discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Biblical Bacon

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No, not pork or by someone who lives ‘high on the hog.’ … Instead, we’ll address biblical finances. Money. Cheddar. Cash. Bread. Bucks. Bacon. Everyone needs it; some worship it. One person’s financial tool can be another’s heart-directed treasure (Matthew 6:21). Nonetheless, the Bible offers guidance on money management and where to direct wealth (see my recent column “The Tithe: Religion Over Love!”). What does God want here?

Obedience over sacrifice. Love MUST trump religion. God said, “to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 9:13). Obey what? Minimally, to honor God in all things and to be charitable (e.g., Matthew 22:34-40). 1 John 3:17 teaches that God’s love is not in those who ignore others’ needs. Their end will be eternal destruction (e.g., Matthew 25:31-46). “But, Ron: Doesn’t tithing to the church count?” Not necessarily.

There was no New Testament tithe until Constantine reinstituted it in the fourth century to fund people and projects. Until then, church funds were collected only for charity. Paul collected funds from regional churches for the beleaguered saints in Jerusalem. Early Church father Tertullian wrote that money was collected monthly from willing donors to care for widows and orphans, not to fund a “religion that has its price.” Giving money to support church salaries and other needs doesn’t replace the “honor and love” obedience God seeks. By the way, money isn’t the only way to help our churches and others—we can also share our time and talents. So, how do we ensure there’s money to give?

Tips for financial freedom. Work hard, pay bills, avoid debt (if possible), don’t cosign for others, pay taxes, care for fellow followers of Jesus, and save. Working hard reduces the likelihood of ‘idle hands’ and mischief. Remember the ‘Ant and the Grasshopper’ story based on Proverbs 6:6-11? And there’s Paul’s lecture against slackers in Thessalonica (2 Thessalonians 3:10-11).

Borrowing creates slaves. Avoiding debt helps us keep more of what we earn. Don’t borrow unless it’s necessary (perhaps for a home). Be intentional about paying off debt as soon as possible. Similarly, the Bible teaches us never to cosign debt (Proverbs 22:26).

Paying bills and taxes is a biblical principle that, when followed, helps keep us out of trouble. Giving to others is also a non-negotiable biblical principle, as I’ve already stated. This practice demonstrates that we are Jesus’ disciples and children of God (John 13:34-35).

Finally, setting aside some of our bounty will help ensure we can weather financial downturns. Budgeting can help you achieve this and other financial goals. Oh—I almost forgot a critical piece of advice: “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have …” (Hebrews 13:5).

In summary, use your wealth wisely to please God. Be content with what you have and prioritize charity over religion. Next, I’ll drive home the point that God is enough!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley (MDiv; DMin)

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Running on Empty?

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The Natural Law of Entropy teaches us that the norm is to move from order to chaos and, in the process, return to a natural state (e.g., steel reverts to rust, and people die and return to dust). Nothing stays good, nor is chaos avoided without help. Otherwise, the makeup industry wouldn’t be so profitable! The principle also applies to us spiritually: stay filled with God’s Spirit, walk by that Spirit, and grow spiritually … or suffer chaos and decay. And that’s the subject here.

The apostle Paul explained that we can receive God’s Spirit as a gift in response to a natural outpouring of faith and obedience (Acts 5:32; Galatians 4:6). As recipients, we become God’s children (Romans 8:14), meant to be continually ‘be being’ filled by the Spirit and to walk accordingly (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-17). Yes, I wrote ‘be being’ on purpose, as it reflects the intent and context of the original language. So, not just a ‘once-and-done’ action, but an ongoing process of refreshing and renewal. Continual filling is rewarding; the opposite can be disastrous!

Spirit-filled Christians often feel like they’re on a ‘high.’ Strong. Victorious. Spiritually invincible. Well, until life happens … The highs can turn to lows; endurance can become drudgery. Without continual refilling and refreshing, we can feel spiritually weak or empty. In the aftermath of our spiritual emptiness, we may be tempted to ‘dabble’ in unethical or immoral behavior (e.g., sexual, physical, or financial). You’ll find a non-exhaustive list of practices that can exclude someone from God’s Kingdom in Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, and Ephesians 5:5. Not continually being filled by God’s Spirit can also leave space for rotten tenants.

In Matthew 12:43-45, Jesus tells a parable about a demon cast out of a person, leaving the spirit without a host. In an undesirable situation, the homeless evil spirit returned. Finding it still empty and uncleaned, it and seven of its disembodied spiritual homies move in, likely through possession. We can read about avoidable real-life examples of possession in the Bible.

Avoidable? None of these, or any other examples of demonic possession or oppression, would be possible in a Holy Spirit ‘be-being’ filled environment for someone who has received and is walking in God’s Spirit. They are not running on empty, spiritually speaking, and, by the Holy Spirit, the single spiritual tenant, they exercise love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Note that these are Spirit-driven actions, not feelings or spiritual gifts!

In summary, avoid running on spiritual empty and dabbling in things God hates, which will have negative consequences. How? Immerse yourself in the things of God and walk by His Spirit to leave no room for rotten tenants or ungodly behavior! What’s next? Let’s explore biblical finances, focusing on two things: the truth about godly prosperity and where God really wants you to put your money.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley (MDiv; DMin)

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Covenant Revisited: Part II

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Last time, I introduced the covenant we can have with God. Here, we continue exploring the two-way relationship with the Father through faith in the Son and by fulfilling our part of that agreement.

Quick review. The Old Covenant relationship was modeled after the human suzerain-vassal (lord-servant) treaty of Abraham’s time. The New Covenant connection to the Father through the Son is a continuation because the Father, the Son, and the mission and terms remain the same in both.

Terms. God’s obligation was to send a savior and to love people (John 3:16; 1 John 4:19). He has honored the terms and continues to keep close to Him anyone who chooses to remain (John 10:27-29 and 15:4-10; Romans 8:38-39). Jesus expects devotees to openly profess Christ to others (Matthew 10:32), to confess sins and repent, and to bear one another’s burdens (James 5:13-16). They must honor the Father with everything they are and have, in complete devotion, and love one another charitably (Matthew 22:37-40). Loving actions born of faith prove allegiance to the Father through the Son (e.g., John 14:15 and 21; 15:8). Finally, Christ-followers are obligated to grow in spirit and to make disciples who, in turn, create more disciples (e.g., Ephesians 4:11-16 and Matthew 28:18-20).

Blessings. God’s blessings for those He knows include receiving His Spirit now and partnership in the age to come. However, curses also await those God does not know—anyone who has rejected Him, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Knowing God isn’t enough—He must ‘know’ us by our obedient love (1 Corinthians 8:3).

Curses. Refusing or walking away from a relationship with God carries negative consequences. For instance, Jesus teaches that anyone who does not obey the call to be charitable to others will face judgment and destruction (John 15:6; Matthew 25:41-46). The same fate awaits those whose practices oppose God’s standard. The Psalmist David calls for the unrighteous to be removed from the Book of Life (Psalm 69:28). Similarly, Jesus tells John that He will not remove the names of the righteous from the Book (Revelation 3:5). Finally, the names of those who will choose poorly and align with the end-times Antichrist will be absent from it (Revelation 13:8 and 17:8).

Devote and stay. A fruitful and continuing relationship demands that both parties remain in and true to the agreement. The covenant with the Father through Christ is no exception. The language used to denote the need to remain in a relationship with the Father refers to staying put. In scriptures such as John 15:4-10, Jesus explains the need to stay with the Father and the Son, sometimes using conditional statements that insist people can choose to remain or leave. The apostle John continues the theme in 1 John 4:16.

In summary, your Creator has called you back to Him through Jesus. It’s your turn: devote yourself, be charitable, and stay. Next? The dangers of spiritual emptiness and its cure.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley (MDiv; DMin)

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Covenant Revisited: Part I

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God’s children are in a covenantal relationship with Him. It’s a committed, faithful bond in which God graciously promises to be with and for His people, and they respond with trust, obedience, and devotion. It’s not merely a contract but a living relationship marked by love, loyalty, and ongoing renewal. We’ll further unpack God’s relational nature and the covenant with Him in the next two articles, updated from the original 2021 publication.

God has sought partnership with His creation since the beginning of human time, when He charged the first man, Adam, with caring for what He had made. Adam cultivated the garden and named the animals (Genesis 1:26-30 and 2:15-20). From then on, a relational God who endowed humans with the ability to choose Him has regularly sought “I will if you will” engagements.

Probably the earliest example of a two-way covenant with God was the one He established with Abraham. In Genesis 15:1-21 and 17:1-14, we learn that God entered into a relationship with Abraham to fulfill a promise to provide a way back and to redeem creation after Adam and Eve’s rebellion. The covenant was based on an ancient Hittite suzerain-vassal framework that outlined the relationship between the lord of the land and its occupants. The lord demanded complete devotion and allegiance, along with a tithe (10%) of what the land produced. In return, subjects received protection and provision. This was the standard arrangement in Abraham’s time and included a preamble listing the parties involved and a historical prologue providing the “basis of obligation.”

Furthermore, the covenantal agreement included stipulations (terms and conditions), blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. Regular readings of the treaty were necessary to keep it foremost in participants’ minds. That God used it should come as no surprise, given that Father and Son have always employed human language, practices, and figures of speech in communicating with us. The lord-servant arrangement was what Abraham knew, and it would have made sense to him. God continued what He had started by reaffirming the agreement through Moses 500 years later.

God remembered His covenant with the people of Israel when they were captives in Egypt (Exodus 2:24). After their rescue by Moses, God confirmed the treaty using the same suzerain/vassal framework:

1.         Preamble/Title: “I am Yahweh your God . . .”          

2.         Prologue: “. . . who brought you up out of the land” (provides obligations and motive).

3.         Stipulations/Obligations: “You shall have no other gods before me. . . .”

4.         Periodic reading of the treaty.

5.         Witnesses.

6.         Curses and blessings.

Additional covenantal artifacts exist in scriptures such as Deuteronomy 4:32-40, 6:4-25, and chapter eight.

In summary, a God who exercises choice created humans with the same ability, and He sought reciprocal relationships with willing participants in the Old Covenant (Old Testament). Next time, we’ll see that this is still the case in the New Covenant.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley (MDiv; DMin)

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Are You ‘Saved?’ – Part Two

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Someone told me this when I was 16: “All you have to do to be saved from hell is believe in Jesus and say this silent prayer.” It sounded too good to be true, and I thought, “Surely, there must be more to a relationship with God!” Now I can tell you that rescue from hell is possible only through an active, two-way relationship (covenant) with Him that we need to foster… do our part… until we die or the world ends. But this isn’t what many Protestants believe.

In Part One of this series, I defined salvation as both a rescue from God’s future wrath (will be saved) and the process of being made whole (being saved). I also noted that salvation involves two main parts: (1) entering a relationship with God and (2) remaining in that relationship. Here, I will expand on these points and explain their elements.

Enter a relationship (covenant) with God. Some believe that everyone is on the fast track to hell unless God occasionally rescues someone. Others teach that everyone will be saved. The truth: Anyone can choose salvation, but not everyone will … or stay if they do.

• Who. “… God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4).

• Why. “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18—see also 1 John 2:2).

• How. Entry into the relationship, like a marriage, requires experience, decision, and devotion: “He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.” (John 1:7; 20:31) and “… confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved …” (Romans 10:9-10).

Stay in the relationship. Honor God, be charitable to people, and abide (stay).

• Honor God with all you are and have (e.g., Matthew 22:34-40).

• Be charitable (love others through a fruitful faith). “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share …” (1 Timothy 6:18). Otherwise, “… faith, if it has no works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

• Persevere. “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. … If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away … and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Matthew 24:13; John 15:6).

Summary. Partner with God for transformation, rescue, and eternal life by devoting yourself fully to Him and remaining in the relationship. What’s next? Many Christians view their connection to a heavenly Father (which should be a covenant) as a one-sided affair with a lovesick God. So we’ll work to better understand it. Meanwhile, honor God, be charitable, love justice and mercy, and focus on purity and spiritual growth.

Blessings and peace,
Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv; DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

Are You ‘Saved?’ – Part One

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“Are you saved, brother?” two guys asked me for several days about 40 years ago. I initially replied, “Yep!” Finally, I responded, “I was saved the first time you asked me, and I’m still saved!” What does salvation mean, and how do we attain it? We’ll explore this in a two-part series.

Salvation Defined. In Biblical Greek, it means to rescue, protect, or restore. The specific meaning varies based on the context, and the Bible often describes salvation as a future rescue from God’s end-of-the-world wrath: “… for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5) Meanwhile, we are “being” saved—being made whole (e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:18).

Salvation relies on choosing, engaging in, and maintaining a healthy relationship with God. Therefore, rescue from God’s wrath requires free-will decision and action, as the Bible teaches and the earliest Church affirmed.

What the Bible teaches and the earliest Church believed. Ancient Church fathers (and the Bible!) taught that salvation has two parts: (1) entering a relationship with God; (2) staying in that relationship. Entry requires a decision and dedication (e.g., John 1:7 and 20:31; Romans 10:9-10). Staying requires obeying God’s commands to honor Him and to love others charitably—doing good works (e.g., James 2:14-26; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 10:24; Revelation 20:13). As a result, apostles and early Church fathers emphasized that belief and action go hand in hand: “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. … You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:17 & 24).

Staying also requires perseverance: “But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. … If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” (Matthew 24:13; John 15:6). So, who is called by God to believe, devote, and persevere?

Who. God wants everyone to have a relationship with Him (1 Timothy 2:4). So Jesus died to pay the penalty for humanity’s rebellion (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2). The reality is, though, that not everyone will follow the narrow path to salvation.

The path to salvation. Contrary to popular beliefs, faith alone, silent prayers or fruitless faith will not save you. Instead, the Bible teaches that the way to eternal life follows this basic approach: Experience and decide, devote yourself to God, honor Him, be charitable to people, and stay in the relationship. Dissecting and explaining these steps will be the focus of Part Two.

Summary. Salvation involves being rescued from God’s wrath and experiencing a present transformation. Building and maintaining a relationship with God is essential to navigating these life-changing events. Next time, I will discuss the elements of the pathway that lead to new life and rescue from God’s wrath.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Heavenly Armor: Part Two

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In part one, we learned that evil is everywhere and that we have protective armor and a spiritual sword. The armor consists of these elements:

  • Belt of Truth: Girds us with Christ’s foundational truth.
  • Breastplate of Righteousness: God’s standard that keeps us on the narrow path.
  • Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: The good news of God’s Kingdom being shared with humanity.
  • Shield of Faith: Guards us against fear, doubt, and anxiety.
  • Helmet of Salvation: Confidence in future rescue for those who seek God’s righteousness.
  • Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God that helps discern God’s truth from the lies of the Evil One.

Here, we’ll explore the Shield of Faith, which is built on belief—confidence. The apostle Paul explains that this enables us to hold firmly to the unseen aspects of our Christianity, whether through the Spirit or fulfilled prophecies (Hebrews 10:39 & 11:1). We trust in God and Christ because of what they’ve done, are doing, and will do. It’s like this: you strongly believe you’ll get a paycheck because you have received one consistently in the past. But why do we need a Shield of Faith?

A Shield of Faith helps us stay focused on what we know to be true. It enables us to persevere through trials as we pursue the ‘crown of life’ that awaits God’s children (James 1:12). Faith-driven perseverance also builds character and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Without a heavenly Shield of Faith, we would crumble in despair and doubt, unable to endure life’s struggles. Therefore, we need this shield to overcome difficulties and live spiritually. How do we attain this Shield of Faith?

Experience is essential for developing strong faith, and it can take various forms, such as biblical writings and the proclamation that God’s Kingdom is accessible. “But these [signs performed by Jesus] have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” (John 20:31) Additionally, a healthy fear of God and related knowledge are faith-builders: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Additionally, we become stronger in everything through discipline; building faith is no different. Study the Bible. Don’t just read the words—study and seek understanding through prayer! Also, pray regularly to adore and thank God, intercede for yourself and others, and confess sinful behavior. Practice your faith through self-control and charity. And when you lack faith (perhaps due to discouragement, doubt, or spiritual immaturity), pray for faith-boosting wisdom (James 1:5-6).

In summary, a Shield of Faith is crucial for overcoming doubt and fear and for fueling our perseverance as we pursue the ‘crown of life.’ It is developed through experiencing God in various ways and through practice. Next time? Let’s explore the fears of a looming third world war from a biblical perspective.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

World War III?

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I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve heard or read that we’re on the verge of a third world war (WWIII)! Some even believe the war has already begun. Many, especially Evangelicals, think WWIII is tied to end-of-the-world prophecies. Is this true? Or are people just overreacting? I’ll discuss these questions here to help ease fears or anxiety.

Is World War III starting or about to happen? Probably not. Deep alliances, divisions, and failed diplomacy — like those that led to the first two world wars — aren’t at pre-war levels. And although Jesus showed several signs of the end times, current events don’t match anything more than ‘birth pains’ leading to the end. This has been true for 2,000 years, and it will be, with the frequency and intensity of events foretold by Jesus increasing significantly as the end approaches.

Unfortunately, people often believe that current conflicts and natural disasters indicate the end of the world, leading to fears of a looming global war like biblical Armageddon. However, these predictions have recurred throughout history. For example, the Crusades, the Black Plague, the Napoleonic Wars, both World Wars, the Cold War, and Y2K have caused Christians to think the world was ending. Adding to the confusion are Nostradamus’ cryptic prophecies, which some interpret as signs of imminent disaster or biblical prophetic fulfillment.

It’s true that close alliances and divisions among nations, or an event that triggers a major conflict involving them, can lead to a large-scale war. Territorial expansion, dominance, military buildup, and failed diplomacy might signal a global conflict, as seen with both World Wars. Still, we should focus on hope, not despair—on biblical and historical truths, not on distorted media hype, prophecies, or YouTube sensationalism.

What does the Bible reveal about World War III? Nothing. The Bible does suggest there will be at least two major conflicts: the Armageddon of Revelation 16:12-16 and 19:11-21, and the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 20:8-9. However, neither Armageddon nor the Gog-Magog wars qualify as world wars. Both involve or are against God, and at least the Gog-Magog war targets Israel during a time of peace. Currently, Israel is seen as an aggressor, not a peacetime victim. Also, God is not openly a combatant as He will be in both conflicts I mentioned. Nonetheless, how should we behave?

How should we respond? Paul teaches us to persevere through trials, which builds character and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Jesus also encourages us by saying that those who “endure to the end will be saved” (rescued from God’s wrath to come in the last days—Matthew 10:22 and 24:13). Meanwhile, spend more time honoring God and loving people than watching or reading media outlets!

In short, we’re unlikely to see WWIII or the end of the world anytime soon. Still, we must stay strong and faithful during difficult times. In the next column, I’ll try to unravel the mystery of ‘salvation.’

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Heavenly Armor: Part One

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Evil is everywhere! For example, wicked spiritual beings in an unseen realm influence people and governments: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Thankfully, God has provided us with various defenses and an offensive weapon to counteract trouble: heavenly armor. Here, I’ll introduce what can keep you safe from ungodly spiritual forces. In Part Two, we’ll focus on its ‘Shield of Faith.’

Here’s an interesting fact: Paul’s description of heavenly armor is partly based on Isaiah 59:16-17, which mentions the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation (below). The context of the Isaiah reference is God arming Himself in wrath as He deals with the unfaithful. This is in direct contrast to Paul’s use of the Old Testament text, which presents heavenly armor—including salvation and righteousness—that humans can wear to repel unwanted spiritual forces. Was Paul being careless or dishonest? No, he was simply using a text that the Jews would have recognized to emphasize clothing ourselves with the same armor God used when fighting evil.

So, wear the six-piece spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:11-13. There, Paul explains the protection God’s children automatically receive: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” I want to emphasize that ALL of God’s children have access to the heavenly armor. It can be helpful to remember what God has given by imagining ourselves putting them on regularly—maybe every morning? Here are the individual pieces:

Belt of truth. Jesus Christ’s truth secures our faith and provides the foundation of the universal Christian Church.

Breastplate of Righteousness. Just as the breastplate protects the physical heart, the righteousness of Christ protects our mind (spiritual heart.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace. When we wear them, we share the good news of God’s Kingdom brought near to people through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection (primarily through behaving as Kingdom citizens).

Shield of Faith. Faith protects us from fear, doubt, or anxiety. God provides more of this when we’re low.

Helmet of Salvation. With it, we can take every thought captive and avoid sinful pursuits, knowing we will be rescued (saved) from God’s wrath.

Sword of the Spirit. This ‘offensive’ weapon is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” according to Hebrews 4:12. With it, we can discern God’s truth from the lies of the Evil One.

In summary, God has given us the good news of His Kingdom (the gospel of peace), His standard (righteousness), and His ultimate rescue (salvation). We also have the truth Christ taught, protection from doubt (faith), and God’s truth (to combat falsehoods). Next time, we’ll explore faith and the ‘shield of faith’ more deeply before explaining righteousness further.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

No Affirmation or Couch Potatoes!

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Many Christians live at a spiritual extreme that could hinder God’s partnership with those He seeks. Some believe that Christians only need to accept Jesus as their Savior and confess their sins. This dangerous mindset, common among many Western Evangelical Christians, can lead to spiritual complacency and contradicts the commands of Father and Son to honor, grow, love, and obey. How did this occur? It has developed over decades through misapplications of core principles like salvation by grace, a lack of discipleship, poor teaching, and selfishness. Father and Son understand who they are and what They’ve done—they don’t need our approval but do want our partnership!

God seeks partners to reconcile His creation in this age and to rule in the next.

  • “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, . . . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2Corinthians 5:18-20)
  • “He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS” (Revelation 2:26; see also Revelation 3:21 and 1Corinthians 6:2-3).

The role of partnership involves training and transformation through discipleship, which should be each Christian’s top priority as both a disciple and a disciple-maker. Everything else stems from it, including worship and spiritual growth. However, statistically, fewer than 20% of churchgoers regularly participate in discipleship activities such as small groups, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and accountability (https://www.barna.com/research/state-church-2016/). Moreover, only 14% of today’s Western Christians seem to demonstrate the actions and attitudes that Barna researchers associate with those of Jesus (https://www.barna.com/research/christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees). These numbers suggest that little discipleship is taking place, and imitating the One we call Savior is even more rare. Nonetheless, no spiritually lazy people are welcome in God’s Kingdom!

  • “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away . . . If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (John 15:2-16)
  • “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’” (Matthew 25:41-43)

In summary, God doesn’t need our affirmation, nor will He tolerate Christian laziness! Repent and thrive or perish! In my next article, we’ll learn about the heavenly armor of God and why it’s a must-have!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

Biblical Truth by Ron Braley