January 3, 2024

Renewed Day by Day

Sunrise

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).

Many see the start of a new year as a time of renewal – an opportunity to change the direction of their lives, to improve themselves in some way, and so on. The basic idea of this is good. However, as with all things, we need to think about it Biblically.

There are a few passages in the New Testament that talk about being renewed. When it is mentioned in the Bible, it is not tied to a certain day on the calendar. It is also not about just anything that might be new in our lives (new job, diet, exercise routine, etc.). Instead, the renewal discussed in the New Testament is always about improving our spiritual lives.

In this article, we will consider what the New Testament says about renewal – when it happens, what it means, and what the result of it is in our lives.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , ,
December 13, 2023

Questions about Signs and the End Times

Destruction of Jerusalem

After Islamist militants attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, Israel went to war against Hamas – the Palestinian militant Islamist group in Gaza. Israel’s stated mission was to wipe them out.

When this conflict escalated, many wondered how it might fit into the prophecies contained in the Bible. There was speculation that it could be a possible sign of the “end times.” This is nothing new. Anytime there is a significant military conflict involving Israel, these discussions arise.

It is helpful to know what (if anything) the Bible says about this. Matthew 24 is a key chapter to help us on this point. Unfortunately, many people misunderstand and misinterpret this chapter. However, understanding what Jesus taught there will help us answer questions about whether some current event is a sign of the end.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , ,
November 29, 2023

Is It Possible to End Poverty?

Homeless

Many people – both Christians and non-Christians – are concerned about the poor. Individuals and families provide money and resources to help those who are in need. Charitable organizations have been established to provide assistance to the less fortunate. Many government programs are funded supposedly for the purpose of ending poverty. Yet poverty still exists.

Some hold to the idealistic notion that poverty can be eliminated. Yet, it is not possible to do this in the fallen world in which we live. Jesus said, “For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:8). In other words, there will always be people in poverty. Why is that? To answer that question, let us first consider a few reasons why people are poor.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
November 15, 2023

What Will Destroy a Congregation

Abandoned Church Building

If we were to think of potential threats to our local churches, a number of things could be added to the list. Paul made a list like this near the end of his second letter to the church in Corinth. Notice what the apostle wrote:

“For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances; I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced” (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).

When Paul wrote his first letter to these brethren, there were many problems he needed to address. When we read through the second letter, it is clear that they had made significant improvements. Even so, there were still issues that threatened the health of that congregation.

In the passage above, Paul described some things that would destroy a congregation. It would be helpful for all of us to consider these, even if we are not currently experiencing these problems in our church. If these problems ever do arise, we want to identify them and address them as quickly as possible.

As Paul described the things that would destroy a congregation, we can break them down into three main categories – destroying unity, destroying purity, and refusing help. Let us consider each of these.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
November 1, 2023

Sowing and Reaping

Sowing

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

God created this world, which operates according to the rules He has established. This was part of the foundation of His promise to Noah after the flood: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22). Each of these represented a natural cycle that God established in His creation. Yet one of these cycles – “seedtime and harvest” – referred to more than just a period of time. Harvest indeed follows seedtime or sowing. Yet the outcome of the harvest would depend – at least in part – on what was planted, when it was done, and how it was conducted.

This idea is universally familiar to us. Even if we do not engage in the work of farming, we understand this principle. So this illustration of sowing and reaping is used throughout the Bible to discuss more than just agriculture. We will notice a few passages that teach us about sowing and reaping to see what we are to do, what we are to avoid, and what the consequences are of our choices.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
October 18, 2023

The Christian and the “Victim Mentality”

Man with his head in his hands

A phrase that has become regularly used in our modern culture is “victim mentality.” When we hear this phrase, what does it refer to? Consider the following definition:

“Victim mentality is an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves a victim of the negative actions of others, and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary evidence of such circumstances. Victim mentality depends on clear thought processes and attribution. In some cases, those with a victim mentality have in fact been the victim of wrongdoing by others or have otherwise suffered misfortune through no fault of their own. However, such misfortune does not necessarily imply that one will respond by developing a pervasive and universal victim mentality where one frequently or constantly perceives oneself to be a victim.

“The term is also used in reference to the tendency for blaming one’s misfortunes on somebody else’s misdeeds, which is also referred to as victimism.” (Wikipedia)

In other words, simply being a victim of something does not automatically mean one has a “victim mentality.” According to this definition, a person is exhibiting a “victim mentality” if they behave as if they were a victim despite evidence that their victimhood is imagined or exaggerated. Being a victim refers to a specific event or set of circumstances, whereas the “victim mentality” means one is constantly blaming others for their troubles and taking no personal responsibility for their actions, choices, or conditions in life.

This article will consider the popular notion of the “victim mentality.” Many people today constantly blame others for their circumstances, believe they are trapped in a miserable condition, and think they are powerless to do anything about it. Is this type of mindset compatible with the life of a Christian? Let us consider a few points.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,
October 4, 2023

Withdrawing from Those Who Have Departed

Man walking away

When it comes to our responsibilities within the local church, exercising church discipline is often one of the more difficult commands to obey. This could be because we do not want to break ties with our erring brethren. It might be because we do not want to be accused of being judgmental or unloving. Perhaps we are not sure when or how to exercise discipline. All of these factors contribute to the fact that discipline is often neglected when it is needed.

However, what often happens (at least in my limited experience) is that those brethren who are unfaithful and need to repent have already stopped assembling with the congregation. They have, in essence, withdrawn themselves from the local church. What is our responsibility in that situation? Is it true, as some have said, that you cannot withdraw from those who have already withdrawn themselves?

Before answering that question, let us be reminded of a few passages that discuss church discipline.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ,