Should we be able to describe faithful Christians as radical, liberal, or institutional? If you have followed the writing and teaching I’ve done, you will probably expect me to answer this question in the negative. After all, we are to be conservative and non-institutional, right?

When we use labels such as these, we generally use them in regards to certain erroneous positions, issues, and movements. Yet when we change the context, we can make the case from the Bible that, in certain ways, Christians are to be radical, liberal, and institutional. So let’s consider some other ways we can use these labels.

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One of the fundamental responsibilities of a man is to “provide for his own,” or else “he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). Those who preach the gospel are certainly not exempt from this responsibility. But how is a preacher to make his living?

Paul explained to the brethren in Corinth that God has a plan for preachers to earn an income. “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). This is God’s design: a man devotes his life to proclaiming the gospel, he receives support for his labor. But where is this support to come from? In the New Testament we read of three different ways in which a man can receive support for his work of preaching.

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Our society tries to portray the rich and the poor as two completely opposite groups. Obviously, these groups differ greatly in respect to their possessions or income. But the Bible speaks of a common bond between them that is far more significant than the factors that distinguish them.

The Proverb writer noted, “The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all” (Proverbs 22:2). In God’s creation, one economic class does not hold a superior status over the other. In fact, Peter told Cornelius and his household, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).

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God’s providence is something that many people take for granted, yet do not have a definitive way to explain it. We often resort to a “who knows” approach to explaining providence, citing the example of Mordecai as he spoke to Esther about her position as Queen: “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

If we are going to talk about God’s providence, instead of taking a “who knows” approach, allowing anything and everything to be attributed to God, we should endeavor to speak where the Bible speaks. What does the Bible say about providence?

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July 4, 1776, thirteen American colonies declared their independence from the British Empire. One of the fundamental reasons for this was the fact that each individual has been given freedom by God. The Declaration of Independence states that all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” To this day we celebrate the birth of this nation that was founded on these principles.

As we reflect upon the principles of liberty and freedom, it is important to do so from a Biblical perspective. God wants men to be free. Let us notice what the Bible says about God’s desire for our freedom.

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We are used to hearing and seeing the word hallelujah as we read the Bible, sing spiritual songs, and hear teaching from the word of God. I have also noticed an increasing use of this word as a mere exclamation that one utters when something good happens to them. We found a parking space close to the door — Hallelujah! Our electric bill was down this month — Hallelujah! It’s five o’clock and time to clock out and go home — Hallelujah! Is this how we ought to be using this word? Does it matter? Let us consider a few things from the Scriptures.

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Sin separates one from God and will ultimately cause one to be eternally lost (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). Yet Satan tries anyway to convince us to continue in sin to the jeopardy of our souls. He extols the benefits (or perceived benefits) of sin, too often causing even the strong to fall for his temptations.

He has employed this tactic from the beginning. In the garden, Eve was tempted to sin and eat of the fruit of the forbidden tree. Despite the fact that she understood that this had been prohibited, she still gave in to sin.

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