Kind Awakening

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?" Matthew 16:15 (KJV) Among all the questions Jesus asked during His earthly ministry, this may be the most significant. He did not ask it because He lacked information. As the Son of God, Jesus knew the hearts of His disciples (John 2:24–25). Instead, He asked the question to bring them to a personal confession of faith. Every person must eventually answer this same question. Not, "Who do others say Jesus is?" But, "Who do you say that He is?" The Opinions of the Crowd Jesus first asked: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Matthew 16:13 (KJV) The disciples responded with the popular opinions of the day: John the Baptist. Elijah. Jeremiah. One of the prophets. Everyone had an opinion about Jesus. Much like today. Some call Him a good teacher. Some see Him as a prophet. Some admire Him as a moral example. Others reject Him altogether. Public opinion has always been di...

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost... he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26 (KJV) Every day, believers are confronted with competing voices. One voice leads us toward Christ, truth, and life. The other seeks to deceive, discourage, and destroy. How can we recognize the difference? Jesus teaches that the Holy Spirit works through God's revealed Word, while Satan operates through lies and deception. The Holy Spirit Speaks Through God's Word Jesus promised His disciples: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." John 16:13 (KJV) In its immediate context, Jesus was speaking to His apostles, whom the Holy Spirit would guide into the truth that would become the New Testament Scriptures. Yet this promise also reveals an important principle for believers today: the Holy Spirit always works in harmony with God's written W...

"Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV) Every human heart is driven by desire. We pursue what we love, sacrifice for what we treasure, and devote ourselves to what we believe will satisfy us. The question is not whether we will have desires, but what, or whom, we desire most. Peter warns that the corruption of this fallen world comes "through lust." To understand his warning, we must understand what the Bible means by this word. The Nature of Lust Today, the word lust is often limited to sexual sin. While Scripture certainly uses the word in that context, its meaning is broader. In 2 Peter 1:4, the Greek word refers to strong, disordered desires,  cravings that seek satisfaction apart from God's will. These desires may be sinful in themselves, or they may be desires for good things that have become ultimate things. James explains how sinful desire grows: "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away o...

"By faith Abraham, when he was called... obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) Faith is one of the most talked-about subjects in the Christian life, yet it is often one of the most misunderstood. Many think faith is simply agreeing that God exists or believing He can do great things. While true faith certainly includes belief, biblical faith always moves beyond agreement to obedient action . The question is not merely, "Do you believe God?" The question is, "What is your faith producing?" Faith Obeys Before It Understands Hebrews 11 describes Abraham as the great example of faith. God called him to leave everything familiar: His homeland. His family. His security. His future as he knew it. Yet Scripture says: "By faith Abraham... obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) Notice what Hebrews emphasizes. Abraham did not know the destination. He knew the O...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1 (KJV) The opening words of John's Gospel are among the most profound in all of Scripture. Rather than beginning with Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, John reaches back before creation itself. Before there was a world to inhabit, before there was time to measure, before the sun, moon, and stars were formed, Jesus already existed. John wants us to understand that Jesus is not merely a great teacher or prophet. He is the eternal Son of God, the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together. The Eternal Word John intentionally echoes the opening words of Genesis: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1 (KJV) Then he writes: "In the beginning was the Word." John 1:1 (KJV) Genesis introduces the first creation. John introduces the One who brings the new creation . Jesus did not come into existen...

"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6 (KJV) Humility is one of the foundational principles of God's Kingdom. Yet it is often misunderstood. The world associates humility with weakness, insecurity, or low self-esteem. Scripture presents something entirely different. Biblical humility is seeing ourselves rightly before God. It is recognizing that everything we have, everything we are, and every good gift in our lives comes from Him. God Gives Grace to the Humble James writes: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6 (KJV) This is both a warning and a promise. God opposes pride because pride seeks independence from Him. But He gladly pours out grace upon those who acknowledge their need for Him. Humility positions us to receive God's help. Pride Hinders Spiritual Growth Pride often appears in subtle ways. It says: "I already know." "I don't need correction....