Tag: Father

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book 1, Ch. 3.1-2)

Who isn’t amazed by the immense importance of the Holy Spirit when we hear that one who speaks against Christ may be forgiven, but one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven―not in this world nor in the world to come?

Gary Pollard

[Editor’s Note: Gary is translating the Ante-Nicene Fathers works, beginning with Origin’s work. It is meant to update the British English of Roberts and Donaldson. What follows is part of that translation]

  1. Let us now briefly examine the subject of the Holy Spirit. Everyone who acknowledges the existence of Providence (however they think of it) agrees that God―the one who created and ordered all things―is no one’s creation, and recognizes Him as the Father of the universe. The claim that He has a Son is not something unique to believers; even though it may seem astonishing or unbelievable to the kinds of people that the Greeks and other foreigners call “philosophers”, some of them seem to at least partially get it. They admit that all things were created through the word or reason (logos) of God. Because we think this is a teaching that came from God Himself, we believe there is no better way to understand or explain this higher, divine Reason―we call Him the Son of God―than through the Scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit: that is, the Gospels, the Epistles, the Law, and the Prophets, as Christ Himself declared. It’s basically impossible to know about this Holy Spirit without reading the Law or believing in Christ. Even though no one can speak with perfect confidence about the nature of God the Father, some understanding of Him can be attained through creation itself and the natural insights of the human mind. This knowledge can be reinforced by reading the inspired texts. As for the Son of God, even though “no one knows the Son except the Father,” the Scriptures teach us how to think about Him. This is made known not only by explicit teachings but also through the lives of Christians, whose actions are understood as preparing the world for Christ’s return. Between these two things, we can start to understand both his transcendent nature and the human nature he voluntarily assumed. 
  2. As for what the Holy Spirit is, Scripture teaches us in many places. Somewhere in the first fifty Psalms, David says, “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Daniel speaks of “the Holy Spirit that is in You.” The New Testament has plenty on this, too: the Spirit is described as descending on Christ; after His resurrection, the Lord breathed on His apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”; an angel told Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you”; and Paul says that no one can call Jesus “master” except through the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles laid hands on people at baptism. From all of this, we learn that the person of the Holy Spirit is so important that baptism is not complete without naming all three: that is, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This joins the name of the Holy Spirit to the uncreated God the Father and His only Son. Who isn’t amazed by the immense importance of the Holy Spirit when we hear that one who speaks against Christ may be forgiven, but one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven―not in this world nor in the world to come?

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book 1, Ch. 2.10)

Here’s the key: some might think God was all-powerful before Wisdom (the Son of God) came into the picture, making God a Father. But Scripture is clear: “In wisdom, you made everything,” and the Gospel says, “Through Him all things were made, and nothing was made without him.” This means God’s title as all-powerful is tied to being a Father through Wisdom, who is the Son. The Son, Jesus, is the purest expression of God’s infinite power.

Gary Pollard

[Editor’s Note: Gary is translating the Ante-Nicene Fathers works, beginning with Origin’s work. It is meant to update the British English of Roberts and Donaldson. What follows is part of that translation]

Let’s consider the phrase, “Wisdom is the ultimate expression of God’s infinite power.” To understand this, we first need to examine what God’s “infinite power” means, and then we’ll see how Wisdom flows from it. Just like you can’t be a parent without a child or a leader without a team, God can’t be called all-powerful without something or someone to exercise that power over. For God to truly be all-powerful, everything must exist—otherwise, there’d be a time when God wasn’t fully in charge, which doesn’t add up.

Imagine someone saying there was a time when nothing existed, and God only later became all-powerful when everything came into being. That would imply God somehow leveled up, going from “less powerful” to “all-powerful”, which is a better state. But that’s a flawed and inaccurate way to think about God, right? It suggests God was incomplete and then gained something later. Instead, if God is always all-powerful, then the things that make God all-powerful—creation, beings to govern—must always have been there. God has always had authority over everything, ruling as a king or leader. We’ll dig deeper into creation later, but for now, let’s focus on the main point: Wisdom is described as the purest expression of God’s infinite power.

Here’s the key: some might think God was all-powerful before Wisdom (the Son of God) came into the picture, making God a Father. But Scripture is clear: “In wisdom, you made everything,” and the Gospel says, “Through Him all things were made, and nothing was made without him.” This means God’s title as all-powerful is tied to being a Father through Wisdom, who is the Son. The Son, Jesus, is the purest expression of God’s infinite power.

So what is the “glory of the Almighty” that Wisdom flows from? It’s the brilliance of God’s total authority, and Wisdom—Jesus—shares in that brilliance. Through Wisdom, God doesn’t just rule like a dictator; God’s power is expressed through the willing loyalty of creation. To make it perfectly clear, the Father and the Son share the same power. John in Revelation says, “This is what the Lord God says, the One who is, was, and is to come, the Almighty.” Who’s the “One to come”? That’s Jesus. So, just as we’re not shocked that Jesus is God alongside the Father, we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus, the Son, is also all-powerful. Jesus Himself says to the Father, “Everything You have is Mine, and everything I have is Yours, and I’m glorified through them.” If everything the Father has belongs to Jesus, that includes God’s infinite power. The Son, being all-powerful too, shares everything the Father has.

Jesus says, “I’m glorified in them,” meaning His glory shines through creation. Scripture backs this up: “At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow—in the heavens, on earth, and below—and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” So, Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s power, the pure and radiant Wisdom, glorified as the embodiment of that power.

To break it down further: God the Father is all-powerful because He has authority over everything—sky, earth, sun, moon, stars, you name it. He exercises this power through His Word, Jesus, because “at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.” If everything bows to Jesus, then Jesus is the one with authority over all things, channeling that power back to the Father. This happens through Wisdom—through reason and truth, not force or obligation. That’s why Jesus’ glory is so pure: He holds all things together through wisdom, not despotic control. This is the clearest, most authentic kind of glory because it’s not forced—it’s freely given.

Now, let’s contrast this. Anything that can change or shift—like human nature or created things—might have moments of glory through good deeds or wisdom, but that glory isn’t permanent because it’s not part of their core. It can fade. But God’s Wisdom, the Son, is unchanging. Every good quality in Him is permanent, not temporary. That’s why His glory is described as pure and authentic—because it’s part of who He is, forever. 

Origen’s “On First Principles” (Book 2, Numbers 1-4)

So everything we say about God’s Wisdom applies to the Son: He is the Life, the Word, the Truth, and the Resurrection. These titles describe what He does and who He is. None of them imply anything physical―no size, shape, or color.

Gary Pollard

[Editor’s Note: Gary is translating the Ante-Nicene Fathers works, beginning with Origin’s work. It is meant to update the British English of Roberts and Donaldson. What follows is part of that translation]

1. First, we need to understand that Christ has two distinct natures: His divine nature as the only Son of God, and the human nature He took on in this final age as part of God’s plan to save us. These are not the same.

So we start by asking: who is the only-begotten Son of God? He’s called by many names, depending on the context and viewpoints of different people. For example, He is called “Wisdom” in Solomon’s words: “The Lord created me as the beginning of His ways, before anything else existed―before the earth, before the springs, before the mountains and hills―I was brought forth.”

He’s also called “Firstborn,” as Paul says: “He is the firstborn of all creation.” But “Firstborn” and “Wisdom” refer to the same person―not two different beings. Paul even says that “Christ is the power and wisdom of God.”

2. But when we say He is God’s Wisdom, we don’t mean He’s just a concept or a force that makes people wise. He is a living being who is wisdom in Himself. Once we understand that the Son is God’s Wisdom in real, personal existence, we shouldn’t imagine that He has any physical traits like form, size, or color. Wisdom, by its nature, doesn’t have those things.

And no one who reveres God should believe that the Father ever existed without His Wisdom. To say that would mean either God couldn’t produce Wisdom before He did, or that He didn’t want to―which is impossible for a perfect and eternal God.

We believe that the Son, who is God’s Wisdom, comes from the Father―but not in time. His existence has no beginning, not even one that we can imagine in thought. So Wisdom was brought forth before anything that could be called a “beginning.”

Everything that would later be created was already held within Wisdom―its design, purpose, and shape―arranged by God’s foreknowledge. That’s why Wisdom (in Solomon’s words) says she was “created as the beginning of God’s ways”―not because she was made in time, but because all things were prefigured in her.

3. In the same way, we can say Wisdom is the “Word” of God, because she reveals God’s hidden truths to all creation. She is called the Word because she expresses what is in God’s mind.

So when the Acts of Paul1 says, “The Word is a living being,” it’s speaking rightly. But John expresses it most clearly in his Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Anyone who says the Word or Wisdom had a beginning must be careful not to dishonor the Father. If God didn’t always have Wisdom or a Word, then He wasn’t always the Father―and that idea contradicts God’s eternal nature.

4. This Son is also the truth and life of everything that exists―and rightly so. Nothing could live without receiving life from Him. Nothing could exist unless it came from the truth. Rational beings couldn’t exist without the Word. There could be no wisdom without Wisdom.

But since some creatures would fall away from life and bring death upon themselves―because death is just separation from life―it was necessary for there to be a power that could overcome death. That power is the resurrection, first seen in our Lord and Savior. The resurrection is rooted in God’s wisdom, word, and life.

Also, since some created beings would choose not to remain in the good they were given―because that good was not part of their nature, but something they received―they could fall away. For their sake, the Word and Wisdom of God became the “Way,” the path that leads back to the Father.

So everything we say about God’s Wisdom applies to the Son: He is the Life, the Word, the Truth, and the Resurrection. These titles describe what He does and who He is. None of them imply anything physical―no size, shape, or color.

Human beings pass on physical traits through reproduction. But we must not compare that to how the Father brings forth the Son. God’s act is completely unique―beyond comparison, imagination, or explanation.

The generation of the Son is eternal―like light from the sun. He didn’t become the Son through some external act. He is the Son by His very nature.

1 He probably means “Hebrews” here.

Responding To His Message

No matter what we say, how we respond to what Jesus teaches determines our faithfulness to Him. Why is this so hard sometimes?

Carl Pollard

Throughout scripture, Christians are called not only to hear the word of God but to obey it. James 1:22-25 emphasizes this imperative: “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in the mirror; for he looks at himself, goes away, and right away forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts – this person will be blessed in what he does.”

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus reinforces this message, stating that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This highlights a critical truth: many Christians possess extensive knowledge yet fail to practice it. 

Experiential knowledge, the kind that transforms and deepens our relationship with God, comes from faithful obedience. It is during trials—losing a loved one, facing financial difficulties, or battling inner turmoil—that we truly come to know the Father. By holding fast to God in these moments, we can experience His presence and faithfulness.

The problem of hypocrisy in the church is often misdiagnosed as a lack of knowledge. However, we have access to the Bible and factual teaching. The real struggle lies in acting upon what we know. We understand that we are called to love one another as God loves us, to pray, to act as a family, to practice self-control, and to forgive others. Yet, the question remains: why do we fall short?

The answer is clear: it isn’t a matter of knowledge but of action. Jesus presents two responses to His message: to hear and obey or to hear and disobey—there is no middle ground. 

What may be difficult to hear is that Jesus isn’t concerned with our Christian labels on social media, or even our daily Bible reading plan. While these are well and good, many people claim these without authentic faith. What Jesus desires is fruit—tangible evidence of His teachings reflected in our lives.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus likens those who hear and obey to a wise man who builds his house on rock. When storms come, this house stands firm. Conversely, those who hear but do not obey will find their lives dismantled by life’s adversities. The foundation of our lives must be built on the truth found in God’s word, and the building blocks of that foundation are obedience.

The authenticity of our discipleship is revealed in our responses to Jesus’ teachings. If we do not love our neighbors as ourselves, forgive as we have been forgiven, or harbor anger and resentment, we must face a sobering reality: despite our claims, we are not true disciples of Christ. His disciples practice what He preached.

Jesus invites us to examine our lives: Are we listening to His words and responding with faithful obedience? The call to action is clear, and it is through our obedience that we demonstrate our genuine commitment to Him.

Assurance Of Truth

Carl Pollard

A few years back, my dad and I traveled to Cambodia for a mission trip. One evening, we wandered through the night market, looking at all the different shops. They had everything from designer clothes to headphones like Beats, Gucci belts, and even iPhones—all unbelievably cheap! I mean, we’re talking $5 for a Casio watch, $10 for an iPhone, and $12 for an iPad. 

At first, it felt like a dream, but the longer we looked, the more we realized something was off. Those “Beats By Dre” headphones actually said “Beats By Bray,” and the Ray-Ban sunglasses actually said “Roy-Bans.” The Casio watch I bought? It seemed legit but died after a few weeks. These knockoffs looked real at first glance, but upon closer inspection, the truth was clear. 

These fake items exist because somewhere, genuine designer products are out there, creating a market for the fakes. Just like those counterfeits, false truths abound today. Jesus warned us about false prophets, and we see their influence everywhere. Satan takes what’s valuable and crafts knockoffs that seem real but lack true worth. As Buddy the Elf famously said, “You sit on a throne of lies.”

In a world filled with deception, false teachings threaten our faith. Yet, John, the apostle Jesus loved, assured early believers that they could have confidence in their relationship with God. There’s no reason to fear; we can have the assurance of truth. God desires for us to feel secure in our faith, knowing that we are saved, a privilege not extended to those outside of Christ.

John makes it clear why he wrote his letters. In 1 John 5:13, he states, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” This assurance isn’t a gamble; it’s a certainty for those who believe.

John encourages us to evaluate our faith through three tests. First, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 4:9-10 emphasizes God’s love for us, even when we were unlovable. He sacrificed His Son so we could live through Him. Recognizing this love is crucial.

Next, do you obey God’s commands? 1 John 2:3-6 tells us that knowing Him means keeping His commandments. Obedience isn’t just about fear; it’s rooted in love. We must trust and obey God, finding assurance in our faith through our actions.

Lastly, do you show love toward others? 1 John 3:14 states that love for our brothers and sisters shows we’ve passed from death to life. Love is an active choice, demonstrated through our actions and sacrifices. 1 John 3:18-24 challenges us to love not just in words but in deeds. 

In summary, ask yourself three essential questions: Do you believe in Jesus? Do you obey the Father? Do you love others? If you answered no to any, you may not be right with God. But there’s hope. With a repentant heart, God is ready to forgive and embrace you. So, how badly do you want eternal life? Enough to change your behavior? Let’s strive to embody belief, love, and obedience in our lives.

Crucified With Christ

Carl Pollard

In Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul states, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This concept speaks to the core of what it means to follow Jesus and to experience a true relationship with the Father.

Identity

To be “crucified with Christ” is identification with Jesus in His death on the cross. This concept is not merely theoretical; it speaks to the reality of what happens when we follow Christ. It involves a change where the old self—marked by sin and separation from God—is put to death. In this sense, it represents a fresh start, a new beginning in our life

Freedom

One of the most powerful implications of being crucified with Christ is the freedom it brings from the power of sin. As Christians, we believe that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer bound by our sinful nature. Instead, we are free to live in a way that reflects God’s love and righteousness. Romans 6:6 emphasizes this by stating, “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with.” This freedom allows us to break free from guilt and shame, and serve God with everything in us! 

Change

Being crucified with Christ also speaks to the transformation that occurs in our lives. When we follow Christ, we are not only forgiven but also made new. This transformation is an ongoing process, allowing us to reflect Christ’s character in our lives. The Spirit works within us, producing the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, etc. Crucify yourself with Christ, and what used to define you will be no more. You are a totally new person in Christ! 

Perspective 

Living out the truth of being crucified with Christ requires daily surrender. It means recognizing that life is no longer about our own desires but about living in accordance with God’s will. This surrender can be challenging, but it is essential for spiritual growth. It forces us to let go of our worries and fears, trusting that God is in control.

Ultimately, being crucified with Christ calls for a life of faith. It means trusting in Jesus for every aspect of life, knowing that He is present and active. Living by faith helps us to navigate life’s uncertainties with hope and confidence, rooted in the promises of God.

Finding Comfort in God’s Compassion:

Encouragement from the Bible for Those with Chronic Illness

Brent Pollard

I constantly struggle with feeling the sufficiency of the actions that demonstrate my faith (James 2.18). Some days, just getting out of bed feels like an accomplishment. Some of this is due to my physical condition, while others are due to the psychological effects of chronic illness. Chronic illness and depression often go hand in hand. Because I, too, am just one of the clay lumps shaped by the Master’s hand, readers can benefit from their study of these personal issues.

Understanding chronic illness’s profound impact on one’s life is crucial. The daily battle with physical limitations and emotional burdens can leave one feeling isolated and misunderstood. In these moments of struggle, it’s essential to remember that the Bible offers profound comfort and assurance that God is deeply aware of and empathetic toward our pain.

The Bible beautifully portrays God’s compassion for those who are hurting, emphasizing His nearness to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34.18) and His gentle touch in healing their wounds (Psalm 147.3). He is not a cold, heartless god. Instead, He is a compassionate Father who witnesses our suffering and comes close to offer solace and restoration. Knowing that a compassionate Higher Power understands and empathizes with our struggles brings comfort.

God’s strength shines brightest in our moments of vulnerability. In his testimony, Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12.10). Even when dealing with chronic illness, our physical limitations do not diminish our value or the boundless potential that God sees within us. In 2 Corinthians 12.9, He assures us that His grace is more than enough and that we realize His power in moments of vulnerability. Through the divine power given to us, we can echo Paul’s words, which were spoken in the context of Christ seeing us through times of need and plenty: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NASB).

Despite not aligning with the divine’s original plan, chronic illness can catalyze positive transformation in our lives. There is a comforting belief that all events in life unfold with purpose. An often-quoted verse that supports this idea is Romans 8.28. In its original context, this verse speaks to what God has done throughout human events for the benefit of His people, explicitly bringing us Christ and the Church. However, just like the concept of the butterfly effect, the things God does here and there through His providence touch and change our lives in unseen and unexpected ways. Therefore, we find comfort in the steadfast faith that our compassionate Creator carefully arranges every aspect of our lives, even amid our suffering.

In a society that values productivity above all, the existence of chronic illness can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insignificance. However, God’s love for us is not dependent on our productivity or abilities. Jesus extends a heartfelt invitation, saying, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11.28 NASB95). Our true worth lies not in our accomplishments but in the essence of our being as cherished offspring of the divine (Acts 17.28). We tend to look at surface beauty, but the divine gaze penetrates deep into the core of one’s being (1 Samuel 16.7).

Ultimately, we can find comfort by trusting in God’s caring embrace. Peter encourages us to cast our worries and burdens on him since he deeply cares for us (1 Peter 5.7). In moments of weariness, God extends His gentle hand, offering strength to those who seek comfort. He lifts those who trust Him, enabling them to rise above the world’s troubles like majestic eagles in flight (Isaiah 40.29–31). Amid our struggle with chronic illness, we find solace and renewal within the embrace of a merciful and omnipotent God.

In times of trial, the comforting presence of God’s Word reminds us that we are never alone. God understands our struggles and promises to support us with His unwavering love and strength. By embracing the timeless wisdom within it, we can find comfort and stability even in difficult times.

…

Praying Like Christ

Carl Pollard

Very clearly seen in His ministry, Jesus believed that prayer worked. He realized the effectiveness and power of prayer. Because of this, He had an intimate relationship with the Father. Before He came to this earth, He was close to the Father. He refused to let His flesh separate Him from God. He had a desire to spend time with the Father. 

Sometimes, our motivation to pray is put out because we doubt that our prayers will work or make a difference. I for one have gone through periods of time where I failed to pray as I should, solely because of doubt. 

This is straight from the mouth of Satan. What better way to weaken our faith than to place doubt in our minds in the Creator to which we pray through the Son? 

What happens is we get this view of prayer that its all about the prayer requests. Not that it’s wrong to ask God for help, or pray for the sick, but all too often we see prayer as a help wanted billboard. We miss the point of prayer if this is all we see it as! Prayer is about talking with our Father, building and maintaining our relationship with our Savior! 

How close would you be to your physical father if the only reason you called him and talked to him was to ask for favors? Prayer is all about connection. If we reduce prayer to nothing more than asking for things, we have failed to pray like Christ. 

Making requests is one of the many needed aspects of prayer. It is true that Jesus spoke confidently to God, and requested things. 

God is more than willing to answer His obedient children. James tells us that the prayer of a righteous man is effective. Jesus believed and acted on the confidence that God would answer or hear His prayers. We need to understand the heart and mind of Christ if we are to imitate His prayer life. 

Jesus Was Not Passive. Far too often we believe (or act) as though once we pray about something, we don’t have to do anything more. It’s almost as if we see devotion to God and helping others as being mutually exclusive. We will pray for someone who is hurting, sick, or hungry and then do nothing more. Jesus prayed often, for long periods of time, but He was never passive. He didn’t separate faith from action. Jesus would pray, then heal. He believed, then acted. He would preach, then live what He taught. Why do we think it would be any different? Could it be that we are the answer to our prayers more often than we realize? 

Maybe we are the ones to comfort those who are mourning. Maybe we are the ones who are supposed to feed the hungry. Maybe we are the ones who need to study with the lost. It’s important we pray for others, but we cannot be passive and expect our prayers to be answered. 

Jesus warned against being passive in Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus is teaching about the final judgment we will all face in the end. 

Notice how Jesus rejects those who aren’t concerned for the physical wellbeing of others. He will have nothing to do with Christian’s who fail to have an active prayer life (33-40). A prayer by itself won’t clothe someone. Prayer by itself won’t fill an empty stomach. A prayer with no action will never give someone a drink. Jesus accepts those who DO SOMETHING. Prayer should open our eyes to the needs of those around us. 

If we have a say in the matter, if we have the ability to change someone’s circumstances WE ARE THE ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS. 

Jesus will reject a spirituality that is not concerned for the tangible needs of those around us. People matter to God. So much so that our eternity depends on how we care for anyone we may meet. Don’t get me wrong, God expects us to pray for others (Jesus’ example of prayer included praying for our enemies, and those we love), but He also expects us to be His hands and feet. 

James 2:14-17, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Unfortunately, we often use prayer as a substitute for action. In fact, it sounds so spiritual to say that we will pray about it; but highly hypocritical to have the tools and resources to do something about it but not act. Wives, how would you feel if you went to your husbands and asked them to put together that piece of furniture you bought from the store and they answered by saying “I’ll be praying about it.” Maybe you need the oil changed on your car and they say, “I’ll definitely be praying that gets taken care of.” How frustrating would that be? 

At some point our prayers should open our eyes to the works we should be doing! Like Jesus, we should pray as though it all depended on God, but act responsibly and obediently as though it all depended on us.

Apple-Cation Of Spiritual Leadership

Dale Pollard

The Adam’s Apple takes its name from a Jewish myth which states that God caused the forbidden apple to become lodged in Adam’s throat after swallowing. In reality, the Adam’s Apple is made up of the thyroid cartilage and is the same tissue that makes up your nose, ears, and windpipe (i.e., trachea). The voice box and windpipe have several kinds of cartilage, which work together to make sure your airways stay clear and that you’re able to speak.

Ironically enough, one of Adam’s biggest failures in the garden had to do with his speech— or lack of it. Adam should have spoken up when his wife first spoke with the serpent. He should have said something or perhaps even grabbed her hand and walked elsewhere as they headed towards the forbidden tree. He certainly should have spoken up when the serpent offered her the fruit. Genesis gives us a small detail that almost places the blame squarely on Adam. 

“She gave to her husband who was there with her…”  Genesis 3.6

Adam was there! So why didn’t he speak up? Today men can fall into this same sin of silence. Just because an argument could be made that Adam was setting the right example by not eating the fruit himself (at first), there’s more to spiritual leadership than simply not doing something wrong. Maybe Adam didn’t see any obligation to speak on behalf of Eve? Maybe he was convinced by the serpent himself. Either way the bottom line is this, a lack of spiritual leadership in our congregations and homes will lead to sin. If the serpent is allowed to speak to our families through music, media, or any other medium— the consequences are the same. There’s a fall. Spiritual leadership requires more from men than just avoiding sin ourselves, it must include actively guiding our families away from what’s forbidden. It demands our full time attention. 

“Now The Sons Of Eli…”

Neal Pollard

After reading the beautiful story of a distressed, barren woman who was able to have a son and who dedicated him to the Lord (1 Samuel 1), we turn to the much darker, tragic story of the High Priest and judge of Israel, Eli, and his sons in 1 Samuel 2:11-36. We read of much better things of Hannah’s son, Samuel. He “was ministering before the Lord” (18). He “grew in the presence of the Lord” (21). Like Jesus in Luke 2:52, “Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man” (26). But it was not like this with Hophni and Phineas. Notice how Scripture describes them in 1 Samuel two.

They were worthless (11). Literally, they were “sons of Belial.” This means worthlessness, wickedness, and good-for-nothing. It would be difficult to think of a more unfavorable way to be memorialized by God in scripture. Their deeds, which Scripture reveals, will show us why they are remembered this way. 

They were ignorant (11). More specifically, they were ignorant about the Lord. What irony! The men whose job it was to minister to the people on His behalf according to the law are described as those who “did not know the Lord.” The word “know” suggests to observe, realize, experience, recognize, be concerned about, and care about (Holladay 128-129). Merely going through the motions of worship and service does not guarantee that we know the God we serve. Hophni and Phineas did not!

They were sinful (17). This is a general assessment of their behavior among the people. “The sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord.” They showed this by treating “the offering of the Lord with contempt.” It was holy, but they treated it as unholy! How audacious was their sin? “They lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting” (22). Instead of reverently ministering to God, treating Him as holy at the time and place of worship, they were there committing fornication! 

They were obstinate (25). Their father, Eli, pleaded with them to repent. He admonished them, “but they would not listen to the voice of their father” (25). Is there a condition any worse than an unwillingness to listen to instruction? Truly, “a foolish son is destruction to his father” (Prov. 19:13). 

They were indulged (27-36). No doubt, Hophni and Phineas were “worthless,” but who did God make liable? Eli! God sent a rebuking prophet to him, not his sons (27). God charged Eli with “scorning” (“kicking,” NAS, NKJ) His sacrifices and offerings. He indulged himself and acted without self-control, and he left that example for his sons (29). It was tantamount to despising God (30). God promised judgment and destruction on his house. He was a poor example to his children, and he was responsible for their behavior. He was “unfaithful” in his duties (cf. 35). While they are grown by the time we read of them in 1 Samuel two, they obviously were not disciplined and trained as they should have been. God makes that clear.

Children are a legacy concerning our priorities, influence, and values. More often than not, they are a reflection of us. That can make us rejoice or regret. In Eli’s case, he would rue his sons’ actions to the day of his death (4:18). May we do all we can to esteem highly the Lord’s instructions for our homes (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4)! 

The Qualifications Of Elders

Gary Pollard

I Timothy three deals with the qualifications of Christian men who want to be elders. 

1 — Wanting to be an elder is a good thing. 

2 — An elder must have a squeaky clean reputation, both inside and out of the church. He also has to be faithful to his wife. A man who isn’t faithful to his wife certainly can’t be faithful to the bride of Christ. 

3 — An elder can’t be alcoholic or violent; he should be known for being gentle and peaceful. He also can’t be materialistic. Since elders who preach, teach, and work hard deserve to be paid (5.17-18), this shouldn’t be a weakness for them. 

4-5 — Are repeats of verse 2, but expands this to an elder’s family. If he neglects his family’s spiritual health, he’ll neglect the church’s spiritual health. 

6 — An elder can’t be a new Christian. 

7 — An elder has to have the respect of people who aren’t in the church. 

Verses 8-13 are the qualifications for deacons. They’re nearly identical to elders, and the faithful-to-their-wives issue is repeated here. This section has been a source of controversy for years, but it’s explained very clearly in 3.11-12: they must be faithful to their wives, and their wives must also have the respect of other people. It also applies to widows in 5.9 — they have to have been faithful to their husbands (and meet some other qualifications) to be financially supported by their church family. 

Praying Paul’s Prayers

Carl Pollard

Seeing Paul’s prayer life and how strong it was and how much he relied on it shows me how much I lack in my personal prayer life. A major eye-opener is reading about the absolute and total trust that he had in prayer. 

In Philippians 1:3-8, we read Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving. Most often in our own prayers we are not specific in our requests. And it seems like more and more, the only times we pray is when we need something. But this is not the case for Paul. Just by reading through a few of his prayers you can see his genuineness and the true relationship that he had with God.

Not only did Paul have a genuinely healthy personal prayer life, he also didn’t pray for just himself. The next time you read one of Paul’s prayers, notice in how detailed a way he prays for others. In Philippians 1, we read of how he prayed for the Christians there. But he wasn’t vague; his prayers were specific to their needs. He prayed that they would approve the things that are excellent, that they would be sincere, that they would be without spot, for their perseverance, that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness, and that God would be praised and glorified.

Paul recognized the power of prayer and what praying for others can accomplish. And I think sometimes we can forget just how powerful prayer truly is. Most say, “All we can do now is pray.” But we have it all wrong when we say this. The very first thing we should do in trials and struggles is to pray. We see our greatest example, Jesus, do this before He went to the cross. We read of Paul and how he was always praying for others.

Paul prayed for the Philippians’ perseverance, and we need to persevere in our prayers during trials. Paul says in Philippians 1:3-4, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy…” He says “every prayer” not some or a few of his prayers. He was dedicated to praying. Paul tells the Philippians he prayed that “your love may abound more and more…” And I pray the same thing, that our love may grow more for others and that we might be able to pray for others more and remember their needs when we go to the Father. 

The Dream Team

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

Proverbs 1.8-9 

“My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.”

  • Hear: More than just the process of hearing words spoken. The idea is to do something with the valuable information given, i.e., follow it. 
  • Instruction of your father: Just like ignoring proper building instructions/blueprints leads to an unstable house, ignoring wise instruction from the older and more experienced will lead to an unstable life. 
  • And do not forsake the law of your mother: Solomon emphasizes the importance of God’s design for the family. It’s the duty of both father and mother to provide wisdom (James 3.17) in the form of instruction (Prov. 4.13, 8.33, 10.8, 10.17, 12.1, 19.20). 
  • For they will be a graceful ornament on your head and chains about your neck: Training a child to fear the Lord begins with teaching children to have a proper fear (respect/reverence) of their parents and their seniors. For additional motivation, Solomon includes the maturing child’s reward. The ornaments and chains represent an upgrade in social status. As a general rule, godly teaching in the home, when combined with a willingness to hear— leads to financial and social success. 

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” 

– Ex.  20:12

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, that it may be well with you and you will live long on the earth.” 

– Eph. 6:1-3

“Future Form” (1 John: Part Six)

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary Pollard

I’ll be repeating the book of I John in present-day terminology. It’s not a true translation of the book, as I am not qualified to do so. It will be based on an exegetical study of the book and will lean heavily on the SBL and UBS Greek New Testaments, as well as comparisons with other translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, ERV, NLT). My goal is to reflect the text accurately, and to highlight the intent of the author using concepts and vocabulary in common use today. 

This is not an “essentially literal” translation, and should be read as something of a commentary. 

Future Form

Look into the kind of love the father gave us: we can be called “God’s children,” and we actually are! The rest of the world doesn’t know us, but that’s because they never knew God. 

We are God’s children right now, but we have no information about what we’re going to be in the future. What we do know is this – when it’s made known, we’ll be just like him. We know this because we’ll be able to see him the way he is now! 

Anyone who has the kind of hope that comes from him is pure, the same way he’s pure. 

“The World” (1 John: Part 5)

Wednesday’s Column: Third’s Words

Gary Pollard

I’ll be repeating the book of I John in present-day terminology. It’s not a true translation of the book, as I am not qualified to do so. It will be based on an exegetical study of the book and will lean heavily on the SBL and UBS Greek New Testaments, as well as comparisons with other translations (ESV, NASB, NIV, ERV, NLT). My goal is to reflect the text accurately, and to highlight the intent of the author using concepts and vocabulary in common use today. 

This is not an “essentially literal” translation, and should be read as something of a commentary. 

The World (Cont.)

Anyone who denies that Jesus is the chosen king is a liar. Anyone who rejects the father and the son is an enemy of Jesus. Anyone who rejects Jesus rejects his father, too. 

But anyone who acknowledges Jesus partners with the father, too! It’s important that you stick to what you’ve heard from the start. If you do, you are partners with the son and the father. Through this message we’ve been promised eternal life. 

I’m writing to you because people are trying to deceive you. He chose you, and that stands – no one needs to teach you anymore about it. When he chose you, you learned everything you needed to know. His choosing you was legitimate, not a deception. Stick with him. 

Stick with him so that whenever he’s revealed, you can be confident. You don’t want to be disgraced when he comes back. If you know he’s morally perfect, then you really know that every person who practices moral excellence is his child.

Homesick

Thursday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

Carl Pollard

I’ve never been a homebody. I tend to get stir crazy if I’m there for more than a few hours. While this may be true here on earth, this won’t be the case in Heaven. Homesickness is a desire to not only be back in a familiar place, it’s a longing to be around the ones you love and care for. 

I long for the day when I’ll never have to be away from the ones I love again. When the body of Christ, past present and future will all be together. Forever at a home free from tears. Forever at home with likeminded brothers and sisters. Forever at home with the Father, His Son, and the Spirit. 

We will be with the Father that crucified His Son. We will be with Christ, the one who hung on a cross for us. We will be with the Spirit who gave us the Words of life. Philippians 3:20 says, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Heaven is our true home. It’s where we belong. And it’s where God wants us to be. 

I’m homesick for heaven because it is my true home. The sad reality of heaven is that not everyone will be reunited. The wives who walked alone with God. The husbands who tried so hard to save the soul of their dearest friend. The parents that pleaded to their wayward children to come home to no avail. The heartbreaking reality of eternity is that some will get to heaven and notice family members and loved ones are missing. 

I don’t want to be the rich man in Luke 16  who wanted to warn his family but it was too late. The question we must ask ourselves, will I be the one missing in heaven? If sin is controlling your life, God will judge you based off of your decisions. Don’t be the one missing in eternity. If your family is lost, don’t stop trying to save their soul. 

How Deep Is The Father’s Love?

Thursday’s Column: Learning From Lehman

Kason Eubanks

There is a story about a father building his daughter a wheelchair from the ground up after she got paralyzed in a car crash. Her father was willing to do all the research and put all the time in to building a wheelchair for his daughter who he loved so much. I don’t think I would trust my dad to make me a wheelchair, but this father demonstrates the love he has for his daughter and the lengths he would go to to keep her safe. We are told in multiple different ways how deep the Father’s love is. As the song goes, “Why should I gain from His reward I cannot give an answer.” I want to share just three points with you tonight why we gained from his reward.

The first one is that His love is so deep that He created us. Genesis 1:27 says that God created man in His image. Since we are made in God’s image, we are His special creation. In return for Him to love us so much we need to love Him and obey Him.

Then when we messed up God loved us so much that He gave His only Son for our sins (John 3:16). He was willing to do anything for us as His children. I know this is a point that is used a lot. Would you give your son? Not just your son, but your only son. Now I don’t have children but I’m sure that if I did that I would not be willing to do that. If you go on to verse 17 it says that He did it so that we might be saved. If we do what is commanded here on earth we will have an eternal home.

The third point we gained from his reward was because he loved us so much that He wanted us to have an eternal home with Him. Go back to John 3:16. It says that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. Now going back to the example I gave just a moment ago. I don’t think I will ever love anyone enough to give my son. Now let’s back up for a minute and ask ourselves why do we not love each other that much? We are all God’s creation so we should love others like God tells us.

Thinking back to my childhood when my dad would get mad at me I failed to realize that he loved me enough to help me do right. God loves me enough to give me the opportunity to stand up here and give this devo. And God loves everyone of us enough to give His only Son for our foolishness.
And now our job is to love Him so much to obey his laws.

Rescuing Your Brother

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

Friday night’s snow storm was almost blizzard-like, in manner if not in measure. With the winds, visibility was near zero. The drive from the church building to our house, all 8.8 miles of it, had to be negotiated at speeds of about 20 miles per hour at times. It was the first night of our gospel meeting with Melvin Otey, who did an excellent job! In attendance were all of our sons and their wives. I’m grateful that all three of our children learned to drive in Colorado and have a lot of experience handling snowy conditions. But, as a parent, you are never without concern. Thanks to Life360, I could watch their progress. And I did. I watched as one by one each made it to their homes. Only one of them did not. I saw that one of them was stuck at “0 MPH” kind of in the middle of nowhere. Thanks to cellphones, I could call him. Turns out that he had slidden off the road and was stuck. Another of our sons was not far away and he was able, with difficulty, to reach them and take them to his home. I watched every bit of it “unfold” on Life360. The saga ended with their safe arrival at 12:30 AM. They were able to pull out his truck without difficulty or damage. It turned out as well as it could.

This all made me think about what the heavenly perspective must be like. The Father does not rely on an App to see fuzzy details of His children’s situation. He sees with the perfect omniscience and is present with the perfect omnipresence of an Almighty God. While He has the power to do whatever He pleases, He has bound Himself to allow His children to exercise free will. When one of His children drifts into danger, He is dependent upon others of His children to rescue them. I am reminded of how anxiously He desires their safe return, how thankful He is when others of His children intervene, and how joyful He feels when He sees His children safe at home. Do you remember in the parable of the prodigal son? Luke 15:20-24 shows the joy and celebration of a father overjoyed that his son, astray in a sinful condition, had come back home. He could not contain his happiness. That story depicts God.

It also makes me appreciate Paul’s words in Galatians 6. “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ” (1-2). Or James’ closing admonition, that “if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (5:19-20). It should be the natural response of one brother who knows of another brother overtaken and astray to act, to “restore” and “turn him back.” The Father is happy when this happens! The stakes are infinitely higher than physical safety. Eternity is in the balance! Is there a brother or sister out there who needs you and me to rescue? If so, it is time for us to act! Consider the Father. Consider the brother. Let’s go get them back!

Friday night at Lehman

The “Active” Older Brother

Neal Pollard

You might accuse the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son of many things, but laziness is not one of them. In fact, notice what all he does as Jesus introduces him to us:

  • He came and approached the house (Lk. 15:25)
  • He heard music and dancing (Lk. 15:25)
  • He summoned a servant and inquired (Lk. 15:26)
  • He became angry (Lk. 15:28)
  • He answered and said to his father (Lk. 15:29-31)

In fact, throughout the parable, he’s constantly saying or doing something regarding the situation of his broken brother who had returned home. However, for all his activity, nobody admires him. Instead, we are disgusted by his behavior. That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to get out of this, since this brother represents the Pharisees and the scribes (Lk. 15:1-2). 

When we remind ourselves that this son never left home, we do well to let him cause us to examine ourselves if we are “faithful Christians.” When others offend me and sin against me, do I have the Father’s disposition of heart? Am I eager to receive and forgive? I may be tempted to get my mouth, my attitude, and my actions involved in such a way that’s active, but actively opposed to peace and reconciliation. Maybe it’s slandering that brother or even the Father. Maybe it’s actively working to hurt and punish the penitent. Maybe it’s holding a grudge that we refuse to let go. Maybe it’s nurturing resentment. 

If we are “mature” and “spiritual,” won’t we make sure that we do right no matter what our prodigal does or doesn’t do? Galatians 6:1 governs our actions. We must guard against being “in the right,” but being wrong! Let’s channel our energies and efforts toward what serves the Father’s purposes. We are to work in His vineyard, accomplishing His agenda! We cannot be too actively engaged in that (Gal. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 4:1). 

Dan Winkler delivering a different, richer lesson on the older brother at FHU today.

Jane Roe/Norma McCorvey

Neal Pollard

She was used by pro-abortion and pro-life groups, but in fairness nobody outdid Norma McCorvey at trying to use others for personal advantage. Her effort to abort her third child, in Texas in 1970, was the case used to go to the Supreme Court. By the time the appeals process wound up in legalizing abortion at the federal level, her baby was almost three years old and in the home of adoptive parents. She was the product of neglect and horrible abuse, was promiscuous, bisexual—though mostly lesbian, and was known to try to make her way by hook or crook for most of her life. She tried to leverage her infamy into financial advantage or at least a living wage.

It’s wonderful to see that this tormented woman publicly changed her position regarding the right and sanctity of the unborn, but her home life and adult life symbolize the growing immorality stemming from a breakdown in the home. A father fairly well abandoned his role in the home. Alcohol and drugs complicated and clouded the decisions and thinking within the home. Sexual immorality created multiple problems. Sin was perpetuated from poor examples there (The Washington Post, Emily Langer, 2/18/17).

Pew Research found that 46% of “U.S. kids younger than 18 years of age are living in a home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage. This is a marked change from 1960, when 73% of children fit this description, and 1980, when 61% did” (Gretchen Livingston, 12/22/14). This is only part of the story. I know of several scripturally divorced and remarried couples, with blended families, who have raised righteous, believing children. But, the general breakdown of the home is at the heart of so many of society’s woes.

The foregoing is far from revelatory. Sermons, articles, and Bible classes have trumpeted it for years. What I see in our broken society is endless opportunity. It will require patience, time, and lots of love, but homes like the one McCorvey grew up in and the one she attempted herself are craving what only Christ can supply—fulfillment, joy, peace, and direction. That is where you and I come in. Let us remember what we’ve been told by God: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Let’s be shining!

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