My wife and I have been slowly working our way through the story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25–36, just the two of us, Bibles open, spending quality time in scripture. We’ve tried to read carefully, letting the text speak for itself without rushing to conclusions. What’s struck us most is how raw and real this family is, flawed people making painful choices, yet God’s bigger plan somehow keeps moving forward through the mess.
The tension between the brothers starts long before they ever speak a word. Even in the womb, they struggle (Genesis 25:22–23), and God tells Rebekah that two nations are inside her, with the older serving the younger. When we read Paul’s reflection on this in Romans 9, it hits home: God’s choice isn’t based on what we do or deserve, it’s His mercy, His call. That truth is a comfort when we’ve felt like our own family patterns or mistakes might derail everything. From the beginning, this story reminds us that God is sovereign, even over dysfunctional beginnings.
Then comes that heartbreaking moment in Genesis 25:29–34 when Esau trades his birthright for a bowl of stew. We’ve talked a lot about how the text doesn’t excuse Jacob’s opportunism, he’s calculating and manipulative, but it lingers on Esau’s choice: he “despised his birthright.” It wasn’t just hunger; it was a deeper disregard for what God had given him. My wife and I have had to ask ourselves hard questions: What do we treat as disposable when we’re tired, stressed, or chasing something immediate? We’ve seen how easy it is to let momentary frustration or desire eclipse what really matters eternally.
Genesis 27 is tough to read aloud. Jacob lies to his blind father, steals the blessing, and runs for his life. There’s no sugarcoating here, no heroic justification. The consequences are immediate and brutal: fear, exile, broken family ties. God’s promise to Jacob holds, but Jacob doesn’t escape the fallout of his sin. That’s been a sobering reminder for us: even when God chooses us, our choices still carry real pain, for ourselves and the people we love.
The turning point is Genesis 32. Jacob wrestles all night with God (or the angel), refuses to let go until he’s blessed, and walks away with both a new name, Israel, and a permanent limp. We’ve come back to that image again and again. Growth rarely comes without struggle; blessing often arrives through humility and dependence. That limp has became a proof that God can transform even the most stubborn parts of the heart.
And then there’s Esau in Genesis 33. Esau runs to meet his brother, throws his arms around him, kisses him, and weeps. After years of hurt, after Jacob’s betrayal, Esau chooses grace. Who in our lives are we still holding resentment toward? What would it look like to run toward reconciliation instead of away from it?
Studying this account together has reminded us that God works patiently through real struggles, through favoritism, deception, exile, and hard-won forgiveness. Growth usually comes slowly, often painfully, but He is faithful to shape us over time. The story of Jacob and Esau encourages us to hold our values loosely for the things of this world, to repent quickly when we’ve wronged others, and to trust God’s good purposes even in the fractured relationships we care about most. We’re grateful for these ancient brothers; they’ve become unexpected companions on our own journey toward humility, healing, and hope.
Fifteen months after a dear Christian was withdrawn from for a sin addressed in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, that one came back home and was restored to fellowship last Wednesday. Both decisions, the withdrawal and restoration, were accompanied by a lot of emotions. But when repentance was publicly demonstrated, tears filled many eyes and smiles adorned many happy and relieved faces. Much that occurred in that moment is truly hard to put into words. With one young person making such a humble, courageous decision, we saw so many powerful things happen at the same time.
God’s plan works when we work His plan.
Godly elders acting with love and courage should be commended, not condemned.
Such elders did what they did out of deep love for a wayward soul.
Discipline, done right, is loving.
Sometimes we are asked by God to do things that make no earthly sense to us, but submission is required whether or not we understand or agree with them.
Christians, especially friends of the fallen, who submit to a righteous decision from the leadership help bring a soul back home.
A good heart, touched by the power of the gospel and by exhorting friends, can be softened and led back home.
While there is time, there is opportunity.
Seeing people’s faith in God’s Word confirmed is exciting and encouraging.
The more invested people were in retrieving the fallen, the more joy and relief seemed evident.
If there is an “older brother” in our congregation, “he” is yet to be identified.
Satan cannot be happy, and we must help guard this precious soul from him.
Our task is to reaffirm our love for this one, to provide needed comfort and to put this permanently behind us all.
It is hoped that we never have to go through with this here again, but if we do we should refer back to this situation.
It is not our prerogative to pick and choose what truths to accept and reject.
The specific passages were not cited with each of those bullet points, but one can gain insight from such vital passages as Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 2 Corinthians 2:6-11, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20, Hebrews 12:5-17, and 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15. They help us understand what God would have us do, how He would have us do it, and why He would have us do it. We cannot outthink Him or devise a better plan. Not every wayward soul comes back home, tragically. But when such matters are handled in the right way with the right spirit, we are doing the most extreme thing we can do “so that his (or her) spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Cor. 5:5). May these lessons learned not be soon forgotten.
Let us search our hearts with ruthless honesty, bringing every hidden sin, every cherished idol, every secret compromise into the light of Christ’s presence. Let us choose Peter’s path of humble repentance over Judas’s path of proud despair.
Brent Pollard
The Humanity of Christ in the Face of Betrayal
In John 13:21-30, Christ reveals a profound insight into His humanity. Jesus, with a troubled spirit, revealed the identity of His betrayer through an act of fellowship—the sharing of bread. Jesus’ action was not a casual disclosure. The text reveals a Savior who experienced the weight of impending betrayal with genuine human anguish. He had chosen someone He knew to be a devil (John 6.70), and now the hour had arrived for that devil to execute his dark purpose.
Even in this moment of revelation, we witness Christ’s unwavering mercy. His acknowledgment of what Judas was about to do served as a final lifeline extended to the infamous traitor—one last opportunity to turn back from the precipice. This enduring mercy is a beacon of hope for all of us, reminding us that no matter how far we may have strayed, Christ’s grace is always within reach.
The Hardening Power of Unrepentant Sin
Sadly, Judas’s love of money and his own twisted ambitions had calcified his heart against both the deeds and words of Jesus. He had already negotiated his treachery, his mind fixed on the thirty pieces of silver promised by the chief priests (Matthew 26.14-16). Here we see a sobering truth: sustained exposure to Christ does not guarantee transformation. One can walk in the very presence of the Son of God and yet remain unmoved, unchanged, unredeemed.
The text tells us that “Satan entered” Judas (John 13.27). But what does this mean? We must resist the temptation to absolve Judas of responsibility by imagining some irresistible demonic possession. No, Satan did not override the will of a helpless man. Instead, he exploited the foothold Judas had already granted through his unrepentant sin, his corrosive greed, and his fundamental lack of faith. The phrase “Satan entered” signifies Judas’s complete surrender to the evil influence he had been cultivating in his own heart. It marked a decisive point of no return, the final rejection of Jesus’s appeals to repentance.
The Reality of Moral Agency Even in Darkness
Here we encounter a mystery that the shallow mind cannot fathom: even after Satan entered Judas, he retained sufficient moral agency to feel guilt, to return the blood money to the chief priests, and ultimately to take his own life (Matthew 27.3-5). This remorse, though powerful, was not genuine repentance. True repentance would have driven him to God for forgiveness, as Peter’s denial later drove him to weeping restoration. Instead, Judas’s guilt led only to despair—a worldly sorrow that produces death rather than the godly sorrow that leads to salvation.
James illuminates the progression: a person becomes enslaved to sin by yielding to their own lust. When that lust conceives, it gives birth to sin. When sin reaches full maturity, it brings forth death (James 1.13-15). Judas walked this path to its bitter end, each step a choice, each choice hardening the next.
The Contrast of Two Betrayers: Judas and Peter
The story of Judas serves as a stark warning about the human capacity to reject grace, even when confronted with overwhelming love and unmistakable conviction. While God’s offer of salvation extends to everyone, it requires a willing and humble heart to receive it. Judas’s ultimate fate—despair and suicide—stands in sharp contrast to Peter, who, despite his own devastating denial, turned to Jesus in repentance and received complete forgiveness.
Both men betrayed Christ. Both felt crushing guilt. Yet their responses diverged at the crucial point: Peter ran toward mercy; Judas ran from it. Peter believed forgiveness was possible; Judas believed his sin was unforgivable. This stark contrast serves as a powerful reminder of the impact our choices can have on our lives.
Practical Warning: The Danger of Walking with Jesus Without Surrender
Judas serves as a tragic example of someone who allowed his lust for money and power to lead him toward betrayal and destruction. His story reveals an uncomfortable truth: even people who walk closely with Jesus, witness His miracles, hear His teachings, and participate in His ministry can fall prey to the temptations of this world if they do not genuinely surrender their hearts.
What distinguished Judas from the other disciples was not the absence of sin—they all sinned—but the presence of unrepentant, cherished sin that he refused to bring into the light.
Closing: A Call to Self-Examination
The question Judas’s life poses to each of us is searingly personal: Are we cultivating hardness in our hearts through unconfessed sin? Are we, like Judas, close to Jesus in proximity but distant in devotion? Do we serve Him with our hands while withholding our hearts? The grace that could have saved Judas is the same grace offered to us today. But grace must be received, not merely observed. You should embrace it rather than acknowledge it.
Let us search our hearts with ruthless honesty, bringing every hidden sin, every cherished idol, every secret compromise into the light of Christ’s presence. Let us choose Peter’s path of humble repentance over Judas’s path of proud despair. The same Christ who extended mercy to His betrayer still extends it to us—but we must reach out and take hold of it before our hearts grow too hard to feel His touch. The time to respond is now, while the Spirit still speaks, while grace still calls, while the door of repentance remains open. Tomorrow may find us, like Judas, having crossed a point of no return that we never saw coming.
When disaster strikes, people instinctively seek meaning. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and earthquakes tore through Haiti, a famous televangelist swiftly claimed these events were acts of divine retribution. While such statements may seek to provide a sense of cosmic order, they often do more harm than good and reveal a troubling misunderstanding of God’s character in our modern world.
Brent Pollard
When disaster strikes, people instinctively seek meaning. After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and earthquakes tore through Haiti, a famous televangelist swiftly claimed these events were acts of divine retribution. While such statements may seek to provide a sense of cosmic order, they often do more harm than good and reveal a troubling misunderstanding of God’s character in our modern world.
This impulse originates from retributive theology, which holds that God punishes sin through physical means, such as natural disasters. This view has deep roots in the Old Testament, where Israel’s covenant promised prosperity to those who obeyed and calamity to those who rebelled. In this unique covenant between God and a nation, God linked physical blessings and curses directly to the nation’s spiritual faithfulness.
But does that system still govern our world today?
A Covenant of Earthly Consequences
To understand this question, we need to revisit ancient Israel—a time when God’s people constituted a literal nation with defined borders, laws, and a temple. In this theocratic context, God sent droughts, diseases, and foreign armies to discipline His people and urge them to return to faithfulness. Prophets like Elijah (1 Kings 17.1) and Amos (Amos 4.6-11) proclaimed these judgments with divine authority, and Israel’s history unfolded as a visible drama of obedience and its consequences.
Even within the Old Testament, a deeper mystery unfolds. The story of Job—a righteous man who suffers beyond human comprehension—challenges the idea of simple retribution. When Job’s friends insisted that his suffering must be a sign of hidden sin, God rebuked them (Job 42.7-8). Their critical mistake was presuming to speak for God about matters they could not fully understand.
A Kingdom Transformed
Christ’s arrival transformed everything as profoundly as dawn breaks the night. God’s people are no longer confined to a single nation or governed by stone tablets. We are now citizens of a spiritual kingdom, shaped not by geography but by grace, led not by thunder from Sinai but by the gentle voice of the Spirit.
Nowhere in the New Testament do we see God threaten the Church with natural disasters as punishment for sin. While divine discipline is still a reality—“the Lord disciplines those He loves”—its nature has undergone a profound transformation (Hebrews 12.6). The Spirit convicts hearts, churches correct, and the consequences manifest in individuals’ souls rather than in their harvests.
When Calamity Comes
This fact does not imply that God is distant when disaster occurs. He remains sovereign, with His providence still overseeing the wind and waves. However, we need to carefully distinguish between stating that God can use tragedy for a purpose and claiming that He caused it to punish specific sins.
When people asked Jesus about a collapsed tower that killed eighteen people, He did not speculate about the victims’ sins. Instead, He gave an urgent yet gentle reminder: “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13.5 NASB95). This statement suggests that tragedy is not proof of others’ hidden wrongdoings, but rather a call for us to examine our hearts.
All creation suffers under the weight of sin, and hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires are symptoms of a world fractured by the fall, not signs of an angry God pacing heaven’s battlements. Even amidst such brokenness, He draws near with compassion.
Discipline Refined
God’s discipline today is not diminished but refined. It comes through the quiet grief that follows sin, the loving correction of faithful friends, and the Spirit’s gentle whisper through the Word. No longer does God thunder judgments from mountaintops—He writes His corrections on our biblically trained consciences through grace.
Claiming that every disaster represents divine judgment misinterprets both the grace of the New Covenant and the nature of our Savior. Christ did not come to condemn the world but to save it (Luke 19.10). The cross speaks more profoundly than any hurricane—there, God’s justice and mercy met, and love triumphed.
Our Response
When disasters inevitably strike, let us respond with compassion rather than blame. Let us be Christ’s hands, lifting those who have fallen and rebuilding what tragedy has broken. Before we point out the faults of others, let us examine our hearts. Above all, let us offer hope instead of theories.
We live not under wrathful skies but beneath a gracious banner. If God speaks through storms today, it’s not to destroy but to awaken, not to punish but to invite.
In this broken world, the Church’s message must never be “They got what they deserved” but “Come, weary soul, and find rest in Christ.” He doesn’t send floods to wash us away but offers living water to make us whole.
Growing up, my brother and I had blowgun battles. We’d roll up paper, shape sticky notes into cones, stick bobby pins in the tips, and—voila—homemade blowgun darts. These weren’t toys! One day, I’m hiding behind a wall, and Dale, from across the kitchen, spots my hand. He shoots with deadly aim. One second I’m fine;
Carl Pollard
In the book of Acts, we find two moments where people were “cut to the heart” by the preaching of God’s truth. In Acts 2, Peter, filled with the Spirit, preaches on Pentecost, and his words cut thousands, leading to repentance, salvation, and the start of the church. In Acts 7, Stephen’s bold preaching before the Sanhedrin cuts their hearts, but instead of turning to God, they turn to rage and murder. Two cuts, two responses—one to life, one to destruction. What made the difference? How do we respond when God’s Word cuts our hearts?
To get this, we need to dig into “cut to the heart” in the Greek. In Acts 2:37, after Peter preaches about Jesus’ death and resurrection, we read, “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart.” The Greek word is katanyssomai, a rare term meaning “to be pierced” or “stung sharply.” Picture a dart hitting your conscience. Growing up, my brother and I had blowgun battles. We’d roll up paper, shape sticky notes into cones, stick bobby pins in the tips, and—voila—homemade blowgun darts. These weren’t toys! One day, I’m hiding behind a wall, and Dale, from across the kitchen, spots my hand. He shoots with deadly aim. One second I’m fine; the next, a dart’s stuck in my wrist, needle in the bone! Talk about pain! We yanked it out, and my wrist instantly swelled up. When Acts 2 says “cut,” it’s not a paper cut—it’s deep. Peter’s words pierced their core, exposing their sin, and they cried, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
Now, Acts 7:54. Stephen’s preaching cuts the Sanhedrin’s hearts (“enraged,” ESV), and “they gnashed at him with their teeth.” The Greek word here for “cut” is diapriō, meaning “to saw through” or “cut violently,” like a saw tearing through wood. Their hearts were cut, but with rage, not godly sorrow. Two men stabbed by the same sword: one drops to his knees, seeking a medic; the other, enraged, grips the blade, worsening his wound. Both are cut, but one seeks life, the other death. How often has Scripture stepped on your toes, called out your sin? Ever felt that stab of conviction? Jesus’ words cut the rich young ruler, and he walked away (Mark 10:21-22). In John 6:66, many left after Jesus’ hard teaching. God’s Word is meant to cut and convict, but not all accept it.
In Acts 2, Peter preaches to a diverse crowd on Pentecost, declaring Jesus, whom they crucified, as the risen Messiah. The gospel hits, and they’re “cut to the heart.” They ask, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). That day, 3,000 souls were added to the church. Why? They didn’t resist. They saw their sin—guilty of killing God’s Son—and felt the weight. They humbled themselves, repented, were baptized, and found life. David was “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22) because he listened and obeyed when God’s Word cut him, even when he messed up. God’s Word will call out your sin—lying, lust, pride—and show you the way out. The Acts 2 crowd chose life through humility.
In Acts 7, Stephen, full of faith, stands before the Sanhedrin, exposing their rebellion. He says, “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:51). The truth cuts deep, but they gnash their teeth, rush him, and stone him, making Stephen the first Christian martyr. Why? Their pride wouldn’t budge. Like Pharaoh in Exodus, whose heart hardened with each plague (Exodus 7:13-14), they rejected the truth to protect their status. Imagine a doctor diagnosing a deadly disease, saying, “Surgery can save you.” One patient trusts and lives; another storms out, angry, and dies. The Sanhedrin chose the latter—truth exposed their sin, but pride blinded them.
Humility separates these responses. Acts 2’s crowd humbled themselves, sought mercy, and found grace. Acts 7’s Sanhedrin clung to pride, choosing judgment. Proverbs 15:33 says, “Before honor is humility.” James 4:6 adds, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Be like Acts 2, not Acts 7. How will you respond when God’s Word cuts? First, listen with an open heart. Hebrews 4:12 says God’s Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit.” Don’t push it away. Second, submit and obey quickly. The Acts 2 crowd didn’t delay—they repented and were baptized. Like the prodigal son (Luke 15), run to God when truth hits. If you’re in their shoes, repent and be baptized—don’t wait. You don’t know when you’ll stand before God. Third, seek God’s help. He empowered Peter and Stephen’s preaching and convicts us today. Pray for a soft heart. Has God’s Word cut you? Is there sin you’ve ignored, a relationship to mend? Will you choose life through humility or death through pride?
A recently vomited-out foreigner comes walking through your massive city, uttering five words repeatedly. They are frightening, threatening words. There are 120,000 of you and one of him. What would you do?
A Complete Repentance (3:1-10)
Neal Pollard
We do not know if the Lord cleaned up Jonah’s body from the effects of being in the stomach of a fish for three days and nights (1:17). If not, the bleaching effects of the gastric juices of that creature might have given the prophet a harrowing appearance! Nonetheless, he comes to Nineveh with a bold, unapologetic message. God gives Jonah a second chance, sending him to Nineveh to preach. The prophet dutifully obeys, preaching the message God gave him (2).
The city is described as a large, massive place, even by modern standards. Hannah notes, “the city was surrounded by an inner wall and an outer wall. The huge inner wall (50 feet wide and 100 feet high) was about eight miles in circumference while the outer wall encompassed fields and smaller towns (viz., Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen; cf. Gen. 10:11–12). The words “great city” probably included the city of Nineveh proper and its administrative environs” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1468).
You can imagine the intimidating task faced by Jonah, walking through the bowels of this wicked city with a message of rebuke. Even given his distaste for these people, it would have been difficult to do this job. So far as inspiration records it, Jonah’s sermon consisted of but eight words in English (five in Hebrew and five in Akkadian, the language of the Assyrians). Can you imagine merchants stepping out of their shops, slaves walking along the streets, men, women, and children stepping out of the doors of their homes, soldiers huddled together, officials on their way to meetings, all seeing and hearing this Jewish prophet proclaiming over and over again, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (4). Something about the exercise not only reached the people’s ears, it touched their hearts.
The People Believed (5). Jonah flatly reports as much. Faith came by hearing the word of God (cf. Rom. 10:17). Their faith would be demonstrated by their “deeds” (10).
The People Repented (5-10). Notice the words in the text that prove this. They called a fast (5), they adorned themselves with sackcloth (5), they called on God (8,10), and they turned from wickedness and violence (8). They looked into their lives and saw with sincerity and humility the sin that characterized them, and from the heart turned away from it (cf. Rom. 6:17).
The People Trusted (8-10). They acted with hope and belief that God would “relent and withdraw His burning anger” (8). They understood that the God Jonah preached had such power and had made such determination against them. They simply threw themselves on His mercy (9). Please notice that God saw it, and it caused Him to relent “concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it” (10). It is possible for believing, penitent people who submit to God to change His mind and alter the course of their future! They throw themselves on the mercy of God, and they find Him abundantly merciful (cf. Luke 1:78; Jude 21)!
Perhaps Jonah found perverse delight in discharging such a dire message, but the next chapter reveals he is not surprised that God responds so favorably toward the Assyrians. He’s sorely disappointed, but not at all shocked. It is incredible that, once again, the unwilling prophet enjoys unparalleled success at reaching the hearts of pagan, Gentile people. First the sailors, now the entire population of Nineveh–120,000 (4:11). As with all of this book, this chapter is about God’s heart and His character. Nineveh finds Him just, but also gracious. Anyone who looks honestly at His person makes the same discovery (Psa. 86:15)!
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.
The Bible makes it very clear that every one sins (Rom. 3:10, 23). The Apostle John was a very righteous man. When all the other apostles ran away as Jesus was arrested and put through so much agony, John went with Jesus all the way to the cross (Jn. 19:25-27). He was called “the disciple whom He loved” (Jn. 13:23). But, this great apostle said, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8). The apostle Paul confessed to the fact that he struggled with sin, despite the fact that we recognize him as a faithful, fruitful Christian (Rom. 7:14-25).
The question is, “Do I need to be baptized every time I sin?” The Bible makes it very clear that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. From the first time Jesus was preached to people, they asked what they should do. They were told to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38). The last New Testament scripture to deal with the sub- ject of baptism says, “Baptism saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21). There is no doubt but that God requires a person to be baptized in order to be saved.
However, once one is baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27), he or she does not cease from sinning. That would be nice, but it is impossible (cf. Rom. 3:23). We still struggle with temptation, weakness, and desires of the flesh. Yet, nowhere do we read in the New Testament of a command, example, or implied statement concerning being baptized to cover each sin one commits as a Christian. That is significant. We follow the New Testament as the pattern for our conduct, worship, and teaching on all matters.
So, what does a person do as a Christian when he or she sins? Let us return our focus to 1 John one. There, John writes, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (6-10). First, notice that one can claim to have fellowship with God but will disprove that claim by walking in sin. One cannot walk in darkness and have their sins covered.
Second, notice that fellowship with God is maintained by walking faithfully in Christ. The blood that forgives our sins in baptism continues to cleanse us as our walk is righteous. However, “walking in the Light” is not the same as sinless perfection. What John says in the next three verses proves this. We are actually sinful to claim sinless perfection (8,10).
Third, notice what one does to maintain fellowship with God while coping with and trying to overcome sin. In verse 9, John speaks of an honest awareness of the presence of sin in our lives that leads us to confess our sins. Some deny, defend, or excuse their sins, but that makes one like those John warns about in verses 8 and 10. Instead, a humble, penitent heart that is quick to see and acknowledge the presence of sin in his or her life is one who will enjoy cleansing from a God faithful and just to forgive such sinners. How does a Christian handle personal sin? Do not make it a matter of lifestyle (7), but when sin does occur be ready to confess it (9).
One other element implied by John and explicitly stated by Peter is the idea of repentance. In Acts 8, a man named Simon committed sin. Peter rebuked him for the sin, saying, “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you” (22). Repentance and prayer are necessary acts for a Christian who sins. Paul praises the Corinthians for following the same pattern to handle their sins as Christians (see 2 Cor. 7:10-11).
It would be wonderful if we did not sin as Christians, but such is just not possible. Thus, when we do sin, we need to have an awareness of it, a heart that is sorry about it, and a determination to overcome it, repenting of it, confessing it, and praying about it.
As we reflect on the Bible’s questions, we can begin with the first question mentioned in its pages: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3.9). To provide context, Adam and Eve had consumed the forbidden fruit. God came to them in the cool of the day. When the guilty couple heard God, they hid because they felt the weight of their sin. Even though God knew where Adam and Eve were, He still posed our question. So, what is its purpose?
From a literary perspective, this question is a masterstroke, injecting tension and driving the narrative forward. God’s question sparks a dialogue that redefines the dynamics between humans and their Creator and among humans. The Bible is not just a compilation of stories but a source of divine inspiration that can profoundly impact and transform lives.
We can see that God is asking a rhetorical question to benefit Adam and Eve rather than himself. God is not seeking information but rather prompting Adam to consider his actions and their consequences. God intends for the question to prompt introspection, guiding Adam (and Eve) to contemplate their present circumstances, encompassing both their physical concealment and spiritual transgression. The question is rhetorical because it aims to highlight the rupture in Adam and Eve’s relationship with God resulting from their sin. The rhetorical question extends beyond its immediate context for contemporary readers, encouraging them to examine their lives and relationships with God. It serves as a timeless prompt for introspection and spiritual reflection.
God’s question is also a powerful pedagogical tool because it encourages self-examination, promotes accountability, facilitates dialogue, illustrates consequences, invites reflection, and employs inquiry-based learning. These elements make it an effective means of teaching important spiritual and moral lessons.
However, this inquiry was also an invitation for Adam to confess his sin, seek reconciliation, and demonstrate humility. If Adam had confessed right away, he would have shown a willingness to be honest and accept responsibility for his actions. This act of repentance could have demonstrated his humility and willingness to admit his mistake as soon as he realized it. While the fundamental consequences of sin, such as the curse and expulsion from Eden, may still apply, Adam’s prompt confession could have led to a more compassionate handling of those consequences, with mercy outweighing justice.
This question holds significant relevance for modern-day readers. Throughout history, God has consistently asked, “Where are you?” in a spiritual context, encouraging individuals to reflect on their spiritual condition. This inquiry urges us to reflect on our connection with God and our moral compass. Therefore, it serves as a metaphor for self-awareness in both spiritual and ethical aspects. Note the theological implications:
Self-awareness and Spiritual Condition: Theologically, “knowing where you are” frequently refers to understanding your current spiritual state. This includes recognizing your relationship with God, your moral standing, and areas where you may fall short of divine expectations.
Repentance and growth: We recognize that the first step toward spiritual growth and repentance is acknowledging one’s spiritual state. One must identify their separation from God before embarking on the journey back.
Accountability: Being aware of one’s spiritual state promotes personal responsibility. When one knows where one stands spiritually, ignoring or justifying behaviors contradicting one’s faith is more difficult.
Humility: Recognizing where you truly stand concerning God and His standards can help you cultivate humility, which God regards as a critical virtue.
Divine-human relationship: Recognizing your spiritual position can deepen your connection with the divine, leading to heartfelt prayer, genuine worship, and a clearer realization of your dependence on God.
Discernment: Knowing your spiritual state can help you understand God’s will and make faith-based decisions.
Eschatological preparation: Understanding your spiritual standing is crucial for preparing for death, judgment, and humanity’s ultimate destiny.
Authenticity in faith: Self-awareness promotes a more genuine faith experience, rather than just going through religious motions without real engagement.
Appreciation of grace: Understanding one’s true spiritual condition can lead to a greater appreciation for divine grace by recognizing the gap between where one is and where God calls one to be.
The theological concept of “knowing where you are” is often linked to practices such as self-examination, confession, and spiritual direction, illustrating its practical applications. We see it as an ongoing process, not a one-time realization, promoting continuous spiritual growth and faith.
In conclusion, God’s profound inquiry, “Where are you?” echoes throughout history, surpassing its Genesis roots and retaining relevance for spiritual self-examination. This inquiry is a poignant prompt for spiritual self-examination, accountability, and personal growth. It prompts us to contemplate our relationship with God, assess our moral integrity, and consider our place in the broader faith narrative. In our spiritual path, God perpetually calls us to respond to this inquiry verbally and through our deeds. Consistent self-reflection leads to deeper understanding, authentic faith, and transformative grace, nurturing spiritual growth. Ultimately, God’s question encourages us to engage in a conversation that can lead to reconciliation, spiritual development, and a deeper connection with the divine. Amid modern life’s intricacies, let’s take a moment to reflect: where are we positioned on our spiritual path, and how will we respond to this enduring call?
As Paul works his way through some of the challenges and issues the Corinth congregation was dealing with, he turns his attention to an awful situation. As he says, “It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife” (1). This was being openly practiced at the congregation, and Paul compares how they were reacting to how they should react. Even if the congregation unanimously embraced this situation, the end result would not be unity in truth. As Moses said in his day, “You shall not follow a multitude in doing evil” (Ex. 23:2).
Paul rallies them to unite in doing what pleased God. This began with amending their hearts, mourning rather than being arrogant (2). It should be followed by removing this man from their midst (2). Based on the report (presumably from Chloe’s household), Paul already knew what needed to be done (3). While the term “church discipline” is not used in the text, that is the action. Paul uses such words and phrases as “deliver to Satan” (5), “clean out” (purge, 7), “do not associate” (9,12), and “remove” (13). Why was such a drastic action necessary?
“THAT HIS SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS” (5)
By withdrawing fellowship from him, the goal was to induce his sorrow and cause his repentance. This relationship was unrighteous, and it would cost him his soul if he did not end it. How uncaring is it to validate an unscriptural relationship, knowing what Scripture says about it? Paul is about to write that fornicators and adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God (6:9).
“A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP OF DOUGH” (6-8)
Paul calls this the leaven of “malice and wickedness” (8). Allowing sin unchecked and unaddressed to continue in a congregation does not make the sin all right. It allows the influence of sin to spread throughout the congregation. Remembering that the church is the body of Christ (see chapter 12), how can the body act in rebellion to its head and still please God? For the purity of Christ’s body, this action must be taken.
THERE IS GUILT BY ASSOCIATION (9-11)
Paul expands this beyond just the situation of the man with his father’s wife. He says not to associate with the immoral, covetous, idolatrous, reviling, drunkard, or swindling brother in Christ (11). Even eating a fellowship meal with them sent them the message that they were okay living in rebellion against God. Remember, this is not about vengeance or angry resentment. This was about honoring God’s will in a matter that God’s word clearly addresses.
IT IS AN EXERCISE OF DIVINE JUDGMENT (12-13)
This was not a matter for human courts, which in most civilizations do not legislate morality. This is an “internal matter,” a child of God “judged” by the people of God according to the will of God. God established the pattern.
When I preached in Virginia and Colorado, the elders in both churches practiced church discipline. It was done in such a loving way, with the elders first going to the individuals in various sinful situations and pleading with them to repent. When they refused, the elders brought the matter before the congregation urging any and all with any influence and relationship to plead with them. When that did not work, they announced that it was necessary to withdraw fellowship from them. There was no angry or hateful rhetoric, no gleeful attitude that such an action would be taken. To the contrary, it was as sad and solemn a moment as I’ve experienced in the family of God. I am happy to say that I have witnessed on several occasions the ultimate repentance and return of some of these wayward Christians. That was the goal in every situation. It would seem to me that one of the most neglected, disobeyed commands among God’s people is the practice of church discipline. It is unpleasant, frightening, and unpopular, but it is what God commands. God knows what is best and what is the best way to handle every situation among us. We should always trust Him and submit to His pattern for handling every difficulty and dilemma among us. The end result is biblical unity.
It’s a new year. For many it’s an opportunity at a new beginning – a fresh start, a second chance. I want to begin tonight with a lighthearted story about how a couple of second chances helped me.
When I was about 5 or 6 my older brother unintentionally tried to kill me, at least twice. The first time, we were outside playing, and we found these large bushes, pokeweed. These plants and the berries are poisonous, but we didn’t know that. I read that if you cook the leaves and berries properly, you can eat them. However, what you shouldn’t do, especially as a small child, is convince your younger brother to eat a handful of these berries. I googled for curiosity’s sake how many berries were dangerous, and it said that as few as 10 would make the average adult sick with all kinds of symptoms or some reports even said death. We went to the house and my mother knew exactly what I had done, the evidence was smeared all over my hands and my face. She called poison control, and they told her to give me this syrup that would make me sick to my stomach and I’d throw up the berries. Sure enough about 45 mins later – no more berries.
The second time was a little more serious. We had this storage building out back, it had a small lean-to shed on the back side. One of the sides was perfect for climbing on. Since we were expert climbers my brother had the idea – let’s get up on that roof so we can see everything better. We shimmied our way up the side and made it up onto the roof. If that had been the end of the story that would’ve been great…but wait, there’s more. My brother noticed something coming from the side of the building. He was referring to the electrical service, and the power lines that were coming off the pole and into the side of the storage building. “I wonder what happens if you touch those?” Listen guys I’m smart it just hadn’t kicked in yet. So yeah, I walked over and grabbed them and believe me when I say they grabbed me right back. I’ve told this story 100 times and everyone seems shocked and surprised, but I can assure you, not nearly as much I was!!
Second chances are given to us all the time and come in a variety of ways. They happen in our everyday lives, our careers, our marriages, relationships with our families our friends, and our relationship with God. God gives us second chances because he loves us, and he knows us and knows we need them.
God is a God of second chances. Throughout the Bible we study about people who have sinned or made mistakes, altered their courses in life but are still given a second chance by God.
1. For example, Jonah had fled from what God had commanded him to do yet was given a second opportunity to go to Nineveh and spread His word to the people. (Jonah 3:1-10).
2. David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he turned away from Him when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, had Uriah killed, then his son died because of the evil he had done (II Samuel 11 and 12) but still God loved him, and he was a great king.
3. Rahab was a prostitute. She didn’t live a wholesome life, but she changed the course of her life when she did something for good. She hid the spies in Jericho. When the city was destroyed, she was rewarded. Only she and her family were saved. (Joshua 6:22-23)
4. Paul once was a persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:1-3). He was converted into a Christian and baptized (Acts 9:18). He became one of the most influential missionaries, authors, and apostles of the first century.
5. Onesimus was once deemed useless. After being given a second chance Paul describes him as beloved servant, and brother to him. He was willing to do anything for him, even pay his debts. (Philemon 11-17)
The list could go on and on. The point is that God’s love, his mercy, and by His grace through faith, we can all be saved (Eph. 2: 4-8). God forgives our sins and gives us a fresh start. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) Every day we wake up is another chance to make changes. God’s steadfast love never ceases, his mercies never come to end, they are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
As important as it is that we don’t forget about God giving us second chances, Let’s not forget we are to extend second chances to others. We all have family, friends, coworkers, even sometimes church family that we don’t always see eye to eye with. We don’t need to settle for division, we need to strive for unity. (1 Peter 3:8) As Jesus taught, we are to forgive others as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). We are also encouraged to show kindness, love, and grace to others – just as God has shown us (Ephesians 4:32).
God’s second chances are such a blessing to us. We need them, he knows that we do. He’s not a mean God, “He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalms 103:10). He doesn’t want us to fail, but second chances aren’t meant to be free passes for us to keep returning to sin. (Romans 6:23) “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He sent his son to die for us so that we could have as many chances as we need to make things right and grow closer to him before its too late.
Each new morning the sun rises, God is giving us a second chance. A chance to improve our lives, mend broken relationships, work on those New Year’s resolutions – that I hope we haven’t already broken. This year let’s not squander our second chances, but instead savor them. Let’s make the most of those opportunities to do good, to do things that glorify God, and that will help us walk closer to him. If 2023 just wasn’t the year for whatever reasons, then begin this year on the right foot. Let 2024 be your second chance.
Guilt is a struggle that many Christians deal with frequently in their walk with God. Those moments of weakness where we give in to sin often leads to guilt. In fact, we should have a godly guilt that leads to repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). But if we aren’t careful, guilt can hinder us from pursuing a relationship with God.
I John 1:7 is a reminder of our complete and total forgiveness in Christ, but it is conditioned on our willingness to walk in the Light. Walking in the light means scripture is our guide. It shapes our worldview, our behavior, our teaching, our relationships, and our faith. True Christian living takes letting Christ impact our daily lives.
If, in this continual effort we fall short, Jesus’ blood continually removes sin and keeps our conscience clean before God. This does not mean that once we are saved, we’re always saved and can do nothing to fall from grace. Paul clearly states in Romans 6:1-2, “What, should we continue to sin that grace might grow? May it never be.”
Others have gone to the other extreme and teach that one sin is enough to cause someone to fall from grace and walk in darkness. This is not what scripture teaches! As Christians we can have confidence in our salvation (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:38-39; John 3:16). The problem is teens and adults sing songs about crucifying Christ “every time they fail.” How do we expect to live guilt free if we are constantly worried that our relationship with God is in jeopardy?
Several years ago when my faith was not mature and in need of growth, I had the mindset that I had to just hope for the best. That if I died it would be in a moment where I was in good standing with God. Sadly, you ask most Christians if they are going to be with God for eternity and the majority will answer with “I hope so.” There should be no doubt in our minds concerning our spiritual standing with God!
Guilt can be an effective tool that Satan uses on Christians, but we must also not be so willing to take advantage of God’s grace.
As Gary Pollard so wisely once said, “Truth exists, as it usually does, in the middle of two extremes.” If our life is not characterized by sin but by genuinely seeking after God and following His word, the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us. Don’t let ungodly guilt keep you from learning and growing in Christ.
What do you know about the book of Hosea? At the head of the Minor Prophets, Hosea is often known as the book about the prophet and the prostitute. But it is much more than that. It is a book about a marriage commanded by God between His messenger and a “wife of whoredom” that reflected a marriage made by God with His chosen nation. The prophet’s name means “deliverance” but it was written to warn about the northern kingdom about impending judgment and destruction. Certainly, the prophet reveals the spurned Husband offering Himself as the only means of salvation which the people foolishly were rejecting for a relationship with cruel, unrighteous idolaters who desired only to use and abuse them. It was written during an extremely prosperous time for the Northern Kingdom, when Jeroboam II reigned. 2 Kings 14:25 says he “restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher.” He was mighty and recovered cities for Israel that had been taken from Judah (2 Ki. 14:28). But, while they prospered militarily and economically, they were spiritually destitute.
But it is not simply about terrifying judgment on a rebellious nation. It is a love story, though it was a tragic story of unrequited (i.e., unreturned) love. Like Hosea’s wife would leave him for her lovers, Israel left God for idols. Like Hosea went and redeemed his wife despite her faithfulness, God longed for Israel to return to Him. Despite her rejection, He would say to her, “How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender” (11:8). While judgment is implied even in that (Admah and Zeboiim were destroyed alongside better-known Sodom and Gomorrah), it is not what God wanted.
It is also good to look for the “New Testament” sprinkled throughout this book. Not only does the theme reflect a desire God has for people today through Christ, but there are quite a few passages in the New Testament which quote from this relatively brief Old Testament book. Here is my list:
Hosea 1:10 is quoted in 1 Peter 2:10.
Hosea 2:23 is quoted in Romans 9:25.
Hosea 6:6 is quoted in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7.
Hosea 10:8 is quoted in Luke 23:30 and Revelation 6:16.
Hosea 11:1 is quoted in Matthew 2:15.
Hosea 13:14 is quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:55.
So, we see everything from Christ’s infancy as a human to His victorious resurrection foretold in this great, Old Testament book. An overriding principle to see as we walk through the book is that though God will punish those who absolutely refuse to return to Him, He loves us with a perfect love and desires nothing more than a relationship with us. We need to be wise and touched by that truth and be faithful to Him!
(Photo credit: Kathy Pollard, March 2018–the valley of Jezreel taken from Mt. Carmel)
Humble Yourself – The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4
One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor. Proverbs 29:23
Respect the Lord – The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33
Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14
MAKE THINGS RIGHT
Turn Your Lips – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
Turn Your Life – Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8
One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. Proverbs 14:16
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Proverbs 16:17
HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
Pray Confidently – For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6
Pray Humbly – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12
Pray Ready – Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce Proverbs 3:9
MAKE THE RIGHT REQUESTS
Seek Him – Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it completely.Proverbs 28:5
Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice. Proverbs 29:26
Speak to Him – The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.Proverbs 15:29
Make Godly Requests:
“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me.” Proverbs30:7-8
Seek His Favor – A good man obtains favor from the LORD – Proverbs 12:2
Seek His Answers– The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. – Proverbs 16:1
The writer of 2 Kings is constantly diverting his attention from Israel to Judah and vice versa. So, he introduces us to Azariah, also known as Uzziah, anointed king over Judah at age 16. We will read much more about him in 2 Kings 15, but he seems to be referenced here only to give us the chronology for when Jeroboam II is anointed king of Israel. It is in the 16th year of Uzziah’s reign that Jeroboam comes to the throne. This will be the next-to-last generation in the dynasty of Jehu, but his son, Zechariah (29), will be murdered after six months. When he ascends to the throne, Israel only has about 70 years left before they are destroyed by the vicious Assyrians. God has been patient with Israel for almost 150 years, as king after king behaves just as Jeroboam will behave: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin” (24).
He will reign 41 years over Israel, an evil king over a wicked and disobedient people. But, these are God’s people, Abraham’s descendants and once part of the United Kingdom. If we do the impossible and try to put ourselves in God’s place, can we imagine giving to and doing for a people who are continually unappreciative, rebellious, and unfaithful? How long could we go before we ran out of patience? How many times could we be betrayed and hated by the recipients of our generosity before we gave up on them? Or, having God’s power, how long before we destroyed them all? God will go over 200 years, restraining Himself as His people served other gods and gratified their flesh.
Isn’t it amazing how much grace and kindness God shows to this faithless people? The Jonah who God graciously sends to the Assyrians to preach repentance (Jonah 1:1) is also sent to Israel (25). Despite Jonah’s flaws, his ministry seemed to be to extend God’s grace to an unrighteous people. Then, read what the author says about God and Israel next. “For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, which was very bitter; for there was neither bond nor free, nor was there any helper for Israel. The Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash” (26-27). You want insight into the heart of God, as He deals with our sins? He cares when His people suffer. He views us with compassion, sympathy, and concern. He doesn’t want to reject us or let us go. God sent His prophet Hosea to this very people and speaks His mind on this subject: “How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me, All My compassions are kindled. I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath” (Hosea 11:8-9).
No one will be able to legitimately say at the Judgment, “God, you were harsh, hasty, and hateful!” No, even in the face of faithlessness, God shows His matchless grace! His patience can be exhausted and His justice will not allow impenitence to go unpunished (read Exodus 34:7). But let no one accuse God of reckless wrath! He is the God of unending love. May this lead us to repentance (Rom. 2:4) and faithfulness (Rev. 2:10)!
Maybe you’ve heard of this well-known Southeast Asian method of trapping a monkey. This simple method only requires the hunter to get a coconut or some kind of container that’s hard to break and carve a hole that’s big enough for a monkey’s hand that’s open—but not big enough when its clenched up in a fist. What these primates won’t do even as they see the hunter approach them is unhand the bait. Therefore, their fist inside the coconut traps them there until they are caught.
The principle of the monkey trap can be found in many aspects of life, and it is not foreign to the Bible either. In Matthew 19:16-30 (cf. Mk. 17-31; Lk. 18:18-30) is a story we know very well, in which a rich young ruler asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus knew in that moment what exactly that young man needed to hear and told him what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life. However, because he was so rich and did not want to part with his wealth, the young man became sad.
We don’t have Jesus in the flesh in front of us to tell us exactly what we need to do in order to get into heaven, but that does not mean that we are lacking in any way. Through the pages of God’s inspired Word, we are being taught and guided what is required for us to enter into Christ and live a faithful life.
The challenge for us, therefore, is not that we do not have Jesus to tell us what to do. No—in fact, we have him right here with us, around us, and within us. All around us is the presence of God and our savior. What it boils down to, then, is our fisted up hand inside the trap.
We may look at the monkey that’s trapped by such a simple device and laugh, but don’t we often find ourselves shackled by the one or two sins that keep plaguing our lives? For the rich young ruler, it was his wealth, but this isn’t about being rich or poor. Even those without money can be chained by their sins that they cannot let go.
It’s the beginning of a new year. A time people usually spend contemplating how this new season of life will play out. How many times have we told ourselves, “I will stop this time,” or “I’ll work on this and get better about it.” When will we loosen our fists that grip so hard on the things that drive us away from God, and finally let go?
The rich young ruler could not let go, and therefore he became sad. Knowing what he needed to do, he still failed. Not because he wasn’t told nor because he didn’t understand. It was a willful decision to choose what’s in his fist rather than Jesus. He teaches us a lesson through this unfortunate outcome. How many times does God tell us through His Word exactly what we need to do, just like Jesus did with the young man? Let us be better in the coming year, to finally thwart off the chains that bind us. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” God has already rescued us. It comes down to us deciding that we want to be saved, rather than be shackled by what’s in our stubborn fists.
If you want to win on the battlefield, you need to know your enemy and yourself, as Sun Tzu outlined in The Art of War. We are engaged in a spiritual conflict (Ephesians 6.11–13). As a result, in order to arm ourselves against sin, we must first recognize sin and its nature. Additionally, we need to be aware of how God will respond to any sin not atoned for by the blood of His Son. Finally, we must also properly respond to sin’s threat.
How can sin be identified?
First, it is a transgression of the law (1 John 3.4). By definition, transgression is “the act of passing over or beyond any law or rule of moral duty; the violation of a law or known principle of rectitude; breach of command” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary). Accordingly, “transgression” describes instances in which we break the law, whether on purpose or accidentally. This infringement only needs to happen once to be considered a transgression.
Second, all unrighteousness is regarded as sin (1 John 5.17). Looking back to Webster’s original definition, we can see that unrighteousness “may consist of a single unjust act, but more generally, when applied to persons…denotes a habitual course of wickedness.” In other words, this is a condemnation of willful sinners. This is more than just breaking the law; it’s a deliberate decision to disobey God.
Third, anything not of faith is a sin (Romans 14.23). As Burton Coffman observes: “Where the conscience is in doubt, the definition of proper conduct must be made on the basis of what the word of God says; and, lacking any clear knowledge of what the word says, or, if knowing it, lacking full confidence and faith in it, the person is bound by his scruples.” This principle does not extend to situations where the conscience is not threatened.
Contextually, Paul is referring to the consumption of meat offered to idols. Meat offered to idols was technically forbidden (Acts 15.20). However, if the origin of the meat was unknown, you could gladly accept it. If, on the other hand, your host identified the meat source as coming from a pagan sacrifice, you couldn’t eat it for the sake of your conscience and the consciences of those who might see you and stumble as a result (1 Corinthians 10.27–29).
Fourth, God defines sin as not doing something. “So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin” (James 4.17 NASB). This sin is the most concerning of all the ways we fall short. We’re aware of potential threats, but can we also spot opportunities? We can become so preoccupied with avoiding what is wrong that we miss out on what is right.
Now that we have identified sin, what is its nature?
First, sin is deceptive (Hebrews 3.13). You’ve probably heard the phrase “bait and switch.” That is what sin is. It makes promises that it cannot keep. It lures us with the appearance of pleasure, success, and freedom only to enslave us with guilt, shame, and emptiness.
Second, sin hardens the heart (Hebrews 3.8). It’s worth noting that the original Webster’s Dictionary from 1828 contains a definition for “harden” in this context. To harden means “to confirm in wickedness, opposition, or enmity; to make obdurate.” Oxford Dictionary defines obdurate as “stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.” As a result, the practice of sin causes one to become stubborn and reject God’s goodness in favor of the allure of sin.
Third, sin progresses (2 Timothy 3.13). David is a fantastic example of this. When one reads 2 Samuel 11, he finds David atop his palace when he should have been in the field with his soldiers. David could see into Bathsheba’s courtyard from his rooftop. He was moved with lust when he saw her bathing and had her brought to him. He had an affair with her, and she became pregnant.
Instead of admitting his sin, David brought the woman’s husband home, assuming they would have marital relations and that others would perceive his illegitimate child as her husband’s. Because he was such a great soldier, the woman’s husband forsook home comforts while he and his comrades fought. As a result, David orchestrated his death on the battlefield. When David paused atop his roof that fateful day, he had no idea what would happen. We can see, however, how quickly and far sin led him.
Fourth, sin’s pleasure is fleeting (Hebrews 11.25). Consider the phenomenon of intoxication. While under the influence, one may feel giddy or relaxed, but when sobriety returns, there may be things to deal with, such as headaches and the stupid things you did while drunk.
Fifth, sin’s price is astronomically high. (Romans 6.23). What a dreadful boss! Sin rewards you with death for your faithful service.
Sixth, sin dulls the conscience (1 Timothy 4.2). Paul depicts a conscience seared with a branding iron. He is discussing false teachers in the immediate context. One might wonder if such a person would repent if lovingly shown the truth. Unfortunately, there are times when one’s conscience is seared. They continue to teach falsehoods despite knowing they are false.
Note how God responds to sin.
God takes vengeance upon it (2 Thessalonians 1.7-9). We find this thought-provoking discussion about vengeance in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:
“The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense. Such infliction, when it proceeds from malice or more resentment, and is not necessary for the purposes of justice, is revenge, and a most heinous crime. When such infliction proceeds from a mere love of justice, and the necessity of punishing offenders for the support of the laws, it is vengeance and is warrantable and just. In this case, vengeance is a just retribution, recompense or punishment. In this latter sense the word is used in Scripture, and frequently applied to the punishments inflicted by God on sinners.”
God punishes it (Matthew 25:46). This outcome is because, as Webster stated, God’s actions are just. God does not punish sinners because He is sadistic or because He can. Instead, God takes action because the punished person has done something deserving of the punishment. And this punishment is eternal (Matthew 25:46). Words like “eternity” are mysterious to us as beings defined by time. However, from our perspective, even one second of our skin’s exposure to fire feels like a long time. Consider a scenario in which the flames never die, and one cannot escape them.
Now is the time for a proper response to sin and its character.
We must adequately address sin. (Proverbs 28.13). However, hiding sins will not remove them. God reminds us that sin will eventually betray us, revealing its presence to all (Numbers 32.23). We can’t avoid our sins by pretending they don’t exist (1 John 1.8–10).
No, God has provided the means to save us. This method is known as the plan of salvation. “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” Peter says (Acts 2.38 NASB). We must walk in the light of God once He adds us to Christ’s body (1 John 1.7; Acts 2.41, 47).
However, because everyone has sinned, including God’s children, repentance never loses relevance (Acts 8.22). Similarly, we must confess our sins (1 John 1.9). By doing so, we have the assurance of Christ’s cleansing blood.
Lastly, keep away from sin by obeying the Lord’s command. “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NASB). Paul also urges us to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5.22 NASB). Trust in the Lord and obey Him to cleanse your life of sin and receive your soul’s salvation.
The doctrines of “faith only” and “once-saved, always’ saved” have done so much to deceive religious people into believing things about the doctrine of salvation that are at odds with the Scripture, which teach that faith without works is dead (Js. 2:17,20,26) and that it is possible to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 2:20-22). Therefore, many of our Bible classes and sermons have emphasized what the Bible teaches on these matters. We want to avoid an unscriptural position.
In the midst of emphasizing that a faith that saves is a faith that obeys, we rightly teach that repentance and baptism is part of saving faith (Ac. 2:38). We teach that baptism saves (1 Pet. 3:21). It washes away sins (Ac. 22:16). It clothes us with Christ (Gal. 3:27). These are just some of the Bible’s truths about the essentiality of baptism.
There is something we must guard against, however, in our properly emphasizing that baptism not only is part of God’s saving plan but is a pivotal part (1 Co. 12:13; Mk. 16:16; Rom. 6:3-4). We must not believe in “baptism only” or “once-baptized, always saved.” Is it possible to adhere to such a view? Perhaps.
A rush to baptism without grasping why it must be done and what must accompany it is insufficient. We read of people being pierced to the heart by the gospel (Ac. 2:37), asking what they must do, being told to “repent and be baptized” (Ac. 2:38), and receiving that word and doing so (Ac. 2:41). Baptism cannot substitute for the total heart and directional change which the gospel calls for (Rom. 6:17).
The thought that baptism is the end of one’s commitment rather than the beginning is incorrect. As thoughtfully and deliberately as we can, we must teach the totality of discipleship (Mt. 16:24-26) and the necessity of counting the cost of discipleship (Lk. 14:28). Sometimes, the newly baptized conclude that since they have done so everything is settled. While baptism coupled with a correct understanding of Scripture does forgive one’s sins, one must begin and continue a walk in the light of Christ (1 Jn. 1:7-10).
Christ’s Great Commission call to His disciples is to make disciples (Mt. 28:19). That includes baptizing them, but also teaching them (Mt. 28:19-20). In our teaching, we need to do all we can to paint Scripture’s complete picture not only of faith but also of baptism. There is no “magic” in the water (1 Pet. 3:21). Its saving ability comes when done by one who makes “an appeal to God for a good conscience.” We cannot leave babes in Christ to flounder without helping them form roots in Him. They need to know that baptism is not the end, but the beginning.
If someone in our directory has been baptized but shows no other sign of commitment, from attendance to involvement, we need to lovingly help them see that they are not spiritually OK (Gal. 6:1). When they die, we cannot preach them into heaven simply because they were properly taught and baptized years or decades ago. The life in Christ is about a “walk” (Eph. 4:1), not just about a moment when they got wet.
Israel had made political and religious decisions, all of which showed they had left God for the world. Hosea addresses these in Hosea 8. Their national and spiritual interests were to make treaties “among the nations” (10) and make “idols for their own destruction” (4). God did not recognize Israel’s kings and princes (4).
As irrational as Gomer’s decision to leave the love and provision of Hosea for lovers who used and abused her, Israel’s apostasy was self-defeating. On the surface and at the moment, it may have seemed alluring and promised satisfaction. But they were setting themselves up for hurt and failure. Look at how the inspired prophet evaluates their decisions:
They were carrion for the vulture (1).
They were incapable of innocence (5).
They sowed the wind, and they were going to reap the whirlwind (7).
They were swallowed up (8).
They were a useless vessel (8).
They were a wild donkey wandering alone (9).
They were going to writhe in oppression (10).
They had erected multiplied altars for sinning (11).
They regarded God’s laws as a strange thing (12).
They were going to return to a state of bondage (13).
They were going to be devoured by fire (14).
It must have pained Hosea to write those words. No doubt, it pained God to have to say them. But, Israel persisted in her unfaithfulness. What was it like for God to look down, day after day, only to see that His chosen people paid no attention to Him. He never entered their thoughts. They pursued a path He knew would only lead them to hurt and destruction. They sought protection from fallible, wicked people. They offered praise to vain, lifeless idols. All the while, their Creator and caregiver was there wanting to be their shield and salvation!
The application may be obvious. We have the same choices today. We can put our trust in our country and we can make something (work, relationships, pleasure, etc.) the object of our affection in place of God. We may, like Israel, still come to worship (13), but spend our lives with something else laying upon the altar of our heart. That was the condition addressed by Hosea. That was what God illustrates through spiritual adultery. God is belaboring the point, but it’s an eternally important one. He wants us to get it because He loves us so much!
Ancient altar discovered at Manoah (via Biblewalks.com)
It was a great Sunday night crowd. Why not? Between the monthly Q&A sermon, the monthly singing night, and the ice cream fellowship, there were several additional drawing forces. It was so enticing for one grade-school boy that he made the unusual decision to sit on the front row, dead center. If you were there, you probably saw him. If you weren’t, you can see him on YouTube.
This young man had an unobstructed, undistracted view to some significant events. First, he was literally a couple of feet from Hiram as he preached. On multiple occasions, when he posed a question to the audience in his sermon, this young man nodded in silent answer. He was “locked in.” If he moved or squirmed, I didn’t see it.
Second, he witnessed the love, care, and support of the church family during the invitation song. One of our new Christians responded, asking for prayers and expressing a desire to live a more faithful life. Joe not only had the preacher on one side and an elder on the other, but the little boy had to move down to make room for several men who came down front to show their love and support for Joe. This great young man watched the emotion, joy, and concern of a church obeying the command, “confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed” (Jas. 5:16).
Third, he sat there and sang several songs after the response. Each time I looked, he was enthusiastically trying to sing even songs he probably did not know. He has an expressive face, and the prevailing emotions I could see–including when I led–appeared to be all positive and interested.
After services, he was in the multipurpose room (MPR) indulging in some ice cream and having as much fun as a little boy could hope to. He was visiting and playing, and he was eating. Then, he went home.
I did not get the chance to ask him if he enjoyed being at church last night, but I think I know the answer. Children don’t do the best job of pretending, if they do or don’t like something. He appeared to have enjoyed himself. But he did more than that. He served as a great example to me. Not only did he come to the worship, but he came to worship. As he gave, he also received. I’d like to think his experience last night will be something he never forgets, something that serves as a foundation for his spiritual future. His mom brought him last night. Pray for him, that as he grows up, he will develop a faith that brings him to worship and carries him through life (cf. 2 Tim. 1:5).
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me…” (Mat. 18:1-5).
Kevin praying for Joe, with our little fella on the front row (far left next to Bryce)
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