Throughout much of the New Testament, Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God. At Jesus’ trial, He told the Jewish leaders that He would be seated at the right hand of God (Lk. 22:66-69). Mark recorded that after His ascension into heaven that Christ sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19). Paul expressed that Jesus was sitting at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). Those who complete a detailed study of the book of Hebrews cannot help but notice the writers continued remembrance of Jesus sitting on the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2). There is deep meaning in the fact Christ is now, and forever, seated at God’s right hand.

The highest place of honor was given to those who sat to the right hand of a king in ancient history. When Solomon became king of Israel, he prepared a seat for his mother on his right (1 Kgs. 2:19). Furthermore, we see the importance of the right hand when Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh should have been blessed with Jacob’s right hand as was his birthright. Jacob instead put his right hand on Ephraim. Joseph assumed that this was a mistake from his father because of his dim eyes, but Jacob made it clear that it was no minor mishap. God would bless the tribe of Ephraim greater than Manasseh (Gen. 48:10-20). As was stated previously, the greatest seat of honor in ancient times was the right. Those who sat on the right hand of a king had equal honor, dignity, and power as the one that sat them there. Jesus sitting on God’s right hand does not mean He is lesser than God in any degree; but that they are equal in all aspects (Eph. 1:19-23). Jesus Christ is God and let us never forget this truth (John 1:1-4)!

Emphasis of Christ sitting on His throne demands us to recognize two things; Jesus has completed His task and is ruling now. Jesus came to this earth to complete a task; that task was redeeming mankind from their sins (1 Cor. 15:1-3). Jesus’ death on the cross achieved total victory and the task was complete. The continued remembrance that Jesus is sitting shows that He finished what He set out to do. Is there time to sit for someone who has work to do? May we thank Christ each day that He bore our sins and completed His task! For now, He sits down; waiting for the Judgment Day when He will arise from His throne and return for His faithful Church (1 Cor. 15:22-26). Be thankful that Jesus completed redemption and sits on His throne, but also be ready for His return for we do not know when that shall be (Matt. 24:42-44). Do not lose sight that Jesus sitting on His throne also expresses that He rules now! The person that sits on the throne is the one who rules. Christ’s kingdom is His Church (Matt. 16:16-18). Jesus is the head of the Church (Eph. 1:22). His kingdom was established on the day of Pentecost when Peter first preached the Gospel (Acts 2). His Church is an eternal kingdom that will never be destroyed and shall stand forever (Dan. 2:44-46). He is king now; His title is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:11-16). Jesus is sitting on His throne, watching and ruling His Church as a mighty king ought (Rev. 1:17-20).

Jesus has all honor, dignity, and power. He has completed the task He set out to do; redeeming mankind of their sins. He sits on His throne to the right of God ruling His kingdom now and forever. If you are not a part of His Church you have no part in His kingdom. One day, every knee will bow to the King and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. Why not take care of this while on earth and receive a reward, instead of waiting for the Judgment Day when it will be too late.

The bulletin article next month will be a study of Jesus STANDING on the right hand of God when Stephen was being stoned (Acts 7:56).

– Brandon Foresha

The Bible is God’s message revealed by the Holy Spirit through inspired men (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 2:13; 14:37). David referred to the work of the Holy Spirit in explaining the origin of the portions of Scripture he wrote. In 2 Samuel 23:1-2, he wrote, “Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: ‘The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.’” David claimed that the Holy Spirit spoke through him, putting the very words on his tongue. In Mark 12:36, Jesus corroborated this claim by His statement concerning the words of David found in Psalm 110, saying, “For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” The process of the Holy Spirit using men, such as David, to write the Old Testament was described by Peter in 2 Peter 1:20-21, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit moved men to write the New Testament as well. While various means were employed by God to communicate His will in the Old Testament, in the New Testament He has spoken by His Son Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-2). Inspired men, such as the apostles who heard Jesus themselves, were used by the Holy Spirit to produce the New Testament. We are not left with merely the claim that these individuals were speaking the message of God, but with authentication from God Himself that this message was from Him. This authentication is found in miracles which the Holy Spirit worked. In Hebrews 2:3-4, this question is asked: “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”  The salvation God provides to us now through His Son was first spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself while He was here on earth and was confirmed by those who heard Him. These were the apostles who accompanied Jesus from the baptism of John to the time of the resurrection, of which they were witnesses (Acts 1:22). Jesus did not reveal all that was to be included in the New Covenant while He was here on earth; there were more truths that the apostles could not yet bear, but they would be guided by the Holy Spirit who would remind them of what Jesus taught them and teach them the remaining portions of the saving truth God desired to reveal. Jesus promised His apostles in John 14:25-26, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Later, in John 16:13, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide the apostles into all truth. God bore witness to the veracity of their message that it was indeed from Him, “both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 2:4).

Thus, while around forty individuals were used in writing the Bible, there is really one author: God. He has revealed His will for us in the Bible and we can understand it (Eph. 3:4). This coming weekend, Eric Lyons will be here to speak on the abundant evidence for why we can trust the Bible as a reliable guide from God. Will you come?

-Mark Day

            And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8)

            This passage asks one of the questions found on the heart of the Lord Jesus, “will He find faith?” Archaeologists study ancient civilizations to see how they lived, what they valued, whom they worshipped, and what they thought. Jesus too examines our minds and hearts to see how we live, what we value, whom we worship, and what we think. I wonder how he finds us, what he sees in our lives.  Will he find faith?

            Those who watch American society can easily see the enormous changes in America, even in a generation. A Barna survey showed only 40 percent of American adults believe Jesus Christ lived a sinless life while he was on earth. Only 27 percent believe Satan is a real being or force to reckon with. A recent Pew Forum study revealed 42 percent of Christians in America say that atheism can nonetheless lead to eternal life. What would our grandparents have said about that? How could things change so quickly?

            Even the best of parents sometimes fail to reach their children. In our society where parents and church often have to compete with public schools and the media for the hearts of children, it is easy to see how children can grow up compromised or confused. When ungodly and secular agendas color and distort the truth, it is easy to see how younger generations can be deceived and fall into error.

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? The greatest challenge facing our children in the coming days is not sex, alcohol, or drugs. It is not the media or the internet. The greatest challenge is whether they will remain faithful to God.

I recently learned of a large, prominent denomination that boasted millions of members but had only 28 percent of the adherents attending church on any given Sunday. On many moral issues today, one can hardly see any difference between the lives of nominal Christians and the world.

Will he find parents involved in their children’s spiritual lives?  Will he find families sacrificing so they can give to the Lord? Will he find Sunday classes that dig deep into the Bible?  Will he find Christians sharing the gospel with their neighbors?

Will he find men and women who have learned to say no to the world, Christians who have put to death the deeds of the body (Rom. 8:12-13; Col. 3:5-11)? Will he find parents who have taken the time to explain the errors of evolution?  Will our children know there are some absolute moral truths? Will they be able to give a reason for the hope that lies within them, yet with gentleness and respect (1 Pet. 3:15)?

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?

-Phil Sanders

(You can hear and see brother Phil on the “In Search of the Lord’s Way” TV program on WVAH, channel 11 every Sunday morning at 7:30am.)

-Jerry D. Sturgill

Jeremiah was God’s prophet commissioned to preach to Judah in the years leading up to their destruction. In delivering God’s message, he encouraged the people to return to the Lord as the source of healing and spiritual stability, pleading, “If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove” (Jeremiah 4:1). God threatened Judah with punishment and called for them to blow the trumpet, to sound the alarm so that people would be gathered in the city to seek protection (Jeremiah 4:5-6). God would send disaster from the north by allowing Babylon to destroy Judah if they continued in their sinful ways (Jeremiah 1:13-14; 20:4-6). Dan, the northern-most city, would be the first to see the threat and cry out, the news spreading south to mount Ephraim, who would in turn issue a call of distress (Jeremiah 4:15). The people needed to wake up and repent or they would be destroyed. But instead of seeking the Lord and returning to the old paths wherein they would find the good way, they obstinately refused to walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16). God’s grace was extended to them; He wanted to heal them, but repentance was absolutely required.

There were false prophets who comforted the people of Judah in their sin by preaching that God would not destroy them, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). The people of Judah should have known better. God had destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC because of their sins. God’s track record indicated that though he was merciful and patient, He would not tolerate high-handed sin forever. God will eventually punish sin. They could appease themselves by heaping up false teachers to tell them what they wanted to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). However, in the end Babylon still came. This pointed question was put to these people, “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:31).

All the false prophets did was make the people unashamed and comfortable in their sin. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15). Today there are many influences that make us comfortable in our sins. We live in an age where it seems that people cannot blush. Everything is proudly put on display for the world to see. Sins are broadcast in a brazen act of defiance against God.

The reality is that every sin, whether seen by all or none, is seen by God; “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13). God does not want to destroy us; He wants to heal us from our sins and their consequences. The Lord warns us of the impending punishment and pleads with us to come to Him to escape it (Matthew 10:28; 11:28).

–Mark Day

In most secular jobs, everything is judged by the fulfillment of responsibilities. This is how the world operates because it thrives on getting the job done. When it comes to spiritual things, how can one know the job is getting done? Christ taught that those who did the Father’s will would enter into heaven (Matt. 7:21). Christ gave the Great Commission to His disciples because it was the Father’s will (Matt. 28:18-20). Evangelism was vital to the growth of the Church in the first century and Christians took Christ with them everywhere (Acts 8:1-5). The question presented in this article is what happened to the Church’s zeal regarding evangelism? Responsibilities play a key part in our everyday lives, but are we remembering our spiritual responsibilities in Christ?

Paul started by sharing with Timothy where the authority of his message came from. This message was not coming from his own thoughts, but from God and Christ (2 Tim. 4:1).  If Paul, an apostle, did not preach his own thoughts and feelings to the first century; why do many feel it is acceptable today? When Christians are out evangelizing the Gospel of Christ, let them make sure that they speak as an oracle of God (1 Pet. 4:11).

Beginning his charge to Timothy, Paul declared that he must firmly preach God’s word to those who would listen (2 Tim. 4:2-4). One should be preaching the word any time there is opportunity to do so. Whether a person is at Walmart, work, or out in the welding shed; Christ should be on the tip of their tongue. Paul then focused on how we are to evangelize within our communities. Paul told Timothy, “Convince, rebuke, exhort” (2 Tim. 4:2b). As a faithful Christian we must be able to do all three. We must convince others of the faith we have in Christ. Convincing people of Christ’s deity, death, and resurrection was of the utmost importance to Peter during his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). If we cannot convince others, it shows a lack of knowledge/effort on our part. Christians must also be able to rebuke others in kindness. Paul openly rebuked Peter when he would not eat with the Gentiles, but this did not ruin their relationship (Gal. 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:16-17). If Christians are to be equipped with armor that can withstand the devil, why can we not withstand a little criticism from our Christian family aimed at helping us in our spiritual walk (Eph. 6:11)? Paul’s final point to Timothy was to exhort one another. Exhortation must be a focus of the church inwardly and outwardly (Heb. 3:12-14, 1 Thess. 2:11, 5:11). Christians must build each other up so they can focus on building others on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.        

We are to convince, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and teaching, meaning the job of evangelism does not stop with baptism (2 Tim. 4:2c). Time and effort must be given to building up newborn Christians in the faith. Notice that Jesus told His disciples that they were to baptize and then teach them to observe all things (Matt. 28:19-20). Many people’s idea of evangelism is baptizing people, then moving on to the next location. We have to continue helping new converts with all longsuffering and teaching, otherwise they will fall away and we will have failed in our evangelism.

Paul wrote in Galatians, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (6:10). Every person you come into contact with presents an opportunity to lead them to Christ. Will you answer the responsibility of evangelism or continue to neglect it? If we do not attempt to reach those lost in the world, those who teach false doctrine will take our place (2 Tim. 4:3-4). It is our duty to evangelize, can the Lord count on you?

-Brandon Foresha

The Bible is a library of books given by God. God used human writers to produce the Bible, but God Himself is the author. The apostle Paul encouraged his younger comrade in the faith to, “continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The word translated “scripture” in verse 16 of our English text is the Greek word graphe; it refers to that which is written down. Several English words—such as autograph, biography, graphite, etc.—that connote the concept of writing have graphe as their origin. While in former times God communicated to man in various ways such as dreams, visions, prophetic utterances (Hebrews 1:1), it is the written message under consideration here by use of the word graphe. If we are going to know the will of God and spiritual truths that are essential to our salvation, we must go to what is written in the Bible. We are not going to simply wake up one day and intuitively know God’s will. We must read so that we can understand (Ephesians 3:4).

            The phrase translated “inspiration of God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is from theopneustos in the Greek; referring to “expiration” (Bauer 449-450). The exhalation of God’s breath was the means by which all scripture was given. While one may have ideas without expressing them, the vehicle of expression for those ideas must be words. Paul wrote, “or what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:11-13). God breathed the words of scripture. He did not merely give rough ideas to the writers of the Bible and let them run with them elaborating and editing as they saw fit. The scriptures are the words that Holy Spirit gave to the biblical writers. David said, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2).

            Thus, when we approach the Bible as readers, we must keep in mind that God is the ultimate author of the words. Different humans may have been used as His instruments and their various situations, cultures and vocabularies may have been employed to communicate the message, but it is still God’s message given in the words He has selected. So, do not come to the Bible to set the various writers at odds with one another or with this dismissive treatment of saying things like, “Well, that’s just what Paul thought and he was sexist.” No. God gave each writer the words of His message. If we have an issue with what is written, then our issue is with God, the author.

-Mark Day

Church attendance is one of those subjects that some Christians would rather not discuss. Some feel that preachers and elders mention it too often rather than discussing what they consider “important topics”. I ask the question, have you considered that your attendance at all the assemblies of the Lord church matter? It matters to elders who watch for your soul (Hebrews 13:17). It matters to Bible class teachers who work diligently preparing material from God’s word for you and your children (Ephesians 4:11-12). It matters to the preachers who spent the week preparing something from God’s word for your spiritual benefit (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Most of all it matters to God who commands Christians to assemble (Hebrews 10:25), and to the Lord whom we are to remember every Lord’s Day (1 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Let us examine ourselves as to where our priorities are? Paul points out to the Colossian Christians that being Christian involves higher priorities “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” Colossians 3:1-2. Paul is saying that the heart be not set upon that which is “below” (the world) in the same way, and to the same extent, in which it is set upon things “above” (heaven). Where are your priorities? When Christians do not give spiritual matters priority in their lives, the only conclusion one can draw is that they are not truly committed to a life that is risen with Christ. One of the priorities of a life risen with Christ is that of assembling with other Christians.

Our attendance shows how important God is to us. “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” John 4:23. If we truly reverence God, if we truly love God, we will assemble to worship Him.

Our attendance shows how important the church is to us. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching Hebrews 10:25. Note please the vital connection of assembling together and exhorting (encouraging) one another. Such opportunities are missed when we absent ourselves from public worship assemblies.

Our attendance shows how important Christ death is to us. During the assembly on the first day of the week, Sunday, New Testament Christians remember the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ commanded regarding the Lord’s Supper “this do in remembrance of me” 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. This we cannot do if we miss the church when it comes together, 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18, 20, 33.

Our attendance shows how important God’s Word is to us. Luke reminds us, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight Acts 20:7. Brother Kevin Rhodes said regarding this “These Christians wanted to hear the Gospel proclaimed. Indeed, they stayed late into the night listening to it. When we think that a Bible class or sermon is too long or too burdensome, so that we simply cannot fit it into our busy schedule, then we must not truly care about God’s will for our lives.” Building Blocks, Strengthening Our Faith, page 6.

Someday God will welcome home His children, those who wanted to be with Him, who wanted to learn of Him, who wanted to be like Him. God wants you in the assembly and Bible Study and He wants you to be in heaven. This is why attendance matters to God, and why your attendance should matter to you.                                                                       

-Jerry D. Sturgill

            Wisdom is found in Paul’s statement to the Christians in Galatia: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man” (Gal. 1:10-11). The consequence of pleasing men is that God is no longer the focus of what you do in your life. When people are pleased, the world is pleased. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus Christ did not please every person He came across! Several times, Jesus upset others because they were not pleasing God (John 2:13-22, 5:1-18, 8:48-59). Our Lord taught His disciples that the world would hate them for His name’s sake (John 15:18-19).

            Balaam is a great example of what can happen when a person decides to please men rather than God. Balak, king of the Moabites, sent messengers to Balaam requesting that he come and curse the children of Israel. God spoke to Balaam and told him not to go with these princes of Moab. Balaam sent the messengers away, but more returned and Balaam showed a desire to go with them. The Lord had already given Balaam His answer, but He gave Balaam the free-will to decide for himself what he would do (Num. 22:9-21). God was not pleased with Balaam’s decision. The angel of the Lord was sent to kill Balaam for his treachery against God (Num. 22:22-23). Balaam decided to please men rather than our Lord. When Saul decided to overstep his authority as king of Israel and sacrifice on behalf of his army, he was pleasing men. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin; priests came from the tribe of Levi and were the only people who could make sacrifices on behalf of God’s people! Saul had a lapse in judgment when his desire to please men outweighed his desire to please God (1 Sam. 13:8-12). The punishment for such a transgression was the kingdom departed from Saul’s family (1 Sam. 13:13-14). When one recalls the punishment brought against Nadab and Abihu, which was similar to Saul’s sinful action (Lev. 10:1-2), God showed mercy to Saul that day! King Saul learned a lesson of the consequences of being a people-pleaser. We should learn from the mistakes of those who came before us so that we do not repeat them.

            The decision is simple for a Christian. One must serve God rather than man throughout the longevity of their lives (Acts 5:29)! The Lord requires complete service to Him and His kingdom; anything less in unacceptable. Three different men came to Jesus Christ and showed a desire to be in His service. All three times Jesus told them to count the cost of being His disciples (Luke 9:57-62). Matthew is the shining example of what one should do when Christ beckons someone into His service. He was called by Christ and Matthew immediately followed Him (Matt. 9:9). When one realizes that Christ suffered death on a cross for him, it should motivate him to serve Jesus with the remainder of his life (Gal. 2:20)!

            God has always asked man to love Him with all of his heart, soul, and mind (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:36-37). Many of the Jewish rulers believed Jesus to be the Christ, but because they loved the praise of men more; they rejected Him (John 12:35-43). Pleasing men will only last a short season, but pleasing God shall last for eternity.

-Brandon Foresha

Is Christianity a competition or a cooperation between Christians? Judaizing teachers troubled the early church by painting the Gentiles as second-rate Christians; they made them question their salvation if they were not circumcised and keeping the law of Moses (Acts 15:1) But Paul wrote in Galatians 5:14-15, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” The faith of Jesus Christ is the basis of our salvation, not fleshly accolades. Following the flesh leads to conceit and envy (Gal. 5:25). The flesh produces a carping attitude that pulls others down to prop up self, but following the Spirit leads to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:19-23). If we follow the flesh, then, instead of helping one another go to heaven, we will bite, devour, and consume one another.

My brother has recently undertaken the venture of raising hens. We had no chickens growing up, so peculiarities he tells me about their nature have been revelatory to me whereas they might be commonplace to those accustomed to them. He had to separate one of the hens from the others because it had a sore. Evidently, if the red spot of a sore becomes visible to the other chickens, they will keep pecking at it until the injured fowl dies. Can we not see a parallel in human behavior? How does the church respond to someone whose spiritual sore becomes apparent? Are we critical? Do we tear them down or help them? Do we bite and peck at them behind their back? Or do we love them enough to work toward healing their spiritual injury? Galatians 6:1 goes on to command the spiritual to restore the brother overtaken in sin. The word “restore” in the original is the idea of setting a broken bone; careful action must be taken to set erring brothers and sisters straight, to help bear their burdens, all the while considering our own weaknesses (Gal. 6:1-2).

Paul described the church as a body, a living organism with each part cooperating to maintain the health of the whole being, writing, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26). If any part of our physical body is hurting, the other parts of the body rush to the aid. The church is the spiritual body of Christ. By one Spirit we have all been baptized into one body (1 Cor. 12:13). The Spirit teaches us in God’s word to, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Rom. 12:15-16). To reach out and help those hurting in sin is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s will; Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again to save us from the terminal disease of sin (Rom. 6:23). Let Christ’s church be distinct from the world in the realm of loving others as ourselves.

-Mark Day