“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 ESV
Professional athletes understand the value of making most of their window of opportunity. The goal is to make it to the Major Leagues, NBA court, the NFL, or other major professional sports. There has been hard work training through exercise, proper diet, and developing the skills of the game for many years. When the call up comes and their name is added to the roster, the window is relatively short to prove they belong. Time is of the essence to display talents, demeanor, and the impact one could have to the game and their team. Those who make the most of their opportunity are usually successful proving they are an asset to the team.
Our Lord Jesus had a window of opportunity between His resurrection and His ascension to heaven. The window was forty days in which Jesus had to offer convincing proofs that He was indeed the Savior who has risen from the dead. Scripture does not record all of Jesus’s activities during these forty days, but it has revealed certain undeniable proofs. He walked along with Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32) Jesus shown Himself to His disciples and even ate with them. (Luke 24:36-43, John 21:1-14) And He was seen by over five people at once. (1 Cor. 15:6) His earthly mission was now complete having come into the world to sacrifice His life paying the ransom for our sin and rising from the dead. He worked to the end informing and encouraging those who will carry the message of the gospel and the Kingdom of God.
Every Christian has their own window of opportunity to live and present the gospel of Jesus. It is also a window which is only known by our creator as to its length of time. So with every Christian time is of the essence, for we do not know the day the window will close. As athletes striving to get the most of their opportunity to make it or stay with the team, Christians also need to be striving and making the most of the opportunity set before them for none of us know the end of our own ‘forty day window’.
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment. But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.’” Matthew 5:21-22 NLT
Our judicial system in the United States measures the punishment for a crime by determining what is appropriate according to the severity and circumstances of the crime. Obviously a murder conviction would bring on a much stiffer penalty than an assault charge or shoplifting. More recently in the 21st century the law now includes “hate crimes.” According to the United States Department of Justice a “hate crime” is “a crime plus the motivation for committing the crime based on bias equals a hate crime. In the simplest terms, a hate crime must include both “hate” and a “crime.” (1) The FBI’s definition is; “A hate crime is a traditional offense like murder, arson, or vandalism with an added element of bias………Hate itself is not a crime—and the FBI is mindful of protecting freedom of speech and other civil liberties.” (2)
Our Lord Jesus also had something to say about hate crimes 2,000 years ago. The scribes and the Pharisees in Jesus’s day had an external view of the law. The outward deeds that were seen and committed such as murder would never have be done by these religious leaders. They reasoned they had never broken the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder.” Jesus corrects their misguided thinking, “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” The real issue is the heart.
Anger, hate, and verbal abuse are the internal seeds of destruction that lead to murder. Jesus was pointing out the guilt of murder and inward sinful seeds resulting in abusive behavior are one and the same. Hate crimes are not only a product of our current society, but a product of a sinful heart since the fall of man in need of a Savior.
“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:18-19 NIV
Our world is divided between countries. Countries are divided within themselves. Political parties divide the government landscape. Groups of people divide themselves by race, ethnicity and religion, country of origin and even by where they reside in the country, state, or providence they hail from.
What divides us is more than where we live, where we were born, or the color of our skin. It is more than what our political beliefs are, what our economic status is, or how we view history. Understanding what divides us is crucial for any hope of bringing us together. The irony is; that what divides us also unites us. It is the Cross of Jesus Christ.
The cross of Christ is more divisive than any other symbol, political movement, government rulings, or any opposing points of view. This has been true since the crucifixion of Christ two thousand years ago. Scripture says, “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.” (Jn. 3:16 NIV) “Whoever” means “whoever!” All have equal access to accept Christ, because all need to accept Christ and all are in the same boat of sin and sinking fast. No one is exempt.
Understanding the divide is pictured clearly on Calvary’s hill that horrible day of crucifixion. Jesus was crucified between two others, both guilty of crimes, both deserving punishment, and both in need of repenting of their sin and accepting Christ. One of them mocked Jesus and wanted release immediately saying to Him, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Lk. 23:39) The other, understanding his just punishment and his need beyond this world, said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk. 23:42)
Today we have those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and those who continuingly mock Him. They have refused to acknowledge their sin and their need to be rescued out of that sinking boat. What divides us is a spiritual divide. It is those who have the Spirit of God who realize this world is not all there is, and it is those who cannot see beyond this world for they are spiritually blinded. Paul writes to the early church in Corinth, “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.” (1 Cor. 2:14 NLT) What the apostle wrote centuries ago is just as true today.
The cross of Jesus Christ which is the way of salvation for those who believe in Christ as their savior is the same cross that is foolishness to those who do not believe. This is what still divides us today, but can unite us in Christ if those unbelievers would forsake their foolishness and accept Jesus Christ the Lord.
The world needs to understand what divides us is a spiritual divide. It is a divide between those who believe in the God of the Bible and His plan of Salvation through Jesus Christ, God the Son, and those who do not. May we as Christians understand where the true division starts and where it ends, and may we work to lead those in need of Christ to salvation.
“Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.’” Matthew 19:8 NIV
Marriage vows have been a part of wedding ceremonies for centuries. Today many couples write their own vows to each other to show their commitment to their intending spouse and to the marriage. So sacred are these vows that they are usually presented in a church setting. The commitment to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, in however it is expressed is summed up by ‘as long as we both shall live.’ Sadly that expression is also being rewritten to ‘as long as our love shall last.’
Sadly today marriage is not seen as God ordained, a commitment for life, and the means of starting a family. It has come down to an arrangement when convenient and with pre-conditions. Where there is no lifetime commitment and when hard times come, the marriage is doomed to fail. The previously established exit plan is ready to be implemented. This is the way of the world system, but Christians are not of the world, so how are we to act?
During Jesus’s ministry on earth He was forever being tested by the religious rulers to entrap Him in going against the Law of Moses. One such occasion concerned whether a man can divorce his wife for any reason. There was division even among the rulers, those who held to a strict view of marriage and divorce and those who permitted divorce misinterpreting Moses’s instruction on divorce. Jesus always being aware of their deception, Charles R. Erdman writes, “Jesus avoids their snare and lays down a principle fundamental to the stability of human society. Not only does he agree with those who hold the stricter view of marriage, he insists that the bond was designed to be indissoluble. He refers to the law of marriage as divinely established at creation.”
As Christians we are to adhere to the teachings of Scripture in all areas of our lives, especially when it comes to marriage. You will not find the traditional marriage vows in the Bible, but they are seen all throughout the Word of God. God is the one who has established marriage, and it is before Him we say our vows to our intending spouse. Jesus also said, “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mt. 19:6), as long as they both shall live.
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
Penn State University located in the heart of central Pennsylvania has students and alumni from all across the United States and around the world. What unites these individuals from where they were born to where they are now living is their ties to Penn State. All have shared the experience of attending the university or one of its many off site campuses. That experience has shaped itself into a community of commonality. There is a distinct connection between each of them and who they are in reference to Penn State University. They are Penn State. On a crisp autumn afternoon you can hear the chant of “We Are Penn State” during a Nittany Lions football game in Beaver Stadium and all across the country wherever Penn State fans gather to watch their team.
As current students and alumni of Penn State have a connection to each other, Christians also have a connection to each other through Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savoir are brothers and sisters in Christ, possess the Holy Spirit, and have the same Heavenly Father. Jesus in teaching His disciples states another common trait in all Christians, in fact He states it as a matter of fact. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth” and later said “You are the light of the world.” Jesus makes a rather distinctive point, “You are.” No misinterpreting, it is a fact. We are, as Christians together and individually, the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
We may at times not present ourselves as if we are “salt and light”, but that is exactly who we are. And with this matter of fact we have a great responsibility to live accordingly. Christians are to be salt, or a preservative, in the world. Society today is decaying and rotting away at its very core. It is essential that Christians be involved in all sectors of our world providing a much needed moral and righteous preservative through Jesus Christ. We are also to let our light shine before those around us. Our world has many clouded and dark areas in need of light. Christians are to reflect the light of Christ in our everyday activities.
We need to be careful not to let our salt become ineffective by adding impurities of the world into the mix, and we need to not allow the clouds of discouragement, compromise, and fear of persecution to cover our light when and where it is needed most. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.
“Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11 NLT
Living in the 21st century certainly has its advantages. The advances I have seen in my lifetime could never have been imagined as coming into being. Most advances are aimed at making everything easier and more efficient. This is especially true in the area of technological advancement. Who would have thought a program could be invented to assist in writing an essay or term paper for you, along with helping you through the most difficult math exam. I could have used that in my college days for my Math of Finance exams. These advancements come under the auspices of what is known as AI, (Artificial Intelligence), and the creation of ChatGPT. It almost sounds futuristic, but it is not, it is now.
How should a Christian view AI and all its components such as ChatGPT with its learning, reasoning, language, and problem solving through “the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings.” (1) As Christians we should always take advantage of every opportunity to spread the gospel. It started back in the 15th century when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. Radio airwaves were introduced in the early 20th century and television broadcasts followed in the mid to late 20th century. Before the turn into the 21st century we had the establishment of the internet taking place and now we have advanced to the point in possessing technology in the palm of hands to listen to, watch, or read anything we choose.
We should use all the avenues and vehicles available to us in advancing the message gospel, but we need to be careful that our message is the truth of Scripture through our words and not words artificially generated. Ours words that are spoken or written are to be our words. Basic rules in writing apply to cite any references made that are not your own. Quote and document with accuracy statements and writings from other authors giving them credit. This may seem elementary but if words, phases, sentences, and even projected thoughts are extracted from ChatGPT are they yours, and if not, you can’t claim them. This is not to say we cannot edit our work to ensure proper grammar, punctuation, etc. with proper sources. But our work needs to be ours.
The apostle Peter gives us good advice, although I’m sure he never anticipated AI or ChatGPT in his day. He writes in 1 Peter “Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you…….…. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.” (4:11) Our responsibility as Christians is to be truthful and honest in all we do, especially in presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ bringing glory to God.
“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.’” Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV
Are you an advocate for the administering of true justice with mercy and compassion? Where do you find the source for true justice, mercy, and compassion? There can only be one source, the Word of God. The prophet Micah confirms this by saying ‘He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.’ (Mic. 6:8a) Therefore by following the principles and guidelines found in Scripture we have a solid foundation to build upon in administering justice with mercy and compassion.
Every Christian is to be outspoken with the injustices committed in our society. Whether it is the neglect of the poor and homeless, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, or religion, Christians should be out front not only with calls for justice, but with the actions to back it up. The New Testament book of 1 John tells us, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (3:17, 18)
The key word in in I John 3:18 is ‘truth.’ Our advocacy must be based on truth. The truth of God’s Word. There is a problem today for many Christians and it has made its way into many Christian churches. God’s justice (Biblical justice) is being intermingled with the world’s term of ‘social justice.’ They are not one and the same. It is true caring for the poor, the homeless, and standing in the face of discrimination are some tenets of ‘social justice’, but not all the tenets of ‘social justice’ are tenets of ‘God’s justice.’
As Christians we are to be wise and discerning in what constitutes ‘social justice’ of our day. The cries of each injustice are to be examined in the light of Scripture to test and prove it is a Biblical principle that has been violated. It is to be understood that it also does not contradict any other of God’s principles in Scripture. If it passes the test then we are to be an advocate for the injustice by following Micah’s exhortation, “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (6:8b)
“Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas……Because the Earth is a system, where everything is connected, changes in one area can influence changes in all others. The consequences of climate change now include, among others, intense droughts, water scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, flooding, melting polar ice, catastrophic storms and declining biodiversity.” (1)
The above statement is furnished to us from the ‘United Nations Climate Action’ page. The following are from the pages of the Bible which concurs with the United Nations at least to the effects of climate change. “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Ro. 8:20-22 NLT) Scripture confirms the created earth is under the curse of God and it came about after sin entered the paradise of the Garden of Eden. “And to the man he said, ‘Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.’” (Gen. 3:17 NLT) The earth experienced its first ever change of climate during the great flood of Noah’s day, for it had never rained before that time in history. Scripture records for us in Genesis 7:11-12, “When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights.” (NLT) Waters bursting up from the ground with rain falling from the sky for the first time ever no doubt that is climate change.
The point is, climate change is not restricted only to the last 200 years. But the recent noticeable changes cannot be denied. Every individual living on planet earth, especially Christians, has a responsibility to be a good steward of God’s creation for our generation and the generations to come. We are to praise God for His magnificent creation and work to maintain its wondrous beauty as far as it depends on us with what we can do.
The Bible also gives us encouragement that we will not destroy the earth. Our planet will not succumb to our increasing manmade climate change. After the great flood, God told Noah, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Gen. 8:22 ESV) The seasons will not change regardless of our recklessness, but will remain. They will remain until the next disastrous climate change effect takes place during the tribulation period described in the book of Revelation. “I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places.” (Rev. 6:12-14 NLT) We can eliminate fossil fuels entirely, but it will not save the planet from the sure destruction during the tribulation period.
The earth as we know it will be radically changed in the future, but not by us driving our electric vehicles. Jesus Christ will return at the end of the tribulation and established His Kingdom and will rule on earth for a thousand years with Satan bound and cast into the bottomless pit. What will our environment and climate be like, we don’t know. But we do know that Christ, God the Son, will be here on earth ruling, I’m sure the ‘son’ will shine.
The ultimate and final climate change will be at the end of Christ’s thousand year reign on the earth. Satan will be sent to his eternal final destination, the lake of fire, along with all those whose names were not found written in the book of life. The apostle John writes in Revelation 21:1-4, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever,” and no worries about carbon emissions, fossil fuels and climate change. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change
You have heard it said many times I’m sure, two areas of conversation you should avoid at all cost are religion and politics. But what if you’re a Christian with a mandate from Jesus who said before ascending into heaven, “….. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8b NLT) And if you are a Christian living somewhere in ‘the ends of the earth’ witnessing for Christ does it not stand to reason that we engage in the well-being of our neighbors where the Lord has placed us? Looking out for our neighbors may mean being involved in politics to some degree.
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines ‘politics’ as ‘the science and art of government.’ The Britannica Dictionary expands on it by saying, ‘activities that relate to influencing the actions and policies of a government or getting and keeping power in a government.’ A Christian’s responsibility in politics is always to achieve through persuasion what is best according to God’s design for those under authority. Laws and ordinances that provide protection and safety of the general public should be of enough concern for every Christian to support such measures. The New Testament book of Romans states rather clearly that all authority comes from God and we need to submit to it. Governments are put in place to maintain order and stability in society by punishing wrong doers. “The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” (Ro.13:4 NLT)
We can argue there are wrong doers among those in authority who are to protect us from wrong doers, but that is the point. To stand by idle and not be engaged in support of those in government or pursuing a role in government to properly carry out the ordinance of God is not an option for the Christian. Looking out for the well-being of our neighbor includes presenting the gospel to them and working in support of peace and safety as far as it depends on us. Paul writes in Romans, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Ro. 12:17-18 NLT) And the author of the book of Hebrews writes, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14 NIV) And we can’t leave out King David who wrote, “Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (Ps. 34:14 NLT)
As Christians we need not heed the advice from those who advocate to restrain from engaging in conversation of religion and politics, especially when we are presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ and His rule of authority as recorded in Scripture.
According to The Tech Edvocate in June 2021, the number one reason for failing schools in America is ‘parents are not involved enough.’ (1) The Public School Review in June of 2023 ranks parents involvement at number thirteen below overcrowding, bullying, teacher tenue, standardized testing, teacher salaries, school safety, and their number one reason for failed education in schools is deficits in government funding for schools. (2) We definitely have a problem with the education system in the United States in 2023.
As tragic as failing education is today in all subject matter in the traditional sense, a more troubling factor is the ever evolving curriculum that is subject to change as the current culture demands it. With no solid basis to instill programs and agenda driven ideology into already established course curriculum, educators and school boards across the country have caved to the loud cries of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are at the same time discriminating against Christians and those who hold to a moral view of ethics.
How do we begin to address these issues? Time and space will not allow a thorough investigation on the subject with proposed solutions, but as Christians, especially Christian parents, there are plenty of recommendations from the God of the Bible to help us along. First of all, parents are responsible for the education of their children. We can say education starts in the home. The book of Proverbs says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (22:6) The apostle Paul in writing to the early churches says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4) Christian parents are to teach their children from an early age the teachings of Holy Scriptures. Setting the foundation of learning from God’s Word and His moral standards will help when instructing your children in all other stages of life, including their formal education.
If you are fortunate enough by God’s grace for your children to attend a private Christian school or to homeschool them, rejoice in God’s blessings. But perhaps it is the Lord’s will for your children to attend today’s public schools. A firm Biblical foundation instilled in them from an early age will guide them through their educational journey. It is an on-going guide for every student, whether homeschooled, in Christian schools, or in secular public schools.
Education starts in the home, and God has given that responsibility to every parent and not to the state, especially in matters concerning how His Word commands us to live. We are to continually teach our children about the Lord and His commandments from the beginning of the day until the end, and while inside the house and outside. This is as old as Moses’s instructions to the nation of Israel in what is known as the ‘Shema’ or ‘hear.’ Let us follow through with the ‘Shema’ of the Old Testament as we teach our children in 2023.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV
Word for the Soul 