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“Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee...” — Philemon 9 The short epistle to Philemon is a powerful testimony to how love transforms relationships  and restores broken fellowship. Paul’s heartfelt plea to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus is not rooted in pressure, guilt, or obligation but in love. And that’s precisely what the church still needs today. The Story Behind the Letter Philemon was a faithful Christian, likely living in Colossae, and a close friend of Paul. Onesimus, his slave, had escaped and eventually encountered Paul in Rome. But everything changed when Onesimus heard the gospel—he obeyed it and became a Christian. Now Paul is sending him back—not just as a servant, but as a brother in Christ . And he urges Philemon to receive him not reluctantly, but for love’s sake . A Message of Reconciliation Paul had every right to command  Philemon to do the right thing. But instead, he appeals to love. He demonstrates that reconciliation among believers must be motivated by grace, not grudging duty . “If he hath wronged thee... put that on mine account.”  — Philemon 18Paul is showing us the heart of the gospel: taking on the debt of another , not because we have to—but because love compels us. Obedience from the Heart Paul contrasts two kinds of obedience: The one who obeys because they have to —grudgingly, mechanically, and without joy. The one who obeys because they want to —with love, gratitude, and a transformed heart. Which one are we? Onesimus returned to a life of servitude not out of fear, but out of a desire to be right with his Christian brother. That’s the kind of humility and love God calls us to. Relationships Are Restored Through Christ We’re no longer divided by race, class, or status in the church. The runaway slave and the faithful master are now equals in Christ . Paul tells Philemon: “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved…”  — Philemon 16 This is the power of the gospel. It doesn’t just mend relationships; it redefines them . Leading with Grace When problems arise in the church, in marriages, or in friendships, Paul's example teaches us to lead with grace , not control. Humble words, seasoned with love, can bring change where force never could. A Picture of the Gospel Paul’s words echo what Jesus has done for each of us: Like Onesimus, we were debtors. Like Philemon, we had been wronged. Like Paul, Jesus interceded on our behalf  and said, “Put it on my account.” “He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”  — Hebrews 7:25 Final Thought Are you willing to forgive? To encourage? To let love lead in your conversations, conflicts, and choices? We restore relationships, not just for peace, but for love’s sake .

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” — Ephesians 1:3 Too often, we associate blessings with material wealth, comfort, or success. But in Ephesians 1:3–14, the apostle Paul draws our attention to something far greater: the spiritual blessings God lavishes upon the church —His chosen people— through Jesus Christ . In Christ: Where All Blessings Are Found Every spiritual blessing we have comes "in Christ."  This phrase appears again and again throughout the passage, underscoring that outside of Christ, there is no redemption, no adoption, no inheritance.  But in Him, we have everything we need for salvation and spiritual life. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  — Galatians 3:27 Chosen Before the Foundation of the World God’s plan of salvation wasn’t a last-minute decision. Paul says God chose us “in Him before the foundation of the world”  (Ephesians 1:4). This “election” isn’t about individual predestination as some teach—it’s about choosing Christ  and choosing to save all who are in Him . “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”  — Hebrews 5:9 Adopted as Sons and Daughters God predestined that those in Christ would become His children  (Ephesians 1:5). Though we were once outsiders, slaves to sin, He brought us into His family by His will, not because we earned it, but because of His grace. This adoption means we share in the inheritance of Christ  and enjoy the intimacy of calling God our Father. Redemption Through His Blood We were in bondage to sin with no way to redeem ourselves. But through the blood of Christ, we are repurchased and forgiven  (Ephesians 1:7). His sacrifice satisfies God’s justice and secures our freedom. “You were bought with a price…”  — 1 Corinthians 6:20 “…with the precious blood of Christ.”  — 1 Peter 1:18–19 The Mystery Made Known God has not left us in the dark. Through the gospel, the mystery of His will  has been revealed: to unite all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:9–10). In a world divided by sin, Christ brings unity, purpose, and peace. An Eternal Inheritance Paul says that we were “made a heritage” —not only do we inherit eternal life, we become God’s treasure  (Ephesians 1:11). We are His portion, His people, and His joy. Sealed with the Holy Spirit Those who hear the gospel, believe, and obey are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise  (Ephesians 1:13). This seal is a divine guarantee—a down payment on our inheritance. It assures us that God will complete what He has begun . “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”  — Romans 8:16 All to the Praise of His Glorious Grace Three times in this passage, Paul says it is “to the praise of His glory.”  Every blessing, every gift, every act of mercy in the church exists to glorify God . We do not boast in our worthiness but in His overwhelming grace. Final Thought The church is not an afterthought—it is the centerpiece of God’s eternal plan . Through Christ, God has showered His people with blessings that transcend this world. These blessings should not only comfort us but also compel us  to live holy, obedient, and grateful lives. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.”  — 2 Corinthians 9:15

“And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…” — Daniel 1:2 We live in a world overwhelmed by change—technological advances, cultural confusion, war, moral decay, and religious compromise. To many, it feels like everything is unraveling. But the Bible reminds us again and again that God is still in control. Lessons from the Book of Daniel When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried the Jews into Babylonian captivity, it must have seemed like the end of God's plan. The temple was destroyed, the holy vessels were taken, and the Davidic throne was vacant. But as Daniel 1:2 reveals, this was no accident : “The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand.”  Even in chaos, God was orchestrating His purpose. God’s Sovereignty Over Kingdoms and Kings From Daniel’s capture to his rise in the Babylonian court, the theme is clear: God rules over all.  He raises kingdoms and tears them down (Daniel 2:21). When Nebuchadnezzar boasted in his power, God humbled him until he recognized, “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men”  (Daniel 4:32). When men think they are in charge, Daniel shows us that God always has the final word . God Honors Courageous Faith Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise their convictions, even under the threat of death. They knew that whether or not  God delivered them from the fire, He was still worthy of their faith  (Daniel 3:16–18). When Daniel chose to pray openly despite the king’s decree, he was thrown into the lion’s den but not destroyed. God honored his faith and silenced the lions' mouths (Daniel 6:22). God Works Through Chaos for His Glory Though Israel was scattered and their temple destroyed, God did not abandon His people. He raised faithful men like Daniel and Ezekiel to preserve the truth and strengthen the remnant. The Jews remained in exile for 70 years, but through God’s providence, the temple would be rebuilt, and the line of David preserved. God was working behind the scenes the entire time. What This Means for Us Today Like the Jews in exile, we may feel overwhelmed by the forces of darkness, corruption, or confusion in the world around us. But Daniel’s story reminds us: God has not lost control. Truth will triumph over error. Faithfulness matters—even when no one sees. God's promises still stand. Headlines, elections, or cultural decay do not shake him. He is building His kingdom, as prophesied in Daniel 2—a kingdom not made with hands , but eternal. “There is a God in heaven that reveals secrets…”  — Daniel 2:28 Final Thoughts Even when the world seems chaotic, God is at work . Our calling is the same as Daniel’s: to stand firm, live faithfully, and trust the God who holds the future. Let your faith remain unshaken—not because the world is stable, but because God is sovereign .

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” — 1 John 4:1 In today’s world of endless voices, persuasive preachers, and shifting ideologies, the Apostle John’s warning in 1 John 4:1–6 remains more relevant than ever. We are called to discern between the Spirit of truth  and the spirit of error —between what is from God and what is not. What Is the Spirit of Error? The spirit of error is not an abstract concept—it is a real, destructive influence  that manifests through false teaching, worldly compromise, and spiritual rebellion. It is bodiless  until it finds someone, such as a preacher, ideology, or institution, to speak and act through. Just as God’s Word becomes alive in the hearts of faithful teachers, error, too, seeks a host. And once it finds one, it forms a body of false doctrine  that draws people away from the truth of Scripture. "Every spirit that does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God… and this is the spirit of antichrist.”  — 1 John 4:3 How the Spirit of Error Takes Shape Throughout Scripture, the spirit of error has taken many forms: In Samuel’s day , the people desired a human king instead of trusting God (1 Samuel 10:19). In King Uzziah , it manifested in unauthorized worship (2 Chronicles 26:16). In the early church, it appeared as Judaizing doctrine  and Gnostic philosophy  (Acts 15:24; 1 Timothy 1:3–4). Today, it appears in feel-good preaching, liberal theology, moral compromise, and denominational confusion. Signs the Spirit of Error Is Looking for a Body Be on guard. These warning signs  indicate the spirit of error is near: 1. Cordiality Replaces Conviction When friendliness is mistaken for faithfulness, and smooth speech is accepted as sound doctrine, the truth is in danger. Wolves come dressed in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). “By good words and fair speeches [they] deceive the hearts of the simple.”  — Romans 16:18 2. Loss of Militancy in the Faith When bold defenders of truth are called “legalists” or “divisive,” and sin is ignored for the sake of unity, the spirit of error is at work (Ephesians 6:11–12). 3. A Shift Away from Bible Authority When “God didn’t say I couldn’t” replaces “Thus saith the Lord,” the pattern of truth is being discarded. (Hebrews 8:5) 4. Speaking the Language of Ashdod When Christians adopt modern or worldly terms that distort Bible meaning—like “new humanity” instead of “Christian”—they’re unknowingly using the vocabulary of false teachers (Nehemiah 13:24; Acts 11:26). 5. Softness on Worldliness When sin like social drinking, gambling, or immodesty is downplayed or ignored, and the church begins to resemble the world more than Christ, the spirit of error is alive and well (2 Timothy 4:2–4). What Should We Do? Test the spirits  with God’s Word (1 John 4:1). Mark and avoid  those who cause division through false teaching (Romans 16:17). Defend the truth  without apology. Cling to the pattern of sound doctrine , using direct commands, binding examples, and necessary inference (Acts 2:38; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Be transformed, not conformed  to the world (Romans 12:2). “For all that is in the world… is not of the Father. The world passes away, but he that does the will of God abides forever.”  — 1 John 2:16–17 Final Warning The spirit of error is bodiless—until we give it voice. It sounds polite. It avoids conflict. It wears the mask of love. But it compromises truth and leads souls astray. Guard your heart. Test every teacher. Stand on the Word.

Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.” — 2 Samuel 13:20 The story of Tamar, the daughter of King David, is one of grief, injustice, and silence. She was used, violated, and cast aside. And perhaps most tragically, her story ends with her living in desolation, unavenged and unseen. But Tamar’s story is not just a distant biblical tragedy. It's an honest and devastating mirror of what continues today in churches, families, and communities. The question we must ask ourselves is not only why  this happened, but what should the Tamars do now? A Pattern of Silence Tamar was the victim of sexual assault by her half-brother, Amnon. Despite her resistance, her pleas for decency, and her status as a daughter of the king, she was overpowered and then discarded. David, her father and Israel's king, was angry—but did nothing . Absalom, her full brother, told her to be quiet. And Tamar lived the rest of her life desolate and silenced. Her story is repeated too often in our modern world: abuse, silence, denial, and shame . Victims are frequently told to forget, to forgive quickly, to stay quiet for the good of the family or the church. But that’s not biblical justice. That’s suppression. Understanding Forgiveness and Justice Many misuse the word “forgiveness” to force victims into silence or to protect abusers. True forgiveness, according to Scripture, is not unconditional amnesia. Forgiveness is tied to repentance —a change of heart demonstrated by fruit (Luke 17:3-4; Matthew 3:8). We often blend biblical ideas like mercy, justice, judgment, repentance, and accountability and call it “forgiveness.” But the Bible is clear: Forgiveness requires repentance. Repentance requires action. And restoration of the relationship is only possible when sin is acknowledged. If the offender is unrepentant, the victim is not commanded to reconcile or restore what the abuser refuses to repair. What Should the Tamars Do? For victims of abuse, especially minors, tell someone you trust . That trusted adult should report the abuse to civil authorities. Some ask if it's wrong to involve the law when the abuser is a Christian. The answer is no. Romans 13 teaches us that the authorities are God's servants to punish evildoers. Reporting a crime is not vengeance but obedience to God's justice. The church has no business covering up criminal sin. What Should the Church Do? Listen and Support. Be like Job’s friends—before they opened their mouths. Sit, weep, and walk with the wounded. Report Abuse. Follow the law and biblical teaching. Silence is not love—it’s complicity. Discipline the Guilty. The Bible commands the church to withdraw fellowship from unrepentant abusers (1 Corinthians 5:5, 11). We protect the innocent and extend an opportunity for the guilty to repent. Demand Fruit of Repentance. Real change requires real fruit. Empty apologies are not enough. Let Us Not Fail the Tamars Statistics show that one in three women and one in six men will experience sexual abuse. Many of them are sitting in our pews. They're watching how we respond—not just with our words but actions. Tamar's story should never repeat itself. But when it does, the church must not become David— angry but inactive . We must not become Absalom— quieting the victim instead of confronting the guilty . Instead, let us be like Christ— He who sees, defends, heals, and restores . “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”  (Galatians 6:2)

“For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” — Hebrews 2:5 This world, broken by sin and filled with sorrow, is not our final home. As Christians, we look forward to something far better: the world to come , a place of rest, righteousness, and eternal fellowship with God. Scripture calls us to lift our eyes beyond this life and set our hope on what God has prepared. A World Designed by God Unlike what some false teachers claim today, the Bible does not promise a refurbished version of this earth. God’s Word teaches that this world will perish, not be restored , but replaced. Hebrews and 2 Peter both affirm this truth: “The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat…”  (2 Peter 3:10) “…as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed.”  (Hebrews 1:12) God, who created this world and the one to come, will exchange what is temporary for what is eternal. The “new heaven and new earth” mentioned in Scripture is not a renovated earth , but an entirely new, untouched realm that has remained unused because of sin yet awaits the faithful. Why This Matters In Hebrews, the writer addressed Jewish Christians who were tempted to return to Judaism under pressure. They were discouraged, isolated, and suffering for their faith. Yet the epistle reminds them—and us—that Christ is superior to all, and that His promises are sure. The world to come is real and far better  than anything here. “For we are saved by hope… But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”  (Romans 8:24–25) We cannot see this eternal world with mortal eyes. That which is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Just as we exchange our mortal bodies  for spiritual bodies , this world will be exchanged for a new one designed for the redeemed. Lessons from the Journey The writer of Hebrews compares the Christian walk to Israel’s wilderness journey. Just as they left Egypt and were led to a new  Promised Land, we too have left the world behind in baptism and follow Christ toward the world to come. He leads many sons to glory, not back to the Egypt of this world, but forward to heaven. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”  (Hebrews 13:14) Why Teaching the Truth About Heaven Matters Because it shapes our hope. We are saved by hope, not for what we see, but for what is promised in heaven. Because it strengthens us in suffering. Paul said it best: “To depart and be with Christ… is far better.”  (Philippians 1:23)Any doctrine that clings to this world and ignores that hope misleads souls. Because it is a salvation issue. Our hope is in heaven  (Colossians 1:5), not here on earth. Final Encouragement Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let us not grow weary or turn back when the journey is arduous. There is a better place— the world to come —prepared for those who love and obey the Lord. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God… eternal in the heavens.”  (2 Corinthians 5:1)

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” — Matthew 7:15 False teachers have always threatened the Lord’s church, and today is no exception. The New Testament offers repeated warnings—from Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, and Jude—about individuals who distort God’s truth and lead souls astray. As Christians, we are not called to ignore this danger but to watch, test, and respond with the Word of God . The Nature of False Teachers False teachers are more than misinformed; they are often deliberate, deceptive, and dangerous. The apostle Paul warned the Ephesian elders that “grievous wolves” would rise from within their number (Acts 20:29-30). Peter said they would “bring in damnable heresies” and exploit others through deceptive words (2 Peter 2:1-3). They may look righteous on the outside, but their goal is destruction. How to Recognize Them Scripture outlines clear characteristics of false teachers: They reject sound doctrine  (1 Tim. 6:3). Instead of teaching the words of Christ, they promote manmade traditions or empty intellectualism. They stir rebellion  (Titus 3:1-2). False teachers often undermine God-given authority, both in the church and in the home. They are proud and ignorant  (1 Tim. 6:4). Arrogance replaces humility, and speculation replaces truth. They thrive on controversy  (1 Tim. 6:4-5). They love arguments, gossip, and discord more than unity and peace. They have turned from the faith  (2 Peter 2:20-22). These are not simply confused souls; they have rejected what they once knew. They preach for profit  (Rom. 16:18). Like Balaam, they use religion for gain, flattering crowds but avoiding the hard truths of Scripture. The Spirit of Error False teaching doesn’t always come as a blatant lie. It can begin as a subtle shift in tone, an emphasis on feelings over Scripture, or a refusal to call sin what it is. John urges us to “try the spirits” (1 John 4:1), and Paul reminds us that people will eventually “heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3). We must never confuse being nice  with being true . Love warns, corrects, and defends the faith (Eph. 4:15). What Should We Do? Scripture gives us a plan for how to respond: Mark and avoid them  (Rom. 16:17). Rebuke and reject them if needed  (Titus 3:10). Inform their congregation  if appropriate (Acts 15:22-29). Preach the Word boldly  (2 Tim. 4:2). Feed and protect the flock  (Acts 20:28). Stay anchored in sound doctrine  (1 Tim. 4:6). Conclusion False teachers will always exist—but so will God’s truth. We must remain vigilant, grounded in Scripture, and bold in love. As Paul told Timothy: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”  — 1 Timothy 4:16 Let us stand firm, speak the truth in love, and guard the faith once delivered to the saints.