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"Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1 The Most Abused Verse in the Bible ​ ​​"Jugde Not" (Matthew 7:1). This verse is frequently misinterpreted to justify one's actions and attitudes. It is commonly used as a shield when confronted about wrongdoing, revealing a reluctance to accept criticism. Such individuals, driven by pride, reject guidance and misuse the phrase "Judge not" to evade responsibility. Many resist correction because they prefer darkness over light, as stated in John 3:19-20. They shun truth to conceal their sins and avoid exposure of their dark deeds, distorting the meaning of 'Judge not' to seek validation (and even praise) for their sinful ways (Philippians 3:19). ​ "Judge Not" Out of Context Misinterpreting this verse is often used as a way to avoid accountability for someone's words or actions. Some individuals use this verse to manipulate others by accusing them of being judgmental. Ironically, the offended party can end up being the one passing judgment by hypocritically criticizing the other person whom they perceive as judgmental. The Scriptures teach that a wise and righteous person welcomes correction and rebuke, while a rebellious individual reacts with hostility. The passage warns against trying to correct a mocker, as it will only lead to abuse, but advises that reproving a wise person will be appreciated. Teaching a wise individual will increase their wisdom, and instructing a righteous person will enhance their knowledge (Prov 9:7-9). ​ The saying 'Judge not' is frequently accompanied by the popular expression, "Only God can judge." Indeed, only God has the ability to assess someone's intentions as He alone can discern the depths of the heart. Additionally, being a holy God, He abhors sin. While the notion that only God can judge is commonly accepted, what many fail to grasp is the dreadful prospect of facing judgment from God. As stated in Hebrews 10:31, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Although only God can judge the intentions of the heart, believers are instructed by Scripture to make righteous judgments based on a person's actions that are observable. The Bible directs us to discern the spirits to determine if they are of God (1 John 4:1). Jesus cautions us to be cautious of false prophets who appear as harmless as sheep but are actually like wolves (Mat 7:15-20), and He indicates that we can identify them by their actions or fruits. Therefore, exercising theological discernment and making righteous judgments are essential according to these teachings. "Judge Not" In Context In order to interpret 'Judge not' correctly and responsibly, it is essential to consider its proper context within the Bible and view it as part of the complete Scripture. Simply focusing on one verse and disregarding the surrounding text will not lead to a full understanding of God's intended message, which constitutes His revelation. Without grasping the true meaning intended by God, we will lack the divine guidance necessary for our spiritual well-being. When interpreting Scripture, our only entitlement is to interpret it responsibly, as instructed by the Scriptures themselves (2 Tim 2:15). Therefore, to interpret 'Judge not' responsibly, it is crucial to examine the entirety of Matthew 7 and reference other parts of the Bible as well. Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:1-6). Nowhere in this passage does Jesus explicitly state that we should refrain from making any form of judgment. In fact, if that were the case, we would be unable to address someone's errors, missteps, or misconceptions. Guiding individuals towards the correct path, aiding in their comprehension, learning, and fostering wisdom would all be unattainable. Moreover, teaching the truth itself would be impossible without the ability to make judgments, as all these actions necessitate discernment. Truth Told in Love In this passage, Jesus does not forbid us from judging others entirely. Instead, He advises us to address our own sins first. This implies that we should reflect on our own wrongdoings before criticizing others for theirs, so that we avoid hypocrisy. By removing the log from our eye, we can then help our fellow believers by addressing the speck in their eye. Jesus teaches us the importance of righteous judgment, emphasizing the proper approach, motives, and attitude required to help others. According to Scripture, we are instructed to address others about their sins with truth spoken in a spirit of love. This means that we should approach others with gentleness and compassion when discussing their sins. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1). Speaking the truth in love is the most caring action we can take. It is our responsibility to discern and uphold what is good, right, and true, while also demonstrating love by sharing the truth, even in moments of discomfort. Prioritizing our own comfort or reputation over the truth would be selfish and unloving. Placing our comfort and reputation above the truth would go against the very essence of love. The ultimate goal is to guide people towards the Truth, which is embodied in Jesus (Eph 4:21). Jesus represents the highest, purest, and truest form of wisdom, because He alone saves us from our sins and offers us the free gift of salvation through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ do we have eternal life. If we are not supposed to judge anyone at all, then we would not be able to address behaviors like lying, stealing, cheating, blaspheming, committing adultery, or murder, or even telling someone they cannot judge. In reality, all of these situations require us to exercise our judgment. Therefore, Jesus is not instructing us to refrain from judging entirely. Instead, he is guiding us on how to judge, emphasizing the importance of having the right attitude, pure motives, and a gentle spirit. Do Not Give Dogs What is Holy In verse 6, Jesus instructs us not to give valuable teachings to those who show no respect or appreciation for them. This means we should not persist in sharing the message of eternal life with individuals who are resistant, dismissive, or hostile towards it. We are not to keep preaching the gospel to those who disrespect sacred things and even attack us for it. Following this command requires us to use our judgment. When encountering such individuals while sharing the gospel, Jesus advises us to be wise, shake off the dust from our feet, and move on from that place. "If the house is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." (Matthew 10:13-14) It's not about avoiding arguments for our own benefit, but rather out of consideration for the other person. It can be an act of mercy to refrain from sharing biblical truths with someone who is openly hostile towards them. Persisting in sharing the truth with a stubborn individual may lead them to accumulate more wrath for themselves on the Day of Judgment (Romans 2:5). Choosing to reject the good news of the gospel despite hearing it repeatedly is essentially a way of suppressing the truth, ultimately leading to a harsher judgment. As stated in Luke 12:48, those who acted without knowledge will face a lighter punishment, while those who had more understanding will be held to a higher standard. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more (Luke 12:48). Judge with Righteous Judgement In essence, Jesus instructs us not to judge in a hypocritical, unfair, or condescending manner, especially when it comes to trivial matters. Instead, He encourages us to judge with righteousness, either to assist others or to protect ourselves. Jesus emphasizes the importance of discerning rightly, advising, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). While Jesus cautions against prideful or harsh judgment rooted in self-righteousness, He urges us to exercise moral and theological discernment when evaluating someone's actions, speech, behavior, and public lifestyle - essentially, the fruit they bear. As stated in Luke 6:45, "The good person brings forth good from the good stored up in their heart, while the evil person brings forth evil from the evil stored up in their heart, for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Here Jesus warns us about false prophets and how we will recognize them: 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). Testing the Spirits Jesus warns us about false prophets and instructs us to test the spirits rather than believing every spirit. This requires us to exercise discernment. In 1 John 4:1-6, it emphasizes the need to discern spirits, as not all are from God due to the presence of many false prophets in the world. It is crucial to evaluate individuals not just by their words but also by their actions, as some may claim to know Jesus but their deeds contradict their profession of faith in Him (Titus 1:16). By observing the fruit of their lives (what they produce through observable evidence), we can discern the authenticity of their faith. Christians are encouraged to be cautious without being overly suspicious, avoiding blind trust and instead assessing others based on their consistent actions. Jesus' warning to be vigilant is relevant as false prophets are not always easily identifiable. John warns that many false prophets exist, even within the church community, seeking to deceive believers and lead them astray. Test Like the Bereans Just like the Bereans, we are expected to evaluate the spirits. The Bereans, inhabitants of Berea in Macedonia during Paul's time, were known for their diligent examination of everything in light of Scripture. Their understanding of the Word of God led them to scrutinize teachings and actions against the backdrop of God's truth. The key to making righteous judgments, distinguishing truth from falsehood, and recognizing the difference between right and nearly right, lies in accurately interpreting God's Word. The Bereans serve as an admirable example of how we should respond scripturally to teachings, presentations, or messages from people claiming to believe in Jesus. Ending With the Gospel My goal is always to incorporate the gospel into everything I write. I will conclude this piece with the gospel message: Salvation comes solely by grace, through faith in Christ alone. We must repent of our sins (even embrace the correction of our sins, as those who gently correct us are the ones who care about us). Remember, those who speak the most truth to us are the ones who love us the most. We must believe in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9). We cannot save ourselves or earn salvation by our own good works; Jesus has already accomplished salvation for us through His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection. All we have to do is repent (turn away from our sins) and put our total trust in Jesus Christ alone. Genuine faith in Christ will naturally result in good deeds (Eph 2:10), and we will be identified as Children of God by our words, actions, conduct, and a transformed life through the power of the Gospel. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 The Three Elements of True Saving Faith ​ 1. An intellectual element (notitia), which is a positive recognition of the Truth ​ 2. An emotional element (assensus), which includes a deep conviction and affirmation of the Truth ​ 3. Finally, there is a volitional element (fiducia) that involves a personal trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A truly saved person will not casually read the Scriptures without considering their significance to his/her life. A truly saved person will diligently examine them and endeavor to live by their teachings out of genuine trust in Jesus and gratitude for their salvation. This concept is simple. Sincere obedience to Jesus' teachings is a direct outcome and clear manifestation of one's faith in Him. Striving to obey our Savior, empowered by the Holy Spirit, serves as proof of the authenticity of our faith. Genuine faith and obedient love are closely intertwined. We Cannot Earn Salvation. It's a Gift. "Legalism is an attempt to make ourselves more acceptable to God by the deeds we do...The Spirit enables us to do the duty to which the Bible calls us. It is not an attempt to make ourselves acceptable to God, but it is to live in the empowerment of God in a way that pleases Him...Hearing the Word without doing it, professing it without practicing it, singing 'Jesus is King' and pleasing myself is an indication of the fact that I have never truly trusted in Christ. And therefore, we must examine ourselves and run afresh to Christ." - Alistair Begg from False Teachers Among You Series (Part 3 of 3) God's favor cannot be earned by what we do. Salvation is not achieved through self-perceived goodness, good deeds, or lifestyle changes, as we are saved solely by grace through faith alone (Eph 2:8-9). Even our repentance and faith are not self-generated; they do not stem from personal merit, human accomplishment, or our own strength, so that we cannot boast except in the Lord. As it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31). Genuine repentance and saving faith are gifts by God's grace, and all glory belongs to Jesus for our salvation. "You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary." - Jonathan Edwards Enabled & Empowered by His Grace We are not saved by our good works, but we are saved to good works. (Eph 2:8-10) We are saved by faith alone but it is not a faith that is alone. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:14,17). “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” – Martin Luther. Repentance and faith go hand in hand. As we turn away from our sins and put our trust solely in Jesus, living a holy life and bearing good fruit naturally follow as a result of our faith in Christ. Good deeds are a visible expression of our inner convictions and are carried out through the power of the Holy Spirit. The strength to live in a way that pleases God does not come from our own efforts or willpower. It is through God's grace that we are saved, enabled, and empowered to follow His ways, carrying out good works for His glory. Just as God the Father predetermined our adoption through Jesus Christ according to His will, He also predetermined the good works for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). Therefore, the faith that brings salvation is evidenced by our actions, the fruit we bear, the righteousness we practice, and the way we conduct our lives. As James 2:18 says, faith is demonstrated through works, not merely words. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. Pisteuo = To Believe, To Obey ​ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36). Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death (John 8:51). Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). (See also James 2:14-26) The terms faith and obedience, believe and obey, disbelieve and disobey are interchangeable in all of Scripture and are derived from the same Greek word. In ancient Greek, pisteuo commonly signified obedience. Pisteuo encompasses the meanings of to believe, entrust, be persuaded of, place confidence in the thing believed, dedicate one’s life to, and obey. Professing faith in God through words alone holds no value if one's actions contradict that faith. As stated in Titus 1:16, claiming to know God while behaving in a manner that goes against His teachings is hypocritical. Engaging in sinful practices and disobeying God's word reflects a lack of belief. Conversely, living righteously and following God's teachings is a genuine demonstration of our faith in Jesus. Trusting in Jesus leads us to naturally want to follow His commands. Our obedience is not a means to earn His approval through good deeds, but stems from our faith in Him as our Savior and our willingness to acknowledge Him as the ultimate authority. Our motivation comes from our belief in Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It is the result of God's grace guiding our hearts towards Him, instilling His Spirit within us, and granting us a new nature through our spiritual rebirth. This new nature fosters a deepening love for righteousness and all that aligns with God's will, as well as a growing aversion to sin and all that opposes God's ways. Easy Belivism Heresy Genuine saving faith goes beyond simply agreeing intellectually with the historical facts of the gospel. Even demons acknowledge those facts and tremble (James 2:19). This shallow form of faith is often referred to as Easy-believism within Christianity, which is a deceptive belief system promoted by Satan and prevalent in many evangelical circles today. Easy-believism and modern popular theology may acknowledge the facts (notitia) and assent to them (assensus), but they frequently lack trust (fiducia). They promote the idea that surrendering to the authority of Christ is unnecessary for being a Christian. Instead, Easy-believism distorts the concept of heartfelt obedience to God's word, turning it into a works-based gospel. It wrongly labels those who desire to obey God as legalists. This heretical belief system distorts the true message of God's Word and leads to self-deception. Jesus Paid it All Genuine faith involves relying on the character and integrity of God, believing in who Jesus is, and understanding what He accomplished for us through His life, death, and resurrection. Out of His love, Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves by living a life of perfect obedience and ultimately sacrificing Himself on the cross (Philippians 2:8). For our sake, the sinless One took on our sins so that through faith in Him we might be made righteous in God's eyes (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus bore the full weight of God's wrath on the cross for our sins, died and was buried, and in three days rose again so that by grace through faith in Him, we may have eternal life. The profound truth will naturally inspire a profound sense of gratitude and joy within us, leading to a genuine longing to follow His path. While our obedience may be imperfect due to our sinful nature, He reassures us that His grace is more than enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). Secured by His Grace Even though believers will continue to face struggles with sin while combating the flesh, the world, and the devil daily, God's grace keeps us from permanently falling away. His grace prevents us from persisting in unbroken cycles of sin, as we did before receiving Him as our Savior. God's grace prohibits us from indulging freely in sin, as we did prior to believing in Jesus. Once we are saved, we are always saved; eternally safeguarded by God's grace (John 10:28). God ensures we do not ever return to the broad and easy road again. Our security lies entirely in His grace. Whenever God's children stray from His path, He will lovingly correct us, and the Holy Spirit will gently remind and lead us back to the right way, all for His glory. God's grace is bestowed upon believers to enable us to glorify Him and carry out good deeds in His name, which He had planned for us to do even before the world was created (Ephesians 2:10). I am Not Religious. I am Saved by Grace. I am not religious. I am saved by grace. It is not through good works or practicing rituals that I find salvation, but by God's grace alone. My repentance and belief in Jesus are a gift. Jesus has freed me from sin, transformed my heart and my life, and granted me the incredible gift of eternal life by grace alone through faith alone. Jesus rescued me from the punishment I deserve, eternal damnation, and blessed me with something I could never earn, eternal life. How could I not desire to surrender to the God of the universe who has done all this for me? May I live for the One who died for me (by His grace) and praise Him for all that He is, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). I am eternally grateful for my Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him forever and ever. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2) ❤️ With love, Jenna But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves (James 1:22). By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (James 2:18-26).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Jesus is With Me In one of the most well-known texts in all of Scripture, we find great comfort from our Lord Jesus. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). There's nothing to fear because Jesus is with me. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me walk through all kinds of valleys. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me overcome every danger, trouble, or misfortune along the way. Knowing Jesus is with me helps me understand there is nothing and no one to fear. Truly! And I know Jesus is always with me because Scripture says that Jesus dwells in my heart through faith (Eph 3:17). I carry Jesus in my heart only because Jesus is the One who holds me in the palm of His hand. He's the One who never lets me go (John 10:28). He’s the One who provides for me, protects me, and preserves me. I am His sheep. He is the True Shepherd of my soul. I hear His voice, and I follow Him. No one can snatch me out of His hand (John 10:28). Jesus is with me forever (Mat 28:20). I never have to rely on my own sheep-like strength for anything, but I can always rely on Jesus for everything since He is the True Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, and The Door of the Sheep. He gives me true rest in green pastures and true refreshment from His living waters (John 7:37-38). He provides me with daily bread for my earthly body and living bread from heaven for my eternal soul (John 6:51). He laid down His life for me so that I may live eternally. My Shepherd gives me everything I need, even His own life on the cross. What more could I want? (Psalm 23:1) Only a Shadow Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. This text doesn’t say that I walk through a valley of death by myself, but it says I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, with the Lord as my Shepherd. I don't walk alone, and although a shadow on my path may look scary, a shadow can't hurt me. Even a shadow of the deadliest weapon, poisonous snake, or ferocious wolf is still only a shadow. With every creeping shadow, I can just keep on walking by because I know Jesus is with me. When I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and follow the sound of His voice, every shadow will soon fade away. The light of Jesus overpowers all darkness and every shadow there is (John 1:5). As much as a shadow of death can't hurt me, neither can death itself. That’s because I believe in Jesus. I am eternally secure in Him. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, and He is also my personal Savior. Jesus died for me. Jesus defeated death for me when He took my place and died on the cross for me, satisfying God's judgment and wrath against my sins. That’s why right before Jesus died, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus paid my debt in full; a debt so big it would take me longer than eternity to pay for it. It was an impossible debt I owed, but not for my Lord Jesus. He paid it all with His blood (Eph 1:7). Jesus Found Me Not only did Jesus take away all my sins on the cross, but three days later, Jesus rose again from the grave so that by grace through faith in Him, I may live forever. Jesus defeated death and accomplished salvation for me: A free gift by His grace. There’s nothing I did to earn my salvation, and there's nothing I can do to lose it either (John 10:28). Salvation is not by works or by merit. It wasn't like I was wise enough to choose Jesus and eternal life on my own, otherwise I’d really have something to boast about! Jesus even told me that I didn't choose Him, but He chose me and appointed me to bear fruit (John 15:16). And I believe Him. Therefore, the only One I can boast about is my Lord Jesus (1 Cor 1:26-31). I was the one who was lost, not Jesus. As His lost sheep, I didn't go out and find Him, but He went out and found me. And when He did, He gathered me into His arms and carried me close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11). He is the True Shepherd of my soul. In this short life, I may walk through small, medium, and even big valleys of grief, loneliness, sickness, accidents, injuries, uncertainties, failures, loss, and even disasters, but none of these should ever cause me to fear. I know Jesus is in control of everything, and Jesus is with me through them all, big and small. He even walked the deepest and darkest valley there ever was. Jesus walked that valley for me 2,000 years ago when He hung on a cross for me. He walked through the darkest valley of them all, all because He loved me. So truly, there is nothing to fear. Jesus is my Lord, my Savior, and my closest Friend. Jesus is the True Shepherd of my soul. I hear His voice, and I follow Him. Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for sending Your Son Jesus into the world to save me from my sins and gift me with eternal life. Thank You for my repentance and faith in Jesus, the True Shepherd. What a gift. Jesus is with me forever. I praise You for Your saving grace. All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior. I pray these things in Jesus's name. Amen. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. John 10:2-4 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7-9

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11 What is a Christian? Many people would say being a Christian means reading your Bible every day, praying at least twice a day, and going to church every Sunday. Others might say it includes fasting, tithing, volunteering at church, donating money to a ministry, and sharing the Gospel. These are all good things in the life of a Christian, but these things are not what makes someone a Christian. Being a Christian is not about our performance, practicing morals, doing our due diligence, or checking things off a list. So, what is a Christian? A Christian is someone whose heart has been transformed by the truth in Jesus. A Christian is someone who has been made new in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). A Christian is someone who has been given the Holy Spirit and a new heart with new affections and desires (Ezekiel 36:26). A Christian is someone who has been born again into God’s family (John 3:3-7) and adopted into His eternal Kingdom. A Christian is someone who has peace with God and has been restored to a right relationship with Him, by grace through faith in Jesus (Rom 5:1). A Christian is someone who is eternally secure. A Christian is a son or daughter of God. A Christian is a disciple and friend of Jesus. A Christian is someone who has a genuine and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and abides in His love. A Relationship with Jesus What does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus? It means knowing Him, but more importantly, it means being known by Him. It means learning of Him, listening to Him, talking to Him, walking with Him, waiting for Him, trusting Him, loving Him, obeying Him, finding joy in Him, and growing in His grace. And we come to know Jesus through His Word. The chief end of man and the sole purpose for our existence is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. (Isa 43:7, 2 Cor 3:18, John 17:1-5,22, Ps 145). That's what it means to be a Christian. To fulfill our purpose is where we will experience the greatest joy. The end of the matter, all that has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the end of the matter for all mankind (Ecc 12:13). Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts (Ps 119:2). Abiding in Jesus “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser…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. 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. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:1-11). Scripture describes Jesus as the True Vine and Christians as the fruitful branches. There is no such thing as a "fruitless Christian." There will be a struggling Christian at times, but certainly not a fruitless one. We will produce fruit only when we abide in the True Vine, proving to be both Jesus' disciples and His friends. A few verses later Jesus tells His disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command” (John 15:14). He doesn't say, "You are my friends if you hear what I say but don't do what I command." The word abide means to remain or persevere. 'Remaining" in Jesus and abiding in His love is evidence that salvation has already taken place and not vice versa. We don't abide in Jesus to be saved. We abide in Jesus because He's already saved us. Scripture says that our actions will be the evidence that we have come to know Jesus in our hearts. And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments (1 John 2:3). A Perfect Trio Love, obedience, and joy are three aspects of the Christian life that sing together in unity. They are a perfect trio. You can't have one without the other two and vice versa. They come as a package deal in the Christian life. Naturally, we do what we love. So when we do God’s will from the heart through faith, it shows that we love Jesus. Scripture defines love as an action, not an emotion or an abstraction (1 Cor 13:4-7). In the simplest terms, Scripture defines love for God as obedience to God. Loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; (John 14:21). A Christian is someone who loves God's Word, loves His Law, loves His commandments, and loves to do His will (See Ps 119). To sum it up, a Christian is someone who not only knows the Truth but loves the Truth. And consequently, hates all false ways (Ps 119:104). Obedience is the Christian's loving response to who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for him, which is always marked by joy. Free to Obey To understand the significance of joyful, loving obedience, we must look to Jesus, who was our Perfect Example. Even through all the evil opposition that Jesus faced, Jesus found joy in doing the will of His Father. Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross (Heb 12:2). Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and accomplish His Work” (John 4:34). As Jesus found real joy in obeying the will of His Father, we too as Christians can experience that same joy when we lovingly obey the will of our Father. When we surrender our own will to God’s will, we will experience the fullness of joy that Jesus is talking about (Ps 16:11) Obedience naturally flows from a loving relationship with Jesus. We can’t say we love Jesus and claim to have an intimate relationship with Him and then continue a life of disobedience and rebellion to His Word. That wouldn't make any sense. And if we try to obey Jesus without a love for the Truth, then our efforts are in vain and amount only to legalism. Mere external obedience only shows that we're still under the tyranny of the Law and not under grace. In order to be free to obey God and find joy in our obedience, we must be under grace. God is the One who gives us the grace to obey Him through faith. He's the One who gives us the Holy Spirit and a new heart with new desires. That's what Christian liberty is: it's freedom to obey Jesus because the Christian is no longer under the Law but under grace. The Christian is someone who is no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness (Rom 6:18). The Greatest Joy Being a Christian is not about checking things off a list or performing duties to earn salvation or God’s love. The Christian knows that he is saved by grace through faith alone in Jesus (Eph 2:8-9). The Christian knows salvation is a free gift and that salvation belongs to the Lord (Ps 3:8). Being a Christian means experiencing the most beautiful relationship there is: A personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe, who is none other than Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and our closest Friend. As we come to learn more of Jesus, we will grow in His grace and come to love Him more. As we come to love Him more, we will come to obey Him more. As we come to obey Him more, the more of His joy will fill our hearts and show up in our lives and conversations, pointing everyone to Jesus: Our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Dearest Friend, and Greatest Joy. The greatest joy is to obey Jesus out of love for the Truth and to abide in His love. A Christian is someone who ought to be the happiest person in the world. "As followers of Christ, our greatest delight will always be found in our obedience to His Word." - Voddie Baucham For I delight in the Law of God in my inner being. Romans 7:22 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. 2 John 1:6 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Romans 6:15-18

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 "Atheist: If God created the universe then who created God? Me: If a baker baked a cake then who baked the baker?" - Unknown The Sky Above The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, who voice is not heard (Psalm 19:1-3). This is one of the clearest declarations in Scripture that nature itself proves there’s a Creator. Not only that, it proclaims His greatness. God’s glory is everywhere, and He makes Himself plain and obvious to all in what has been created. Nobody can deny God’s existence. People have ample proof telling them that God exists. Scripture says, For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse (Rom 1:19-20). Nobody can stand before God on Judgment Day and claim they didn’t know there was a God. Ignorance will be no excuse. God has so clearly demonstrated His existence to the whole world since the beginning of creation that knowledge of His existence is inescapable. Scientific Proof Information is always understood as the product of intelligence. We always recognize the information as a work of the mind, not as blind luck or mere chance. For example, when we look at a painting, we don’t think the painting just appeared out of nowhere. We don’t even have faith there was a painter. We know for a fact there was a painter because paintings don’t paint themselves. A painting is scientific proof of a painter. We know there is intelligence behind the product. So, when we look at the breathtaking creation all around us, we see scientific proof of a Creator. Birds, butterflies, flowers, trees, clouds, rainbows, mountains, oceans, the sun, moon, and stars, kittens, puppies, you and me: these are all clear signs and scientific proof of an Intelligent Designer, who is none other than the God of Scripture. Since God is the One who invented science, we can use His awesome tools to explore and understand the world around us. The more we discover of the world through science, the more evidence we collect that God is the One responsible for all of nature and its laws; and the more glory we give to Him. As Christians, we know that He upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3) and we know that everything flows from His Creative Hand alone. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3). A Peculiar Faith Contrary to the peculiar faith of the atheist that believes nothing created everything, the Christian believes the eternal God created everything. “Atheism is a strange thing. Even the devils never fell into that vice, for the devils also believe and tremble’ (James 2:19).” – CH Spurgeon. In short, atheists deny God’s handiwork not because they don’t believe in His existence but because they don’t want to be held accountable for their sins. Atheism comes down to this: They don’t want to submit to a moral and just God so they deny His existence altogether. But Scripture says that everyone knows there’s a God, even atheists. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to Him (Rom 1:21). What's just as bad as atheism is its close cousin: agnosticism. The agnostic doesn't flat out deny God's existence. The agnostic just says they can't be totally sure if there is a God.They believe there isn't sufficient evidence to come to any real conclusion on the matter. The agnostic often says they believe in a "higher power," but they're not quite sure what that higher power is and if we'd even assign the name "God" to it. The agnostic is not only unwilling to affirm God's existence but also blames their own unwillingness on God for not giving sufficient evidence of His existence. In that case, agnosticism is worse than atheism. To blame God for one's own sin is what Adam did in the garden. That's taking it to whole another level than the atheist. Not Intellectual but Moral In the end, affirming the existence of God does not come down to an intellectual problem but a moral one. According to Scripture, a fool is not one who is intellectually deficient but morally bankrupt. And the one who is morally bankrupt is the one who is unwilling to affirm God's existence. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1) Scripture goes on to say, For even though they knew God, they did not honor God or give thanks to Him but became futile in their speculations and their foolish hearts was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:21). The basic sin of the whole human race and the sin we've all been guilty of is the sin of refusing to honor God at the very first moment we became aware of His existence. We have all refused to give the proper acknowledgement, honor, and gratitude to our Creator. This is until God Himself graciously opens the eyes of our hearts to see the light Gospel and be saved through faith in His Son, Jesus. Then the whole world looks different! The sky above is more beautiful than ever. Trees are cooler than you've ever seen. There's a whole different sparkle to everything after putting your faith in Jesus and knowing you're eternally secure in Him. The biggest problem with the atheist and agnostic is not that they don't know God but that they refuse to acknowledge what they know to be true in their hearts, and that's deception at its root. No matter how hard anyone tries to escape the knowledge of God, all the unbelief, disinterest, or apathy in the matter has no power to destroy Him or escape the grim reality of His coming judgment. The reality of God's existence is not dependent on our finite thinking, nor our feelings or personal preferences. God exists whether the Christian believes in Him or the atheist and agnostic does not believe in Him. Sadly, the same God atheists and agnostics reject is the One who is willing to forgive them of all their sins if only they would turn to Him. He is willing to gift them with eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and give them real purpose, significance, and peace in their lives. And even still, they don't want a loving God. They prefer their sin. They don't see the Gospel as good news but as bad news that God even exists at all. That makes me feel sad for Jesus that people hate Him that much they deny His existence altogether. They deny the One who loves them the most! If only they knew who they were rejecting. Special Revelation The testimony of the universe comes forth consistently and clearly, but mankind continues to reject what is plain and obvious; the fact there is a Creator. General revelation (what we perceive with our eyes) is not sufficient to save sinners, but it certainly makes us all highly accountable (Rom 1:18). General revelation is meant to point us to the Bible, where God graciously gives us His special revelation. When a person first believes the light he or she has been given through general revelation and desires to know his/her Creator more, God will grant them even more light. He will send His special revelation to that person...the Gospel Message. Salvation comes ultimately through special revelation, the Word of God, carried by the Holy Spirit. We can’t just look around the world and believe in the existence of God if we want to go to heaven. That's not true saving faith. In fact, that's not even faith at all. That's just intellectual assent to God's existence, which will only make those more culpable on Judgement Day for rejecting His special revelation. We need personal faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved from our sins and granted eternal life. We need to have a proper relationship with God, and that comes only by God’s grace when we repent of our sins and trust in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. It begins with general revelation and acknowledging God in His magnificent creation; the heavens, the sky above, and everything we see with our eyes, but it doesn’t end there. We must come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in our hearts, by believing in the saving Gospel message. So faith comes by hearing and hearing through the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17). (The Word of Christ means the message concerning Christ; The Gospel). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17 And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). (The ones who are eternally rewarded are those who don't stop at general revelation but diligently seek Him through special revelation, His Word). "You never meet an atheist who wishes God is true. It's because they don't want God to be true." RC Sproul "The question of the existence of God can never be resolved on the basis of our psychology." RC Sproul

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Matthew 28:5-6 This I Know Jesus loves me. Jesus died on the cross for me. Jesus rose again from the grave. By grace, I believe in Jesus. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is my Savior. With Jesus, there's nothing to fear. Jesus took away all my sins. Jesus saved me from judgment and hell. Jesus gifted me with eternal life. Jesus is my peace. Jesus is my greatest joy. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I love Jesus, only because Jesus first loved me. (1 John 4:19). Dear Heavenly Father, He is risen! Hallelujah! I praise You for loving me and choosing me before the foundation of the world to hear Jesus' voice, to believe in Jesus, to belong to Jesus, to follow Jesus, to learn from Jesus, to obey Jesus, to have peace in Jesus, to rejoice in Jesus, to praise Jesus, to be in awe of Jesus, and to give Jesus all the glory. He is risen indeed! I serve The Living Jesus Christ, and one day I will live and reign with Him forever in His glorious kingdom with all my brothers and sisters in Christ. The best is always yet to come because Jesus loves me. This I know because Jesus tells me so. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This I pray all in Jesus' name, amen. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Wrath is cruel. Anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Proverbs 27:4 Indifference or Hate On Tuesday of Holy Week, the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees try to corner and entrap Jesus by challenging His teachings and attacking His credibility and character. To no surprise, they fail to find any fault in Him, and Jesus calls them out for being hypocrites (Read Matthew 21:23 - 23:39). In this post, we will talk about three main reasons why the Jewish leaders hated Jesus so much. What stirred up so much anger and hostility toward the One who came to die on the cross and save people from their sins? There are only three types of people in the world. There is the person who believes in Jesus. There is the person who is indifferent about Jesus. And there is the person who hates Jesus. We often find that many people are indifferent about Jesus. However, many are still fairly complimentary toward Him, even though they don’t believe in Him. People often say things like, “I don’t believe Jesus was the Messiah or the Son of God, but I believe He was a good person and a good teacher. He could’ve been a prophet.” We also find that many people react with hostility toward Jesus and the Gospel Truth. In Scripture, these people were called the scribes, Sadducees, and the Pharisees. They hated Jesus so much that they wanted to kill Him (John 5) and stone Him to death (John 8 & 10). Jesus teaches us that murder begins in the heart (Mat 5:21-22), and if uncontrolled, manifests into murderous actions. The Jewish leaders hated Jesus in their hearts, and their hatred was evident by their actions when they plotted to kill Jesus, ultimately crucifying Him on the cross. They had so much hate in their heart for Jesus that they committed the most evil, murderous act this world has ever known. Why did Jewish leaders hate Jesus so much? While there are likely many reasons, here are three main ones: They were jealous of Jesus. Wrath is cruel. Anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? (Proverbs 27:4). Nothing stirs up more hate in the human heart than jealousy. Jesus was popular. He did miracles. He attracted huge crowds who wanted to listen to His every word and care about His every move. Furthermore, while the Pharisees placed heavy burdens on their people and treated them with contempt, Jesus put His arm around tax collectors and ate meals with them. The people felt loved by Jesus while they felt judged by the Pharisees. The Pharisees witnessed multitudes of people flocking to see and listen to Jesus at every opportunity. They were jealous because of His popularity and of His power which was demonstrated through His miracles. They felt exposed by Jesus. Before Jesus’ arrival into the world, the scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones who thought they set the moral standard for everyone. They sat in the highest seats in the synagogue and were most revered for all their external virtue. But that’s all it was: external. The virtue was only a facade, and Jesus exposed them for their pretense: Jesus said to the crowds and His disciples: “For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. (Mat 23:4-5). And He said to the Jewish rulers, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! (v. 25-26) So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (v 28). (All of Matthew 23 is Jesus calling out the scribes and Pharisees) In reality, Jesus was the perfect moral standard as the Truth incarnate, while the Pharisees were only a counterfeit. Nothing exposes a counterfeit more than the presence of the genuine. When someone can’t attack the truth, they attack the credibility and character of the truth-teller, and that’s exactly what the Pharisees do to Jesus. They felt threatened by Him so they attacked Him, even though there was nothing to attack. The Pharisees were exposed by Jesus’ authenticity as He walked with true righteousness and holiness, and He spoke the truth in love. It doesn’t take brilliant discernment to tell the difference between the real and the counterfeit, in anything, especially when the two are lined up next to each other. While Jesus is the reason Christians rejoice because of His perfect righteousness, it made the Pharisees hate Him because He exposed them for what they truly were: fakes and phonies, self-righteous with empty words and unchanged hearts. The truth in Jesus didn't transform their hearts but exposed their unchanged status of condemnation. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18). They were afraid of Jesus. We know there can be no faith when there's fear. The two can't coexist. The Pharisees were full of fear. They weren’t afraid of Jesus' judgment and eternal wrath (what they should’ve truly feared). Rather, they were afraid of what would happen to their wordly status and power on Earth. They were in a high position of power and authority and didn’t want to lose that prestige. They feared the Romans too. They were afraid that Jesus would somehow lead an insurrection and cause a revolt against Rome, which would bring war and death to them. Their fear blinded them and drove them to do everything they could to get rid of Jesus...eventually leading to the cross. Their own hate blinded them to the Truth, who literally stood right in front of them: Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. They couldn't see His truth, grace, and glory because they had no faith. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). It made no sense why the Jewish leaders hated Jesus so much, but that's what sin is. It's nonsense. They hated Him without a cause. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated Me without a cause' (John 15:25). They surround me with hateful words and attack me without a cause (Psalm 109:3). Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for loving the world so much that You sent Your only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. When Jesus died on the cross, He died for me too. When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was raised for me too. Father, thank You for choosing me before the foundation of the world, thank You Jesus for making the way possible for me to be saved, and thank You Holy Spirit for leading me in the Truth and guaranteeing my entrance into Your Heavenly Kingdom. All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! In Jesus' name I pray Amen. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. Matthew 15:18-20 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:16-21

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules. Ezekiel 36:26-27 Controlling Our Emotions with Truth In ancient Hebrew and Greek, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding; the place of moral responsibility. In Scripture, the heart is the mind and will of a person, and that includes emotions. The heart believes and thinks. The heart can either believe God's Word and think good and true things (Phil 4:9), or it can disbelieve God's Word and think twisted and false things. Emotions come only in response to what the heart believes and thinks. Emotions respond to whatever the heart perceives to be true, even if it's not true. The "secret" to controlling our emotions is continuously filling our minds with the truths of Scripture and believing what God says. Please note, I will be using the terms heart and mind interchangeably in this post. Those of us who have a hard time controlling our emotions don't have an emotional problem but a mental one. (We all struggle with this to one degree or another). When emotions get in front of the mind, problems will arise. Before we allow our emotions to take over, we should pause and ask ourselves, "Am I trusting in God's Word, or am I trusting in how I feel? Am I being humble or proud? Am I believing true things or false things?" We indirectly control our emotions when we primarily control the mind. We must first make it a habit to feed on divine truth with our minds, believe the truth in our hearts, and then allow the truth to reign in our lives and rule over our emotions. But when we allow our emotions to reign and rule, we aren't even able to receive truth, let alone submit to it. Emotions can blind us when they get in front of the mind. When we put the "cart before the horse," things don't usually work out too well. May the Word of God, planted in our hearts, be far more powerful to us than our own feelings. May the Word of God lead and control us instead of our feelings. Emotions are Important Christianity doesn't do away with emotions. It just regulates them. Emotions are good signals and supporters of what we believe and think in our hearts, when what we believe is true. So I'm not saying to ignore how we feel! Emotions are important. They're part of being created in God's image. They bring color into our lives! Emotions allow us to relate to one another and bond with our family and friends. Without any emotion, life would be un-motivating and daunting. Life would hardly be called "life," without feeling the world around us. Our feelings can be good signals that we ought to pay attention to. The Lord gave us gut feelings and intuitions for a reason. These built-in mechanisms can alert us to dangerous situations and warn us about manipulative people and wolves in sheep's clothing. Furthermore, they can give us feelings of either peace or unrest about an important decision we make. Not only that, God commands us to feel! All throughout Scripture, it says to rejoice always (Phil 4:4, 1 Thess 5:16), delight ourselves in the Lord (Psalm 37:3), be glad and shout for joy (Psalm 32:11), cherish and relish His commandments (Psalm 112:1). Our feelings matter greatly to the Lord, and joy is not an option for the Christian! Obedience without affection is legalism, but obedience that takes delight in obeying God is true love. If we're obeying God without any feelings for Him, we should really pause and examine our own hearts to see if we're truly in the faith. Our feelings are never to be ignored or discounted. They are good signals that God has given to help us navigate this life and serve Him from the heart. So we see that emotions can make for good supporters, but they are never reliable leaders. We should never allow our feelings to determine our actions or truth. They can't be the final word. God's Word is the final Word. The Remedy Daily meditating on the truth, especially the truth of the Gospel and our election, is the remedy to gaining control over our emotions. Over time, this powerful little habit will make a huge impact on how we think, feel, and operate in both favorable and unfavorable circumstances, big and small. That's why Scripture says to renew our minds in the truth (Rom 12:2, Eph 4:23). I'm not saying it's easy, but it is simple, and it works. Daily feeding on God's Word and meditating on Scripture answers all our emotional problems. When we meditate on the truth that our biggest problem was solved 2,000 years ago on a cross, we realize that all our current problems are much, much smaller. Remembering and pondering the glorious truth that Jesus died for me and forgave me all my sins, saved me from an eternity in hell, and gifted me with eternal life instead, really helps me regulate my emotions! The truth of the Gospel is humbling. The truth of predestination and election is humbling. The truth kills my pride and helps me let go of any angst or self-pity I have about any seemingly "unfair" circumstances I'm in. It also helps me let go of anger, resentment, or any unforgiveness I may have toward anyone who has wronged me. When I ponder Jesus and what He has done for me for even a few minutes, my emotions stop ruling over me so intensely. When put into practice, it has proven to be a 100% success rate, and it's the best reality check there is. In fact, when I think about how Jesus died for me, all my negative thoughts and feelings get replaced with feelings of gratitude and words of praise. There's just no room for anger, worry, or complaining in a thankful heart. A Strong Heart is a Peaceful One In Part 1, we read about how God gives us a new heart through faith in Christ. We learned that we are to guide and guard our hearts in the truth. But how do we grow and strengthen our hearts in the truth? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul says, "I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf...that their hearts may be encouraged (strengthened) (Col 2:1). The Greek word Paul uses is parakaleō, which gives the three-fold definition of strength, courage, and comfort. A strong heart is one that holds on to its convictions and principles. A strong heart holds on to the truth, but never by its own strength. Jesus tells His disciples that He will send a Helper, One who will strengthen, encourage, comfort, and be with them forever (John 14:16). When we were given new hearts through faith in Christ, we were also given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us become stronger and stronger in our convictions and the things we believe about Jesus, who will guard our hearts from deception and guide us into all truth (John 16:13). When we yield our lives to the Holy Spirit, He will transform us into the image of Christ from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we make it a habit to feed on God's Word, pray to our Heavenly Father in Jesus' name, and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives, He will continue to strengthen our hearts in the truth. That's why Jesus says, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). When we trust Jesus and believe the Truth, the peace of Christ will rule in our hearts (Col 3:15). And we will rejoice and be glad, giving glory to God. Dear Heavenly Father, May Your Word continue to transform my heart to think, speak, and act more and more like Jesus, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. May the truth of the Gospel continue to soften my heart. May I never be afraid because I know Jesus is in control, and I trust in Him with all my heart. After all, He's the One who gave me a new one <3 All glory belongs to Jesus. This I pray in His name, amen. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:26-27 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:7-9 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and My Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). As a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 The Lord Knows Our Hearts For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (Samuel 16:7). Only God knows a person’s true character because only God knows a person's heart. Only He can look into our hearts to examine our thoughts, intentions, and what we truly believe. He knows everything there is to know about us. We can't hide from Him. For the believer, what a comforting truth that is! For whenever our heart condemns us, we know that God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything (1 John 3:20). God is greater than our feelings of guilt, and He is greater than our sins. God is greater than our hearts. In Scripture, the term "heart" is what we would now refer to as the mind. We don't find the word "brain" anywhere in the Bible. That's because in ancient Hebrew and Greek, the heart was considered the seat of knowledge, thinking, and understanding; the place of moral responsibility. The heart is a person’s intellect and will: one’s inner moral and spiritual life. The heart is what God is going to judge, whether it be righteous or rebellious, obedient or disobedient, believing or unbelieving. Please note that I will be using the terms heart and mind interchangeably in this post. A New Heart According to Scripture, The heart is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds" (Jeremiah 17:9-10). We're all born in sin with a heart that can't do anything but sin. Scripture says that even our most righteous acts are filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), when not done through faith in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin (Romans 14:23). That's why we must be born again and given a new heart; a heart that desires the things God loves and turns away from the things God hates. We must be given a righteousness that is not our own. and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Phil 3:9). The moment we first believe in Jesus, the Lord puts His Spirit in us, removes our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). We are justified through faith and clothed in Jesus' robe of perfect righteousness. We are made new creatures in Christ. The old things have passed away and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Through the new birth, God gives us new hearts with new natures and new desires to be able to walk in His ways (Ezekiel 11:19-20). It's a Gift Just like there's nothing we can do to earn or keep our salvation, there's nothing we can do to receive a new heart. Just like we could never cause our physical birth, we could never cause our spiritual birth. And we certainly can't turn from our sins and muster up an obedient heart in our own strength. That's impossible. This is only done by divine grace. Scripture says that according to God's mercy, He is the One who causes us to be born again into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). He chose to give us birth through the word of truth (James 1:18). Furthermore, the Lord says,“I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy (Romans 9:17). (See also Titus 3:5). We receive a new heart only because God is merciful. Scripture also says that anyone who comes to Jesus, He will certainly not drive away (John 6:37). God will never reject any sinner who comes to Jesus with childlike faith. Salvation, which includes being given the Holy Spirit and a new heart, is a sheer gift from God. No saved sinner could ever boast that he achieved salvation by his own intellect. We only can choose and love Jesus when He first chooses and loves us (John 15:16, 1 John 4:19). Scripture says that salvation belongs to the Lord (Psalm 3:8, 62:1, Jonah 2:9). This means every single aspect of our salvation, including a new heart, is from God and is utterly dependent upon God. The only contribution we make to our salvation is our sins that Jesus took away from us on the cross. God gets all the glory! Everything Flows From It If we want to live self-controlled lives in all manner of behavior, we must guard our hearts with the truth. Scripture explains that everything we do flows from our hearts and that we must guard them with all vigilance. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23). A guarded heart is one that believes and obeys the truth, discerns deception, and rejects lies from corrupting it. Scripture also says that what's down in our hearts will come out of our mouths. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45). We must plant the truth of God's Word in our hearts through faith to control how we talk and behave. We can't hide what's in our hearts for very long. Sooner or later, what's down in our hearts will come out of our mouths, manifest in our actions, spill out into our lives, and point in the direction of our eternities. Our words, actions, attitudes, and overall pattern of our lives will flow from what we believe to be true in our hearts, and it’ll be clear to a watching world whom we follow and what we believe. We must first guide our hearts to receive truth, and then we must guard our hearts in the truth. In turn, our behavior will reflect the truth that we believe; namely that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Guarded in the Truth When we guard our hearts in the truth, we will believe and obey the Lord by His grace, and the fruits of the Holy Spirit will show up in our lives. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control will generally mark the lives of those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation. These attitude fruits can only flow from a heart that is guarded in the Truth. As fallen creatures living in a fallen world, these fruits won't show up perfectly, and in certain seasons of our Christian walk, we may bear little fruit to the naked eye. But we know that God knows everything, and He is greater than our hearts. Oh, how comforting that is to the struggling Christian! Nonetheless, the fruits of the Holy Spirit will be ever-increasing in our lives as we continue to walk by faith; as we continue to trust and obey God's command to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (2 Peter 3:18). To be continued...

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (Photo credit goes to my brother, Matthew. He and his wife Jenny spotted a bald eagle together, a rare sighting). “God helps those who cannot help themselves.” - Charles Spurgeon Have You Not Heard? During the time of Isaiah, Israel suffered a period of great political oppression as the Assyrians invaded and conquered their lands. Isaiah chapters 40-48 proclaim God’s promises of redemption and deliverance from their enemies. And they all begin with the word, comfort. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God...that her iniquity is pardoned (Isaiah 40:1-2). Israel almost gave up all hope, thinking God had abandoned them to their enemy. But that was certainly not the case! Isaiah writes, “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to Him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:27-31). We are comforted when we trust in God’s unwavering character. We are comforted when we think of His mercy, saving grace, and the forgiveness of our sins. We are comforted when we trust in His promise of eternal life through faith in Christ. And He strengthens us when we wait patiently for Him. Eagles' Wings In Ancient Hebrew culture, eagles were depicted as powerful warriors who were also very protective of their young. Eagles are known for their strength and courage, soaring above stormy clouds and guarding their eaglets from all sorts of predators. In Scripture, the term eagles’ wings is commonly used to describe one who possesses the great characteristics of the eagle. In Exodus, we also find the term eagles’ wings in how God faithfully delivered Israel out of Egypt. “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now if you obey Me fully and keep My covenant, then out of all nations you will be My treasured possession (19:4-5). We prove to be the children of God when we lovingly obey Him and keep His Word. We don’t obey God to be saved. We obey Him because we already are. It's God who puts His Spirit in us and causes us to walk in His ways (Ezekiel 36:27), and keeps us forever. We obey Him because He's carried us on eagles' wings and brought us to Himself. We obey Him because we belong to Him and we trust Him. He is our Father, and we are His children; His treasured possession. Isaiah ascribes the phrase wings like eagles to those who remain faithful to God; to those who obey Him from the heart, by His grace. The phrase, mount up in Hebrew means to go up, to ascend, to rise over a boundary. Isaiah writes that the Lord will provide renewed strength and confidence to overcome all obstacles. If only Israel would wait for the LORD; if only they would trust in His sovereignty; if only they would be patient in His timing, they will mount up on wings like eagles. And like an eagle to its young, the Lord protects and preserves His own. They will never perish. No one can snatch them out of His hand (John 10:28). More Than Conquerors It's simple (yet not always easy). When we trust in the Lord and wait for Him, we are comforted and strengthened. When we trust in Jesus and wait for the One who defeated death on our behalf and accomplished our salvation through His life, death, and resurrection, He will comfort us through our earthly trials and give us strength to overcome them all. What we cannot do for ourselves, Christ has already done for us, namely our salvation. The Lord comforts us and renews our strength when we’re feeling weary or faint by reminding us of who He is and what He’s already accomplished for us on the cross. May we continuously be reminded that He has forgiven us all our iniquities and saved us from the horrible reality of hell. May we continuously be reminded that we have eternal life, through faith in Christ. May we continuously be reminded that we are the children of God, and we will never perish. What could be a more comforting and empowering reality than all those things?! When we make it a daily habit to meditate on the Gospel and set our minds on things above, it will be a continuous reminder of God’s mercy and glorious grace. Keeping an eternal perspective like that will change the way we see our earthly circumstances, big or small. As believers, we know if His grace is sufficient to save us, His grace is sufficient to carry us safely through all life’s temptations and trials to our heavenly home. When we wait for the Lord, He will cause us to mount up on wings like eagles, and we shall run without weariness in the soul and walk without being faint of heart. What could give us more comfort, strength, and joy than knowing that Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and granted us eternal life in Him, by grace through faith? Jesus paid it all! We know that in all things, including death itself, we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Rom 8:37). Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for who You are. Lord, You are my comfort and my strength. I know I can’t help myself. My help comes from You alone. Lord, help me to not grow weary in doing well, for in due time I will reap a harvest, if I do not give up (Gal 6:9). Lord, help me trust in You and wait patiently for You, in all things. Lord, help me to be a comfort to other Christians in their own unique walk with Jesus by reminding them of the ultimate - You have forgiven all our iniquities, and we have eternal life in Him. May I encourage them to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of Your might (Eph 6:11), through all earthly trials knowing that we have overcome the world, through faith in Christ (1 John 5:4-5). (By the gift of Your grace)! May the Gospel soften our hearts. All glory belongs to Jesus, our Lord and Savior! I pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Eph 3:16-17 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 “I’m sure of my salvation because I am sure of my Savior.” - RC Sproul