Father of Lights: The Lord's Compassion

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

  God is a Good God. He is a Good Father. Or is He? The way God our Father is portrayed by Christian religious tradition it seems He is the God who afflicts and tears down and destroys. Is that who God really is?

 We are in a new series studying the truth of who God really is. In this fallen world, we do see desolation, devastation, and disaster abound. What is God's role in this? 

 According to religious tradition and hyper-sovereignty teaching, this is the handiwork of God. God is controlling every aspect of this planet therefore He must be responsible for all the disasters and the desolation. We also must never question this because He is God and must have some mysterious purpose for this.

 I passionately disagree. I believe we should stay with the source God Himself gave us to know and understand who He is. He gave us His Word to see His character revealed. God is a Good God and according to the Word, He is not the author of the storms but the calmer of storms! 

 In this fallen world, we see disease and distress and sickness abound. Does this mean God ordains or orchestrates this? Again, look at the Word, the revealed will of God. Jesus saw sickness and removed it, He never added more to the afflicted.

 Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. Jesus is the revealed will of God. Jesus never encountered someone and said I see you're sick I will increase the symptoms so you will really learn humility and patience. I never see Jesus afflict people with pain and agony and suffering to "better" people or to chasten or instruct them. 

 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14 NKJV

This is the Savior the Word reveals. A compassionate Lord who heals. What motivated Jesus? Was it some mechanical reaction to prove something? Cold religious traditions of men declare Jesus only healed to affirm He was the Messiah. This is the false notion of cold, lifeless, joyless, bleak man-made religion. 

What motivated Jesus?

35 Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they fainted and were scattered, like sheep without a shepherd Matthew 9:35-36 MEV

 Jesus didn't heal anyone to prove who He was. The Scriptures prophesied that the Messiah would heal. The prophets of old were only recording what the Spirit revealed to Him. Traditional religion misunderstands and misinterprets this. 

 They can't comprehend what the Lord did in revealing the work of the Messiah to the prophets. They got a glimpse of the future work of Jesus. It's like they saw a peek into the daily life of Jesus as He walked this earth. They saw Him do many things and simply stated what they saw Him do. Cold, barren religion only sees Jesus working miracles as a wooden, mechanical action to advertise and confirm His identity.

 Jesus already knew who He was. He didn't need to prove this to anyone. The problem with this view of Jesus' healing is that it gives credence to their cessationist position. Jesus won't heal today because He only ministered life back then to show peasants and plowmen He was their Messiah. This strips the true heart motive from Jesus to minister to people.

 Look how Jesus responded to the people He encountered who were in distress. Jesus ministered life because of His compassion, not any other reason. His heart overflowed with compassion and He wanted to stop suffering. He didn't want to extend it or exacerbate it.

 Jesus is also the person of Grace. When He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion. He was not repelled by any of their sins or shortcomings. Surely, we must know there were people in the crowd who weren't living perfect lives. Yet Jesus was still moved with compassion and ministered healing and life. 

 Sins, failures, and faults do not stop the Savior's healing hands from sending health, healing, and wholeness. His compassion overshadowed the weaknesses, flaws, and sins of the people. His Grace is greater than sin.

 So the question we must ask is, is Jesus any less compassionate today? Has His healing mercies stopped flowing today? Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus is still the merciful loving Savior today. The Father of Lights has no shadow of changing or turning. If He was compassionate to heal then He is still compassionate today. He is Good, receive from your loving Savior today! 

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Father of Lights: Is God really Good all the time?

 

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 NKJV

 James declares God our Father in Heaven is the Father of Lights. He informs us that He is unchanging. This is Good News! This tells us that God is Good and He is always Good and there is no changing with Him! 

 The Father of Lights has no darkness. That means only Good comes from God. John echoes this by declaring that in Him is Light, and there is no darkness. No darkness means no evil, wickedness, destruction, or death are within God our Father.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 NLT

 The Word of God reveals the Father's great Love and character to us. The challenge we, as humans and even believers face is whether we actually believe this. I think that experience, life in a fallen creation, causes many to doubt this Goodness.

Do we, as believers then, really believe God is this Good? Do we really believe in His all-the-time goodness, or have personal experience and living life in a fractured creation distorted our understanding of God? 

 Let's look at the basics. First, all sincere believers know and believe God forgives sin. Yet even with a basic truth as this, we still find limits surrounding His all the time Goodness coming from traditional religion. 

 God's Goodness reveals a Father so Good that He forgives sin. This is amazingly Good News! We all need mercy even after salvation. As believers, we trust in His lovingkindness when we sin.

 This is His Grace, and we rejoice. We can see so many rejoice in this Goodness. Now let the believer sin that same sin again. Let's see the believer continue sinning that same sin. Do we still believe His Goodness covers that sin? 

 This is where we see how much we believe and trust in His Goodness. This is where we see how much trust in His Finished Work of Redemption. Sure there is a place of correction and instructions in these times but more than that there is Love and Grace that is restoring and forgiving.

 What about when disaster looms on the horizon? When severe thunderstorms, tornados, or tsunamis threaten the city or the coastal region? What is the initial reaction? Do we believe God sent the storm? Do we believe God directed the tsunami to punish sin, to judge the city? Do we believe God is striking the area? 

 What is our first thought? Do we align with God's Goodness, sending prayers of protection to the affected area? Do we intercede for those directly affected? Do we do what we can to bring relief, render aid, and contribute to the recovery operations? 

 What about if there is a negative report from the doctor? Do we believe the sickness or disease is merely our cross to bear for Jesus? Do we believe God is the One afflicting? Do we believe healing is done away with today, and sickness perfects the saints?

 This is where we all live, practically speaking. We daily have opportunities to believe and affirm God's Goodness. In a fallen and fractured creation, we will face disasters, death, disease, and disobedience in the life of believers. What holds us, what anchors us in the fallen world? 

 Resting in and knowing God is always Good and only does Good gives us hope and peace in a fractured creation. David said He would have given up if he didn't believe he would experience the Goodness of God in his life. This proves trusting in His all the time Goodness is key to living victoriously in this life. 

 God's Goodness is the foundation of the Gospel of Grace and the life of Faith. The revealed character of God gives us the basis to believe that He is Gracious and has forgiven us of all sins and His perfect work of Redemption is a completed work that the Father accepts. He is so Good, He honors the work of His Son.

 His Goodness revealed and understood is what fuels our trust in Him enough to step out in Faith. We know His character so we can take Him at His Word. We know He is so Good so He will honor and keep His Word. This is the basis for our Faith to flourish.

 God's Goodness is not just a theological truth—it is the foundation for a victorious life! Take a moment to reflect: In what areas have you struggled to believe in His all-the-time Goodness? Will you choose today to trust that He is always Good, always faithful, and always for you?

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Abundance of Grace: Graceful thinking

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

 For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 Jesus is the person of Grace. The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed and demonstrated in Christ's victorious, Redemptive work. When we receive an abundance of Grace, Paul tells us we will reign as kings in this life.

 If we want to reign in life, we need to know how to receive abundant Grace. I believe Paul gives us the key to reigning in life when he tells us to renew our minds and not be transformed by the world's ways. Think about it—this world operates on effort, striving, earning, and achievement. But God's New Covenant operates by grace.

 God's New Covenant is a Covenant of Grace. It is not a covenant requiring our efforts, our achievements, or our performance. It is a covenant made between the Father and the Son, and we are the benefactors. We partake of this covenant when we trust in Christ alone. We freely receive all Jesus purchased and provided through His work and not our own.

 Renewing the mind is crucial to walking in the fullness of grace, but it’s not a self-effort or works program;

 Paul tells us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Transformation comes not by striving, but by seeing—seeing Jesus, the person of Grace.

  Beholding Jesus: The Key to Renewal

The secret to renewing the mind is not willpower or self-effort. It is found in beholding Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

As we behold Jesus—His love, His finished work, His righteousness—we are transformed effortlessly. The more we see Him, the more we think in alignment with grace.

Renewing Our Minds to Grace

1. No More Condemnation
   Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” If Jesus took our judgment, why entertain thoughts of guilt or shame? Jesus' sacrifice was enough, God isn't punishing you. Renew your mind to this truth: God is not condemning you, so stop condemning yourself.

2. Eternally Secure
   Jesus said in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Renew your mind to this: Your salvation is not fragile; it is secured by Christ Himself. You can't forfeit it, or lose it, once you trusted Christ alone you are irrevocably saved!

3. Deeply Loved and Liked by God
   It’s easy to accept that God loves us in a broad sense, but do you realize He also likes you? Zephaniah 3:17 says He rejoices over you with singing! He enjoys being with you. He is not tolerating you—He delights in you. Renew your mind to this: God is smiling over you right now. His arms aren't folded in disapproval of you, His arms are open wide welcoming you! 

Abundance of Grace Through Abundance of Beholding

An abundance of beholding Jesus leads to an abundance of grace in our thinking. The more we focus on Him, the more we walk in transformation—not by effort, but by revelation. Instead of battling thoughts of fear, insecurity, or condemnation, we let grace flood our minds.

Keep beholding Jesus. Keep renewing your mind to who you already are in Him. Grace-filled thinking leads to a grace-filled life. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Abundance of Grace: More Grace less religious traditions!

 

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

 For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 Grace is the Gospel of Jesus Christ pledged, promised, and made available through His victorious Redemptive work at Calvary. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor of Almighty God. Paul tells us that receiving an abundance of this grace will cause us to reign, rule, and dominate as kings in this life. 

 We have been in an ongoing series studying this abundance of Grace so we can receive it more and more in our own lives and live triumphantly. We have seen that this Grace is NOT of ourselves, but all of Jesus. We have seen how forgiven we are and what repentance truly means. It seemed good to me to keep pursuing more of this Grace and relinquishing religious traditions and ideas.

 Grace is all of Jesus, and never anything we have added or contributed. 

Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace. Romans 11:6 HCSB

 Yet, with all the truths revealed from God's Word, so many traditions arise from men attempting to add to the work of Christ to gain more acceptance and approval from God. Not only that we add more rules and regulations for believers to follow so that they will receive more goodness from God. 

 For many leaders, sin seems to be the kryptonite or the barrier to God stopping Him from hearing us, fellowshipping with us, and communing with us. As if sin was not dealt with completely at the Cross of Christ. Jesus died for the sins of mankind, yet religion teaches that He still sees sin upon us and steps away until we change our behavior.

 This is not an encouragement to engage in sin, sin has its own consequences apart from God punishing someone. Drunkenness produces hangovers-nausea, dizziness, headache, sluggishness and fatigue. Steal, lie, or commit fraud, and the consequences will follow, some include prison time. This is not divine retribution. 

 God cannot punish you when you sin, if He did, then He would be unfaithful, unjust, and untrue. He cannot justly punish sin in the body of Jesus on the Cross and turn around and punish you as well. For God to hold your sin against you after you have trusted in Christ is to declare that Jesus' work of Redemption was not enough. That Jesus' shed blood was insufficient to pay for your sin. That He has not fully accepted the Finished Work of Christ. The ledger on the accounts of Heaven would have to read insufficient funds, Jesus was not enough.

 Thank God, though Jesus' blood was enough, and God is completely satisfied with the Redemptive work of Christ. The Father has gladly accepted Jesus' payment for sin and separation. The price is paid in full, and for the believer, God is never again imputing sins to your account ever again 

 Religious traditional-minded leaders still preach and teach that your sin blocks the blessings, breaks fellowship, and renders Faith and prayers ineffective. They have the people living in a schizophrenic, fearful state of forgiven/unforgiven of their sins. They are more sin-conscious and less Grace and righteous-conscious.  

 Traditional religion errs because they don't know the Scriptures. They tend to read passages with a preconceived bias from their upbringing. They read into passages rather than reading the actual passage. 

 The first act of tradition we see is in Genesis 3. Eve added to what God actually said. That is what tradition does. It adds to what God actually said. Religion has built a stronghold concerning sin and the believer and the Holy Spirit, which leaves so many with a sin-consciousness rather than a grace-righteousness consciousness.   

 Adding to Jesus' words or rather reading into Jesus' words, they create a doctrine that the Holy Spirit convicts the believer, the child of God, of their sins. In John 16, Jesus speaks of the work of the Spirit. He does not teach or state the Spirit will convict believers of their sins. That is nowhere in this text. 

 When He comes, He will convict the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; John 16:8-9 MEV

 Who is the Spirit convicting? He is convicting the world, the lost. What is He convicting them of? Their sin of homosexuality, transgenderism, fornication, lust, greed, murder, hate, lying, or stealing? No! He is convicting them of one sin, the sin of unbelief. 

 The World's sin is unbelief, which manifests in the fruit of self-righteousness. They reject God's Righteousness, opting instead for their own righteousness. They create their own standards of what is good and right. Often, it is at odds with God. This is what repentance is all about. It is changing the thinking of man. It is about renewing the mind to God's truth.

  As for the saints, the only thing the Spirit convicts the believer of is their Righteousness in Christ, their true identity in Christ. The Spirit is not tallying up your sins, and convicting you for them. Conviction is a legal term for guilt. We are not guilty because of Jesus.

 Religious tradition tells believers they remain guilty before God and must make sacrifices and atonement for their shortcomings and failures. This flies in the face of the redeeming work of Christ. In Christ, you are not guilty. God is not requiring you to pay for the sins that Jesus has already perfectly paid for!

Christ Jesus paid the highest price for our Redemption. He fully paid the price for our forgiveness. He took the just recompense for our transgressions. He is not holding them against us as well. We stand faultless, guiltless, and blameless before the throne of an Almighty Holy God. This is all because of Jesus and His Finished Work!

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Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Honoring the Government?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 MEV

 We began a brief study rightly dividing government and Christianity. There are many traditions and ideas regarding Christians and their relationship with the government. First, we must understand the primary focus and message of the Church. It's Jesus! We are called to be a light in this fallen world, pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ. So why did Peter and Paul tell us about government?

 When Paul and Peter penned their Epistles, Christianity was a minor "religion." They didn't want believers to be labeled as rebellious lawbreakers who would not pay taxes and be troublemakers, cheaters, and dishonest citizens. Their intent was for Christians to live upright in a fallen world, and give honor to whom it is due. 

 Yet, through the years and the Westernized version of the Faith, we have fashioned traditions and concepts about government that extend the intent of the Word. For generations, religious tradition has preached that Christians are required to honor and obey the government, no matter what. Believers are told to submit without question, citing verses like Romans 13:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 as proof that we must always honor and obey our rulers.

But does the Bible actually teach this? Are we supposed to honor any government, even one that is corrupt, tyrannical, or blatantly anti-God?

What about when governments pass laws that go against God’s Word? What about regimes that persecute Christians? Did the early church always submit to the governing authorities?

It’s time to rightly divide the Word of Truth and dismantle religious tradition that contradicts Scripture and historical reality.

 The idea that Christians must always honor the government is largely a Westernized interpretation of Scripture. Many American and European churches have taught this doctrine in a comfortable, democratic society where laws have generally aligned with Judeo-Christian values.

But what happens when the government becomes corrupt, oppressive, or hostile toward Christianity?

What happens when governments, like those in China, North Korea, or Islamic nations, outlaw the preaching of the Gospel and imprison believers? Are Christians still required to "honor" these rulers?

One of the most misused passages regarding government is Romans 13:1-3.

📖 Romans 13:1-3 (KJV)
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil…"

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." —Romans 13:1 (NKJV)

🔹 What the Greek and Context Actually Reveal:

The word “appointed” (Greek: tassō, τάσσω) means arranged, set in order.
✔ This does NOT mean every ruler’s actions are God’s will.
✔ God establishes government as an institution—but He does NOT ordain every leader’s wickedness.
✔ If every government were truly God's will, then Hitler, Stalin, and Mao were God’s “chosen instruments.” That is absurd!

🔹 "Subject" (ὑποτασσέσθω - hypotassesthō) – This word means to arrange under but does not imply blind obedience. It is also used in Ephesians 5:21, which tells believers to submit to one another. Does that mean a wife should submit if her husband tells her to sin? No! Submission in the Bible is always within the boundaries of God’s will.

🔹 "Ordained" (τεταγμέναι - tetagmenai) – This word means arranged or set in place. It does not mean that every single government leader is personally chosen by God. Rather, God has established the principle of government, but He does not endorse every ruler or policy.

🔹 "Rulers are not a terror to good works" (Romans 13:3) – If a government is punishing good and rewarding evil, it is acting contrary to God’s intent for government! This passage assumes a just government, not one that persecutes believers.

🔹 Tradition says this means ALL governments are God-ordained, and resisting them is sinful.

🔹 Reality: Paul is talking about just governments that punish evil and promote good.

If Romans 13 applied to ALL governments, that would mean:

✅ God ordained Hitler, Stalin, and Mao to commit mass genocide.
✅ Resisting a government that murders Christians would be a sin.
✅ Corrie Ten Boom and the family of Anne Frank were sinful for hiding Jews during the Holocaust.
✅ Peter and John were in rebellion against God when they refused to stop preaching.

Clearly, this interpretation is nonsense.

Paul’s Actual Point in Romans 13:

🔸 He was speaking to believers in Rome under a corrupt, pagan empire.
🔸 He emphasized that Christians should not be anarchists or violent rebels trying to overthrow the government.
🔸 Submission in context means being lawful citizens—NOT blind obedience to tyranny.

🚨 Paul himself defied government authorities when they opposed God’s law!

✅ He rebuked corrupt leaders (Acts 23:3).
✅ He wrote most of his letters from prison—because he was imprisoned for disobeying government orders!

👉 If Romans 13 meant absolute submission, Paul should have just obeyed Rome and stopped preaching! Clearly, this passage is not teaching blind obedience to evil rulers.

💡 If Romans 13 means Christians must honor and obey all governments, then early believers should have obeyed Nero when he burned Christians alive. They should have renounced their Faith and no longer be Christian. That was the Law and words of Nero. 

What About 1 Peter 2:13-14?

📖 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NKJV)
"Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers..."

🔹 Does this mean we submit to ANY law, no matter how wicked?
🔹 No—Peter is speaking of governments that punish evil and reward good.

Peter himself disobeyed the authorities in Acts 5 when they commanded him to stop preaching.

💡 If 1 Peter 2 meant absolute obedience to government, then Peter was a hypocrite for defying the authorities in Acts 5.

Clearly, Peter’s words do not mean blind obedience.

1 Peter 2: Honor the King? What Does That Really Mean?

Another commonly misquoted passage is 1 Peter 2:17:

"Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." —1 Peter 2:17 (NKJV)

🔹 Religious Tradition Says:
👉 "See? The Bible says we must honor government leaders, no matter who they are!"

🔹 What the Greek Actually Says:
The word “honor” (Greek: timaō, τιμάω) means to show proper respect—not to blindly obey or support.

✔ We "honor" rulers by recognizing their position—but that does not mean endorsing their evil.
✔ The same passage says, "Fear God."
✔ If a ruler contradicts God’s law, we obey God first, not them! (Acts 5:29)

🚨 Honoring a leader does not mean obeying their wickedness!

Example:
🚨 In Nazi Germany, should Christians have “honored” Hitler by obeying his laws? Should they have turned over Jews to be exterminated?
🚨 In communist China, should believers “honor” the government by handing over fellow Christians? Should they reveal where the underground churches meet?

 The Bible is full of righteous defiance against corrupt government orders:

✅ The Hebrew Midwives (Exodus 1:17-20) – They DISOBEYED Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew babies, and God rewarded them.
✅ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18) – They REFUSED to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, even under threat of death.
✅ Daniel (Daniel 6:10) – He continued PRAYING despite King Darius’ decree.
✅ The Apostles (Acts 5:27-29) – They refused to stop preaching and boldly declared, "We must obey God rather than men!"
✅ The Magi (Matthew 2:12) – They DISOBEYED King Herod and did not report back to him.

🚨 If the concept “Christians must always honor government” were true, then these people would have been in rebellion against God. But the Bible calls them righteous and faithful!

 I must note one sensitive topic in highlighting this relationship between Christians and government; the 2020-2021 COVID lockdowns and mandates. Days before the lockdowns ensued I warned fellow church leaders in the church I was a part of that government is not to be trusted to deal justly with the Church. I received push back due to this same religious tradition, I was not honoring the government.

 2020 and 2021 exposed how quickly governments overreach their power.

• Pastors were arrested for holding church services while liquor stores, bars and abortion clinics remained open.
• Christians were fined for worshiping, while violent protesters were praised for gathering in massive crowds.
• Believers were mocked for standing for religious freedom, while lawless rioters were called heroes.

Was this "honoring" government?

The Bible never commands us to submit to laws that silence worship or criminalize faith. Peter and John refused to obey government in Acts 5.

📖 Acts 5:29 (NKJV)
"But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

When the state commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, we must peacefully disobey. 

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, many believers who had once boldly proclaimed God’s promises of protection and healing suddenly found themselves paralyzed by fear. Churches that had long preached faith, healing, and redemption closed their doors without hesitation. Some remained locked down for nearly two years, not because of wisdom, but because fear had taken hold.

Psalm 91—God’s promise of divine protection—had been a source of encouragement for many, yet when the moment of testing came, some who once declared “no plague shall come near my dwelling” (Psalm 91:10 NKJV) were the first to retreat into isolation. Faith took a backseat to government mandates. The church, which is meant to be the light of the world, instead followed the world’s lead, embracing caution over confidence in God’s Word.

This isn’t to suggest that wisdom has no place or that Christians should be reckless. But the reality is, many were quick to submit to the government’s restrictions on worship while turning a blind eye to the blatant double standards. Big box stores, Bars, liquor stores, and abortion clinics remained open while churches were deemed "non-essential." Peaceful Christian gatherings were banned, while riots and protests were permitted without restriction. Yet instead of resisting, many in the church shamed those who dared to gather, labeling them "irresponsible" or "unloving."Believers should have stood together, instead of rebuking their own brethren for "not honoring the government.

Final Verdict: "Christians Must Honor Government" is a False Concept

✅ We honor righteous authority.
✅ We submit where submission does not contradict God's Word.

✅ But we never honor, obey, or submit to evil.

In summation of this brief study, what should we do as Christians?

✅ Pray for religious freedom. (1 Timothy 2:2)

✅ Pray for boldness to speak the truth. (Acts 4:29)

✅ Resist laws that contradict God’s Word. (Acts 5:29)

✅ Obey God over man when forced to choose. (Daniel 3 & 6)

✅ Respect government when it is fulfilling its God-ordained role (Romans 13:3-4).

✅ Disobey any law that contradicts God’s Word (Acts 5:29).

✅ Expose evil rulers and hold them accountable (Ephesians 5:11).

✅ Pray for righteous leadership and the restraint of wickedness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

Rightly Dividing Christianity and Government: Praying for leaders?

 

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. 2 Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. 3 You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you. Romans 13:1-3 Voice (see commentary note)

 As Christians, we are instructed to live peaceably with all people. We are given guidance on how to conduct our lives practically. One arena where religious tradition and cultural influence abound is the relationship between Christians and government. There are two areas of relationship between Christianity and government,  the roles of prayer and giving honor. 

 Prayer for leaders comes from the words of Paul in his Epistle to Timothy. For years, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 has been used to promote the idea that Christians must pray for their national leaders' wisdom, success, and well-being—no matter how wicked they are. Many have taken this passage as a command to pray for presidents, kings, and rulers without question, assuming that such prayers must always be for their blessing and guidance.

But is that really what Paul was saying? Is this passage about supporting leaders, or is it about something else entirely? Let’s examine the text carefully, without religious tradition clouding our understanding.

I exhort then, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men; 2including kings and all who are in high station, in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 WEY 

 First, this passage instructs us to offer prayers for all people, not just leaders. Then, he mentions kings and rulers, proving that this was not primarily the focus. Praying for rulers becomes a secondary issue, not the entire focal point of this passage. 

🔹 Tradition says: "This passage is about praying for political leaders."
🔹 The text actually says: "Pray for all men, and that includes kings too."

  What is the purpose of offering prayers for rulers and kings? Paul explicitly states what the purpose is; 
"in order that we may live peaceful and tranquil lives with all godliness and gravity"

 🔹 The goal is not for leaders to become righteous, make wise decisions, or govern justly.
🔹 The goal is that believers can live in peace and practice their faith without persecution.

This means we are not required to pray for the prosperity, wisdom, or success of leaders—especially if they are pushing wicked agendas. Instead, our prayers should focus on ensuring that we can live in peace, free to serve God without interference. 

 What is the main theme of the Scripture? The Scarlett thread that is Jesus, the Redeemer of mankind, is woven throughout every book in God's Word. The Gospel is the primary directive! Paul is exhorting prayers be made so the Gospel can flow unhindered no matter where Christians reside. 

 Is the Word of God a handbook of political affiliations? Is the Word telling believers to be champions and cheerleaders of all governmental leaders, with no exceptions? Is Paul saying to pray for the success, wisdom, and overall "administration" of Nero? This is what the commentaries, the majority of churches, ministries, and believers claim Paul was saying. 

 What About Believers Under Tyrants?
If Christians lived under Hitler, Stalin, Mao, or Pol Pot, were they supposed to pray for those dictators’ wisdom and success? Of course not.

🔹 They were to pray that they could live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.
🔹 They were NOT commanded to pray for the well-being of an evil ruler who was murdering millions.

Clearly, this passage was never meant to endorse praying for wicked leaders to thrive. But what about modern-day democracies? Does this command change when leaders are elected rather than ruling as dictators?

Many pastors have wrongly taught that 1 Timothy 2:1-2 means we must pray for a Prime minister/President’s success and wisdom—even if their policies oppose God’s Word.

But if a leader promotes abortion, sexual immorality, tyranny, and anti-Christian laws, should believers really be praying for their success? Absolutely not.
🔹 We should pray that their ability to push evil is restrained.
🔹 We should pray that righteousness prevails over their wicked agendas.
🔹 We should pray that God raises up leaders who will allow us to live in peace and spread the Gospel freely.

This is completely different from asking God to "bless" or "give wisdom to" a leader who has already rejected Him.

 For too long, American Christians have been the ones propagating this idea. They live comfortably in a Constitutional Republic and interpret passages concerning Christians and government with a Western mindset. A mindset of a citizen where religious freedom is woven into the fabric of the founding of the nation. 

  The problem with tradition, it creates inconsistencies in thinking and practice. For instance, if believers are praying that abortion would end, yet in the next breath they pray for a leader/president who advocates abortion without restrictions to succeed, to flourish, then their prayer is counterproductive.

  What should we be praying for then? Traditionally, some use this passage to claim we can't pray for unrighteous leaders to fail in their plans, to be removed from office legally through righteous means, and for their policies not to be implemented. 

 So What Should We Pray for Leaders?
Based on 1 Timothy 2:1-2, here’s what we should be praying:
✅ That governments would allow religious freedom and peace.
✅ That wicked rulers would be restrained from pushing evil.
✅ That believers can spread the Gospel without interference.
Nowhere does this passage command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or prosperity.

 The Early Church’s Perspective
🔹 The early Christians never prayed for Nero’s success.
🔹 Instead, they prayed for boldness to preach despite persecution (Acts 4:29).
🔹 They prayed for deliverance from evil men (2 Thessalonians 3:2).
🔹 They prayed that the Gospel would not be hindered (Colossians 4:3).

Conclusion: Time to Rethink This Tradition
🔥 1 Timothy 2:1-2 does NOT command believers to pray for a leader’s wisdom, success, or moral behavior.
🔥 The focus is on creating conditions where believers can live in peace and serve God freely.
🔥 Paul wrote this under a brutal emperor, meaning this is NOT about supporting leaders or endorsing their actions.
🔥 Christians under oppressive regimes (e.g., Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, or Communist China) were NOT commanded to pray for their leaders’ success—only that they could live freely in faith.

It’s time to stop blindly accepting the traditional misinterpretation of this passage. The Bible never tells believers to pray for the success of wicked rulers. Instead, we pray for peaceful conditions so we can live godly lives.

That means we can pray for:
✅ Freedom to preach the Gospel.
✅ Righteous leaders to be raised up.
✅ Wicked rulers to be restrained.
But we do not have to pray for the success of leaders who oppose God.

It’s time to break free from religious traditions and stand on what the Bible actually teaches. The Church must stop praying passive, misguided prayers for wicked leaders to 'prosper.' Instead, we must pray with purpose: that the Gospel may run freely, that wicked rulers be restrained, and that righteousness would rise in every nation.

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Abundance of Grace: True Repentance

 

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 The Gospel is the Grace of God revealed in Christ. It is the Grace pledged in and through Jesus' once for all redemptive work. Paul tells us in order to reign in life we must receive His abundant Grace. 

 Grace is the Gospel, and we are admonished to receive an abundance of this Grace. Therefore, continually hearing and feeding on the Word of Christ is an essential element of victorious Christian living. We joyfully receive His abundance of Grace in our lives. We can never do enough to earn or achieve any favor from God.

 Since Grace is the Gospel, it is essential that we understand it and contend for its truth to be preserved. Paul warns us about polluting or corrupting the Gospel message with works and mixtures. Today, I want to expose and examine one such perversion of the Gospel: the man-made definition and concept of repentance.

 Repentance has been a source of controversy and debate for many years. Religious tradition defines it as turning away from sin, changing directions, ceasing from sin, and some go so far as to say that if you sin the same sin, you never really repented, and thus, your sin has not actually been forgiven.

 Religious tradition defines God as an impatient, harsh, and demanding despot who is daily displeased with us. He isn't long-suffering but rather easily provoked. He makes a list and checks it continually to see how often we sin and whether or not we repeat the same sin so He can ascertain whether we should be forgiven of our sins. 

 Let's define repentance and begin to dismantle this religious tradition. Repentance is from the Greek word metanoia. It simply means to change one's mind. Now, tradition has engrained and indoctrinated the masses to believe that repentance is all about sin, claiming that the object of repentance is sin. They claim we are commanded to repent of our sins throughout Scripture. 

Brace yourself for this truth bomb: the phrase “repent of your sins” is nowhere to be found in the Bible. That’s right—religious tradition has been preaching a concept that Scripture itself never explicitly teaches. Repentance is not about sin. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about who God is and what He has done for you.

    Now, many religious, traditional-minded ones will scream heresy! Let's rip the mask off religious tradition: the Bible never says, “Repent of your sins.” That phrase so often hurled from pulpits to heap guilt on believers, doesn’t exist in God’s Word. Repentance is not about groveling over your sins or proving your worth through changed behavior. It’s about changing your mind—specifically about God—and turning to Him in faith.

 Acts 3:19 makes it clear: “Repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” It’s not “fix yourself,” but “fix your eyes on Him.  When Peter preached, he didn’t say, “Repent of your sins.” He said, “Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.

 Let’s be clear: the object of repentance is not your behavior or your failures—it’s God. Repentance is about seeing God as He truly is—loving, good, and full of grace—and placing your trust in Him. Sin is dealt with not through your efforts, but through the finished work of Jesus Christ. If we keep teaching repentance as behavior modification, we’re reducing the Gospel to a self-help program. 

This false idea that repentance focuses on sin has warped the Gospel into a man-made effort instead of God’s divine gift. The religious message of “clean up your life to be accepted by God” is not the Gospel—it’s bondage. The real Gospel proclaims that Jesus has already dealt with sin, once and for all. Repentance isn’t about your works; it’s about receiving His. It’s about abandoning the lie that God’s acceptance is tied to your performance and embracing the unshakable truth that His love and grace are more than enough.

If you’re clinging to the idea that repentance means fixing your sins before you come to God, it’s time to let that lie die. It’s not just wrong—it’s a perversion of the Good News. True repentance is turning from unbelief to belief, from trusting in yourself to trusting in Jesus. Anything less is religion; anything more is Grace.

 Religious tradition have created so many confusing doctrines and concepts in the Church by not actually reading the texts in their context. They also read into certain texts their preconceived notions and ideas about God and then go around proclaiming them as the Gospel message. If it's "the gospel," and you don't concur and accept what they say, well, then you're just some heretic preaching a false gospel. No, we are just staying with what God actually said, we stay with truth not tradition. 

In summation, remember The phrase “repent of your sins” is NOT in the Bible. Search the Scriptures from cover to cover, and you won’t find it. What you will find is a religious system that has hijacked repentance, twisting it into a works-based effort to grovel, weep, and self-punish over sins, as if that could ever earn forgiveness. The religious notion that repentance requires groveling over every failure or performing penance is nothing more than human tradition, and it’s a slap in the face of God’s grace. Jesus bore the full penalty for sin. He said, “It is finished.”

 Let’s stop preaching repentance as an obsession with sin and start preaching it as an invitation to life, freedom, and intimacy with God. Repentance isn’t about you cleaning yourself up—it’s about seeing the One who already made you clean. It’s not about guilt—it’s about grace. It’s not about your works—it’s about His.

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Abundance of Grace: More than enough or too much?

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17 NKJV

For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 WEY

 How much Grace is enough? Is there such a thing as too much Grace? Is it possible to get "out of balance" with Grace? Is there too much focus on Grace and not enough on Christians "doing"?

 My instant response to these questions is to remember that Jesus is the person of Grace. Jesus is God's will in action. Jesus is the Father's expressed perfect will. We know God is always God and wants our good because we see Jesus demonstrate this during His earthly ministry.

 My initial response is too much, Grace? How can we have too much of Jesus? The religious-minded say they don't think we can have too much of Jesus but that Grace people only focus on a part of Jesus' life and ministry. Critics, in essence, say the "Grace message" focuses only on Jesus as Savior, not on Him being Lord!

 Religious tradition's concept of Jesus' Lordship is that of an austere taskmaster. He will subjugate and demand obedience or unleash trouble and turmoil in one's life. Religion's concept of Lordship means He places burdensome rules, regulations, and requirements on our lives. 

 Jesus' Lordship is not about our performance or behavior. Jesus' Lordship is about who He is and what His triumphant work of Redemption accomplished. Because of His Finished Work, He is Lord of all creation, all the powers of darkness, and over the curse. 

 Jesus is Lord over healing and wholeness. Jesus is Lord over prosperity and provision and blessing. Jesus is Lord over deliverance and freedom. He is Lord of all! Jesus' Lordship recognizes who He is, what He accomplished, and what He is doing today through the power of the Word and the Holy Ghost. 

 Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright lives (Titus 2:11-12). It transforms us from the inside out, making true holiness possible—not through rules or fear, but through a relationship with the One who has already made us holy. To embrace grace is to embrace the fullness of Jesus, and to suggest it’s ‘too much’ is to misunderstand the Gospel entirely. Grace isn’t just enough—it’s more than enough because it’s the unending, all-sufficient gift of Jesus Himself.

 Again this Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and the desires the world seeks after. These are not the Lord creating rules, but maximizing our life here. Adultery, addictions, and abusing our bodies with chemical substances have lingering consequences that dishonor the Lord and impact our personal lives negatively. 

Remember God isn't punishing us for our sins. Jesus paid the price in full with His precious shed blood. We have been forgiven of all our sins past and present and future. Our sins are already forgiven. God isn't imputing sins to the Righteous ever again. To claim God is punishing a believer for sin is to disregard and make nothing of Jesus' Finished Work.

 I can understand staying centered and not wrongly teaching truths from the Scriptures. For instance, teaching healing is good, but is wrongly applied if we tell people to never go to a doctor. That said, we can never over-emphasize Grace or have too much Grace.

 We can never over-emphasize Faith. Faith is how the believer lives. Faith is how we please God. Grace can never be over-emphasized. Grace is the person of Jesus. Grace is the Gospel of Christ. We are saved by Grace through Faith. These truths of God can never be over-emphasized.

 I liken this whole over-emphasis argument to the human anatomy. Can you imagine a physician saying you are focusing too much on your heart? The body needs the brain, the lungs, the kidneys, the heart, etc to live healthy and sustain life. So it is in Christ. We need Faith, we need Grace, we need Love, we need hope in order to live, spiritually speaking. 

 When religious tradition claims we focus too much on grace, it reveals a fundamental misunderstanding: Grace isn’t a doctrine to balance—it’s the person of Jesus Christ. Grace is the Gospel itself. Can we ever have too much of Jesus, the One who embodies grace and truth? To say there’s 'too much grace' is to undermine the very essence of the Good News and the life-transforming power it carries. Grace isn’t just sufficient—it’s everything.

Living the Victorious Christian Life: Established in the Gift of Righteousness

But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 corinthians 15:57 AMPC

But thanks be to God, who is always leading us in triumph in · Christ, and through us is making known the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 MOUNCE

 Winning, who gets tired of winning? Seeing your team or favorite athlete win stirs excitement and jubilation. I have some good news. In Christ, we have already won the victory.

 We have been delving into the truths we must know to walk in victory this side of Heaven. We have seen how wisdom, hope, Faith, and understanding the creative power of words assures us victory. Today, I want to continue and look at a vital truth for believers to walk in continuous victory.

  For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:17 NASB

For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Romans 5:17 AMPC

 When we receive of the Gift of Righteousness, we will reign in this life as a King. What does a king do? He rules and reigns. He stands upright and fearless not shrinking back with fear or timidity.

 What is Righteousness? Righteousness is God's beautiful and perfect gift that gives permanent right standing with the Father. It is that gift where one can stand in the presence of the Father without any sense, feeling, or impression of fear, guilt, shame, or inferiority. It is that gift where we have been accepted and approved by the Father. It is that gift David himself spoke of, where sin is never again imputed to us. 

 That is, no sin we commit is charged to our account. This gift brings non-imputation of sin. This is why Paul tells us in Romans 5:17 that those who receive abundant Grace and receive OF the Gift of Righteousness reign as Kings in this life. We must receive of this Gift of Righteousness to benefit from it.  

 When we receive of this gift we walk in peace. Romans 5:1 tells us we have peace with God because we are declared Righteous. The work of Righteousness is peace. Peace brings us to a place of certainty and surety.

 Peace brings rest to our souls. We have the confident assurance we are loved by our Father. It brings security, anchoring us in the ever-present reality of abiding in Him, and He will never let us go or forsake us.

 Receiving Righteousness reminds us that we are accepted and approved by God. This is all because of His Righteousness, not our performance. Often, we engage in all kinds of activity to gain a sense of acceptance or approval. 

 When we receive of the Gift of Righteousness we begin to understand we don't have to do something to become approved. We begin to come to God based on Christ's work, not our own. We can come to our Father knowing He is always pleased with us.

When we receive of this Gift of Righteousness, we will not cower under the pressure of condemnation, accusation, and guilt. We will walk free from the lies of the enemy. The enemy accuses us of never measuring up and says we need to do more to gain God's approval.

 The beauty of receiving of the Gift of Righteousness is that we hold on to the truth that we are already accepted, approved, and pleasing to the Father, all because of Jesus. We can't become more loved, more approved, or more accepted. Our actions, deeds, and performance don't make us more approved or loved by our Father. The Father is already pleased with Jesus' Finished Work; what more can we add to a finished work? 

 How do we then receive of this gift? We receive of this Gift of Righteousness by Faith alone. We can't earn it, we can't work for it, and we can't eventually achieve it. It is a gift, a free gift, and a gift can only be received. 

 If we can earn it, achieve it, or work for it, then it is no longer a gift but a wage earned. Righteousness is a free gift—a gift we can't work for; it is only received by Faith. To take full advantage of the gift, we must fully understand what it is, meditate on its truths, and actively lay hold of what is already ours because of Jesus. 

 Beloved, remember righteousness is not something you earn, but a gift you receive. It’s a divine exchange—Christ took your sin and gave you His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Imagine standing before God, completely unashamed, fully confident in His love for you. That’s the reality of righteousness in Christ.

Today, make this truth your anchor. Declare boldly, 'I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I reign in life because of His abundant grace and righteousness!' Watch as this revelation transforms your walk with God, bringing peace, joy, and victory every day

  In summation, receiving wisdom, His wisdom, clinging to hope, walking by Faith, speaking in agreement only with Christ's redemptive work, all that He provided for us through Grace, and receiving of the Gift of Righteousness is how to walk in victory. This is the victorious life in Christ. 

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