Wealth Can Buy 'Almost' Anything

Upper elementary school. The late 1960’s. Howard Hughes.

My school buddies and I enjoyed bringing up the name Howard Hughes. We might have known that he set multiple world air speed records or that he built the ‘Hughes H-1 Racer.’ And who wouldn’t want to talk about the Spruce Goose, the nickname given to the famous wooden aircraft built by Hughes? But his name was most often mentioned in reference to his status as a millionaire.

We talked about Howard Hughes as if we were well-informed. It gave us a sense of pride to throw out a fact about this famous film producer, pilot, engineer, businessman. He was a millionaire and the average annual U.S. household income in the 1960’s was under ten thousand dollars.

If you work out the math, my dad would have had to save all his money for more than 100 years just to make his first million. Of course, Howard Hughes had many millions. In fact, he died a billionaire; but in 1968, that was not a part of our vocabulary.

Wealth is alluring and intoxicating. I think most people believe that life would be better if they just had a little more money. Even Solomon seems to agree:

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

—Ecclesiastes 10:19

Remember, however, that in the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon was looking only at the created universe and asking the question, “Where can I find meaning?” So, looking only at this life, his comment about money is not surprising.

However, Solomon also wrote a number of warnings against hoarding money and against placing one’s trust in money. Here are a few insightful proverbs about wealth:

It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

--Proverbs 10:22

He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

--Proverbs 11:28

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.

--Proverbs 22:1–2

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

--Proverbs 23:4–5

Do you remember how Jesus spoke about wealth? When observing the gifts that people were bringing to the temple treasury, He took notice of a poor widow. He commended her gift over the gifts of the wealthy because she had given from that which she needed. The wealthy had given, but only from their excess.

Even more startling was His beatitude. Do you remember it? Do you grasp the failure of wealth? The poor of this life who are disciples of Jesus live in true bliss now because they are citizens of the kingdom of God. Money may be the answer to everything in this life, but money simply cannot buy life eternal!

Blissful are you who are poor, 

for yours is the kingdom of God. 

—Luke 6:20

Mark Stinnett

December 19, 2021

Applying Grace

How do you figure out how much to give to the Lord?

Perhaps a different question first, “What does it mean to give to the Lord?” (If the only thing that comes to your mind is the Sunday collection, you may need to rethink your giving.)

The Good Samaritan gave up his time, his energy, his money, and probably some supplies he had on hand. I think we would all agree that the Good Samaritan was using gifts (blessings) from God which he then offered to assist the injured man. In other words, he applied God’s grace that had been shown to him.

Someone might think, "The Good Samaritan is a great example, but it was a parable. What about a real-life example?"

King David wanted to build a permanent dwelling for God that would replace the portable tabernacle. The prophet Nathan assured David that he could do so, but God stopped Nathan and said that David’s son Solomon would be the temple-builder instead of David.

Was David disappointed? No, he was not. King David desired to build a temple for God, but God gave an astounding promise to David:

The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 

—2 Samuel 7:11

God was not referring to a physical dwelling. He was using the word house figuratively for the descendants of David who would reign over Judah. God spoke of David’s son, Solomon:

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (v. 13)

David was ecstatic. In fact, shortly after that, David applied that gracious promise. David saw the grace of God presented to him, and he wanted to extend grace to someone in a similar way. It was as if he wanted to have the same experience of joyful giving as God. David said,

Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God? (9:3)

David’s servants found Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his best friend, Jonathan. Mephibosheth was brought to Jerusalem, given the inheritance of King Saul, and given a place at the king’s dinner table as if he was the king’s son.

Did you see the intention of David’s heart? He wanted to “show the kindness of God.” He had received the promises of God, that is God’s kindness, God’s grace. Then, in his heart, he wanted to extend the same grace to someone.

The grace given David was a promise, but one that he would never see fulfilled. Yet, by faith, he accepted the promise as having been fulfilled already, because God keeps His promises.

Are you able to make the same kind of connection between the grace of God and material gifts? Consider Paul’s rhetorical question:

For if we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 

—1 Corinthians 9:11

Applied, we, like David, can extend the grace (kindness) of God through our physical gifts. It may be a gift in the Sunday collection, an act of benevolence involving time, effort and/or money, or a gift to a missionary. It is a gift that you give because of the tremendous grace that you have received from God. Are you applying the grace you have so bountifully received?

Take time to read Ephesians 2:1-10. Look for God’s grace, and how you can apply it today.


Mark Stinnett

December 12, 2021

Reflections on Joy and Gratitude

Did you know that joy and gratitude are related? Well, the English words are not related, but the Greek words that are translated joy and gratitude in the Bible are. The way these words are connected is illuminating.

The Greek word translated joy is chara (sounds like kara). It comes from the word charis which means grace and is the root word for a whole family of Greek words. Another word in that family is eucharistos which means thanks, or in its verb form to give thanks, as in a prayer of thanksgiving. [Jesus gave thanks for the cup at His last Passover meal with His disciples. In the 2nd Century some Christians adopted that term for the Lord’s Supper, Eucharist.]

Does your family ‘say grace’ before a meal or do you ‘give thanks’? The two expressions go back to the same Greek word, charis.

When God shows charis to mankind, we call it grace. Charis is also translated kindness and gift.

For us, grace (charis) is an undeserved favor or gift from God. But we can offer charis back to God through prayers of thanksgiving. Another way that we express grace is by showing kindness to others and in the giving of gifts.

God is gracious by nature. In other words, He does not have to try to show grace. In His joy, He naturally responds with grace. His grace is seen in daily blessings enjoyed by all mankind as well as in special blessings reserved for Christians.

A person can say, “Thank you” without sincerity, can be forced to act kind, or can give a gift out of obligation. Yet, expressions of true grace come only from a heart of joy (chara).

In general, joy develops in our hearts because of the tremendous grace of God toward us. In general, we offer prayers of thanksgiving for the many gifts and kindnesses received from God. However, the Apostle Paul taught something different about making a request in prayer:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

—Philippians 4:6 (NASB95)

Does that surprise you? We are to make our requests with thanksgiving; thanks before receiving. Does that make sense?

It makes perfect sense when you think about joy. Our joy is not based on our current circumstances, but on God’s promises. We pray with an expectation that God will answer, that God will provide, that God truly cares for us.

Now, one more connection:
James taught us to “consider it joy...when encountering various trials.” Later, he wrote:

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised those who love Him.

—James 1:12 (NASB95)

The Greek term for blessed is an intensified form of chara, and also in the charis family of words. It could be translated as an interjection: Rejoice! Yet, in the verse above: “Blissful! is a man who perseveres….”

This same term introduces the beatitudes of Jesus in Matthew 5. So, the beatitudes are nothing other than promises of tremendous joy! The joy may not be felt now, but the joy is real because God always keeps his promises. It is as if we already possess the things He has promised.

James included another beatitude in his short letter. Look for bliss in James 1:22-25. (Verse 25 is key.) Do you want to embrace this tremendous joy in your life? James explains how.


Mark Stinnett

December 5, 2021

Do Your Gifts Please God?

Years ago, when working in the field of technology for a school system, my coworkers and I decided to pool our money together for a gift for our boss. He had a good sense of humor, so there were several gag gift suggestions, but also more thoughtful gift ideas. All of our gift ideas had merit, but we agreed on a more impersonal gift certificate to a local restaurant. And why? We asked his wife! She suggested the gift certificate knowing that he would be appreciative, and he was. We were glad we asked.

Have you ever wondered what kind of gift God would appreciate? We don’t have to wonder or guess. He has actually revealed to us what He desires in His word.

I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

—Romans 12:1

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

—Micah 6:8

Of course, when we think of giving to God we also naturally think of the Sunday collection.

Often times I have found myself writing a check and dropping it in the collection plate without even thinking. I didn’t have a bad attitude. But it was a kind of mechanical giving experience.

The prophet Amos warned God’s people about their sacrifices. They were presumptuous in thinking that a gift to God would please Him when they were also honoring foreign gods.

The prophet Malachi warned the people that God would not accept their offerings. They selected sick and lame animals for sacrifices and found the whole process to be tiresome.

Solomon gave a warning to avoid eating with a selfish person saying, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, ‘Eat and drink!’ but his heart is not with you.” This illustrates hypocritical giving in which a person offers a gift, but really does not want to give.

Some Pharisees at the time of Jesus were very careful to observe the Law of Moses. However, they only desired to be seen by other people. They were insincere in their offering to God.

These examples illustrate different ways that our offerings to God can become meaningless. So, how can we avoid mechanical giving, insincerity, selfish giving, hypocritical giving, and presumptuous giving? How can we give in such a way that it pleases God?

The Apostle Paul encouraged:

Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 

—2 Corinthians 9:7 (ISV)

Giving is a decision of the heart, suggesting that you have thought about it. Also, your giving is not something you regret or something you are forced to do. If you need guidance in deciding about your giving, just reflect on what God has done for you; and don’t stop with just a couple of items on your list. Keep thinking….

In the next verse (2 Corinthians 9:8), Paul wrote that God “is able to make all grace abound.” The idea is that God has blessed you with enough so that you can give something. Even then, God does not tell you to give a specific amount or percentage. Again, your giving is something you are to think about and decide on in order to please God.

Do you think your offerings please God?

If not, what would you change?

Mark Stinnett

November 28, 2021

Is It Difficult To Be Thankful?

Reflecting on my own past, I think there were times when it was difficult to be thankful.

When comparing myself to others: I wanted to possess things my friends had; to make as much money as I perceived they did; to have the influence, position, opportunities, health, good looks as I perceived they had. My problem: lack of contentment. When a person lacks contentment, it is difficult to be thankful.

Yet, the Apostle Paul wrote that he had

• experienced prosperity and humble means,
• felt hunger and felt fullness,
• lived in abundance and suffered need.

He did not say that he learned how to be content, but that he learned to be content. Contentment is a choice and his contentment was based on faith:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

 —Philippians 4:13

Difficult Circumstances: People sometimes quip, “Well, things could be worse.” While that is probably true in many (most?) cases, it is rarely helpful when difficulties arise. When people go through difficulties, there is generally some kind of pain or discomfort. It might be physical, emotional, or spiritual. Whatever the specific difficulty might be, it hurts. When a person is hurting, it is difficult to be thankful, even if it could be worse. Yet, Paul encouraged:

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 

—2 Corinthians 4:17

Paul went on to say that we do not focus on the things that are seen, our difficulties, but things which are not seen, our hope of eternal life.

Selfishness: Thankfulness is an attitude expressing gladness and appreciation for someone, something or one’s circumstances. In general, people are thankful when they receive something they value in some way. They are thankful when things go their way. In contrast, selfishness is the attitude of fixating on one’s self. Selfishness often turns into disappointment or anger when things do not work out to a person’s satisfaction. When a person is filled with self love, it is difficult to be thankful.

Yet, Paul remembered the words of Jesus:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

—Acts 20:35

By his own example Jesus showed that:

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…. 

—Mark 10:45

Apathy: Some people find it difficult to give thanks because they simply are not glad or appreciative. They just don’t care. Apathy is a close cousin to selfishness. Apathy often appears when there is little energy left for anger.

Apathy is not uncommon in the life of a person who believes that no one cares for him/her. Where apathy reigns, thankfulness is difficult.

The Psalmist believed that no one cared for him (Psalm 142). Yet, he found comfort in God. The Apostle Peter offered encouragement to the one who is apathetic through a call to humility…

Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 

—1 Peter 5:7

When you focus on yourself, it can be difficult to be thankful. But when you focus on God and your eyes are set on the promised hope of eternal life, how can you not be thankful!?

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Mark Stinnett

November 21, 2021

How Difficult is Integrity?

As a kid, the idea of integrity mostly began and ended with honesty, but now I know there’s more to it. What else should we be thinking about? What does the Bible say about integrity?

Depending on the translation that you use, the word integrity is found in the Bible only 25-45 times, and then, predominantly in the Old Testament. There, the word integrity translated a family of Hebrew words focusing on the idea of uprightness. So…?

A person who is upright, or full of integrity, certainly is one who is honest. This person does not tell lies. Yet, integrity impacts more than our verbal expressions. Integrity calls for honesty in communication, but also in one’s work and in one’s relationships.

A man or woman of integrity always does the best job he/she can do. Work includes a job for pay, volunteer work, an assigned task at school or at home, and even a self-assigned task. Each task will be considered important and will be completed.

A person of integrity works with the same effort and quality whether working for himself or working for someone else; whether working by himself or with coworkers; whether the boss is present or not.

Integrity means that you will be responsible with respect to your work. You will follow through with a task you’ve agreed to. You will complete a task that you’ve begun, even if it costs extra time and money.

In addition, you will decline to do things that you already know that you cannot do or do not have the time to do.

Paul encouraged workers to work with a good attitude as if they were working for the Lord.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men. 

--Ephesians 6:5–7 (NASB95)

That is working with integrity.

Integrity also involves honesty in relationships.

In your relationship with God you keep His word. You value purity, morality, goodness, holiness and righteousness. In other words, you stay focused on the path of righteousness and avoid evil.

Do not turn to the right nor to the left; 

Turn your foot from evil.

--Proverbs 4:27 (NASB95)

If you make a promise to God, you keep your word. He considers it to be a vow and expects you to honor it.

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
--Ecclesiastes 5:1–6 (NASB95)

A person of integrity abides by the law, but is also concerned with ethical behavior. It might be legal to take advantage of someone who is naïve or uninformed, but it is not ethical. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being overly concerned with the letter of the law, yet neglecting “justice and the love of God.”

But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

--Luke 11:42 (NASB95)

A person of integrity is concerned about fairness whether it is beneficial for himself or not. He is concerned about the well-being of others, not just himself. This attitude translates into kindness and benevolence and generosity. (Remember Zacchaeus in Luke 19.)

A person of integrity looks at all people with value recognizing that he is really no different. He is not prejudicial, but treats everyone with respect. (Reflect on the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.)

Integrity describes a person who is righteous in all things, one who is complete in godly character, one who is of sound judgment. A person of integrity is honest, good, kind, responsible, dependable, fair, just and equitable. This person has a good reputation and values a good name.

Is integrity difficult? What do you think? It all depends on the things in life that you value.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. 

— Micah 6:8 (NASB95)

Mark Stinnett

November 14, 2021

"All the World's a _____" ?

A day or two before moving to Missouri dad had an errand to run and he asked me to go along. He dropped in on an older gentleman from our congregation while I stayed in the car. Dad returned with a shoe box. Inside was a pair of shoes. He said they were the wrong size for him, but he accepted them anyway.

Confused, I asked why. Dad explained that he had taught the man about God and that he was deeply grateful and wanted to give him a gift. Dad said that he accepted the gift because the man needed to honor him with a gift.

That was a profound lesson for a 13-year-old: He needed the opportunity to give.

My dad was a great example that day. But there was something about his example that I’ve reflected on numerous times. I did not learn from his example by watching, but by listening. The example was there, but I would have never learned that valuable lesson without dad’s words to communicate it.

Sometimes our children will pick up on valuable lessons without us saying a word. More often, however, we will need to use words. We will need to focus their attention and tell them what our examples mean. It’s not bragging. It’s called instruction, and it’s our job as parents.

Early in the book of Proverbs Solomon wrote:

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction 

And do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

Fathers and mothers are both teachers and there are many areas of life deserving of their instruction. It is worthwhile to teach children about managing their finances, being responsible with the their possessions, how to make good friends and how to choose a respectable career. It is important to see, however, that all of these important areas of life are ultimately connected to righteousness. Other related qualities that Solomon emphasized include honesty, integrity, faithfulness, honor, personal responsibility, fairness, justice, purity, kindness, and generosity. These qualities apply to all relationships in life, but especially one's relationship with God.

To the Israelites God instructed parents to teach their children His law. The Law of Moses provided instruction regarding God, one’s fellow man, non-Israelites, authority/government, benevolence, taxation and even care of the land and care for work animals.

In the New Testament parents, specifically fathers, are instructed to…

Bring them [children] up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

—Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)

We must teach our children all the things that Jesus and His disciples taught.

As Christians, we take to heart the instruction that God gave to the Israelites regarding the teaching of their children.

Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 

—Deuteronomy 6:7 (NLT)

Shakespeare wrote “All the world’s a stage.” (What would you expect from a guy writing plays?) But I think God was trying to tell His people, and yes, us today, “All the world’s a classroom.” So...teach!

Teach what Jesus taught and how it all relates to life. Teach by example; but don’t forget the words. And teach TODAY, wherever you are, because, blink…they’re grown.

Mark Stinnett

November 7, 2021

To Answer or Not to Answer

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
   Lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool as his folly deserves,
   Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
--Proverbs 26:4-5

Which is it? 

Do you answer a fool? 

Do you not answer a fool? 

How can you know?

Assuming that your answer will be true and perceptive, Solomon gives a reason for both answering and for withholding an response. He wisely offers reasoning for both cases. So, we must recognize that the best response will require wisdom.

How can we discern?

I believe the answer is found by examining the two possible results.

Solomon’s reasoning for withholding an answer from a fool is: Lest you be like him.

Things start with a foolish person making a foolish statement. It is natural to follow your impulse to correct him. Yet, after doing so, he answers back with more foolishness. Then, you answer again. The cycle continues….

Without thinking it through, you find yourself engaged in the same fruitless ranting or babbling just like the fool. You are doing nothing more than providing a platform for endless foolishness.

Stop that!
Avoid that!
Don’t become a fool yourself!

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
--Proverbs 20:3

In the second case Solomon advised to answer a fool, but, again, consider his reasoning: Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

In this case you are encouraged to answer, but with a purpose, not a warning. Your answer is to illuminate the truth of the matter so that the foolish one is shown to be foolish.

If the foolish person can listen, then he will benefit when corrected. This advice is especially applicable when other people are involved. It can help those who may be naïve yet are able to listen. They may benefit from the fool’s correction. Consider...

When the scoffer is punished,
the naïve becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed,
he receives knowledge.
--Proverbs 21:11

Solomon’s wise advice is never more applicable than in our day. It is tempting to splash our personal opinions all over social media in response to all kinds of foolishness...just like everyone else. However, we need to be cautious. We need to be wise. It is fruitless to engage in dialogue with a scoffer whether in person or online, whether in public or in private. However, there may be times in which a wise word will be beneficial to a naïve foolish person or others who can listen.

In the end, it is not about you and your wisdom. Think about the benefit to others. Look away from yourself and your cleverness. Then you will know how to respond.

Be wise.


Mark Stinnett

October 31, 2021

Ignorance by Choice

Faith is a tricky thing. For many people, perhaps for most of us, there are areas of life in which we simply choose to believe. Evidence is ignored for various reasons, or for no reason at all and a faith stance is chosen.

Let me give you a few examples. There are people who truly believe that the moon landing was a hoax. There were, and perhaps still are, people who truly believed in a flat earth. Some people simply do not believe that dinosaurs existed. You may laugh because there is ample evidence to consider. But some people have what you might call a ‘Thomas Complex.’ Thomas was the apostle who rejected the eye-witness testimony of the other apostles and boasted that he would not believe that Jesus was raised from the dead unless he could see and touch the scars on the living body of Jesus.

Today, there are no resurrection eye-witnesses. Yet we would be foolish to ignore the evidence.

Science:

Some scientists are guilty of ignore-ance, that is, a conscious choice to ignore existing evidence. Pick up a high school science textbook and you will find that modern science is based on the ‘Thomas Complex’: Only those things that can be examined with the human senses yield truth. So, things like God and angels and the biblical creation account are intentionally ignored. (How can you examine someone that exists outside the boundaries of the physical universe???) So, things that are not subject to scientific inquiry are dismissed by many scientists.

Of course, without God there is no Creator and no divine revelation. By extension, there is no divine standard of morality. There is no hope. Love becomes an arbitrary concept. Mankind is reduced to nothing more than a highly developed animal that defines morality himself. Religion becomes a system for weak-minded people who need something greater than man.

Biblical Scholarship:

Some biblical scholars are also guilty of ignore-ance by consciously choosing to ignore the internal evidence in the Bible. They assume that the Bible was a product of humans and therefore treat it with no greater regard than other ancient religious writings, ancient mythologies or cave scribblings.

Their willful ignorance generally results in their denial of miracles, denial of the fulfillment of prophecy, denial of the existence of non-physical entities and the afterlife. In their examination of the Scriptures they are quick to correct the inspired writers by suggesting words that should have been used, and by tossing aside questionable verses and debated passages. Some even pride themselves in being able to correct the thinking of the biblical writers.

To these, the Bible is little different than a book that might lay next to it on a coffee table. Yet...

All Scripture is inspired by God…. 

—2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB95)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 

—Romans 1:18–19 (NASB95)

Whenever you are overwhelmed by the truth of God’s word or you hear yourself think, “How can a person not believe?” remember, some people choose ignore-ance. We, on the other hand, embrace divine revelation, something more absolute than human research.

Mark Stinnett

October 24, 2021

An Exceptional Case

I’ve always liked being an exception. And yet, I think always is too strong a word. It was nice when mom or dad or a teacher would single me out and give me special attention. I would feel like an exception compared to everyone else. Yet, sometimes that special attention was embarrassing, because I was in trouble!

You surely understand how I am using the word exception. It is not just being singled out, but being different from the usual. It is the reason why the words always and never should be used sparingly. They leave no room for exceptions.

Jesus said that Judas was an exception. He had lost none of his twelve apostles, except Judas, the son of perdition. (Check it out in John 17:12.)

I have discovered that there are some people who read the Bible with an exception attitude, not an exceptional attitude. What I mean by an exception attitude is that they read with the attitude that there are many exceptions to the instruction and revelation of God. Do you think that is a wise approach?

Here are a couple of examples:

Solomon wrote: “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1) But someone responds saying, “I remember one instance when the angry person became angrier even though he was answered with a gentle response.” (Exception.)

The Apostle Paul wrote: “Honor your father and mother...so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) But someone observes, “That was written to the Israelites and it was about them living long in the land of Israel, not about us living a long life today.” (Exception.)

By God’s power Moses parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites crossed on dry land to escape from Pharaoh and his army. (Exodus 14) But someone explained that “occasionally strong northwest winds drive the water at the northern extremity of the Gulf back so far that it is possible to wade across.” (Werner Keller, "The Bible as History," 2nd Revised Ed., p. 126.) (Exception.)

Whenever someone voices an exception to the things written in the Bible, what are they really saying? Think about the three examples:

• If there is a legitimate exception to Solomon’s proverb, then maybe it is not true that a gentle answer turns away wrath.
• If it is true that Paul quoted from the Old Testament, maybe the promise did only apply to the Israelites and not to us today.
• If the author was right about the winds of Egypt blowing the waters back, maybe there wasn’t a miraculous event at all.

The exception attitude has the effect of discrediting the word of God. It views truths expressed in the Proverbs and suggests that they may not necessarily be true. It challenges the validity of promises made by God. And it casts doubt on miraculous events recorded in Scripture.

If you have developed an exception attitude you will place your reasoning over God’s revelation. You will define the standard by which God and the truth of His word are assessed. You will elevate yourself to the position of ‘god,’ or bring the God of heaven down to earth as your equal.

One of the most profound examples of an exception attitude was that of the Pharisees. They were so sure they were correct in their assessment of God’s word that they ended up rejecting the Son of God!

Jesus spoke about God’s revelation: “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) He had an exceptional attitude toward God’s word. What about you!?

Mark Stinnett

October 17, 2021

Don't Be Caught Off Guard!

Where Is the Church Heading?

I hear preachers and church growth experts say that the church is in trouble.

I suppose you could look at things that way. But there are some things written in Scripture that tell me that the church, the kingdom of God is here to stay.

When the kingdom of God was prophesied in the book of Daniel, it was described as “a kingdom which will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)

When Jesus responded to Peter’s bold confession of faith, He said, “upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades* will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18)

The book of Acts records the beginning of the church and its spread during much of the first century A.D. Whether one considers the opposition and obstacles described in Scripture or secular history, it is clear that Christianity continued to spread during difficult circumstances.

It is evident that there has been and always will be opposition to God’s church. However, God is more powerful than man and His church will not die out or disappear.

Where Is the Bible Heading?

That’s a silly question, right? Not really.

How can the head of a church organization affiliated with Christ make religious decrees regarding doctrine and morality that conflict with the Bible? It is truly baffling that some churches that claim to be of the Christian faith have denied the Bible or, at least, parts of the Bible. After all, the church was not the product of a man or a religious organization. The church was of divine design and came about through fulfilled prophecy. The church was established by God in spite of the confusion of man. It is mystifying how churches deny God’s word.

How can individuals claim to be devoted to Christ yet crave the personal testimony (stories) of average people over the saving message of the gospel of Christ in the Bible? Surprisingly, this man-centered, emotion-driven thinking is rooted in a philosophical shift in thinking from only a few centuries ago; a departure from God’s word. It is mystifying how man has become the centerpiece in many Christian groups.

It would seem that churches and individuals have overlooked that Jesus relied on the Scriptures as did his apostles. Jesus never denied the written word of God. Jesus depended on the Scriptures, quoted the Scriptures and explained the Scriptures. The apostles did the same.

The Apostle Paul wrote that “all Scripture is inspired by God….” (2 Timothy 3:16)

The Psalmist wrote, “The sum of Your word is truth….” (Psalm 119:160) Jesus echoed those very words in John 17:17.

Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35)

The Bible is not heading anywhere; it is here to stay. The real question is about faith in God’s word. There are many voices speaking against God and His word. Some are subtle and inviting. Others are bold. We are sure to be caught off guard when we listen to those voices.

Jesus spoke of the return of the Son of Man and asked, “will He find faith on the earth?” The question remains. Your answer is dependent on the voice(s) to whom you are listening.

Don’t be caught off guard.


Mark Stinnett

October 10, 2021

* The “gates of Hades” was a metaphor for death.

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning God's Law

A guest preacher where my mother worships once emphasized that Christianity is a thinking religion. After the sermon a friend of my mom quipped something like, “I wish God could have just told us what to do so we wouldn’t have to do so much thinking.”

I want to show you a familiar passage of Scripture that illustrates God’s expectation for His people to engage in thought even when He has given simple and direct instruction. Jesus said:

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.

—Matthew 5:38-39

Jesus did not teach anything new. He simply applied thinking, or discernment, to the letter of the law. Without discernment a person would merely obey the letter of the law.

Let’s be more specific. Suppose a friend accidentally injured one of your eyes. According to the law, justice demands that you injure his eye in the same way your eye was injured. How would you carry out that kind of justice? Can you picture yourself actually looking into his eye and planning a way to injure him just as you had been injured!?

Blind and thoughtless obedience to the letter of the law would result in a nation of people bearing the scars of the eye-for-an-eye legislation. Yet, giving thought to the law one would conclude that it is not practical to demand justice in every case. Rather than injuring my friend to obtain justice, it would be better to show mercy, forego justice and endure the injury.

It is true that the eye-for-an-eye system of justice insures justice, but do we really want justice in every case? Let’s answer by turning the circumstances around. What if you were the one to accidentally injure someone else’s eye. What does justice demand for you!?

Let’s change the circumstances once again. Imagine that one of your children injured another one of your children. (If you are not a parent, let me assure you that a parent’s heart is heaviest when one of his/her children is hurting.) What would you like to see in your children? Would you like to see strict justice so that the injured child injures your other child? Do you really want to have two injured children?

When Jesus taught concerning the eye-for-an-eye legislation, He revealed the mind and heart of God who regards us as His children. God doesn’t want injured children, but children who show mercy and who love forgiveness. God wants His children to grow up to be like Him.

Are you in agreement with my mom’s friend? Would you prefer that God just tell you what to do? Or do you see the wisdom in developing discernment?

King David wrote: “O how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97) Can you believe he loved law!? Astounding! What do you think David saw in the law? By meditating on the law and discerning God’s instruction, David saw the very heart of God.

Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

 —Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Discernment is about opening your mind and heart to God’s instruction so that it transforms your mind into the mind of God.

Mark Stinnett

October 3, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Life

Kids...!

If you are at an age that you are no longer referred to as a kid, then you can look back with a sigh, “When we were kids….”

For most of us there are humorous stories of kidhood in which we tried to take life by the tail only to find out that life was a tiger. We tried things we should not have tried, thinking, “It won’t happen to me.” We trusted when we should not have and didn’t trust when we should have. We were sometimes gullible.

We thought we could conquer the world and were happy to share our brilliant ideas. Eventually, life intervened and disrupted our idealism.

As parents we want our kids to mature and to enter into adulthood prepared. We are responsible for giving them opportunities to learn and experience life. We also give sound advice in hopes that they will not have to experience some of the greater challenges of life.

I remember being told, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”; and, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” You undoubtedly grew up with similar truisms.

We recognize that these sayings are not necessarily absolute, but they are good advice. They were intended to help kids as they journey into adulthood. Parents don’t want their kids to be caught off guard in life.

God must have put that in us as a part of human nature. I say that because he too offered sound advice to his children so they would not be caught off guard in life.

I’m thinking of the book of Proverbs.

Solomon was given an extra measure of wisdom from God and his advice for living can be a better teacher than experience. It can be IF we listen to the advice and follow it. That wisdom will help us to avoid learning by the expensive and painful trial-and-error method, i.e. experience.

The Bible is full of teachings that help us navigate through life. For example, I really do not know what to think about all the things written about climate change. But I remember reading this from God’s divine word:

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. 

—Genesis 8:22 (NASB95)

I am unable to use science to challenge whether there is a gene that makes a person homosexual. But I remember reading this in Scripture:

For their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

—Romans 1:26–27 (NASB 2020)

I’m not sure what we can do in our country about laws allowing same-sex marriage. But I remember reading this in the Bible:

A man shall leave his father and his mother; and be joined to his wife (woman).

—Genesis 2:24 & Matthew 19:5

The Apostle Peter wrote that God’s divine power has “granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness….” (2 Peter 1:3)

I think everything is rather inclusive.

The Bible is not just about afterlife stuff. That old book is still relevant for the questions and issues of our day. Are you listening?

Mark Stinnett

September 26, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Prayer

A non-believer once explained that prayer is a good thing; it is a way for a person to get things off his/her chest. For the non-believer I suppose you could achieve the same psychological release by talking to your dog, or the fire hydrant your dog is so fond of.

Yet, we know that God is real. Prayer is not just a psychological release. God really listens. But does He always listen???

In John 9:31 someone said, “God does not hear sinners.” Yet, there are examples in Scripture that seem to counter that statement. How do we make sense of the exceptions?

The sinner in John 9:31 is not simply that person whose life is marred by sin, but the one who has turned away from God and who refuses to listen to His instruction. That is also the sense of a proverb of Solomon:

The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
—Proverbs 15:29 (NASB95)

There was an occasion in Israel’s history when they were oppressed by a foreign power. They cried out to God and He all but taunted them with their past. He reminded them that he had delivered them from many foreign enemies and then said…

“Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your distress.” 

—Judges 10:14

God did not respond with assistance until Israel put away their foreign gods. We should learn that unless we step away from evil and turn toward God, He will not respond favorably.

Jesus taught that when a person prays with wrong motives (to grab attention from other people), he will receive nothing from God. The attention is all he will receive. (Matthew 6:5-6)

Husbands, did you know that the way you treat your wife affects your prayer life? You can actually block your prayers from God’s ears if you do not treat your wife as God expects! (1 Peter 3:7)

Did you know that selfishness gets no response?

You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 

—James 4:3

These important Scriptures help us to understand that our prayers can be hindered. The last thing you would want is for God to turn a deaf ear when you are at a critical time of need.

It is important for us to be confident as we approach God in prayer. We need to have confidence that God is listening, that nothing is getting in the way of our prayers.

We know that God IS compassionate. God IS gracious. God IS Love. So, we can approach God with our joys and disappointments. We can approach Him when we have overcome and when we have failed. We can share with Him our anxieties, our dreams and even the simple daily happenings of our mundane lives. He cares.

Yet, God IS holy. God IS mighty. God IS Creator. Man is dust. We must approach God with awe and reverence. We must approach in humility.

But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word. 

—Isaiah 66:2

Finally, Jesus told a parable about a widow who bothered a judge over and over in order to obtain justice. His purpose in telling the parable was “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart.” (Luke 18:1)

Do you want God to listen to you? 

Then... 

   Be righteous; 

      Be faithful; 

         Be humble; 

            Be persistent.


Mark Stinnett

September 19, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Spirituality

In whatever way you may think of spirituality, it clearly contrasts the physical. Interestingly, sometimes there are direct parallels between the physical and spiritual. At other times the contrast is striking. For example...

The Apostle Paul used a farming/gardening illustration to teach a spiritual truth. Consider:

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

—Galatians 6:7 (NASB95)

You really do not have to be a farmer or gardener to know that sowing apple seeds produces apple trees and ultimately, apples. Corn seeds produce corn. Daisy seeds produce daisies.

Yet, Paul drew a spiritual parallel:

The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (verse 8)

Sowing to one’s flesh is the idea of satisfying one’s evil fleshly cravings. Sowing to the Spirit is the idea of living godly according to the Spirit of God. So, the physical principle of sowing and reaping applies the same way spiritually.

Consider a teaching of Jesus.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

—Matthew 13:45–46 (NASB95)

Apply this literally to the physical world? Absurd! To literally sell all of one’s belongings for the pearl makes no sense. That person would have no food, clothing, shelter, etc.; just a pearl. So, possessing only his valued pearl, he would soon die. However, it makes perfect sense if the part about selling out applies to one’s earthly possessions while the pearl applies to spiritual things, such as, the kingdom of heaven.

Next, consider Solomon’s advise to the young:

Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes.

—Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NASB95)

Whether physical or spiritual advice, does that sound wise? Wisdom, however, IS found in the remainder of the verse:

Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.

Choices have consequences. That makes sense in the physical world, but, according to Solomon it is also a sobering spiritual truth.

When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount He reminded the people of the moral law about murder, “You shall not commit murder.” He then said:

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. 

—Matthew 5:22 (NASB95)

Jesus was not saying, “Murder used to be morally wrong but now things are stricter; anger is morally wrong.” He was actually trying to get the people to see that murder is rooted in anger. So, instead of focusing on the behavior, first deal with its cause. Address the attitude.

Finally...

A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 

—1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB95)

God expects His people to understand spiritual truths and to use spiritual discernment. He expects us to walk by the Spirit. There is only one source for spiritual truth and instruction. God’s word alone is the key to spirituality.

Mark Stinnett

September 12, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Discipline

When you see the word discipline in a religious context, what comes to mind?

You might think about how the Bible can be used to correct a fellow believer. You might think about how the Bible instructs parents in the discipline of children. You might think about self-discipline. My starting point is the verse:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness….

2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB95)

The word discipline does not appear in this verse, but that is exactly what the Apostle Paul described. His description mirrors the meaning of an Old Testament Hebrew word, musar. It was used for the full breadth of discipline, including instruction, training, correction, rebuke (strong verbal correction), as well as physical discipline. So, Paul wrote that the inspired word of God is beneficial for musar.

Now, was Paul addressing parents, church leaders or Christians in general? The next verse tells us the purpose of the discipline that God’s word provides, even though the application may be broader.

...so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:17 (NASB95)

The overall idea is that of a finished work. God’s word is able to make you a finished work. I might be behind the times, but I think one of the buzz words of our day is spiritual formation.

The point is this: God’s word is able to transform you into a finished product that He will be satisfied with. His expectation is that you will be capable of doing good works. And how does He bring about a finished work in you?

God’s word provides instruction (doctrine) which tells us about God, His identity, His values, and His character. Biblical doctrine also tells us about ourselves in relation to God. Where else will you find instruction about salvation, the afterlife, moral conduct, and the soul?

And don’t overlook the mind of man. God’s word has been dealing with emotional and mental issues for centuries while modern research is only now catching up.

Even with the best instruction, we sometimes misunderstand. We try to implement God’s word in our lives, but sometimes fail. We need correction. We need someone to tell us where we went wrong and to point us in the right direction. Correction, reproof, and training all present varying levels of corrective discipline. God’s word is the best source.

We might find correction on our own as we read the Scriptures. At other times a friend or family member may love us enough to help us back on the right path by applying God’s word.

The Scriptures discipline us…

• To live righteous lives;
• To love sacrificially;
• To control our tongue (and typing fingers);
• To mature from childhood into adulthood with dignity.

The Scriptures instruct and discipline us in our different roles and circumstances:

• How to be husbands and wives;
• How to be parents & children;
• How to be bosses & employees;
• How to be Christian leaders & servants.

Don’t be caught off guard regarding discipline. God’s word is the key. God’s word is sufficient.


Mark Stinnett

September 5, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Doctrine

Doctrine…(*Ugh* “Goodbye, not interested.”)

For years, I was turned off by the word doctrine until a friend simplified things: “Doctrine is just teaching,” he said. I don’t know how I had missed that, but he was right. In the Bible, the word doctrine refers to teaching or instruction.

When the early Christians followed the apostles’ doctrine, they were “devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” (Acts 2:42) It really is that simple. (Most English translations use the word teaching nowadays.)

So, how important is doctrine?

A number of years ago, a college friend visited my wife and I overheard her telling about a new women’s Bible study in which the participants had all agreed to avoid controversial Bible topics. While that was a lofty goal, it was flawed. Not trying to be difficult, I interjected, “So, I guess you won’t be discussing salvation.”

The biblical doctrine of salvation is critically important, yet quite controversial.

Biblical doctrine is interesting to some, though there are writers who seem to be gifted in making it as dry as the desert sand. Yet, the instruction found in the pages of the Bible tells us about God and about ourselves. Biblical doctrine helps us answer fundamental questions that mankind has asked throughout the ages:

• Who am I and what is my place in the universe?
• How does the ordered universe make sense?
• Where is there justice?

It is important to understand that every person thinks something about God and the Bible, about truth and eternity, about salvation and morality. A person’s attitudes and behaviors are defined by his understanding of doctrine even if he does not call it doctrine. Consider...

In his book, What Is the Bible?, Rob Bell explains biblical inspiration as something little different from an idea that suddenly pops into one’s head, not unlike Doc Brown’s invention of the flux capacitor in the popular Back to the Future movie series. Yet, if that describes your basic doctrine of biblical inspiration, then the Bible will be reduced to a mere compilation of the writings of men who had an internal urge to write after a bump on the head.

In his Word Pictures in the New Testament, 20th Century Greek scholar A. T. Robertson revealed his doctrine of baptism saying that a person will interpret Acts 2:38 “according as he believes that baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not.” (Vol. III, p. 35-36) In other words, biblical doctrine on baptism is so indistinct in this case that people will simply believe what they already believe. If you embrace Robertson’s explanation, then you will feel perfectly fine to believe whatever you want about Christian baptism.

The point of these examples is that human explanations of biblical doctrine are insufficient and may lead to incorrect conclusions. Those conclusions will surely affect one’s attitudes and ultimately his/her choices and behaviors.

In contrast to the examples above, Paul wrote:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching (doctrine)...so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 

—2 Timothy 3:16

We must keep focus on God’s word so that we are not caught off guard concerning doctrine. Only then will God’s intended goal be met in us.

The goal of our instruction [doctrine] is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 

—1 Timothy 1:5

Mark Stinnett

August 29, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Faith

A young couple had asked me to perform their wedding ceremony. She was not a Christian and reluctantly came with her fiancée to meet with me to talk about the wedding.

I emphasized that I believed the Bible and intended to include statements about God and his instruction for marriage. They both agreed. A few minutes later, however, the bride-to-be made a comment that caused me concern. I responded, “When you say, ‘God,’ and I say, ‘God,’ I don’t think we are talking about the same thing. Do you believe the Bible?”

Her final response, before cursing and storming out of my office, was something about how any writing that had been buried for a hundred years could be unearthed and then revered as a sacred text. (I did not wed the two.)

Years earlier, a co-worker of mine described Jesus as someone who was simply ahead of his time. She said that His advanced knowledge allowed him to heal in ways unfamiliar to the people of his day. So, they saw his practices as magical and called the results miracles. In addition, the crucifixion and resurrection of this wonder-worker were simply made up by disciples to account for his sudden disappearance.

Denial. The bride-to-be and my coworker were denying three important foundational truths that undergird Christianity:

• God is the Creator of the universe;
• Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, deity in the flesh; and
• Jesus was crucified, but was raised from the dead, and then ascended to heaven.

In his book, The Genesis Record, Henry Morris compared atheism, humanism, evolutionism, and an assortment of other –isms. He concluded that there are many different ways to deny God, but they are all still a denial of God. (p. 38)

Voices of our day mock the Scriptures, yet without carefully investigating its content. Voices of our day cite scientific research as testimony against events and claims in the Bible, yet often while overlooking their own hidden assumptions. Voices of our day, even many religious voices, often deny straightforward biblical teachings that clash with accepted beliefs.

Denying God, one must ultimately accept with blind faith that something (matter) can emerge from absolute nothingness. (Science does not agree.) Denying the deity of Jesus, one must blindly ignore salvation and morality. Denying the resurrection, one must blindly accept the absence of divine judgment, the afterlife and hope. The denial of these three fundamental truths reduces human beings to little more than animals whose end is nothingness.

Christian faith is rooted in the existence of the God who IS and who created and who recorded His spoken word to mankind. The very first verse of the Bible is a kind of 'You Are Here' pointer that provides mankind its bearings within the framework of the universe and eternity. It provides relevance to mankind’s existence. It gives relevance to the existence of every individual.

Faith is not blind, but rooted in truth. Yet, the Apostle Paul warned that God’s wrath is against those who “suppress the truth”...

Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 

—Romans 1:19 (NASB95)

Christians “walk by faith.” It is not blind faith or the faith of desire (i.e. I want to believe, so I believe). Our faith is grounded in the verifiable revelation of our wise Creator. Do not be caught off guard by the voices of doubt of our day.

Mark Stinnett

August 22, 2021

'Caught Off Guard' Concerning Love

For God so loved…

The first word in this well-known verse (John 3:16) is usually ignored when the verse is quoted in isolation. The word for actually introduces an explanation. Jesus had been speaking with a prominent Jewish teacher, Nicodemus. He was trying to help Nicodemus understand how to enter into the kingdom of God through spiritual birth. He had just drawn from an Old Testament event involving Moses.

On one occasion the Israelites had sinned and God sent a plague of snakes against them. People were dying from being bitten by the snakes and Moses was instructed to make a bronze snake and place it on a stick for all to see. When the people looked at the bronze snake that was lifted up by Moses, they would not die from the snake bites.

Jesus was thinking about the faith that it took for the people to look upon the bronze snake that had been lifted up. Then, in reference to Himself, He said that the Son of Man must also be lifted up (on the cross), “so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” (John 3:15) Then, He further explained:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

It is easy to think that the phrase so much refers to how much God loved, as if God was quantifying His love. Too often God is made into a jolly grandfather-type being who is so full of love that He just accepts everyone no matter what. Hugs. (Think, Santa Clause...Ho, Ho, Ho.)

Actually, Jesus was describing the extent of God’s love. God loved the world so much, that is, to such an extent that He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrificial lamb to die on the cross in place of sinners. That is love.

In our day love more often describes some degree of affection or a sexual relationship. Yet, the love of God involved personal sacrifice.

Sexual love has nothing to do with sacrifice, but rather personal satisfaction. Affectionate love has more to do with emotional feelings and natural connections to something or someone. It too is often about personal satisfaction.

God loved mankind to the greatest extent that anyone can love. The Apostle Paul described this love by first noting that Jesus was equal with God. He was deity, yet…

Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

—Philippians 2:6-8

God desired to have a relationship with those He created and He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to make that relationship possible. And He wants His people to possess the same attitude and behavior of love.

So, if you truly love God with all your heart, you will make whatever sacrifice is necessary to keep your relationship with Him. And if you truly love your neighbor as yourself, you will make whatever sacrifice is necessary to maintain your relationship with him/her.

Don’t be caught off guard. The love of God is not about sex or self, but sacrifice.

To what extent do you love?

Mark Stinnett

August 15, 2021