Category: What do you think?

The Life Shaped by the Spirit

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RICHARD CORDER

Have you ever seen someone trying to build a life with God through rules or by trusting their own efforts? Their effort leads to pressure, fear, or a sense of never doing enough. The message of the gospel is different. It teaches that new life comes through the Spirit of God, not through human effort. The Spirit changes the heart, gives new desires, and leads a person into a way of living that the old nature cannot produce.

Relying on the law for salvation is a burden no one can carry. IRS Images, 2025

Some early believers struggled with this truth. They were taught that faith in Christ was not enough, and that they also needed to follow the laws of Moses to be accepted by God. They were told that salvation depended on certain rituals, dietary rules, and old covenant practices. These teachers believed that people needed to become Jewish before they could truly belong to Christ. But this idea weakened the message of the gospel and placed a heavy burden on those who were new in the faith.

The teaching of Scripture sheds light on this. No one is made right with God by following the law. The law shows the standard of God, but it also shows how far people fall short. No person has ever kept the law perfectly. Because of this, the law cannot save. Instead, it reveals the need for a Saviour.

Christ lived the life no one else could live. He fulfilled every requirement of the law. His obedience was complete, and his sacrifice was without fault. At the cross he paid for sin fully, taking the judgment that should have fallen on others. His obedience and his sacrifice together form the basis of salvation. When a person places faith in Christ, his righteousness is counted to them. Nothing needs to be added to it. To trust Christ and then add human effort as a safeguard takes away from the finished work he has already done.

At the cross, at the cross Where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day!

Once a person trusts in Christ, the Holy Spirit enters that life. His presence is not noisy or dramatic, but his effect is real. The Spirit brings change in desires, change in direction, and a new hunger for the things of God. Old habits lose their appeal. Sin becomes heavier on the conscience. The heart begins to want what God wants. This is not something a person can create by force. It is the work of God within.

Walking in the Spirit means living in step with this new direction. It means letting the Spirit guide choices, attitudes, and daily actions. A person cannot do this if they ignore the word of God, because the Spirit uses the word to teach, correct, and shape the heart. To be filled with the Spirit is closely tied to being filled with Scripture. Time in the word, prayer, and disciplined devotion strengthens the inner life and helps the believer stay alert to God’s leading.

Holiness does not happen without effort. It grows as a person builds habits that point the heart toward God: steady reading of Scripture, faithful prayer, worship, time with other believers, and the practice of obedience in ordinary moments. The Spirit uses all of these things to form character and sharpen spiritual understanding. When mistakes or sins occur, the Spirit brings conviction, and repentance restores the heart again.

There is a constant tension between the old nature and the new work of the Spirit. The flesh pulls one way while the Spirit pulls another. This conflict is normal for the believer. It is a sign that the Spirit is present. The way to resist the pull of the flesh is not through rigid self-effort but through walking closely with the Spirit. When the Spirit leads, the power of the flesh weakens. When the flesh is ignored, the Spirit’s influence becomes stronger.

A life guided by the Spirit is not passive. It is a daily choice to give God the first place rather than the leftovers of time or energy. It is a life that seeks to please God not out of fear but out of gratitude for what Christ has already done. The Spirit makes this possible. He strengthens, comforts, teaches, and directs. He keeps the believer moving toward holiness and keeps the heart anchored in the truth that salvation rests on Christ alone.

If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.

Galatians 5:25

Investing in what lasts

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DARYL VAUGHN

Everyone loves receiving gifts. There’s something meaningful about knowing someone cared enough to think of us and offer a token of their affection. Yet the greatest gift ever offered remains unopened by many: the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. This gift becomes real only when it is accepted, and eternal life works the same way. Some people never open this gift simply because they have never understood it. This is why followers of Christ continue to share God’s message, helping others see that Christ offers life that never ends.

Gifts on a table. IRS Images, 2025

Followers of Christ are called to invest in things that matter beyond this world. The work of faith is intentional. Strong families of faith and solid friendships do not appear by chance. They grow when people pray for each other, support one another, and live in obedience to God. Scripture tells believers to carry each other’s burdens and to encourage one another toward good works—not to earn salvation, but because salvation has already been given.

This same commitment shapes the whole faith community. When people give their time, their abilities, and their resources to honour Christ, they strengthen the body of believers and leave a legacy for those who follow. Reaching others is part of this work. Every neighbourhood holds people from many backgrounds, and all of them need to hear who Jesus is. God’s desire is for every person to be born again, and obedience to Him means welcoming others and inviting them to know His love.

Prayer and Scripture are vital in this investment. Time with God each day guides the heart and strengthens faith. Reading the Bible with prayer invites the Holy Spirit to reveal what God wants us to understand. Even a short passage can shape the day when it is read with attention and followed with prayer.

Jesus taught that earthly treasures fade, but treasures stored in heaven cannot be lost. When believers give and serve, they are not simply supporting tasks or buildings. They are investing in people, in families, and in eternity.

The question before each believer is simple: Where are you investing? The returns on earthly treasures are temporary, but the returns on kingdom investment last forever.

Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:2

Luke’s careful work and the hope found in God’s promises

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JOHN COPIC

The opening words of Luke’s Gospel show a writer who wants his readers to be confident about the story of Jesus. People had already written accounts about what God had done, but Luke wanted to gather the most accurate information he could. He spoke with eyewitnesses, listened to those who had preached about Jesus from the beginning, and put the details together with great care. His goal was simple: he wanted believers to be sure that what they had been taught was true.

Luke writing to Theophilus. IRS Images, 2025

The person he wrote for was someone called Theophilus. The name may not belong to a specific individual but could have been a title for someone who supported Luke’s work. In the ancient world, writers often had patrons who helped them with money or resources. Luke may have been supported in this way as he travelled, spoke with witnesses, and gathered material not only for his Gospel but also for the book of Acts.

Luke reminds his readers that God used real people to write Scripture. They were not passive tools. Their minds, experiences, and personalities shaped how they wrote, yet the final result was still the word of God. The original writings were perfect, and through careful translation into common languages, the message continues to reach people everywhere. Luke’s approach shows that the Bible was not dictated word by word to silent writers; instead, God guided them as they worked.

The book of Acts helps us see Luke’s role more clearly. At several points, the story begins using the word “we,” showing that Luke travelled with Paul. He joined him on dangerous sea voyages, visited cities with him, and supported Paul when sickness or hardship came. Near the end of Paul’s life, when many had left, Paul wrote that “only Luke is with me.” He was speaking of the loyalty and care Luke offered as both a physician and a friend.

Luke also gives a careful account of the early lives of John the Baptist and Jesus. He may have spoken with family members or others who knew the events well. His writing connects the Old Testament promises to their fulfilment in Christ. Luke wants his readers to see that God did not discard the old covenant; instead, He completed it through Jesus.

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth shows how Luke combines history, faith, and human experience. He begins by marking the moment in time, during the rule of Herod, a real political figure. Zechariah, a priest, and his wife Elizabeth were faithful people who followed God with sincere hearts. Yet they suffered deeply because they were unable to have children. In that culture, this brought emotional pain and sometimes unfair judgment from others.

The Bible often shows God giving a child where it seemed impossible, as with Sarah or the mothers of Samuel and Samson. Elizabeth’s situation follows this pattern. Luke pays close attention to these matters, perhaps because he was a doctor and understood both the physical and emotional weight of such struggles.

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Zechariah’s once-in-a-lifetime moment came when he was chosen by lot to offer incense in the temple. With thousands of priests divided into many groups, a man might never receive this honour. When he stepped inside the holy place, likely excited and humbled, he had no idea that centuries of silence would end there. An angel appeared, and fear came over him, as often happens in Scripture when heaven meets earth. The angel, Gabriel, brought a message that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son whose life would prepare the people for the Lord.

Luke shows that God works through ordinary people, often in difficult circumstances. Faithful individuals can still face sorrow, illness, and trials. Their struggles do not mean that God has turned away. Instead, God calls His people to trust Him even when His plans are hard to understand.

As believers today, we read Luke with great privilege. We have the full story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have access to the completed Scriptures. The barrier between God and His people has been removed, and we are invited to come to Him with confidence. Luke wrote so that his readers, and we too, could know with certainty that the message about Jesus is reliable and life-giving.

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31

Living as citizens of Heaven in a fallen World

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ALEKSANDR IVANOV

Throughout the book of Acts, we see patterns repeating themselves. The early church faced challenges that believers still encounter today. History moves in cycles and the struggles Christians experienced centuries ago continue in our time.

Apostle Paul, IRS Images, 2025

In Acts chapter 19, Paul performed remarkable miracles in Ephesus. Cloths that touched him brought healing to the sick and drove out evil spirits. Some traveling Jewish exorcists tried to copy this power. Seven sons of a chief priest named Sceva attempted to cast out demons using Jesus’s name. They said they commanded the evil spirit by the Jesus that Paul preached. The demon responded that it knew Jesus and recognized Paul, but asked who they were. The possessed man then attacked them with such strength that they ran away injured and without clothes.

This raises an important question for every believer. Do we truly know Jesus Christ, or do we only know about him? We might know facts about famous people or political leaders without having a personal relationship with them. Similarly, we can serve in church without actually knowing Christ? When our lives end and we stand before God, the critical question will be about our relationship with his Son. We might attend services, sing in worship teams, or teach children, yet still lack a real connection with Jesus. The knowledge of God’s Son brings freedom and allows miracles to work through us. Everyone must consider what Jesus Christ means to them personally.

The book of Daniel provides guidance for believers living in difficult circumstances. Rather than focusing on calculating which nations fit specific prophecies, the message examines practical applications for daily life. The opening chapter emphasizes that God controls history. Empires rise and fall according to his will. The key phrase appears in verse two: “the Lord gave.” God gave Jerusalem’s king and temple articles into Babylonian hands. This was not an accident but part of God’s plan.

Nebuchadnezzar took captives from Judah, including members of royal and noble families. He selected young men without physical defects who were handsome and intelligent. These young men needed to be capable of learning and qualified to serve in the palace. The king assigned them food and wine from his own table. They would study for three years before entering his service. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The Babylonian officials gave them new names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Understanding Babylon requires looking at three appearances of this concept in scripture. Each represents a different stage in humanity’s rebellion against God.

The Tower of Babel, IRS Images, 2025

The first Babylon appears in Genesis as the Tower of Babel. After the flood, all people spoke one language. They settled in a plain and decided to build a city with a tower reaching the heavens. Their stated purpose was to make a name for themselves and avoid being scattered across the earth. This directly opposed God’s command to spread throughout the world. God came down, confused their language, and scattered them anyway. This first Babylon shows human pride and the desire for glory apart from God. People united to create something impressive by their own power. They wanted to build high and become famous. This represents the beginning of civilizations built on human achievement rather than obedience to the Creator.

The second Babylon was Nebuchadnezzar’s empire described in Daniel. Here the desire to build a tower succeeded on a massive scale. This was not just pride but total control over people’s lives. The empire wanted to dominate not only outward actions but inner thoughts. It sought control over both body and soul. Nebuchadnezzar walked on his palace roof and declared that he built great Babylon through his mighty power for the glory of his majesty. This Babylon represents state power that seeks to unite peoples, conquer cultures, and force everyone into one system. God destroyed this kingdom in a single night. The pattern applies to any modern nation that tries to compete with God through its strength, culture, or science. These systems enslave and control people, creating feelings of helplessness. You can fight but cannot win. For believers, this creates even deeper distress because Babylon always fights against the heavenly kingdom.

The third Babylon appears in Revelation as a spiritual force at its peak. An angel showed John a woman called “the great prostitute” who sits by many waters. Kings committed adultery with her, and earth’s inhabitants became drunk on her wine. She wore purple and scarlet, covered in gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup filled with terrible things. Her forehead bore the name “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.” The vision showed her drunk with the blood of God’s people who testified about Jesus.

Let’s reflect on this for a moment. The first Babylon wanted fame and power. The second created a great empire with control and forced assimilation. The third combines everything into complete corruption. Babylon always desires the blood of those who follow God. No nation offers a safe escape. Every country represents a form of Babylon. When any of these systems grows powerful enough, it will eventually want to harm God’s people. Believers should prepare for this reality rather than being surprised by it. The first Babylon sought glory. The second wanted empire. The third takes pleasure in bloodshed. Each version becomes worse than the one before. Humanity without God does not improve but degrades over time. This continues until Christ returns.

Every believer lives in Babylon by default. This is not about moving from one country to another. As citizens of heaven, we exist within these fallen systems. We need to understand how to survive in this environment. Any nation that forms a government carries characteristics of Babylon. When people create states, two elements appear. The good part copies God’s kingdom: order, justice, structure, protection of the weak, punishment of wrongdoing, hierarchy, and authority. These things often appear in national constitutions. The bad part comes from sin: pride, subjugation, tyranny, manipulation, control, desire for power, corruption, and violence. When Babylon fully develops, it becomes a beast. On the outside, it appears as a golden statue representing civilization and order. Inside, it devours people.

Daniel lived in Babylon for 70 years, spending his entire life there. He did not fall into depression, complain, or develop hatred. He did not break down, lose faith, or become absorbed into the culture. Instead, he influenced the empire. Nebuchadnezzar came to recognize God. Belshazzar heard prophecy. Darius issued a decree about God. Daniel remained strong throughout. The important question becomes: What is Babylon doing to us? How has it captured us? How is it using our mental capacity without our realizing it?

To survive in Babylon, believers must keep their minds pure, their hearts faithful, and their lives holy. Our true home is in heaven. God keeps our hearts and minds pure so we can stand firm without being absorbed into the culture or falling into despair. Daniel stood firm, and believers today can do the same with God’s help.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 3:20

Understanding True Christian Liberty

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RICHARD CORDER

I believe that Christian freedom represents one of the most misunderstood concepts in the life of faith. When believers receive salvation through Christ, they gain liberty from the burden of the Mosaic law, yet this freedom comes with responsibilities that many fail to recognize.

The law of Moses, IRS Images, 2025

The law of Moses created a heavy weight for those who tried to follow it. Its principles remained just and good, but people could not obey it consistently. This constant failure led to frustration and discouragement. The law served a specific purpose: It was meant to reveal human sinfulness and point people toward their need for Christ. It functioned as a teacher, showing individuals they could not keep the commandments on their own and needed a saviour.

Living under law-based religion never brings lasting joy or satisfaction. Those who tried found only temporary gratification that quickly turned to disappointment when they failed again. This struggle appears clearly in Scripture, where one writer describes the internal battle of wanting to do right but doing wrong instead. The desire existed, but the ability to consistently follow through did not.

When someone turns to Christ, everything changes. Believers no longer try to obey an external set of rules. Instead, they receive an internal guide. The Holy Spirit dwells within them. This inner law provides direction and strength that external commandments never could. While the flesh still creates problems and causes stumbling, the Spirit offers power to live differently.

However, some people misunderstand what Christian liberty means. They believe that because they are saved by grace, sin no longer matters. This thinking represents a dangerous error. True believers cannot continue living in sin without conviction. The Spirit within them creates discomfort when they disobey. Those who claim to follow Christ yet persist in wrongdoing without any sense of guilt should examine whether their faith is genuine.

Once and for all
The Savior came to give his life away
To save the lost
To fight and win the war of love and hate
He paid the cost that only he himself could ever pay
He bled and died upon a cross once and for all

Freedom in Christ means liberation from several things. First, believers are freed from the penalty of sin, which is death. Second, they gain freedom from the power of sin through daily trust in Christ. Third, they no longer live under the Mosaic law, which could only expose sin but never forgive it. The law showed people God’s standards, but righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus.

This liberty creates a desire for holiness and a hatred of sin. True believers do not tolerate ongoing disobedience in their lives. When they fail, they repent quickly and turn away from wrongdoing. Christian maturity shows itself in how rapidly someone abandons sin after falling into it.

Yet Christian freedom involves more than just avoiding evil. Liberty in Christ means believers are now free to serve others. Salvation includes this purpose, to serve God and fellow believers. One key sign of spiritual maturity is how much a person serves in the church community. True spirituality shows itself not through impressive speaking or extensive Bible knowledge alone, but through practical service to others.

Sin makes serving impossible because it represents the ultimate selfish behaviour. Sin focuses entirely on personal satisfaction and desires, with no concern for other people. When Christ delivers someone from sin, this self-centred dynamic changes. Believers begin to think about others and look for ways to help them.

Jesus demonstrated this principle clearly with his disciples. He explained that true greatness comes through service, not through seeking position or recognition. Though he deserved to be served, he chose to serve others. His followers must do the same.

Christian love for one another serves as evidence to the world that believers belong to Christ. People watching the church should see a different way of relating. Christian liberty means freedom from the law’s condemnation and freedom to love and serve others through the Spirit’s power. The heart of what it means to follow Christ is not following endless rules, but living by an internal guide who empowers believers to love as they have been loved.

I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35