Because life comes at us so quickly, and because we get so busy moving about doing so much, we can easily forget or fail to realize how important God really is to us. I don’t just mean how important He is in our worship services or in our routine prayers. I’m talking about a basic recognition that we cannot function in any capacity at all but for the grace of God. We could not move, eat, breath, or accomplish anything in life apart from God’s continual sustenance. 

When Daniel was called upon to translate the writing on the wall given to Belshazzar, he gave the reasons why Belshazzar would be deposed. Among the reasons, Belshazzar had exalted himself against “the Lord of heaven” and failed to humble himself even though he knew that “the Most High God is ruler over the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes” (Dan 5:21-22). He was willing to honor gods made of silver and gold, “But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and all your ways, you have not glorified” (v. 23). 

Notice that again: all life-breath and “all your ways” are in God’s hand. Everything that everyone does at all times is under God’s supervision and by His grace. Even Job, while perplexed over why God allowed him to suffer, still recognized God’s hand: “Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?” (Job 12:9-10)

We can never afford to remove God from our thinking or fail to glorify Him even for our life-breath and all our ways in which we function. God is foundational to all existence and all life. There is no escaping God’s watch and care. But let’s think about one way that we might easily forget: 

Do you ever think, “I need God because I am a sinner in need of forgiveness”? This is true, but if we are not careful we might betray thinking that were it not for the fact that we have sinned, we really wouldn’t need God all that much. We just need Him because we need forgiveness. This presents a faulty view of God, humanity, and our purpose. God is not some machine that we plug into to wipe away sin then unplug from so we can do our own thing (which, ironically, would be sinful). We need God all the time and for everything. 

Before Adam and Eve sinned, they needed God. After all, they were living in God’s presence by His grace in God’s garden, having the breath of life because He gave it to them and continuing to live by His sustenance and love. So it is with all of us. He “gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25) and the Lord “upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Heb 1:3). All things were made in and through the Lord and “in him all things hold together” (Col 1:15-17). There is no time at which we can afford to say that we don’t need God. We needed Him before we sinned and we continue to need Him because we could not exist without Him. 

Yet it is more than mere existence. We are made to serve God, to seek after Him, to live eternally with Him (Acts 17:27; 2 Cor 5:5). God did not make us for the purpose of sinning only to receive forgiveness and that’s that. He created us in His image to reign with Him (Gen 1:26-28) and to have an abundant life (John 10:10). Sin is the side-track, the distraction that derails and wrecks us. Forgiveness puts us back on track where we ought to have been — a bit worn but not without purpose and not without redemption. By the grace of God, we can still function — even excel — according to His eternal purposes. 

I need to think in terms of working to glorify God at all times. I need to be grateful for forgiveness, but I also need to see my life and purpose as bigger than being forgiven. I have been made to live for the Lord. That’s why Paul would say, in a context of paying attention to the needs and consciences of others, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). And, “whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17). Our lives and service extend to all that we do. 

Living with God was God’s plan from the beginning and we will continue to need Him even as we are before His throne eternally casting our crowns at His feet. I don’t need God only because I have sinned or just because I have a particular problem that needs solving. I just need God. And so do you. 

Doy Moyer

Peter spoke of the coming of Jesus as the “Day of the Lord” (2 Pet 3:10). He said it the day would come like a thief, which indicates a need to be ready and watchful. Then Peter asks a significant question. As God’s people await and hasten that day, “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…?” 

We often consider ways in which to strengthen our faith. We might focus upon issues in apologetics and evidences in order to better understand and articulate our faith. These types of studies are rich and rewarding, but we also need to understand that they are never meant to be an end in themselves. They are stepping stones on which we may continue to build and live our lives in accordance with Christ and His will. They can help us in overcoming hurdles and obstacles. But faith, true faith, will always come through the hearing of God’s word (Rom 10:17). 

Faith is meant to be lived. It is not some mere academic pursuit. It is not about the latest or best way to argue a point. It is about learning to trust and commit ourselves to our Lord. This is why the greatest apologetic will be our lives — showing that God works in us and through us because we trust Him: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Phil 2:12-13)

Some “win” arguments through deceit, trickery, fallacy, or force. Others technically win arguments verbally, having carefully crafted solid reasons, yet no changes result. While it is important to know how to reason appropriately, and it never helps a cause to make bad arguments, the most important way to persuade another will always be through the lives that we live. For instance: 

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16). 

“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet 2:12). 

“In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior” (1 Pet 3:1-2). 

“The Lord’s bond- servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim 2:24-26). 

All of these passages have in common the idea that leading others to the Lord have a great deal to do with our attitudes and the way we live our lives. Yet reason we choose to live as we do is because we believe…

Because we believe in God, we will live intentionally, striving to mirror God and His will. Let’s be reminded of the importance of this: 

1. Our Concern for Others

Whatever we do is not just for ourselves, but also for others. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3-4). Christians are concerned about both truth and evangelism. Souls are at stake in the fight for truth. Consequently, we are not just trying to win arguments and debates; we are trying to win souls for Christ. Therefore, how we converse with others is vital. Paul wrote to Timothy: “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive him to do his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Paul’s humble spirit comes through here as he imbibed the attitude of God who is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). God’s desire is that all be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Tim. 2:4). 

An approach toward evangelism bent on winning debates for its own pleasure is more geared toward glorifying the man, not God. Discussion is beneficial when done properly, but when we argue in ways that distort truth so that we can win a point, we overstep our boundaries. This is partly what Paul meant when he wrote the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:3-5). That is, we must not stoop to worldly ways and ungodly methods in order to win fights. The weapons that God has given us are sufficient taking down the strongholds of the world and bringing every thought captive to Jesus Christ. We need to trust God in this. 

If God’s concern is the salvation of souls (1 Tim 2:3-4), then our concern ought to mirror this attitude. Jesus did not come to this earth merely to beat opponents in argumentation. He came to seek and save the lost. If we are going to honor Jesus for what He did, then our efforts should be directed toward those same efforts. Taking an approach that places more emphasis on ourselves and upon our reasoning abilities ends up diminishing the honor that belongs to our Lord. 

2. Live Your Life in Christ and Stand up for Christ with Grace

The apostle wrote, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6). What we say is extremely important. We cannot convert anyone to truth unless we actually speak the truth. Yet, Paul reminds us that how we go about it is just as important as the content of our message. Truth presented with a bad attitude or lack of kindness does no one any good. Truth is to be spoken in love (Eph. 4:15) and with a desire to “give grace to those who hear” (vs. 29). Kindness is always in order when we are defending our Lord. 

Further, we need to remember that part of the purpose in reaching out to others is to remove stumbling blocks and open doors. We don’t want to slam doors by an unsavory attitude that serves only to turn people off to the message. If we get the way of the message because we are not acting as we ought, then once again we are not glorifying God but ourselves. Therefore, in defending Jesus Christ (and all that goes with this) let’s make sure we represent Him honorably so that glory goes to Him in all things. Once we have sanctified Christ as Lord in our hearts, then we are in a position to give a defense of our hope, with gentleness and reverence (1 Pet. 3:15). 

Our job is to proclaim the excellencies of God (1 Pet. 2:9-10) and to glorify Him in all that we do (1 Cor. 10:31; cf. Col. 3:17). Whatever good we may accomplish finds its value in glorifying God, not men. The Corinthians, who apparently put great stock in the wisdom of men, needed to learn this lesson. Paul indicated that even though the cross is foolishness to men, it is the power and wisdom of God through the cross that saves us from our sins. So when he preached to the Corinthians, he did not come to them “with superiority of speech or of wisdom.” Rather, he was with them “in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” His message to them was not “in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Why? Paul’s answer is straightforward: “so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:1-5). 

To defend Christ with grace means that we are kind in our approach, getting ourselves out of the way and giving all the glory to God. The power of God’s word will hold its own. We need not embellish it or hide it. Let God’s power shine through your presentation of His message. 

3. Promote Christ with Righteous Living

Peter wrote that we must keep our behavior excellent among Gentiles (unbelievers), “so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Pet. 2:12). This teaching coincides with what Jesus taught about His disciples being lights in the world: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). While we recognize that we are far from perfect, we should understand that proclaiming allegiance to God on the one hand and living in a way that betrays this claim on the other hand will create stumbling blocks for others. The consequences of causing others to stumble will not be pretty, for “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). 

In order to live effectively for Christ, people must see beyond us to the Lord Himself. They need to know that it really is the Lord Christ whom we serve (Col. 3:24). Therefore, we are to present ourselves to God as living and holy sacrifices (Rom. 12:1) with the added responsibility: “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (v. 2). Our duty to the world is to live like Christ. We fail those in the world when we try to live just like the world. 

Peter, also, reminds his readers of the need to be holy. “Prepare your minds for action,” he wrote, with our hope fixed on the grace of Christ. We are to be “as obedient children” and “like the Holy One” who has called us. “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:13-16). In this light, the best way to help and teach the world is by being holy and completely dedicated to God (Christ sanctified in the heart). This will promote Christ more than the words we might say. People need to know that we are different precisely because we are committed to Jesus as Lord. 

Consequently, we will demonstrate our belief in God through the way that we love one another and show our unity in Him (John 13:34-35; John 17:20-21). Where the world shows hate, we will demonstrate love. Where the world expects retaliation, we will offer forgiveness. Where the world delights in sin, we will show our delight in godliness. We will abhor what is evil, cling to and love what is good (Rom 12:9). We will demonstrate God through Holiness (1 Pet 1:13ff) and desire to serve both God and others. 

4. Make the Most of Opportunities

Paul wrote to the Colossians that we are not only to speak with grace, but we are to be “making the most of the opportunity.” We are to walk carefully, “making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). So once we have sanctified Christ in our hearts and are striving to live holy lives, we should be looking for opportunities to act for the good of others. God’s people have been redeemed (bought back out of sin) and purified so that they can be God’s special possession, “zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:14). 

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10). There may be times when it seems that our efforts aren’t going anywhere. Perhaps as we deal with people who have questions and doubts, we may feel that all of our discussions fall on deaf ears. The process can get old when it seems that no one is paying attention. Hang in there, Paul says. We will reap the reward for patience in the end. 

Why is doing good for others important, especially for reaching out with the gospel? Because this is what will help open doors for further study. People can see that you are serious about what you claim to believe. You are a helper, looking for ways to be a blessing and benefit to others. You are the one who consistently and proverbially (and literally) helps the older lady across the street. You are the “Good Samaritan” of the parable in Luke 10, not the ones who pass by the other side when someone is truly in need. People will know that you care, and when they know this, they will care more about what you have to offer. Just look for opportunities to help. Be a blessing, and it may surprise you who might be willing to listen as you speak of Jesus. Recall Paul’s words in Colossians 4:2-6: 

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” 

5. Get Ready

When you are living like you should in Christ and finding ways to help others and do good for them, make sure you are ready because sooner or later the questions will likely come. Once again, Peter wrote that Christians must be “ready to give a defense” for the reason of the hope within them (1 Pet. 3:15). They may want to know why you live the way that you do? Why are you so sacrificial? Why do you go out of your way to serve others? Why did you engage in that act of kindness? Whatever the particular questions, the point is that you are ready to defend your faith. You should not be terribly surprised when people want to know about it. 

Never underestimate the value of living a godly life in defending the faith. Let your own life serve as an apologetic to the world. May God bless you as you go out into the world and stand for Him. May God defeat you if you ever try to live against His divine purposes.

May God bless you as you go out into the world and stand for Him. May God defeat you if you live against God’s purposes.

Doy Moyer 

We have so much difficulty grasping why bad things happen in this world. How can God be in control when we see so much heartache, sickness, and evil? This has long been a point of doubt for many. Books like Job, Ecclesiastes, Habakkuk, and many Psalms grapple with this problem. 

The reality of evil and heartache in this world need not sink our faith. The fact that Scripture devotes so much space to the problem of evil, and indeed is a major theme of Scripture, is evidence that its existence in no way impugns the integrity and purposes of God. Scripture is a testimony of God’s response to the problem that includes Jesus dying for our sins so that we can be reconciled to Him. 

Times like these require that we make a decision about whom we will trust. Trust will be tested the most when we are required to give up the most. Think about Abraham sacrificing Isaac and trusting that God knew what He was doing, even to the point of believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead (Gen 22:1-14; Heb 11:17). When Abraham was asked to give up the most, he trusted God all the more. 

When we don’t know why, we must trust that we know the One who does know why and that He always has good reason to act, to allow, and to arbitrate between the various events and issues that we face in this world. Since we are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), and since faith undergirds our hope (Heb 11:1), then we ought to remember that faith is the demonstration of our trust in the reality of what we cannot see. We don’t see what is going on “behind the scenes,” but we know the One who owns and manages the stage. 

God is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise, all-understanding, and all-loving. None of that changes when we do not understand something. Our lack of knowledge about greater matters of reality should never be a reason to turn from God; rather this is all the more reason to turn to and trust God. 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). 

Trusting God in a world that is full of “bad things” requires that we be prepared both spiritually and physically. Spiritually, we prepare our minds for action and seek to obey His will and to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:13-16). Without spiritual preparation, we will be open to the schemes of the evil one (Eph 6:10-18). Physically, we prepare because “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God” … and “you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20). 

Spiritual interests are always more important than what may happen to our physical bodies (not that our bodies are unimportant). Recall that when Jesus had healed the man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years, He later found him in the temple and told him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you” (John 5:14).  Sin will be more destructive to us, body and soul, than any particular physical illness. One can be physically ill yet spiritually robust, and one can be physically in good shape yet spiritually anemic. The former condition would be far better than the latter. After all, if we are reconciled with God, we trust that the resurrection is coming. 

On the other side of the spectrum is the problem of panic. This is generally some kind of sudden or overwhelming fear and can lead to irrational behaviors. Sometimes panic results in an outbreak with larger groups of people acting irrationally at the same time. This type of fear can be very destructive, and not only with physical properties. Our peace of mind is ruined. There is no joy in a mind full of fear. Think about the difference panic and preparation: 

Panic is irrational. 

Preparation is rational.

Panic is based on fear. 

Preparation is based on trust. 

Panic loses sight of the needs of others. 

Preparation cares for the needs of others. 

Panic forgets God is in control. 

Preparation submits to God’s control.

The child of God is called upon to trust God. God has given us tools to by which we may overcome our anxieties and fears. Paul put it this way: 

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:5-7). 

As we think on things that are excellent (v. 8), determine to practice what is right (v. 9), show our  care for others (v. 10), and learn to be content in our circumstances (vv. 11-12), we know that Christ will strengthen us (v. 13). 

When we don’t know why, trust the only One who does know. 

Doy Moyer

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Hill, C.E. Who Chose the Gospels? Probing the Great Gospel Conspiracy. Oxford University Press, 2012. 

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Johnson, Phillip E. Defeating Darwinism By Opening Minds. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Johnson, Phillip E. The Right Questions: Truth, Meaning, and Public Debate. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002. 

Johnson, Phillip E. The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2000.

Johnson, Phillip E. Reason in The Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law & Education. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1995.

Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, 2008.

Komoszewski, J. Ed, M. James Sawyer, and Daniel B. Wallace. Reinventing Jesus: How Contemporary Skeptics Miss the Real Jesus and Mislead Popular Culture. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2006.

Koukl, Gregory. Tactics. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. 

Koukl, Gregory. The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between. Zondervan, 2017. 

Kreeft, Peter. Socratic Logic. 3rd ed. Ed. Trent Dougherty. South Bend, IN: St. Augustine Press, 2008. 

Kreeft, Peter, and Ronald K. Tacelli. Handbook of Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Kumar, Steve. Christianity for Skeptics. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000.

Lennox, John C. God and Stephen Hawking: Whose Design Is It Anyway? Lion Hudson, 2011. 

Lennox, John C. Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists are missing the Target. Oxford: Lion Hudson, 2011. 

Lennox, John C. Can Science Explain Everything? The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics: The Good Book Company, 2019. 

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Lewis, C.S. Miracles. NY: Macmillan Publishing Co, 1960. 

Licona, Michael R. The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010. 

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McDowell, Josh and Sean McDowell. Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World. Nashville, TN: Harper Collins, 2017. 

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McGrath, Alister E. Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: BakerBooks, 2012. 

McGrew, Lidia. Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts. Chillicothe, OH: DeWard, 2017. 

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updated 11-15-2019

What is the Christian’s relationship to the world? It’s always helpful to review what Scripture teaches us about our involvement in the world, and we want to keep these thoughts before us because the dangers are real. John wrote, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). 

Jesus told His disciples: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

In praying for his chosen disciples, Jesus spoke of their relationship to the world: “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:14-18). 

We often talk about being “in the world but not of the world…” But what does that mean? “Of the world” would indicate a mindset that thinks and acts like the world without much effort to change others or to point them toward Christ. “Of the world” means a mind set on the flesh, with the focus being on what pleases us instead of what pleases God. Contrast that with Paul’s admonitions: 

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Rom 8:6-8). 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:2). 

What are our options when it comes to living in this world? 

1. We can fully accept it and live in it (like an atheist). In this case we have completely given up on trying to live as Christ would have us to live. We have given ourselves over completely to the world, which is a mind that is hostile to God (cf. James 4:4). 

2. We can fully reject it and live “out of it” (in total isolation). In this case we have given up trying to convert others and have a positive influence on those around us. Christ sent His disciples into the world to make a difference and let their lights shine (Matt 5:14-16). 

3. We can try to accommodate Christianity to the world. In this case we hold onto an unbiblical form of “Christianity” without trying to buck against the world very much. We call ourselves Christians, but we won’t really try to reach out with the gospel. After all, we don’t want to offend the people of the world with something like a crucified savior (see 1 Cor 1:18ff). 

4. We can try to accommodate the world to Christianity. In this case we are bringing in more of the world to affect more of God’s people (cf. 1 Cor 5:6-7). We make Christianity look more like a worldly endeavor rather than a spiritual relationship with God.  

5. We can try to understand our relationship to the world through God’s lenses. This is what God would have us do. Our filter for understanding the world is Scripture instead of trying to understand Scripture through the lenses of the world. We see the world as lost and in need of Jesus, whereas the world sees “religion” as lost and in need of more worldliness. Yet the only hope we have of understanding our relationship with God is by understanding our lost condition without Him. Then we can begin to have a proper perspective of the world. 

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:1-2). 

 Doy Moyer

What exactly does one say to another when tragedy strikes? We all wish that we had the perfect words that will appropriately capture what everyone is feeling, words that will comfort and encourage even the most downtrodden. We want to come up with deep statements about how “this is life” and “here is what you should be thinking at this time.” The reality is that we feel at a loss, unable to speak what we are feeling deep inside, unable to communicate what we think those who are suffering need to hear when likely they don’t want to hear anything at all. Bumper sticker philosophy and theology hardly provides much comfort when our hearts have been torn by real tragedy. Likely, the silence before we speak is going to be the most profound and appropriate response, at least initially. 

Job’s friends understood this at first. When Job suffered his astounding tragedies, one after the other and no break between, his three friends came to comfort him. For a full week they sat there with him in silence, unable to capture in words what they were witnessing and unwilling to say what they were thinking. Yet it was during this time that they were their wisest and the most comforting to Job, for after they began speaking, Job could only say that they were miserable comforters. 

Silence is sometimes the best response. Once we have had time to reflect, however, we usually can find important lessons that will be embedded in our minds from then on. If we can learn those lessons, then we can be the better for it. 

When the Twin Towers in New York City were taken down by terrorists, people were in shock. It was an unbelievable event. Nearly three thousands lives were taken in one day, and the heart of the United States country was struck hard. What were we going to demonstrate that we were made of? For a time, there was a pulling together of the citizens. More importantly, there was a general recognition of the need to turn to God. Sadly, much of that faded over the years, but this is why we need to be reminded of difficult events and the lessons that come out of them. 

When tragedy strikes, we are forced to consider several important issues: 

1. Why? It is not trite to say that sin has caused the tragic problems of this world. Once sin came into this world, everything changed. Everything became subject to futility (Rom 8:20). The mark left by sin is tragic and ugly. This is the reason the gospel is such an important part of our understanding. 

2. The Relative Value of Material stuff. What does it profit us if we gain the whole world and lose our souls? (Matt 16:24-27) Losing stuff isn’t as much a problem when we put it into perspective. 

3. The Value of Loved Ones. People are always more important than things. When tragedy strikes, we look for the people we love first. This is as it should be. 

4. The Value of Time. Tragedy will force us to prioritize our time, reconsider how we are using it, and try to use it wisely from then on (Eph. 5:15-17). 

5. Our Relationship with God. Must we be reminded that there is no more important relationship than that with God? Will we use tragic events as an excuse to run from God, or will we use them to draw closer to Him? (Psalm 73)

6. The Importance of Eternity. What we can see is temporary; what we cannot see is eternal. Therefore, we must look to the eternal and recognize that our real goal is to please God because one day we will be brought to judgment (2 Cor. 4:16-5:10). 

7. Our Perspective on Everything. How will we react to difficult times? What will say to others? What will we do to cope? Will we pray? Will we meditate on God’s word? Or will we be anxious, worried, and troubled? See what Jesus says about worry and anxiety in Matthew 6:24-33. How much we are wiling to trust God speaks volumes about how we deal with matters that cause anxiety. That may be “easier said than done,” but it is the perspective we are taught to embrace. 

Terrorism. Natural disasters. Crimes. Heartaches at every turn. What does it take to wake us up and make sure that we are right with God? 

Tell your family that you love them. Quit the quibbling and fighting. Who cares who started what? Let’s get over ourselves and seek the welfare of one another. Let us humble ourselves before God and make sure that our priorities are where they should be. 

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4). 

Doy Moyer

When Abraham was told about the destruction of cities known for unrepentant wickedness, he didn’t rejoice in that, but begged for them to be spared. When Jonah confronted a city of wickedness (and repentance), he pined for their destruction. Who are we more like? 

Common to both accounts is 1) the absolute right of God to be the Judge, and 2) the compassion and lovingkindness of God to save. God judged Sodom because “their outcry has become so great before the Lord” (Gen 19:13), and it was clear there would be no repentance. Yet, though Lot hesitated, the angels took the hands of Lot and his family and led them out, “for the compassion of the Lord was upon him” (v. 16). Lot recognized that this magnified the lovingkindness of God because his life was saved (v. 19). In the midst of judgment, God showed mercy and compassion. He has the right to both. 

Jonah, on the other hand, was angry that God spared Nineveh, and his reasoning is interesting: “Please Lord, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (4:2). 

Again, God has the absolute right to judge, and sometimes because of unrepentant hearts He judges. That will always be His right, and His alone. Yet through His compassion and lovingkindness, He offers opportunities to repent and be saved. “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4) 

This is the gospel message. Judgment is coming, but salvation is offered by God’s grace. 

Paul preached, “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). 

Peter taught, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). 

Why repent? Because there is yet judgment coming due to wickedness. Failure to repent means being caught up in the judgment: “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom 2:5). 

Yet why repent? Because of God’s compassion and lovingkindness offering salvation. In His wrath, He remembers mercy (Hab 3:1). In His mercy, He provides hope (Rom 5:1-2). 

Some have great difficulty reconciling these two facets of God, but Paul brings both together in Romans 2. To deny that God has the absolute right to judge is to fail to recognize the unfathomable glory and holiness of God on the one hand, and the horrific nature of sin on the other. God does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2:3-4), but evil is so horrific that it cannot go unpunished. Many unbelievers will speak of “the problem of evil” and ask, “Why doesn’t God do anything about all the evil?” They do not realize that He has and He will. That is why God brings judgment. Yet this is also why God offers salvation through Christ. “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). 

People want evil to be duly punished, but many never accept the fact all have participated in evil (Rom 3:23) and repentance is God’s compassionate prescription for averting that judgment. No one has to suffer eternally for it, and this is wonderful news. Sadly, many have come to expect mercy without repentance. It does not work that way. Still others get angry at God because He would dare judge at all, as if God has no such right. What they do not get is that whether or not they like what God does or who God is has absolutely no bearing on whether or not God exists. Failing to repent because of anger about God does not wipe away that failure to repent. God still judges, and God still offers salvation to the repentant. Why fight that? “Therefore repent and return…” 

We began by asking, “Who are we more like?” Jonah is not held up as an icon of faith in Scripture. Abraham, on the other hand, is. This is not to say that Abraham was perfect, but his faith, even in the judgment events, is well seen: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” 

Yes, He has, He does, and He will. Only God can determine the timing of judgment. Ours is to hold out the hope of the gospel so that as many as will may repent and follow the Lord. By granting repentance, God shows His mercy and grace. Let us never think lightly of this offer. 

Doy Moyer

One of the objections I have heard from those who have left Christ and His people is that “the Church” does not allow anyone to question beliefs, doctrines, or practices. Even among those who have not left or who have embraced a broad ecumenical view of religion, there is sometimes this undercurrent of complaint that the church does not allow questions. While that is not everyone’s experience, there have been enough of these complaints that brethren ought to pay attention and respond. 

This problem is also one of the signs of cultish behavior. Anecdotally, I have been involved in discussions with cultish-style groups where they include someone in training. It is soon apparent that questions are not being encouraged, and when a discussion does not go as planned, I will see no more of the trainee. They were essentially told to accept what they are given, no questions asked. I have even been told, “we are not here to learn anything from you; we are here to teach you.” Might we be guilty of a similar attitude? 

This is challenging for parents because we have so much invested in our children. We do not want to see them leave the Lord, so we double down on what they are supposed to believe and do. There is a fine line that parents must walk. They are to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph 6:4). At the same time, they are teach their children to grow up, think for themselves, and develop their own faith. We aren’t looking to raise robots. The problem is that strong-armed tactics and forced beliefs without allowing questions can, ironically, be what drives our children away. They will think that we cannot answer the questions or we have something to hide. If we fear questions, we fear truth, and this will come out if we suppress efforts to find answers. 

The seeker mentality is seen in Acts 17:11: “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Even Paul was questioned. There was something noble about the fact that these Bereans were willing to search and examine. This was not a “no questions asked” atmosphere, but one of “examine and search.” Pursuing answers is noble. 

If, as we often say, truth has nothing to fear, then we ought not to be afraid of questions. If those questions reveal that either we do not have the truth or that we do not know the truth well enough, then let the questions admonish us to get our heads back in the game and get educated on both the correct answers and solid ways to provide answers. This is hard work. If we need to change because we have been wrong, then be willing to learn and change. Being educated Christians who are willing to engage questions and concerns is not for the lazy. The last thing we want to do is create an anti-intellectual atmosphere that blocks off attempts at finding answers. People can see through that facade and will likely reject what’s being offered.  

I’m not saying that truth is not real or that we ought not to take our stands. What we ought not to do is be ignorant as to why we believe what we do, then tell others just to accept it and be quiet. “Because that’s what we’ve always done” or “the preacher said so” are terrible replies. Answers given in a vacuum of ignorance will backfire, and quashing questions with some kind of “just accept it” retort discourages proper, reasonable thinking. God has given us minds to think things out and through. We, of all people, need to be encouraging deeper thought and reason. The sphere of the mind belongs to God and we need to honor Him by encouraging reason, logic, and sound thinking. As has been said, God does not want us to check our brains at the door when we become Christians. Quite the opposite. 

Here are some suggestions:

Allow and encourage questions. Not allowing for questions discourages thoughtful truth-seeking. We want people to develop and maintain their own faith, not just blindly accept what others say. Not allowing for questions likely means that we aren’t asking good questions or don’t know the answers well ourselves. 

Listen to questions, doubts, and concerns. We all have questions. We need to listen well so we can know how to respond well (cf. Col 4:6).  We will lose people when they perceive we aren’t hearing the questions and concerns. 

Answer with compassion, love, and honesty. Never just turn a questioner away or act as though the person deserves no answers. Be compassionate as they seek truth. Show love in response. Be honest with the answers. If you don’t know, admit it, then pursue the answers. 

Seek truth together. We are all to be seekers (Matt 7:12). This encourages everyone involved. Why not join in the study? Why not seek answers together? Why not show where to go to find answers? 

Be thankful for questions, for they give great opportunity for study and reflection. Encouraging them is critical to spiritual growth and maturity of truth-seekers. Pursue truth in love and honesty. 

Doy Moyer

Believers often battle with doubts. These doubts range from questioning whether we have the ability to live as we ought to questioning whether or not God is real or can be trusted. We should never just brush questions aside, for they will have a bad way of creeping back in and getting in the way of our walk. Rather, when doubts arise, we should use them as opportunities to grow and probe into the fundamentals that will help shore up our faith. Whatever the doubts may be, there are often even deeper issues underlying those questions. We know the danger. Doubts that are not addressed can become destructive of our overall faith. These will turn us into wavering people who are driven and tossed by the wind (Jas 1:6).  Following, then, are some reminders about where our minds might be going off track. When we begin to doubt… 

We are not thinking highly enough of God (Eph 3:20). 

Doubt gets to the heart of how we conceive of God. If our faith is not founded on the God who can do far more abundantly beyond anything we can ask or think, then our faith will waver when we are confronted with difficulties that seem too much for us. Doubting usually starts with bringing God down to our level (or below). When we do this, we’ve already lost the battle. A high view of God is critical to strong faith. 

We are thinking too highly of human wisdom in contrast to God’s wisdom (1 Cor 2:1-5). 

The world thinks the cross foolish (1 Cor. 1:18ff). When we take our eyes off of God’s wisdom, we will begin to doubt the power of the cross, and we will then be placing more value on human reason and wisdom over God’s. Why is it, though, that those who place everything into the category of human wisdom do not also doubt their own sense of wisdom? We need a wisdom we can trust, and this must be founded on something deeper than what any mere man may think. Faith needs to be in the power of God, not in the wisdom of men. 

We are not focusing on the resurrection (1 Cor 15:58). 

Two primary facts about the effects of Jesus’ resurrection on our lives: First, we are born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus (1 Pet 1:3). Second, when our faith in His resurrection is strong, we can know that our labor is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58). 

If Jesus were not raised from the dead, our faith is vain (1 Cor 15:12-19). Since the resurrection is the fact on which we base our hope, and since faith is what underlies our hope (Heb. 11:1), then losing faith in the resurrection will 1) destroy our hope, and 2) make us question all that do as Christians. Herein lies the devastation of doubt. Doubt destroys hope. 

This is one reason Paul said the death and resurrection of Jesus is “of first importance” (1 Cor 15:1-4). The bottom line is this: get the resurrection of Jesus strongly fixed in our minds, and the rest will fall into place. We will know that everything we do for the Lord is worthwhile, and we will live with hope. It is through Jesus that we are introduced, by faith, into God’s grace in which we stand; “and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:1-2). 

We are more focused on self and personal failures in contrast to the success of the worldly (Psalm 73). 

By looking at the world and focusing on worldly fun, pleasure, and success, we may well be setting ourselves up for doubt. The psalmist said he almost stumbled because of it. Instead, we need a greater perspective so that we may “perceive their end” (Psa 73:17). To do this, we must go to the right source and be renewed in our thinking (cf. Rom 12:1-2). True success is not defined by the world, but by listening to our Creator, who always knows what is best for us. 

We are not looking far enough into the future (Heb 11:24-26; 2 Cor 4:18). 

This is the “so what” of life. Why do we press on in the face of difficulties? What enabled Moses to endure affliction with God’s people was that he considered “the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward” (Heb 11:26). Our perspective needs to reach into eternity, “for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). The only One to whom we may go for the eternal is Christ: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:68). 

While doubts have the ability to destroy faith, we also have the opportunity to refocus our thinking and strengthen those areas of our faith that have wavered. Don’t brush aside the questions. Deal with them honestly. At the same time, make sure we have put the proper perspective on those matters that are most important. 

Doy Moyer

This world is a dangerous place in which there is much war and bloodshed. Many live in terror as merciless killers can and do strike at any time or place. Now is the time in which Christians ought clearly to show what it means to be followers of Christ in a crooked and perverse world. 

Biblical Christianity has never been a religion of bloodshed. This pertains to the overall nature of Christianity set over against false characterizations often heard from unbelievers about the warmongering nature of religion. Some will oppose all religion on the basis that religion has been the cause of so much killing. This is an overgeneralization that fails to understand the actual differences between religions. Christianity was founded on principles of peace and love, and there is no justification for lumping Christians into a category that characterizes them as killers. 

This truth should be readily accepted by anyone who has a knowledge of the principles upon which Christ built His church. For example: 

• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9)
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matt 5:38-39). 
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:43-44). Luke’s account says, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). 
• “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matt 7:12). 
• Loving neighbor is said to be the second greatest commandment behind loving God (Matt 22:36-40), and “love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Rom. 13:10). Under Christ, His people would never again learn war (Isa 2:4). 
• “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36). 

There are many more passages teaching Christians to show love, to be merciful, to reach out to the lost, but there is not a single passage teaching that Christians are a people of bloodshed and war. Therefore, to place biblical Christianity in the same category as religions that promote war is to mischaracterize and malign the truth of Christ and His foundations for how He desires people to treat others, including their enemies. 

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10). 

The truth here is simple and clear for anyone who reads the New Testament. Christianity is about peace, love, truth, grace, mercy, and salvation. It is neither a political nor a warmongering movement. Christians know that not everyone will like them. They know they will be opposed. However, true Christians are not going to target unbelievers to hurt or kill them. They will target unbelievers to teach the gospel, but that’s it. Shedding blood is simply not part of anything ever taught by Christ or the apostles, and no amount of “what ifs” will ever change that. 

Objections

1. What about the bloodshed in the Old Testament? 

First know that the Old Testament represents a very different time and circumstance. While God exercised His right to carry out judgments on the nations, including His own nation of Israel, His intention all along was to bring about change under Christ (Isa 2:1-4). There is a context for these judgments, and God has every right to take down nations as they do evil. However, it is irresponsible to transfer the actions of those in the limited era prior to Christ to those who live after and under Christ. Those who would do so show a basic ignorance of the overall purpose of Scripture, the covenants, and what God intended to do in carrying out His plan for salvation and redemption. Bloodshed in the Old Testament proves nothing about what Christ taught His followers to be and do as they conform themselves to His teachings. 

2. What about the Crusades and other killings promoted by Christianity through the ages? 

The key to understanding the point being made here is to recognize true Christianity as taught in Scripture, which is not to be confused with erroneous and perverted movements that were born of apostasy. Attaching the name of Christ to something that is ugly and without His approval does not make it right (see Matt 7:21-23); rather, such only takes His name in vain. The Crusades were not waged based on the teachings of Christ. No edict from a Pope or church leader can change what Christ and His apostles taught. Movements using Christ’s name that involved war and killing are simply not of Christ. How is that even debatable? 

Why is this important? 

Recognizing the truth about what Christ taught is important because so many have misconceptions about religion as a whole, and specifically about biblical Christianity. Christians must show the difference through how they treat one another and how they treat unbelievers in this dangerous world. Now is the time to show the love of Christ. Now is the time to respond to others with the grace that God has shown us (Col 4:5-6). 

Doy Moyer