In Acts 20:26-27, Paul told the elders at Ephesus, “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God”. Paul could make this statement because he faithfully taught God’s Word without holding anything back. He did not preach only what people wanted to hear; he preached what they needed to hear.

Declaring the whole counsel of God means teaching all of God’s Word, including the parts that encourage us, correct us, warn us, and challenge us. Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort” (2 Timothy 4:2). Scripture is profitable “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). We cannot accept the comforting passages while ignoring the difficult ones.

The whole counsel of God includes the gospel and God’s plan for salvation. Jesus commanded, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Peter preached, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). It also includes teaching Christians how to live faithfully. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). We must teach about faith, obedience, holiness, love, service, repentance, and faithful Christian living.

We must also be willing to preach about sin and judgment. Paul declared that God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” and that He “has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:30-31). These truths may not always be popular, but they are part of God’s counsel.

The church does not need a watered-down gospel or the opinions of men. We need the truth of God. Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). May we have the courage of Paul to declare the whole counsel of God, the comforting, the challenging, the encouraging, and the corrective. Only by faithfully following all of God’s Word can we be prepared to meet Him in eternity.

God Bless

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