Most everyone has had an epiphany that has altered their thinking or direction in life.  Most have many epiphanies in a lifetime.  An epiphany is defined (in part) by Webster as:

(1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure, b : a revealing scene or moment

Television advertisements are always giving testimonials about how a new drug, or new exercise tool, or a new financial system, or a book or DVD with a new system of thinking and/or living has changed the lives of those who have used this product.  “And for four easy payments of $29.99 your life can be…”

For some an epiphany may be when they move out on their own and feel the freedom of living life as an adult.  Then comes the epiphany of being responsible for living life on their own, and paying their own bills, and mom, dad and home don’t seem so bad after all.

For others it may be the epiphany of realizing you have met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.  You now understand what is meant by the words, “I love you.”  For some who have experienced this epiphany, another epiphany may come after decades of marriage, when you realize that now, after all those years, you have a much deeper understanding of love than you did at the first epiphany, and it fills your heart with a wondrous feeling about life and love and the goodness of God’s blessings.  And now you understand just a little bit more about the love Jesus has for His bride—the church.

Many experience an epiphany when they make the decision to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ with a true heart, in faith, repentance, confession and baptism.  What a relief it is to be freed from sin and from the bondage of Satan, and to be truly free in Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32).  Then, after decades of growing in grace, knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ, realizing that way back in the beginning of your life as a Christian, you now have a much greater understanding and much better relationship with your Father in heaven and with your brother Jesus Christ.

Fulton Smith said that he had an epiphany when he began to be honest with himself.  The life he had been living was not bringing him the satisfaction, the contentment he desired.  And, being honest with himself, he saw that what he was doing was causing heartache to those he loved, as well as bringing harm to himself.  In his epiphany of being honest with himself he decided to search for the truth that would change his life from the dissatisfaction and discontentment he had been experiencing to that which would bring about what he truly desired.  That is when he discovered that this could only be attained in a life given to God in faith and honesty.  Fulton is now a faithful preacher of the gospel in South Carolina.  And…, he is a happy man.

Being honest with one’s own self can be a real epiphany, a life changing event.  James said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).  Paul experienced that epiphany when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9.  His life changed from being a persecutor of Christ and His church, to being a faith follower of Jesus Christ.  Paul could not deny the truth that was before him.

What epiphany has changed your life?  What is changing your life?

It is well known that Grace is the unmerited favor (good will) of God toward those who do not deserve it.  Without grace there would be no salvation, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).  It is because of grace that the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached so that sinners may be converted and become the righteousness of God.

In Ephesians 3:1-7 Paul speaks about the gift of grace in a way that it would do a Christian good to come to a deeper understanding.

In verse one Paul speaks of being a prisoner of Jesus Christ.  This imprisonment was more than just a physical jail.  He was also bound by a chain that would not be broken.  He was a bondservant of Jesus Christ.  In Romans 1:1 he wrote, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”  Paul was a debtor to the Jews and to the Greeks (Rom. 1:14).  In 1 Corinthians 9:16 Paul said that necessity was laid upon him to preach the gospel, and woe was upon him if he preached not the gospel.  In verse 23 Paul said that his work as a preacher was “for the gospel’s sake.”  What grace does a slave have?

In Ephesians 3:2-5 Paul said that it was by grace that the mystery of the gospel had been revealed to him.   This revelation had been given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Galatians 1:12 Paul wrote, “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  The greatest being, because of the greatest grace, had given the greatest revelation of all time in order to bring about the greatest blessing—salvation.

In Ephesians 3:6 Paul says that this revelation has brought about the greatest blessing: that Jews and Gentiles should be fellow heirs, added to the same body (Eph. 2:11-17), and to be partakers and of the promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25).

Paul completes this teaching of God’s grace by saying, “of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power” (Ephesians 3:7).  Paul considered the grace which he had received from God as a most precious gift.  This gift of God’s favor enabled him to be a minister of the revelation given to him.

It is all too often that a person will seek out God’s grace so that he or she may be relieved of a burden (whether physical or spiritual) or seek to be cured of some ailment for personal peace or wellbeing.  But Paul was grateful for the grace of God which provided for his service in God’s kingdom.  Paul’s thankfulness for grace was completely unselfish in that he used it to help others understand the mystery of the gospel that they might be saved.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh given to him by God.  Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that this thorn be removed.  The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).  In the last part of verse 9 and in verse 10 Paul said, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  Could it be that your faithfulness in suffering and struggles could be God’s gift of grace toward someone else who is also struggling?

God’s grace is a gift.  But it is not always a gift to relieve pain and suffering.  It may be for other purposes.  Whatever the case may be, a faithful Christian will rejoice that in his or her weakness it is God’s grace that provides what is needed.  Thank God for the gift of His grace.

The word “bless” or “blessed” bring up different images for different people.  But when the Bible uses the word what does it mean?  In Matthew 5:3-11 Jesus pronounced 9 blessings on special groups of people.  The “blessed” is an adjective used in the plural sense in the Greek.  It is from the Greek word “makarioi.”  A. T. Robertson, in his Word Pictures in the New Testament, said,

The Greek word here (makarioi) is an adjective that means “happy” which in English etymology goes back to hap, chance, good-luck as seen in our words haply, hapless, happily, happiness. “Blessedness is, of course, an infinitely higher and better thing than mere happiness” (Weymouth). English has thus ennobled “blessed” to a higher rank than “happy.” But “happy” is what Jesus said and the Braid Scots New Testament dares to say “Happy” each time here as does the Improved Edition of the American Bible Union Version.

Young’s Literal Translation also translates “Blessed” as “Happy” in these verses.

Jesus used the plural form of blessed.  This adds to the depth (and height) of the blessedness.  The multitudes of people that Jesus was addressing in the sermon on the Mount would have been able to relate to His words.  They were poor, meek and hungry in the physical sense.  But they were also poor, meek and hungry in the spiritual sense.  In Matthew 9:36 they were like sheep having no shepherd.  In Luke 5:31 our Lord spoke of those who were [spiritually] sick needed a physician, not those who are well.  The common people were treated as lower class citizens by the religious leaders (Matthew 23:4).  They were indeed in need of happiness.

There is another Greek word translated “bless.”  Eulogeo is from two Greek words: eu which means well, and logos which means word.  Therefore it means to speak well of, to praise, to celebrate with praises, or to give glory to, or to ask a blessing upon (Vine’s New Testament Dictionary).

In Luke 2:28, when Simeon saw the baby Jesus he took Him in his arms and blessed God.  When Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes, He looked up to heaven and blessed the food, then divided it to the people (Luke 9:16).  In 1 Corinthians 10:16 Paul said, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?”

When Jesus said to “bless those who curse you” (Matthew 5:45), He used eulogeo.  He was saying, speak well of those who curse you.

In Romans 4:7-8 Paul used “makrioi” or some form of it to say, “…Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”

Christians are the most blessed (happiest) people in the universe.  In turn they bless (praise) God for the blessings they have received through His Son Jesus Christ.

I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. (Psalms 145:1-3)

It has been said that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”  It might also be said that value is in the billfold of the purchaser.  Often when I consider purchasing an item I ask myself, “Am I willing to pay that price for this item?”  There have been many times when I went into a store with the intention of purchasing an item, but when I saw the price I decided that I could get by without paying that price for whatever the item was that I thought I needed.

When considering the church, it is important to remember that the church and the kingdom are the same institution.  In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said that he would build His church.  In the very next verse, and in the same context, Jesus said that [once He built the church] He would give unto Peter the keys to the kingdom.  When a person is added to the church he or she is also translated into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:47; Col. 1:13).  Christians are members of the body of Christ and citizens of the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 12:18; Rev. 1:9).

In Matthew 13 Jesus gave several parables to illustrate the value of the kingdom.  In verses one through twenty-three He told about the sower and the seed.  When giving an explanation Jesus described the seed as being “the word of the kingdom” (vs. 19, emphasis added, sv).

Jesus spoke other parables in this chapter emphasizing the value of the kingdom.  In Matthew 13:45-46 he spoke the parable of the merchant who was seeking beautiful pearls.  While he was looking he came across one pearl that exceeded every other pearl he had ever seen.  He considered the pearl to be extremely valuable, but he did not have the money with him to purchase this pearl.  So, Jesus says, the merchant went and sold all that he had, returned and bought this one pearl of great price.  Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like that one pearl in value.

There is an old saying, “There’s no accounting for taste.”  What one person values very highly, may not be valued very highly by another.  But what about the value God places on an item?

God valued the church/kingdom so highly that He gave what was most precious to Him—His Son Jesus Christ.  He did it willingly and purposely with forethought.  Yet He did not give His Son to purchase the church for Himself, rather, He purchased it for you.  He sanctified men and women through His Son so that they could enter into the church/kingdom.  The same value which God places upon the church can also be seen in His Son.  Jesus willingly came to this earth knowing that He was destined to pave the road to heaven with His own blood.  He counted the souls of sinners of more value than His own fleshly body’s existence in this life.  It is because of this fact that the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write concerning the church, “…which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28b).

The church/kingdom is the pearl of great price in the eyes of God and of Jesus Christ.  What value does it have in your heart?  In the end, when the trump of God sounds and the arch angel shouts, and you see Jesus coming in the clouds, what value do you think it will have on that day?  Remember the merchant?  He sold all that he had in order to purchase that one pearl.  What lesson did Jesus want His listeners to learn?

You do not hear the name John Calvin as much in today’s religious culture as in days past.  The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is not as popular as it once was.  But you do still hear some preachers proclaiming the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, also called “Once saved; always saved.”  John Calvin was the great promoter of this doctrine.

There are several verses used by Calvinists to defend this doctrine. In John 10:28-29 Jesus said that no one could snatch them [those the Father had given Him] out of His Father’s hand.  These verses teach that no one else can snatch (grab or swipe) a soul from God.  But it does not say or imply that an individual cannot choose to leave God’s saving grace.  It is a false interpretation to say that this verse teaches otherwise.

Another verse used to teach this doctrine is found in Ephesians 1:13.  “In Him you also trusted…, in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”  In Ephesians 4:30 it says that Christians are sealed “for the day of redemption.”  In 2 Corinthians 1:22 this seal is called a “guarantee.”  From these verses it is taught that once a person is “sealed with the Holy Spirit” then that person cannot become “unsealed.”  But the word “sealed” (sphragizo) is commonly used to mean a stamp such as a letter sealed by wax and a signet or some other type of seal meant to show authenticity and to keep secret until the time of opening.  We see this in Esther 3:12; 8:8-10 and in Daniel 6:17.  To be sealed with the Holy Spirit is a sign, a stamp of authenticity.  It is not an unbreakable chain.

When a person obeys the gospel, being baptized into Jesus Christ, that person is added to the church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47) and their name is written in the Book of Life.  Philippians 4:3 says, “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”  Having one’s name written in the Book of Life and being sealed with the Holy Spirit both have the same significance—salvation.

In the book of Revelation we read, “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).  Here Jesus is speaking to the church—to the saved.  But it requires overcoming the snares of the devil.  In Revelation 22:19 the God has said, “and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  It is abundantly clear that once a person has his or her name written in the Book of Life that this person’s name may be blotted out and his part [salvation] be taken away from the Book of Life.

Another phrase sometimes used by Calvinists is, “You can’t fall from grace.”  It is said that a person is saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8) and once God’s grace saves that person then it is impossible to fall from that saving grace.  Well, God’s grace does not fail; people do.  In the book of Galatians there were Christians who were turning away from the gospel of Christ to another gospel (Galatians 1:6-9).  In chapter 5:4 Paul wrote, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”  This verse clearly says that those Christians who attempted to be justified by law had fallen from grace.  A person must be in grace before that person can fall from grace.

Perseverance of the saints is dependent upon remaining faithful to God and His word.  Jesus said, “”Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

The title “Pass or Fail” implies success or “to not make the grade.” But because someone may fail does not mean that they are loved less.  To grade or test someone does not imply a spirit of malice. When Paul said “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), he did so because he wanted people to discover the good and hold on to it.  To say that someone may pass or fail in religion in no way implies a lesser love.  On the other hand we are commanded to love God and Jesus more (see Matthew 22:37, 38 and Luke 14:26).

Concerning passing or failing in spiritual matters the Scriptures are the standard.  In Acts 17:11 the Bible said that the Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to see if Paul’s teaching was true.  Specifically for us today, the New Testament is our standard for evil or good, sin or righteousness.  Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 9:15).  Christianity was unknown in the Old Testament (Acts 11:26).  For someone to deny the New Testament is our standard is to open the door for other standards of authority; subjectivity ensues, and man becomes his own god.

If a doctrine does not pass the test of Scriptures then it must be rejected.  For example, there is among some a new doctrine which says that the church of Christ began in America in the 19^th century.  Josh Ross wrote,

Restore” is at the core of our movement’s history. Churches of Christ were born out of the Restoration Movement. God gathered a group of people early in the 19^th century and they became passionate about restoration. This movement wasn’t out of denial that the Reformation Movement was of God, but because division and fragmentation was running rampant, so they attempted to restore a focus on the mission of the early church.

So much of the above quotation fails the test of Scripture.  First, Mr. Ross says that “This movement wasn’t out of denial that the Reformation Movement was of God.”  Well, if the Reformation Movement was “of God” then why a new movement would be needed?  In the Reformation Movement the Lutheran Church was the first to come into existence in 1517 in Germany.  Was that the church people were added to in Acts 2?  The Presbyterian was next.  Will that denomination pass the test of Scripture?

Second, the church of Christ was not born out of the Restoration Movement of the 19^th century.  If the church of Christ was born in the Restoration Movement then it was not a restoration, it was a new entity.  And if it was a new entity then it was not the church that the people were added to who obeyed the preaching of the apostles in Acts 2.

When a person today hears the same gospel as was preached by the apostles in Acts 2, sincerely believes, repents and are baptized just as those 3,000 people did on the day of Pentecost, then is it not right to conclude that the Lord adds them to the same church that he did those in Acts 2:47?  This reasoning passes the test of Scripture.  On the Day of Judgment, when our Lord Jesus Christ returns, there will be a test (Matthew 7:21-27).  Many will be surprised on that day when they fail the test.  But if a person follows the Scriptures then he or she will not be surprised to hear the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21).

                                                                        Steve Vice

With the tragedy in New Town, Connecticut fresh on our minds, protecting our children has become the focus of much discussion.  Much of that discussion has focused on gun control and armed guards and/or police officers being posted in schools.

In the 1960’s and ‘70’s when I was in school, the worst thing you had to deal with was name calling and bullying.  It is disturbing to think that in such a short time we have moved from those comparatively minor problems to bomb threats, guns being brought to school, and actual shootings where children are specifically targeted and killed.

Why are such things happening?  What could be the cause of such behavior?

1.       Is it the guns?  50 years ago parents did not generally lock up their guns.  They did not put trigger locks on their guns.  The guns sat in the closet or some other out of the way place in easy access to the children in the home.  But you never heard of anyone taking a gun and shooting up a school.  If it is not the guns, then what is it?  Well, back then you could still hear the Bible being read and prayer being made in school.

2.       Disintegration of the family.  Having children out of wedlock has eroded the moral values of this society.  When a husband and a wife no longer see the necessity to keep their wedding vows eats away at the standards of truth and integrity.  The exploding divorce rate also adds to the problem of our children being raised without both parents.

3.       Taking God out of government and schools.  A superficial glance will say that this is not important; schools are to educate our children, not to teach them morals.  But at the very core of education is the need to know right from wrong.  Science does not have any laws that teach when it is right or wrong to abort a child.  Social sciences do not cover the challenges of divorce on a society.

4.       Abortion.  Many governments around the world, including our own, have sanctioned the killing of innocent babies in the womb.  They have taken it upon themselves to define life and when it begins.  And there are places where men have taken it upon themselves to decide when life should end with the legalization and practice of euthanasia.

5.       Evolution.  The primary goal of evolution is to offer an explanation for the creation that excludes an all-powerful God.  When God is removed from the equation then man becomes his own standard of morality.  When God is removed from marriage then divorce is no longer wrong.  When nature is made the all-powerful creator then homosexuality is an acceptable “lifestyle” choice.   And when God is removed from our government, schools and homes then we should not be so shocked that tragedies like the shootings at New Town take place.

Protecting our children is wholly dependent upon accepting and following God’s word.  This principle was proclaimed by Moses over 3,000 years ago in Deuteronomy 4:40.  “You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you…”  Although this is in the Old Law the principle is still true today.

There are many dangers in the world.  When an entire family is killed by a drunk driver why is there not a similar outcry against alcohol?

The key is for the parents to build a strong relationship with God and maintain that relationship.  Then they must pass this on to their children.  Then, no matter what evil Satan may bring upon our children, we can take comfort knowing that God will provide the ultimate protection in heaven.

Steve Vice

]]> http://fpcc.org/?feed=rss2&p=2489 0 http://fpcc.org/?p=2485 http://fpcc.org/?p=2485#comments Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:12:00 +0000 admin http://fpcc.org/?p=2485 Cincopa video hosting solution for your website. Another great product from Cincopa Send Files. “…Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10, NKJV).  These were the words the angels used to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field.  The word “gospel” is from the Greek word “euagglion.”  “Eu” means good, and [...]]]> Cincopa video hosting solution for your website. Another great product from Cincopa Send Files.

“…Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people” (Luke 2:10, NKJV).  These were the words the angels used to announce the birth of Jesus to the shepherds in the field.  The word “gospel” is from the Greek word “euagglion.”  “Eu” means good, and “aggelos” which means to announce.  This was indeed good news to those who were watching for the coming of the Messiah.

The good news is seen in the fact that Jesus would save people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).  It is called the gospel of peace in Romans 10:15.  In 2 Timothy 1:10 Paul spoke of God’s purpose, which was planned before time began, and “… has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”  The good news for mankind is found the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  His sinless life, His sacrificial death, and His return from the grave to live for eternity is the one and only hope that mankind has in this world.  It is only through Him that we have the promise of God for eternal life.  John said, “And this is the promise that He [God] has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).  There is no partiality in this, but all of every nation who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him (Acts 10:34-35).  The Hebrew writer says that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).  Now that is the good news of which there is none greater, nor has it been equaled.

The good news of salvation is learned.  But it is much more than a set of facts to be believed; it is a relationship to be embraced.  Jesus said, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:32).  This implies not only life after death.  It also implies that God is alive, attentive, and a personal God.  He is Abraham’s God; Isaac’s God; and Jacob’s God.  When a person is obedient in the faith then God becomes a personal God, not just in the life to come, but now.  That is why Jesus taught the disciples to pray “Our Father which art in haven. Hallowed by thy name” (Matthew 6:9, KJV, emphasis added – sv).

When Simon the Sorcerer was baptized by Phillip in Acts 8, he was a young Christian, inexperienced in living the Christian life.  His old habits were still hanging on.  So, when he saw the power of the Holy Spirit working in Peter and John he offered them money to give this gift to him as well.  When Peter told him that his heart was not right, and that he had no part in this work, Simon did not turn away from his new relationship with God.  He recognized that the good news of the gospel was far more valuable than the riches his former profession could ever have offered him.  But he needed to grow in his knowledge and in his personal relationship with his heavenly Father.  He requested Peter and John’s help in praying to God for forgiveness.  And he continued to embrace his relationship with his Father.

Later on in Acts 8 there was a man from Ethiopia who heard the gospel of peace, believed the good news, and obeyed from his heart the facts Phillip had taught him about salvation through Jesus Christ.  Following his baptism, Phillip was caught away, leaving the man from Ethiopia alone, …or was he?  This man went on his way rejoicing in the knowledge that he now had a relationship with one who would never leave him nor forsake him even in eternity.

Every faithful Christian, who realizes, not only in an academic way, but in a personal/heartfelt way, the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ has reason to rejoice.  The “good tidings of great joy” are found in Jesus Christ and are there for all who would embrace them.  Let the good news of the gospel bring great joy to your heart in this new year, …and, for all eternity.

So many things have become a routine part of many people’s holiday season: live nativity scenes, decorations, trees, family gatherings, presents, sales, crowds, stress, exhaustion, short tempers, and, as the Grinch said, “That’s one thing I hate! All the noise, noise, noise, noise!”  Is that what the holidays have become for you?

So many people have different ideas about the holidays.  Let us examine some of them.

One extreme is the teaching that Christmas is a holy day, a day when we worship Jesus, remembering His birthday.  That is why you see so many nativity scenes at churches, businesses and homes.  But Christmas was created as a holy day by the Catholic Church in the 4^th century A.D.  Early Christians did not celebrate Christmas, neither is it found in the Bible.

It should be noted that only God can make a day holy.  And He has not done so, not on December 25^th or any other day concerning the birth of Jesus Christ.

The opposite extreme is to declare that anyone who puts up Christmas decorations (or Halloween decorations) is engaging unauthorized worship (with the intimation that it is pagan worship).  But a person does not worship by accident.  Worship must be intentional in order for it to be worship.  As a child I can remember playing “church” with my cousins.  We sang, had prayers and preaching.  Were we accidentally worshipping?  No.  We were playing.  If someone is driving down the road and a song comes on the radio (with instrumental music), and the person begins to sing along, but in the song there is a line that praises the God of heaven, has that person sinned?  In order for a person to worship it must be intentional.  And putting up a Christmas tree in no way indicates that you are worshipping that tree or some pagan god of nature any more than giving your wife flowers and placing them as a centerpiece on the table indicates you are worshipping Aphrodite – the Greek goddess of love.

Another idea about the holiday season is that we must cater to our families, so much so that there are some who will forgo Bible study and/or worship in order to prepare the house or prepare the meal for their guests and relatives.  Your example at this time of the year may make a tremendous impact on others.  If they are Christians then they ought to desire to be at worship.  Therefore you should invite them to come with you.  If they are not Christians then your example of laying aside your time with God in order to visit with your relatives tells them that God is not really the center of your life.  They will certainly not be impressed by your commitment to your relationship with your heavenly relative.  On the other hand, if you put your time with God first, they may be curious, and ask you about why God is so important in your life.  At the very least they will see your example of dedication to your heavenly Father.

With all the hustle and bustle of this time of year, you will do well to remember that Matthew 6:33 still applies to the life of every Christian—“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Jesus did not include an exception during the holidays to this command.

The great God of heaven is, indeed, many things.  The Hebrew writer says, “For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people” (Hebrews 10:30).  In Romans 3:5 Paul said that God is the one who inflicts wrath.  But it is important to understand that God is not limited to vengeance, judgment and wrath.  Neither is this the primary image God would want His people to have of Him.  Below is a broader image of God that the Bible presents to us.

God is a Merciful God.  In Psalm 89:1 Ethan the Ezrahite said, “I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.”  Jeremiah wrote, “Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

God is Kind.  The children of Israel rebelled against God in the wilderness and chose for themselves a leader to lead them back into the bondage of Egypt.  Nehamiah recorded these words about God in that situation: “But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them” (Nehemiah 9:17).  God’s kindness is seen today in that He causes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends the rain upon the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45).

God is Honest.  It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).  Paul wrote to Titus that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2).  God’s honesty is proven throughout the Bible.  Everything that he prophesied through His prophets came to pass; not one single word failed.  Jesus said of God’s words, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).  Jesus believed in the honesty of His Father (John 10:18).

God is Love.  Of all the things that God is, there is the one “is” that is above all the others.  The “apostle of love” wrote, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).  Paul emphasized the superiority of love over faith and hope in 1 Corinthians 13:13, where he wrote, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).  The height, width and depth of God’s love is seen in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ as the propitiation for our sins.  1 John 4:10 says, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Phillip, in John 14:8 said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”  It is only natural to want to see our heavenly Father face to face.  Moses had that desire.  And the day will come when we will see Him in all His glory.  But for now the image that we have of the heavenly Father must come from what is revealed of Him in His Book.  Yes, He is the God of vengeance and judgment.  But if you are truly a child of His then you are already a recipient of God’s mercy and kindness.  You should already know of His honesty because of the prophecies to send Jesus to die on the cross for you sins.  And you have become a benefactor of the love God exercised for you by washing you in the blood of His Son that flowed from His body as he hung on that old rugged cross on that mount called Calvary.  The God of the Bible is indeed a very comforting God for those who truly know Him.  May your image of Him be so.