As Jesus gathered with the disciples on the night before His death, He knew they were filled with sorrow and fear. Their love for Him was so intense that they were convinced that they would rather die than live without Him. But Jesus wanted them to understand that they would not have to face the world’s opposition in their own strength. In John 15:26-16:15 Jesus shares with the disciples that the Holy Spirit’s empowering of Christians will enable them to live the Christian life, and share the word of God with a richness and victory that can not be accomplished by their own power. It is important for us to understand that the Spirit of God will enable us to not only know the truth but live in it. This is why we are “different” as a believer. Not because we are better, but because the Holy Spirit has come to transform us into the image of Christ. The power to live the Christian life in is not in us, it is in the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and is unlocked by our submission to the Word of God. May we learn what the Word of God says, … READ MORE

Possession of the Scriptures adds to the guilt of those who reject Christ. But that possession does not mean that there is understanding or an appreciation for the truth. Many use the Scriptures to their own end, and for their own advantage. Yet those very scriptures that they are attempting to follow are the very scriptures that they will one day be answerable to. It doesn’t matter what we want to believe about the Bible, what is important is what the Word of God actually says. For those who have been delivered from sin by the power of the cross, and who subsequently encounter opposition for their commitment to the Savior, there is supreme joy in the Lord’s promise found in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: For theirs in the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great tis your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” How do those around you respond to your faith? Consider what evidence there is in … READ MORE

The Lord was different from other men, He was sinless, He made no mistakes, He never failed. He spoke the truth without fear or favor, Though always in love. He refused to compromise with moral evil, doctrinal error, and personal hypocrisy. He exposed the corruption and decay of the establishment. He taught in a memorable and pungent fashion exposing the incompetence and pointless erroneous beliefs of the authorized doctors of the law – so they hated Him. John 15:18-20 reminds us that if we follow Christ, the world will hate us also. The World in this context refers to the evil, fallen world system comprised of unregenerate people and controlled by Satan. If we are different as He was different, the world will hate us too. Because Satan hates God, he also hates the true people of God. Though believers live in the world, they are to stand apart from it as an indictment of it. It is the Holy Spirit of God that gives us the desire and ability to do that. The empowerment of the Spirit enables us to mentally live in this world, without becoming overwhelmed by the reaction of the world to our lives. Don’t be … READ MORE