Who is a Christian, really?

Among the various religions of this world, Christianity claims approximately 1.9 billion adherents. When one closely examines just who these people are, the stunning variety of subgroupings within Christianity is bewildering.

Since modern Christianity claims its origins from the Bible, it would seem to follow that most would believe and practice what the Bible teaches. However, that simply is not the case!

In anticipation of world conditions that would be extant shortly before His return to the earth, Jesus Christ warned His disciples of sweeping religious confusion: “‘For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect'” (Matthew 24:24).

On a global scale, there is no question that confusion and deception account for what now presents itself as Christianity. Almost everyone proclaims that they, alone, are the “true believers.” This self-appraisal can be blindingly dangerous if wrong. Jesus cautioned those who would follow Him with these words: ” ‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ and then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23).

Against this backdrop of widespread deception and self-delusion, a much smaller group of Christians is identified in the Bible. As cited in Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of them as “the elect.” These are the few who truly uphold the teachings of Jesus. These are also the ones who are not deceived. And yet, the elect must be very circumspect as well!

Paul, who was, without question, one of these “elect,” was careful to warn of counterfeit Christianity seeking to overwhelm true Christians: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

By drawing close to God through humble obedience to what He reveals in His Word, the Bible, the elect of this generation can prevail. Note this further teaching from Jesus: ” ‘Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it’ ” (Matthew 7:13-14).

For those who also would be a part of the “elect,” it is vitally important to continually examine their own lives, and perhaps we should also ask ourselves: “Am I a Christian, REALLY?”

On Sunday evening, April 4, 2004, baptized members of the Church of God will partake of the New Testament Passover symbols of bread and wine, thereby following the Godly command to do so once a year. They will reflect and meditate on God’s great purpose in sending His only-begotten Son to die for us, so that we can have everlasting life (John 3:16-17). In addition, they will deeply appreciate the fact that Christ also suffered for us to make possible Godly healing of our physical sicknesses and injuries (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:16-17).

If we are in the spiritual body of Christ, we are commanded to partake of the Passover symbols. At the same time, we are told by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:28, to “examine” ourselves, before we eat of the bread and drink of the cup. This self-examination is important, so that we do not partake of the Passover in an unworthy manner (vv. 27, 29). However, the purpose of our self-examination is not to become so depressed that we refuse to take the Passover. Rather, we are to examine ourselves and to “eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

Paul’s admonition is not to be understood in a negative way. The Greek word for “examine,” “dokimazo,” is exclusively used in the New Testament Scriptures in a positive manner. Let us notice all the passages where the word is used:

In Luke 14:19, a person bought oxen, and AFTER he had bought them [not before], he went out to test or “examine” them. In Romans 12:2, Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may prove or test or “examine” what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Again, we see the positive purpose of this kind of examination.

Further, 2 Corinthians 13:5 tells you to “examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test [Greek, “dokimazo”] yourselves. Do you not know yourselves THAT Jesus Christ is in you?” Paul took it for granted that Christ was living in them, but he encouraged them to individually reconfirm and reestablish this knowledge.

Galatians 6:4 admonishes each and every one of us to “examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself.” Again, this examination should lead to joy, not sorrow. Another passage in this context is Ephesians 5:8-10: “For you were ONCE darkness, but now you ARE light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out [in Greek, “dokimazo”] what is acceptable to the Lord.” Paul is saying here that we are already light. We CAN therefore find out what is acceptable in God’s sight. Again, this examination should lead to an increase of the right kind of Godly understanding.

Philippians 1:9-10 adds: “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve [Greek, “dokimazo”] the things that are excellent.” Again, we find the positive nature of such approval or examination.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:4, the Greek word “dokimazo” is used twice: “But as we have been approved [Greek, “dokimazo”] by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests [Greek, “dokimazo”] our hearts.” God has already examined or approved us, but God continues to test or “examine” us — not, so that we fail, but so that we overcome even more.

Finally, let us notice 1 Peter 1:6-7:”In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested [Greek, “dokimazo”] by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Again, the testing or “examination” of our faith is not for the purpose of failing, but so that the genuineness of our faith becomes even more manifest and evident.

Paul was not discouraging us from taking the Passover. Rather, our examination should establish that we ARE on the right track — that Christ DOES live in us. And, if we find, during our self-examination, that we are lacking something, we need to repent of that, ask God for forgiveness, and resolve to do better next time, with the help and lead of Christ in us.

We are to examine ourselves, as to how we are doing, before we take the Passover. We need to take it in a worthy manner. We need to understand and appreciate what the sacrifice of Christ means for us. We must be willing to live our lives worthy of God and of our calling.

At the same time, none of us have lived perfectly since the last Passover. We all sin; we all have sinned; and we all have continuous need of God’s forgiveness. That is why we partake of the Passover annually — as an annual reminder that we NEED the sacrifice of Christ. And so, as Christ’s converted disciples, we can, should and need to partake of the Passover, remembering the inspired words of John, in 1 John 1:7-10:

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins [after we have examined ourselves to see how we are doing], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Let us do then, as we are commanded: “But let a man examine himself, AND SO LET HIM eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Saul was a man called and chosen of God because of his desire to do God’s Will. Once God called Saul, He did something very special for him. In 1 Samuel 10:9-10, we see “… that God gave him another heart … then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them (God’s prophets).” Yes, God gave Saul His Spirit and began to work with him. However, in the course of time, Saul allowed pride and vanity to interfere with his good judgment and he ceased his loyalty to God’s Ways.

The prophet, Samuel, in speaking to Saul, revealed that God would remove the kingdom from him after he had become rebellious and had broken God’s Command (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Samuel noted to Saul that God sought for Himself a man after His own heart. Of course, we know that God chose David to succeed Saul as king over His people.

Just as God had called and had chosen Saul as king over Israel, He established David in that position once Saul proved himself unfaithful. David would now have to prove his faithfulness to God and His Ways if he would be successful in his calling. We are all familiar with the life of David, his successes and his failures. But a revealing statement is made concerning David in Acts 13:22. “And when He had removed him (Saul), He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have raised up David the son of Jesse, a man after MY own heart, who will do all My will.'”

God has dealt with many such faithful men and women down through the ages. Many of these are listed and codified in the book of Hebrews, chapter 11 — such men and women as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel and the prophets. All, of course, are not listed here, as there have been many faithful to God down through time.

God has called and chosen many such people during our time to learn of Him and His Ways and to walk in those Ways — called to do all His Will. Many who have been called have been faithful, but others have chosen to walk contrary to God’s Way. What about you?

The feast of Passover is now approaching rapidly, followed by the Days of Unleavened Bread. These days, which give insight into God’s Way and His Plan are all commanded by God to be kept in their season. This is a time of self-examination. One called of God must be faithful to God, His Laws, and His Ways — keeping His festivals in a right spirit — and must be drawing closer to Him as the time of Christ’s return draws near!

There is too much at stake for one to give in now to human nature, to Satan, and to the ways of this world. It is going to take men and women seeking after God’s own heart to fill the positions He has made available for all who love His Way and His Appearing!

Do you have such a heart?

Lance Armstrong, an American cycling super star, confronted cancer in the 1990’s and beat it. He subsequently made a simple but very profound and incisive statement when he pointed out that “Pain is temporary but quitting lasts forever.” Doesn’t that truly sum up what we, in the Church of God, have to avoid at all costs? Quitting lasts forever — especially in the Christian life.

I’m not talking about those things that we should quit. Galatians 5:19-21 clearly lists the works of the flesh that must not be a part of our Christian way of life. When we were being called and were repenting of our sins as we saw ourselves for what we were, these may well have been areas that we had to work on. Even after conversion, we must continue to strive to overcome those works of the flesh.

I’m talking about the way of life that we’ve been called to. The Christian way of life is for now and forever — and if we permanently forsake that way, then we have, in effect, quit forever.

We can, and we all do get temporarily discouraged. We are not alone in this. Moses, Elijah and Job, amongst others, were Old Testament examples of men of God who went through temporary times of discouragement. In the New Testament, there is a prime example of discouragement — but only on a temporary basis. When Jesus was being arrested, Matthew 26:56 states that “all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” Not just some of the disciples, but ALL of them. They must have been massively discouraged, but the Scriptures show that this was temporary and that they didn’t permanently quit.

There were other quitters — whether these people ever really understood, we don’t know (but God knows). After 3 ½ years of preaching about the Kingdom of God, healing so many people and performing many miracles, there were those who turned their backs on Christ. John 6:66 states simply that “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” We see here the backsliding of these disciples. Many of them must have gone back to their houses, families and previous jobs which they had left for a time to follow Him.

Undoubtedly, in many of those cases, 1 John 2:19 would apply, stating: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.”

We have the greatest calling in the world. Quitting must never enter our thinking irrespective of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Matthew 24:13 tells us why we must stay the course. This Scripture is a repeat of what is said in Matthew 10:22. It clearly states that “he who endures to the end shall be saved.” We have to endure — not quit. We are having our chance now for salvation — eternal life.

While Lance Armstrong was applying his statement to endeavors in this life, it is a masterly summation of what we, in the Church, are involved in. We must always keep in the forefront of our minds that pain is temporary but quitting is, indeed, forever.

Recently Mel Gibson released one of the most controversial films of all time. The amount of publicity surrounding the movie “The Passion of Christ” has rarely been equalled if at all. One of the main issues being addressed, is that the movie will provoke anti-Semitism. This is due to the fact that the Jews are seen by many to be the ones that put Christ to death.

The Bible does indeed show that the Jews used a myriad of unjust methods to insure that Christ was put to death. From the beginning the Jews planned to use deceit (Mat 26:3-4) to bring down Jesus. They violated their own laws and procedures at every turn (for a good sermon on this very subject, listen to “The Trial of Jesus” at www.eternalgod.org/audio).

In the end the Jews caused an innocent Christ to be put to death at the hands of the Romans, one who could not be convicted by their laws or the law of God, because He was without sin. All this being said, does this make the Jews responsible for the death of Christ?

Christ had to die that we may live (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-10). Christ HAD to die to pay for OUR sins… the sins of humanity. Christ had to die for each one of us individually, because we all have sinned (Romans 3:23).

The Jews were used as an instrument in the death of Christ. BUT as we approach Passover and the beginning of God’s Holy Day season, we need to be humbled by the realization that each one of us is personally responsible for the death of Jesus Christ while at the same time we take comfort and encouragement that we can have life everlasting through His resurrection.

We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors for Christ. Just what is an ambassador? Briefly summarized, an ambassador represents his country and his country’s leader to other nations and their heads of state.

An ambassador needs to be mature and respected — one who is familiar with the customs, laws and regulations of his nation which he is to represent to others.

As we have seen, Paul admonishes US to be ambassadors FOR CHRIST. Let us ask ourselves, then, how are we doing in our role as ambassadors? Are we mature and respected Christians — well rounded and familiar with the customs, laws and regulations of God, as revealed in His Word, the Bible? If we are not, then we are falling short of our responsibilities as Christ’s ambassadors that He, the living head of His Church, bestowed upon us.

Notice, it doesn’t say that we are to become ambassadors — or we that we are to fulfill roles similar to those of ambassadors. Rather, we are told that we ARE Christ’s ambassadors. With that responsibility given to us, it behooves us to be very familiar with God’s laws and the application of God’s laws in our lives. We need to diligently follow Paul’s admonition to Timothy: “Study [God’s Word] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, Authorized Version).

The Bible gives us many examples that we need to emulate in our roles as ambassadors. It is important, as Paul continued to point out in 2 Corinthians 5:20, that, in order to be effective ambassadors for Christ, we are to “be reconciled to God.”

We cannot be reconciled to God unless we put sins out of our lives. Sins, unrepented of, cut us off from God (compare Isaiah 59:1-2) and therefore become a barrier to developing that close relationship with God, that we need to have to be effective ambassadors for Christ. Rather than refusing to repent, we are to draw near to God, and He will draw near to us (compare James 4:8, first sentence). We do so, when we cleanse our hands and purify our hearts (compare James 4:8, second sentence). This is how we can “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” as we are admonished to do in 2 Peter 3:18.

As we approach the Passover season, let us examine and test ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 13:5), whether we are truly in the faith and whether Jesus Christ is mightily living in us. We can only be effective ambassadors, if Christ lives in us, leading and directing our lives. Christ will only live, and continue to live within us, however, if we are diligent to overcome our sins, as God and Christ will not dwell with sin (compare Deuteronomy 23:10-14). Let us therefore draw near to God by repenting and forsaking our sins, and by cleansing and purifying our hearts. When we do this, we will be faithfully fulfilling our roles as ambassadors for Christ.

Human as we are, we probably have all suffered times of humiliation. Shame and disgrace in the eyes of friend or foe are never pleasant experiences.

When evil despots lose power or when selfishly ambitious leaders in society have their unlawful acts revealed, few mourn for them.

Among people there always seem to be those who seek to exalt themselves. While this occurs at the expense of others, the individual who acts in such a manner faces certain humiliation.

This understanding is central to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We find one such example in the 23rd chapter of Matthew. The focus of His lesson is in verse 12: ” ‘And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’ “

In this instance, Jesus taught that the scribes and the Pharisees were consumed with their own self-importance instead of setting right examples and walking in obedience to the pattern of life that God had established through Moses.

In another example found in Luke 14, Jesus took note of those who chose the best places. He then explains how we can avoid humiliation (verses 8-9). Also, in verse 10, Jesus gives us this instruction: ” ‘But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.’ “

This is the same way in which we must approach God. In contrasting the difference in approach by both a Pharisee and a tax collector in their prayers, Jesus shows that only the one who was humble was heard: ” ‘I tell you, this man [the tax collector] went down to his house justified rather than the other [the Pharisee]; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’ ” (Luke 18:14).

Throughout the Bible, the examples of those who exalted themselves, only to end up in disappointment and loss, stand in striking difference to those who lived their lives committed to obeying God and awaiting His magnificent promises.

We have the choice as to whether we humble ourselves or exalt ourselves leading to our own humiliation. In making that choice, we will do well to always consider God’s view in the matter: ” ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word’ ” (Isaiah 66:2).

A recent article in a German magazine pointed out that five to ten percent of all people in the Western World suffer depression. In Germany alone, 12,000 people commit suicide each year because of depression, and 250,000 people are hospitalized because of depression-related suicide attempts (Online Focus, February 15, 2004).

Clinical depression is the end result of a development beginning with feelings of temporary frustration and self-pity. Rather than fighting and overcoming those feelings, affected people are often times being told by medical “experts” to concentrate on their own selves — to develop feelings to booster and inflate their “Ego” — to try to feel better about themselves and to develop a better “self-esteem,” while at the same time blaming others for their condition, including parents, friends, relatives, or just the society as a whole. THAT, however, is the surest way NOT to overcome depression.

The feeling of self-pity — the “woe-is-me” -syndrome — may even lead to suicide, if not overcome in time. Judas committed suicide when he realized what he had done. Rather than truly repenting in a godly way, rather than seeking help from GOD to continue, he did not want to live anymore — his grief for himself was just too much for him to bear (compare Matthew 27:3-5).

Paul, on the other hand, also had a lot to be sorry about. As Saul, he caused true Christians to be killed. But he repented in a godly way, and although he never forgot what he had done, he did not blame others for his deeds. Rather, he looked to God for mercy and forgiveness and began to live a new life (compare Acts 26:9-18).

We all have sinned (compare Ecclesiastes 7:20). We all have done things in our lives of which we are not proud. We all could find fault in others, blaming them for what we became and what we are today. But such conduct is not productive and healthy. We are what we are, and we all must change — and continue to change — to become better persons. To do that, we must look to God for help and to develop a love for others. Christ said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). When we concentrate on others, and how we can help them, we are less concerned about and occupied with ourselves — what WE are, and what WE can get from others. When we are “more blessed,” then we are happier persons. Christ is telling us that it is more rewarding, more profitable, more important, more healthy and productive, to try to make others happy, than it is to try to make ourselves happy. The seeming paradox is, that if we concentrate on others and how we can help them, we WILL become happier persons ourselves. This is the godly way of how we can overcome depression. It includes forgiving others — what they might have done to us, knowing that we have done wrong things to others as well (compare Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). It includes an understanding that true love “covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12).

God does not become depressed. He is a very happy Personage, because HE IS LOVE (1 John 4:16). And love — true godly love — is outflowing. It shares, and it is concerned about the welfare and benefit of others — how to make others happy.

If you don’t want to overcome depression and frustration, all you have to do is to blame others for your present condition. Concentrate on yourself, live with self-pity and hate for others and for society as a whole. Justify your wrongs, by pointing the finger at injustices that you might have had to endure. Blame your bad luck, your upbringing, your heritage, or maybe even God for being unfair. Dwell on the mistakes others have made and how they have hurt you.

On the other hand, if you are depressed and want to overcome depression, and if you want to become a happier person, you need to first of all admit that YOU have done wrong things — as everybody else has. Rather than concentrating on the sins of others, examine yourself (compare 2 Corinthians 13:5). Admit that you were wrong, that you did wrong, and repent of the wrong. In leaving behind what is in the past (compare Philippians 3:13), you need to begin a new life of hope and trust in God — realizing that God knows what He is doing.

You will soon find that feelings of depression and frustration will leave you. That there is hope for your future (Jeremiah 31:17). That you can love yourself, by loving others (Matthew 19:19). That an interest for others can become your new way of life, including praying for your enemies (Matthew 5:44). Realize that Christ died for you when you were still His enemy (Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:21). You will soon realize that your happiness and joy will be the result, and that feelings of frustration and hopelessness will belong to the past.

Depression originates from Satan. We are told to resist Satan, and he — with his destructive feelings — will flee from us (James 4:7). We must submit to God, and He will lift us up (James 4:7-10) — that is, He will give us comfort, consolation, happiness and hope for the future. Christ showed us how to do it. When Satan tempted Him to sin, to give up the purpose for His First Coming, Christ told him: “Away with you, Satan!” (Matthew 4:10). As a consequence, Satan had to leave, and God’s angels came to serve Christ (Matthew 4:11). Later, in the garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed to God the Father for spiritual help, and an angel appeared to strengthen Him (Luke 22:41-44). All the time, Christ had His great purpose in mind — that He had come to give His life for OTHERS, so that OTHERS could live (compare John 10:10; 17:4; Matthew 16:21-23). God the Father and Jesus Christ loved us so much, that they were willing to bring this supreme sacrifice — for YOU and for me (John 3:16-17; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:2). Christ never allowed Satan’s feelings of frustration, hopelessness and depression to find a place in His mind. Satan offered Him the kingdoms of this world, and he tried to bring Christ to the point where He would feel more important than was fitting (Compare Matthew 4:5-9). “Prove to me that YOU are the Son of God!”, Satan said, in effect. “You don’t have to go through all these trials set before you — all you need to do is to worship me, and all will be yours! Take the easy way out!”

But Christ rejected all of those feelings and temptations, which could have led to depression and frustration. Christ always upheld and maintained His love for God and man, thereby resisting the devil. He did not blame others for His situation, justifying thereby to choose “the easy way out.” He had come to die for us, because of His great love for us. He came to share His love with us, so that we could overcome depression and become happier persons — and ultimately enter the very Kingdom of God — a kingdom of unspeakable happiness and joy (Matthew 25:21; Psalm 16:11). And so, the devil had to depart from Him. We must act the same. And when we do, happy are we!

As a saying goes: A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. Unfortunately, a lot of heavy things or grudges are being carried today by so many people. This shouldn’t be!

What is a grudge? We instinctively might know, perhaps, what it is, but, put simply, it is a feeling of resentment or ill-will.

I remember that someone I used to work with in business, quite a number of years ago, used to say words to the effect: Don’t get angry, get even! For some people, that might mean harboring a grudge for many long years because they can have very long memories and cannot find it in their hearts to forgive.

If people hold grudges, let us pray for them so that they understand the error of their ways. Matthew 5:44 gives us clear instruction on this matter. There is no better teacher than the Savior, and we would do well to heed His sage words: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

God told us the same thing in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 19:18: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”

It is not easy for humans not to have, and entertain, feelings of ill-will against those who might have offended or harmed us. While we are to hate the sin, we are to love the sinner. We were called to God’s way of life which we understand to be the narrow way — not the easy and broad way that the world wants. Just take a moment or two to think if:

1. You have ever held any grudges against anyone for any reason — whether parents, children, brothers, sisters or other family members, church members, work colleagues, friends or neighbors — in fact ANYONE; and

2. If you STILL hold a grudge or grudges against anyone — irrespective of whether that person is a church member or not.

If we are harboring any resentment or ill-will against anyone we had better think again — and this for at least two reasons: It is against the teachings of Christ, and therefore totally unacceptable, and it can lead to further problems. In other words, one problem begets another. One sin leads to another. We just can’t win if we disobey or ignore God’s clear instruction on this matter.

To hold grudges is part and parcel of the way that the world behaves and reacts. It seems that if you don’t feel resentment towards others that you are not normal — but the way that the world views things is not our yardstick. It is what God says on this matter that really counts. Let us make sure that holding or bearing grudges are not part of our Christian way of life. If it is, then we have a serious spiritual problem.

The Passover will be coming up in a few weeks. If we have a problem in this area, any traces of it should, and must be eliminated as soon as possible, so that the Passover can be observed in a worthy manner.

We are all familiar with the proverbial frog in the water story. When the frog jumped into the pan of water, the water was cool and refreshing and the frog felt very comfortable in the water, being an amphibian, which is able to live both in water and on land. Of course, had the water been hot when the frog jumped into it, he would have, if at all possible, removed himself from the water, immediately sensing the danger.

But, as the story goes, the frog, enjoying the comfort of the cool water, relaxed and conformed to his surroundings. As the water began to increase in heat, this particular frog didn’t notice.

Many who have been a part of the Church of God are now themselves in this proverbial pot as it gets warm and do not sense the danger that is building in their lives, especially as false doctrine continues to implode within the various churches. Additionally, modern society has continued to offer many enticing diversions, which many church members have turned to as an escape from the trials they face daily, rather than rightfully turning to God for their solutions.

God says to these people, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were either cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Yes, God warns of these things in His Word. But many don’t seem to associate all these things to their personal relationship with God. God warns that we are to come out of this world’s ways and to live by His True Word which is revealed in the Scriptures to those with His Spirit. We are all told to prove all things and to hold fast to that which is true. Is that your approach? Or are you like the proverbial frog? How warm is it for you?