communism, marx, communist

Jesus Promises The Ideal Society

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In the 19th century Karl Marx and Frederick Engels presented their strategy for producing the ideal society. It begins by the workers overthrowing the merchant class (“bourgeoisie”), by force if necessary. The workers then confiscate all the private property of the merchants and others. At the end of chapter two of the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels claim this will lead to a society where “the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.” Of course we object to their strategy but their goal wasn’t that far from what Christians hope for. We too await the day when everyone will be free to use the gifts God gave them. It seems God has put this desire for the ideal society into the hearts of humans so that we instinctively know it is the proper destiny for humanity. Thus, this desire for the ideal society is still alive. Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

We Know The Truth – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, ESV). He also said that he was the “truth” (John 14:6) and that “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36, ESV). Knowing Jesus means that we know the truth, that he is from the Father and he is the Savior. We find truth in Jesus’ teachings, for he said: “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63, ESV). Believing his words allows us to experience true life, which sets us free from sinfulness, which is the power that enslaves us. “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34, ESV). As we know the truth and walk by his Spirit, we walk in growing freedom from sinfulness and freedom for goodness. We are also free from the influence of this Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

Drinking Living Water – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14, ESV) Jesus promises that he will give water that produces never-ending life to those who believe in him. A few sentences earlier Jesus referred to his water as “living water” (John 4:10). When we are drinking living water we will never thirst to find God again because we have found him. This water is like a spring flowing up out of the ground that just keeps flowing, and for us it is a flow of the true life God originally intended for us. Sometimes we can’t feel it but it is the place deep inside where we desire God. This is where his Spirit dwells and where we have a new self, made Continue Reading →

weekly words of encouragement

God Will Exalt The Humble – Weekly Words Of Encouragement

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“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14 (NIV). Jesus said the same thing in Luke 14:11! This time Jesus said it after he told the parable of the Pharisee who praised himself and the tax collector who prayed for mercy because he was a sinner. Thus, Jesus’ point is that those who imagine that they are good enough on their own that they deserve honor before God are sadly mistaken. They exalt themselves now but God will bring them low one day. On the other hand, those who admit that they are weak and have faults will have a different fate. One day God will exalt the humble and they will be the ones who live a blessed life. Self-exaltation can be subtle. We may not exalt ourselves with public statements, but we are still tempted to exalt Continue Reading →

judge discern guilt freedom

The Consequences Of Guilt And Condemnation

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The purpose and destiny of all we do is the community of love with God and His followers. This community is supposed to begin now, on earth, in our Christian fellowship. And one of the fundamental principles of Christian fellowship is the division we make between guilt and condemnation. This division gives us great freedom in relationships, even outside the body of Christ. As Christians we make a big distinction between guilt and condemnation. We know that we are guilty of sin, but we also know that God does not condemn us. Romans 8:1 states, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is no punishment for us except the natural consequences (e. g. jail for crimes). So, because of Jesus’ death there is a huge chasm between our guilt and condemnation. Normally, when someone is judged guilty of a crime then we say they Continue Reading →