I am studying Romans today in my Survey of the Old and New Testament and Paul is speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jew) and Jews (Messianic) about how a Christian must live. It is here where we see that we are saved by faith but it is interesting to see how Paul conveys his message on just what is expected of Christians.

Paul uses what is called a "diatribe" which is him basically having a dialogue as if someone is asking him questions and he is answering them. This is where it gets pretty obvious that Christians are not only expected to just believe in Jesus but to be obedient. First he addresses how sin entered the world. As we all know, that is through Adam (and Eve), but he goes on to say something interesting about this:
"For just as through one man's disobedience (Adam) the many were made sinners, so also through one man's obedience (Jesus) that many will become righteous. (Romans 5:19)

So this shows us that Jesus comes to undo what Adam started when he disobeyed and sin entered the world. But, does this mean we only believe and call it good? Now enters the dialogue:
After Paul proclaims that when the law came along it served to multiply the trespasses (sins committed), He also says that grace multiplied even more along with it. So the question is asked:

"Should we continue to sin so that grace may multiply" (Romans 6:1)? In response, Paul says "Absolutely Not!" (Romans 6:2) He goes on to pose his own question: "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:2) Then comes the significant part! "Are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3) He then goes on to say that "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in the NEWNESS of life. For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our OLD SELF was CRUCIFIED with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since the person who has died is freed from sin" (Romans 6: 4-7).

What does this all mean? Living by faith is not simply saying, "Yes, I believe Jesus came, died and rose again." It is "crucifying our OLD SELVES" to become NEW in Christ. We are no longer "slaves" to sin but are "slaves" to righteousness. Meaning we are replacing the Master of Sin (Satan) with the Master of Righteousness (God). Now I know the word slave is a little off putting but it was only said in this fashion so Paul's audience could better understand. When we are born and grow up, we are slaves to our flesh/ sinful natures. That is what makes us separated from God. When we choose to accept Christ, that sinful nature dies and we come forth a "new creature". This is why it is called "born again". We no longer obey the commands of sin but we follow a new Master with a new command(s). This is where the Holy Spirit comes in and guides us in following righteousness instead of sinfulness. This is where we see where being a slave to sin leads to destruction, being a slave to righteousness results in eternal life.

Paul talks about many different areas that people today still debate about, but one thing remains constant with both the Gentiles and the Messianic Jews (Judaism and Christianity had not yet split and Christianity was seen as a sect of Judaism in AD 55). We are not only expected to believe in the Savior but to "walk in righteousness" as Jesus walked in righteousness. We are expected to let our "Old Selves" die on the cross with Christ, and emerge new (be resurrected) as one who shares in the glory that is Jesus Christ.

#christianity #faith #JesusFollower #Godisgood #christianliving #Amen

Today in class I learned about a controversial question that I am sure we have all asked ourselves and that is "If God is truly good, why does bad things happen?" So this can't be a one answer question but it is in parts.

First we must ask ourselves:

Would a good God make a world that is capable of love or one that is incapable? The answer of course would be that He would make one that is capable of love, but at the same time to be able to love and it to be genuine, one must have free will to do so. Love without free will is not love. So, in order to have free will, we must have a choice between two things at least. In this case: Choice between love or hate. So this means that we not only have a world that is capable of love but by definition of free will, has to have to capabilities of hate so that it is a choice for all of us. This can be a dangerous ability, free will. So, not only did God give us free will but He gave us an instruction manual on how to use it (Bible). Because free will does not just effect us but everyone around us. So it should be wielded with the upmost care and responsibility.

Second we must think critically:

Sometimes, bad things happen not because of another person (directly) but because of natural evil (tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes). Some of this can be contributed to free will of humans again. We have not taken care of our planet and our planet is now dealing with things that are the consequences of those choices. Also, when one suffers an earthquake and much is destroyed, the choice to then rebuild back on that fault line will lead to further disasters, but that is indeed what happens. Again this is free will which leads to further bad things happening. When we continue to pump poison into our air, it effects the climate which leads to intense weather disasters. This is free will. When we poison our water supplies and our land with pesticides, we then get things such as cancer. This is contributed to human free will.

Third, let us look at perspective:

In Christian theology, this life we live is small in comparison to eternity. So say we have a straight line from birth to 90 years and beyond those 90 years, is eternity. If something bad happens even over the course of all 90 years, it is but a small dot in the perspective of eternity. Meaning, it will be nothing to us because it will be so small in comparison to the range of time we will have for eternity. When something bad happens in our childhood, it becomes more faint in memory as life goes on because it becomes such a small part of such a big life. This of course is not watering down truly evil things that happen to us in childhood but then again that can be referred back to free will and how someone wields it and how it then affected us when we were young.

Fourth, let us look at the idea of what makes something evil.

We all collectively agree that evil is wrong (murder, theft, violence, etc.) But, how did we come to understand it was wrong? It's not a matter of opinion. If it was, then we could erase all evil just by changing our opinions. It is based off of ideas that are of a transcendent nature. This means that it is ideas that have been the same since the beginning of time, regardless of culture or environment. They have withstood time and continue to be the basis we base right and wrong off of. We today can collectively agree that it is wrong and we can come together with this common ground. So where did this idea of right and wrong come from that has transcended all space and time? Well, it was set by an intelligent Creator. God made human beings in His Image so this means that we took on "communicable traits" such as love, mercy, justice, wisdom, and holiness; allowing us to reflect His character in a finite, analogical way. These shared traits enable personal relationship and moral likeness, distinguishing them from incommunicable attributes exclusive to God, such as omnipotence or omniscience.

We have seen the consequences of free choice ever since Adam and Eve made the choice in the Garden of Eden to disobey God. It has been a spiraling situation that has been becoming increasingly worse but Christians have hope because they know that even as this world grows darker and our lives grow shorter, this is not the end of our story. Our lives as long as we may believe them to be, is nothing compared to what awaits us after it is done. So this is the hope Christians have and this is how we can still have joy and happiness in the midst of the turmoil and this is why we try to share our joy and our hope with others because knowing the whole picture, makes the small scenes not seem to important and life shattering. God Bless.

When God set me on this journey He made it known to me that I was called not because I was better than anyone else but because I was capable of saying the quiet parts out loud. I am not here to tiptoe around feelings or to worry about the opinions of flawed men (we are all flawed). I am here to be obedient to God and it has been laid heavy on my heart over the last couple years on how hateful and slanderous Christians have become (even myself at times). Those who claim to be God's representatives, that call people names and act like heathens and then stamp God's approval on it, is not of God but, in fact ; grounded in evil.

If we are Christian, God expects obedience. He is not sending us out to spread hate and derision. He is not calling us to attack others and slander them. He is not depending on Christians to be warriors in a fighting sense. He will not be mocked and does not need us to be his Savior. We are told to be fishers of men. We are to grow his kingdom, not repel and divide. He has warned many as they continue to be disobedient and they continue to do the same thing. What more will God need to do or allow to happen for Christians to wake up? How bad do things need to get before we see we need to come back to God? The unbelievers/pagans will act like this, but those who have the Holy Spirit? How can we say and do the things we do and not feel shame? Do we think we are special? Do we think because we have faith in Christ that we do not have to be obedient to Elohim (God was referred to as this in Genesis during Creation as the plural form of God which means God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit)?

Matters not the leaders we have or the opinions of others. The most corrupt part of humanity is our hearts which are black and cold. Many of us are no better than those we claim are the monsters. Doing the same things we redicule others for. Hypocrites! Many show no compassion. Many only love those who think just like they do. If we do this, how are we any different than the unbelievers/pagans? Even they love those who love them and think like them. Some use God's Word not to bring comfort but to cut others deeply. We are to correct with love and a righteous heart but that is not what many do as they call people names and smear their reputations in front of anyone who will listen. Arrogance and pride comes before the fall and I have never seen so many claim to be of the Kingdom but act no better than those destined for the pits of hell. Wake up before it's to late! If I have angered some of you with this post, then it was meant for you. Not one person will be there to vouch for me on judgement day, only Jesus and so I care nothing about popularity in this world. It's folly and temporary. All of this is temporary and I would suggest that Christians put their efforts in that which is eternal. Wasting time when we don't have much left is not productive and is foolish. Life is but a drop in the bucket compared to things that are eternal. Let us stop being as the pagans and represent God by loving our neighbors even those who do not look, think, or act as we do. Let us not get in the way of God. We must pray for those who are headed down the wrong path because we are instructed to. Many have said that praying is not enough but who better to intervene than God? Do we feel ourselves more powerful than Yahweh? Do we really think that we are more capable to change anything than the Creator of the universe? Even when we speak to others about Christ, it is not us that changes that person but God. It is not us that softens their hearts and opens their eyes, that is God. We really give ourselves to much credit for things we have nothing to do with. Stop spreading fear. The Bible instructs us over 100 times to not be afraid. Why then are Christians telling people to be scared? To worry? To be eaten up by anxiety? How is this showing faith in God? It's not. It is claiming that God is not in control and it is claiming that God is not capable of working without our help. That is not of the Kingdom. That is of the enemy. It is time to stop being of this world and it is time to look up instead of to humans to save us.

Today in Apologetics, we dove into Pluralistic Modernism and how it’s reshaping our society.

Imagine standing in a food court with 20 different options. You have to choose one. Now, imagine that 20 becomes 100s. In our current secular environment, it’s no wonder people are confused about what to believe. Spirituality has become an endless buffet of "choose your own truth," making the path to Christ feel increasingly narrow.
Why does Christianity get so much "heat" in this environment? It usually boils down to three things:

Exclusivity: The message that Jesus is the only way to salvation is often labeled as "offensive" or "rude" today. People want multiple paths, but truth, by its nature, is exclusive.

Cross-Pressure: It’s that internal "fragility" we feel when we see non-Christian neighbors living happy, moral lives. We forget that God isn't a genie or a "prosperity" tool. Jesus warned us that the world would hate us (John 15:18-19) and told us to carry our cross—a symbol of sacrifice, not a guarantee of an easy life.

Pre-packaged Opinions: Many people reject Christianity before they even hear the Gospel because they’ve labeled us "bigots." While some use religion to feel superior, true Christianity is the opposite: it’s the realization that we are flawed and desperately need a Savior. We don't come to Jesus because we’re flawless; we come because we aren't.

The Result of "Your Truth"?
When we swap Biblical morality for individual feelings and opinions, we create a recipe for chaos. Feelings are fickle. One person’s "freedom" becomes another’s "oppression." Without a set standard, we become a society driven by impulse rather than justice.
Today, God’s guidance is seen as "oppression" because it challenges our lifestyle. But have we become like children throwing "adult temper tantrums" when we're told something is morally wrong?

The Bottom Line:
I’m not writing this to look down on anyone. I struggle with the same sinful nature as everyone else. The only difference is the realization that I need Jesus. It’s not about being perfect or checking off religious boxes—it’s about recognizing the path we are on and accepting the way out that God has provided.
#Apologetics #Faith #Christianity #Truth #Jesus #Modernism

Kingdom First: Why Choosing Earthly Sides Might Be Missing the Point

It feels like everywhere we turn, we’re being forced to pick a political side. But if we look at the life of Jesus and the writings of the early church, we see a very different "policy."

Here’s why taking political sides and speaking against government might not be as "biblical" as we think:

1. Our Citizenship is Not of This World
In Philippians 3:20, we are reminded that "our citizenship is in heaven." If we are ambassadors of a different Kingdom, why are we getting so tangled up in the internal politics of this one? An ambassador doesn't campaign for the local government; they represent their Home Country.

2. The "Romans 13" Reality
This is a tough one for many, but Romans 13:1 is clear: "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." Biblically, God uses leaders—even the ones we don't like—for His own purposes. To speak against them is often seen as speaking against the "order" God has allowed for this season.

3. Prayer Over Protest
In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we aren't told to "call out" or "slander" our leaders. We are told to pray for them, especially so that we can lead "peaceful and quiet lives." The Goal: Focus on the "Spirit of Peace," not the "Spirit of Division."

4. Jesus Didn’t Play the Game
When Jesus was here, the people wanted Him to be a political revolutionary. They wanted Him to overthrow Rome. But Jesus stayed "Above the Law" of man. He told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John18:36). If Jesus didn't spend His time attacking the Roman government, why do we spend so much time attacking ours?

The Bottom Line: When we pick a political side, we often end up building walls that Jesus already tore down. If He is the Fulfillment, then our job isn't to fix the "shadow" (the government); it's to reflect the "Substance" (Jesus).

Let’s be known for our love and our peace, not our political rants. #KingdomCitizenship #FaithOverPolitics #BibleStudy #Peace #JesusIsKing

Have you noticed that the world feels... "heavy" lately? Like something big is shifting?

For centuries, people have talked about the Return of Jesus, but lately, the conversation has hit a fever pitch. Why now? Here’s why so many believe we’re in the "Last Act" of the story:

1. The "Signs" are Blinking Red
From "wars and rumors of wars" to natural shifts and global tension, the things Jesus described in Matthew 24 aren't just headlines anymore, they’re daily reality. It feels less like random chaos and more like "birth pains" for what’s coming next.

2. The Restoration of the Stage
Prophecy geeks point to the restoration of Israel as the "Super Sign." The idea is that the stage had to be set for the Author to return to the scene.

3. Not a Rule-Follower, but a King
Here’s the deep part: Jesus didn't come just to "keep rules." Jesus HIMSELF is the fulfillment. He didn't just check boxes; He closed the old book and started a new one. If He’s coming back, it’s not to see if we followed the Law—it’s to complete the work of Grace He started.

4. That "Inner Compass"
A lot of people just have a sense—a spiritual "knowing"—that the "Shadows" are fading because the "Substance" is getting closer.

Whether it’s tomorrow or years from now, the goal isn't just "watching the clock." It’s about living in the reality of the one who is Above the Law and full of Grace.

Bible Study: Genesis 1

Who: Elohim (God): Central figure. In this account, God is portrayed as transcendent, powerful, and organized. He speaks, and reality responds.

The Spirit of God: Described as "hovering" over the waters, signifying God’s presence and preparation for the creative act.

Humanity: Created on the sixth day as the "Image of God" (Imago Dei), tasked with representing God’s rule on Earth.

What: The Creation of Order
The chapter details the transformation of a world that was
tohu va-bohu (formless and empty) into a structured ecosystem. It follows a symmetrical pattern:

Days 1–3 (Forming): God creates environments (Light/Dark, Sky/Sea, Land/Vegetation).

Days 4–6 (Filling): God populates those environments (Sun/Moon, Birds/Fish, Animals/Humans).

When: In the Beginning
The Starting Point: The text begins with "In the beginning," which refers to the inception of our time and space.

The Timeline: The narrative uses the Hebrew word yom (day). Depending on the theological lens, this is interpreted as a literal 24-hour period, an unspecified era, or a literary device used to frame the story.

Where: The Cosmos and Earth
The Scope: The "heavens and the earth," which is a Hebrew merism (a figure of speech using opposites to encompass everything) meaning the entire universe.

The Focus: The narrative quickly narrows its lens from the cosmic expanse to the Earth, specifically focusing on its habitability for life.

Why: Purpose and Goodness

To Establish Order: To show that the world isn’t an accident or the result of a war between gods (as many ancient Near Eastern myths suggested), but a deliberate act of a single Creator.

To Declare Goodness: Seven times, God observes His work and calls it "good" (and "very good" after creating humans).

For Relationship: The climax of the chapter is the creation of humans, designed to interact with both the Creator and the creation.

How: The Divine Fiat
Divine Speech: God creates through His word. The phrase "And God said..." appears repeatedly.

Separation and Naming: God creates by "separating" things (light from dark, waters from land) and "naming" them, which in the ancient world was an act of asserting authority and defining purpose.

I find it interesting that people who do not know the bible will make bold claims such as "free will is myth". Really? Perhaps you are referring to the fact that free will is not free of consequences. That is just common sense. You are taught in elementary that every action has a reaction (Albert Einstein) but yet, many believe that their behavior and decisions do not apply here. That is a fallacy and a weak argument when it comes to theology.

When Humankind was made, we were given free will. That means by the very definition that we have a choice. So to have a choice, we must have an alternative to God's will. In Adam and Eve's case, they were told not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and they chose to do it anyway. We can make claims that Satan made them do it, but that is in fact also a fallacy. It was a choice that Eve made and then she offered to Adam and he made to disobey. Cain chose to kill Abel and so on and so forth....So the consequence is what we now see running amok all over creation. They had free will, so they had to have a opportunity to have to make a choice between doing what God said or doing what their own understanding led them to.

Fast forward to now and we still have free will but we do not have freedom from consequence, just like those in the garden did not. Even accepting Jesus is a choice. Nothing is forced upon anyone. So, using the fact that their is consequence to not accepting Jesus is not disproving free will...it is only validating that every action has a reaction and every actions has a consequence, positive or negative. It is driving in the point that the only way to heaven is through Jesus and it is confirming that God stands by what he says and when He said that we have free will, He stood by that claim even if we make bad decisions. Let us not get so philosophical that we try to make up stuff as we go.

with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. -Ephesians 4:2

I was once asked why someone who loves God so much and tries to do everything right, gets knocked down and deals with so much issues in life. I did not quite know how to answer that at the time because it was a question that I have asked myself many times. "God, why is it that I try to do as you ask me to do and I keep being hit with challenges and obstacles?"

Now, that I have studied the bible deeper, I have realized that not one person who gave their life to God had it easy. A whole book of people who had an encounter with God and would always deal with challenges in their lives but what I noticed remained consistent throughout the Bible, God helped them deal with those challenges and they came out the other side better for it.

One does not seek God so their lives can be problem-free. That is impossible because this is not heaven. This is a place that is sinful and diseased. We always will be hit with challenges because we have to navigate through the pits that is in our way. But, God is with us so that instead of falling in the pit and staying forever, He helps us out and helps guide us forward. Daniel was not spared going into the lions den, but he was spared harm. He was spared death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Jewish men thrown into a fiery furnace by Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, were not kept from the fire but were protected within the fire.

It is the knowledge that we need God to get through our lives and asking him to walk with us, not because it will help us avoid the obstacles in our way but because He will help us hurdle those obstacles. Bad things are going to happen sometimes and I much rather deal with those things with God in my corner than by myself. God Bless.

I agree. The powers that are in motion are more than just flesh and blood.

I wanted to share an email/announcement that my Professor sent out to us all this week because I found it very profound:

'1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 (ESV)

I began the process of learning to play the guitar when I was 17 years old. I say, began learning because each time I pick up a new song I develop a new skill and the process of learning continues. Depending on the song and its difficulty, it can take me as little as a few minutes or as much as several days, perhaps even weeks, to master. Eventually, even the most difficult song can become second nature. What I have learned is that mastery is largely about muscle memory. The more I repeat the same pattern day after day, the more ingrained the pattern becomes until it is a habit that I can do with little effort focused on the actual transition from note to note, chord to chord, progression to progression. Once this takes place, then I am free to focus on the artistry of the song and enjoy it at a whole different level. I believe this is reflective of the abiding Jesus speaks of in John 15. Growing spiritually is about consistency over the long haul, and it may not always be easy or come naturally. Some of our growth will be simple like a song on the guitar that combines many of the chord progressions with which one is already familiar. Other growth will take more time and effort and even perhaps frustration to master, but the time invested will be well worth it. As we daily spend time in God’s Word and prayer we develop spiritual muscle memory that allows us to enjoy a relational intimacy with the Lord that is only available as these habits become second nature. I would never want to give the impression that we work for our salvation, but I also believe it is equally as egregious when the impression is given that we will enjoy a deep and rich relationship with Jesus Christ that consists of sporadic and sparse “check-ins” with our Savior. So be relentless about developing, maintaining, and deepening daily time abiding with the Vine. ' -Paul Simpson, Author/Teacher, Introduction to Apologetics, Liberty University

Goodnight everyone. God Bless.