We live in a world that seems to become more negative with each passing day. Turn on the television, look at social media, read the news, or listen to conversations around us, and it is easy to become discouraged. There is violence, division, anger, immorality, political conflict, economic uncertainty, and disappointment everywhere we look. Sometimes it seems that negativity has become the language of our culture. As Christians, however, we cannot allow the negativity of the world to determine the attitude of our hearts. We may live in a negative world, but we serve a positive, powerful, and victorious God.

We must be careful about what we allow into our minds. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Philippians 4:8 teaches us to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. We cannot constantly fill our minds with negativity and expect to remain positive Christians. Instead, we should focus on God’s blessings, His promises, and His goodness.

Being positive does not mean pretending that problems do not exist. Christians face sickness, disappointment, grief, and difficult circumstances just like everyone else. The difference is where we place our burdens. Peter tells us, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). We have hope because this world is not our permanent home. Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).

Our attitude also affects those around us. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). The world has enough darkness and discouragement. Christians should be people who bring encouragement, kindness, hope, and joy wherever we go. Paul said, “Do all things without complaining and disputing” (Philippians 2:14).

Jesus gives us the greatest reason to remain positive: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). We may not be able to change the world around us, but we can choose how we respond to it. Let us be people of faith instead of fear, gratitude instead of complaining, and hope instead of despair. When the world is dark, let us allow the light of Christ to shine through us. When people are looking for hope, let them find it in us because they see Christ living in us. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13).

God is still on His throne, Christ is still Lord, the church is still His people, the Gospel is still God’s power unto salvation, and heaven is still our hope.

God Bless

Few Bible subjects have caused more confusion than predestination. Many have been taught that before the foundation of the world God arbitrarily chose certain individuals to be saved and others to be lost, leaving man with no real choice in the matter. While God certainly knows all things (Isaiah 46:9-10), the Bible does not teach that He forces anyone to be saved or condemned apart from their own response to His will. Instead, Scripture reveals that God’s plan of salvation was predetermined, but each person must freely choose whether to accept or reject that plan.

The New Testament teaches that God predestined a people, not specific individuals without regard to their faith. Paul wrote, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Notice the phrase “in Him.” God’s predetermined plan was that all who are in Christ would receive every spiritual blessing, be holy before Him, and receive the adoption as sons (Ephesians 1:3-5). The question is not whether God chose me personally before I was born; the question is whether I have chosen to be in Christ, where all of God’s promised blessings are found.

Peter makes it clear that God desires salvation for every person. “The Lord is… not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Likewise, Paul declared that God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). If God had already predetermined that many could never be saved, these passages would lose their plain meaning. God’s invitation is genuine and extended to everyone.

The Bible consistently teaches that man has the ability and responsibility to choose. Joshua challenged Israel, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). Jesus invited, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28). At the close of Scripture, the invitation remains open: “And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). These invitations would be meaningless if people had no opportunity to respond.

God’s foreknowledge should never be confused with predetermination. Because God knows the future does not mean He causes every decision. A loving parent may know what choice a child is likely to make without forcing that decision. In a far greater way, God knows the end from the beginning while still allowing mankind the freedom to obey or reject Him. Those who obey the gospel become part of the people God predetermined to save. Paul explained that we are “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:27), and it is those who are in Christ who share in God’s eternal purpose.

God planned from eternity that salvation would be available through Jesus Christ, and He has faithfully fulfilled that promise. The gospel is offered to every person, and each of us has the opportunity to respond in obedient faith. May we choose to be found “in Christ,” where God has prepared every spiritual blessing for those who love and obey Him. The choice is yours!

God Bless