Now, Paul gets down to what our resurrection will be like in this section of his discussion. He addresses the question of how and what kind of body (35). Notice.

It will conform to God’s law of sowing and reaping (36-37, 42-44). Paul illustrates this with seed sowing in this life. You cannot reap what you do not sow. The body has to die before resurrection is possible. We will see this more in-depth, but what is raised is much better than what dies. 

It will be a bodily resurrection (39-41).  We cannot miss this fact. Paul refers to the “body” ten times from verses 35-49 ( in addition, “flesh and blood” is verse 50 is actually this same word, too). Our resurrection body will be of a different nature, but it will still be a body. It will be a body as God wished (38), a heavenly body (40), an imperishable body (42), a glorious body (43), and a spiritual body (44). Yes, that leaves some things unanswered, but whether or not our resurrection will be bodily is not unanswered. We will not be a disembodied spirit for eternity. We will have a new body, which Paul describes here. 

It will be spiritual and heavenly (44-49). This body will be engineered to inhabit and live for eternity. Our spirits will continue to live; there is continuity. But, we will inhabit a new, spiritual and heavenly, body! 

THE RESULTS OF THE RESURRECTION (50-58)

Paul lays down an order of operations or procedure here. We will be changed in an instant when the trumpet of God sounds (50-52). We will assume an imperishable, changed body (53-54). Death will die (54). It will be powerless over the saved and resurrected child of God (54-57). 

There is so much richness and depth to this discussion of the resurrection, but Paul gives us enough to favorably receive his final charge. He concludes, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (58). Persevere because living the Christian life is worth it! You are not wasting your time. Obey Him! Wait and see. Because Christ was raised, we will be raised! As the song suggests, “What a day, glorious day, that shall be!”

We Have A Problem

Gary Pollard

Nearly every culture in history hoped for immortality or rebirth or “the transmigration of the soul.” This is evident in the myths and stories handed down for millennia. Ancient Egyptians believed in Duat, the terrifying world of departed souls. Here, among other tests, the departed soul must verify that they’ve not committed certain sins (theft, murder, deceit, adultery, blasphemy, and 39 others). If they passed all of these tests, they believed they’d be reborn among the stars of heaven. Many other ancient cultures had remarkably similar beliefs, but we won’t go into these for the sake of word count.

The point is that everyone desired new life. We have it already! Jesus came to this earth when every major culture had a well-established, fully-developed…problem. What do we do after we die? Just about everyone believed we’d go to “heaven” (among the stars), but their views of life-after-death varied somewhat. Jesus — God in human form — gave a solution to this very well-developed problem: Himself. 

We’re so far beyond this archaic conundrum. Colossians 3 tells us what God wants us to do now that we already have new life! 

  1. In 3.1-4, our new life means thinking about higher things. 
  2. In 3.5-9, our new life means getting rid of bad behaviors. 
  3. In 3.11-12, our new life means we have an identity that transcends cultural boundaries because our allegiance is to Jesus first. 
  4. In 3.12-17, our new life means we do everything we can to be at peace with each other and pursue a united spirit. 
  5. In 3.18-4.1, our new life means that we try to structure our homes and lifestyles in the most functional possible ways. 

Our new life is hidden in Jesus. We are already immoral, and death is just the pivotal moment when the “seed” of this body becomes the fully-developed “plant” of a new, immortal body (cf. I Cor 15). Jesus and his inspired writers beautifully and simply answered the millennia-old questions asked by every culture prior to his arrival. We will meet him in the air. He will rescue us when earth is destroyed. We will live with him forever in a perfect new world. No other religion so boldly answers these questions, another evidence of Christianity’s divine origin! 

YOU LOVE SOMEBODY WHO’S LOST

Dale Pollard

Recently I had the privilege to attend the funeral of a godly man. Since he lived faithfully—  it was a celebration. Funerals have a negative connotation with them but they’re really only all bad when the one who’s passed on did so outside of Christ. 

You and I may wish for a longer life for ourselves and those we love but the ironic truth for the faithful Christian is this— the first to accept God’s decision of death is the one who died.

The faithful go to heaven and the lost do not. While we enjoy talking about  and thinking about those who will and have been eternally saved, it’s just as important to remind ourselves of those who find themselves in the other camp.

 It’s easy to forget that people are lost and maybe it’s because they’re easier to push to the back of our minds. It’s not a pleasant thought by any means and doing something about it tends to make us uncomfortable. 

It hurts and it’s hard to become attached to anyone who isn’t living faithfully because they’re lost. That means they’re not going to heaven. Sometimes the lost pretend as if that’s not their reality by distracting themselves with the things that make them feel as if they’re not lost (Ecc. 2.24-25). 

There’s a good chance that you know people who aren’t going to heaven and it’s even likely that you love people who aren’t. We’ve got to convince them to hear Jesus out— no matter what it takes. 

What can we do? 

  1. We can simplify spiritual concepts so that people can understand a message that they desperately need to hear. Try to teach Jesus differently. Approach His will for their lives from different angles. How can Jesus help their marriage? Their children? Their addiction? 
  2. Please don’t let anything get in your way of going home. Don’t let friends and loved ones who aren’t living faithfully bring you down. Not only do you ultimately lose, but your loved ones outside of Christ have lost their greatest chance of coming into the Light. 
  3. Don’t ever lose hope. There may be unique and seemingly impossible odds stacked against you and your mission to convert the lost, but don’t put God in a human-sized box. Pray often and live in hopeful expectation. 

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”Romans 8.5 

Temporary Versus Permanent

Eli Watson

Good evening, Today before church I was working on cleaning a house out; the lady that had lived here passed two years ago, and in the meantime the objects in the house sat and gathered dust. And after taking countless trash bags out to the dumpster, it got me thinking about how none of the earthly possessions we collect in this life matter. They’re not coming with us nor will we need/miss them when we’re gone. Let us turn our attention to Matthew 6:19-21, which says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

These words offer a powerful reminder that our earthly existence is not meant to be permanent. God, in His infinite wisdom, has instilled within each of us a deep yearning for something beyond the boundaries of this temporary life. Our souls are eternal, but we are on a temporary trip. We have a longing and sense to be with him for eternity because that’s what He had intended from the beginning when He was walking in the Garden with Adam and Eve. Making the right decisions in life by focusing on what’s truly important is the only way to get back to him though. 

Now, before we jump to the wrong conclusion, Jesus didn’t say that … 

You can’t own a phone

You can’t buy a computer.

You can’t purchase a home.

You can’t drive a car.

You can’t buy gifts for someone.

You can’t save or invest money for retirement.

You can’t buy more than one shirt or a pair of jeans.

What Jesus did say was, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth …” 

Said another way, stop focusing on accumulating money and things and set your heart pursuing “treasures in heaven,” which leads us to the next question. What does this mean?

Consider the seasons of life mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. A time to be born, a time to die, a time to weep, and a time to laugh – all encompassing the spectrum of human experiences. Each phase serves as a stitch in the tapestry of our existence. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this earthly journey is not our final destination. There’s a longing for eternity within us. In acknowledging our impermanence, we can take a look at the apostle Paul, who in 2 Corinthians 4:18 encourages us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. This shift in focus beckons us to consider the eternal significance of our actions, relationships, and faith. Everything that we do in this short life counts, but the possessions we have won’t affect our judgement day determinations, there’s no Forbes list in heaven. 

Our temporary journey on Earth prompts us to seek a deeper connection with God. It’s an opportunity to align our lives with His divine purpose, and spread his word along the way. That’s one of the most important parts of our walk in this life, and as we navigate the complexities of life, let us remember that our existence here is just a sneak peak to the everlasting reality promised through faith in Jesus Christ.

The transient nature of life doesn’t diminish its value; instead, it underlines the importance of living purposefully. In Psalm 90:12, we’re encouraged to “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” This wisdom involves recognizing the brevity of life and using our time wisely, investing in eternal treasures. These eternal treasures don’t care about your credit score or any debt to income ratios but rather of the spiritual score, are you living the way you know you should. Having the spiritual wisdom and maturity to get through this life will be what matters in the end. 

Our journey on Earth also invites us to share the love and hope found in Christ with those around us. Matthew 28:19-20 compels us to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we participate in God’s redemptive plan, extending the invitation to eternal life to others. While on this earth we were instructed to be fishers of men, and we are meant to use draw people in by showing them the love of God that is pouring out of us. We have been given an opportunity to show the everlasting mercy and grace of God that has been shown to us. 

In conclusion, as we contemplate the temporary nature of our earthly existence, let us be inspired to live intentionally. May we find purpose in aligning our actions with God’s will, nurturing deep connections with Him, and sharing His love with a world longing for eternal hope. For in the tapestry of life, our temporary moments find eternal significance in the hands of our Creator.

The Time Is Near

Gary Pollard

I learned something from dad a while ago: when you’re sick, exercise. It was rare, but whenever he got sick he would run back-to-back marathons or something crazy and would be fully recovered the next day. I decided to try his mad method and found that it really does work! Today was one of those days — I got the bug and didn’t skip the gym. 

When I got there I saw one of our lifting buddies. He asked if we had a good Christmas, and I said, “It was awesome, but this year felt different for some reason. It was almost weird, and I can’t put my finger on why.” He said, “It really did! I don’t know why, but this year felt weird. The time is near.” 

Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. Peter wrote, “The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins” (4.7-8). He said that two millennia ago! From our perspective, that’s not exactly “near”. For those Christians, though, it was. 

Whether the end of this earth is imminent or not, Peter’s reminder is relevant. We don’t know when our lives are going to end! Having clarity of purpose, self-control, and selfless love will keep us ready for Jesus’s return. 

“Everything that God made is waiting with excitement for the time when he will show the world who his children are. The whole world wants very much for that to happen. 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 would be made free from ruin—that everything God made would have the same freedom and glory that belong to God’s children” (Rom 8.19-21). 

Love Your Neighbor

Gary Pollard

Jesus told a story about a Jewish man who was attacked while traveling. He was seriously injured and left for dead by the side of the road. Two of his own countrymen — considered spiritual leaders by their people — completely ignored their unconscious brother and went about their day. A Samaritan man — considered inferior by the Jews at that time — helped him. He didn’t say, “I hope everything works out for you.” He rendered medical aid, took him to shelter, and made sure he had everything he needed to recover. 

The conclusion of this story was a question: “Which one of these three men do you think was really a neighbor to the man who was hurt by the robbers?” The answer was obvious. Loving your neighbor (i.e. other humans) necessarily means providing for their physical needs. How important is this? “Teacher, what do I have to do to get eternal life?” The Good Samaritan illustration was Jesus’s answer to that question. 

“When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal 6.10). 

“My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. You say to them, ‘Go peacefully, warm yourself and find some food,’ but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless” (Js 3.14-16). 

“Suppose a believer who is rich enough to have all the necessities of life sees a fellow believer who is poor and does not have even basic needs. What if the rich believer does not help the poor one? Then it is clear that God’s love is not in that person’s heart. My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do” (I Jn 3.17-18). 

“The Son of Man will come again with divine greatness, and all his angels will come with him. He will sit as king on his great and glorious throne. All the people of the world will be gathered before him. Then he will separate everyone into two groups. It will be like a shepherd separating his sheep from his goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me’” (Mt 25.31-36).

Christian Basics

Gary Pollard

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll attempt to condense biblical truths into easy-to-understand sentences. These truths have lifted my own spirit, stimulated thought, caused me to praise God, and fortified confidence in him. These will just be thoughts I’ve found interesting or helpful: 

  • God’s visible form (Logos) created the earth from water (Col 1.15; Jn 1.1-4; II Pt 3.5). 
  • Logos became human to give us a second, permanent life (Col 1.15; Jn 3.17, 11.25, 20.31). 
  • Jesus will save humanity when earth is destroyed (II Pt 3.7, 10; I Thess 4.14-17; Jn 20.31). He will take us to a new, perfect world without any possibility of evil (II Pt 3.13, Mt 19.28). 
  • Jesus defends us when we sin, and forgives every sin (I Tim 2.5; I Jn 1.7; Hb 4.15). 
  • God is more powerful than our guilty consciences (I Jn 3.20). 
  • Logos became human, lived a perfect life, was illegally executed, and came back to life (Jn 1.14; II Cor 5.21, 15.4). This message — and his promise to come back for us — is the core of our faith. 
  • Jesus gives us new life through our faith in him; he freed humanity from a rules-based religious system (Gal 3.11-14, 21). 

On a totally unrelated note, exercise and selfless acts are the best cure for seasonal depression (and many other issues). This is by no means a requirement for godly living, but exercise makes it much easier to help others, help self, and discover more about God’s amazing nature! 

“Prepare for the Unexpected”

Brent Pollard

As I prepared for an appointment, the television commercial advised me to take advantage of their services so that I could “expect the unexpected.” I’m not too fond of that phrase. It could be considered a pet peeve. The statement’s paradoxical nature irritates me. It is impossible to anticipate something that is, by definition, unexpected or unforeseen. So, why do we keep using this illogical expression? 

Since I grasp this idiom’s meaning, I recommend replacing it with “prepare for the unexpected.” The second option is feasible for us. Since we anticipate the possibility of unexpected events, we can plan accordingly to deal with or adapt to them. It’s like preparing for an accident by stocking your first aid kit with bandages for occasions when you get a cut or scrape. You didn’t know you would get that cut, but you had a dressing ready just in case.

Spiritually, Jesus tells us to prepare for the unexpected. Contextually, the unexpected is His Second Coming. To teach us this lesson, Jesus told the Parable of the Ten Virgins (see Matthew 25.1–13). The titular maidens are members of the bridal party. Unbeknownst to most contemporary readers, weddings in the first century were a different type of affair. 

The bridegroom’s arrival was cause for both celebration and anticipation in first-century Jewish wedding customs. After the engagement, the bride would wait at her father’s home for her future husband to come and take her away. The groom had complete control over when this occurred. 

The groom frequently transformed the process into a joyful game or challenge in which he attempted to surprise the bride and her attendants. This element of surprise heightened everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm for the party. Shouts announced the bridegroom’s arrival, so the wedding party members had to prepare to join the procession anytime, even after dark.

The five prudent virgins were ready for whatever might happen. They had brought extra oil because of the potential for the groom to be late. Those considered foolish should have considered the possibility of the bridegroom arriving late at night. According to the parable, the shout announcing the bridegroom’s arrival woke them up. 

The foolish virgins woke without oil for their lamps and asked the wise ones to borrow some. The wise virgins said they didn’t have enough oil to spare for the foolish virgins’ lamps. The bridegroom led the wise virgins to the wedding feast while the foolish virgins went to get more oil. By the time the foolish came, it was too late; the groom shut the doors. 

Jesus ends the parable by telling us to be alert since we do not know the day or the hour of His return. Hence, you and I must prepare for the unexpected (i.e., the Second Advent).

We need general preparedness. The most crucial general preparation is to obey the Gospel. For those who felt the weight of their sins on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached repentance and baptism (Acts 2.38). Individuals submitting to baptism resulted in church growth. The Bible says that the Lord kept adding to that number those He saved (Acts 2.47). Once one is a part of the Body, he must make other general spiritual preparations such as prayer, good deeds, and maintaining a solid relationship with God (see 1 John 1.7).

We need mental preparedness. Christians should have a strong faith and accept that God’s timing may not coincide with their own. Like the bridegroom in the parable, we cannot know when Jesus will appear “with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God” (see 1 Thessalonians 4.16 NASB). Predicting when our Lord will return is fruitless, but people have been trying for years. Jesus declares that not even He knows when that day will be, only His Father (Matthew 24.36). Thus, we don’t know the exact date, but we know that God has chosen it (Acts 17.31). 

We need to practice risk management. Believers waiting for Christ’s return should take precautions against the spiritual “risks” or pitfalls that could undermine their faith or readiness. Do you remember what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount? If your right eye and right hand are the source of your sin, Jesus says it is better to have them amputated than go to hell as a fully functional human (Matthew 5.29-30). Jesus isn’t suggesting we physically cut out our eyes, but instead that we turn away from the things that trigger our lust. Jesus isn’t telling us to cut off our hands, but rather that we turn away from the things that trigger our greed. The gates of hell are not a place where Christians play chicken. Instead, we manage risks. 

In conclusion, even though paradoxical sayings like “expect the unexpected” can be annoying, “preparing for the unexpected” is a powerful reminder of the deeper truths embedded in our spiritual journeys. Like the prudent virgins in Jesus’ parable, we must be ready for anything, including the unanticipated events of everyday life and, most importantly, the return of Christ. There are many facets to this kind of readiness, including general and mental preparedness, recognizing our human limitations when it comes to divine timing, and taking proactive measures to protect our faith from harm. 

Let us go beyond waiting for the Lord’s return and establish ourselves in purpose, deed, and unwavering faith. By getting our heads and hearts in the right place, we anticipate His return and make strides toward spending eternity with Him.

Vindicated Faith

Gary Pollard

I Peter 1.5 — God’s power protects us because of our faith. If we’re doing our best to follow God, he’ll make sure we’re ready for the end. The Bible is vague on how he does this, but this verse might give the best glimpse into that process: his power keeps us ready. We’re told that none of this will happen in our current life. The exciting new life we’ll have won’t be available until the end. 

1.6 — Sounds like a bummer, especially since we might have to go through really hard times because of the unstoppable hope we have. 

1.7 — If we make it through these difficulties with our character and confidence intact, God considers that to be more valuable than refined gold. This is the best return-on-investment scenario in God’s eyes. 

1.7 — It benefits us, too, though — “when our faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus comes back.” Jesus will showcase his Christian family to the entire world. Millenia of mistreatment and hostility will melt away in an instant. All people throughout earth’s entire history will see how incredible Jesus and his family are. It’s the same terminology as the “glory” a country gets after they win a war. The U.S. stood on the global stage for decades as the most powerful country in world history. When Jesus returns — before we even get to our new home — Christians will experience that on a whole different level. For the first century church and for us today, that means absolute vindication. The world thinks we’re crazy or irrational for believing in an all-powerful God and living a Christian life on a promise we won’t even realize until after we’re dead. Jesus will personally prove them wrong when he comes back!

Comprehending God’s Love

Carl Pollard

Ephesians 3:17–19 says, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” What do we comprehend? The Love of Christ! 

Through the power of the Spirit, and because of the indwelling of Christ, we are to become established in love and being established in love, we have power to comprehend the love of Christ. But how do you describe such a love? 

Paul says, “comprehend what is the breadth, and length and height and depth.” 

But he purposefully left off what it is that he was describing. So what does he mean? 

It takes in the eternity of God. God is Love; and in that, an infinity of breadth, length, depth, and height, is included; or rather all breadth, length, depth, and height, are lost in this vastness. It comprehends all that is above, all that is below, all that is past, and all that is to come. All of this is said in reference to us, His creation! The love of God, in its breadth, is a net that encompasses the globe; its length reaches from the eternal purpose of the mission of Christ, to the eternity which is to be spent in his presence. It’s depth reaches to the lowest sinner, and to the very center of the heart; and its height to the eternal glory of the throne of Christ.

How do you describe the love of Christ? We can’t. No one has ever shown this amount of love for this many sinful people. 

And yet we still act like we have power, like we are above God. Man on his own has no power. 

But God, God has given us the opportunity to have the power to comprehend His Son’s love. 

Comprehension is “to process information, understand, grasp.” A kid growing up hears from their parents that they love him. He hears it every day, but he never fully comprehends that love until he has kids of his own. A person will go through something traumatic, and the first couple of hours they are in shock. They know what happened, but they haven’t comprehended it yet. Sadly, we can hear about the love of Christ, we can hear God’s Word. But this isn’t the same as comprehension. 

Growing up I hated literature. I can remember reading the Iliad, eyes glazed over, and just seeing words on a page. I couldn’t tell you a thing about what I was reading. I wasn’t comprehending. Ephesians 3:19 puts “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” And to GNOSKO the love of Christ. A working knowledge as opposed to book knowledge. This is comprehension, a useful knowledge of Christ’s love. 

As a faithful Christian, you can comprehend the love of Christ. And knowing his love is power. There’s a devotional song we sing that says, “amazing love! How can it be? That you, my God would die for me.” To be powerful is to comprehend the love of Christ. And in comprehending we live out His love. That is our purpose as Christians. 

What Could I Say At The Funeral Of A Non-Christian?

Dale Pollard

God is far wiser than we are, and there’s plenty of guidance for such potential scenarios (2 Pt. 1.3). Here are some quick things to fill your mind with before you walk into a room filled with the grieving. 

First, we all need to be reminded

“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.” – Ecc. 7.1-4 

A funeral is better than feasting… for three reasons. 

  1. Because a funeral serves as a motivator for needed change. 
  2. Because it serves as a reminder that life is finite. 
  3. Because we inevitably think of what will be said at our own funeral. 

Your name is assigned at birth but defined in life. 

The Trans–Siberian Railway which connects Moscow with the Russian far east is still the world’s longest direct rail route, running for 5,753 miles. The journey passes through the Ural Mountains, Siberia’s birch forest and Lake Baikal, and the entire trip, were you to ride from beginning to end, would take six days. 

We’ll all reach the end of the line at some point. Each of our journeys are at various stages of completion, some just beginning, some farther along, but the meaning of life is that it stops. However, it doesn’t end. The vast majority of all the world’s religions teach and believe in an eternal existence of some kind. 

Death is a reality that’s juxtaposed. 

It’s the end and it’s the beginning. Or as Solomon said, “…the destiny of every man.” 

Many would rather not think of their final destination because they feel it’s unknown while others avoid the thought because the subject of death is an unpleasant one. While we should celebrate the accomplishments and one’s life, funerals have always been for the benefit of the living. 

The “house of mourning” requires at least four areas of focus in order for it to benefit us. 

  1. A time to grieve loss.
  2. A time to reminisce. 
  3. A time to comfort one another.
  4. A time for reflection. 

It’s healing, it’s healthy, and it’s enlightening. Every culture on every continent would attest to this, but more importantly— God’s provided us with this truth. 

Use the time, while in the house of mourning, for the  intended purpose. 

Don’t dismiss any sobering thoughts of mortality and use this valuable time properly. 

“I will not doubt, tho all my ships at sea come drifting home with broken masts and sails 

From seeming evil worketh good to me. 

And tho I weep because those sails are battered, 

Still will I cry,while my best hopes lie shattered, ‘I trust in thee’ 

19th Century poet, Ella Wilcox 

The Height Of Heaven And The Hole Of Hell

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail  

A question came up in class this past week that sparked some interesting discussion.

“There Are levels or degrees of reward in Heaven?” 


Jesus told his followers each of them would receive a reward in heaven based on what they did here on earth. Consider the words of Jesus, 

Matthew 16.27


“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.”

Let’s take a look at two key words in this verse. 

  1. The word recompense (apodidōmi) means “reward” or “to pay” and is determined by one’s 
  1. deeds (praxis), meaning “a doing, a mode of acting, a deal, a transaction.” 

While some place these levels of reward into a speculative category, there’s more clarity on the flip side of eternity. Several  passages indicate various levels of punishment. Consider the following examples. 

Romans 2:5-6


“But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds…”

Luke 12.46-48 

“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

Some have argued that degrees of mental anguish which are based on a knowledge of the Truth is what these scriptures are referring to. One would spend their infinity thinking about what they could have, should have, or would have done differently in life. Scripture leaves no doubt that this will be the case for too many which should motivate us that we have a saving message and a mission to save.  

While it may be difficult to imagine hell being any worse and heaven being any better on an individual basis, getting to heaven is the author’s main goal. 

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84.10-12 

Dale Pollard

Our Motives, Mission, And Message

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

I Thessalonians 2.1-6 reminds us that our motivation for staying faithful shouldn’t be selfish. We’re not here to gain a following or expand a financial portfolio. Those things aren’t intrinsically wrong, but using Christianity as an opportunity for financial gain is terrible. We’re faithful because it’s what God wants, and because we want to live with him forever. 

The application of 2.7-12 is that God expects us to tell people about his son’s return, even if we have to do it alone. This means we don’t expect financial help as a condition for service. This means we teach with great patience. It means we share our time generously. It means we work hard. It means we invest all of our emotional resources into the work. 

2.13-16 teaches that our message originated with the creator. It has a powerful effect on people who believe it. It also draws negative attention from people who find it too otherworldly to accept. For the most part, people find it difficult to accept the idea of a God. Beyond that, most find it even harder to believe that this God will destroy the planet, and will only rescue those who follow him. To most it reads like science fiction. As with other things that don’t fit a naturalistic narrative, our worldview is attacked as bring fringe or fantasy or irrational. But God will handle those who try to stop his message from spreading, so our job is to keep at it until our time is up! 

Gary Pollard

Our Cosmic Mudball

Friday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

Brent Pollard

Happy Earth Day! Yes, fifty-two years ago, the annual event created by peace activist John McConnel began. McConnel intended that we observe Earth Day on March 21 in connection with the vernal equinox. But instead, the academics and bureaucrats from the United Nations who got behind and promoted the annual observance chose April 22, which happened to coincide with the birthday of Vladimir Lenin.  

McConnel, a Pentecostal, hoped that more Christians would get involved with Earth Day, finding inspiration in God’s declaration that he had made the earth for humanity (cf. Psalm 115.16). McConnel felt that March 21 was a more natural date and less likely to be politicized. However, he admits that Earth Day has become politicized, alienating Christians and conservatives.1 

This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet.” In addition to the alarmist hype that our time to “fix” things is short, you’ll note the following: “This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, our livelihoods… together, we must Invest In Our Planet.”2 

So, when did fighting pollution and conserving our natural resources become about changing business and politics? Those usurping the Earth Day idea from McConnel prove his point about its politicization. However, I will not write another lengthy post about climate change but refer you to an article posted on this blog on January 7, 2022, “Worry Not; The Sky Is Not Falling.” 

In the meantime, as you hear people talk about our terrestrial home today, I wish to remind you of our eternal one. We are told not to love this world or the things therein since they will be destroyed (1 John 2.15-17). And while that doesn’t excuse us from being good stewards of the planet, it can be unhealthy to become so invested in a cosmic mudball that will only one day melt with fervent heat (2 Peter 3.10). Set your mind on things above (Colossians 3.2). 

Jesus is coming. He promised to prepare His followers a dwelling place (John 14.1-3). With that promise is the one of His return. It is certain. Note the testimony of the angels at Jesus’ ascension that our Lord will return one day in the same way He left us (Acts 1.11). Our task is to prepare for that great day since we know not the day or the hour (Matthew 25.13). Are you ready? 

Sources Cited 

1 Sparks, Nicole, and Darrin J Rodgers. “John McConnell, Jr. and the Pentecostal Origins of Earth Day.” Assemblies of God Heritage Magazine, Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center, ifphc.org/-/media/FPHC/Heritage-Magazine/2010.pdf. 

2 “Earth Day 2022: Invest in Our Planet™.” Earth Day, EarthDay.org, 21 Apr. 2022, www.earthday.org/earth-day-2022/. 

Two Camps

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary Pollard

I understand the power of grace, and am grateful for it. I understand that those walking in the light have lenience with God, and I’m grateful for that! But I still wonder what I’m missing. Many (maybe most) Christians feel the same way. We want Jesus to come back as soon as possible! But the thought is also terrifying. After all, a lot of Christians will be shocked when they’re condemned at judgment (Matt 7.21). So how do we avoid that eternal gut punch? 

Obviously, the first step is to join God’s family the way he said to. “Being saved” is not just about rescue from sin. That’s part of it! Being saved is about the last day. When Jesus separates humanity into two camps (Matt 25.32), we want to be in the one that doesn’t get destroyed. 

Notice what Jesus tells people on both sides: “I was hungry, so you gave me food. I was thirsty, so you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, but you invited me into your home. I had no clothes, so you gave me some. I was sick, so you took care of me. I was in prison, so you visited me” (Matt 25.34-36). 

If that statement applies to someone, they’re saved. If it doesn’t, they’re out of luck. 

It’s interesting that Jesus doesn’t say, “You had the correct view of worship. You debated the plan of salvation with religious groups. You read your bible every day.” Those are critical (see the whole New Testament), so don’t misunderstand me. 

But when Jesus addresses both groups, their fate will be decided by how they treated God’s family. 

So what do we take away from this? 

  • Take care of the physical needs of church family. 
  • Be very careful about criticizing the church. Err on the side of caution. 
  • Keep priorities where they need to be. There’s a time and place for defending God’s word and his teachings! But most of our energy should be dedicated to what matters most to Jesus. 

When we take care of each other, we’ll be told, “My father has nothing but praise for you! Come with me, you’ve inherited the kingdom that was made for you when we created the world” (Matt 25.34). 

Soul Food

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

man with classes and beard smiling and wearing a ball cap.
Gary Pollard

When I get discouraged, I read a few specific verses. They will hopefully encourage you, too! 

Philippians 3.20f: But we are citizens of heaven, where the lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. 

Romans 8.1-4: So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death…God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. In that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 

I Corinthians 15.51-53: But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 

II Corinthians 4.16ff: That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

II Corinthians 5.1-4: For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.

Plate full of food with turkey, dressing, vegetables, mashed potatoes

Mine!

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

garyandme521

Gary Pollard

When I first got into shooting, I relied pretty heavily on what others believed. There was (and is) a wide range of opinions on which platforms are the best, which calibers are the most effective, or which subcultural group is the worst (mall ninjas, fuds, tacticool operators, etc.). Most hold their opinions with great passion and will advocate for their position vehemently. I never really enjoyed shooting with the platforms and calibers I initially chose because I made all of my decisions based on the preferences of people I respected and admired. There’s nothing wrong with this, but I did not yet feel as if the sport was truly mine. Several years later, countless thousands of rounds, and hours of research, and I’ve found my place. I prefer 9mm, Glocks or Caniks, Combloc, AR platforms, 6.5 Grendel is the best intermediate round, etc. In other words, it’s not an “inherited” faith. I like what I like based on the energy I’ve dedicated to study and practice.

When it comes to elements of our faith, how often do we challenge our personal beliefs? Unlike firearms – which are subjective and spiritually irrelevant – our faith is based on an objective standard. It is difficult to have a strong, personal faith if most of what we believe is based on what others taught us or what others believe. We may even adopt their beliefs because we admire and respect them as people. That’s not a great foundation. Humans are fallible!

Approaching scripture as a blank slate, asking only, “What does God want me to believe about ______?” is the best way to grow. The only opinion that matters is God’s! When we hear something that elicits an emotional response and seems to conflict with our current beliefs, we shouldn’t panic. God’s word determines validity. If we can approach scripture without bias, we’ll grow exponentially. Challenging our beliefs does more than simply refine our understanding – it forces us to take ownership of our faith. Not only will this cause growth, it will also deepen our love for God and our confidence in eternal destination!

On an elk hunting trip in Gunnison, CO, around 2008.