Category: What do you think?

Salvation is a Challenging Journey of Faith

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The path to salvation is often misrepresented as a simple, effortless process. However, this notion of “easy believism” contradicts the teachings of Jesus Christ and the true nature of spiritual transformation. While salvation is indeed a gift of grace, not earned through works, it requires a profound commitment and personal sacrifice.

Jesus himself spoke of the difficulties in entering the kingdom of heaven. He described a narrow way that few find, emphasizing the rarity of true salvation. The journey demands a complete denial of self, a willingness to bear one’s cross, and a readiness to forsake everything for Christ’s sake.

The call to follow Jesus is not a casual invitation but a life-altering decision. It involves prioritizing one’s relationship with God above all else, even family ties. This level of devotion can seem daunting, as it requires a radical reorientation of one’s life and values.

In fact, Jesus stated that salvation is impossible for humans to achieve on their own. It is only through God’s power and grace that this transformation becomes possible. This underscores the miraculous nature of salvation and the need for divine intervention in the human heart.

The Bible reinforces this perspective, encouraging believers to persevere through trials and difficulties. James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Doesn’t this verse tell us of the challenging nature of the Christian walk and the rewards that await those who remain faithful?

While salvation is a free gift from God, the journey of faith is far from easy. It demands unwavering commitment, sacrifice, and a willingness to be transformed by God’s power. True salvation is a profound, life-changing experience that goes far beyond a simple prayer or superficial belief.

Understanding God’s Promise of Protection

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JEFF TURNER

God promises to protect his followers, so how come today we see mass shootings and other horrendous actions?

The promise of protection for followers of God does not mean that they will never face suffering or death. In fact, Jesus Himself told his disciples that in this world they will have trouble, but He also promised them peace in Him.

The reality is that we live in a fallen world where sin, evil, and suffering exists because of man’s introduction of sin. Mass shootings and other tragedies are a result of the brokenness of this world. However, as followers of Christ, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world through His death and resurrection. While we may suffer in this life, God has promised to protect us from spiritual harm and eternal separation from him. Even in the face of tragedy, we can have hope and peace in knowing that ultimately, God is in control and has the power to bring good out of even the most difficult situations.

God’s promise of protection extends beyond physical safety and includes the assurance of His presence, comfort, and eternal life with Him.

Active Demonstration of Faith in Everyday Life

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JEFF TURNER

Faith is more than a passive belief; it requires active demonstration through compassionate actions and genuine commitment to living out one’s spiritual convictions.

In the early Christian community, believers wrestled with understanding the true nature of faith. The core message emphasizes that authentic faith is not merely an internal declaration, but a transformative force that compels individuals to serve others and embody Christ’s teachings. As illustrated in the biblical passage from James, faith without corresponding actions is essentially lifeless—comparable to offering empty words of comfort to someone in desperate need without providing tangible help.

The Bible gives us examples of faith in action: Abraham, who demonstrated his trust in God by being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Rahab, a woman who risked her own safety by protecting messengers. These stories underscore that genuine faith goes beyond intellectual assent and manifests through courageous, selfless deeds that reflect a spiritual transformation.

True faith is dynamic and externally visible, not confined to private thoughts or isolated spiritual experiences. Shouldn’t we move beyond passive religiosity and embrace a holistic spirituality that integrates belief and action?

The Significance of Jesus Birth in Bethlehem

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JEFF TURNER

The story of Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem gives us some theological insights about God’s divine plan and grace. In the small, unremarkable town of Bethlehem—whose name means “house of bread”—God chose to bring forth His most significant promise: the birth of the Messiah.

This humble village, too small to even raise an army, became the birthplace of Jesus Christ through divine intention. God deliberately selected an obscure location to demonstrate His power, showing that His greatest works often emerge from the most unexpected places. The choice of Bethlehem highlights God’s ability to use the weak and insignificant to display His extraordinary glory.

The prophecy by Micah, delivered 700 years before Jesus’s birth, foretold a remarkable event where the eternal ruler would emerge from this tiny town. This ruler would not come from a grand city, but from a place of humble origins, symbolizing that God’s salvation is accessible to all, regardless of social status or perceived importance.

God’s selection of Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus shows us a fundamental truth about divine grace: salvation is not earned through human achievement, but freely given. Just as Bethlehem was chosen despite its smallness, individuals are invited into God’s redemption not because of their own merit, but because of God’s boundless mercy.

God demonstrated that He can bring hope, light, and redemption through the most unexpected channels. Today, He invites everyone, regardless of their background, to experience His love.

Embracing The Great Commission in Our Lives

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JEFF TURNER

On a windswept mountain in Galilee, eleven men stood with their eyes fixed on their teacher. Some were filled with wonder, others still wrestled with doubt. Before them stood Jesus, no longer the broken body from the cross, but alive and transformed. The sight of Him sparked worship in their hearts, even as questions lingered in their minds.

From this vantage point atop Mount Arbel, they could see it all – the patchwork of fields in the Jezreel Valley, the shimmering surface of the Sea of Galilee, and the distant peaks of Mount Hermon where Peter had first declared Jesus as the Christ. This was no ordinary gathering. Just as He had used mountains throughout their journey for moments of profound revelation, Jesus had chosen this place for His final command.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Jesus declared, His voice carrying across the mountain air. The words held weight – not just a statement of power, but a transfer of purpose to these ordinary men who had walked with Him. They had seen Him heal the sick, calm storms, and rise from death itself. Now, He was entrusting them with a mission that would echo through centuries: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

This wasn’t just a suggestion or one option among many. This was the essence of following Jesus – to take what they had received and pass it on to others. Like a gift meant to be regifted, the message of Christ’s salvation wasn’t meant to be kept to themselves. The disciples were being called to more than just adding numbers to their ranks; they were being commissioned to multiply themselves, teaching others to follow and obey everything Jesus had commanded.

The weight of such a task might have crushed them, except for His final promise. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” In these words lay both comfort and power – they wouldn’t be doing this alone. The same authority that had raised Jesus from the dead would be with them, working through them as they shared this gift with the world. From that mountaintop moment to every corner of the earth, the message would spread: one life touching another, one disciple making another, until people from every nation would gather around His throne in worship.

Have you exercised The Great Commission this week?