Christian Living

The Pursuit of Lasting Happiness

bduval — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:49:30 +0000

The Pursuit of Lasting Happiness bduval Tue, 01/16/2024 - 19:49

The Pursuit of Lasting Happiness

2023-02-01

Gerald E. Weston

Does it ever seem like the struggle for happiness eclipses the more profound endeavor of man’s search for meaning and purpose? Separating one from the other is where we go wrong.

A wise and wealthy king—the wisest and wealthiest of his day—sought to find the secret to a happy life. He searched for it in wine, women, and song—and so much more. Comedians? Musicians? He could bring the most skilled before him at his whim. He immersed himself in books, gaining knowledge and wisdom, and he did not fail to learn by his observation of others. There was virtually nothing out of his reach in the physical realm. He said to himself,

“I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove…. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds…. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor (Ecclesiastes 2:1–6, 8, 10).

If possessions and wealth can buy happiness, certainly this king must have been the happiest man who ever lived. But was he? Here is his answer: “Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). He no doubt enjoyed the accomplishments and thrills of life, but still saw that all were futile in the end.

But surely it would be different if you were in King Solomon’s shoes! Is this not what many think? We often hear people say that money won’t buy happiness, but they conduct their lives as if it will. Consider the popularity of state-run mega-lotteries—the bigger the prize, the more money invested by hordes of hopefuls.

People attempt to satisfy their every hunger and thirst, just as Solomon did, but in the end are left empty and thirsty. Some live to play golf. Others live for the weekend to support their favorite team. Others love to “party hearty.” Still others accumulate wealth beyond what they could ever need. Then there are those who thirst for popularity or power. There is temporary pleasure in many things, but in the end, as Solomon observed in himself, no mortal pleasure satisfies forever. And hanging over the head of us all is the inevitable grave!

Solomon is not the only Bible figure who saw the futility of mortal life. The prophet Isaiah observed that it is man’s nature to chase after the fleeting wind of happiness. To those who strive for happiness through acquisition and temporal pleasures, he counsels, “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:1–2).

What is it that brings the happiness so many want—and that so many fail to find?

Solomon pointed to a life of work that lets us enjoy the fruits of our labor and care for the well-being of others. “I know that nothing is better for [man] than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God” (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13). But this cannot be the complete answer, as eating, drinking, and rejoicing will all come to an end someday—which is the very lesson Solomon wanted to impart!

Solomon wrote from the perspective of the mortal man. If there is no life after death, then whether one is good or evil, wise or foolish, the same end still comes. “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived that the same event happens to them all. So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 2:14–15).

Does this mean Solomon saw no hope beyond the grave? On the surface, that seems to be the case:

For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun…. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:5–6, 10).

BUT IS DEATH THE END?

Solomon understood something that too few realize: Our mortality is an important part of how God is working with us. “I said in my heart, ‘Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.’ For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity. All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust” (Ecclesiastes 3:18–20).

Yes, God is testing each of us. He wants us to realize that life is temporary, but that—as Solomon clearly understood—it is not the end. “I said in my heart, ‘God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work’” (Ecclesiastes 3:17). We see this message repeated throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon recognized that our conduct during this mortal life does matter. “Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 8:12). And in one of the best-known passages, he counsels the next generation, “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9).

Solomon’s words are important. They cut to the heart of what we value. They contrast the choice of personal, selfish desire with the choice to look to something greater than the here and now. Isaiah addresses our need to act while there is time, and the importance of God’s grace for those wise ones who turn away from living only for today.

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live…. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:2–3, 6–7).

Solomon concludes his lesson with a warning that God judges our actions. “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14). Let us all heed that warning!

Lies Abound...

bduval — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 19:23:43 +0000

Lies Abound... bduval Thu, 08/04/2022 - 19:23

Lies Abound...

2019-07-01

J. Davy Crockett III

Is honesty the best policy?

Today, truth seems elusive as opposing political parties trade strident accusations of “Lies! All lies!” Popular media outlets proclaim “Breaking News!” with each raucous new charge and countercharge. Respected government agencies fire top officials for tarnishing their reputations and damaging their credibility.

Locally, states and municipalities have seen streams of elected officials convicted of ethics violations. Perjury—lying under oath—is a serious crime that has brought many down from trusted roles. In academia, students, teachers, and administrators cheat, mishandle expenses, and engage in recruiting violations ad nauseam.

Honesty is not merely the “best policy”—it is the only policy that works in the long run! Lying, half-truths, innuendo, and gossip ruin individuals, families, businesses, and even entire countries. With dismay, we see it happening around the world. Why?

Clearly, the lack of basic moral instruction—at home and in all levels of education—is bearing a crop of immoral briars and brambles, not the wholesome fruit of honesty and integrity.

Yet there is another source of oft-unrecognized falsehood. You may be surprised at the lack of honesty and integrity woven into mainstream Christian belief. Most major denominations and worldwide Christian-professing organizations teach that Jesus Christ has replaced or abolished God’s Ten Commandments given at Sinai and that Christians are effectively without obligation to obey them. Many acknowledge those commandments as sound moral “principles,” but not as a solid and definitive basis for Christian conduct.

Examples of this departure from biblical instruction are many. The Fourth Commandment states, “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Scripturally, the Sabbath should be observed from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. Yet most of mainstream Christianity observes Sunday as the day of worship. Similarly, though the Second Commandment prohibits using idols to represent God, many churches around the world ignore this and display pictures, statues, icons, or relics as a part of their worship.

THE TRADITIONS OF MEN

As the ancient Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God warned them, “…do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way…. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:30–32). Through the centuries, pagan traditions such as those tied up with Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day filtered into the practices of most mainstream Christians and their churches, even as these churches gradually abandoned the Holy Days that God actually commanded, found in Leviticus 23.

The Apostle John made it very plain: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3–4). This statement corresponds well with Jesus Christ’s instructions in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” To the disciples, He said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10).

In both the public square and church buildings, truth is often missing. Party ideology has replaced true concern for the governed. Man-made religious traditions have replaced biblical truths.

You cannot fix the political dysfunction or reform the entrenched religious establishment, but you can “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). How does one go about this profound life change? By embracing those truths that others reject.

By making obedience to God’s truth a priority, you can be freed from the lies and deception that dominate this age—because “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Three Reasons Why The Nuclear Family Is Fundamental To Society

bduval — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:16:20 +0000

Three Reasons Why The Nuclear Family Is Fundamental To Society

bduval Wed, 08/03/2022 - 17:16

2020-05-15

Jonathan Riley

The nuclear family is the single most important institution in any society. Without it, our very existence would quickly become jeopardized. Yet there are some who are attempting to break down the family and by doing so, their efforts are an attack on humanity. Here are three reasons why the family unit is fundamental to society.

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Christian Living

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Does Character Matter?

bduval — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:18:24 +0000

Does Character Matter?

bduval Wed, 08/03/2022 - 13:18

2018-05-16

Michael Heykoop

With the sudden increase of sexual harassment claims against influential personalities, the question must be asked: “How did individuals of such low character come to prominence in the first place?”

In watching politics, I often find myself amazed at how quickly an individual accused of just about anything can be vilified. The ink barely has time to dry on most stories, or whatever the equivalent saying would be for tweets, and then countless politicians declare their outrage at how shameful and immoral the accused is. It appears innocent until proven guilty has given way to the immediate ostracizing of anyone accused of wrongdoing. Of course, that is if the accused is a member of the opposing political party. Does character matter anymore?

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Biblical Principles of Health

bduval — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:47:04 +0000

Biblical Principles of Health bduval Mon, 06/20/2022 - 14:47

Biblical Principles of Health

Douglas S. Winnail

Booklet Media

Modern science continues to validate the health laws of the Bible. God’s word points the way to a healthier life for all who are willing to learn!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THIS BOOKLET

Douglas S. Winnail earned his Ph.D. in Anatomy & Preventative Medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and his M.P.H. in Health Education, Nutrition & International Health at Loma Linda University School of Public Health. He is an Evangelist with the Living Church of God in Charlotte, North Carolina, and serves as the Church’s Director of Church Administration, working with ministers around the world.

The information in this booklet cannot replace a personal, one-on-one relationship with a qualified health professional. However, the Bible is a long-neglected resource for health and nutrition, and Dr. Winnail has dedicated much of his life to educating people about the wisdom it contains. Over the last four decades, he has instructed the students of several colleges and universities on the subjects of health and wellness, providing many of the very insights collected in this work.

It is our hope that this booklet will inspire you to begin including God’s word as you make your own decisions about health, diet, and lifestyle.

PREFACE

CHOICES WITH CONSEQUENCES: HOW DO WE APPROACH HEALTH?

Is good health a matter of “luck”? Or can individuals make decisions that can improve the quality of their lives—and even extend their lives?

In the opening chapters of the book of Genesis, we read that God planted many trees in the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. He called their attention, however, to two trees in particular. They symbolized two very different ways of life (Genesis 2:9), each with the ability to profoundly influence all of human history. We read that God let Adam and Eve choose between these two different ways of life (Genesis 2:16–17). Sadly, influenced by Satan, they made a fateful decision that has had far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. The Tree of Life represented obedience to God and embracing His way of life, outlined in the laws and instructions found in the Bible. The consequence of choosing that option is blessings of every kind. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil pictures humanity’s choice to follow human reasoning apart from God’s guidance. Adam and Eve chose that second tree, rejecting God’s way of life in favor of a path that leads to pain, suffering, and disease—consequences that inevitably result when human beings accept Satan’s deadly influence.

Moses emphasized these same choices to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. He said, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20). God’s way of life involves obedience to His laws and instructions, but Moses also warned that ignoring or disobeying God’s instructions would result in suffering and death. Regrettably, the Israelites chose the way that brought negative consequences—including sickness and disease!

Throughout Scripture, we find again and again the same theme of two contrasting ways of life. Ancient King David wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly… but his delight is in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 1:1–2). King Solomon stated similarly, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). Solomon also warned, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Jesus Christ taught His followers that most people choose the broad way that leads to suffering, while only a few find the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13–14). As you will discover in this booklet, the Bible and human history bear witness to a fundamental truth regarding physical health: Human beings have chosen an inadequate approach to health and disease, very different from what God originally intended for us to follow!

What you are about to read may surprise you! However, when you begin to understand and apply the simple yet powerful Bible-based principles we will discuss, you will embark on a remarkably practical path that may add years to your life, and even life to your years!

Of course, God promises no one continuously perfect health in this life—which is only temporary (Hebrews 9:27; cf. Ecclesiastes 9:11). In fact, many causes of illness and injury in this world are due to the disobedience of others and are beyond our control. As the entire world continues to reject more and more of God’s way of life, it seems as if even the environment itself is turning against us!

Yet, in the Bible, God provides us with powerful principles with the potential to make a real impact on the quality of our health—and on every aspect of our lives! As you learn more about the biblical approach to health, and put it into practice for yourself, you will be preparing for an exciting and challenging future that soon will change the whole world!

CHAPTER ONE

DISEASE: AN AGE-OLD CURSE

Why have sickness and disease been so persistent and pervasive throughout human history?

When we examine how various civilizations have dealt with health and disease, some very important lessons begin to emerge. From a public health standpoint, human history is the story of a continuing struggle against disease. Mummies from ancient Egypt and medical texts from the time of the pharaohs reveal that the ancient Egyptians suffered from many of the same diseases that currently afflict the modern peoples of Egypt: asthma, cancer, heart disease, varicose veins, epilepsy, blindness, scurvy, hepatitis, bubonic plague, and a host of parasitic diseases.

Though many ancient civilizations had armies of priest-physicians, they never succeeded in eliminating the ever-present threat of disease. But why did they fail? Was it because they lacked modern scientific information and technology, or was it because of their basic approach to the subject of health and disease?

Sadly, the picture has changed very little today. Although nations have spent billions of dollars and medical science has made enormous strides in identifying the causes of many diseases—even developing “miracle cures” and “magic bullets” to treat formerly fatal illnesses—the tragic effects of sickness and suffering still linger like a dark shadow over our modern world. We “declare war” on cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, yet they remain leading causes of death. Modern medicine has made an immense effort to eradicate malaria—a disease that helped topple the Roman Empire—yet malaria today is returning with a vengeance. Tuberculosis, once thought to be nearly eliminated in developed countries, is again spreading with the movements of people from less-developed parts of the planet. Despite massive efforts against the scourge of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), the disease continues to ravage nations and destroy lives around the globe. Parasitic diseases continue to afflict millions of people.

Is there something we have failed to see? Is there another road we have not taken—one that could lead to a better and healthier future in our struggle to overcome the scourge of disease?

SUBSTANCES AND SUPERSTITIONS

As we study thousands of years of recorded medical history, a very striking theme begins to emerge—as well as a sharp contrast. Most human societies have followed a similar approach in dealing with the problem of disease. Rather than change the behaviors that led to sickness, people sought to invoke their gods or appease them with superstitious ceremonies, sacrifices, and offerings.

Most ancient civilizations also recorded extensive lists of substances used to treat diseases. Ancient writings contain details of surgical procedures for various pathological conditions, along with spells employed by sorcerers to drive away diseases. The knowledge of their medical treatments was usually held as the exclusive domain of the priest-physicians—which kept the average person dependent on the priesthood to deal with disease. In the early Americas, this private knowledge was often passed down from father to son within the priesthood. In Egypt, medical knowledge was guarded and transmitted in schools associated with the temples. The Egyptian practice of embalming the dead before burial also gave Egyptian physicians a considerable knowledge of human anatomy. The Greek poet Homer (ca. 850 BC) wrote, “In Egypt the men are more skilled in medicine than any of human kind,” and the Greek historian Herodotus (ca. 450 BC) noted that Egypt was full of physicians and that each physician specialized in treating specific diseases—of the eye, the teeth, the stomach, and other parts of the body.¹

A comparative study of ancient civilizations around the world reveals that in addition to superstitious practices that looked to the gods for healing, such as temple sleep and wearing amulets, nearly all societies narrowly followed a treatment-oriented approach involving drugs and surgery when dealing with disease.

None of these bygone societies succeeded in eliminating the curse of sickness and disease with such a focus, yet that same approach still dominates our health-care systems today—systems that are becoming prohibitively expensive and increasingly overwhelmed as the curse of disease continues to spread around the world! While we should be grateful for the ability of modern medicine to treat disease, is it possible we are overlooking another important dimension?

ANCIENT ISRAEL: PROMOTING HEALTH AND PREVENTING DISEASE!

History provides a striking contrast in the example of a nation that was given a very different approach for dealing with health and disease. The example is that of the Hebrews and the ancient nation of Israel—described primarily in the writings of Moses, though related, additional principles can be found throughout the Bible. In contrast to their neighbors and other civilizations in the ancient world, the inspired, biblical writings of the Hebrews do not record extensive lists of drugs and substances, nor do they provide details of surgical procedures for treating diseases. Instead, the Bible provides us with fundamental principles that modern medical scientists have come to realize can play powerful roles in promoting health and preventing disease.

Various commentators throughout history have acknowledged the intent and benefit of these biblical guidelines. One scholar noted that “most of the biblical laws can be clearly seen to tend toward public health… the laws were wonderfully fashioned by God for the general health of the nation.”²

And, in further contrast to surrounding cultures, Hebrew priests did not guard these fundamental principles as their private knowledge. Instead, God told them to disseminate this vital information and make these fundamental principles public knowledge by teaching the people how they could avoid the curse of disease and live healthy lives! Israelite priests were to focus on education and prevention, not simply after-the-fact medical treatments! “Unlike their Egyptian predecessors, they avoided actual medical practice and concentrated upon the observance of health rules with regard to food, cleanliness and quarantine.”³ In fact, as medical historians plainly acknowledge, “Moses recognized the great principle that prevention of disease is usually simpler and invariably more far reaching than the cure of disease.”⁴ Moses has also been called “the greatest sanitary engineer the world has ever seen” and the public health guidelines he recorded in Leviticus “could be summed by the objects of sanitation today—pure food, pure water, pure air, pure bodies and pure dwellings.”⁵

The Bible also records that God revealed His way of life to ancient Israel so that the Hebrews would be lights and examples to the world (see Deuteronomy 4:1–10). God desired that other nations would see the Israelites’ success and want to follow their example. He did not want His laws to be the exclusive possession of Israel—they were meant to be shared with the world so other nations and peoples would be able to enjoy the benefits of this God-given way of life!

The writings of Moses—along with other biblical principles we will discuss—outline a very particular, practical approach to the subject of health and disease. The biblical approach focuses on education—the prevention of disease and the active promotion of health—instead of merely cataloging cures and treatments.

ANCIENT HEALTH LAWS AND A MODERN DILEMMA

The Bible’s laws and instructions about health pose an interesting dilemma for anyone who believes in following biblical teachings. The Bible clearly states that certain foods must not be eaten and that certain behaviors are sinful and an abomination in God’s sight. Yet professing Christian theologians have claimed for centuries that these laws were burdensome restrictions applicable only to the Jews, and that Jesus came to abolish them once and for all. Critics dismiss these ancient laws as outdated, bizarre, sometimes barbaric, and certainly no longer binding upon Christians. Yet, others who read the Bible carefully find it odd that God would command His chosen people to follow these laws and instructions for their own good (Deuteronomy 10:13), then send Jesus Christ to somehow dismiss these same laws and instructions as unhelpful and no longer necessary. Anyone with common sense can see that this just does not add up.

Many of the biblical health principles are found within the body of divinely inspired laws and statutes often referred to as the “Laws of Moses”—principles that have been the subject of considerable debate and speculation in theological circles as to their origin and purpose. Some scholars believe that Moses merely collected primitive taboos from neighboring nations to form a code of laws. Others claim that the designations of “clean” (fit for human consumption) and “unclean” (unfit for human consumption) were purely arbitrary, irrational, and unexplainable. Some speculate that unclean animals were imperfect members of their species—yet, if you told that to a pig, you would probably get a well-deserved snort of disgust! Some misguided theologians also assert that the biblical health laws have nothing to do with health, but were merely rituals designed to separate the Israelites from their pagan neighbors, and that only Jews (if anyone) need to observe these laws today. Or they simply assume these laws are relics of temple worship that are obsolete in our day. However, all these attempts to explain—or explain away—the biblical health laws are woefully inadequate and totally overlook historical, scientific, and biblical facts and observations that support very different conclusions.

It is quite informative and instructive to read what more objective reference books say about the biblical health laws. Halley’s Bible Handbook states, “Moses’ Law… including its Health and Food regulations, was far purer, more rational, humane and democratic than, and showed wisdom far in advance of, anything in ancient legislation, Babylonian, Egyptian or any other.”⁶ Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible states, “Today we are more able to understand and appreciate the sound principles of diet, hygiene and medicine which these laws express.”⁷ Commenting on Leviticus 11, the Expositor’s Bible Commentary states, “the Levitical laws of cleanness have no known extensive parallel in the surrounding cultures”—so the idea that Moses borrowed primitive taboos does not hold up, because “surrounding cultures exhibit little of this sort of law.”⁸ These are rather amazing statements!

Although some scholars mistakenly assert that God gave the biblical health laws for ritual and ceremonial reasons rather than health, the Expositor’s Bible Commentary correctly states that the “spiritual and hygienic reasons for the laws may still be affirmed. They are remarkably valuable in the area of public health… and protected Israel from bad diet, dangerous vermin, and communicable diseases…. These were rule-of-thumb laws that God gave in His wisdom to a people who could not know the reason for the provision.”⁹ Thus, the claims that these biblical health laws are outdated, old-fashioned, irrational, and have nothing to do with health are simply nonsense—biblically and scientifically groundless.

LEARNING FROM ISRAEL’S POTENTIAL AND FAILURE

But why did God record physical health laws in the Bible, which is a book of religion and not a book of medical science? When God brought the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt, He gave them laws, commandments, and statutes that would enable them to have a relationship with Him and to be blessed above all people on earth (Deuteronomy 7:14). Those laws included fundamental health laws designed to benefit them.

As we will see, Scripture clearly reveals that health is the result of learning and obeying the physical laws and principles that God designed to promote health and help prevent disease. In the Bible, sickness and disease are the result of turning away from God and ignoring and disobeying these fundamental laws and principles. Any society that understands and obeys these laws is a healthier society.

God plainly told the Israelites, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought upon the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). This same instruction is repeated in Exodus 23:22–25, where God told Israel that, among other blessings for obedience, “I will take sickness away from the midst of you” (v. 25). Again, in Deuteronomy 7, He told Israel that, “because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them… the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you” (Deuteronomy 7:12, 15). While there is certainly an element of active, divine blessing and cursing in these passages, we will see that it would be a grave mistake to assume this is the only element.

The Bible reveals plainly that God gave the Israelites His laws for their benefit (Deuteronomy 10:13). They were in no way meant to be a burden (cf. 1 John 5:2–3)—though so many have falsely been told otherwise.

In fact, God wanted other nations to learn from Israel’s way of life, as well. Among His other purposes for Israel, God wanted their example to show the world a way of life that actually worked and brought real, measurable benefits. As Moses told them concerning these laws, “Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘surely this is a wise and understanding people’” (Deuteronomy 4:6).

On the other hand, God warned Israel that if they did not obey Him, plague, fever, and wasting disease would follow, among numerous other curses (Deuteronomy 28:15–28). And, regrettably, Israel did, indeed, do just that: turn their back on the God who loved them and on the way of life He had delivered to them!

And, just as regrettably, those curses did, indeed, follow.

While many of those curses would be the result of Israel’s spiritual condition and their rejection of their Creator, the inspired words of Scripture indicate that some of the curses they experienced would simply be the natural effects of their disobedience—a matter of cause and effect. For instance, through the prophet Jeremiah, God informed Israel, “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will reprove you” (Jeremiah 2:19). Through Hosea, the Ever-Living One declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because... you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). God says that He gave Israel “the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing” (Hosea 8:12). How descriptive that is of our modern world.

The results of violating the Creator’s health laws were among the punishing effects that ancient, rebellious Israel experienced. Yet, the lessons of ancient Israel are being repeated by many today. Sadly, many people from all walks of life—including many who consider themselves Christian—view the God-given health laws of the Bible as strange and outdated ideas that are no longer relevant in our modern scientific age. Yet nothing could be further from the truth, as we will see in the chapters that follow.

CHAPTER TWO

DIETARY LAWS: DO YOU REALLY WANT TO EAT THAT?

Why did God prohibit the consumption of certain animals? Should we follow those same instructions today?

For many people today, the dietary laws regarding clean and unclean animals are among the most puzzling instructions found in the Bible. For thousands of years, these laws have been a striking mark of identity separating those who follow biblical guidelines from the rest of the world (Leviticus 20:25–26). Yet, for centuries, these same instructions have also been a source of controversy and confusion among various religious groups, even those who claim to get their beliefs from the same book—the Bible.

Perceptive scholars have recognized that these laws express God’s will and represent wise, reasonable, and beneficial measures revealing “God’s care for the health of His people.”¹ Sadly, most people today—including theologians—have little or no understanding of the sound medical reasons behind God’s instructions, because the scientific wisdom behind the biblical dietary laws is seldom taught or explained. Instead, these laws are commonly viewed as antiquated Old Testament regulations for the Jews that are no longer applicable for Christians or the general public. However, as Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible comments, “The lists of clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14… have a significance often ignored. Far from being a catalogue of food taboos based on fad or fancy, these lists emphasize a fact not discovered until late in the last century… that animals carry diseases dangerous to man.”² In fact, the same animals labeled unclean in Scripture still carry parasitic diseases that are dangerous to human beings today.

Despite these important scientific facts, many theologians and secular scholars have dismissively referred to the dietary guidelines in Leviticus and Deuteronomy as meaningless, repulsive, arbitrary, irrational ideas that originated in primitive superstitions—not in the mind of God. They have even asked, “What has all this to do with religion?”³

Scripture reveals several important reasons for the dietary laws. In Exodus, we learn that God chose the nation of Israel and set them apart for a special purpose (Exodus 19:5–6), and the dietary laws contributed to that divine purpose: “I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore distinguish between clean beasts and unclean.… And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine” (Leviticus 20:24–26). Living according to God’s divine laws should have made Israel a model nation—a light and example to the world—as nations saw the blessings they enjoyed, including blessings of good health (Deuteronomy 7:15).

As we will see, not only would the dietary laws contribute to the Israelites’ good health, they would promote wise and efficient management of environmental resources. Understood this way, the distinction between clean and unclean animals plays a role in helping us “tend and keep” the land as good stewards of God’s creation (cf. Genesis 1:28; 2:15). Indeed, to fully grasp the significance of the biblical dietary laws, we must see them in the context of God’s overall purpose for mankind.

STAY ON THE GRASS!

Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 are the primary passages in the Bible that describe the dietary laws. These chapters provide very specific information summarized in simple, easy-to-understand principles that could be applied long before the microscope was invented, and long before germ theory was proposed. Today, the discoveries of modern science are revealing just how important and practical these laws really are.

Beginning in Leviticus 11, we read that God told Moses and Aaron to inform the Israelites, “These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat” (vv. 1–3). Plant-eating mammals (herbivores) that fit this description are called ruminants. These animals have four-chambered stomachs that convert grasses that are inedible to humans and other animals into nutritious, high-quality protein products (meat and milk) that people can then use for food. Examples of clean animals would be all cattle, sheep, goats, deer, bison, moose, antelope, gazelles, caribou, and giraffes. They are all divided-hoof herbivores that obtain their food by grazing or browsing on grasses and other plants.

From the standpoint of wise environmental management, these guidelines make a lot of sense. Vast areas of the globe are covered by rangelands (savannas, veldts, and pampas), which are often called “marginal lands” because they do not have enough rainfall to support the production of food crops like corn or wheat. “Cattle, sheep and goats have the ability to convert plant carbohydrates and proteins into available nutrients for human use, making otherwise unusable land productive.”⁴

The clean animals that God permitted His model nation to eat—easily discerned by split hooves and cud-chewing—were designed to produce nutritious food in an economical and ecologically sound manner. These guidelines were a key benefit that God wanted the world to see through the example of Israel.

NO PIGGING OUT

The dietary laws regarding cud-chewing beasts also prohibit the consumption of all carnivorous animals for very logical reasons. God created unclean animals, unsuitable for human consumption, for many other purposes. Carnivores, as beasts of prey, play an important role in controlling the populations of other animals. As an example, wolves and mountain lions, which feed on herds of deer, not only control numbers, but also help maintain the herd’s health by culling out older, sick, or infirm animals. That is one reason why we should not eat carnivores—they may eat sick animals and transmit diseases to humans.

The pig or swine is specifically mentioned in Scripture as unclean and unfit to be human food (Leviticus 11:7–8; Deuteronomy 14:8). While some theologians have stated, “We do not know why the swine was forbidden,”⁵ others find numerous reasons related to ecology, economics, nutrition, and public health. In the wild, swine are often nocturnal animals that root for food. Their nighttime feeding habits would keep contact with humans at a minimum. Domesticated pigs, however, have been used for centuries as scavengers around human settlements. Having an omnivorous animal like the pig around that can put on weight rapidly by eating anything from simple grain to garbage, dead animals, and human waste products—and that can later be slaughtered and used for “food”—seemed like a pretty good arrangement to many peoples.

But is it? The similarities between human and pig digestive tracts make them ecological competitors for many of the same types of food, resulting in a great deal of corn and other grains to be diverted to feed hogs in order to satisfy society’s craving for pork, instead of feeding humans themselves more directly—and far more efficiently.⁶

But pigs are not the only animal the Bible warns us to avoid eating. Rabbits and rodents can transmit tularemia (also called rabbit fever, deerfly fever, and tick fever) to humans who come into contact with meat and body fluids from these animals. This bacterial disease is endemic in North America and across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It can also be transmitted by ticks or mosquitoes that bite an infected animal and then bite human beings.⁷

Biblical dietary guidelines also prohibit eating bats and monkeys—which have been implicated as the source of the Ebola virus that has emerged with devastating effects in equatorial Africa where both bats and primates are consumed as “bush meat.”⁸ Bats and camels have been implicated in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). In fact, consuming unclean animals such as bats, pigs, civets, and various other “exotic” but unclean animals, has been implicated in the possible origins of many modern flu epidemics and pandemics of our times, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Swine Flu, and the coronavirus that gave the world COVID-19. Virologist Michael Lai has noted, “The fact that both SARS and most flu viruses originated in southern China is no surprise,” citing the custom of those in the region to eat such wild animals. Lai highlights that SARS is suspected by some to have moved from animals to humans after first mixing with a human virus that may have been “brewing” in another animal, such as a pig.⁹

LET US NOT EAT WORMS!

Trichinosis, caused by a small parasitic roundworm that gets into muscle tissue, is one of the major diseases transmitted by swine and other unclean animals. It is a global disease infesting approximately 11 million people.¹⁰ This is not surprising, considering that pork has long been the most popular meat in the world, only recently surpassed by poultry.¹¹ On average, each American consumes more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) of pork every year.¹²

Pigs are not alone, however, and many carnivorous and omnivorous animals are infected with the parasite trichinella spiralis. In addition to pork, bear and walrus meat have both served as significant sources of infections in humans. The list of unclean animals that transmit this parasite to people in their meat includes squirrels, rats, cats, dogs, rabbits, foxes, panthers, lions, and horses.¹³ It is hardly an accident or coincidence that God prohibited the consumption of these animals.

Tapeworms (taenia), which afflict about 100 million people worldwide, are another serious health problem. While beef and fish can contain tapeworms that will colonize the human digestive tract and cause discomfort, the pork tapeworm is much more dangerous. The larva of the pork parasite, once inside the human intestine, can migrate through the tissues to the heart, eyes, and brain—and can eventually cause death.¹⁴ Pork tapeworm infections “are more prevalent in under-developed communities with poor sanitation where people eat raw or undercooked pork… in Latin America, eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.”¹⁵

Although the general medical advice for avoiding parasitic infections from animals is to adequately cook the meat, the most effective way to avoid these diseases is to avoid eating unclean animals that do not have cloven hooves and do not chew the cud—as God instructed Moses and the Israelites 3,500 years ago. If this portion alone of the biblical dietary code were applied today, the global burden of parasitic disease could be dramatically reduced within a generation!

DON’T EAT THE CLEAN-UP CREW

After dealing with edible land animals, the second major set of divine dietary instructions concerned aquatic creatures. Scripture instructs, “These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat.… Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales—that shall be an abomination to you” (Leviticus 11:9, 12).

These divinely ordained biblical guidelines were designed to point people to the safest kinds of fish to eat.

Biblically clean fish generally swim free in bodies of water. Most unclean fish are either bottom-dwellers or predatory scavengers. The prohibition against eating fish that have no scales protects against the consumption of fish that often produce poisonous substances in their bodies. A U.S. Army survival manual comments: “Most poisonous fish have many similar physical characteristics. Generally, they are odd-shaped—box-like or almost round—and have hard skin (often covered with bony plates or spines), tiny mouths, small gills, and small or absent belly fins.”¹⁶Many sea creatures noted for being venomous (e.g. four sharks, 58 stingrays, 47 catfish, 57 scorpion fish, 15 toadfish) do not have true scales.¹⁷ Eels—nocturnal predatory scavengers that eat “almost any animal food, dead or alive”—would also be considered unclean because they lack scales.¹⁸ Eel blood contains a toxic substance “which can be dangerous” if it comes “into contact with eyes or another mucous membrane.”¹⁹

Shellfish, lacking both fins and scales, are clearly excluded by the biblical dietary laws. But why would lobsters, crabs, crayfish, and shrimp—considered delicacies in much of the world—be prohibited? The answer lies in understanding the role they were designed to play in nature.

Lobsters are nocturnal foragers. They are bottom-dwelling predatory scavengers that eat dead creatures and other bottom-dwelling organisms and debris.²⁰ They are usually caught in lobster pots baited with dead fish. Lobsters have long antennae and tiny hair-like sensors all over their bodies “that can detect specific chemical molecules in the environment (released by decaying organisms), which can help the lobster identify and locate food”—even in the dark! Lobsters have also been observed to bury a dead fish and then dig it up later, at intervals, to eat a bit more of it.²¹

Crabs have been called “professional garbage hunters” as they are scavengers that eat almost anything. The crab prefers dead fish but will eat any carrion. Common shrimp live by day in the mud or sandy bottoms of bays and estuaries, but by night become active as predatory scavengers and are “bottom dwelling detritus feeders.”²²

These organisms were all created for a very important ecological purpose. They are, in essence, the “garbage collectors” or the “clean-up crew” for the bottoms of lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans. They were neither designed nor intended to be food for human beings.

DANGER ON THE HALF SHELL

There are also important and logical reasons why God created clams, oysters, mussels, and scallops, and then labeled them unclean and inappropriate for human consumption. These creatures are found in lakes, streams, and coastal areas where they perform specialized roles. As stationary filter-feeding mollusks, they pump large amounts of water over their mucus-covered gills, trapping tiny pieces of food (e.g. silt, plant debris, bacteria, viruses) which they then eat. As a result, some consider mussels and similar organisms the sea’s ultimate scavengers. Filter-feeding organisms are the “vacuum cleaners” for aquatic environments. Their role is to purify the water.

Once you understand the purpose for which God created shellfish, the reason they are considered unclean should become obvious. Most of us would be reluctant to make a meal from the contents of our vacuum cleaner bag, or from the material that collects on our furnace filter or septic tank. This well describes the role of shellfish: “Because shellfish feed by filtering the water that washes over the shellfish bed, they can accumulate disease-causing bacteria and viruses that are harmful to people.”²³

How serious is the threat of disease from shellfish? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that “raw oysters, clams and mussels—so savored by gourmets—account for 85 percent of all the illnesses caused by eating seafood.”²⁴ Outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, Norwalk virus, salmonella, and paralytic shellfish poisoning are just some of the health problems frequently linked to the consumption of these mollusks. Perhaps this is why Norwalk virus breaks out from time to time on cruise ships where these mollusks are commonly served. Public health authorities have recommended that pregnant women, the elderly and “individuals with immune systems weakened by certain diseases (cancer, diabetes, and AIDS) should… avoid eating or handling uncooked shellfish.”²⁵ Dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequences can be avoided by understanding and following the biblical dietary laws that prohibit eating marine organisms lacking fins and scales.

FROM BIRDS TO BUGS

The final groups of organisms covered by the biblical code are birds, insects, and reptiles. Essentially all the unclean fowl are either birds of prey or scavengers, like vultures and seagulls (Leviticus 11:13–19). Carnivorous birds are important in controlling populations of other animals. Their habit of eating the flesh and blood of their prey make these birds potential agents for transmitting disease. Predatory, fish-eating birds (e.g. eagles) tend to accumulate high levels of toxic chemicals in their bodies. Most of these birds are not important “food” sources for humans.

Reptiles are also among the animals listed as unfit for human food (Leviticus 11:29–30; 42–43). Regarding insects, only those from the locust and grasshopper family are permissible as food (vv. 21–23). These creatures are distinguished by having “strong hind legs for springing”26and historically have been a food source in the Middle East.

THE SKINNY ON FAT

The laws about clean and unclean animals are not the only biblical instructions that concern diet. Scripture tells us not only what animals are good for food, but what parts of the animal can be eaten and what parts cannot. The Bible plainly states that when we eat meat, we should avoid the consumption of fat and blood: “You shall eat neither fat nor blood” (Leviticus 3:17). Why would these two items be singled out? A closer look, both at the Bible and research, sheds more light.

The “fat” described in the book of Leviticus is the visceral fat around the liver, kidneys, and intestines, and may include visible fat that can be trimmed off of meat (Leviticus 3:3–16). These fats were to be burned on the altar as a sacrifice to God, and they were forbidden for human consumption (Leviticus 3:17; 7:23, 25). But why would God instruct us not to eat these fats? Is He against flavorful food? In fact, the very fats listed by name in Leviticus as forbidden are a staple of British cooking—used for savory and sweet puddings and other traditional dishes.

It is surely no coincidence that most modern medical studies indicate that diets that are high in certain kinds of fat, such as some associated with the list in Leviticus, are also associated with weight gain, obesity, heart disease, various kinds of cancer, and other problems.²⁷ And while there is some dispute about the complex details concerning which fats are good and which are bad,²⁸ the Bible’s advice is plain, easy to follow, and has been consistent for more than 3,000 years.

However, not all fat is bad. For instance, the Bible does not forbid the consumption of marbled fat within meat that gives it flavor. This “intramuscular” fat is chemically distinct from the fat that God forbids, and studies suggest it contains several healthy fatty acids not present in the forbidden fats.²⁹ In moderation, milk, cheese, butter, and yogurts can be healthful food sources, which is in harmony with the meal that Abraham and Sarah served when they were visited by their Creator (Genesis 18:6–8). Of course, the Bible does not forbid nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and (clean) fish, all of which can be sources of healthy fats.³⁰ The consistent advice given by various nutrition sources about dietary fats, even when those sources otherwise disagree, involves moderation, which is also a biblical principle (Philippians 4:5, KJV)—a principle that does not speak well of Western diets, with daily visits to fast-food establishments and their “super-size” approach to sugary sodas, mountains of fries, and fat-drenched, triple-patty burgers. Generally, biblical moderation is not on their menus.

SHOULD WE EAT BLOOD?

The consumption of blood as food is also forbidden by the biblical dietary laws (Leviticus 3:7; 7:26-27). Yet, depending on your culture, it might come as a surprise to learn that animal blood is used in preparing many traditional foods—from black pudding in the United Kingdom and blood sausage (blutwurst) in Germany and other parts of Europe, to tiê’t canh in Asia, which is a pudding made from the raw blood of animals such as pigs or ducks.

Some in the nutrition industry even advocate for the use of blood as a food, seeing it as a “wasted product” of slaughterhouses³¹—a potential “super food” and another way to profit off of the meat industry.³² However , most advocates make little mention of the health risks involved in making and consuming these blood products. In a report detailing the deaths of a number of people who had eaten tiê’t canh in celebration of Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Dr. Tran Van Ky of the Vietnam Association of Science, Technology, and Food Safety noted the deadly nature of the practice: “The blood carries many diseases from the animals. People eating raw blood from sick pigs can get swine bacteria, worms, and other digestive diseases, while those having blood from sick chicken can be infected with H5N1 or H1N1 viruses.”³³

While many theologians believe the Old Testament commands about not eating blood were only for the Jews and were done away with by Jesus Christ, first-century apostles were still instructing New Testament Christians, including Gentiles, that they should not eat blood (Acts 15:20, 28–29). As Dr. Ky noted, obeying this biblical health principle can mean the difference between life and death.

SWEETS AND STARCHES: APPLYING MODERATION AND DISCERNMENT

When it comes to the consumption of sugars and starches, the story is much the same. Our modern Western diet contains considerable amounts of these ingredients in highly refined forms—essentially stripped of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber—hence the term “empty calories.” Numerous studies have shown that regularly consuming sugar-laden soft drinks and “energy” drinks and sugary foods like breakfast cereals, cookies, candy, cakes, and similar processed foods can lead to serious health problems. Actually, the more readily available these added sugars are in our diets, the greater the risk of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.³⁴

However, many of these diseases and chronic conditions could be avoided by simply following biblical guidelines for the consumption of sugars. In the book of Proverbs, we find the principle of moderation, once again: “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit” (25:16) and “it is not good to eat much honey” (25:27). Long before society realized that the excessive consumption of sugar was harmful to our health, the Bible counseled moderation and self-control—two vital qualities recommended in other scriptures as well (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:25; Galatians 5:23).

Starches affect the body in a manner similar to sugar, and many studies have pointed to the dangers of a diet filled with refined starches and simple carbohydrates, as are found in many brands of bread found on grocery-store shelves—dangers including heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. In contrast, foods and breads that contain complex carbohydrates—less refined and using the whole grain, including its fibrous components—have been shown to reduce the risks of the same diseases.³⁵

Is it only a coincidence that God gave Ezekiel a recipe for a multi-grain bread that was made with wheat, barley, beans, lintels, millet, and spelt (Ezekiel 4:9), and not a “new and improved” bread made with bleached and refined white flour?

These biblical principles about sugars, starches, and sweets serve as guidelines to anyone interested in promoting health and preventing disease. And studies make it clear that we disobey them at our peril.

PROPER USE OF ALCOHOL

Many sincere people believe it is wrong and even sinful to drink alcohol. Yet, Paul recommended that Timothy drink a bit of wine for his upset stomach (1 Timothy 5:23), though we do not know the details of the circumstance he was addressing. And we should note that Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding feast (John 2:1–11). He would not have done this if drinking alcohol were a sin.

In past decades, temperance movements have trumpeted the evils of drinking alcohol, and some religious groups teach abstinence. Nevertheless, medical research has confirmed that consuming moderate amounts of alcohol can have beneficial effects on health for some individuals.³⁶ In some cases, people who use alcohol in healthy moderation have fewer heart attacks than alcohol abusers or total abstainers! Moderate amounts of alcohol may also elevate levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the blood, which is advantageous to health.³⁷

At the same time, today’s attitude toward alcohol has swung to the other extreme. Drinking to excess has become a norm for many in Western society, leading to inevitable, tragic consequences. But here, too, the Bible provides guidance. God’s word declares drunkenness a sin, and it is condemned throughout Scripture (Proverbs 20:1; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). Priests were forbidden to drink on the job (Leviticus 10:9) and kings were warned against it (Proverbs 31:4–5), ensuring that their judgment was not affected—just as extra care should be taken by all working in sensitive situations. How much heartache, injury, and even death could be avoided if the biblical instructions concerning moderate use of alcohol were followed?

Again, it is not surprising that the biblical instructions about the proper use of alcohol are in harmony with scientific evidence and are still applicable today. The Bible explains that we may use alcohol, but we must have the character needed to use it properly—and drinking to excess is divinely forbidden.

DID JESUS ABOLISH THE DIETARY LAWS?

As we have seen, God revealed profound principles that would protect the environment, provide safe, healthful food, and reduce the risk of disease for individuals and societies who would follow these instructions. In fact, in the case of flu viruses and pandemics such as COVID-19 that originate in unclean animals, we see that obeying or disobeying God’s health laws in one part of the globe can affect the entire world!

So, if these laws are so logical and beneficial for us, why do so-called “Bible-believing” Christians so often seem to be at the forefront of rejecting them?

Broader theological and doctrinal mistakes aside, many have misunderstood and misinterpreted some biblical passages to their own harm. A closer look at these passages reveals the truth behind some of these mistaken interpretations.

For example, in Mark 7, Jesus explained to critics why His disciples ate without following the Pharisees’ ceremonial hand-washing tradition. Some Bible translations add words to Jesus’ answer in verse 19, suggesting that He did away with the dietary laws—for example, the Revised Standard Version translates this phrase, “Thus he declared all foods clean.” However, this translation is misleading and puts words into Jesus’ mouth that He did not say! Jesus’ point was that orally ingested dirt, which is eventually eliminated, does not spiritually defile a person, since it does not enter the “heart” and influence attitudes (vv. 18–23). Dirt passes through the digestive tract and is eliminated. Some translations treat this phrase far more accurately, such as the International Standard Version, which reads verse 19 as saying, “Because it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then into the sewer, thereby expelling all foods.”

The dietary laws regarding clean and unclean animals are simply not being discussed in this chapter of Mark—nor in Matthew 15:10–20, which discusses the same event (but without the misleading translation). In fact, Matthew 15:20 plainly sums up Jesus’ teaching: “These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Some will also cite Peter’s vision recorded in Acts 10. In that vision, God showed Peter a collection of unclean animals and told him three times to “eat.” Peter declined, each time, because he believed eating those animals would be wrong (vv. 13–16). Remember, this was the same Peter, trained by Christ for three-and-a-half years, who heard Jesus’ statements regarding eating with hands unwashed in the manner of the Pharisees’ man-made traditions—yet he still believed years later that eating meat from unclean animals was wrong. Peter puzzled over the meaning of his vision (Acts 10:17) until three Gentile men came knocking at his door with a request to hear the Gospel explained (vv. 21–27). Peter would not previously have associated with these men who were outside the covenant community, because the Jews considered the Gentiles “unclean.”

When Peter put the pieces of this puzzle together, he concluded: “God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (v. 28). He perceived that God wanted the Gospel to go also to the Gentiles, and that these Gentiles were to come into God’s Church as equal to those coming from a Jewish background. Peter does not conclude here, or anywhere else in the New Testament, that the dietary laws had been abolished. To draw a different conclusion is to interpret Peter’s vision differently than Peter did, himself!

CAN WE EAT “EVERY CREATURE”?

Some theologians try to use 1 Timothy 4:1–5 to suggest that the dietary laws are no longer valid for Christians. Yet, in these verses, the Apostle Paul was discussing false teachers who were promoting the idea that Christians could be “more spiritual” by practicing asceticism and vegetarianism, abstaining from foods that God had made for us to eat. When Paul states that “every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer,” we need to ask: Where in the Bible are any creatures “sanctified” or “set apart” by God for human consumption? The answer is found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, in the lists of clean animals. And where in the “word of God” would Paul have seen unclean animals “sanctified” or “set apart” by God for human consumption? The answer is—nowhere!

Paul was not setting God’s commands aside to declare unclean animals permissible to eat. Quite the contrary: He used the word of God to correct those who were condemning believers for eating meat based on the “commandments and doctrines of men”—not based on God’s commandments (Colossians 2:21–22).

To cite these passages as an excuse to get around the biblical dietary laws is to ignore both God’s instructions and the public health benefits they bring!

Furthermore, several Old Testament passages that discuss the coming Kingdom of God make no sense if Jesus did away with the dietary laws. For example, Isaiah records a prophecy of Christ’s attitude on this subject upon His return: “For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury… For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh… Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together” (Isaiah 66:15–17).

Isaiah is plainly stating that the judgment of God will fall on those who ignore and reject His divinely inspired laws—including the biblical dietary laws of clean and unclean animals.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

One of the most regrettable consequences of professing Christianity’s aversion to the dietary laws, spawned in the turmoil of the second century AD, is that millions have suffered and died from diseases they contracted by eating food that God never intended them to eat. Somehow, the Bible’s plain, simple statement that Satan would deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9) has been overlooked or conveniently forgotten. This deception has included the belief that simple, practical, rational, and beneficial instructions about diet have been abolished and are no longer valid!

However, this will soon change. When Jesus Christ returns to the earth, there will be a restoration of “all things” (Acts 3:20–21)—and “all things” would include the Creator’s biblical dietary laws.

CHAPTER THREE

EXERCISE: A BODY DESIGNED TO MOVE

We are living in what may be the most sedentary era of human history. But our bodies were designed to move! There are benefits when we do, and we pay a price when we do not.

A major aspect of Christ’s message was that “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This is surely pointing to the promise of eternal life, but it also points to an abundant life we can enjoy today. Thousands of people have found that when they embrace the way of life God holds out to them in His word and the teachings of Jesus Christ, they do experience a more abundant life now.

Of course, many believe that they have an “abundant life” now thanks to modern inventions and the luxuries afforded to us in the twenty-first century. This is certainly true to a great extent, but it is not without irony, because we are allowing some of those modern inventions and luxuries to rob us of the truly abundant life we could be having, instead.

COUCH POTATOES PAY A BIG PRICE

Because of modern society’s shift from farming to manufacturing, and from vigorous outdoor activity to indoor leisure such as video games, television viewing, constant smartphone use, and hours daily spent on the Internet, our civilization is perhaps less active than at any other time in human history. This epidemic of inactivity has brought a decline in health and increasing rates of chronic diseases.

Many studies show that as people sit more and move less, they face a higher risk of developing various health conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, anxiety, depression, skeletal degeneration, and muscle atrophy.¹ The World Health Organization estimates that 60 to 85 percent of the global population does not get enough physical activity and says that a sedentary lifestyle contributes to 3.2 million preventable deaths a year.² Attention-getting headlines proclaim that lack of exercise is as dangerous as smoking and that teenagers in the United States are now as inactive as 60-year-old adults.³

One result of our modern “sitting disease” is undesirable weight gain and obesity—which goes hand-in-hand with inactivity. In the U.S., more than 30 percent of children and nearly 70 percent of adults are overweight or obese.⁴ Globally, nearly 2 billion adults are overweight or obese—and this figure has more than doubled since 1980.⁵ This has led public health officials to suggest that the world is facing a “pandemic”—a worldwide problem—of diseases related to physical inactivity and obesity.⁶

Children are, perhaps, the most tragic victims of our physically inactive age. Estimates suggest that nearly one-half do not get enough exercise to develop healthy hearts and lungs, and more than 90 percent have at least one major risk factor for heart disease.⁷ Television viewing, video games, poor parental examples, and the elimination of recess periods from many primary schools have all been linked to the growing problem.⁸

This sad picture—a global epidemic of inactivity linked to an increase in chronic diseases—is hardly the “abundant life” that Jesus envisioned for us.

DESIGNED TO MOVE

Such sedentary lifestyles are in conflict with the Creator’s design of the body. Everything about our human body indicates that it was designed to move! And when we don’t use our bodies the way they were meant to be used, we shouldn’t be surprised when they begin breaking down.

Wise King Solomon tells us through the ages, “Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight” (Proverbs 26:2), and the Apostle Paul mirrors that sage advice when he says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). The law of cause and effect cannot be removed from the world, and it applies to our sedentary lifestyles today. If we won’t get off the couch and use our bodies the way they were designed to be used, we can continue to expect the deteriorating condition of human health that we see on display in the statistics of our newspapers.

However, most of these diseases associated with our sedentary lifestyle could be prevented, managed, and even reversed if we resolved firmly to embrace our Creator’s design, get up, and be more active! Our present flesh-and-blood bodies are not meant to live forever (Hebrews 9:27), but if we use them in accordance with their design, we will maximize the quality and quantity of the life we can live. Even the aged and infirm who have limited mobility can still experience some benefit from doing what they can.

THE BENEFITS OF ACTIVITY

Modern research shows that the benefits of physical activity are extremely important to every age group. Physically active children and adolescents have better health, stronger bones and muscles, better sleep and mood, less stress, a stronger immune system, and reduced risk for many diseases.⁹ Physical activity that strengthens muscles and increases aerobic fitness also improves children’s thinking ability, working memory, academic performance, and self-confidence.¹⁰Active children are also less likely to engage in destructive behaviors like smoking and substance abuse.¹¹

Physically active adults have a much lower risk of developing many diseases. They enjoy stronger muscles and bones, stronger immune systems, fewer colds and sick days, lower blood pressure, better weight control, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, a more positive mental outlook, and faster healing of injuries.¹² In fact, even for those with a genetic predisposition to obesity, regular exercise seems to lower the impact of that influence by one-third.¹³ The lives of physically active people are truly more abundant—as Jesus intended!

There are also benefits for senior citizens who begin to exercise or who remain physically active to the extent they are able. They can maintain muscle mass and bone density, which helps with balance and mobility and can reduce the fear of falls and broken bones—helping them walk faster and climb stairs better.¹⁴ Regular physical activity also helps them reduce excess weight, manage stress and improve mood, and reduce the risk or effects of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.¹⁵ Physically active seniors experience less depression and have less need for expensive medical care. Their life expectancy increases and their overall quality of life improves, which enhances their sense of independence.¹⁶ Regular physical activity even appears to slow the normal aging process.¹⁷ Even those confined to beds or wheelchairs feel better if they are involved in an exercise program.

One of the most intriguing aspects of physical activity is its positive effect on the brain. People maintaining a physically active lifestyle are observed to be more mentally stable, handle stress more effectively, exhibit better mental skills (creativity, memory, math, organization, and logical reasoning), and suffer less depression.¹⁸ This appears to be related to the role of exercise in supplying more oxygen to the brain, as well as faster transmission of nerve impulses and the release of mood-elevating, pain-killing endorphins, which cause the brain to relax naturally.¹⁹

WILL WE CHANGE DIRECTION?

The closing years of the twentieth century witnessed a major effort to curb this epidemic of inactivity. More and more people began walking, running, swimming, cycling, and enrolling in exercise classes. Corporations began to develop health promotion programs for employees. There was even a proposal that the U.S. government produce warning labels (similar to those found on alcohol and tobacco products) stating, “The Surgeon General has determined that the lack of physical activity is detrimental to your health.”²⁰ Public policy experts now advocate vigorously for changes in established attitudes, habits, and behaviors, so that individuals and society may gain the benefits that regular physical activity can bring.

If we want to experience the abundant life Jesus Christ spoke of, most of us will need to change how we think, what we believe, and how we live our daily lives—including our physical lifestyle.

Changing attitudes and habits is not easy! Established thoughts and behaviors resist being altered. However, change is easier when we clearly see the dangers of continuing old habits, understand the benefits we can gain by adopting new behaviors, and learn what actions are needed to replace our old practices. This gives us a clear path to follow.

Basic motives are also important, if we expect to achieve lasting changes. Most already understand that exercise or a more active lifestyle will improve their physical health or appearance, but that knowledge is insufficient to motivate them to act—or, if they do begin, to remain motivated enough to continue. We need a deeper and more profound motivation to achieve lasting changes, and our faith in God and desire to please Him with our stewardship of our bodies can help provide such motivation. When reasons of faith are coupled with physical reasons, real change is more likely to occur, because we are motivated by our core beliefs regarding what glorifies God and what does not.

Paul told the Corinthians that “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Though this passage was written in response to sexual immorality among the Corinthians, it contains a broader principle that should grab our attention. Christians have a responsibility to take care of the body God has given us, to the best of our ability. This can become a powerful motivating factor!

Paul further states that, while spiritual growth is most important, “bodily exercise profits a little” (see 1 Timothy 4:8). Indeed, regular activity or exercise benefits the body in this life only. But from another perspective, the self-discipline required to exercise becomes part of our character—and character lasts for eternity.

Making changes in our lives, even small ones, can often be intimidating. But we need to remember that real Christianity is not a spectator sport! It is a challenging way of life that involves growing and changing, overcoming old attitudes and habits, and replacing harmful behaviors with new ones. But nothing happens until we decide to begin.

And the good news about a more physically active lifestyle is that almost any amount of regular activity is better than none! Perhaps you’d like to start with 30 minutes of activity a day, but it seems too much. You could consider trying ten minutes three times a day. Instead of a coffee break, perhaps you could take a short walk. You might find that you feel refreshed, and the activity you can add to your life will burn off calories while strengthening your heart, lungs, bones, and muscles. You might exercise with a friend, or with your pet, or make it a family occasion. Let your children and grandchildren see your example. Invite them to come along—show them the path to follow. Regular physical activity will change your life—how you feel, how you think, and how you look.

Of course, individual circumstances differ, and you should exercise prudence (Proverbs 22:3). Before beginning any exercise program, it would be wise to consult your physician. He or she will likely be very happy to help you discover types of physical activity that will work with you and your particular circumstances.

A NEW TAKE ON “WALKING WITH CHRIST”

Of course, Jesus Himself was no stranger to physical activity. Growing up as a carpenter (Mark 6:3), Jesus spent many hours sawing, smoothing planks, drilling holes, and fashioning joints with a hammer and chisel. As a builder “in a land of little wood,” Jesus probably also worked with stone.21 This kind of labor in an age without power tools required a considerable expenditure of energy. Have you ever shaken hands with a carpenter or builder? Jesus was undoubtedly a strong, well-muscled person with a powerful grip.

To journey across the hill country of Galilee, Jesus often walked. In making the customary three trips to Jerusalem each year to keep the Holy Days (Passover, Pentecost, and the fall Festivals—Leviticus 23; Luke 2:41–42), if He had walked the entire way, Jesus would have walked about 150 miles round-trip on each occasion. Just to keep the Holy Days, Jesus may have walked in excess of 450 miles each year. When you consider that He may have walked a mile or more a day during the rest of the year, it is not hard to see that Jesus could easily have walked more than 1,000 miles every year. That is a lot of physical activity!

None of us live in first-century Judea, but the idea that your Savior was physically active Himself may add even more motivation to use—to the fullest extent you can—the body that God has given you. Perhaps on your own walks through a park or along a trail, you can call to mind Jesus Christ and His own treks with His disciples through the hill country of Judea. We are even told by the Apostle John that we are to “walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6)—a statement that clearly refers to His example of righteousness, yet one which may add some spring to our step in our daily outings, as we imagine ourselves “following His steps” in a very different sort of way!

CHAPTER FOUR

CONTAGION: DEFEATING INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Does the Bible hold important keys for overcoming the global challenge of infectious disease? Can religion play a role in promoting health and preventing illness?

Perceptive world leaders in government and medicine are beginning to realize that more money, medicines, research, and legislation will not win the battle against disease. Health systems in many nations are deteriorating under the strain of burgeoning populations and limited financial resources. New outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, severely test health care systems as nations struggle to respond. Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a former Director-General of the World Health Organization, acknowledged years ago that the goal of “health for all... remains elusive”—an illusion that keeps slipping over the horizon.¹

Perhaps it is time to ask: Why, in the twenty-first century, are we still struggling to win the battle against disease? Have effective solutions been ignored? Are we overlooking powerful tools—provided by God—that could make tremendous inroads against the plague of infectious diseases that afflict and kill millions of people around the world?

A GLOBAL CURSE

In the early 1900s, infectious diseases were the leading cause of suffering and death in America and Europe. Improved sanitation, along with other medical developments, significantly reduced these plagues on those continents.

Outside the developed world, however, we still see a staggering and sobering picture, as infectious diseases—abetted by poverty—ravage astonishing numbers of people. Preventable and curable illnesses like malaria, diarrhea, tuberculosis, and respiratory disease kill more than ten million people in less-developed nations every year—with children disproportionately affected.² The number of people who live with and suffer from these diseases is mind-boggling.

More than 400,000 people die of malaria each year—including 300,000 children under the age of five—mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.³ It is estimated that 3.2 billion people—about 40 percent of the world’s population—are at risk of contracting and dying of malaria.⁴ In developing countries, diarrheal disease—which is as preventable and treatable as malaria—is another leading cause of death and disability in children.⁵ More than 10 million people contract tuberculosis (TB) each year, causing nearly 2 million fatalities annually.⁶ In fact, by some estimates “about one-third of the world’s population has latent TB”—meaning they are infected with the bacteria, but not ill.7

In tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world, some 2.5 billion people are at risk from the deadly mosquito-borne dengue fever. More than 50 million cases occur each year, and outbreaks are spreading beyond the tropics.⁸ HIV/AIDS is rapidly becoming the greatest threat to health, economic development, and national stability in many African and Asian countries. Since its emergence, it has claimed more than 35 million lives. Today, nearly 37 million people are HIV-positive and about two million new cases are reported each year.⁹ In developing countries, snail fever (schistosomiasis) affects some 207 million people,¹⁰ while intestinal worm infections plague nearly 2 billion.¹¹ More than 190 million in poor rural areas are at risk for bacterial trachoma, the leading cause of visual impairment and blindness.¹² More than 120 million people are at risk for onchocerciasis (river blindness) and 18 million are infected annually.¹³ Leprosy still disables between one and two million people, with about 200,000 new infections every year.¹⁴

These are truly astronomical numbers of human beings who suffer from the curse of infectious disease. To make matters worse, in recent years this heavy disease burden in developing countries has been compounded by another sobering development. As the citizens of these nations increasingly adopt the behaviors and dietary practices of more developed nations, they are seeing increases in heart disease, cancer, and other pathologies that are prevalent in much of the developed world.¹⁵

Tragically, the heaviest burden of infectious and chronic disease falls on “the bottom billion” who “essentially live on no money,” trapped in an endless cycle of poverty.¹⁶ Many countries in these poorest and least-developed regions are burdened with crushing debt, crumbling infrastructures, and rampant corruption, and are simply unable to deal with such horrendous problems—so their people continue to suffer disproportionately under the global curse of disease. A British colonial physician once wrote that “the great mass of Africa... has carried a more grievous burden of disease than any other region of the world... and the present inhabitants of tropical Africa host a wider variety of human parasites than any other people.”₁₇ In some regions of tropical Africa, 60–90 percent of the population is infected with multiple parasites.

To reduce and eliminate this agonizing burden of disease, we must understand and address the true causes of the problem.

BREAKING A VICIOUS CYCLE

For many health professionals, the only solution to the problem of infectious disease is to pour more money into developing medications and establishing clinics to deliver treatments. There is often a desire to kill the invading pathogen or to alleviate suffering by treating symptoms—but too rarely is there a focus on addressing the underlying causes. Most infectious diseases that afflict developing countries are associated with poverty—crowded, unsanitary living conditions, lack of clean water, failure to properly dispose of human waste and garbage, and lack of protection against disease-bearing insects (window screens, mosquito nets, repellants, and insecticides). People living in poverty simply do not have access to these health-promoting resources and tools—and cash-strapped governments cannot provide them. Sadly, corrupt leaders often add to the problem, skimming international aid money to enrich themselves.

Ignorance also plays a crucial role. People living in poor rural areas around the globe often do not understand how infectious diseases are transmitted and how easily they can be prevented. Instead of recognizing the true causes of infectious disease (e.g. bacteria, viruses, protozoa, flies, and mosquitoes), sometimes “evil spirits” are blamed. Countless millions do not realize or want to acknowledge that sexual activity and injecting street drugs can transmit HIV/AIDS. Many swim, bathe, wash clothes, and drink water from streams, lakes, and waterholes contaminated by human and animal waste—which may be the only water available! The consumption of animals and other organisms that transmit disease is also a factor in the spread of serious illnesses. Traveling to and from disease-ridden areas and coming into close contact with sick people and their personal items also facilitate the spread of infectious diseases.

Motivation is a vital factor in promoting health and preventing disease. Many know that hands should be washed carefully after urinating or defecating and before preparing or eating food, but they do not act on that knowledge. Changing individual behavior is a major challenge in the battle against disease. These fundamental issues must be addressed before the burden of sickness will be lifted and the battle against disease will be won.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

But how can you eliminate disease and the consequences of poverty without money? How do you overcome ignorance? How do you motivate people to think and act differently? These are generally not areas of expertise for medical doctors, health planners, government ministers, or economists—yet finding answers in these areas is essential to lifting the burden of disease.

Accomplishing these tasks without simply throwing money at the problems will require us to rethink our approach. Education obviously must play a major role in banishing ignorance, but how can large numbers of people be helped without building more schools, hiring more teachers, or putting more people on government payrolls? What a person believes is another major factor in motivating behavioral change. We might ask: Is there anyone already in place who is capable of doing this kind of job?

Believe it or not, religious leaders occupy an ideal position for eliminating ignorance and promoting behaviors that can defeat disease. In many countries, religious leaders have weekly contact with large numbers of people—and usually all age groups. They promote values that influence personal behavior. Many are already paid by a private organization, and many have selflessly provided of their own efforts and resources to supply aid, such as mosquito nets and funding for water wells.

The major problem is that most religious leaders do not fully recognize the powerful potential of their position and have not been fully prepared to function in this vital role of teaching Bible-based principles of disease prevention and health promotion. Most clergy, like many in government and medicine, think the primary role of religion is to comfort the sick and console the bereaved. While these are helpful, they overlook another God-intended role for religious leaders—one clearly outlined in the Bible.

TEACHABLE PRINCIPLES FROM THE BIBLE

In an earlier chapter, we reviewed the positive impact on human health we would see if everyone obeyed God’s commands concerning clean and unclean animals. Choosing not to eat animals that were not designed for human consumption would, all by itself, go a long way toward reducing the damage done by infectious diseases! But the Bible’s guidance does not stop there.

Biblical admonitions also tell us to avoid contact with animals that have died or with whatever has touched them (see Leviticus 11:32–40). Porous earthen vessels that had potentially become contaminated were to be destroyed to avoid spreading disease. These biblical regulations are consistent with sound microbiological techniques and are important procedures in fighting infectious disease. It was the priests’ job to teach and explain these principles. Priests were to designate as unclean those who had contagious diseases characterized by skin rashes—such as leprosy, measles, smallpox, and scarlet fever. Such individuals were isolated from others to prevent the spread of disease (see Leviticus 13). These biblical guidelines are the basis of medically sound quarantine procedures that have been used for centuries. There is a good reason why “social distancing” and quarantine were early, powerful tools in addressing the coronavirus pandemic of 2020—because the biblical health principle of separating oneself from disease is effective.

The Bible’s guidelines include avoiding contact with the personal items of sick people, which can transmit germs (Leviticus 13:47–59). Contaminated items were washed or burned (which destroys microorganisms). Biblical health instructions even applied to dwellings: A house with mold or fungal growth was quarantined until the affected materials were scraped off, replaced, and covered in new plaster—and if a house could not be cleaned, it would be demolished (Leviticus 14:33–48).

This instruction would go a long way to improving the lives of 25 million people in Latin America who are at risk for Chagas disease, which is caused by the bite of a kissing bug that lives in cracks and crevices of impoverished dwellings.¹⁸ One duty of the Levitical priest was to promote health and help prevent disease by functioning as both a building inspector and a public health educator.

The Bible acknowledges that body fluids can transmit disease (Leviticus 15). Contact with human waste materials, nasal discharges, tears, saliva, or soiled towels can spread infectious disease. Trachoma—the result of a bacterial infection and the leading cause of preventable blindness—is spread by contact with soiled hand towels and eye-seeking flies that lay their eggs on human and animal waste.¹⁹ People coming into contact with fluids from a sick person were to wash their hands and clothes in water, bathe, and remain isolated from other people until evening as a precaution against spreading disease (Leviticus 15:11). These were not mere ceremonial laws. The purpose of these sanitary laws was to promote health and prevent disease.

One of the most practical and powerful biblical admonitions states that human waste should be buried away from habitations (Deuteronomy 23:12–14). This prevents waste materials from coming in contact with people, flies, and other organisms that transmit disease, and it preserves the purity of water supplies. Wearing shoes and not using human waste as fertilizer are also important preventive measures. Many diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, hookworm, roundworm, cholera, hepatitis, trachoma, and typhoid, result from contact with human waste.

Sanitary disposal of human waste and access to clean water are two of the most important ways to prevent disease.²⁰ God told Israel’s religious leaders to promote these instructions that would protect the health of the populace. Tragically, modern religious leaders have failed to grasp the importance of their opportunity to provide biblical instruction that could significantly prevent disease and its spread.

CONFUSION ABOUT CIRCUMCISION

Anciently, God instructed Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, to circumcise their male infants on the eighth day after birth (Genesis 17:12–14; Leviticus 12:3). Interestingly, this instruction harmonizes with scientific studies showing that a baby’s blood-clotting mechanism may not be fully developed until the eighth day, making it unwise to do a surgical procedure earlier because of the threat of hemorrhage.²¹While some well-meaning people consider male circumcision barbaric, medical science shows that the benefits outweigh the risks. Circumcised boys have a reduced risk of urinary infections, circumcised men have lower rates of prostate cancer and cancer of the penis, and women married to circumcised men have lower rates of cervical cancer.²²Studies have concluded that circumcised males are less likely to contract or spread HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases because removing the foreskin eliminates an environment where the virus may reside.²³ While Acts 15 makes it clear that circumcision is no longer a spiritual requirement, medical evidence certainly supports the idea that circumcision, as described in the Bible, can help prevent disease and promote health.

The custom of female “circumcision” is a totally different matter. This terrible practice is not biblical and should not be confused with the biblical circumcision of males, where only the foreskin is removed. Female “circumcision,” by contrast, is no act of circumcision at all, but is a horrific act of butchery in which part of a woman’s genitalia—not just excess skin tissue—is removed. Female “circumcision” is truly a barbaric mutilation and has nothing to do with biblical circumcision.

BODY PIERCINGS AND TATTOOS, TOO?

Although various pagan cultures throughout history have “decorated” the human body with tattoos, cutting, scarring, and inserting ornaments that expand lips and earlobes, these body-altering and deforming practices have in recent decades become a craze in Western nations. While many call these practices “body art,” the serious risks and health consequences of tattooing and exotic piercing are seldom mentioned or considered.

God designed our skin as a barrier against disease-causing organisms. When we pierce that barrier, we create opportunities for bacteria and viruses to gain entrance to the tissues below the skin. Numerous reports warn that tattoos and piercings increase the risk of bacterial skin infections, granulomas, and blood-borne diseases like tetanus, staph, hepatitis, and HIV, as well as allergic reactions to the substances and tools themselves.²⁴ Many have warned especially against getting tattoos or piercings during pregnancy, due to risks of infection and the migration of toxic elements in tattoo pigments to the fetus.²⁵ While tattoos and piercings are relatively inexpensive to acquire, they can be painful and expensive to remove—if they can be removed.

God inspired Moses to instruct the children of Israel—a nation that God intended to be a light and example to the world—with the words, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you” (Leviticus 19:28). Tattoos and cuttings on the flesh are unhealthful and carry the risk of infectious disease because they break the protective barrier that the skin provides. God made the human body “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27) and condemned these pagan religious customs, which deformed the body.

There is a reason why health professionals warn patients away from tattoos and exotic body piercings: they can be dangerous to your health!

MORAL LAWS PREVENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE

The Bible defines marriage as a union of one man and one woman for life (Matthew 19:4–6) and takes a strong stand against sexual activity outside the confines of biblical marriage, such as adultery, fornication, and homosexuality (Leviticus 18). In sharp contrast to the modern notion that unrestricted sexual activity is liberating, the Bible pointedly states that “whoever commits adultery... lacks understanding” (Proverbs 6:32), and that sexually promiscuous people sin against their own bodies (1 Corinthians 6:9, 16–18; Romans 1:22–27). Past public policies against such behaviors may have had morality in mind, but their effect was to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases—including HIV/AIDS, which has been called the “plague of the twenty-first century.”²⁶ Modern efforts to remove any moral consideration from public policy and to normalize promiscuity are contributing to the spread of epidemic diseases. The old advice that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has been largely forgotten, but it is still good advice—and is much less expensive in dollars and lives. Restricting sexual activity to husband and wife within a faithful monogamous marriage is by far the most effective way to avoid spreading sexually transmitted diseases. This was the biblical message God would have religious leaders convey—but it is a message often ignored today.

Medical studies reveal reasons for the strong biblical warnings against the sexually promiscuous lifestyles that are prevalent today. Numerous reports show that “gay and bisexual men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group,” and that they “are also at increased risk for other STDs, like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.”²⁷ When the HIV virus gains entrance to the body, it weakens and eventually destroys the body’s immune system, leading to AIDS and making the person subject to other conditions and deadly opportunistic infections: pneumonia, tuberculosis, lymphomas, Kaposi’s sarcoma (cancer of blood vessel walls), shingles, encephalitis, and dementia. Studies also show that the more sexual partners you have, the higher the odds that you will contract HIV, which greatly increases the risks of contracting other infectious diseases and dying at a younger age.²⁸Since there are no cures for HIV/AIDS, medical sources acknowledge the importance of eliminating dangerous and risky behaviors: Don’t have multiple sexual partners, don’t share needles and syringes (such as used for injecting drugs), don’t have sex with prostitutes, and be aware that tattoo needles might not be sterile.²⁹ This medical advice bears witness to the wisdom of ancient biblical instructions prohibiting high risk behaviors that bring serious consequences—fornication and adultery, homosexuality, and other dangerous activities.

The clear intent of many biblical principles is to prevent problems before they arise. Proverbs 22:3 states that “a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.” From a public health perspective, most diseases can be prevented—saving lives and money—by taking wise precautions ahead of time.

THE COMING RESTORATION

Scripture explains that Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9) and that leaders are often blind to obvious solutions (Isaiah 56:10; Matthew 15:14). Today’s theologians and pastors are mostly oblivious to the role they could play in preventing disease and promoting health by teaching people to differentiate between the clean and the unclean, in both food and behavior (Ezekiel 22:26).

However, the time is coming when the whole world will learn to live by the laws of God—and will benefit from them. The Bible reveals that, while the “whole creation groans” for now (Romans 8:18–23), a “restoration of all things” lies just ahead (Acts 3:19–21). Jesus Christ will return to the earth to establish the Kingdom of God, and God’s law will be proclaimed to the whole world from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2–4; 9:6–7). In this coming Kingdom, church and state will be united (Revelation 5:10). Jesus Christ and the saints will teach people to obey the laws and statutes of God (Isaiah 30:20–21), and mankind will experience the wonderful results of changed behavior. The battle against sickness will be won, and disease will begin to disappear (Isaiah 35:5–6; Jeremiah 30:17). While this sounds incredible, it is part of the Gospel—the good news of what the future holds!

CHAPTER FIVE

THE MIND: SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF MENTAL HEALTH

The Bible contains vital perspectives about mental health that have been overlooked and ignored in medical textbooks. Applying those perspectives could improve the lives of millions!

Health professionals recognize there is more to being healthy than not being sick. Many understand that a good diet, regular exercise, and access to medical care do not guarantee that you will feel great and deal effectively with the challenges of life—which is why the World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”¹ This WHO definition acknowledges that what goes on in the brain and the mind can have a major impact on our physical health.

Textbooks on health education mention that social and psychological factors—being able to function independently, express emotions in an acceptable way, interact effectively with others and feel connected, and manage stress—all contribute to better health. Environmental factors such as growing up in a safe, loving, and supportive family with opportunities for challenge and growth can also help with our psychological health. Even contact with nature has been found to make a difference.²

However, one of the most interesting and surprising developments in recent decades is the recognition that there are important spiritual dimensions to health. The concept of “spiritual health” recognizes that beliefs and values can influence behavior and health in very significant ways.³ In fact, hundreds of studies are demonstrating that certain religious beliefs and practices have positive benefits on physical health.⁴ Even more surprising is that modern scientific discoveries are confirming the validity of ancient biblical instructions that promote heath, and demonstrate that negative consequences occur when these spiritual principles are ignored.

A major reason why these recent discoveries are so surprising is that anti-religious attitudes dominate the fields of sociology, psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, and have done so for the last several centuries. Since the mid-1800s, social philosophers have suggested that as societies become more modern and scientific, religion will lose its legitimacy and become obsolete.⁵ Sigmund Freud called religion a childish superstition born out of a desire for “wish fulfillment”—a central thesis of his seminal book, The Future of an Illusion. Many clinicians since have agreed.

As a result, few have considered the role of religion in promoting health or preventing disease. However, that biased mindset is becoming obsolete as clear evidence continues to emerge from scientific studies that shed light on why we are experiencing major health and social problems today.

THE INCREASING BURDEN OF MENTAL ILLNESS

Millions of people in our modern world struggle every day with mental illness—and that number is growing. The World Health Organization lists mental illnesses as the third-leading cause of disabling conditions in the world—just behind cardiovascular and common infectious diseases.⁶ While clinical depression is ranked eighth in low-income countries, it is ranked first in mid- to high-income countries, along with anxiety disorders—demonstrating that modernization and affluence do not protect against these conditions. In the U.S., mental illness is the third leading cause of hospitalization for young people and adults (aged 18–44), and suicide is the second-leading cause of death for young people (aged 10–34)—the tenth leading cause of death overall.⁷ Recent reports indicate that depression and anxiety are increasingly serious problems on college campuses—where in the last few decades depression has doubled and the number of suicides has tripled.⁸

Why are mental illnesses so prevalent and increasing in affluent, developed countries where people have ready access to some of the best health care in the world? Is there something missing in our approach to this pervasive problem?

Long ago, Moses told the Israelites that they would be blessed if they obeyed the laws of God, but if they ignored those instructions, one consequence would be that, “The Lord will strike you with madness” (Deuteronomy 28:28). So, what biblical instructions and examples have we ignored that may be affecting the mental health of millions of people today? Do the results of modern research provide any clues?

THE VALUE OF CONTACT WITH CREATION

Over the last few centuries, the trend has been for people to move from rural areas into cities. In 1790, only 5 percent of the population of the United States lived in cities, yet today about 80 percent live in urban areas.⁹ If global trends continue, about 68 percent of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050.¹⁰ Such global urbanization is unprecedented in human history.

While life in big cities definitely brings certain advantages, it is also associated with conditions than can have a negative impact on your health—especially mental health—if one is not careful.

In addition to the crowding, congestion, noise, pollution, and stress of urban life, studies reveal that “city dwellers have a 20 percent higher risk of anxiety disorders and a 40 percent higher risk of mood disorders compared to people in rural areas. People born and raised in cities are twice as likely to develop schizophrenia.”¹¹ It is no coincidence that we see a dramatic rise in serious mental health issues that coincides with the movement of millions of people from rural to urban areas. Modern research is beginning to link declining mental health with the loss of contact with nature. Dr. Mardie Townsend, an honorary professor at the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University in Australia, observes, “There is mounting evidence that contact with nature has significant positive impacts on mental health” and “the growing disconnection with our natural environment is exacerbating the escalating rates of mental illness.”¹² Her observations are backed up by literally hundreds of recent studies that document the consequences of what is termed “nature deprivation” or “nature deficit disorders” that are fostered not only by urban environments, but by hours spent looking at the screens of electronic devices—cell phones, tablets, and computers.¹³

One early study connecting nature with health compared the post-surgical responses of hospital patients who could see trees out their windows with patients who saw only a wall. The patients who had a view of nature had better recovery experiences.¹⁴ More recent studies indicate that not only viewing nature, but viewing pictures of nature (e.g., mountains, trees, waterfalls, and pastures), and even listening to sounds of nature (e.g., waves, rain, and sounds of birds and animals) have similar positive effects on the mind and body.¹⁵

Going for a walk in a natural area or spending time in a natural environment has been shown to reduce muscle tension and stress; lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels; relieve depression and improve mood; reduce risk of mental illness; and increase longevity.¹⁶Going for a walk along a busy urban street does not have the same positive effects. Researchers report, “The range of specific health outcomes tied to nature is startling,” and its benefits include reducing depression and anxiety disorders, diabetes, infectious disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, attention-deficit disorders, and more.¹⁷

The health benefits of contact with nature come from many factors. Plants give off phytoncides—antimicrobial organic compounds that reduce blood pressure and stimulate the immune system. Air in the forest and near running water contains negative ions that reduce depression and stimulate the immune system. Sights and sounds of nature depress the sympathetic nervous system (our fight-or-flight mechanism) and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (our rest-and-digest mechanism), which helps to restore attention and aid healing. Contact with nature elevates levels of DHEA (a hormone with anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-depression, and heart-protective properties), helps control blood sugar, stimulates the immune system to produce anti-cancer cells, and reduces levels of proteins that have been linked with diabetes, depression, and cardiovascular disease.¹⁸

Studies have also revealed that children gain multiple benefits from spending time outdoors in contact with nature—benefits such as improved memory, learning, and decision-making skills; higher levels of resilience and self-worth; less depression and anxiety; and improvement in neuro-behavioral disorders (ADD and ADHD).¹⁹ One large study reported that people living in “green” neighborhoods had 20 percent less disease than people living in “less green” surroundings.20

The conclusions of those who study the connection between nature and health all point in the same direction. Contact with nature is good for us as human beings, and the growing disconnect from natural environments that has accompanied the migration to cities has led to increasing rates of mental illness—a situation that needs to be changed “as a matter of urgency.”²¹ Evidence continues to mount that “humans depend on nature not just for material requirements such as water, food and shelter, but also for their emotional, psychological and spiritual needs.”²² Spending time in natural environments and even viewing nature is increasingly seen as “a major health determinant… that may constitute a powerful, inexpensive public health intervention”²³ for preventing mental illness and promoting more vibrant health for millions of people.²⁴

But how do these discoveries about nature and mental health relate to what we find in the Bible? Modern research indicates that many biblical passages are not just quaint little bedtime stories—instead they offer perspectives that make a real impact on human health. Genesis 2:7–19 reveals that God did not place Adam and Eve in an air-conditioned high-rise apartment building in a major urban setting, but in a natural environment—a garden with trees, vegetation, animals, and running water. In Psalm 23, David associates spending time in green pastures beside still waters with being refreshed.

THE ROLE OF RELIGION

Research has confirmed that religious belief, far from being a cause or a form of mental illness as some secular critics have claimed, can help protect against mental disorders and promote mental health. As we have already seen, the population shift from rural to urban centers in recent centuries has been accompanied by an increase in mental disorders, while during this same period there has been a shift away from religious commitment—especially in recent decades.²⁵ This same period has witnessed a shift from a more “socio-centric” society to a more “ego-centric or individualistic” society that has also been “accompanied by an increase in common mental disorders.”²⁶

Religion appears to counter these negative trends by offering hope, social support, and a sense of belonging that is “good for our psychological and physical health.”²⁷ The move away from organized religion (which emphasizes social connectedness in congregations) has produced a “growing phenomenon of loneliness” that experts describe as a “global epidemic” that may contribute to “as many deaths as obesity.”²⁸ In the U.S., more than 25 percent of the population lives alone, and this social isolation more than doubles the risk of premature mortality. However, obeying biblical admonitions to assemble with other believers—such as in Hebrews 10:24–25 where we are told not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” and the commands in Leviticus 23 to meet regularly in “holy convocation” on every weekly Sabbath and annual Holy Day—not only enhances individuals’ spiritual health, but can also promote better mental health and help to ward off mental illness.

Serious mental depression is characterized by the tendency to withdraw from social contact and be alone, and to entertain thoughts of suicide. However, many studies document the significant role of religion in dealing with depression. Research shows that spiritually augmented behavioral therapy can help reduce hopelessness and despair, while depressed patients with strong religious faith recovered 70 percent faster than those with less strong faith, and depressed patients with religious affiliations made fewer attempts at suicide.²⁹ The connection between an increase in suicide and a decrease in religious sentiment was noticed more than a century ago, while more recent studies find a connection between higher suicide rates in less religious European countries than in more religious America.³⁰ Studies also show that highly religious adults—who pray daily and attend religious services regularly—are happier, more engaged with family, and more likely to help others.

The Christian values of gratitude, thankfulness, forgiveness, and concern for others have long been recognized to contribute to better social relationships.³¹ Modern research confirms that exhibiting an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness can bring a person multiple health-related benefits. Studies in the field of positive psychology document that grateful people take better care of themselves, exercise more regularly, have healthier diets, cope with stress better, are more optimistic, have stronger immune systems, and have lower rates of heart disease and cancer.32 Grateful teenagers who appreciate what they have are happier, more positive and optimistic, and better-behaved. They get higher grades, have more friends, sleep better and longer, are less depressed, have stronger immune systems, and exhibit overall better health.³³

MEANING AND PURPOSE

Studying 4,500 adults, the Harvard School of Public Health found that people deal better with aging if they have purpose in their lives.³⁴ They found that people living with a purpose maintained more muscle strength, could walk faster, engaged in healthier behaviors, slept better, felt better, and lived longer than individuals who had little or no purpose in their lives. The study revealed that people who kept a more positive and purposeful mental perspective obtained physiological advantages that contributed to better health. Another account of the same study concluded that having a purpose in life—a reason to get up in the morning—provides a sense of psychological well-being that has benefits for a person’s physical and mental health.³⁵

Discovering a purpose in life is also recognized as a basis for addiction recovery programs. Research indicates that people who develop addictions to alcohol, drugs, and other destructive behaviors appear to suffer from a deeper “spiritual malady.” Their lives are empty, unfulfilling, and unhappy. Seeing no meaning or purpose in life, and no reason to live, they often try to fill the void with chemical substances that provide a temporary high—which only brings more pain that eventually destroys their mental and physical health. Many rehabilitation programs have demonstrated that rekindling a sense of purpose is a key to recovery from addiction.³⁶ Clinical psychologist and addiction counselor Dr. Stanton Peele has challenged existing treatment ideas that addictions are a disease caused by abnormal neurochemistry and a malfunctioning brain. He believes that many addictions result from a lack of purpose and meaning in a person’s life³⁷—and many recovering addicts would agree with his assessment!

Finding a meaning and purpose in life is not usually considered to fall in the realm of medicine and is usually assumed to be the domain of philosophy and religion. Psychiatry and psychology may be helpful, but even those fields are limited to what can be seen and studied at the physical level. Spiritual concepts are beyond their scope, and are often considered to be merely matters of speculation. However, mental health specialists recognize that life purpose plays a central role in guiding our decisions, influencing our behavior, setting goals and directions for our life, and giving meaning to all we do. Some people derive a sense of “meaning” through the vocations they choose or the responsibilities they carry, but such purposes are dependent on our circumstances and perceptions, temporary and faulty though they may be. Only the inspired word of God can provide us with the transcendent, true, and eternal life purpose He has given us!

If you are interested in learning more about this vital dimension of life, request our informative free resource Your Ultimate Destiny, available from any of the Regional Offices listed at the back of this booklet.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Modern research has demonstrated that religious people who live by biblical guidelines have happier and healthier lives, experience less anxiety and depression, cope better with stress and difficult situations, are more optimistic, have more hope, and feel a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Results like these demonstrate that God teaches more than a mere set of beliefs in His word—He provides a way of life. A biblical worldview provides a perspective on life that is not merely informative and reassuring—it improves our lives (cf. John 10:10). That perspective on Scripture is tragically missing in our modern, secular, high-tech world. For your sake, don’t let it be missing from your life!

CHAPTER SIX

HEALING: A GOD OF MIRACLES

In addition to providing laws and principles of good health, is it also possible that God will supernaturally intervene on our behalf? What does the Bible reveal?

We are living in an age that promotes secularism and skepticism. Critics with a bias against the supernatural assert that God does not exist, that the Bible is only a book of myths and legends, that miracles cannot happen, and that beliefs in supernatural miracles are more common among “ignorant and barbarous nations”¹ or among “the uncivilized and uneducated.”² These perspectives, however—though they are given a high profile today by the media, educational establishment, and even some theologians—are directly contrary to what most people believe. Studies have shown that nearly 80 percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power³ and that 71 percent of Americans believe that the Bible is inspired by God.⁴ As for miracles, 51 percent of Americans believe that the miracles recorded in the Bible actually happened, 67 percent believe miracles can happen today, and nearly 40 percent say they have experienced miracles in their lives.⁵Even more interesting is that about 74 percent of U.S. physicians believe that miracles happen today—and 55 percent say they have seen patients whose healing appeared to be miraculous.⁶

When we consider that skeptics’ ideas about the existence of a supernatural God and the validity of biblical miracles are so out of touch with the beliefs and experiences of millions of people—and even the views and experiences of many medical doctors—the time has come to consider what the Bible actually reveals on the important subjects of healing and miracles. Indeed, the clear statements of Scripture, the facts of history, and the experience of millions—including medical doctors—all reveal that miracles do happen! While God has given us clear instructions about how to promote and maintain our best health, we can still face a health challenge—and when we do, we can come to Him for miraculous healing.

WHAT IS A MIRACLE?

But what exactly is a miracle? A “miracle” can be defined as “a special act of God that interrupts the natural course of events.… A miracle may look like any unusual occurrence, but it has a supernatural cause. It is performed with divine power according to the divine mind, for a divine purpose, in order to authenticate a divine message or purpose.”7 A miracle can also be defined as “an event or effect in the physical world deviating from the known laws of nature, or transcending our knowledge of these laws; an extra-ordinary, anomalous, or abnormal event brought about by super-human agency.”⁸ A God who created the universe can certainly act within His universe in miraculous ways! To prove that miracles cannot happen, one would need to prove that God does not exist.

The Bible describes dozens of miraculous events in both the Old and New Testaments. In fact, “The central claims of Christianity are dependent on the apologetic value of miracles”—the fact that the miracles described in the Bible actually occurred.⁹ Miracles demonstrate the power of a supernatural God. If the miracles documented in Scripture never happened, the Bible cannot be trusted—which is the argument advanced by many secular critics. Yet, many of the authors of the biblical accounts of miracles claim to be eyewitnesses of those events (2 Peter 1:16)—and many of those same eyewitnesses died for their conviction that they spoke the truth.

Like no other book ever written, the Bible gives us a glimpse of how miraculous, supernatural intervention can play a role in health, healing, and disease. Scripture reveals that God is a Being of love and compassion (1 John 4:8; Psalm 86:5; Matthew 9:36), whose qualities are evident in many miracles recorded in the Bible. Consider that God miraculously enabled Sarah to conceive a child in her old age to fulfill His promises to Abraham (Genesis 17:15–19; 18:10–15). He miraculously fed the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness after they left Egypt (Exodus 16:12–15, 32–35). He miraculously provided food for Elijah and through him raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17). He healed Hezekiah and gave him 15 more years to live after the king’s earnest prayers to God (2 Kings 20:1–6).

The New Testament describes more than three dozen miracles performed by Jesus Christ—nearly one-third of the gospel of Mark is devoted to His miracles. In addition to turning water into wine (John 2:1–11), calming a storm (Mark 4:37–41), and walking on water (Mark 6:48–51), Jesus healed sicknesses and infirmities (Matthew 8:1–17), cast out demons (Matthew 9:32–33; Mark 1:23–26), restored sight to the blind (Matthew 9:27–31; Mark 8:22–26), and supernaturally fed several thousand people on two occasions (Mark 6:35–44; 8:1–9).

A HEALING, LIFE-GIVING MINISTRY

According to Scripture, Jesus raised at least three individuals from the dead: a Jewish leader’s daughter (Mark 5:22–24, 35–43), a widow’s son (Luke 7:11–17), and His friend Lazarus (John 11:1–44). Of course, God’s word records that Jesus foretold His own death and revealed that He would be resurrected after three days (Matthew 17:22–23). That same historical record notes that Jesus was seen alive during a 40-day period between His resurrection and His ascension (Acts 1:3) by the disciples (Luke 14) and others, including 500 people—most of whom Paul said were still alive when he wrote his epistle (1 Corinthians 15:1–9). Many sources confirm the biblical and historical evidence for this major miraculous event.¹⁰

The Bible records that Jesus commissioned His disciples to carry on this same kind of ministry—to preach the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15; 16:15) and to “heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5–8; Mark 16:15–18). Jesus also told His disciples that they would do even greater works than He had done (John 14:12).

Thus, we read in the book of Acts that Peter and John healed a crippled man, to the amazement of onlookers (Acts 3:1–10). The Apostles performed many “signs and wonders” that drew people from all around Jerusalem who brought their sick and saw them miraculously healed (Acts 5:12–16), and Stephen did great wonders among the people in Jerusalem (Acts 6:8), which engendered persecution by jealous religious authorities. Philip brought joy to the people of Samaria by performing miraculous healings and casting out demons (Acts 8:5–8). Saul—who became Paul—was stricken with blindness by God on his way to Damascus, then healed and converted (Acts 9:1–22). Peter healed a paralyzed man in Lydda and raised a woman named Dorcas from the dead in Joppa, a miracle that became widely known (Acts 9:32–42). Paul cast out a demon in Cyprus (Acts 13:6–12), then healed a crippled man in Lystra (Acts 14:8–12) and later brought a boy back to life who had fallen to his death in Troas (Acts 20:8–12). The biblical record is replete with example after example of Jesus Christ and His disciples miraculously healing the sick and suffering through God’s divine power.

DIVINE HEALING

But what do all these historical miracles have to do with Christians today?

The Bible promises us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) and reminds us that God says, “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). The God who healed those seeking Him centuries ago is the same God who rules in Heaven today!

God inspired King David to write, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2–3). While many acknowledge that God forgives sins, many seem not to believe that God also offers to heal all our diseases. One of His divine names is “The Lord Who Heals You,” a title He takes on Himself in Exodus 15:26: “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

As we have shown in this work, the biblical approach to health involves learning to follow the instructions God has revealed in Scripture. And disobeying His laws not only represents sin (1 John 3:4, King James Version), but also often has physical consequences for our lives and health.

Though many seem to understand that Jesus’ sacrifice was intended to make possible the forgiveness of sins, many do not connect His sacrifice to physical healing. Yet the Bible makes plain that “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4–5; 1 Peter 2:24). It is certainly not true that every sickness, disease, or injury is due to an individual’s sin—Christ made this plain to His own disciples (John 9:1–3; cf. Luke 13:1–5), and the Creator told Moses that He Himself “makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind” (Exodus 4:11). However, some sickness, disease, and injury is due to sin, as we have demonstrated thoroughly in previous chapters. In either case, God offers the possibility of divine healing.

The Apostle James advises Christians, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:14–16). James clearly encouraged his fellow Christians to reach out to God for healing by calling the elders of God’s Church—an admonition that continues to be valid today! That admonition includes instruction to “confess your trespasses to one another” (v. 16), implying a responsibility on our part to identify and change anything we may be doing that is contributing to the problem.

This does not mean that a Christian cannot consult a doctor, or that seeking medical help and advice demonstrates a lack of faith. Not at all! While human knowledge is always spotty and imperfect, we are blessed in modern times to have a vast amount of knowledge concerning how the body works. But regardless of other actions we may take, these verses do tell us that a Christian should seek healing from God and should do so through His appointed ministry.

And what if the elders are far away? From the Church’s earliest days, the ministry made arrangements to send cloths, anointed with oil, when a personal visit to a sick or afflicted person was not feasible (Acts 19:11–12). The true Church of God, founded by Jesus Christ, continues this biblical practice.

FAITH AND PERSPECTIVE

The Bible indicates that healings often come to people with great faith (e.g., Matthew 8:5–10), yet this is not always the case. Sometimes God chooses to allow the faithful to bear a burden of infirmity for the sake of His larger purposes, and sometimes, in His mercy, He intervenes even for those whose faith is small.

Lazarus had been dead for four days, and thus was certainly not exercising faith when Jesus raised him to life again (John 11:37–44; cf. Ecclesiastes 9:10)! The Apostle Paul certainly had a deep faith in God’s ability to miraculously heal (Acts 19:11–12)—even to resurrect (Acts 20:9–12). Yet he tells us that, although he “pleaded with the Lord three times” to heal him of an affliction, he came to understand that it was not God’s purpose to heal him at that time (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). Instead, God was looking to produce more important spiritual fruit in Paul’s life (vv. 9–10).

Still, if we keep in mind that God’s vision is larger than ours and that we are to seek His will and not our own (Matthew 26:42), then we will beseech Him for intervention when we suffer from sickness or infirmity.

Jesus instructed His disciples, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8). Jesus also said that “whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you” (John 16:23), and we are admonished to “ask in faith” (James 1:6)—knowing that God will answer in His time and in His way, and that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28; see also 1 Corinthians 10:13). How can we know that He hears our requests? The Apostle John tells us, saying it is “because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22). That would mean repenting of breaking His laws—including His laws and principles of good health.

Scripture makes it clear that the God of the Bible is a supernatural, miracle-working God, and the miracles recorded and preserved in the Bible demonstrate His power and compassion as our loving Father—a Father who desires to act in the lives of those who love Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

For more perspective and inspiring details from your Bible about healing, as well as information about how you can receive the healing He provides, read our free booklet Does God Heal Today? You can request it from the Regional Office nearest you, listed in the back of this booklet, or read it online at TomorrowsWorld.org.

CONCLUSION

A WAY OF LIFE THAT WORKS!

Will you make the right choices that promote physical and spiritual health?

In the biblical account of the two trees (Genesis 2:8–9; 3:1–7), we saw that God did not force Adam and Eve to accept His divinely revealed instructions. They chose to use human reasoning, separate from God’s directions. To win the age-old battle against disease, each of us must make our own choices today. Will we obey God, or do we think we have a better way (Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Matthew 7:14)? Will we choose wisely by considering the evidence (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and learning the lessons of history?

We have seen that sickness and disease have plagued human beings through the ages and that civilizations, both ancient and modern, have struggled to cope with the toll in human suffering caused by ill health and infirmities. History records that most cultures have employed a common approach to this age-long battle with disease in our midst—an “after-the-fact” approach that relies on drugs, surgery, spells and enchantments, and entreating the gods with sacrificial offerings—even self-mutilation and human sacrifice. While modern medical science has made incredible strides in diagnosing and treating disease through medicines, therapies, and surgeries, we still face skyrocketing costs, new diseases, and the re-emergence of old diseases.

The Bible, however, shows us a different way—through the example of a people with an approach using values and education to prevent disease rather than relying exclusively on treatments to mitigate disease once it has appeared. In striking contrast to other ancient civilizations, God gave the ancient Hebrews a set of laws and statutes that would set them apart from other nations and make them a light and example of a better way of life that promotes health and prevents disease. Unlike other nations’ priest-physicians who guarded their techniques as mysteries and secrets, the priests of ancient Israel were instructed to proclaim this valuable information as public knowledge. The biblical health laws were an important part of the Hebrew Scriptures and the religion and way of life of the Israelites.

DIVINE LAWS FROM THE DIVINE LAWGIVER

History confirms that the biblical health laws were unique and without parallel in the ancient world. These guidelines were simple yet comprehensive, and addressed a wide range of personal and public health issues—principles that were clearly ahead of their time! There was really no way to fully understand the reasons for these laws until the invention of the microscope, the discovery of bacteria, and the pioneering work of pathologists in recent centuries—advances that have proven these ancient biblical laws to be scientifically valid today.

What our modern world has lost sight of, and what the ancient pagan world never understood, is that God is the author of the biblical health laws. The Bible reveals that God does not change (Malachi 3:6)—which means that His fundamental laws do not change. The laws of biology did not suddenly change or stop operating when Jesus was crucified. The same factors that caused or prevented disease in the days of Moses still operate today—and the health laws that God gave to Moses also remain just as effective!

So, do not be misled by the arguments of those who claim that the biblical health laws are antiquated, outdated, and no longer applicable in our modern world. Jesus Christ did not come to abolish the laws of God (Matthew 5:17)! They are a product of the mind of our Creator and Designer. They reflect God’s will and are part of His plan for humanity. If you encounter priests, preachers, or professors who tell you otherwise, they simply do not know what they are talking about (Isaiah 8:20)!

AN AWESOME PURPOSE!

God is preparing a people to assist Jesus Christ in changing the course of human history. The coming government of God will eliminate the plague of disease and will promote a way of life that leads not only to physical, mental, and spiritual health, but also to eternal life.

If we will submit our lives to God, seeking to live His way of life under Jesus Christ—including taking care of the body He has given us—we will receive a reward that includes reigning with Christ when He returns to establish the Kingdom of God to rule on the earth (Revelation 5:10). The saints who rule with Christ will function as teachers (Isaiah 30:20–21) who will explain the laws of God—including these important biblical principles of health—to all of humanity. Because of these efforts, “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

As you begin to grasp the scope of God’s plan for humanity, you will see there are powerful and exciting reasons for learning to live by the biblical principles of health inspired by our Creator.

The biblical health laws and principles are fundamental keys, revealed by the Designer of humanity, to promote health and prevent disease. They are part of an entire way of life to which God is calling a relative few in this present age—to repent not just of poor health choices, but of poor spiritual choices, and to turn fully to God through repentance from sin, baptism, and receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. If you feel that God may be calling you to repentance and baptism, and you would like to know more about God’s ways, please contact the Regional Office nearest you, listed at the TomorrowsWorld.org website and in the back of our printed booklets. One of our representatives will be happy to talk to you, at a time and in a place convenient to you. Our representatives have for many years lived by the physical and spiritual precepts found in the Bible and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.

When properly understood, explained, and applied, God’s way of life has the potential of being a wonderful blessing for every human being who has ever lived. The Bible clearly reveals that when Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on planet Earth, the laws of God—including the biblical health laws—will be proclaimed to the world from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2–4). As human beings around the globe learn to live by these simple yet vitally important laws, their health will improve—and the age-old curse of disease will begin to disappear (Isaiah 35:5–7).

But we don’t have to wait! We can embrace that way of life now—experiencing its benefits and learning how to teach them—by applying these living laws in our lives today.

Chapter 1: Disease: An Age-Old Curse

¹ Ralph A. Major, A History of Medicine, vol. 1 (Springfield: Charles C. Thomas, 1954), 27; and Otto Bettmann, A Pictorial History of Medicine (Literary Licensing LLC, 2012), 2–3.

² David Alexander and Pat Alexander, eds., Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973), 176.

³ Bettmann, A Pictorial History, 13.

⁴ Major, A History of Medicine, 62–64.

⁵ Henry H. Halley, Halley’s Bible Handbook (Zondervan, 2014), 138.

⁶ Halley.

⁷ David Alexander and Pat Alexander, eds., Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973), 175.

⁸ Frank Gaebelein et al., eds., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), 568.

⁹ Gaebelein et al., 568.

Chapter 2: Dietary Laws: Do You Really Want to Eat That?

¹ Frank Gaebelein et al., eds., The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990), 530.

² David Alexander and Pat Alexander, eds., Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973), 176.

³ “Leviticus 11–14,” The Interpreter’s Bible (Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1954), 52.

⁴ “Ruminant Nutrition for Graziers,” ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture, 2008, accessed March 31, 2020.

⁵ The Interpreter’s Bible, 56.

⁶ Jonathan Foley, “It’s Time to Rethink America’s Corn System,” Scientific American, March 5, 2013.

⁷ “Epidemiology of Tularemia,” Balkan Medical Journal 31, iss. 1 (March 2014): 3–10.

⁸ “Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease),” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 5, 2019; and “Ebola Virus Disease,” World Health Organization, February 10, 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ebola-virus-disease

⁹ Joanne Lee-Young, “SARS: Where Did It Come From?,” Popular Science, July 2, 2003.

¹⁰ “Parasites - Trichanellosis,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 15, 2019.

¹¹ “Meat and Dairy Production,” Our World in Data, November 2019, https://ourworldindata.org/meat-production.

¹² “Per capita consumption of pork in the United States from 2015 to 2029,” Statista.com, March 24, 2020.

¹³ “Pork,” World Book Encyclopedia, vol. 15 (World Book, Inc., 1995), 679.

¹⁴ Ralph Muller and John Baker, Medical Parasitology (J.B. Lippincott, 1990), 83–84.

¹⁵ “Parasites - Taeniasis,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, January 10, 2013.

¹⁶ John Boswell, ed., U. S. Armed Forces Survival Guide (MacMillan, 2007), 244.

¹⁷ Roger A. Caras, Venomous Animals of the World (Prentice-Hall, 1974), 103.

¹⁸ “Eel,” International Wildlife Encyclopedia, vol. 7 (Marshall Cavendish, 1990), 824.

¹⁹ Keith Banister and Andrew Campbell, The Encyclopedia of Aquatic Life (Facts on File, 1988), 26.

²⁰ “Lobster,” Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 7 (Encyclopædia Britannica, 1995), 430.

²¹ “Lobster,” International Wildlife Encyclopedia, vol. 13 (Marshall Cavendish, 1990), 1464.

²² Banister et al., 235.

²³ “Shellfish Harvesting,” United States Environmental Protection Agency, March 2018.

²⁴ Roger W. Miller, “Get Hooked on Seafood Safety,” FDA Consumer 25, iss. 5 (June 1991): 7, https://quackwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/quackwatch/casewatch/fda/fda_consumer/1991-june.pdf.

²⁵ Guy Murdoch, “Consumer Tips,” Consumer Research (July 1993): 2.

²⁶ Gaebelein et al., 572.

²⁷ “Different Dietary Fat, Different Risk of Mortality,” The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, July 5, 2016.

²⁸ “Why Everything You Know About Nutrition Is Wrong,” New Scientist, July 10, 2019.

²⁹ Declan, J., et. al, “Health Implications of Beef Intramuscular Fat Composition,” Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources 36, iss. 5 (October 2016): 577-582.

³⁰ “Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Heart Disease,” HealthLine.com, August 13, 2019.

³¹ Jack A. Ofori and Yun-Hwa P. Hsieh, “Issues Related to the Use of Blood in Food and Animal Feed,” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 54, no. 5 (January 2014): 687-97.

³² Jenny L. Cook, “Is black pudding the latest health food du jour?,” NetDoctor.co.uk, March 17, 2016.

³³ “Say no to pig blood pudding, doctors advise as swine bacteria kill 4,” ThanhNienNews.com, March 1, 2013.

³⁴ “The Sweet Danger of Sugar,” Harvard Men’s Health Watch, November 5, 2019.

³⁵ “The Sweet Danger of Sugar”; and Jukka Montonen, et.al., “Whole-Grain and fiber intake and the incidence of type 2 diabetes,” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 77, iss. 3 (March 2003): 622-629.

³⁶ Harvey E. Finkel, “Wine and the Gastrointestinal Tract,” Alcohol in Moderation Digest, November 18, 2008.

³⁷ Christian Nordqvist, “Wine: Health Benefits and Health Risks,” Medical News Today, April 7, 2016; and Honor Whiteman, “Moderate drinking may benefit ‘good’ cholesterol levels,” Medical News Today, November 14, 2016.

Chapter 3: Exercise: A Body Designed to Move

¹ Mfrekemfon P. Inyang and Stella Okey-Orji, “Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Implications,” Journal of Nursing and Health Science 4, iss. 2 (March-April 2015): 20–25.

² Mukta Agrawal, “What do you know about a sedentary lifestyle?,” InLife Group, February 26, 2017.

³ “Lack of exercise as ‘deadly’ as smoking,” National Health Service, July 18, 2012; and Robert Preidt, “Are U.S. Teens Now as Inactive as 60-Year-Olds?” WebMD, June 16, 2017.

⁴ “Overweight & Obesity,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 10, 2020.

⁵ “Obesity and Overweight,” World Health Organization, April 1, 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight.

⁶ Matt Sloane, “Physical inactivity causes 1 in 10 deaths worldwide, study says,” Cable News Network, July 26, 2012.

⁷ “The Facts on Sedentary Lifestyle,” WalkND, August 20, 2012, http://sites.nd.edu/walknd/2012/09/20/the-facts-on-sedentary-lifestyle/.

⁸ Clifton B. Parker, “School recess offers benefits to student well-being,” Stanford University News, February 11, 2015; and Denise Mann, “Pediatricians Promote Benefits of Recess,” WebMD, December 31, 2012.

⁹ Angelina Tala, “Exercise Benefits Children Physically and Mentally,” Healthline, January 10, 2017; and “How Regular Exercise Benefits Teens,” WebMD, April 18, 2019.

¹⁰ Len Kravitz, “Exercise and Children: Better Brain Health, Less Obesity, Less Stress,” IDEA Health & Fitness Association, May 10, 2017; and Maureen Salamon, “Stronger Muscles May Pump Up Kid’s Memory Skills,” HealthDay, April 19, 2017.

¹¹ David R. Brown, “Physical Activity, Sports Participation, and Suicidal Behavior: U.S. High School Students,” Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Journal 39, iss. 12 (May 2005): 2248–2257.

¹² “Health Benefits of Physical Activity,” OnHealth, May 11, 2017, https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/health_benefits_physical_activity; Mayo Clinic Staff, “Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity,” Mayo Clinic, May 11, 2019; Len Kravitz, “The 25 Most Significant Health Benefits of Physical Activity & Exercise,” IDEA Health and Fitness Association, October 1, 2007; and “Physical Activity,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, February 7, 2020.

¹³ Amy Norton, “No Excuses: Exercise Can Overcome the ‘Obesity Gene,’” MedicineNet, April 27, 2017.

¹⁴ “Physical Activity,” World Health Organization, 2020, https://www.who.int/behealthy/physical-activity.

¹⁵ NIH Senior Health, “Exercise: Benefits of Exercise,” Pasadena Senior Center, https://www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org/blog/agewell/1759-exercise-benefits-of-exercise.

¹⁶ Robert Preidt, “Exercise a Great Prescription to Help Older Hearts,” Everyday Health, March 24, 2017, https://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/exercise-great-prescription-help-older-hearts/.

¹⁷ Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko et. al., “Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults,” Medscape, March 1, 2010.

¹⁸ Sophia Breene, “13 Mental Health Benefits of Exercise,” The Huffington Post, December 6, 2017.

¹⁹ “Exercise and Depression,” WebMD, February 18, 2020.

²⁰ Jayne O’Donnell, “Surgeon general to target couch potatoes,” USA Today, February 5, 1996, A1.

²¹ Everyday Life in Bible Times (National Geographic Society, 1967), 330.

Chapter 4: Contagion: Defeating Infectious Disease

¹ Katherine Yester, “The Global War for Public Health,” Foreign Policy, November 16, 2009.

² “Global Report for Research on Infectious Diseases of Poverty,” World Health Organization, 2012, 9; and Phillip Stevens, “Diseases of poverty and the 10/90 Gap,” International Policy Network, November 2004, 7.

³ “Malaria in children under five,” World Health Organization, April 26, 2017.

⁴ “Malaria,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 16, 2019, https://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/newsroom/topics/malaria/index.html.

⁵ “Diarrhoeal Disease,” World Health Organization, May 2, 2017.

⁶ “Tuberculosis,” World Health Organization, October 17, 2019, https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis.

⁷ “What is TB? How is it treated?,” World Health Organization, January 18, 2018.

⁸ “Dengue and severe dengue,” World Health Organization, March 2, 2020.

⁹ “HIV/AIDS,” World Health Organization, November 15, 2019.

¹⁰ “Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia),” Medscape, September 20, 2018.

¹¹ Peter J. Hotez, Forgotten People, Forgotten Diseases (Second Edition, 2013), 5.

¹² “Trachoma,” World Health Organization, January 2, 2020.

¹³ “Onchocerciasis (River Blindness),” Medscape, June 22, 2018.

¹⁴ “Leprosy,” World Health Organization, September 10, 2019.

¹⁵ “The maladies of affluence,” The Economist, August 9, 2007.

¹⁶ Peter J. Hotez et al., “Rescuing the bottom billion through control of neglected tropical diseases,” Lancet, World Health Organization 373 (2009): 1570–1575.

¹⁷ Oliver Ransford, Bid the Sickness Cease: Disease in the History of Black Africa (1984), 7, 13.

¹⁸ “Chagas disease (also known as American trypanosomiasis),” World Health Organization, March 10, 2020.

¹⁹ “Trachoma,” Medscape, July 24, 2019; and S.I. McMillen, None of These Diseases (Old Tappan: Fleming H. Revell, 1974), 20–21.

²⁰ Albertha A. Nyaku and Stanley K. Diamenu, “Water and Dirt—matters of life and death,” World Health Forum (Vol. 18, 1997), 266–268.

²¹ McMillen, 20–21; and Bert Thompson, “Biblical Accuracy and Circumcision on the 8th Day,” Apologetics Press, 1993.

²² “Circumcision Basics,” WebMD, November 13, 2018; and “Circumcision (male)” Mayo Clinic, March 31, 2020.

²³ Aaron A.R. Tobian and Ronald H. Gray, “The Medical Benefits of Male Circumcision,” Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA Network 306, iss. 13 (October 2011); and Nancie George, “4 Health Benefits of Circumcision,” Everyday Health, May 29, 2014.

²⁴ Mayo Clinic Staff, “Tattoos: Understand risks and precautions,” Mayo Clinic, February 28, 2020; and “Think Before You Ink: Are Tattoos Safe?” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, May 2, 2017.

²⁵ “Tattoos When Pregnant,” American Pregnancy Association, accessed April 28, 2020; “Tattoos and Piercings During Pregnancy,” Health and Parenting, 2018; and “Toxic nanoparticles in tattoo inks may harm your immune system,” The Times of India, September 13, 2017.

²⁶ Sebnem Kalemli-Ozcan, “AIDS, ‘reversal’ of the demographic transition and economic development: evidence from Africa,” Journal of Population Economics, JSTOR 25, iss. 3 (July 2012): 871–897.

²⁷ “HIV Among Gay and Bisexual Men,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 13, 2017, https://www.thebodypro.com/article/hiv-among-gay-and-bisexual-men.

²⁸ “What Puts You at Risk for HIV?,” WebMD, January 15, 2020; and John R. Diggs, Jr., “The Health Risks of Gay Sex,” Corporate Resource Council, 2002, https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/marriage-and-family/sexuality/the-health-risks-of-gay-sex.html.

²⁹ “What You Need to Know About HIV and AIDS,” WebMD, June 23, 2019.

Chapter 5: The Mind: Spiritual Dimensions of Mental Health

¹ Constitution of the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, 1948), 1, https://apps.who.int/gb/bd/PDF/bd47/EN/constitution-en.pdf?ua=1.

² Diane Hales, An Invitation to Health, (15th Edition, Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013).

³ Hales.

⁴ Harold G. Koenig, “Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications,” ISRN Psychiatry 2012 (December 16, 2012).

⁵ Vexen Crabtree, “Secularization Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?,” The Human Truth Foundation, 2008.

⁶ “Global Leading Categories of Diseases/Disorders,” National Institute of Mental Health, accessed April 28, 2020, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/global/global-leading-categories-of-diseases-disorders.shtml.

⁷ “Mental Health by the Numbers,” National Alliance on Mental Illness, September 2019.

⁸ Margareta Tartakovsky, “Depression and Anxiety Among College Students,” PsychCentral, October 8, 2018.

⁹ “New Census Data Show Differences Between Urban and Rural Populations,” United States Census Bureau, December 8, 2016.

¹⁰ “Urbanization,” Our World in Data, November 2019, https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization.

¹¹ Rob Jordan, “Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature,” Stanford University News, June 30, 2015.

¹² Tori Rodriguez, “The Mental Health Benefits of Nature Exposure,” Psychiatry Advisor, October 20, 2015.

¹³ Ming Kuo, “How might contact with nature promote human health?,” Frontiers in Psychology, August 25, 2015; and “How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?” University of Minnesota, 2016.

¹⁴ Robert S. Ulrich, “View through a window may influence recovery from surgery,” Science 224, iss. 4647 (April 27, 1984): 420–421.

¹⁵ Rodriguez, “Mental Health Benefits”; and Mardie Townsend and Rona Weerasuriya, Beyond Blue to Green: The benefits of contact with nature for mental health and well-being (Beyond Blue Limited, 2010) 1, https://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/310747/Beyond-Blue-To-Green-Literature-Review.pdf.

¹⁶ “Health and Wellness Benefits of Spending Time in Nature,” United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.fs.fed.us/outernet/pnw/about/programs/gsv/pdfs/health_and_wellness.pdf; and Ulrich, “View through a window,” 420–421.

¹⁷ Kuo, “Contact with nature.”

¹⁸ Kuo.

¹⁹ Townsend and Weerasuriya, Beyond Blue to Green.

²⁰ Kuo, “Contact with nature.”

²¹ Rodriguez, “Mental Health Benefits.”

²² Townsend and Weerasuriya, Beyond Blue to Green.

²³ Kuo, “Contact with nature.”

²⁴ Cecily Maller et al., “Healthy nature healthy people: ‘Contact with nature’ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations,” Health Promotion International 21, iss. 1 (March 2006): 45–54.

²⁵ George Barna and D. Kinnaman, eds., Churchless: Understanding Today’s Unchurched and How to Connect with Them, (Tyndale Momentum, 2014), 13.

²⁶ Dinesh Bhugra, “Commentary: Religion, religious attitudes and suicide,” International Journal of Epidemiology 39, iss. 6 (December 1, 2010): 1496–1498.

²⁷ Clay Routledge, “Is religion good for your health?,” August 31, 2009, https://www.soothingemotions.com/religion--culture/is-religion-good-for-your-health.

²⁸ “Loneliness Can Impact Longevity,” Newsmax Health, August 8, 2017.

²⁹ Bhugra, “Commentary,” 1496–1498.

³⁰ Rodney Stark, America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists (West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton Press, 2012), 104-105.

³¹ Robert A. Emmons and Michael E. McCullough, “Counting Blessings vs. Burdens; An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 84, iss. 2 (February 2003): 377–389.

³² Elizabeth Heubeck, “Boost Your Health with a Dose of Gratitude,” WebMD, January 11, 2006.

³³ “10 Reasons Why Gratitude is Healthy,” The Huffington Post, July 21, 2014, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gratitude-healthy-benefits_n_2147182.

³⁴ Amanda MacMillan, “People Age Better If They Have a Purpose in Life,” TIME, August 16, 2017.

³⁵ Lisa Rapaport, “Can having a purpose in life keep you strong in old age?,” Thomson Reuters, August 31, 2017.

³⁶ “Life After Addiction: Finding Your Meaning and Purpose,” New Method Wellness, August 23, 2017.

³⁷ Stanton Peele, “Addiction Wars: Meaning and Purpose v. Disease,” Psychology Today, March 29, 2011.

Chapter 6: Healing: A God of Miracles

¹ Norman L. Geisler, “Miracles, Arguments Against,” Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999), 459.

² Lee Strobel, The Case for Miracles (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018), 31.

³ Kate Shellnutt, “80% of Americans Believe in God. Pew Found Out What They Mean,” Christianity Today, April 25, 2018.

⁴ Lydia Saad, “Record Few Americans Believe Bible Is Literal Word of God,” Gallup, May 15, 2017.

⁵ Strobel, The Case for Miracles, 30.

⁶ Strobel, The Case for Miracles, 31; and Shoba Sreenivason and Linda Weinberger, “Do You Believe in Miracles?,” Psychology Today, December 15, 2017.

⁷ Geisler, “Miracles,” 451.

⁸ Herbert Lockyer, All the Miracles of the Bible: The Supernatural in Scripture, Its Scope and Significance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1961), 13.

⁹ Geisler, “Miracles,” 451.

¹⁰ Strobel, The Case for Miracles, 189–210; Josh McDowell, The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1999), 203–284; and Geisler, “Miracles,” 644–669.

Booklet Category

How a Christian Should Respond to Government?

bduval — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 15:44:56 +0000

How a Christian Should Respond to Government?

bduval Wed, 06/08/2022 - 15:44

2020-12-25

Stuart Wachowicz

Opinions vary widely regarding the proper administration of law and order in society today, often leading to unrest, protest and even violence. With such strong disagreement among people and groups, all striving to promote their own ideals and visions, are real peace and stability even possible? Ancient texts provide insights - for both government and the governed - that remain relevant even today.

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Successful Parenting: God’s Way

4uwzvo — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:46:17 +0000

Successful Parenting: God’s Way 4uwzvo Mon, 02/28/2022 - 21:46

Successful Parenting: God’s Way

Jeffrey Fall

Booklet Media

#Family

#Parenting

What is the real purpose of parenting? Is it merely to bring up children to become independent and competent adults, or is there something more? Read on, for the amazing answer!

CHAPTER 1 IN GOD’S IMAGE

For millennia, the cycle of human life has continued. Children are born, they grow up, and most eventually produce children of their own. One generation dies, and is replaced by the next. Yet few have understood the answer to the age-old question: “What is the purpose of this repeating cycle of life?” To those steeped in the mistaken belief system of evolution, their only conclusion is that this cycle of human life exists solely to reproduce the species. Life has no meaning, they believe; it just exists.

To those of us who have proved for ourselves the existence of the Creator God, it logically follows that our Creator made us for a purpose. The word of God very clearly reveals that amazing purpose: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness'” (Genesis 1:26). Human beings were created in the likeness of the God Family (Ephesians 4:14–15). If we are willing to be trained by the Family of God (God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ), and open to developing in ourselves the very character and mindset of God Himself, we can at Christ’s return literally be fully born into the Family of God, in which Jesus Christ was “the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

In the meantime, “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.… The Spirit… bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14, 16). What an awesome privilege! If we are willing to be led and trained by our spiritual parent (God the Father) and our “elder brother” (Jesus Christ), we can eventually fulfill God’s stated purpose for us: to be fully created in His image. God’s intent is to bring up godly children, in His image, who will reign under Him as kings and priests with Jesus Christ on this earth: “And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:10).

For Christian parents, the ultimate goal is to lay a foundation in their children’s young impressionable years, so they will always desire to fully seek God as their Father. That is the goal, though parents cannot force children to make the right decisions. Even God, our Father, does not force us to make right decisions. He will lead us and direct us, but He will not force us. The goal of godly parenting is to help our children want to walk in the footsteps of parents who are living God’s way of life, and who are walking in the footsteps of their spiritual Father. As parents, we want to develop our children’s desire to follow God, not just emphasize our desire for them to follow God.

Both my wife and I were blessed to have parents who were very consistent in parenting. Not all have been privileged to experience a pattern of consistency in parenting, but we all experience the pattern of our spiritual Father, who is totally consistent with us. We can clearly see from God’s word that the Creator of the universe operates on the “blessing for obedience and correction for disobedience” principle. If we follow this principle consistently in parenting, we lay the foundation for the future family of God.

Yes, our personal example is of the utmost importance! Children must see the real God through their parents’ eyes. Young children’s perception of God is primarily developed by their parents’ example. We cannot hope to rear godly children if we, as parents, are not genuine godly examples. If children see intolerance, hypocrisy, self-centeredness and frequent anger, they will not likely be attracted to their parents’ belief system. Instead, the authority figures in their youth will provoke a negative attitude toward God’s authority later in life.

Parents need to prove fully, in their present life experience, that God’s way of life is of very high value and works for them! If we have not clearly demonstrated to our children that God’s principles work for us, how will we ever convince them that God’s laws are worthwhile, and that the godly principles we teach are good for them?

As important as our example is, however, it is only a part of the whole. Even if every one of us could become the “perfect parent,” our perfection would not guarantee a perfect outcome. The Bible clearly speaks of Adam as “the son of God” ( Luke 3:38), yet we know that God refused to force Adam and Eve to make the right decision. God taught Adam and Eve to live His way of life, yet the perfect Parent had children who chose to reject His example and teaching. Later, God’s child (Adam) reared a son (Cain) who became a murderer.

So, do we have any hope of rearing children who will commit their lives to God? We live in a world that is under the influence of the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), the “prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” ( Ephesians 2:2). The entertainment media are saturated with the perverted mindset of Satan’s way of life. This world’s educational system is steeped in the satanic theory of evolution, as well as a continual erosion of any sense of morality or values.

One of the fundamental keys in parenting is that we must actively be demonstrating to our children that God’s way works for us! By the example of our own lives, we must be able to show our children that God’s principles will bring joy to their lives far beyond what Satan’s system has to offer. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” ( Galatians 5:22–23). If you ask people on the street whether they would like to have a life full of love, joy and peace, universally they will say: “Absolutely!” The problem is that the average person today does not recognize the principles of God as the cause that will bring the effect of a very stable and joyous life. This occurs primarily because the world has not been called to true Christianity; rather, it is exposed to a false “so-called” Christianity. We as parents must expose our children to the truth of the Bible; not just in the truth (doctrine) we teach, but also in the truth we live. If children experience a parent who gives unconditional love, has clear-cut rules that are consistently reinforced and genuinely displays the fruits of God’s Spirit, it will not be difficult for them to develop respect and obedience to God as they grow up.

Many people have accepted the satanic lie that God’s way of life is a “real drag.” They think God restricts us from every pleasure, resulting in a dull life of suffering and self-denial. If this is our image of God, our children will in time notice our approach—and it will become their image of God as well. If, instead, parents are truly thankful for the great God, and grasp the tremendous blessing of understanding God’s way of life (which defines what is harmful for us and what will bring an abundant life, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually), our children will internalize this instead.

A Christian’s children have a special blessing. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that a child with even one converted Christian parent is “holy” (1 Corinthians 7:14)—which means that such a child is unique in God’s sight and has been “set apart.” But will all such children of believers eagerly respond to God? Their physical parents can play a major role in making it very easy—or very difficult—for them to respond.

We need to realize that to be “called by God” simply means that one has received an invitation from God. Sometimes invitations are sent to those asked to come to a wedding. Often, the invitation is sent with an R.S.V.P., which requests your response to the invitation. If you intend to come, you must let the host know your intentions so a place will be saved for you.

Jesus Christ taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is like an invitation to a wedding: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come” (Matthew 22:2–3). As with any invitation, some individuals accept, and some do not even bother to respond. The English words “call” and “invite,” found in verse 3, are translated from the same Greek word. To be “called” by God and to be “invited” by God are one and the same.

This is the invitation the Apostle Peter was describing on the Day of Pentecost when he said: “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” ( Acts 2:39).

Here we see that God offers His gift of the Holy Spirit not just to the “you” who heard Peter speaking on Pentecost, but also to those who are “your children”—the offspring of Christian parents—and to those who “are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call”—those whom God will call over time.

For all of these, the promise of receiving God’s Spirit is conditional upon seeking and experiencing genuine repentance and surrender in baptism (v. 38). Clearly, though the children of converted parents have potential access to God, not all will seek Him.

Our goal as parents, then, is to do the best job we can possibly do in turning our children’s hearts to their true Father, the Supreme God. We want to mold them as best we can, while we have the opportunity in their early years to lay a foundation for their future. Not every child will choose to go God’s way fully, but our teaching and training will not be wasted! Knowledge of God’s laws, at least to the extent that they are followed, will still benefit our children in their lives. This is true even for those whose parents are not Christians. God’s laws operate on cause and effect, and to the extent that even non-Christians apply the spiritual laws of God, they will have better lives.

Those children who have been taught God’s way of life in their childhood will at least have a foundation they can turn to if and when they choose. Of course, Christian parents hope and pray that our children will turn to God now. But if they do not, we can at least know that every moment that we spend teaching them ( Deuteronomy 6:4–7), every positive example and every loving concern for our children will not be lost. They will have a positive foundation to turn to before the close of this age, even if it is at the White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11–12).

And for those children who “see the light” in their youth and turn fully to their God, what an amazing future they have! God offers to be their parent and their partner for life, guiding them through every decision and milestone in their life, just like a loving physical father. The result will be better marriages, stronger families, peaceful and stable minds—and birth into the very Family of God at Christ’s return. They will have the opportunity to work with Jesus Christ Himself as He establishes His Kingdom and brings peace to the earth. Cities will be rebuilt God’s way, without pollution or crime or the blight of overcrowded inner city slums. Our children can have the opportunity of being in on this worldwide transformation of this new age.

Parents who are begotten “children of God” have a responsibility to help in fulfilling Christ’s “great commission” at the end of this age. Their prayers and financial support can help the Work of God in announcing the coming Kingdom of God “in all the world as a witness” ( Matthew 24:14). We also find that before the Day of the Lord and the end of the age there will be an effort to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:6). The ultimate Father, to whom the hearts of the children must be turned, is God the Father. As we have seen, God’s purpose on this planet is to “make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). God is creating future members of His Family, in the spiritual and character image of God as His literal children.

So we parents have a very high calling. Our God is training us as His children in His image! In turn, God is calling us to train and shape our children’s young impressionable minds in His image. This is a lofty goal in a dark and dangerous world. But as a loving parent, God promises that: “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper'” (Hebrews 13:5–6). The closer we move to our Father, the more we will in our own lives emulate His qualities as the perfect parent. Every last parent has made mistakes in parenting, but God knows that parents, like their children, are capable of learning and changing.

Yes, this is easier said than done, but with God’s guidance there is real hope. If we maintain the guiding principle of rearing children “in God’s image,” we will have all the resources of the Creator God to draw on.

If our ultimate goal as parents is to bring up our children “in God’s image,” it will become our guiding light and central theme for everything we do in our family. Our real desire then, becomes the creation of a culture of God within our home. One definition of culture that especially applies is “a particular stage of advancement in civilization” (Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary). In this case, as we advance, it is the “advancement in civilization” of the future Family of God.

As parents and grandparents—as for all begotten children of the great God—let us rededicate our lives to turning the hearts of the children to their spiritual Father. This is the ultimate goal and purpose of parenting: to have children “in God’s image.”

CHAPTER 2 SELF-ESTEEM OR SELF-CONTROL?

Why is parenting so difficult? One obvious answer is that there are so many variables, many of which are beyond our control. Our primary examples in parenting have been our own parents. Whatever we have experienced from our parents is the pattern that is indelibly stamped on our minds, whether good or bad. The example we have experienced with our own parents, of course, cannot be changed; the past is beyond our control. But none of us are prisoners of the past. With God’s help, we can change the present!

The society we live in also shapes and molds our children. Violence and sexual themes flood the media as never before, and peer pressure in the school system is ever present. Satan broadcasts constantly as the “prince of the power of the air” ( Ephesians 2:2), and he is ever ready and willing to influence our children.

Even the supposed “experts” on parenting have strongly disagreed among themselves. Over the last century, we have seen wild swings of the pendulum among those who claim to know the answers. Society has debated as to what is most important in parenting: developing self-esteem or self-control? Those who believe self-control is the primary value subscribe to what can be called the authoritarian method of parenting, where: “The parent’s word is law, not to be questioned, and misconduct brings strict punishment. Authoritarian parents seem aloof from their children, showing little affection or nurturance. Maturity demands are high, and parent-child communication is rather low” ( The Developing Person Through the Life Span, Kathleen Berger, p. 287).

Of course, these traits are a mixture of good and bad. When misconduct brings consistent punishment, the demand for maturity is high. However, studies show: “Children whose parents are authoritarian are likely to be obedient but not happy” (ibid., p. 288).

In the early years of our family (which included two girls and two boys, seven years apart), I leaned too much to the authoritarian model, though I have since changed significantly. Fortunately for our children, my wife was more balanced from the beginning, and added a nurturing dimension.

In contrast to those who most value self-control, parents who consider self-esteem the primary goal of parenting tend to subscribe to the permissive method, in which: “The parents make few demands on their children, hiding any impatience they feel. Discipline is lax. Parents are nurturant, accepting and communicating well with offspring. They make few maturity demands because they view themselves as available to help their children but not as responsible for shaping how their offspring turn out” (ibid., p. 287).

Here, again, these traits are a mixture of both good and bad. The positive aspects are that parents are nurturant and accepting, communicate well with their children, and view themselves as available to them. The negative aspects are that these parents make few demands on their children, hiding any impatience they feel, and making few demands of maturity. Such parents do not view themselves as responsible for shaping how their offspring turn out. Amazingly, studies show that: “those whose parents are permissive are likely to be even less happy and… lack self-control” (ibid., p. 288).

So which is the most important goal in parenting: developing self-esteem or self-control? Is the authoritarian or the permissive model the best method of parenting? Parents’ answer to this question tends to determine their style of parenting, and the end of the pendulum to which they swing. Those who consider self-esteem the crucial factor in human development tend to be more permissive in parenting, while those who are convinced that self-control is the crucial factor in life tend to be much more authoritarian.

A similar question might be phrased: When pouring a concrete foundation, which is more important, the cement powder composed of minerals, sand and rock, or the water that mixes into the powder?

In fact, both are needed to make a strong lasting foundation. The proportions of water and powder must be properly balanced to have any lasting strength. Too much water and not enough cement will make a very weak foundation. Too much cement and too little water will produce a weak and crumbly foundation. Both are crucial for lasting strength.

As you may well suspect, both self-esteem and self-control are equally essential for a child’s lifelong well-being. Either end of the pendulum of permissiveness and authoritarianism will bring severe deficiencies in parenting.

Children reared by authoritarian parents—who experience strong self-control and discipline without an equal emphasis on self-esteem nurtured with unconditional love—grow up with a sense of never measuring up. They tend not to venture out of their limited comfort zone. Socially they are self-conscious, and they feel insecure and anxious. They grow into teens and adults who are always trying to prove themselves.

Children reared by more permissive parents tend to have more self-esteem, but lack self-control. For the rest of their lives, they become slaves to their immediate impulses. They cannot sit still long enough to pay attention in the classroom. Succeeding in college is difficult, and holding down a job for any length of time may be equally difficult. Having never developed the valuable trait of self-control, they have difficulty tolerating situations that are not immediately pleasant.

Clearly, an imbalance in either self-esteem or self-control is a serious handicap for the rest of a child’s life.

What every child needs is a balance of the two, which we could call loving authority. This would consist of equal parts of self-esteem (developed through unconditional love) and self-control (fostered by authoritative discipline and training). Together, these will build a stronger foundation for a child, just as the right balance of powder and water bond together into the most stable concrete.

In this style of parenting, “parents set limits and enforce rules, but they are also willing to listen respectfully to the child’s requests and questions. Parents make high maturity demands on offspring, communicate well with them and are [nurturing]” (ibid., p. 287).

When you think about it, isn’t this exactly the style of parenting that we find in the Bible? God sets limits for us, but He is ever willing to listen to us as we come to Him in prayer. He makes high maturity demands for our spiritual growth, but continually communicates with us through His written word, giving us equal amounts of encouragement and forgiveness.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING SELF-CONTROL

When children are reared in a permissive environment, without real control and guidelines, the price is always high. Jacob Aranza, author of Lord, Why Is My Child a Rebel?, had this to say: “Do you want to know the most bitter, resentful children I’ve ever met? The kids whose mothers and fathers failed to provide guidelines and discipline. Children who live in permissive homes have trouble believing their parents really care about them” (p. 45).

Some doubt that children really want guidelines. But, in fact, firm guidelines and restrictions provide a measure of safety and security.

Whenever I drive across my favorite bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, I have no trouble driving in the lane closest to the edge. Although the bridge is more than 265 feet above the water, I gain a sense of safety and security from the guard rail at the edge of the bridge. I have never even come close to hitting the guard rail, but if it were someday removed and you asked me to drive across the bridge in the same right lane, I know I would refuse. More than 265 feet above the water, my sense of safety and security would be totally gone.

The same principle applies to parenting. Take away the guard rail, and the safe and secure limits are gone; a sense of insecurity and a fear of the unknown are always present. An extreme example would be of a child who has become lost in a crowd, and has absolute total freedom. A child’s fear of danger when facing the unknown can be overwhelming.

When children are given solid guidelines over which they cannot cross (like the Golden Gate Bridge rail), those guidelines become internal restraints that we call “self-control.” In children, self-control becomes the restraint (or “guard rail”) exercised upon impulses, emotions, fears and desires. When children cross over the guard rail and receive discipline, they learn that their actions have consequences. Well-disciplined children are a delight to their parents, because they are not constantly trying to cross over the guard rail.

God made this abundantly clear when He inspired the instruction to parents: “Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:17).

Have you ever seen a child who was totally out of control, running and screaming and getting into everything imaginable while the mother was shopping? Any parent who ever experiences this becomes totally “stressed out.”

Years ago, my wife would take our four children grocery shopping. The youngest rode in the cart, and the older ones walked along holding onto the side of the cart. Our children were normal rambunctious children, but they came to know that the grocery cart was like the guard rail of the Golden Gate Bridge. Cross that rail, and there were serious consequences.

Well-disciplined children, who are gradually taught self-control from the earliest age, have a foundation laid for a much more successful life. A five-year-old with self-control can sit quietly in class or in church without talking, and can learn much more quickly. The same child as a high school student can sit through classes that are difficult or uninteresting, and “stick it out.” Their prospects for college are that much greater.

When self-disciplined teenagers reach adulthood, they become much more valuable and successful employees. They tend to be on time to work. They handle difficult assignments with far less complaining, and they do not get caught up in office squabbles with people who may rub them the wrong way. In short, they are more successful in their jobs, they keep their jobs longer—and when it is layoff time, they tend to be the last to lose their jobs, not the first to be fired.

Self-control, taught at an early age through firm guidelines that cannot be violated, results in children and adults who have more control over their emotions and irrational behavior. If parents allow children to express rebellion at the earliest age, they lay the foundation for lifelong temper tantrums.

When my wife and I lived in San Francisco while I was attending dental school, we learned of a tragic example of the consequences of lack of self-control. One day, the traffic was particularly heavy across the Oakland Bay Bridge. A hurried driver cut in front of another motorist, who in turn passed him and purposely hit the brakes immediately in front of the first driver. They jockeyed back and forth for position until one finally pulled out a gun, pulled up alongside the other driver, and shot him dead on the spot.

This was an example of a temper tantrum on wheels, which we call “road rage.” It resulted in gunfire, murder and many years in prison. The seeds for such a lack of self-control invariably start in childhood.

God’s word teaches us to chasten our children “while there is hope” ( Proverbs 19:18). In other words, do it in the early years. If you wait until a child is in grade school to begin teaching him the lessons of self-control, it is almost too late for his maximum success in life. It is never too late to try, but any success will be diminished.

Self-control learned in early childhood is also a crucial ingredient in any future marriage relationship. The self-controlled adult is less likely to have an adult temper tantrum and lash out in uncontrollable anger. It is much better to be corrected as a young child for emotional tirades and outbursts, than to face loss of job, marriage failure or even prison time after a loss of control as an adult.

BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM

As we have seen, self-control is only half of what is needed to rear a well-adjusted child and adult. The second vital ingredient in loving authority is the self-esteem that is generated with unconditional love. Real love is unconditional. The Apostle Paul was inspired to write: “Love suffers long and is kind… bears all things.… Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7–8).

“Unconditional love means loving a teenager [or a child of any age], no matter what. No matter what the teenager looks like. No matter what his assets, liabilities and handicaps are. No matter how he acts” (How to Really Love Your Teenager, Ross Campbell, M.D., p. 25).

Of course, parents do not always love a child’s behavior, but we do love the child no matter what. God loves us, even though we make our share of mistakes. Christ loved us and died for us, even while we were going the wrong way. “God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

If we make the huge mistake of only loving our children when they please us, we will rear children who never feel that they “measure up.” All children make mistakes, and when love is dependent on being “mistake-free,” they will forever feel like incompetent failures. In the same way, if God only loved us when we were praying, fasting, studying the Bible or serving someone else, we would be unloved most of the time.

Similarly, as adults, if our spouse only loves us when we are doing something pleasing, such as bringing a gift, cooking a nice meal or giving a back rub, we will feel unloved more often than not, and our relationship will suffer. Love must be unconditional!

Scripture instructs us: “Fathers, do not provoke your children [to anger], lest they be discouraged” ( Colossians 3:21). Children need to feel loved, and not just feel corrected. If our only communication with our children is correction, it will not take long for them to become discouraged and feel like an “inadequate unloved failure”—a consequence of the authoritarian style of parenting.

Many of us parents really do love our children, but have not adequately communicated this to them. Children care more about how we act toward them, than about what we say or what we feel inside. So how can we show love to them in ways that they can readily understand and appreciate?

One vital tool is eye contact. Looking a child in the eyes in a loving manner says, loud and clear: “I value you; you are important to me.” Have you ever felt really close to anyone who would not maintain eye contact with you? Of course not! An inability to maintain eye contact comes across as aloofness and lack of caring. For children’s emotional well-being, they need eye contact from their parents. Children seem to look deeply into others’ eyes, seeing their degree of sincerity and genuineness.

Physical contact is another vital tool needed for showing love to children. Notice how Jesus Christ Himself interacted with young children: “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me…’ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:13–14, 16).

Almost everyone knows that babies need physical contact to develop properly. But as children enter the teen years, physical contact tends to decrease more and more. Eventually, physical contact in many families occurs only when it is deemed absolutely necessary. At any age, a hand on the shoulder, a pat on the back and an occasional hug are always possible. Appropriate physical contact is a life-long value between parents and children. While children may not appreciate public demonstrations of affection, sincere expressions of approval and encouragement that begin in the early years will still be appreciated in the teenage years.

Undivided attention is also vital. Undivided “focused attention means giving your teenager [or child of any age] full, undivided attention in such a way that he feels truly loved, that he knows he is so valuable in his own right that he warrants your watchfulness, appreciation, and uncompromising regard” (Campbell, p. 31).

So, back to the question: Which is more important in parenting: self-esteem or self-control? Both are absolutely vital! A child who feels unloved will not prosper, and a child who is never taught self-control will be severely limited in life: in school, in college, on the job, in marriage—and, spiritually, with God.

Children who receive unconditional love, and are taught obedience through loving authority, have the greatest likelihood of success in life. Authority without unconditional love invariably brings anger and rebellion. When the proper balance is applied, God’s summary of obedience and self-discipline can be realized: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.… And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training [nurture] and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:1, 4).

CHAPTER 3 CONSISTENCY: THE PATH TO SECURITY

Our spiritual Father is totally consistent in how He deals with us, His children. His guidelines are always valid, and His word is totally trustworthy. He does not violate His own spiritual law; His attitude is not: “Do what I say, not what I do.”

God tells us: “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). This means that God is consistent in His laws, His spiritual principles and His way of life. What if our God were inconsistent?

We often see the fruit of inconsistency in the daily lives of those around us. Years ago, my wife and I watched one such glaring example at the supermarket. A mother with several children was doing her shopping, and her children were wild. They were running up and down the aisles and pulling things off the shelves. Every so often, the mother would yell out in extreme frustration: “Get over here or I am going to spank you!” They would calm down for a moment or two, and they would take off again. After a few minutes, the mother would yell out: “Do you want me to whip you?”

This yelling, screaming, inconsistent mother made her life miserable! Her children always knew that if they slowed down for a few moments, their mother’s wild and irresponsible threats would subside, and they could soon go back to what they were doing.

Unlike this harried mother, Jesus Christ and God the Father are totally consistent, for our benefit. They want what is best for us, and they will not confuse us with inconsistency.

The dictionary defines “consistency” as: “constant, steady, regular, persistent, unchanging, undeviating, unified” ( Webster’s Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary). That describes the type of parent that anyone would want, especially when accompanied by a healthy dose of unconditional love and appropriate forgiveness. This is fertile ground for a child’s healthy growth, along with having a sense of being valued and the security of firm guidelines that will not change.

Even rebellious teens will tell you that they need consistent parents. Consistency is the bedrock of confidence! It is something that children can count on. Children with consistent parents may not always like every parental guideline, but at least their world is stable and not constantly changing. They know what to expect.

Consistency in discipline and parental example is crucial! People most often think of discipline as “punishment,” but punishment is only one aspect of discipline. Discipline is “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental or moral character” (ibid.).

Christ’s early followers who were being trained in the Way of life were called “disciples.” The word “disciple” is derived from the word “discipline.” Christ taught the disciples; He encouraged them, and sometimes corrected them. His goal was to train disciples who could live and teach the Christian discipline (the Way of life).

Parents train, or discipline, their children with encouragement, praise and rewards, and also with correction and penalties. This is the same principle that God uses with us. He promises us blessings for obedience ( Deuteronomy 28:1–14) and correction and penalties (curses) for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15–46).

Regrettably, many parents have tried to rework the Creator’s parenting (child training) principles into whatever seems best to them. Unwittingly, they may be acting as though they know more about parenting than God Himself does.

In previous decades, many parents relied primarily on restrictive authority and on punishments for disobedience. Little encouragement or unconditional love was given, and parents with this approach became unloving authoritarians. In recent years, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, with parents offering ample praise and encouragement, but little or no correction or discipline for disobedience. Permissiveness is the ditch in which children never learn or gain self-control.

So being consistently authoritarian is not the answer! Being consistently permissive is not the answer! True consistency requires the balance that we find in God’s word—which includes real blessings for obedience, and penalties for disobedience.

Consistent penalties for disobedience teach children a lesson that will benefit them for their entire lives—the lesson of “cause and effect.” This is how the world operates. If you jump out your second-story bedroom window, gravity will always work, and you will pay a price for your mistake. Drive your car too fast around a curve, on a rainy night, and there will be a price to pay. Break the laws of the land, and there is a price to pay. Transgress God’s spiritual laws, and there is always a price to pay. Children need to live in a family environment where they know that if they violate the parents’ rules or standards of behavior, there is always a price to pay.

Parents who do not teach their children “cause and effect” do their children a serious disservice. How can a child learn cause and effect if he never experiences the effect of his behavior? How can a toddler learn cause and effect if, when he is told to “come here,” he can ignore his father without any follow-up discipline? How can a young child learn cause and effect if he throws an angry tantrum in his mother’s face and she simply shrugs her shoulders in exasperation? How can a teenager learn cause and effect if he receives a ticket for reckless driving and his parents pay the fine?

Consistency with a toddler, with rules and guidelines and punishment for disobedience, leads to consistency as a teen, which leads to consistency as an adult, which can lead to consistency as a future son of God. The process of learning cause and effect—with consistent blessings for obedience and correction for disobedience—is the foundation for future character formation and for a successful life. Parents can either assist God with this process, or can make the eventual conversion process more difficult for their children.

“Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” ( Ecclesiastes 8:11). The pattern that is set in childhood generally carries on throughout life. A parent who does not consistently discipline quickly for disobedience does not establish the “cause and effect” principle in a child’s early years. The resulting child, teen and adult sees rules and guidelines (whether in the home or in the school system or on the job) as restrictions that only occasionally bring negative consequences.

Many parents never experienced consistent discipline from their own parents, but we all have experienced the pattern of our spiritual Father, who is totally consistent in dealing with us. We can see from Scripture that God gives blessings for obedience, and corrects us when we disobey. Applying this principle in our parenting makes life much happier. Once a child receives understandable guidelines, any infraction results in discipline. The reality of cause and effect sets the pattern for life. Some “do-gooders” may not believe in any corporal punishment whatsoever, thinking that they have children’s well-being at heart, but they fail to understand human nature and what is truly best for children: unconditional love and learned obedience with applied correction.

God’s word tells us: “Now no chastening [discipline] seems joyful for the present, but grievous.… afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11, KJV). How peaceful it is when children have been taught obedience right from the start. Even young children can be a real joy to a family when they are taught the habit of obedience.

When a child is old enough to be taught to “come” when called, for example, there are never any exceptions to obedience. I have seen some parents actually count: “1, 2, 3” and when the child does not come, the parent may finally walk over to him and pull him by the hand. This becomes an early lesson to the child on how he can control his parents.

Another popular threat is: “I’m telling you for the last time.” Even this threat may become: “This is your last… last chance.” I saw one amazing example of this with a young father and his little son: the “three ‘no’ rule”—meaning that the father’s first two “no’s” were ignorable; only the third was supposed to count. Yet even after “‘no’ number three,” there was never any follow-up discipline; the father would simply walk over, grab his son, and take him away from whatever he was not supposed to be doing.

Many parents tell their children, over and over again, to “do something” or to “stop doing something.” Finally, they explode in anger when they cannot tolerate their children’s disobedience any longer. This teaches a child that “cause and effect” only applies when parents become exasperated, and that the “trick” for a child is to learn to read the signs of when parents are coming close to their limit.

Parents make it so much easier on themselves when they teach their children that “no” means “no” and “yes” means “yes.” Life is much more difficult for parents who allow whining and pleading to occur. “But Mom… why can’t I? Pleeeeeease, I really want to!” When parents give in to such pleas, they teach their children an important lesson: if they whine and plead long enough, the parent will eventually give in, and they will get what they want.

Every parent who has disciplined a child has likely found at times that the child was crying not from sorrow or repentance, but from obvious anger. Anger is like a “muscle”—the more it is exercised, the more it will develop. If a child’s anger is not addressed, the necessary lesson will not be learned—and nothing will be gained but a hardening of the child’s attitude. In this circumstance, it becomes necessary to remind the child why he was disciplined in the first place, and then explain that he will also be disciplined for his attitude of anger. In most cases, the child’s attitude will change quickly, and his cry will turn more to a repentant spirit than to rebellion or anger.

For most young children, there are other appropriate forms of punishment besides spanking. Of course, “the punishment should always fit the offense.” In our household, we would occasionally have our children stand in a corner for minor offenses. This seemed to be effective, since they really disliked the boredom of standing facing the corner of the room without being allowed to look around.

Once, one of our sons ran outside, slamming the door behind, rattling the windows with the force of the slamming door. My wife had previously pointed out why slamming the door was not acceptable in our home, so he knew better but had simply “forgotten.” When children are quickly disciplined in spite of the excuse “but I forgot,” it is amazing how quickly their memory is sharpened. In this particular situation, my wife simply had our son open and close the door quietly 25 times. It really seemed to drive home the point, and his memory was no longer an issue.

One form of punishment that we found to be ineffective was sending a child to his room. Most children today have plenty to do in their rooms, and this “punishment” simply allows them extra time to be angry and to sulk. In most cases, loving discipline can be carried out quickly, and the parent can then comfort the child, reminding him of how much he is loved. It is also helpful to remind the child occasionally that God holds the parents responsible for how they train their children.

As children are taught the principle of cause and effect: “blessing for obedience and punishment for disobedience”, it is important that we not forget the “blessing for obedience” side of the equation. Verbal approval for a job well done, including a greater level of eye contact and a smile, can accomplish a great deal. Children, like adults, appreciate being appreciated. We need to follow the example of our spiritual Father who absolutely promises to reward those who seek Him. “For he who comes to God must believe that He is [exists] and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). God’s promise of reward for obedience can be a strong motivator.

Years ago, when two or three of our children were still pre-school age and could not yet read, my wife made a chart for all four of our children. She used pictures to remind them of their daily and weekly chores, rewarding them with a certain amount of money for each completed job. There was a drawing of a made-up bed to remind them of that daily chore. There was a picture of a toothbrush, of a dog with its bowl, of a pair of pajamas hanging on a hook, and of children sitting at the table (with smiles on their faces) with a clock nearby to remind them to be on time at the breakfast table. At the end of the month, the rewards were added up and money was given to the children. It was theirs to save or spend, after their tithe to God was set aside.

Occasionally you hear of people who believe children should never be paid for doing chores. They think it will ruin their character to be paid for their work. Yes, it is true that children should not be paid for routine obedience, such as coming when called or playing nicely with their brothers and sisters. But teaching children the value of the work ethic with rewards is certainly a right principle. Giving children an allowance without expecting anything in return is the wrong principle. Even God promises to reward us for our efforts: “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” ( Matthew 16:27) Are we wiser at parenting than God the Father Himself?

The sooner we ingrain in our young children the overall principle of consistent blessing for obedience and correction for disobedience, the more obedient a child becomes—and the more peaceful a household becomes. Consistency is a tremendous key!

We must remember that children, since they have human nature, are attracted to disobedience like a magnet—and disobedience must be dealt with consistently. On the other hand, obedience and doing what is right must be taught. Proper parenting is a huge dose of child training . Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Every rule or guideline should be logical and explainable. “Just because I said so” does not inspire the right motivation for long-term obedience. Instead of just telling a toddler “don’t run into the street,” you can add: “I don’t want you to be hit by a car and injured or killed.”

“Don’t jump on the couch,” could be explained, “it will ruin the couch” or “you could fall off and injure yourself” or “it is distracting adults who are trying to have a conversation.” Then, after the explanation, every infraction must be followed by further loving discipline.

The foundational purpose of any discipline must be the child’s well-being! The underlying reason for discipline should never be anger or a desire to “get even.” Most parents have probably, at some time, lashed out in anger when frustrated or exasperated. This is something that we must all work to overcome. Remember God’s instruction: “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Children must learn and know that we discipline them because we love them. We really do want what is best for them, and we want them to grow up to be happy and successful adults as well as fulfilled members of the Family of God.

How crucial it is that we begin to teach our children today, no matter what their age, the vital lesson of “cause and effect”—blessing for obedience and correction for disobedience. This is the foundation for their eventual eternal life. My wife has a “theme scripture” for parenting; she may have “worn it out” on our children, but I am extremely thankful for it: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” ( Deuteronomy 30:19). This is God’s principle of parenting for us as future sons of God. It should also be our principle of parenting, with our own children, for their life-long happiness.

CHAPTER 4 PASSING THE BATON

All Christian parents want their children to grow up to really love God and His way of life. We know the tremendous benefits that God’s law will bring to our children, both now and in the future—a stable and fulfilling life now, and eventual eternal life in God’s family at Jesus Christ’s return. All parents want this for their children, but they may wonder: how can parents succeed in “passing the baton” and in teaching their children to want this for themselves?

Christian parents have a very high and a very challenging “dual calling.” Our Heavenly Father is training parents (who are His children) in His image. In turn, Christians’ primary duty as parents is to train and shape their children’s hearts and minds in God’s image.

Passing the baton to the next generation, however, remains a very difficult task in Satan’s world. The pervasive influence of mankind’s perverse society, supported by Satan’s broadcasting as “the prince of the power of the air” ( Ephesians 2:2), provides a very formidable foe in our attempt to mold our children’s hearts and minds in God’s image!

Scripture shows us that even the best possible parent will not automatically achieve a perfect outcome. Adam was truly a “son of God” ( Luke 3:38), yet God did not force even Adam and Eve to make the right decisions! God taught Adam and Eve His way of life, yet the perfect Parent allowed his children to accept or reject His example and teaching.

The same applies to human parents. Parents cannot force their children to seek God as their Father. But parents can certainly help lay the foundation for their children to have a better life now, and eventually to surrender to the true God. We know from Scripture that God will open the minds of all human beings, either in this lifetime or in a future resurrection, and that most whose minds are opened will choose to receive the tremendous blessings and benefits of obeying the true God.

How, then, can parents begin to transfer to their children the desire to seek God fully? Every salesman knows that to sell his product, he must first create a desire. Parents must somehow help their children desire God’s way of life. Children must be brought to understand that God’s way of life will benefit them—that it brings very real blessings and rewards for them personally. People are always motivated by what they want—not by what they should want.

The world tries to convince children of a huge satanic lie—that God’s way of life is a terrible sacrifice, and a “real drag.” When children understand that God’s way of life brings blessings and benefits—for themselves, and for their loved ones—they will begin to see through the world’s Satanic propaganda, and will grow in their desire to live God’s way.

God motivates parents in a similar way. He provides the sure knowledge of tremendous benefit for those who choose to follow Him. Scripture explains that “he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). One who does not believe that there is substantial reward—benefit—in seeking God will never be motivated to follow Him. This applies to parents, and it certainly applies to children.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of the knowledge of blessings for obedience. “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” ( Deuteronomy 28:2). Every day, the benefits of God’s way can fill our lives: “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits” ( Psalm 68:19).

Ultimately, parents have just two ways to convince children that God’s way of life will benefit them greatly: teaching diligently, and demonstrating by positive example. Neither teaching nor example alone will accomplish the task, without the other. Some parents have been outstanding examples, but have not taken the time to teach godly principles on their children’s level, using vivid examples that children can grasp and clearly understand. As a result, their children may love and respect their parents, but be unable to understand or apply God’s principles in their own lives. By contrast, other parents have diligently taught their children God’s principles, but have been poor examples of the principles they taught. Their children will often rebel against the hypocrisy they perceive in their parents, and will turn against religion—and even against authority in general. The “do as I say, not as I do” approach rarely convinces anyone.

Notice God’s instruction to parents: “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children…” ( Deuteronomy 11:18–19). The principles of God are to become bound up in our mind (what we think) and in our hand (what we do as an example)—and we must teach them effectively to our children.

EFFECTIVE TEACHING

Children must recognize, by their parents’ instruction and example, that God’s way of life is loaded with blessings and benefits for them personally. Long before it is asked, parents must help their children answer the question: “Why should I follow God? What’s in it for me?” Unless parents can answer this question with honesty and sincerity, they will never reach their children effectively. King David understood this question perfectly, and said: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” ( Psalm 103:2).

Of course, parents do not want to create self-centered children who think only of their own benefits. The idea is to help children understand that all of God’s laws are for their own good. As children grow, they can then understand, by extension, that God’s laws are good for their family and friends—and indeed that every human being will benefit from God’s laws and His way of life.

Scripture makes it clear that children can be taught God’s way of life most effectively in the home, informally and constantly: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

Parents should constantly point out to their children the benefits of God’s way of life—sitting on the couch watching television, driving down the street, reading the paper and at every opportunity when God’s way of life can be contrasted with the suffering that this world’s lifestyle brings. There is no shortage of examples in this sick world; the question is: will parents put in the effort? Granted, it takes considerable time and a consistent focus on this meaningful goal, but it has huge payoffs. Relying on church services, by themselves, will not accomplish the task. Parents must reinforce lessons learned in church, wherever possible, with both a mother’s nurturing love and gentle teaching, and a father’s consistent guidance and support.

Parents will find it helpful to frame God’s laws in terms of “cause and effect.” Children can easily grasp the “cause and effect” concept when discussing physical laws, such as gravity. If they jump out of a tall tree, gravity will yank them to the ground, resulting in a broken leg or a very painful sprain. The effect (the painful injury) was caused by violating the law of gravity (jumping out of the tree). God’s spiritual laws operate the same way. If we violate God’s laws, we automatically injure ourselves (or others) in some way. If we obey God’s laws, there is an automatic benefit or blessing.

My wife consistently emphasized the choices in our children’s lives by maintaining clear rules of the household. When our children disobeyed those rules, we could remind them that they chose to disobey, so they had chosen to receive some form of punishment. This applied in the physical realm as well as the spiritual, as when my wife reminded our children to be very careful with knives, using them only when we gave permission. Our young sons tended to be intrigued with knives’ shiny sharp blades, and sometimes attempted to cut into something on their own. When they did, they usually ended up with cuts on their hands. After one such mishap, I overheard one of our children telling my wife what his brother had done, saying: “Mommy, he wasn’t supposed to do it, and he punished himself!” At least the concept was making sense!

Helping children understand the causes and effects of all of God’s laws is crucial to helping them really want the benefit of God’s way, instead of the harm they will do to themselves when they disobey God’s laws. Notice God’s instruction to us: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing [benefits] and cursing [penalties]; therefore choose [God’s way of] life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:19–20).

Every family sets rules for its children. Most parents would never allow their children to run into the street after a bouncing ball; the chance of being hit by a passing car is too great. Clearly, this rule is for a child’s benefit and is easy to explain. In the same way, parents can explain to their children that God also has certain Family rules—His laws—that are for our protection. Even by appealing only to a child’s self-interest, parents can explain that God’s law against stealing, for example, will protect them from possible jail time—or even from being shot at by the one from whom they are stealing!

Parents’ goal in parenting is to explain, in language that their children can understand, how all of God’s principles are for their own good—and in fact that they are the “blueprint of human happiness.” Teaching God’s principles on the basis of obedience—”just because God said so”—is a start, but a child’s motivation and understanding must go far deeper. The more that parents can frame God’s laws by the concept of cause and effect—benefits for obedience and penalties for disobedience—the more likely that children will internalize them. After all, people do not want to harm themselves. We all want the benefit of a good life, full of happiness and joy instead of misery and emptiness. Even “godly” parenting is ultimately deficient if it does not help children understand and truly grasp how God’s way of life brings them very real benefits.

When children reach their teenage years, parents have the same goal—teaching the benefits of God’s way—but must help their children understand more complex reasoning than in their earlier years. While this takes significant parental energy, it is well worth the effort. Many teenage boys can readily understand that physically assaulting a woman is wrong, but how would you explain to your teenage son that lusting after near-naked images of women is also wrong—that it will harm him and that, conversely, avoiding such lust will greatly benefit him? How could you convince a teenager who does not really grasp Jesus’ instruction: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28)? How would you combat a teenager’s assertion: “What’s the difference? Who is it going to harm? After all, I am not married, and I am only looking.”

Teenagers need to be taught that years of lusting will result in great harm to one’s future marriage and happiness! Those who have become deeply involved in “visual immorality” (magazines, movies, internet, “adult entertainment clubs,” etc.) literally experience a chemical response in the brain that mimics the chemical response generated by real live human contact! The brain can store images of airbrushed or surgically enhanced bodies that one has seen, and then compare a future mate to those false ideals. So we see that consistent lust, inflamed by visual immorality, will reduce appreciation for one’s own mate, and will diminish the potential for happiness in marriage. The old adage, “the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” becomes especially true when one lives in a fantasy world of visual immorality. Children need to be taught that God’s law regarding sexuality is a blessing that will enhance their lives, and marriages, in the years ahead of them.

FAMILY TESTIMONIES

Family testimonies, or family stories of God’s dramatic interventions, healings and other blessings, can help children appreciate the reality of God, and of His loving nature as a living and vital Lord who is personally interested in our lives. Our family tells and re-tells many such stories of how we have experienced, through dramatic healings and protections from accidents, many wonderful examples of God’s love, power, mercy and concern for us. We have never claimed to deserve God’s intervention, but those interventions have been a frequent reminder to our children of just how loving and merciful our God truly is.

For example, years ago, on one cold and rainy day in the Arkansas Ozarks, we were driving to church. All of a sudden, our car’s windshield wipers quit clearing the windshield. We quickly realized that we were being hit by freezing rain. My wife immediately suggested: “We all need to pray that God will protect us.” She and our four children closed their eyes and prayed silently for God’s protection; I tried as best I could to pray silently while driving. About five miles further along, on the shady north side of the mountain, we suddenly hit “black ice” and began to slide down the road sideways—out of control! Just then, another car coming the opposite way also hit the ice and lost control. We were hurtling toward each other at about 40 miles per hour—a combined speed of about 80 miles per hour if we were to hit each other! It was a sure collision. The thought flashed through my mind: “This is it!” Just at the last possible moment, we felt a tremendous unseen force push us sideways off the road. We came to a soft landing in the mud, hitting nothing. Ten feet further on the left was a large cement culvert, and to the right of the road was a 40-foot embankment leading down to a river. Our hearts were pounding as we realized we were unhurt. We sat there, stunned, extremely thankful for God’s intervention.

Over the years, my wife and I have talked with our children about many such dramatic interventions—including many healings. These stories have become our personal family “testimonies” of God’s intervention—stories that have reinforced our appreciation of the love, the reality and the power of our God. All parents should regularly share personal testimonies from their own lives, to help bind their children to the real God.

Parents have an obligation before God to do the best they can to train and shape their children’s minds in His image. Parents must consistently use every godly tool that is available, knowing that their children will be affected not only by teaching but by personal family stories of God’s love and mercy. As children see the example of their parents’ lives, they can see for themselves that God’s way of life will also benefit them tremendously, and that His laws are for their own good.

CHAPTER 5 THE LEGACY OF EXAMPLE

As parents anticipate the birth of a child, rarely do they fully recognize that their own living example will be the most profound influence on the child’s future moral character and spiritual development.

Parents’ personal example is crucial if children are to see God’s way of life as a way of blessings and benefits. Parental example is a form of teaching, in which the lessons are taught by actions, rather than words. There is an old saying: “Your actions speak so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying.” Children often forget verbal teaching far more quickly than they can forget the vivid example they see daily of their parents’ actions and attitudes. Parental examples and attitudes are deeply implanted into a child’s subconscious mind, and are later reflected in their children’s behavior.

Certainly parents should make it their agenda to teach their children verbally all the principles of God. But if parents’ actions do not match their words, the teaching will most certainly be invalidated. As children grow up, they become very gifted at comparing what they hear being taught with what they see in the living example. We must never forget that Jesus Christ taught a way of life, rather than an “ivory tower” philosophy. The moral values that parents exhibit through actions and attitudes in daily life will be the foundation of their children’s attitudes, values and behavior.

Even if parents could be perfect in their teaching and example, there is no guarantee that their children will ultimately follow their parents’ choice to obey God. However, it can almost be guaranteed that children who experience parental hypocrisy will reject their parents’ value system. The importance of parental example cannot be emphasized enough.

Child development experts recognize that small children look to their parents—who have from infancy been their providers, nurturers and teachers—almost as gods. Young children believe anything their parents tell them, and expect that parents can fix anything—from an injury to a toy to an injustice from a friend. God designed this early dependency and trust so that parents can guide and train the young receptive mind in a wholesome and godly way. Young children form their perception of God primarily through their parents’ example. Parents have little hope of rearing godly children if they are not genuinely godly examples themselves! If children see intolerance, self-centeredness, lying, greed, unfriendliness and frequent anger, they are unlikely to be attracted to their parents’ belief system regardless of any long-winded lectures a parent may give.

Parents must have fully proven—and must be demonstrating in their present life experience—that God’s way of life is of great value, and works for them. Children who do not see that God’s way of life works for their parents are not likely to believe that God’s way of life will work for them.

REFLECTING GOD’S NATURE

It is vital that, in their dealings with their children, parents radiate God’s nature. Children need to see in their parents’ routine example a genuine love for God, His Church and His way of life. Children who see hypocrisy will eventually reject parental training. Children who see genuineness and sincerity, however, will much more readily accept the godly principles taught by their parents and the Church.

Parents have a great responsibility to stand in as ambassadors for God and Jesus Christ in their children’s lives, by setting the right example so their children will eventually transfer to God Himself the respect and trust they have first developed for their parents. As children mature, they will subconsciously transfer to God the experience they have had with their parents. If parents have been critical and unforgiving, children will tend to see God that way. If parents have been suspicious and judgmental, children will have difficulty accepting Christ’s mercy and forgiveness. If parents have been inconsistent in teaching obedience to rules and respect for authority figures, children will not respect God, nor will they be concerned about breaking His rules.

In short, children must see some of God’s very nature in their parents’ lives. The Bible calls this the “fruit of God’s Spirit.” This “fruit” or “evidence” of God’s Spirit is simply the way God thinks and acts, and is the key to a tremendous life for parents and children alike. As Paul wrote: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” ( Galatians 5:22–23). The more parents’ thoughts, words and actions display these fruits of the Spirit, the more their children will be attracted to their parents’ way of life. Obviously, no parent is a perfect example. But parents who really want their children to desire God’s way of life will themselves seek God wholeheartedly.

RESPECT FOR GOD

Parents often shape dramatically their children’s respect for God’s Church, and for the principles it teaches. If parents continually complain that it is difficult to live God’s way of life, is it any wonder when their children grow up to reject “this difficult way of life”? Over the years, I have sometimes heard parents say: “It is so difficult for our teens not to be able to attend sports events on the Sabbath.” When parents portray God’s way of life as a burden, children will feel disadvantaged. On the other hand, when parents portray God’s way of life as an awesome advantage and a blessing, children will value it.

Children who hear parents continually expressing their thankfulness for what God has done in their lives, no matter what their current situation, will benefit tremendously as they begin to acquire the “big picture” from their parents. This life is a training ground for the future family of God, and we will “graduate” to our real career at Christ’s return! As children begin to realize what an awesome and very real future they are being trained for, they become more capable of thinking in the long term, as they can begin anticipating and preparing for God’s Kingdom.

Parents who are working together—supporting each other as a team, working as a “united front”—multiply the power of example. When children see their parents expressing love and appreciation for each other, with an occasional “I love you” accompanied by a hug, they naturally develop a greater sense of security. The children know they are loved, and they know that the two most important people in their lives love each other. Their world is secure, and they readily desire to follow the pattern of love and security that their parents are demonstrating as the outcome of God’s way of life.

On the other hand, children who continually see parents fighting, arguing and being disrespectful of each other will, in time, realize that their parents’ “way of life” is not working for them, no matter what they preach. Marriage is a “living laboratory” that can demonstrate either the tremendous benefits of God’s way of life, or the destructive effects of the world’s way of life. It would be wonderful if all children could learn equally well from a poor parental example—learning what not to do—but the reality is that children can recognize where there is unhappiness, and naturally reject the parents’ way of life that seems to have brought them such unhappiness.

TOTAL TRUTHFULNESS

Children absolutely need to see in their parents an example of total truthfulness! Truth is the foundation of God’s way of life: “The entirety of your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). If children see their parents lie or deceive (as is the standard in much popular entertainment today), they have no reason to accept the spiritual principles in which the parents say they believe! When children see total truthfulness in their parents, this lends tremendous credibility to the concept that there are spiritual laws that must not be violated. When parents are quick with a “white lie” to escape an awkward situation, children quickly pick up on this example, and soon begin to play by the same rules. Even worse is when parents ask their children to lie for them—perhaps telling a child who answers the phone to say that the parent “is not here.” If God’s principles do not apply in these situations, how will children ever know that it is important to tell the truth? For children who experience parental lying, the whole concept of truth becomes relative to what seems best at the moment.

If lying is part of parents’ character, their children will not trust them. Similarly, God will not be able to trust parents who lie, and He says plainly that no liars will be in His Kingdom (Revelation 21:8). If parents live by the principle of truthfulness, and teach it diligently to their children from an early age, lying will become almost nonexistent. This then becomes the foundation of great trust between parents and children, which builds a very strong parent-child relationship.

TRUE VALUES

Children also learn much by observing the standards their parents use in valuing other people. In today’s society, it seems that the three main false standards of value are power, money and appearance. Parents do their children a huge disservice when they shower extra attention and favor on others with more power, wealth or beauty—they are, in effect, telling their children that they are much more impressed by the world’s values than by godly values and character.

God’s standard of human worth is clear: “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature… For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” ( 1 Samuel 16:7). Parents should apply this principle to their children. Approval and acceptance of children should be based on unconditional love and on character. If young children are frequently told: “you are such a beautiful little girl” or “what a handsome young man you are,” they are receiving the wrong message of their value. Parents’ compliments should primarily be focused on children’s character and good deeds. Children should be praised and encouraged when they are honest, caring and sharing, when they show integrity, and when they regularly seek God through prayer and Bible study.

Parents who are unduly focused on their own attractiveness can also send the wrong message. Children quickly pick up on their parents’ values. Mothers whose dress is immodest—favoring provocative clothing such as tight pants, short skirts or low-cut or clinging tops—are telling their children that such appearance is valued in a wife and mother, and that her main value is her ability to attract attention and even lust. Given such an example, daughters will expect to dress in a more extreme and revealing way than their mothers, and sons will look for the same in a wife. God, however, set the standard for godly women when He inspired Paul to write: “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God” ( 1 Timothy 2:9–10, NIV).

This principle, of course, applies equally to fathers. When one’s main sense of value and self-worth comes from appearance and clothing, children notice. Also, when children see that their father takes the most notice of a woman’s clothing and her body, then this sends the wrong signal. Yes, wives need to know that their husbands find them attractive, but what children really need to hear is that their father deeply appreciates and values their mother’s godly traits and character.

TIME WITH GOD

Children should be able to notice their parents’ personal prayer and study time. It is fine, and not to be avoided, for children occasionally to wander into their parents’ bedroom and find one or both parents on their knees praying. Such an example will be impressed on their children’s minds for the rest of their lives as they recognize their parents’ prayer routine as an essential priority in their lives.

When parents consistently pray over each meal, children learn to respect God more than their hunger. Parents can even encourage their toddlers to keep quiet during mealtime prayer, by holding their hands throughout the prayer and showing them how to bow their heads. This way, they not only see the importance their parents place on communicating with the God who is so important in their lives—they also learn early how to model that same respect themselves.

Children also learn from the example of seeing their parents studying God’s word daily. Although it is usually easier to study while children are asleep, parents may find it helpful to vary their schedule occasionally, so children can see the example of parents who study God’s word. It is a healthy part of a child’s development to recognize that parents need to spend time with their Heavenly Father. Children also benefit from learning to entertain themselves quietly while parents are studying, supervised by a parent but knowing not to interrupt.

If children see that their parents study God’s word only once a week at church, they too will most likely adopt the same pattern. Through their parents’ example, they will perceive that studying is a duty and a chore to be “worked in” once a week. By contrast, children who see their parents happily studying God’s word daily will in time expect to mimic their parents’ pattern of making Bible study and prayer a valued daily link to the Great God.

Children should also see occasional fasting as a normal part of their parents’ lives, as part of seeking God’s guidance regarding what is best for the family, and regarding their personal spiritual growth. As children mature and face key decisions of their own, their parents’ example of fasting will become increasingly beneficial. They will come to appreciate God’s promise that, if they fast regularly for the right reasons: “The Lord will guide you continually” (Isaiah 58:11). Children who learn this lesson from their parents’ example will have inherited a tremendous life-long legacy for success as they learn to turn to God in times of need, decision-making and even repentance.

Parents’ example of church attendance will also have a crucial effect on their children. Young people who see their parents reluctantly drag themselves to church, or see them miss frequently, will begin to see church attendance as an option, or as an “obligation” that must occasionally be met to satisfy God or the minister. What a horrendous mistake! By contrast, if children see their parents gladly attending, with the rare exception of illness, they will begin to appreciate their parents’ genuine desire to learn more about God and His way of life.

As the years go by, and children see their parents’ example of valuing time spent in prayer, Bible study, church attendance and occasional fasting, they will come to appreciate that their parents place the utmost importance on their relationship with God. While even the most outstanding parental example will not absolutely guarantee success in passing along to children the value of living God’s way, a poor example will surely hinder children’s ability to appreciate their parents’ way of life. Christian parents must make it obvious to their children, by the example of both words and deeds, that following the way of life exemplified by Jesus Christ is the true path to joy and happiness.

CHAPTER 6 CREATING A GOD-CENTERED FAMILY CULTURE

All too often, parents tend to compartmentalize God in their family life. We view the Christian walk as composed of certain Christ-like behavior patterns, church services, and perhaps occasional family Bible studies. In truth, this is a good start, but there is far more to creating a culture of God within our homes. If we visualize our entire family life as a pie chart, most would view the spiritual aspect of parenting as a small percentage of the whole: simply a small piece of the pie. In contrast, if we truly do want to rear children “in God’s image,” then the spiritual focus must encompass the entire pie.

What does this mean? Simply that every decision we make as parents should revolve around the question: “Will this increase or decrease the likelihood that my child will grow up ‘in God’s image’?” Perhaps a father is considering a second part-time job, which would help the family afford a vacation cabin. Certainly the family would value the cabin—but the second job would cause him to spend much less time with his children. So, what would more likely turn the children toward God when they are older: the pleasure of a cabin in the woods, or the presence of a devoted father spending more time each day with his children?

When a family’s parenting is guided by this type of priority-setting, a much more stable foundation is being laid, which will dramatically increase the likelihood that children will walk in their parents’ spiritual footsteps. Years ago, we hung a plaque on a wall in our home, with a scripture that summarizes this principle: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” ( Joshua 24:15).

What, then, are some of the significant principles that will help us guide our family decisions in this way, creating a God-centered family culture? Let us consider five vital principles:

Principle 1: Go to the source

of true godly culture—God Himself

In and of themselves, parents almost inevitably lack sufficient wisdom and understanding to guide their children’s young minds in a godly direction. Adults’ primary model for parenting, of course, comes from their own parents. All parents enter the parenting years influenced by whatever flaws were present in their own upbringing. No matter how much we appreciate our parents—most of whom did the best they knew how—the fact is that none of us have grown up with flawless examples by which we can pattern our own parenting. For that matter, none of our parents grew up with ideal examples, either—a pattern that extends all the way back to the first human children, Cain and Abel.

Yet, if we have not laid a godly foundation for our children when they are small, it becomes all the more difficult to establish that foundation when they mature into their teen years. Thankfully, we can turn to the perfect parent, God Himself, and seek His help when we lack what it takes. God tells us in His word that if a parent “does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” ( 1 Timothy 5:8). God, as our parent, lives by this same principle and is ever willing to give us all the help we need, if we are willing to go to the source.

Parents all too often realize that they lack the necessary wisdom to handle so many of the difficult and frustrating circumstances they encounter in rearing children. In my own family’s history, there have been many situations in which my wife or I realized that we were “in over our head.” But God has given us—His spiritual children—a promise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally” ( James 1:5).

When a family situation is particularly difficult, it is time to focus even more fervently on seeking God’s help, wisdom and direction. Once, when Jesus’ disciples were frustrated by their inability to cast out a demon from a young man, Jesus told them: ” This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). And so it is with so many difficult problems in life, including parenting—some problems are overcome “by nothing but prayer and fasting.” In fasting, we move closer to our God, admitting our weaknesses and our total need for His guidance, wisdom and insight. God promises that when we take this approach of seeking God aggressively through fasting: “The Lord will guide you continually” ( Isaiah 58:11). We must be willing to ask, in order to receive!

Principle 2: Be willing to put

your children ahead of yourself

Our human nature—and the world around us—teach a very contrary principle: “Find yourself, discover yourself, and take care of ‘number one’ because no one else will.” But what comes about when we follow the world’s advice and make ourselves “number one”? If we do so, and neglect our responsibilities in parenting, we will leave a void in our children’s lives—a void that will be filled, by society and by Satan’s mindset! Remember, we may neglect our children’s upbringing, but Satan will never neglect to do what he can to influence them!

Paul’s admonition to the Philippians applies especially to parents. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” ( Philippians 2:4–5). Most parents—especially mothers—can remember the countless times that they were awakened in the middle of the night by the cries of a newborn baby. It would be a rare parent, indeed, who would simply ignore a newborn’s cry with the thought: “I need my sleep; I have to take care of myself.” Most parents find that it comes fairly naturally to put the physical needs of their children ahead of their own—but it is rare indeed for a parent to put their children’s long-range spiritual needs at the forefront of the family’s priorities. Parents need to ask themselves, from time to time: “Have I put the needs of ‘self’ ahead of the need to rear my children ‘in God’s image’?” It takes an investment of time to put our children’s spiritual needs first, but God wants parents to take advantage of every opportunity to teach their children godly principles. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” ( Deuteronomy 6:7).

Principle 3: Make a godly mindset

the chief influence on your children

It is a high calling for human beings to be given the responsibility of molding young minds in the image of God. We cannot accomplish this by wishful thinking or simply by desire. It requires a huge investment of time and effort, and careful attention to the roles God has given to parents. God wants husbands to be fully supportive of their wives as “keepers at home” ( Titus 2:5, KJV). When a wife and mother is able to spend her hours as a full-time “keeper at home,” she can create a warm and nurturing environment while serving as the chief influence in forming her young children’s character. Sending young preschool children to a day-care center during their formative years dramatically changes the dynamics of rearing children “in God’s image.” Day after day, children in such situations quickly have their view of life shaped by other children and adults around them. The significant question for a parent becomes: “Do I want my little child’s mind formed by our family, or by the world?”

Many parents will say: “Yes, we know that having a full-time Mom at home is ideal, but we simply can’t afford it.” Sadly, it is often true that a mother must work so that a family can make ends meet. But we should not overlook another vital dimension of help and support: God Himself. He is not limited in resources, nor is He limited in the capacity to provide for His own children. If we turn our desire over to God in frequent prayer, reminding God that we really want our children to grow up loving Him and living His way of life, God will hear! Ask God to show you how to economize or do your part in lowering expenses or increasing income. Often, the seemingly impossible is possible through God, if we fully trust Him, and ask according to His will: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

God’s word also tells us: “Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” ( Psalm 34:10). Since God knows the value of the mother’s role at home, we should trust Him to provide so this will be possible. Yes, this may require a family to reduce its physical standard of living, but if the family’s chief goal is to bring up children in God’s image, God assures us that with His help it is possible!

Many couples discover that when a mother quits working, the family is not nearly as “behind” financially as they had feared. When a working mother gives up her paycheck, she also gives up many extra costs that go with being a working mother: perhaps a second car payment, extra insurance, gasoline, clothes for the workplace, dry cleaning bills, more restaurant meals and packaged foods for the family, and so on. Often, the loss in income is not nearly as great as it might first appear.

When a mother is able to stay at home full-time, young children’s sponge-like minds will be guided and shaped primarily by a devoted mother and father, rather than primarily by the world. Though family circumstances vary, it is generally true that the longer a mother can be a full-time Mom at home, the better for the children. An increasing number of parents who have the resources and ability are choosing to “home school” their children, because of concerns about the quality and environment of schools in today’s society. Yes, there are cases where a mother must work, and cannot provide an “ideal” environment for her children. This is not an ideal world, and we do have to make the best of circumstances that are beyond our control. Single parents have a unique burden in parenting, which can only be lightened by a very close relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Successful single parents do all they can to seek God’s guidance, asking Him to give them added help and extra ability to fulfill the spiritual needs of a young child. God Himself takes a special interest in widows or single parents who are struggling to rear their children “in God’s image.” God says that He is a “father of the fatherless, a defender of widows“ ( Psalm 68:5).

Principle 4: Cultivate the concept

that “we are different from the world”

Being different from the world does not mean that Christians are “better” or “superior” in a self-righteous way. It does mean that Christians recognize that they have a different set of standards and a different calling, which they should work at transmitting to their children. Being different from the world is not something that Christians should be ashamed of; it is something that they should be thankful for and strive for ! God’s people are certainly unique in many ways, and are even called “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV).

Being peculiar—unique—does not mean that Christians are odd, strange or weird! It does mean that they have a different set of standards—God’s laws—and a different order of priorities in life: seeking “first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). If children perceive that their parents fear or are embarrassed by being different from the world, they will internalize the wrong standard: that what people in the world think of us is more important than what God thinks of us.

We can help our children value being different—help them value God’s ways—by continually emphasizing to them the benefits of God’s way of life, as opposed to the natural penalties of following the world. Yes, this does take a huge investment of time and energy, but the reward is immeasurable!

Principle 5: Guard children’s minds

from the influence of the ungodly

It is so crucial that we protect our children from Satan’s influence and propaganda onslaught, but we also do not want to bring them up naïve and ignorant of the world, vulnerable to Satan’s devices. Jesus Christ expressed similar sentiments when He prayed that God would protect His followers: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” ( John 17:15).

Some parents, when seeking a neighborhood where they will buy a house or rent an apartment, make a priority of finding a neighborhood where there are many other children with whom their children can play. This is an excellent choice if you want to rear children who spend most of their free time absorbing the mindset of the world. When our family has looked for places to live, we have actually been delighted to find an older neighborhood with few children. Does this mean we wanted to isolate our children? Not at all! Our goal has been to let our children mix with other children in regulated, supervised activities—not in unregulated and unsupervised “free time.”

When our children were growing up, we involved them extensively in community athletic leagues. Our two sons and two daughters were involved in such supervised activities as tee ball, baseball, softball, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, tap dance and swimming. They actively mixed with children from all backgrounds, but that mixing was “purpose-driven.” Our children were participating in activities where coaching and teamwork were central.

What we sought to avoid were the unsupervised activities with neighborhood children—in the alley, or out in the woods, or at the local hangout or at the movies, or even at friends’ homes when their parents were gone. We did not want to give our children a “green light” to mix freely with the world’s mindset, which is characterized as having “walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons [children] of disobedience“ ( Ephesians 2:2). This is not to say that we wanted to separate our children totally from the world; we simply wanted to expose them to the world in a structured and controlled way.

Though we do have friendly acquaintances who are not Christian, God’s people should be our true friends, and we should emphasize and teach our children God’s key directive that we be “not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ( 2 Corinthians 6:14). This does not at all mean that we think we are better than others, but it does mean that we take God’s word and His principles seriously! If we saturate our minds with close friendships in the world, this will, in time, tend to shift our focus away from the Kingdom of God and toward the things of Satan’s world.

If we encourage our children, and our teens, to fully intermingle with the world—through neighborhood sleepovers, close neighborhood friends, school dances and dating in the world—we are slowly but surely inviting them to accept the world’s influence and mindset. Time spent together is certainly a factor of friendship with the world, and God warns all of us: “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” ( James 4:4). Close friendships in the world inevitably become an increasing link to this world’s society, and to a value system alien to God’s people.

This is not to say that all those “of the world” are to be shunned and avoided at all costs. There are many “good” people in society who are doing the best they know how in living moral lives. But if our goal in parenting is to rear the next generation “in God’s image,” we will increase the likelihood of doing so if we encourage our children to form their closest, deepest friendships with those walking the same path to God’s Kingdom. Remember, every aspect of our parenting should revolve around the question: “Will this increase or decrease the likelihood that my child will grow up ‘in God’s image’?”

CHAPTER 7 PUTTING GOD’S WAY INTO ACTION

Since the central focus of godly parenting is to bring up children “in God’s image”—with Jesus Christ’s values, thoughts and way of life—a vital aspect of parenting is building children’s character through the activities and interactions of the family.

Most children grow up influenced by society through the overwhelming imprint of the school system, the twisted entertainment lessons of movies and television and the pervading influence of peer groups. Parents may try to counter the corrosive effects of society’s godless direction with their loving teaching and right example, but an additional component is needed. Here is how God Himself summarized godly parenting:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes”( Deuteronomy 6:5–8).

Notice what parents are told concerning teaching God’s principles to their child—to “bind them as a sign on your hand.” What does this mean? Binding God’s principles “as a sign on your hand” signifies the daily activities of family life! All the verbal teaching

in the world will not be enough if a healthy dose of “character building in action” is lacking! Family activities can be a tremendous tool to teach the principles of God. Yes, children learn much

by “hearing” (parental teaching) and “seeing” (parental example), but there is also much to be learned by “doing” (putting godly principles into action).

So how do family activities and interaction fit in? Family activities are meant to build strong, healthy family relationships. All of God’s spiritual laws revolve around developing a strong relationship with God (loving Him above all else) and developing healthy relationships with people (loving others as oneself). As parents develop warm, loving and active relationships with their children, they are laying the foundation for a future warm, loving and active relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ!

By contrast, children who grow up in sterile environments with very little parent/child interaction do not readily develop the capacity to identify with and love God, their spiritual parent. Many children have grown up with uninvolved parents, and as adults feel a great deal of difficulty identifying with the greater authority of God, the ultimate parent. Children who have seen their parents as uninvolved, harsh or judgmental will most likely later in life also perceive God as uninvolved, harsh or judgmental.

It has often been said that friendship is a factor of time spent together. It can also be said that godly character developed in childhood can depend greatly upon quality time spent between child and parent. I have talked with many adults who admit that one of the great voids of their life has been the lack of a mother’s or father’s active involvement and interest in their childhood. Perhaps the father worked long hours and regularly came home exhausted, only to collapse in front of a television or disappear into some other activity. Or perhaps the mother was primarily involved with a career or her own personal interests, not finding quality time at crucial moments for her children. Whatever the circumstances, without parental involvement many valuable opportunities can be lost in the vitally formative years of a growing child’s life. Children primarily left to their own devices, spending most of their time with the television, school friends, video games or the Internet, will begin to identify more with the society around them than with their own parents’ values.

Parents who see the value of family activities with warm interactions will find many opportunities to share God’s way of life with their children. Children can learn and experience the joy of outgoing concern and compassion for others, teamwork, love for God’s creation, the value of close family relationships, and many other building blocks of a Christian life to demonstrate that God’s way of life really does work!

What are some specific ways in which parents can use family time and activities to reinforce godly principles?

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Some parents assume that all recreational activities are created equal, but adult children looking back on their childhood do not seem to agree. When I recently asked my four children what family activities they remember and value the most, they did not mention the trips to Disneyland or other theme parks, or an exotic trip to a Pacific island. What they did remember and value the most was the time spent together in varied activities as a family that involved a lot of talking and shared interaction. As one daughter said, it “had more to do with the family atmosphere rather than the activity itself!”

Interestingly enough, the money spent has little to do with the value of the time spent together. Simple activities, like family hikes along the river where our children grew up, quickly came to mind. These were times to look at a bug, or hear a duck quack as it paddled its way down river, or be amazed at the tremendously varied plant life that grew along the tangled river bank. These opportunities to marvel at God’s handiwork on a lazy afternoon gave us a real-world classroom to point out the awesome mind of the Creator, as well as explaining the illogical theory and “religion” of evolution. The time spent together talking, skipping rocks across the river, and helping children over a fallen log along the way, was another way of saying “I love you; I am interested in you, and I care about what you are thinking.” Obviously, busy parents could always be doing something seemingly more valuable at home but children build strong family bonds, one moment at a time.

Hanging on my study wall is a photograph I value greatly. My sons and I are wearing backpacks, with snow-covered mountains in the background. We had decided, while the boys were still teens, for the three of us to hike part of the stunningly scenic John Muir Trail in the Sierra Mountains of California. In preparation, we decided on a fitness routine incorporating weightlifting and running. The three of us were motivated by each other, and I faced the harsh reality of seeing teenage sons that could out-lift me in weight training and out-do me in our running! It became a year-long effort with a goal that became contagious, and drew in our youngest daughter as well! The respect and camaraderie we shared formed a bond of which we still have very special memories. We worked hard together, planned for and accomplished the hike that will always stand out in our memories!

More recently, two of our children accompanied my wife and me on a day-long hike snowshoeing to the very edge of a 3,000-foot cliff overlooking Yosemite Valley in the renowned Yosemite National Park. For a beginning snowshoe experience, it took a lot of effort huffing and puffing through miles of snowy terrain. As we finally reached the car at the end of the day, our son stated, “Activities like this, in which we work hard and tire out together, seem to pull us together in a special way.” How true this is! It is not hours spent sprawled on the living room couch watching a movie without moving a muscle that builds family bonds and godly family values. No, it takes time spent together interacting. The goal then is for parents to always be striving to “work in” or highlight some character-building principle, while having a good time as a family.

So many other opportunities abound in which parents can incorporate activities into events that help children develop right character, as well as rounding out their interests, education, and social opportunities. Visits to historical locations and museums emphasizing the contributions of those who preceded us in our national history help to teach the lesson of appreciating the contribution and sacrifice of others. Additionally, an occasional cultural event such as taking in an uplifting and inspiring concert helps children learn and appreciate music of balance and harmony. With a little effort it can be pointed out that God appreciates balance and harmony in music as well as in His creation and all aspects of a godly lifestyle.

BALANCED WORK ETHIC

Today, children often grow up with one of two opposite attitudes concerning the value of work. Some children acquire from their parents the assumption that work is an evil to be avoided if at all possible. Countless millions of individuals lavish any extra money they have on state lotteries, casino gambling or sports betting, looking for the “one big hit” that would free them from the drudgery of work. Other children see their parents existing for years on the welfare rolls, putting little effort into changing their difficult situation and lifestyle.

At the opposite extreme are the many parents who work very hard at trying to get ahead in life, but who sacrifice their children along the way. They think that if they just work long and hard enough, and finally earn enough money, their children will have the “good life.” In truth, many children receive an abundance of electronic “toys” bestowed by guilt-ridden, hard-working and seldom-seen parents. These children would benefit so much more from the example of parents who not only provide for their children’s basic physical needs, but also provide for their emotional and spiritual needs by investing time in their children’s thinking process, personality and spiritual development, while taking the time for some laughter along the way.

Group work projects involving both parents and children can go far in helping instill a balanced work ethic in their children. Working together as a family helps to instill the value of work along with a sense of teamwork and “pulling your own weight.” The process of working together contributes to a “we” rather than an “I” mentality, contributing to their sense of a secure belonging within the family unit. In our family, the most frequently used work projects involved the yard, where everyone could lend a hand no matter what the age. There always were leaves to rake, plants to prune, weeds to pull, floors to sweep and lawns to mow.

Our children often recall with laughter that their mother’s favorite Mother’s Day activity was a family work day in the yard. After a hearty breakfast, when the handmade cards had been read, her request for the day was that we all spend a few hours with her in the colorful flower beds, pruning bushes and roses together as a family. Yes, the children probably would have preferred to be swimming or enjoying some other activity, but they certainly did learn that working together produced a very appreciative mother—along with a beautiful yard toward which we had all contributed, and could all enjoy together. Their mother had worked and sweated along with the rest of us, even on Mother’s Day.

Every family’s situation is different, and not everyone has a yard that can be the focus for children learning to work together, but the inside of the house or apartment is always a work opportunity just waiting to happen. There are always rooms to vacuum, bathrooms to clean, windows and mirrors to wash and trash to empty. One key is for children to be assigned age-appropriate jobs, with everyone working together along with one or both parents.

While we wanted our children to know that their contribution was expected as family members, we still recognized that family chores can also be the vehicle for lessons of money management. We decided to set varying monetary amounts for various chores, with some jobs assigned daily, some weekly and others dependent on the individual child’s personal industriousness and how much they wanted to earn. It was interesting to see the individual natures of the four children: some spent their small earnings quickly on small items, and some saved and never spent. With time, they all came to realize that most everything material in life must be earned, and hard-earned dollars can quickly be spent and lost on items that have no lasting or redeeming value.

Seeing to it that children have family chores and a proper work ethic, also develops the key concept of responsibility. This contributes to a sense of belonging to the family unit, and can help develop a sense of personal satisfaction in being successful at finishing their assignments or commitments. Responsibility also helps to prepare them for the real world of adulthood, where following through on assignments in college and later on the job can be crucial to their success. Ultimately, the strong concept of personal responsibility will better prepare them in their commitment to God, His spiritual laws and His way of life.

OUTGOING CONCERN IN ACTION

Jesus Christ and the apostles repeatedly taught that the very foundation of God’s way of life is the godly character trait of love. The Savior stated: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Paul summarized it well when he stated: “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” ( Romans 13:10). This essential trait of Jesus Christ and of the Father can perhaps be best described as “outgoing concern.”

If our children are going to grow up really wanting to follow their parents in seeking God and living a life “in His image,” it is absolutely essential that children learn this core trait of God, through the actions of the parents! Obviously, outgoing concern must be experienced and shown consistently, day by day, from parent to child, as well as between husband and wife. If this is not the case, all the preaching and teaching in the world by the parents will not accomplish the desired goal. Children are very observant critics, often citing hypocrisy as a reason for abandoning their parent’s belief system. This consistency of outgoing concern for others is the basis of the Ten Commandments, of which the first four require outgoing love for God, and the last six require outgoing love toward all other people.

Less commonly practiced is the outgoing concern that children need to see directed to others outside the immediate family. If this godly trait is only directed within the family, children can readily grow up to be self-centered and uncaring toward others. A child or parent who only sees the need for outgoing concern within the family will never see the need of the very Work of God in which the Church has been commissioned to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel”(Mark 16:15). Christ made it clear that “Freely you have received, freely give” ( Matthew 10:8).

Tithes and offerings given freely to God’s Work help children realize that the world is a much bigger place than just their immediate family. Children can be emotionally involved and excited in seeing where their offerings and tithes go, becoming aware of the benefit to others. For example, when our young daughter realized that her contribution covered the cost of printing and mailing a church booklet to some person watching our church’s television program, she decided to increase her offering, excited to realize that she, as an individual, played a part in the larger “Work” of God. Family discussions and prayers help focus young minds on the bigger picture of the meaning and goal of life, giving children a positive outlook on a plan so much larger than our physical existence. Parents’ non-judgmental and positive approach will help children develop a strong desire to choose to be a part of the spiritual body of Christ as they mature.

Children’s real-life personal involvement in giving of their time is also a key element in developing their concern for others. Some years ago, our family participated in an “Adopt the Elderly” program with older members of our church. At first, we were participating to be supportive of the elderly in their loneliness. Little did we realize that there would be many rewards and benefits not only to us, but to our children as well! In preparation for each visit, we reminded our children that while their “real” grandparents were not in the area, the elderly in the Church were “related” through the same “spiritual Father,” so they could look to them as a type of grandparent as well. Our children began looking forward to the visits, and started taking cards, cookies or drawings to these new “grandparents.” The children learned to listen quietly to stories told, looked carefully at objects of interest shown to them, and developed an interest in a bygone era to which they had not previously given much thought. They enjoyed the individual love and warmth that was reciprocated to them!

GOD’S WAY WORKS!

The experience of parenting can be one of the most challenging and difficult tasks in a parent’s life, yet it has the potential of being the most fulfilling and richest experience in life! Frustrations, concerns and worries may abound, yet nothing is more satisfying to parents than seeing their children sincerely enjoy living God’s way of life. We understand that not every child reared in the Church will “catch the vision” and develop “in God’s image,” but it is a given that our efforts are never wasted! Even if they veer from the direction learned within the home, our children who have been taught and seen demonstrated God’s way of life in their childhood will have a foundation on which they can rely, whether in this life or in God’s Kingdom.

There is no richer inheritance that parents can give their children than to see, hear, and experience the fullness of the blessings that come from choosing obedience and fulfillment in God. Parents who devote the time and the commitment—showing genuine love and interest in their children—will receive a reward that will bless them, and their children, to the end of their days! “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them ” (Psalm 127:3–5).

Booklet Category

Christian Living

Family

God’s Plan for Happy Marriage

4uwzvo — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 16:53:48 +0000

God’s Plan for Happy Marriage

4uwzvo Wed, 03/02/2022 - 16:53

God’s Plan for Happy Marriage

Roderick C. Meredith (1930-2017)

Booklet Media

There really are “keys” and time-tested principles which can help produce truly JOYOUS marriages! Our success in marriage depends upon our willingness to USE these keys in our own lives.

Preface

Scores of women have told me, with tears in their eyes: “My husband just won’t talk to me! He is distant. He won’t share things with me anymore. Even though we share the same house and the same food, I feel so alone most of the time!”

The breakdown of marriage and family in western societies is by now legendary. The statistics are terrible, but would be much worse were it not for the millions of couples choosing to live together nowadays without benefit of marriage. Since there never was a marriage, neither is there a recorded divorce if these couples break up—which they do even more quickly than those who bothered to get married.

Even so, Associated Press recently reported that some 19.4 million American adults are currently divorced, representing 9.8 percent of the population. So nearly one out of ten American adults is now divorced! However, of course, many others were previously divorced but have since remarried. By any estimate, tens of millions of Americans have at one time or another gone through the trauma of divorce, and other tens of millions have been deeply hurt by divorce: children, close relatives, friends and associates. It is sad to say, but divorce is “as American as apple pie!”

What Does GOD Say?

But what does God have to say about divorce and about the real meaning and purpose of marriage? This is vital to understand. For history shows us that any nation whose society allows or causes its families to come apart soon begins to disintegrate. Most historians note that “the breakdown of the family” was one of the symptoms, if not causes, of the fall of the Roman Empire. And in our newspapers, we read countless articles describing how young people in fatherless homes tend to turn to drugs, illicit sex and crime far more than do those raised in stable families.

In fact, roughly 20 million American children under 18 years of age in the United States live with just one parent. This represents 28 percent of all children. The majority of these—84 percent—live with their mother. In other words, approximately 17 million American children live in fatherless homes!

No wonder youth crime has been spiraling upward for decades. No wonder our world has produced an entire generation of young people seemingly unafraid to do wrong. They seem to have no conscience. They are absolutely blatant in their sarcasm and in their rebellion against the rules of society and against the laws of God. As many have observed, this is the “in your face” generation. In a dual prophecy that certainly refers, in type, to our day, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write: “I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor; the child will be insolent toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable” (Isaiah 3:4–5).

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes that “in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Such people who are unthankful, unholy, unforgiving and disobedient to parents are very unlikely to have strong, stable, loving marriages!

What we all need, then, are “keys” to building God-centered marriages, and principles as to how He would have us live together joyously as husbands and wives. The following are just such godly principles gleaned from more than 50 years in pastoral and family counseling, much reading and studying, and more than 45 years of happy marriage.

Chapter One

Build a God-Centered Marriage

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). Many of you reading this may need to go back and re-prove to yourselves the reality of God! For we certainly did not just “happen.” Our human minds were obviously created by something greater than ourselves. The pervasive laws all around us—such as the laws of gravity, inertia and thermodynamics—all demand a great Lawgiver. The magnificent designs of our human bodies, and of the plants, animals and heavenly bodies, all demand a great Designer. The inspired prophecies of the Bible, which have been and now are being fulfilled, all demand the reality of a personal God—a God who sits at the controls of the universe and actually intervenes in His creation—a God who is working out a supreme purpose here on earth!

As you come to know that very real God, you will increasingly understand that He really does know what is best for you, and for every area of your life, certainly including your marriage. For He is the One who Creator us male and female. He is the One who created our bodies and minds, and who specifically designed the differences between us and even the different ways men and women think and view the world around them.

The Great Creator made man and woman for one another. He certainly knows better than all the psychologists and marriage counselors put together how our bodies and minds work, and how we can best relate to one another in marriage. The Holy Bible tells us, “and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). A little later we read, “and the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him'” (v. 18).

Man alone is not complete. Adam felt that incompleteness and that utter loneliness. He had no one of his kind to talk to or to share things with. He had no one to love and to cherish, to have and to hold—no one with whom, to the depths of his being, he could feel that he really belonged.

Our Heavenly Father understood this.

So God put Adam to sleep and literally took one of Adam’s ribs and made it into a woman! Of course, God could have done it another way. But He chose to show both male and female that we ultimately belong together. So God took something from Adam’s side, near Adam’s heart, and made Eve. “And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man'” (v. 23).

In the original Hebrew language, this verse reads: “She shall be called Ishah [from Ish] because she was taken out of Ish [man].” And so God made a “helper” comparable to Adam” (v. 20)—one to whom he could truly relate and share his thoughts, his plans, his hopes and dreams.

God’s Purpose in Marriage

It is vital that we understand from the very beginning that man and woman were created by God. They were to share life together in love. Yet the woman was made to be a “helper” to the man. She was made from man and—despite all the pronouncements of the modern “experts”—a woman can find her greatest joy and fulfillment in relating to, helping, supplementing and assisting her husband in their life together, in bearing children, and in managing a household.

A very real Satan the Devil is doing all he can to obliterate this concept from the minds of young people today. Through the psychologists and marriage counselors, through the media and even through the educational system, Satan is busily attacking God’s plan for the family. He is vigorously pumping out the concept that mankind was not created by a real God. He wants us to believe that we just “happened” to evolve, that there is no supreme purpose for our lives, and that men and women are not essentially different in many ways, so it does not make any difference as to the roles they play and which one is the leader in the family.

Now, Satan has even begun to influence certain segments of our society to accept the idea that a “family” need not consist of a husband and wife. It may be two or more people of the same sex just “living together.” However, if you believe the Bible, notice what Jesus said about marriage: “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4–6). Jesus puts God squarely in the picture. He shows that God did create the first woman for the first man. He then caused them to come together, as man and wife, to become “one flesh” in this God-ordained relationship. God intends all marriages since to follow this example.

Jesus explained that only because of the “hardness” of their hearts did God permit a husband and wife to divorce. And that was only for sexual immorality. Jesus clearly referred to the Genesis “creation story” as a fact. Jesus acknowledged that God “made us male and female” (v. 4). Again, Jesus said, regarding marriage: “What God has joined together, let not man separate” (v. 6). If this profound realization—that it is God who ordained marriage—is at the very heart of your marriage, you will have an infinitely better chance at success.

The Husband’s Responsibility

Certainly a man ought not to marry a woman unless he really and truly loves her. Yet, sorrowfully, we must acknowledge that millions of men have never learned the meaning of the word “love.” Because of cheap movies and wrong examples, they have all too often learned to confuse “love” with lust. They seem to think that a base, animal sexual desire to “get” satisfaction from another person of the opposite sex constitutes love. Nothing could be further from the truth!

For true love involves a giving—a sharing of plans, hopes and dreams between two people who want to build an entire life together until death does them part. If they are not able to talk things over, smile into each other’s eyes, share little joys and intimacies and stick together when the big trials come, their love is lost indeed.

The Apostle Paul commanded: “Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them” (Colossians 3:19). Some husbands do allow themselves quickly to become “bitter” because their wives do not measure up to an angelic idol of perfection envisioned in their own human imaginations!

But a wife was never intended to be an idol! She was never designed to be perfect in this life any more than her husband was! She was not intended to be a perfect housekeeper, mother, companion and Hollywood sex goddess all wrapped up in one individual!

Rather, she was designed and created—by the Maker of us all—to be a sweetheart, help and inspiration to a man who would share himself with her, go over his plans, hopes and dreams with her, give her encouragement and guidance, and lead, not drive, their home in an attitude of confidence and love!

All too often, especially in our modern world, men seem to think that it is up to the “little woman” to talk about spiritual things and get the children interested in matters concerning God and the Church. This is not true, and any man who fails his God-given responsibility in this is simply selling out his own birthright! For God intended the man, if he will act on his responsibilities and opportunities, to be the spiritual leader in the home.

Notice this inspired scriptural statement: “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3).

Every man alive has the opportunity to be the direct representative of God over his own home—in teaching, instructing, leading and inspiring his wife and children to learn and obey the words of the Holy Bible and to worship and serve the God who made them. Most wives and children will instantly and gladly respond if given half a chance! Men need to realize this. They must set a dynamic example of dedication to their Creator, study of His Word, prayer to God at mealtimes—and family prayer as well as private prayer on one’s knees in the bedroom, closet or other private place.

The man should set an example of self-discipline in the fear of God. He should show that he is man enough—strong enough—to conquer his lusts and control his appetites. By conquering his smoking habit, by controlling his drinking and other appetites, by restraining his emotions and directing them in the right channels, by controlling and guiding his tongue according to the “law of kindness,” he can set an example which will never be forgotten by his sons and daughters as they grow up. And this example will certainly command the respect, admiration and love of any sensitive, wise woman.

So if you will truly study the Bible to see what it says about marriage, if you will strive—with God’s help—to follow the biblical teachings, principles and examples in your marriage, then you will be blessed indeed. If a newly married couple would get down on their knees and sincerely beseech God to lead and guide in their marriage, and then study His inspired Word and follow it, they would have a kind of “heaven on earth,” at least as far as their marriage was concerned!

As much as this may surprise some who are not familiar with God’s ways, this is a fact. I have seen these principles work in this way in my own marriage and in the marriages of many, many others who trusted in God. To the degree that we follow this teaching, it works.

It is up to every one of us to make God the very center of our marriage! Wholeheartedly seek to find His will in every aspect of your marriage—and then follow it!

Chapter Two

Commitment and Trust

One of the traditional marriage ceremonies includes the expression, “till death do us part.” Although many young people today disdain this notion, it is absolutely vital that every marriage be built on this understanding. As we have seen, it is God who ordained marriage. It is Jesus Christ who said, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6, KJV). Although modern psychologists, counselors and even many professing Christian ministers seem anxious to provide married people with all kinds of “escape hatches,” God does not! Yes, “sexual immorality” (porneia in the Greek) is a God-acknowledged ground for divorce. But it is God’s expressed will that marriage be a life-long commitment! Notice this key passage in God’s revelation to mankind:

“And this is the second thing you do; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying; so He does not regard the offering anymore, nor receive it with goodwill from your hands. Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. ‘For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously'” (Malachi 2:13–16).

In the above verses, God speaks of marriage being a “covenant” relationship. He shows that one of the purposes of marriage is to produce “godly offspring.” Obviously, a stable and loving relationship is necessary in order to provide this. Three times in this passage, God speaks of one behaving “treacherously” and breaking up a marriage.

For, among other things, marriage is a “test.” It is a test to see how loyal you will be to God’s instruction regarding marriage and to your mate with whom you share this sanctified relationship. How much will you “give” of yourself to this other human being? How much will you be patient, kind and humble in order to make it work? Additionally, God says that He “hates” divorce (v. 16). God does not hate divorced people, but He despises the selfishness, the lust, the vanity, the self-centeredness and the “treachery” that is nearly always present when marriage is ruptured by divorce.

The powerful, God-inspired teaching of the Apostle Paul must be taken into account in every marriage: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:22–25). These verses clearly show that marriage is a type of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The relationship is one of total submission to one another and to the will of God. It is to be a lasting relationship—lasting “till death do us part.” It is to picture the love, the total out-flowing concern and the resulting trust and stability that exists between Christ and His true Church.

Successful Marriage Requires Effort

To have this kind of God-ordained relationship in your marriage, you must both work at it! You will need to put the thought and energy into building your marriage that a top scientist might expend on an important new invention. Truly happy and successful couples never take their marriages for granted. Truly Christian couples regularly pray about their marriages. They study the Bible and other sources to improve their marriages. And they make a mutual commitment to make their marriages last—”till death do us part.”

All of this builds within their marriage a sense of “trust” and of stability. Indeed, as the author of Proverbs wrote: “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:10–12). What a beautiful picture of loving service and commitment on the part of a godly wife! Such a wife ought to be deeply appreciated and treasured.

A man with a truly loving wife should certainly respond in kind by “laying down his life” for his mate—loving her, honoring her, protecting her, providing for her and serving her in every way he can. And any decent husband should never, ever, ever let his mind or his emotions get involved romantically with another woman. Jesus Christ calls this kind of lustful thinking adultery: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).

If acted upon, such a treacherous deed will not only devastate his wife and probably wreck their marriage, it will bring about a depth of sorrow and agony—let alone anger—to the husband of the other woman.

The One who made us male and female tells us: “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul” (Proverbs 6:32). The original Hebrew is sometimes translated “lacks heart” instead of “lacks understanding.” For such ill-conceived, rotten, totally selfish behavior will virtually “tear the heart” out of a loving husband who finds that he has been defrauded and dishonored in this way. Certainly the same thing happens to a wife who finds herself defrauded. For the deep feelings of love and trust, of hearth and home, of deep commitment and security are suddenly shattered! No wonder this passage continues: “For jealousy is a husband’s fury; therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will accept no recompense, nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts” (vv. 34–35).

All of us who are married, or who may in the future be married, should make a profound commitment to honor our marriage vows in every way! We should study God’s Word on this subject, pray daily regarding our marriage and our family, thank God regularly if we have a loving and faithful mate, and do all within our power—with God’s help—to build a deep sense of love, of trust and of stability within our marriage. “Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). In this physical life there is no greater blessing than this kind of sanctified relationship!

Chapter Three

Heartfelt Communication

As stated earlier, scores of women have cried out to me in despair: “My husband just won’t talk to me! That is why we are not close—he just doesn’t share anything with me. He just sits glumly at the table at mealtime or reading a paper or watching TV at night!”

The above example is typical of literally millions of marriages. Often, at least one of the partners thinks that he or she communicates. But the other partner, normally the woman, knows that they do not and feels alone and frustrated. She senses that she and her husband are simply coexisting in the same house. They do not necessarily fight and hurt each other physically or even verbally. But there is not the openness, the closeness, the total sharing of two lives, the love that there should be.

One authority on the subject quoted a woman discussing her ten-year marriage: “It’s heartbreaking. Before I was married, I used to go out to restaurants and just by looking around the room I could tell who was married and who wasn’t. Either the married couples were eating in dead silence, or the woman was gabbing away while the man ate and pretended she wasn’t there. I swore that this would never happen to me—but it has.”

Why such cases as the above? Why do husbands and wives, of all people, fail to communicate more fully with one another?

Loving means sharing. Every husband worthy of the name ought to cultivate the habit of talking over his plans and hopes with his wife, sharing with her many of his innermost thoughts and desires—not just the negative ones!— and make her feel deeply “a part” of him. This very attitude and approach means more to a woman than most men can even realize! Yet very few husbands share their lives in this way with their mates.

Why?

Newlyweds often work hard at learning and adjusting to each other’s attitudes and preferences. They take pleasure in exchanging opinions on almost everything.

After a few months, however, the opinions are all exchanged, the attitudes seemingly understood and the interest and excitement of “getting to know you” is over.

As the marriage continues and children come along, the wife’s interest and talk is increasingly about her children and a myriad of domestic details that usually hold little or no interest for the husband. The couple often take for granted each other’s attitudes on certain topics rather than even bothering to discuss them.

Most husbands care to hear only good news about their children, and are either irritated or bored if the wife confides in them the detailed problems involved in rearing their family. Wives usually miss their husbands most when the children are small. Having no adult in the house to talk to all day, such wives feel an urgent necessity to talk with their spouses at night. But many husbands retreat behind their papers or quietly turn on the Television rather than endure what they feel is a boring “rehash” of household frustrations.

A man needs to treat his wife as a “sweetheart.” He needs to cultivate and build an atmosphere of love, romance and intimacy in their home—kissing his wife when he returns from work, holding her hand as they are taking walks, and embracing her often throughout the day with free and lavish affection.

True love certainly involves deep and abiding respect. A man ought to be grateful and thankful that the woman who is his wife has decided to cleave to him above all others unto death. He ought to appreciate that fact—and the many, many good qualities of help, patience and service, which practically every wife possesses. He ought to encourage and bring out the best in her—not constantly harp and carp away at her in belittling criticism which only causes her, in most cases, to degenerate and respond in kind.

A man ought to respect the fact that his wife is an adult human being made in the image of God. He needs to realize that some day—according to the awesome plan of our Great God—she is intended to become a glorified spirit being ruling with Christ over this earth, even managing angels (1 Corinthians 6:3)!

With this kind of understanding and respect, every truly Christian husband should completely share his thoughts, his plans and his life with the lovely human being he has chosen to be his life partner. “My wife is my best friend,” should not be merely a cliché. It should be a reality. A mate who is a real friend helps us build our self-esteem, encourages us through the hard times and keeps us from being lonely. Couples who can discuss honestly whatever is important to them—including their own relationship—are happier and much more likely to have a lasting marriage. Even though there is a perceived risk in self-disclosure, getting the problems out in the open is much better than allowing festering hurts and misunderstandings to grow.

Communicate in a Positive Way

Remember that “listening” to your mate’s innermost hurts and concerns does not automatically call for your “judgment” or for your advice. Often it is better just to be someone to talk to. Then, over time, your mate will usually solicit your advice or comment. But let that be done on their initiative, not yours. But you need to show love and concern. You need to be willing to take time to really “listen” to your mate—showing genuine interest in what your sweetheart is saying and is going through. In this process, learn to ask questions and draw your mate out so you can more fully understand the situation: “Tell me more!” “I see. Do I understand this is what you are saying?” “I hadn’t realized that. Please help me understand more completely so I can share your concern,” and similar words of loving concern.

Never, never take advantage of your mate’s openness or self-disclosure! Then he or she will close up like a clam in the future. Regard the verbal intimacies you share in marriage as a sacred trust—to be kept confidential just between the two of you and never to be used as a “club” to gain advantage in a later argument or any other situation.

On the other hand, the approach of praising and encouraging your mate is vital. Be sure your praise is sincere and usually specific. Praising your wife for lovingly preparing a special meal, praising your husband for usually getting up first and warming up the home—these are examples of the kind of thoughtfulness and encouraging remarks that can inspire your mate and build love and appreciation within your marriage. In fact, think about that word “appreciation.” I can never forget the constant expressions of thankfulness and appreciation uttered by my own mother. It made all of us in the family love and appreciate her more—and I am sure it contributed a great deal to the happiness and stability of my parents’ long and happy marriage.

Remember that, in marriage especially, you should try to keep communication positive. For one partner to be constantly “picking at” or criticizing the other is not the kind of communication we are talking about! This type of negative harping is destructive to a marriage and should be avoided at all costs. A man is absolutely stupid to be continually haranguing and correcting his wife! How can she respond to him as a loving sweetheart when she is regularly “put down” and corrected by her husband? And the Bible makes it very plain that a wife is equally wrong if she is continually complaining, griping or haranguing her husband. “Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman” (Proverbs 21:9).

But, again, the loving, positive flow of communication, information and sharing of plans and dreams between a husband and wife is the very essence of a happy marriage. Think about it! Even God “shares” His hopes and plans with us puny mortal beings! “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). If the living Jesus Christ was concerned enough to share “all things” with us that He heard from God the Father, how much more should we be willing to open up and share our thoughts and dreams with our own mates?

Work and Dream Together

In your walks and talks and laughter and tears, go back together, and relive the thoughts of a young boy who sat on a hillside, looking at the sky and dreaming of the future. Discuss and analyze those dreams lovingly and understandingly with one another. Then work and pray together to make them come true.

In like manner, relive the hopes and aspirations of a young girl who often walked alone at sunset across her father’s fields—dreaming of a husband and home of her own someday, of children, security, warmth, laughter and joy. Be sure you work together to make her dreams come true.

Learn to respond to one another—openly and lovingly. Have no improper secrets. Bear no grudges. This is your only life, your only mate, your only love. Learn to think and feel in unison, solving all your problems together as a team. The mutual encouragement and stimulation you will feel, along with the added warmth and love you will experience, will add an extra dimension of understanding and purpose and joy to your life that cannot be obtained in any other way. Truly, “it is not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

Chapter Four

Marriage Means Giving

More than any human being has ever done, Jesus Christ exemplified the love of God. He did it in many, many different ways. But one of the greatest and most obvious ways is that He gave His life willingly and poured out His shed blood in order to be our Savior.

As we have seen, the relationship between Christ and the true Church pictures the relationship between husband and wife. After a lifetime of giving and serving, at the end of His human life, Jesus Christ gave Himself for the Church. So all husbands are instructed: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25–28).

Normally, each of us just naturally thinks about his own needs. We take care of our own desires. We cater to what pleases us. But since God has made us “one flesh” in marriage, we need to learn to think that way—to constantly consider the needs and desires of our mate and how to take care of our “other half”! This involves thinking and planning and self-discipline. It involves the giving of oneself to another human being. And that is what marriage is all about!

One of the most meaningful sayings of Jesus Christ is found not in the Gospels, but in a statement of the Apostle Paul recorded in the book of Acts: “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:35). In marriage, especially, it really is more “blessed” to give. For in most cases “the more you give the more you get.” As you genuinely try to encourage, to serve and to give, you will find that your mate will tend to reciprocate. You will both be giving. You will both be serving. You will both be pleased and even delighted at the warmth and appreciation this virtuous cycle creates in your marriage.

Each husband must carefully think through how he can increase his wife’s joy and fulfillment of life. Perhaps he can help her with the dishes and the housework at times. Most likely he should do virtually all of the heavy lifting chores around the home. Perhaps he can encourage her to get more sleep, more exercise, more recreation or a change of pace. If the family can afford it, maybe he can take her out to dinner once or twice a week, or on occasional weekend “honeymoon” trips to get her away from the normal routine and work. Surely he can try to enrich his wife’s life and his own by taking her to symphony concerts, art museums, educational lectures and other uplifting places. Whatever may be appropriate in each individual situation, all of these things and more are ways a husband may “give” to his wife.

In turn, a wife should often think about how she can enrich her husband’s happiness and his physical, emotional and intellectual life. Perhaps she can prepare his favorite meals more often. She may want to encourage him to get more exercise and sleep, and to take care of himself so he will be around longer. Perhaps she can take a nap in the afternoon or after work, or take a quick shower and change clothes so she will look and feel alert and pretty each evening, like she did when they were courting. She can encourage him to share his opinions about current events or about spiritual subjects. In whatever ways, she can respond generously to his affection, and try to make him feel “ten feet tall”—and extremely grateful to have married such a loving wife.

You may have heard that marriage is supposed to be a 50–50 proposition. You go half-way, and your spouse goes half-way. But who determines the half-way point if you disagree? True love, by contrast, means giving without expecting anything in return—giving 100 percent—and going above and beyond what you think is “expected” of you.

Christ talked about this principle of going the extra mile when He said: “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew 5:41). Yes, even if you do not humanly feel like it, go the extra mile and give to your spouse. God will add what you lack. Ask Him to help you give more affection, love and respect to your spouse, and in time you will be blessed with the rewards and benefits of an improved marriage.

So think about ways you can give to your mate. Little gifts or words of appreciation make a big difference. An unexpected hug or kiss, requiring little effort on your part, may be a treasured gift in the eyes of your spouse. A simple question such as: “How was your day?” may be a welcome gift of attention to your spouse, providing a chance to share private thoughts and feelings.

I know a busy couple who nevertheless make time to show each other their mutual love and concern. One evening, while the wife was serving dinner, she asked her husband: “Is there anything else you need? The husband smiled and said: I need your love.” She smiled. He pushed back the chair. She sat on her husband’s lap, and they hugged and kissed. That kind of spontaneity, that eagerness to give to one another, helps to generate an atmosphere of love and peace.

It is not always romantic and it is not always idealistic, but night and day, year after year, a happy couple will strive to “give” of themselves to each other. Each will try to help his or her mate achieve the full human potential God intends, in every possible way. For we do not “get” a happy marriage unless we learn to give a happy marriage!

Chapter Five

Learn To Forgive

Another absolute imperative in a truly happy marriage is the willingness to forgive. When two people share their entire lives, when they are together much of each day and night, there is bound to be friction occasionally. For we are, after all, only human. And by far the best way to solve this real problem is God’s way.

To sulk, to brood, to conjure up evil thoughts about your mate or attribute to your mate wrong motives is totally senseless. It only breeds more trouble, more discontent and possibly even divorce. Certainly, as we have said, you need to talk about your hurts and misunderstandings. Try to really listen to your mate’s point of view—not just sit there and think about what you are going to say next! Do not just think about how you are going to get back at them or “get even.”

Get even?

Get even with whom? If you fully grasp and accept the fact that you and your mate are “one flesh” and bound together by God for life, then you would be trying to “get even” with yourself! You would simply be hurting yourself. You would, in effect, be “counter-attacking” yourself.

So if after a family argument or hearty discussion with your mate about some hurt—real or imagined—you still feel upset or angry with your mate, what should you do? Again, you simply need to do what God says you always need to do in such situations—forgive the other person!

“But it was really their fault!” we find ourselves saying. “And besides, they haven’t even apologized to me, so how can I forgive them?” Through heartfelt prayer and God’s guidance, you can learn to forgive all kinds of people for all kinds of real or imagined “wrongs” they have inflicted on you; that other driver “cutting you off” at the freeway exit, the kid next door playing his rock music way too loud into the night or the neighbor lady gossiping about you.

Speaking of actions far, far worse than any of these, the One who is our ultimate Example, Jesus Christ, said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

All of us must come to realize that most people do not “mean” to hurt us. They do not “mean” to do evil. They are simply human. They blurt out hurtful words or take harmful actions without thinking through what they are really doing. And so often it “hurts.”

But the One who gave His life for us commands: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14–15). If, then, we are to forgive every person in this way, how much more should we forgive our precious mate who has now become our own flesh and bone?

What if your husband keeps on tracking in dirt from the yard or grease from the garage? What if your wife keeps on burning the toast once or twice a week?

Learn to approach your mate constructively and talk it over, of course. But if some of these human foibles persist, even for years, then just keep right on forgiving. After all, would you rather scrape your burnt toast once in a while or would you rather live alone, do your own cooking and have no one to talk to or cuddle with on cold wintry nights? Never forget what Jesus commanded: “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'” (Matthew 18:21–22).

The Spirit of Forgiveness

We all need to regularly ask God in prayer to give us the “spirit of forgiveness.” Some people seem to have a terribly hard time forgiving others. It is almost as though they “enjoy” carrying hurts and grudges around with them for years.

Remember, your anger toward other human beings usually does not hurt them at all. In fact, they may not even be aware of it! But it does hurt you. It does make you grumpy and miserable and often hard to live with. Professionals have found that these negative emotions often contribute to ulcers, stomach upsets, high blood pressure, stroke or even heart attack. Your negative emotions can literally kill you!

Again, ask your heavenly Father to help you get completely over this tendency and learn to love and to forgive all men—especially your own mate! Try to change your pattern of thinking so that you don’t get “hurt” so easily. Remember that God is called “the Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3). As you realize your own need to be forgiven again and again, ask God to help you forgive others.

The Apostle Peter was inspired to instruct all men to “honor” their wives, “as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). Peter then proceeds to give instructions that apply to our entire Christian lives—but especially to our marriages: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it'” (vv. 8–11).

We all need to view marriage as a kind of “workshop” to teach us how to give, how to share and how to forgive others on a continuing basis. As we study the above verses carefully, it becomes obvious that God wants us to learn to treat our mates with special kindness and courtesy. Yet, in most marriages, each partner quickly learns to take the other “for granted.” So each mate tends to let down and to speak disrespectfully and bluntly to the other. Each partner may forget how easy it is to hurt the other by thoughtless words and actions. Each may forget how vitally important it is in marriage to “seek peace and pursue it.”

Think about it. Think about how hard it probably is for your mate to put up with all of the acts of personal selfishness and the idiosyncrasies that you (and all of us!)have. If the situation were reversed, would you want to put up with you?

None of us can be joyful if we carry hurts and grudges around with us—especially toward our mates. So, with God’s help, learn to completely forgive your mate on a daily basis and move forward together to build a genuinely close and loving relationship.

Chapter Six

Build Your Family Kingdom

Building a happy marriage should also include the idea of building a “family kingdom.” There is an old saying: “A man’s home is his castle.” This analogy should apply to his entire family, where he is the king, his wife the beloved queen, and his children the royal princes and princesses who need training to fulfill their future responsibilities. So the parents enthusiastically work together to ensure that these future leaders are carefully nurtured, guided, disciplined and trained for the important roles they must play in years to come.

The intelligent and joyous blending of these two concepts in marriage—the open and loving union of the bodies, hearts and minds of the married couple, and the creation of the vital “family kingdom”—can and should produce an opportunity and an atmosphere where men and women can find complete fulfillment. This fulfillment is pictured by the Psalmist: “Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways…. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table” (Psalm 128:1, 3).

Once you fully grasp these concepts relating to the meaning and purpose of marriage, why not set about building your marriage and your home around them?

Instead of the husband and wife being bored and disinterested in sharing each other’s thoughts, both should be vitally interested in the miniature “family kingdom” which, together, they are energetically building. There should be a purposeful common interest in teaching and improving their home and their financial position and in planning for the future—their future.

For in a truly happy marriage, it is not “my house,” “my car,” or even “my paycheck.” Rather, the attitude should be “our house, our income, our future.”

Build Your “Castle” Together

And so the mutual attitude should constantly be forward-looking and planning for improvements in your “castle,” your home. The wife’s feelings, and her understanding and expertise in home decorating, landscaping, appliances, etc., should always be taken into account. Every major purchase such as a home or car should be a family project—affording the opportunity and benefit of a sharing experience between husband and wife.

Nothing to talk about?

No, everything to talk about and share. That is the correct answer.

Without being silly or unrealistic about it, husbands and wives should think of themselves as “partners” in a great adventure—in building a career, a business, a life together. They should talk over details regarding their mutual allies—their friends, business associates and relatives. With both husband and wife entering wholly into the discussion, they should plan their mutual strategy and discuss in detail what each can contribute to bring their goals in life closer to reality.

Then there are the children. What an area of discussion, planning, mutual problem solving and heartfelt sharing of hopes and dreams they provide!

Setting family goals together regularly can indeed produce a very meaningful “togetherness.” If both husband and wife are working, they may wish to have detailed discussions about how to set aside enough money so that after a few years the wife can stop working and they can have children. Later, they both need to discuss together how they can financially and otherwise plan for the time when the husband or wife—or both of them—may have to retire. How can they afford to do this? Where can they move to reduce expenses? What kind of lifestyle will give both of them the fulfillment they need as these events unfold? Can they develop a home-based business where they can continue to earn at least a modest income even after one or both of them retire?

If husband and wife each think of themselves as a “team,” their marriage can mean so much more. They will each be contributing on a regular basis to the “family kingdom.” They will each be giving, building and sharing the great adventure of life together in a special way.

Chapter Seven

Romance Is Vital

We are discussing “romance” last of all. Though it is the catalyst that draws young couples together, it often makes them forget the importance of the other aspects of marriage—many of which we have just discussed.

However, we must be certain not to leave “romance” out of the picture. For no matter how long two people have been married, no matter how “old” they seem to be, the deep human need for romantic love and affection is still there in most individuals. The desire to kiss and to cuddle, “to have and to hold,” is almost as basic in many people as breathing in and breathing out.

And there is nothing wrong with that!

For the Great God, who made us male and female, specifically designed our sexual parts. He made males and females attractive to one another. He created within us the feelings and emotions that lead to sexual expression. What was God’s first recorded command to Adam and Eve? “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it'” (Genesis 1:28).

Note that in granting our first parents the “gift” of sex and human reproduction, God “blessed” them. For, if rightly used within the confines of marriage, sex is indeed a blessing. In a physical sense it brings about the complete union of the hearts, minds, emotions and bodies of two human beings who love each other so deeply they have committed themselves to each other for life. As we have seen, their coming together pictures the total union which will someday be achieved between Christ and the true Church of God (Ephesians 5:22–25).

This sanctified union of man and woman in marriage is so important that God devoted one of the Ten Commandments to protecting it! For our Creator commanded: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). And Jesus Christ enlarged or magnified this command—making it all the more binding: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28).

However, if sex is used in marriage as a reaffirmation of love, of trust, of the spirit of giving of each mate to the other—then it is a beautiful and sacred thing in the sight of God. And, frankly, it should not be cheapened and made to seem coarse and common by its constant display, as in modern films, television and other media. This only serves to drag down into the gutter what God intended to be the supreme physical expression of married love—picturing Christ and the Church.

As I hope we can all see, Satan is “devilishly” clever in the way he can degrade and cheapen some of God’s blessings by inciting the misuse of something. And by deceiving millions of people into misusing the gift of sex, Satan is able to tear down the God-given basis for all decent society—the home and the family. That is exactly what is happening to most of our western societies at this time! On the other hand, God wants young married couples to love each other to the full. His inspired revelation tells us: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Again, the Bible instructs us: “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love. For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?” (Proverbs 5:18–20).

When a young couple first start courting, they usually spend a lot of time in romantic activities. They will take long walks under the moonlight. They will eat out at romantic cafés, perhaps go

dancing, hold hands, laugh together and try to fully understand and appreciate this other person whom they are considering as a life-partner. They will nearly always be clean, neat, well-groomed and perhaps wearing a fine perfume or cologne. In every way, they will “put their best foot forward.”

But after marriage and the honeymoon period, most couples begin to let down. The husband may not bathe properly before coming to bed. The wife may let her hair look like a mop or wear dowdy dresses around her husband. She may “forget” to bathe, or perhaps to put on a pretty dress and look special to him when he comes home from work. Nowadays, with so many wives in the work force, this is even harder for a woman to do.

However, both husband and wife must try to “keep the fires burning” in their romance! They should try to do all they can to continue to show each other the special attentions and courtesies they did when they were courting and when they were first married. A loving husband will kiss his wife goodbye in the morning, give her a special hug and kiss when he returns from work, thank her and kiss her again “for dessert” after the evening meal. Perhaps he will help her put away the dishes, sneak up and hug her while she is standing by the sink, etc. Each mate should try to lavish affection and appreciation on the other. Then, the “finale” will come very easily and naturally. For the two mates will have been “loving” each other all day long and, in a physical way, it will make their marriage a joyous and beautiful thing!

Give a great deal of thought and attention to this absolutely vital aspect of your marriage. Do not let anything get in the way of building this kind of loving, romantic atmosphere in your home. Do not let “job worries” interfere. Do not let concerns over the children, over keeping the house in “perfect” condition or over anything stop you from building within your home and marriage the special romance and joy that your Creator intended!

Husbands, do not be fussy, or grumpy or demanding toward your wife. Love and encourage her and cause her to want to respond to your constant affections and kindness. Try to “give” yourself to your mate in every way you can and make her life full and joyous.

Wives, put forth the time and effort to be your husband’s “sweetheart.” Return his affection and try to inspire and encourage him in every way you can. Within God’s laws, try in every way to make him feel happy and fulfilled. Smile at him, “kid” with him, kiss him back passionately and make him glad that he married you.

In all of these ways, and more, each of you should learn to genuinely love and to “cherish” your mate. Get down on your knees in prayer and ask God to help you be the loving mate you ought to be! And give Him grateful thanks for providing you with a life-long partner, a lover, a friend, a companion with whom you can fully share the blessings of this physical existence.

Ask God to help you put to use all of the above “keys” to a joyous marriage. Then, in spite of the trials and tests that come to all of us, you will have someone who is truly “special” to encourage you and help you along the way. And, in this God-ordained union we call marriage, you will be learning in a remarkable way how to obey the second great commandment from our Creator: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

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God’s People Tithe!

4uwzvo — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 20:10:02 +0000

God’s People Tithe! 4uwzvo Mon, 02/28/2022 - 20:10

God’s People Tithe!

Roderick C. Meredith (1930-2017)

Booklet Media

#Christian Living

#Finances

#Tithing

Did you know that the Creator has a financial law that is applicable to true Christians today, and that Almighty God will bless those who are willing to obey this law in faith?

CHAPTER 1
AN ECONOMIC TRAIN WRECK?

What does the word “tithe” mean? Is the law of tithing in force today? Did Jesus Christ Himself indicate that we should tithe?

The answers to these and other related questions are important to understand, especially since the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia will soon be punished for carelessly disobeying the law of tithing—and many other laws of God. We have been physically blessed above all peoples on earth because of a promise God made to Abraham millennia ago. But now the British Empire is no more. Even its prestige in the Commonwealth is fading. And, as you will observe over the next several years, America’s national “pride” and prestige will plummet.

Although America is still the world’s most powerful nation, it is also the world’s greatest debtor. We owe other nations far more than any nation has ever owed in human history. And although its debt is smaller than ours in dollar amounts, Canada’s debt is bigger in proportion to its population!

The time will soon come for all of us to “pay the piper”! Many respected economists have been warning for years about this growing problem. As the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on November 22, 2000:

“Many private economists say the deficit may have reached a level that could pose a risk to the overall economy if foreigners, who have been eager to sell their products and hold dollar-denominated investments, suddenly decide to dump their U.S. holdings. That could send stock and bond prices plunging.

“The inevitable question raised by huge and growing trade deficits is whether this situation represents a train wreck waiting to happen,” said Ken Mayland, economist with Clear View Economics in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

An economic train wreck “waiting to happen”? Why?

Because our peoples—individually and collectively—have forsaken God and His laws, He is beginning to withdraw His blessings from us. That is the actual reason we are the world’s “greatest debtor.” That is the reason increasing millions of Americans and Canadians are seeking relief from mounting personal debts by declaring bankruptcy.

Yet even in the traumatic years preceding the Great Tribulation, God will protect and bless those who serve Him and truly obey His laws—including the law of tithing.

What is a tithe? The word “tithe” is simply an old English word meaning “tenth.” It refers to the giving of a “tenth” of one’s income to God or for other charitable purposes. And Almighty God directs that this tenth be given to Him—to His true ministers to do His Work—not just to be handed out anywhere.

The law of tithing simply means that the Great God who made us—who gave us our life, our talents, our minds, the strength with which we work and the very land and materials which we employ in our work—requires us to pay Him the first tenth of our increase or income.

As far as the direct matter of tithing is concerned, God does not consider that we are “giving” anything—but are paying our Creator a very nominal amount that He requires as our Maker, our Sustainer, our Landlord, our Protector and our God!

Nevertheless, the Almighty promises: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” ( Proverbs 3:9–10).

Yes, if you are faithful in obeying God and paying Him the first tenth—or “tithe”—of your income—He will bless your life in many physical and material ways. He has promised—and God never breaks His word!

In Malachi 3, speaking to modern-day Jacob or Israel (v. 8), God declares: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” God here indicts our modern English-speaking people for robbing our very Creator and His Work today! No wonder there is so little true religion left on earth today! No wonder there is so much confusion and deceit going about in the name of Christianity!

God continues: “You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (v. 9).

Then God promises in His word: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (v. 10).

Here is a blistering challenge from Almighty God!

God says He will bless you if you begin tithing—as He commands—through faith in Him and in His word. Literally hundreds of case histories may be cited to show that God certainly does bless the tither even in material ways. He may not always do so immediately. You may have to obey Him and exercise faith for a while. But as you serve Him, obey Him and trust Him, God will keep His part of the bargain.

CHAPTER 2
A LAW TAUGHT BY GOD

In spite of the obvious blessings that come to those who obey God’s tithing law, some still have arguments or questions. Was the idea of tithing an invention of Moses? Was it “done away” by Jesus? Was it just for the physical nation of Israel—a form of taxation for both church and state?

Long before the “law of Moses” was ever codified, Abraham was faithfully paying tithes to God! We read in Genesis 14:17–20 how Abraham honored God’s High Priest Melchizedek after God had delivered his enemies into his hand: “And he gave him a tithe of all.”

This is an enormously important example that is usually overlooked or minimized by many. It is a vital example because Abraham was—in a special way—a type of God Himself. He was the one human being God chose to pre-enact the sacrifice which God would later make—the willingness to give up his own son (Genesis 22). He is the one God inspired the Apostle Paul in the New Testament to describe as the father of the faithful (cf. Romans 4:1, 11, 16). Certainly the “father” of the faithful was a human type of God—and his example is basic to all true religion!

And what “key” example did Abraham set in regard to being “faithful” with our financial resources? Abraham “tithed” to the very Personality who later became Jesus Christ. Abraham did not tithe only the fruits of his labor, he tithed on a bounty that had virtually been given him by God. So tithing is not merely on the increase of one’s crops or animals—as certain critics contend—it is on any financial increase which God grants us as His created children!

Later, Jacob promised to serve the God of Abraham and stated: “Of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” ( Genesis 28:22).

Still later, when God temporarily instituted the Levitical priesthood, He directed that the tithe be paid to them during that time as His human representatives: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord…. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30, 32).

Now notice Numbers 18:21: “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.”

Since God’s ministry during this time was a physical ministry—of offering sacrifices and oblations—and since the Levites were fulfilling this ministry as their work, God’s tithe went to them as His representatives and servants.

NEW TESTAMENT INSTRUCTIONS ON TITHING

In the New Testament, God inspired the Apostle Paul to show that the law of tithing is now altered or changed so that the tithes are once again to be paid to God’s spiritual priesthood—as that of Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes. This account is found in the seventh chapter of Hebrews.

Paul describes how Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (v. 2). Next, he describes how great Melchizedek’s priesthood must have been (vv. 3–4). Then Paul shows that the Levites themselves—through their ancestor Abraham—paid tithes to Melchizedek, obviously a greater priest in view of this fact (vv. 9–10).

In verses 11–12, Paul shows that the Levitical priesthood was only temporary and never brought to perfection. Therefore, once again the spiritual priesthood of Melchizedek has been reinstituted through Christ and the tithing law is again changed so that God’s tithes revert as before to the spiritual priests—the true ministers of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul was writing to Jewish Christians who understood at least the letter of God’s Law and had no “argument” about the fact of the tithing law. While his main emphasis is the greatness of Christ’s spiritual ministry, nevertheless it is important to realize that throughout the above New Testament passage Paul definitely speaks of tithing as a law! And he shows that it is a law, which has existed since antiquity, from the days of Melchizedek—and still exists—although now changed so that the tithes revert once again to God’s spiritual ministers who are doing His work today!

So anyone who fails to tithe is breaking an important law of the Creator God! This is one reason for so many personal and financial curses on our land today!

JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY TAUGHT TITHING

As the God of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ taught tithing. Remember, Jesus Christ is the God of the Old Testament. As the Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthian brethren: “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 10:1–4). Later in this same chapter—talking about this same time period—Paul wrote: “Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed by serpents” (v. 9). So it was Christ they were dealing with back in the Old Testament! Most theologians realize this because there are so many references to it. But most “play it down” because of the implication that it was Christ who spoke the Ten Commandments and gave other laws which “modern churchianity” chooses not to obey!

Yes, Christ was the “Word”—the divine “Spokesman” for the Father from the beginning ( John 1:1–10). So the “Word”—who later became Christ—is the One who guided and blessed Abraham in tithing to God. And Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, we must not negate or minimize this fundamental example of tithing set by the very “father” of God’s faithful!

In the New Testament, did Jesus Christ abolish this practice? No! He followed it, as did His Apostles! Although some of the New Testament books were written even after the Temple was destroyed in 70ad, we find no scriptural command to stop tithing, and no indication that the Apostles and the Apostolic Church ceased to tithe!

As we have seen, Jesus Christ is the “Word” of God—the One who inspired the Old Testament. As the Word of God, He gave the laws listed in the Old Testament, then He spiritually magnified and explained them in the New Testament.

Still, some will insist: “We want you to show us any direct statements by Christ which prove that He approved the tithing law.” All right, you shall have them! But will you then believe? Will you then obey Him?

In speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, who often made a self-righteous display of strictly keeping some of the smaller points of God’s Law, Jesus said: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done [these weightier matters], without leaving the others [carefully tithing] undone” (Matthew 23:23).

Is that clear enough? Jesus said that spiritual qualities such as mercy and faith ought to be put ahead of carefully and strictly paying tithes on every little plant that might grow in your garden—especially when that strictness leads to self-righteousness. But Christ said “ not to leave the other undone”—not to fail to pay your full tithes as God has commanded!

In Luke 11:42, this same command is repeated in a similar manner—inspired to be placed here also by God’s Holy Spirit!

Man would like to regard God’s tithing law as of least importance. But speaking of even the smaller points of God’s Law, Jesus stated: “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” ( Matthew 5:19).

How plain! If we are looking for an argument, we will always find one. But if we are willing to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness, to obey even the smaller points of God’s Law, we will be blessed for so doing.

CHAPTER 3
ROBBING GOD?

When we study the Old Testament, we find that it is actually possible for human beings to “rob God.” Yet we also find an amazing promise that God has made to those who obey Him.

Around 586bc, the Jews were carried into exile to Babylon because of their gross negligence in obeying God. Among their chief sins were Sabbath-breaking, idolatry and not distinguishing between the common and the holy (Ezekiel 22:26 )—clearly indicating a failure to pay tithes. For their disobedience, the Jews suffered many years of captivity in the land of their enemies until finally, around 539bc, Babylon was overthrown by the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great, and God caused this victorious king to issue an edict permitting the Jews to return to the Promised Land.

About two years later Cyrus allowed Zerubbabel, the reestablished nation’s new governor, to lead a group of Jews from Babylon back to the Promised Land. This migration included more than 42,000 men, along with many more women and children (cf. Ezra 2), who began building a new temple for God. But before they had even laid the foundation, opposition from neighboring armies stopped their work, and building ceased.

Approximately 15 years later, the prophet Haggai explained the financial woes the Jewish nation was then experiencing. Their problems, he explained, were a direct result of failure to support the rebuilding of the temple of God—His Work of that day—through tithes and offerings. Under the urging of Haggai and the prophet Zechariah, work was resumed around 520bc and the temple was completed in 516bc—exactly 70 years after the Jews were taken into captivity.

After the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity, one of their greatest sins was failure to pay tithes to God. Nehemiah, however, while governor in the 440s bc, began exhorting the people to zealously obey their Creator. As a result, they all “joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into… an oath to walk in God’s Law… and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes” ( Nehemiah 10:29).

Remember, God’s “statutes” included tithing. And God’s word tells us that in Tomorrow’s World His people will be walking in His “statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27). So God’s tithing law was followed by Abraham, validated by Jesus Christ, and will be followed by God’s people even during the coming millennial reign of Christ!

Nehemiah and the Jews agreed “to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities.… and we will not neglect the house of our God” (Nehemiah 10:37, 39). They seemed fully determined that they would not overlook the needs of God’s Work and of those who served in it. The people agreed to make sure that the priests and Levites were given the tithe that was due them for the service they rendered to their fellow Israelites.

Deplorably, however, it was not long after Nehemiah’s reforms that most of the Jews once again became very lax in keeping God’s laws and statutes. Breaking God’s tithing law was a particular problem, as clearly revealed by the prophet Malachi in the book that bears his name—written in the late 400s bc.

Speaking through this prophet, the Almighty asked: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (3:8–9). And for this same reason, our people today—just like the ancient Jews—are under a divine curse!

Many fail to realize that all of mankind’s woes—his headaches and heartaches, his problems of crime and violence, drug abuse and disease—are the direct result of breaking the laws of Almighty God. And one of the most frequently broken of these laws is God’s command to tithe faithfully. When human beings disobey their Creator by ignoring this law, they bring upon themselves a divine curse!

Consider what is happening today in the United States and the British-descended nations. There are many reasons for our soaring national and personal debts, chief among them being gross financial mismanagement and neglecting to “render… to God the things that are God’s” ( Mark 12:17)!

As we saw earlier, America has in recent years gone from being the largest creditor nation to the largest debtor nation. Bankruptcies by the millions have been filed in our courts. Remember that, according to the word of God, nations that do not tithe are under a curse. Could it be, then, that the aforementioned economic problems are the direct result of that curse—brought upon ourselves—for failing to obey Almighty God?

Malachi 3 does not say that failing to pay tithes is robbing the priests. Rather, it plainly states that such behavior is, in fact, robbing God! And that, in the eyes of the Almighty, is very serious business!

A PROMISE OF BLESSING

The Creator God speaks to all those who come to know about His law of tithing: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’” (v. 10)!

This is quite a challenge that Almighty God gives to every person who knows about Him and His law of tithing. He says to “prove” Him—that is, test Him, try Him out—and you will see! These verses are nothing less than a solemn promise from our Creator to bless those who faithfully tithe—those who make God their financial partner! But this does not say that God will make tithe-payers rich!

God did greatly bless Abraham with material wealth (Genesis 13:2). And we know that Abraham tithed. God also blessed Jacob shortly after he vowed to tithe to Him (30:43). God most definitely wants His people to “prosper… and be in health” (3 John 2). But He also realizes it is not good for everyone to be rich (1 Timothy 6:9–10,17–19)! Some people simply cannot handle riches. And in the New Testament age when God is now calling people to spiritual conversion, God’s blessings will be predominately spiritual—more of God’s spiritual strength, wisdom and love—and eternal life in God’s Kingdom (see 2 Peter 1:5–11).

But if we faithfully tithe, God promises to “rebuke the devourer [of the land, i.e. insect plagues] for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field… and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land” ( Malachi 3:11–12).

In the book of Proverbs, God reinforces His promise: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (3:9–10).

God Almighty has all power. He can and will bless any person or nation that obeys Him—keeping His solemn promise to bless those who faithfully pay Him the tithe that is rightfully His. Remember, “God… cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). And “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35)!

If a nation will faithfully pay tithes to God Almighty, He has promised to bless that entire nation. But even if the nation as a whole will not tithe, then, on principle, God is still duty-bound by His Word to bless every individual who faithfully tithes!

To most people, it seems illogical that parting with a portion of “our” money will make us far better off financially than if we held onto it. Yet that’s what God says! Moreover, He tells us: “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24). This is a living law. Believe your Bible! God’s way is real. It works! And it was made for you!

CHAPTER 4
DO YOUR PART FULLY

Yes, Jesus Christ taught tithing! And, as we have seen, He commanded His Apostles to teach the nations “all things that I have commanded you.” He then promised: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” ( Matthew 28:20).

So, if we would have God’s blessing and live the abundant life, which Jesus Christ promised, we should pay God’s tithe faithfully and also do all the other things that Jesus taught.

Among these other teachings, relating to our job and success, Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). True Christians, then, are to be an example to others in all that they say or do.

The Living Christ inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “Bondservants [or workers], obey in all things your masters [bosses or supervisors] according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:22–23).

Christ’s word here instructs you to put your whole heart into your work at all times—whether the boss is around or not! You are told to do this sincerely and earnestly as if you were working for God Himself. For, in fact, you are! The true Christian life is a life “calling”—or vocation in the fullest sense of the term.

BE ZEALOUS IN YOUR WORK

In His word, God states: “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” ( Proverbs 10:4). Are you really diligent in your work?

Again, God states: “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” ( Proverbs 13:11). Many people today earn their living in what might be termed “marginal” occupations—such as gambling, selling people things they do not need or taking unnecessary profits as a middleman. But God says that the basis of permanent wealth and His blessing will be given to a man who labors—really produces and accomplishes something worthwhile!

Now notice Proverbs 13:18: “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” In this proverb, God advises you to heed the instructions of those over you in your work or in any situation in life. Learn to do the job, as your boss wants it done! Learn to listen carefully—to think—to keep growing in knowledge and ability on the job!

A very important principle for daily living is brought out in Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” When a big decision comes up involving your business or farm—or selling your house or changing jobs—learn to seek advice from many quarters! Learn to weigh this advice carefully and objectively—asking God’s guidance and wisdom.

Finally, God commands: “Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread” ( Proverbs 20:13). Learn to rise early, to work diligently and to produce in your job or business!

Then obey God’s financial law of tithing—recognizing that all the strength and ability with which you produce in your line of work, all the materials you use, all the food you eat and air you breathe in order to gain strength—all this comes from God, who only asks that you pay Him one-tenth of what you produce in return!

BE DILIGENT IN SERVING THE LIVING GOD!

Once you have made your decision to tithe, be sure you send your tithes to God’s representatives who will be doing His Work and preaching His message! Just as God commands you to be diligent in serving your human bosses, how much more zealous should you be in obeying your very Maker in this financial law?

Do not start thinking you cannot afford to pay tithes. You cannot afford not to!

God often works through human instruments. He will work through you if you will yield to Him and put His Kingdom first in your life. As we have seen, the law of tithing was a part of Christ’s Gospel. As such, it must be proclaimed to the world—and to you— as a witness.

Ask God for wisdom, faith and strength of purpose to obey Him in this financial law. It will cause you to put God first. It will force you to budget—to plan—to organize your affairs perhaps more than ever before. It will lead you to exercise faith in your Creator to back up His laws and His promises.

But God cannot lie. So you will find that it is very much “possible” for you to tithe! And—if you act in love and faith—the physical and spiritual blessings that come will be just as real as God Himself is real.

God’s servant Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about a real-life example of how God does definitely intervene and bless those who tithe:

It was late in 1933—the very depth of the great depression. Ed Smith was a well driller by profession, but nobody seemed able to afford to have wells drilled.

Ed and his wife, Emma, attended services I was then holding in a one-room country schoolhouse twelve miles west of Eugene, Oregon. Ed made no profession of Christianity until later. But he attended services, and went up and down the countryside discussing Bible doctrines with his professing Christian neighbors.

“You’ve got to pay tithe and obey God,” he insisted. “The Bible says so. It’s plain!”

One of his neighbors became irritated.

“Look here, Ed,” the neighbor exploded, “why do you come around here trying to talk me into these things, when you don’t obey the Bible and pay tithes yourself?”

“Because,” came Ed’s quick and ready answer, “I don’t profess to be a Christian, and you do. Besides,” he added, “I can’t afford to tithe, anyway.”

There are thousands who, like Ed Smith, reason in their own minds that they cannot afford to tithe, even though, like Ed Smith, they realize the Bible commands it.

I heard about the above conversation, and preached a sermon on the question of whether the unconverted should obey the Ten Commandments and pay tithes, or whether, as Ed has reasoned, these things were only for Christians. I pointed out that God’s law was put in motion for man’s good —it is the way of life that brings peace, happiness, prosperity, the full, abundant, interesting life, success, joy, here and now, as well as eternal life through Christ for the saved.

I showed that it pays, and is the only sensible way of life, entirely apart from the matter of salvation—and that, even if one is finally lost, he who sins little shall be punished with few stripes. I pointed out God’s promises to prosper the tithe-payer, and that this is a definite law God has put in motion, which operates inexorably and automatically on the just and the unjust alike.

Ed began to obey the Bible. At the very next service—we were holding services at this little schoolhouse three times a week, and three other nights a week in a hall in downtown Eugene at the time—Mrs. Smith smilingly handed me a one dollar bill.

“That’s Ed’s first tithe,” she said triumphantly. “We are now down to $10, and Ed decided to start tithing with what we have on hand.”

The very next service she came to me with another happy smile.

“Here’s a five dollar bill,” she said. “The very next day after Ed gave God’s Work a tenth of all he had, a customer who had owed him $50 for a year came and paid up. So here’s the tithe of that $50. After paying the total $6 tithe, we now have $54 on hand instead of the $10 we had the other day.”

It was beginning to pay! But only beginning! By the next service, as I remember it, Ed had received his first order in one or two years to drill a new well, for which he received cash payment. Before he finished that job, another was contracted. Soon he had three or four jobs coming in at once, and was forced to begin employing men to work for him.

Ed Smith was only one of many I have known who learned by experience that one cannot afford not to pay God the tithe that belongs to God! I remember Ed Smith did encounter some troubles of a different nature later, and his wife and son were sent to the state tuberculosis hospital, and he finally broke down in real repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. He came to me, according to the command of James 5:14, and both his wife and son were completely healed and returned home.

This is a true story, and the name is not fictitious. Ed Smith died several years ago, but I’m happy to remember these incidents in his life in the hope they may start many others on the right and profitable, as well as the Christian way of life.

We should all learn from the above account. Also, as we have seen, you will be following the direct New Testament teaching of Jesus Christ who said not to leave the “other [tithing] undone” (Matthew 23:23)! Our Father in heaven wants all of us to be generous and wholehearted in our tithes and in our offerings. For He inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” ( 2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

Remember the Great God whom we serve is “able” to give you the “breaks”—to bless you so that you have an “abundance” for every good work (v. 8). Yes, tithing involves faith that God is there—that He will back up His inspired word and will do what He has said He will do.

So as the clouds darken on the world horizon and nations experience more physical and financial problems of every sort, it is very important that you have the Creator God on your side. Even though He may not make you wealthy, He has always promised to take care of you if you serve and obey Him. He will make sure that you always have enough to get by. When others are starving or in horrible difficulty, the God of the Bible absolutely promises His faithful servants: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” ( Hebrews 13:5).

So for your own good, come join the thousands who trust in God to back up His promises! Pay the Creator of heaven and earth the “tithes” you owe Him—plus generous offerings—and see Him become more “real” in your life as you truly serve and obey Him.

CHAPTER 5
HELPING OTHERS AS GOD HELPS YOU

When we pay the tithes and offerings that God commands, we not only bring blessings to ourselves; we also allow God to use us to bless others. God uses our tithes to provide for other people and give them His much-needed Truth. So by diligently giving back to God 10 percent of all our increase, we are forced to think of others—rather than selfishly retaining everything for ourselves (Philippians 2:4–5). Christ said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

When we are motivated by a desire to serve others, we develop a giving, sharing, caring and generous spirit. “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25). This means we should not give “grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” ( 2 Corinthians 9:7)! Of course, tithing is a “necessity,” but our motivation should extend beyond that—it should be to gladly and willingly please God and help others.

Christ set the perfect example by being willing to give us everything, including His very life. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich [He and the Father own everything!], yet for your sakes He became poor [by becoming human], that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God Almighty is the Great Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). And what does the Eternal promise to give everyone who overcomes selfish human nature? “He who overcomes shall inherit all things [the entire universe with all its riches!]” ( Revelation 21:7). We must transcend the mostly selfish mindset that comes so naturally and learn to truly care for the happiness and well-being of others ( Mark 12:31). Yes, we can be a blessing to other people!

One important way God blesses others is through your example. Others who may know that you are a tithe-payer can see you learning to love, fear, obey and serve your Creator. They will also see you being blessed—perhaps materially, and certainly spiritually—growing closer toward God in faith and obedience. And it

is often through your positive example that others are inspired

to walk on that same path in order to experience those same blessings.

Another vitally important lesson tithing teaches is true humility and heartfelt obedience to our Creator. Through tithing, we acknowledge that God is our Ruler and is, therefore, the real Possessor of everything ( Genesis 14:22). In the final analysis, we mortals do not actually own anything! We are merely stewards or custodians of a few of God’s possessions.

And by faithfully tithing, we learn another important lesson—faith. It takes genuine faith to believe that God exists “and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). It takes faith to obey God, especially when it seems we “can’t really afford to tithe.” But as we have already seen, if we “prove” God in the right way, He promises to pour out such blessings upon us that “there will not be room enough to receive it” ( Malachi 3:10)!

By exercising faith in God we become stronger and stronger—overcoming day by day—and thereby improve our chances of becoming pillars in His everlasting Kingdom (cf. Revelation 3:12). Of course, this does not mean that we earn our salvation or that we, of ourselves, can do anything that is truly “good” (cf.Matthew 19:17; Romans 3:10–12). But when our good works are done by and through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit—through which God lives in us—then we are indeed following in Jesus’ footsteps! Christ said that even He could do nothing of Himself (John 5:19, 30; 8:28).

Furthermore, living by faith will build in us even greater faith! We will come to trust God more. We will stop worrying and fretting so much about our personal finances—for we will absolutely believe the words of Jesus Christ: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or… ‘What shall we wear?’… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things [life’s basic necessities]. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow” ( Matthew 6:31–34). What wonderful peace of mind we will experience when we come to fully trust in God (Philippians 4:6–7).

After regularly setting aside the tithe of our income for use in God’s Work, we quickly learn that we can live on the remaining portion. Of course, this requires careful budgeting and financial discipline! And God will help in other ways. Many Christians have been astounded by the rare opportunities, unexpected discounts or other “blessings” that come their way once they begin to tithe faithfully.

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, said: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

Jesus taught us to give generously of our “treasure.” Remember that it was He who said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” He highly commended the poor widow who gave so generously to God’s treasury at the temple in Jerusalem. “Then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites [coins of little monetary value]. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had’” (Luke 21:1–4).

On another occasion, Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (6:38)! Clearly, Christ commanded us to give. And that command comes with a promise that if we do give, we will receive far more in return. God promises to bless those who faithfully give their tithes and freewill offerings to Him and His Work—those who give in the right attitude of love and outgoing concern.

Our motive for giving should never be self-aggrandizement. We should not “give” for the express purpose of receiving a rich return on our “investment”—like the false “gospel of wealth and prosperity” that we examined in the last chapter. But if we give from a pure and generous heart, then God says we will certainly be blessed.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy: “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” ( 1 Timothy 6:17–19).

If we faithfully support the true Work of God in this age by tithing and giving offerings, and if we willingly give financial or other support—that is, alms—to the needy whom we encounter, then the Almighty will count those good works as eternal treasure laid up in the “Bank of Heaven.” By our faithful obedience to God, His Work will be done—and His Gospel will be taken to all the world!

If we faithfully “render… to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21), then He promises to bless us in this life! Tithing done in a good attitude will positively affect your life now in so many ways, but all the more powerfully for all eternity in tomorrow’s world! Then all those who have tithed faithfully of their “riches” will fully understand what Paul called “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Surely no one would want to miss out on that!

CHAPTER 6
WHERE SHOULD YOU SEND GOD’S TITHE?

It is vitally important that you send God’s tithe to His true representatives! As the end of this age approaches, they will be carrying out Christ’s commission with increasing power. They will make plain the Good News of the soon-coming Kingdom or Government of God.

Without fear or favor they will explain the laws of that Kingdom. They will make plain and clear the hundreds of prophecies referring to this end-time. Through God’s Spirit, they alone can be definite and specific about the tremendous events soon to occur on this earth!

Jesus spoke prophetically of the great worldwide Work His true ministers would carry out in this last age: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” ( Matthew 24:14).

You need to check up and prove to yourself that the Tomorrow’s World broadcast and magazine is fulfilling Christ’s commission! If this is not yet clear to you, then just keep an open mind and let the fruits prove to you where Almighty God is really working!

Somewhere on earth today are true ministers of God. Frankly, they will be part of the true Church of God—named the “Church of God” twelve times in the New Testament (see Acts 20:28;1 Corinthians 1:2;15:9; 1 Timothy 3:15, etc.). These faithful ministers will be obeying God’s command to His true servants: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

Specifically, they will be warning the American and British-descended peoples—the direct descendents of the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”—that the coming Great Tribulation will be directed primarily at them unless they repent (Ezekiel 33:1–7). In what is essentially both a commission and a dual prophecy—partially fulfilled but not completely fulfilled until the end-time, Jesus Christ told His servants: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake: but he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:22–23).

Therefore, though small in number (the “little flock,” Luke 12:32), God’s true church at the very end will be preaching a powerful message which will bring about severe persecution. God’s people will be small in number but will be increasingly recognized because of the powerful message they are preaching. They will definitely not be among the “mainstream” churches—carefully blending in with this world’s society. And they will be going over the “cities of Israel” ( Matthew 10:23) with God’s warning message—proclaiming the soon-coming Kingdom of God by way of radio, television, the Internet and through publications to the peoples of America, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and to all the world!

Where is that electrifying message being preached with increasing power today? Who has both the understanding and the courage to challenge our modern society and its organized “churchianity” with the full and undiluted message of the Bible?

Check up and see where the Truth of the Bible is being made plain and clear. Determine positively for yourself (Acts 17:11) where the real Good News of the Kingdom of God (Tomorrow’s World) is being preached (Matthew 24:14)! Find out who is warning the world of the specific, major prophesied events now beginning to affect your life! And most important for you personally, find that Work which shows how you can escape being destroyed during those same prophesied events. Look for the Work God is using today to bring the answers for your tomorrow!

For this is your life—your only life! If you will take the trouble to prove it with an open mind, you can know where God is working!

Many of you—as I did—have grown up in a “mainstream” church. Of course, there are “nice” people there. And their highly educated ministers are often good speakers with rich, mellifluous voices. The music is pretty and the pageantry is impressive.

But is the real understanding of God’s supreme purpose for our lives made clear in these churches? Are the specific laws of God and the way of life Jesus and the Apostles proclaimed being taught and practiced? And is that vital fourth of God’s word— biblical prophecy—being made clear and proclaimed as a “witness?”

God’s true ministers are carrying on His Work. They represent Him and, as God’s representatives, it is to them that you should pay your tithes and cheerfully give your offerings. God then directs them to use His money for His Work. Come help humanity! This dying world desperately needs to be reached with God’s full Truth. It needs the understanding of the purpose for human existence, the great living laws of life, the definite prophesied events soon to occur in our time and the meanings of all these things! That is exactly what this Work of God is all about!

CHAPTER 7
THE ABUNDANT LIFE GOD DESIRES FOR YOU

Professing Christians and others who hope for an afterlife may console themselves with the promise of everlasting joy and happiness in the next world. But in this life, the fear of financial ruin or just the daily frustration of trying to pay bills on time leaves many feeling frustrated, unfulfilled and hopeless! Yet Jesus Christ Himself said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” ( John 10:10). And the Apostle John wrote to the Christians of his day, saying: “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health” (3 John 2).

Make no mistake! We are not preaching a gospel of “prosperity” or “health and wealth.” The very focus of God’s way of life is not about how to “get,” but rather how to “give”—thereby learning how to live in true peace and tranquility, filled with enthusiasm and joy! Nevertheless, God does materially bless and prosper those who properly follow His laws of financial success.

If we faithfully tithe and do our part, the great God whom we serve will never let us down! Our heavenly Father will always provide for our genuine needs. He will never allow us to be completely “wiped out” financially—and be destitute or starving. This may not even seem like a possibility for many of you now. But as the events Jesus specifically prophesied begin to occur—including drought, famine and disease epidemics (Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:5–8), then the promise of God’s blessing and protection is going to look mighty good!

King David of Israel was inspired to write: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:23–25). Since our God and Savior is “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), God has bound Himself to take care of His faithful during the hard times ahead. How vital it is that we fully obey our Creator!

And there are important spiritual benefits as well. Having your mind free from fear, doubt and worry is essential to a right relationship with God. Endless fretting about how to make the next house or car payment causes us to be self-absorbed—unable to truly focus on God and what He wants to teach us. Worry and anxious care over money matters is an enemy of faith in God (cf.Matthew 6:24–34; Luke 12:13–34). And faith in God—including faith in His tried and true principles—is an integral part of the real solution to our financial woes.

Sadly, most of humanity is unaware that God has anything important to say about our personal finances. That general ignorance—along with unwise spending habits—is primarily why many people are barely scraping by. Their funds seem insufficient for much beyond mere subsistence. That is also part of the reason why so many are trapped under a heavy load of personal debt and seem utterly unable to rid themselves of that oppressive nightmare! Such people often fall prey to depression and self-pity.

But, as you have seen in this booklet, there is a way out! That way, though, requires faith in God and submission to His commands (Psalm 19:7–11). Sadly, many people think that submission to God is like living under tyranny. But just the opposite is true! “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3)! God’s way is always liberating—it frees us from oppression and burdens. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,” said Christ, “and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” ( Matthew 11:28–30).

Our financial burdens are no exception. If you have fallen into a deep financial rut—or wish to avoid doing so in the future—you must heed God’s instructions. In so doing, your life will be remarkably blessed and, as a result, God will help you to resolve whatever financial problems you have faced!

In summary, we are now definitely in the prophesied “last days” of this world’s civilization as we know it ( 2 Timothy 3:1). The living Christ is coming soon to take over the governments of this world (Revelation 11:15). God is now calling out a few thousand individuals to be prepared to serve under Christ in His coming world government. He is “testing” His people to see who He can really count on —those whose hearts are truly in His service and in His Work today. God reveals that He hears our prayers “because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

In the mind of any honest student of the Bible, there should be no question but that tithing to God and to His Work is certainly “pleasing” in God’s sight! Long before the “Law of Moses,” Abraham tithed. And this was definitely a “key” example for us today. For Abraham is called the “ father of the faithful”—the very type of person we should all emulate.

Later, as part of a prophecy which “bridges” the gap between the Old and New Testaments—placed in the very last book of the Old Testament and pointing toward the New Testament—God inspired Malachi to tell us: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). Those who try to get around tithing and who ignore this very plain warning are going to be shaken in the day of God’s wrath!

Finally, when one of the personalities of God “emptied” Himself ( Philippians 2:7) and came down to this earth, He said that we should learn to exercise “judgment, mercy and faith” and “not to leave the other [tithing] undone” ( Matthew 23:23, KJV). Would you dare to disobey this direct instruction from the Son of God? Would you dare to leave God’s law of tithing “undone?”

As this present world comes to a close, as the God of heaven looks down on earth to discern which men and which women truly fear God and have profound respect for Him and for His laws, it is very doubtful if He has much interest in the trick arguments of carnal men trying to get around His instruction to tithe. Rather, as our Creator tells us: “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).

May God grant each of us a truly yielded heart and mind so that we will continuously strive to see “how close” we can draw to God—not how close we can get to the edge of the cliff without falling off! Rather, let each of us prayerfully determine how much we can give and how much we can do to help prepare for God’s Kingdom and to help send His message to this dying world.

Booklet Category

Christian Living

Doctrine

Christian Baptism: Its Real Meaning

4uwzvo — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 18:34:39 +0000

Christian Baptism: Its Real Meaning 4uwzvo Mon, 02/28/2022 - 18:34

Christian Baptism: Its Real Meaning

Roderick C. Meredith (1930-2017)

Booklet Media

#Christian Living

#Christianity

#Holy Spirit

#Salvation

What do you see when you look at yourself? How badly do you personally need God’s forgiveness? Do you really stand in need of a Savior? Perhaps you have already been baptized as a child, or even as an infant. You might not even remember the event. Is your baptism really valid and acceptable in God’s sight? This is a truly vital question because your very salvation depends upon the answer!

The shoulders of the big man sitting across the table began to shake and heave. “I’ve broken every single one of God’s commandments,” he cried. “I need to be baptized!” This man, a World War II veteran and former Marine, was very deeply conscious that he was a sinner in need of salvation. As a young twenty-two year old college student conducting a baptizing tour, I was deeply struck by this man’s sincerely repentant attitude. He was coming to see himself, and he genuinely hated what he saw! He recognized his desperate need for a Savior.

What about you? What do you see when you look at yourself? How badly do you personally need God’s forgiveness? Are you one who has led a “pretty good” life? If so, is baptism even really necessary for you? Do you, personally, really stand in need of a Savior?

Perhaps you have already been baptized. Maybe it occurred when you were a child, and you do not even remember the event, or perhaps you were baptized as an adolescent or adult, when you “made a decision for Christ.” Is your baptism really valid and acceptable in God’s sight? This is a truly vital question because your very salvation depends upon the answer.

Millions Have Been DECEIVED

It is important to realize that the vast majority of human beings on this earth—even religious people—have been deceived The Apostle John was inspired to describe Satan as “that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). It is hard for most people to fully grasp the fact that they, personally, may have been deceived into following wrong religious doctrines and practices.

But we all need to carefully and open-mindedly compare the clear examples and teachings of Jesus Christ with what today is purported to be “Christianity.” You will quickly see a vast difference, as Dr. Rufus Jones candidly explained: “If by any chance Christ Himself had been taken by His later followers as the model and pattern of the new way, and a serious attempt had been made to set up His life and teaching as the standard and norm for the Church, Christianity would have been something vastly different from what it became. The heresy would have been as it is not now, a deviation from His way, His teaching, His spirit, His kingdom” (The Church’s Debt to Heretics, p. 15).

If Jesus and the early Apostles do not represent the “standard” for true Christianity, then what is that standard? Is it the confused and often contradictory ramblings of the so-called “church fathers” of the Roman Catholic Church during the Dark Ages? Remember that Jesus Himself warned specifically about false religious leaders. He said: “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Matthew 15:14).

Frankly, I grew up absolutely blind to most of the basic truths of the Bible. I belonged to a mainstream Protestant church. I was president of my Sunday school class at one point. Both my parents graduated from a college sponsored by that church which our family attended regularly. Yet I had no idea of the ultimate purpose of human existence, was totally ignorant of the great end-time prophecies of the Bible and was never taught about the power of the Holy Spirit to change my life and enable the living Jesus Christ to live His life within me (see Galatians 2:20)! Incredibly, however, I was regarded by dozens of my friends as more “knowledgeable” than they were about the Bible and things of religion. These other church-going youth often asked me questions and were wondering about, and in confusion about, the very purpose of human existence.

I was baptized as a helpless little infant—unable even to discern my left hand from my right hand, let alone able to grasp the enormity of sin and deeply repent of my sins and accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Was I, then, a true Christian?

Of course not!

My Personal Quest for Truth

In that famous Protestant church I was just like the millions of other deceived people who just grow up in the “church of their choice”—never even considering whether it is truly God’s Church and whether it is fully teaching His Truth instead of the ideas and the imaginations of deceived men. Finally, in my late teens, God began to open my mind to what true religion was all about. Rather than just reading the Gospels or Psalms for “inspiration,” I actually began to study the Bible just as one would study a history book or a book about physics or chemistry. I asked God for understanding, and I continued for months to read and mark, reread and meditate on the entire New Testament—then the Old Testament—and try to understand what Jesus Christ actually taught!

In my personal study, I began to realize that true Christianity is not just believing in the person of Jesus Christ, but believing and acting on His Message. I found that a true Christian must totally surrender and let Christ live within him through the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul wrote: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). Also, Paul stated: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, KJV).

I began to understand Jesus’ repeated warnings about accepting Him and using His name in vain: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). And again: “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” (Matthew 7:21).

But where do you stand?

Has God opened your mind to the fact that He really is the Governor of the universe; that He is a real God who created and now rules over all things? Do you realize that His Son Jesus Christ not only came into this world to die for our sins, but is now alive at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and that Christ is now our living High Priest? Do you understand that He will live His life in us through the promised Holy Spirit if we truly repent and are baptized, and that Christ will live within us the same obedient life He lived while in the human flesh? For your Bible says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

All of us need help—a lot of help. We simply cannot overcome our own human vanities and passions, overcome the world and also overcome Satan the Devil through our own strength. The God who made us has promised that He will give us the spiritual help and the spiritual strength that we need. Jesus said: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). And again: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come” (John 16:13).

BELIEVE What Jesus Actually Taught

Jesus Christ came preaching a message about the coming Kingdom of God. The Gospel of Mark records: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel'” (Mark 1:14–15).

To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ and receive His Spirit, you must repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ’s Gospel. The true Gospel message about God’s Kingdom involves one’s willingness to obey the laws of that Kingdom—the Ten Commandments. When a young man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life, Jesus replied: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.

He said to Him, ‘Which ones?’ Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Matthew 19:17–19). Here Jesus is clearly naming the Ten Commandments as the Way of life for those who desire to be in His Kingdom.

Later, as our High Priest and living Head of the Church, Jesus inspired the Apostle James to explain that true Christians must keep all of the “points” of God’s law. Indeed, we must live as those who will be “judged” by the Ten Commandments, for they truly are the standard of true Christian conduct!

The beloved Apostle John warned those who would try to “water down” the clear biblical teaching of obedience to the Ten Commandments, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Many professing Christians and even many famous preachers may know about God, but they do not actually “know” God—are not truly acquainted with Him—unless and until they fully surrender to let the true Jesus Christ live His obedient life within them through the Holy Spirit! Then they will have experienced what it is like to express the very character of God. Then they will truly “know” God.

Does that mean that true Christians keep the Ten Commandments perfectly at all times? Of course not! For the Apostle John also stated—clearly writing about Christians: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9).

This “cleansing” from sin is a continuous action, for the genuine Christian is to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The newly converted “babe in Christ” will constantly make mistakes. all of us who are Christians will make mistakes. Yet we will get up and try again. We will occasionally “slip off the path.” But we will repent each time with the help of the Holy Spirit and get back on the path of obedience to the Ten Commandments. For the great spiritual law of God—the Ten Commandments—is truly the Way of life. The man “after God’s own heart,” King David of Israel, stated: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me” (Psalm 119:97–98).

What Should You Do?

If you have been drawn to God by His Spirit and want to become a true Christian, what should you do? The inspired answer was given by the Apostle Peter on the first New Testament day of Pentecost. After coming to realize the enormity of their sins, the repentant Jews asked Peter and the rest of the Apostles: “‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call'” (Acts 2:37–39).

Think carefully about this fundamental instruction from God’s Word. We are to be baptized “for the remission of sins.” Obviously, then, we are to repent of sin.

But what is sin?

The clearest definition of sin given in the Bible is found in 1 John 3:4: “Sin is the transgression of the law” (KJV). So we are to repent of breaking God’s spiritual law, the Ten Commandments! And we need to realize that Jesus Christ came to “magnify” the law and make it honorable (Isaiah 42:21). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained that we are not only not to kill, we are not even to harbor bitterness and hatred in our hearts—for that is the “spirit” or attitude of murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Christians are not only never to commit adultery, they are not even to “lust” after another person (vv. 27–28).

Far from “watering down” God’s law, Jesus’ teaching made the Ten Commandments even more binding!

It is only through Jesus Christ living His life within us that we can increasingly reflect the spirit of the Ten Commandments in our daily lives. As stated earlier, we must indeed grow in grace and knowledge continually.

Through the Holy Spirit, the spiritual love of God is given to us to enable us to keep God’s law. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). And what is the “love of God” which is given to the true Christian? How does it function? The Apostle John explains: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

So the true love of God flows down the channel or riverbed of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments tell us how to love God and how to love our fellow man. And, contrary to the clever arguments of many religious leaders, they are not “burdensome.” Rather, if obeyed, they become the “law of liberty” as we saw above in James’ epistle. They would free mankind from war, crime, adultery, broken homes, rebellious children and a host of other problems if they were practiced by all mankind!

In the soon-coming Kingdom of God, mankind will obey the Ten Commandments as a way of life. That is precisely why there will be peace, prosperity and joy in the coming millennial reign of Jesus Christ on this earth!

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:1–3).

Be Sure You “Count the Cost”

Getting back to Peter’s sermon on the first New Testament Pentecost, remember that he exhorted these men to repent. To repent of sin means more than being “sorry.” The Bible makes it clear that genuine repentance involves being fully convicted of the fact that you are truly a sinner and that you have broken and smashed God’s law over and over—in the spirit if not in the letter. It means being convicted not only that you have done wrong, but that you are wrong! As the Apostle Paul explains: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Romans 7:18). And he stated again later: “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God; through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (vv. 24–25).

When you have been brought to this kind of real repentance, it is time to be baptized! You will need to honestly “count the cost” as Jesus instructed: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:26–28).

Ask yourself: With the help of God, will you really put God ahead of family, friends, job, money and social position, or will you be like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day who “loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43)?

Has God become real to you? Will you truly put Him ahead of everything else? Or do you have some secret “idol”—something that, in fact, you put ahead of God and of your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Remember that repentance means change Are you, personally, ready to accept in faith the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for your sins and then fully surrender to let Him come in and “take charge” and change your entire life?

Have you come to a heartfelt appreciation for the fact that Jesus Christ—the Son of God—emptied Himself of His glory and power and came in human flesh to die for your sins (see Philippians 2:5–8) and that He who had been with the Father from eternity was willing to divest Himself of all that magnificence to serve you and me—to make it possible for us to share eternity with Him and with the Father in the Kingdom as full sons of God (see John 1:1–12)?

As you proceed toward baptism, will you—with God’s help— dedicate yourself to express total love and loyalty to Jesus Christ as your Savior, your Lord and Master, your High Priest and your coming King? Will you?

These are vital questions that need to be asked—and need to be sincerely answered in the affirmative. For when you are baptized, you are making a sacred covenant with your Creator to love, to obey and to serve Him and His Son Jesus Christ now and forever!

God does not owe you anything. But, on the contrary, you and I owe Him and His glorified Son everything. For God “created all things through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9; John 1:1–3). He created you and me. He created and sustains the earth we live in, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. God the Father, through Jesus Christ, created our minds—the very instrument we humans sometimes use to reason around the fact that something greater had to be there to create our minds! Then we “reason” ourselves into excusing ourselves from stealing, lying, committing adultery and all manner of things we should know are wrong. As the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 8:7–8: “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

So we need forgiveness. We desperately need a Savior. And we need the constant help of our Savior and High Priest who will not save us in our sins but from our sins—and give us the spiritual strength to overcome and grow in the very character of God. And all of this can be accomplished only through our coming to a place where we are willing to completely repent of our natural hostility toward God and to heartfeltly accept the shed blood of Jesus Christ—the very life of the Son of God—as payment for our sins.

Have you come to such a time and place in your life?

The Keys to Changing Your Life

The Bible records stories of dramatic change in the lives of many individuals. How were they able to make such total “about faces” in their lives? Is it possible for you to make changes of equal magnitude in your own life? There are two vital keys. Most people overlook them entirely. Even those who acknowledge them generally misunderstand what they really involve.

In Acts 2 we read of the events surrounding the beginnings of the New Testament Church. Simon Peter preached a powerful sermon to multiple thousands assembled to observe the Feast of Pentecost. A number of those who heard him that day had stood in the mob assembled outside Pilate’s Judgment Hall a mere seven-and-a-half weeks earlier. At that earlier time, they had been shouting “Crucify Him!” when Pilate was offering to free Jesus of Nazareth. Now, believing the truth of Peter’s message, they were convicted of the magnitude of what they had done. It was with a deep sense of shame and personal guilt, that they now humbly asked him: “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:36–39) He responded by telling them to repent. Faith and repentance are the vital keys without which real change is impossible.

Faith sets the stage for repentance. The kind of faith we are talking about is living and real. It produces a state of mind that wants to make an about face and turn to God. This faith is confidence in a real God and in the promises He makes. It results in action! “Faith without works is dead,” the Apostle James wrote in James 2:17. To really believe and trust, God makes it possible for us to absolutely, unconditionally surrender to Him.

Hebrews 11 is often called the “faith chapter” of the Bible. In Hebrews 11:13 we learn that the men and women of faith did certain things. Understanding what they did helps us to understand life-changing faith. We are told that they “saw the promises afar off, were persuaded of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

First, we must see and understand the promises that God makes, be convinced of both their value and their reality, and then we must embrace them. To embrace is to hold dear and precious. If we do not value and cherish what God offers, we simply will not hold on and endure through the ups and downs of life. Because the men and women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 held dear what God promised, they demonstrated by word and action that they were not part of this world.

We cannot fit in with this world and fit in with God at the same time (James 4:4). In order to fit in with and cultivate the acceptance and approval of this world, a person must be in harmony with the values of this age. John summed up the values of this world as appealing to “the lust of flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). This age and its corrupt, decadent value system is going to pass away, but there is a new world coming based upon eternal values. That new world, tomorrow’s world, will be permanent.

If we really believe that, then we will want to turn to God with all of our hearts and learn how to dwell in harmony with Him forever. Living faith produces action, and genuine repentance is one of the first actions it produces. That is what Peter’s audience displayed when they asked him: “What shall we do?” They offered no excuses. They did not attempt to minimize their actions. They did not begin blaming others. Rather, they were humble, teachable, and surrendered in their heart and mind. Peter had preached the Gospel and they believed his message. They evidenced faith by their heartfelt desire to act upon that faith. So they asked the question that day that all who desire genuine change in their lives must ask, “What shall we do?”

Does Obedience Earn Salvation?

God’s law tells us how to be like God (1 Peter 1:15–16). However, all of us have fallen far short of being like God. What can we do? No amount of future good deeds can ever make up for what we have done in the past. This ought to be obvious even from looking at man’s laws. If you were arrested for murder, would the promise to refrain from ever doing it again earn your acquittal? Of course not! If we keep the law in the future, we are merely doing what is expected. No amount of future law keeping can ever atone for past law breaking.

All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God made possible our release from the death penalty, the curse of the law, by giving Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to die in our stead. He took our place. We are, therefore, reconciled to God by the death of His Son (Romans 5:10).

God took the initiative to bring us into harmony with Himself, which is what reconcile means. He has demonstrated His love by giving the ultimate sacrifice, the life of His Son, to pay the penalty that you and I have incurred by our thoughts, attitudes, and actions (John 3:16). However, we must respond to God’s grace through faith and repentance. God’s intent is to save us from our sins, not in our sins. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”, Paul asks. “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1–2). If we are to accept God’s freely offered gift of eternal life, which we could never earn or deserve in a thousand lifetimes, then we must respond to Him by turning from our ways to His ways (Acts 2:38).

An attitude of unconditional surrender of our life and of our will is the attitude of repentance. If we come to really see the reality of the glorious future that God offers and to genuinely believe His Word, then we will want to seek God and His ways with all of our heart. That is what led to changes in the lives of the men and women of faith of whom we read in Hebrews 11. Living faith always results in action! Repentance is a response to living faith. While it starts on the inside, it will also be reflected in outward changes. If we really have come to hate the old ways, we will want to turn from them.

Have you been led by God to see that your very nature is wrong? Have you come to sincerely want to get rid of your own rotten, selfish, carnal human nature? Again, are you ready to repent of not only what you have done—but of what you are?

King David knew that this was what God required. He said: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart; these O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). Before anyone—and this does mean anyone—is really and truly converted, he has to be humbled, beaten down and made to realize his own nothingness by God. He has to go through a period of time when he is abhorring himself, acknowledging his sins to God and repenting of them—turning around in his heart, mind and will and determining to go the other way.

When that time comes, a person will quit arguing and reasoning with God or with His ministers doing His Work. He will not grudgingly hang on to false concepts of God. He will quit trying to reason around obedience to God’s commandments and literally living by every word of the Bible. He will not get his “feelings” hurt at the correction and exhortation of God’s chosen servants. Rather, he will give his life to God as the Apostle Paul instructs us all to do: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And 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” (Romans 12:1–2). As Paul instructed, even our thoughts must be changed by the “renewing” of our minds!

The Symbolism of Baptism

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:13. John the Baptist said that the Messiah would offer two baptisms—Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11–12). Those who will not be “plunged into” the Family of God through the Spirit of God, will ultimately be immersed in a lake of fire that will leave them “neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1). Jesus Christ compared the Holy Spirit to “rivers of living water” (John 4:14; 7:38–39).

Paul explains in Colossians 2:12 that baptism symbolizes a burial. The “old man” is symbolically put to death. We emerge a new creature. Arising from the watery grave of baptism pictures our faith in the resurrection, which is our ultimate hope to become a new creature.

In Romans 6:4–5 we read: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection.” Baptism is not an empty ritual or a magical rite. It is, however, a very important symbol and is not something into which we should enter lightly.

Predicated upon faith and repentance, baptism is an outward sign of our commitment. It represents a new beginning. The old person with all of his sinful past is symbolically buried and a new creature comes forth. The waters of baptism symbolize the fact that we are washed clean inwardly through the Holy Spirit. Christ’s sacrifice has paid for our sins and we come forth from baptism clean in God’s sight. This represents not the end, however, but the beginning of the real conversion process!

The Role of God’s Holy Spirit

Following baptism, we find that it was the practice of Christ’s first century ministry to practice the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18; Hebrews 6:2). This laying on of hands symbolized a special setting apart by God. In the aftermath of baptism, it set apart the newly baptized person to receive God’s Holy Spirit. In Acts 19:1–6 we read that Paul encountered in Ephesus some people who believed his preaching, and previously had been baptized. However, they had not fully understood the Gospel when they were baptized and had never received the Holy Spirit, nor indeed even knew of it. After counseling with them, Paul re-baptized them in Jesus’ name and laid hands on them for the receiving of God’s Holy Spirit. God showed through an unusual miracle, such as had occurred on the first Pentecost of the New Testament era, that they did indeed receive the Spirit this time. Why was all of this necessary?

Peter told his listeners on the day of Pentecost that following repentance and baptism they would “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). What is receiving the Holy Spirit intended to accomplish in our lives?

Peter explains that it is through the Holy Spirit, God’s divine power, that we become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). It is through the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ dwells in us and empowers us to live the same kind of life that He lived when He walked the earth as a human being (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:5).

Since Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, our bodies are accounted as the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16) and we are told to glorify God in all aspects of life (1 Corinthians 6:20). Having God’s Spirit in us is what makes us a holy people, or what the Bible terms “saints.” We cannot make ourselves (or anything else for that matter!) holy. God is holy and only He can impart holiness. If we truly repent and turn to God in faith, He promises not only to forgive us our past, but also to impart His Holy Spirit to us. God’s Spirit, given us as a gift, is intended to transform our lives by renewing our minds (Titus 3:5; Romans 12:2). We become a new creation because God is changing us by writing His laws in our hearts and minds (Hebrews 8:10).

Though it is the power of God that makes this transformation possible, nevertheless we have our part to play. We have to exercise God’s Spirit, we have to follow the lead of God’s Spirit—in short, we must walk with God. God’s Spirit will lead and empower, but it will not possess or control us. We must seek and desire to follow God’s lead in our lives. Our efforts apart from God’s empowering Spirit are futile, yet God’s power without our efforts simply represents potential energy. It is like a light switch in the off position; the potential to light up the room is present, but the circuit is open and nothing is flowing through. It is the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God that will ultimately make possible the completion of our salvation.

Upon faith and repentance, we are justified, made innocent and brought into right standing before God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). Next, since we have now turned to God, He sanctifies us—makes us holy—by placing His Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit is there to give us deeper understanding of spiritual things and to empower us to live Godly lives. As Christians, we must continue to grow in grace and in knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). If we follow the urging of God’s Spirit, then the righteousness of God as defined in His law will be fulfilled in our lives (Romans 8:4).

While we are justified by Christ’s death, we are finally saved through His life (Romans 5:9–10). Christ is alive right now at the right hand of the Father on high! He actively intercedes for us as our living High Priest when we slip up and sin (Hebrews 4:14–16) and He lives His life of overcoming sin in the flesh in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20). The very fact of His triumph over death through the resurrection is the proof that we will ultimately be given immortal life at His return (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).

God “Inducts” You into His Church

Through baptism and the receipt of God’s Holy Spirit, you are automatically baptized into the true Church of God. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13), for God’s Church is composed of those people who are filled with and led by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).

You cannot just “join” the true Church of God! God must “draw” you or “call” you and then place you in His Church by giving you His Holy Spirit. Remember how Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

Yet God does have an organized Church—and always has! Jesus Christ stated: “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). That “Hades” or the grave, would not prevail over God’s true Church may be taken in two ways: First, God will never permit His Church to be completely destroyed or cease to exist. Second, the basic hope of all true Christians is the resurrection from the dead. So although individual Christians may die, they will live again at the seventh trumpet when Christ returns to this earth as King of kings! “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

Paul instructs us that those in the Church are the spiritual “body” of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). As the hands and feet and eyes and ears and minds of our physical bodies must work together for the body to function properly, so the spiritual body—the Church of God—must be organized and its members cooperating to carry on the assigned functions of the Church. Jesus Christ is the living, active Head of the true Church (Ephesians 1:22–23). He sets the goals and missions for His Church. After His resurrection and just before His ascension to heaven, Jesus commanded: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).

So the primary function of the true Church is to go to all nations and preach the same powerful message Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom of God! Then the Church is to “teach” the people all things that Christ taught His disciples—the entire Way of God based upon heartfelt obedience to God’s great spiritual law—and upon total surrender, to let Jesus Christ live His life within each of the people of God.

We all need to be instructed, taught, encouraged and guided toward the Kingdom of God. Therefore we are commanded: “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Notice that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together! Rather, we are to meet regularly on God’s Sabbaths and on His Holy Days just like Jesus and the early Apostles did (Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2).

Though some people pride themselves upon being “independent Christians,” that has never been God’s way. The entire story of the book of Acts describes a unified Church meeting together and all working together whenever possible! All of us need the fellowship, the love, the examples and the encouragement of fellow Christians who are committed to “live by every Word of God.” The true Church—called twelve times the “Church of God” in the New Testament—provides this opportunity for proper spiritual fellowship, growth and service.

Refusing to meet with those who are growing and those who are doing the Work of God is the complete antithesis of what Christ and the Apostles taught and practiced. For all of us must learn to love one another, to forgive one another and—through God’s Holy Spirit within us—to grow in that love. For God’s Word tells us: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20–21).

A Covenant with Your Creator

God’s Word makes it very clear that genuine Christian baptism is an adult decision to be made after deep reflection and heartfelt repentance. For, again, it truly pictures the death and burial of our old selfish selves. And in this decision and in this action we are making a covenant with our Creator to accept Jesus Christ’s shed blood as payment for our sins and to truly acknowledge Him as our Lord, or Master, and our coming King whom we will henceforth obey!

On God’s part, we are promised the precious “gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Receiving God’s Holy Spirit involves being impregnated with His very nature and character. As the Apostle Paul explains: “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). And, as we read in Galatians 5:22–23, the “fruit” or result of the Holy Spirit in our lives is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

God’s Holy Spirit gives us the spiritual love and spiritual strength to obey God, to control our lusts, and to walk in His commandments as a way of life. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). So it is not us—in our human strength—keeping God’s commandments; it is Christ living within us His life through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:13: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” If we wish to inherit the Kingdom that God has prepared for those that love Him, we must remain faithful till the end. We do this by continuing to abide in Christ (John 15:3). How do you abide in Christ? Notice what John explained in 1 John 2:3–6: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

To abide or endure means to remain faithfully anchored and established in the Truth of God. Remember, the Bible shows that the Truth is not merely a list of doctrines to be argued about, but rather, a way of life that must be obeyed and lived (Galatians 3:1; 2 Peter 2:2, 21).

Most professing Christians think that salvation is merely a one time affair. Many who claim to be God’s representatives have trivialized God’s promises and His purpose. They have offered a cheap grace that costs the believer nothing. They have promised “liberty” by teaching that God’s law is a yoke of bondage and that real obedience to it is unnecessary. In reality their “easy grace” doctrine that Christ somehow did it all for us only leaves their adherents ensnared in the corruption of sin (2 Peter 2:19).

In contrast, Jesus said that those who would come after Him must stand ready to give up everything, even their very lives (Matthew 16:24–25). Christ requires nothing less than total, unconditional commitment and devotion from those who would accept Him as their Lord and Savior. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction”, Christ said. “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” (Matthew 7:13, 21). This is the covenant that we are making with our Creator at baptism.

The Bible shows a great and awesome destiny for those who inherit God’s salvation. It also reveals the process by which God is reproducing Himself in us. Conversion is the key to that process. True conversion involves the total surrender of our life and of our will to Almighty God.

For those who turn to Him in this way, God makes possible our forgiveness, our transformation from the inside out, and our ultimate entry into His glorious Kingdom as one of His very sons. Will we encounter difficulties and even suffer persecution sometimes because we are trying to live by God’s instructions rather than by the traditions and customs of the world around us? You bet we will! But we must never forget the Apostle Paul’s admonition that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

Our personal covenant with our Creator at baptism involves a commitment to a lifetime of change. There will be changes in how we feel, in what we do, and, most of all, in what we are on the inside. True conversion leads to our being “conformed to the image of His Son, that He [Christ] might be the firstborn of many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

ACT on the Truth

God tells us that we are not merely to be “interested” in His Truth, but we must act upon it! “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror” (James 1:22–23). No doubt thousands of you who read this are beginning to realize that somehow God has brought you into contact with His Church on this earth today. You have been learning, through the Work of the Living Church of God, through the Tomorrow’s World television program and the Tomorrow’s World magazine, the very purpose of human existence and the Way of life God commands. Now it may be time to act on this precious Truth. Do not treat it cheaply! Do not delay and procrastinate once you understand what God’s purpose is in your life. Do not wait until you think you have already overcome or until you have “perfect” understanding or “perfect” repentance, for you cannot even start toward perfection until after you have been baptized and received God’s promised Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen you!

So once you are sincerely repentant and have “counted the cost” and realize your need to be baptized, let us hear from you. The Living Church of God has ministers or trained representatives in most parts of the world. If you request this, they will call and set up an appointment with you for baptismal counseling. They will not show up unexpectedly. They will contact you ahead of time and get together at a time and place of your convenience.

You will not be pressured to “join” anything! In fact, our ministers may simply talk with you, answer your questions and give you some material to read and study before you are actually baptized. We want to be sure—as much as you do—that you are truly ready to be baptized. But this initial visit will give you the opportunity—probably for the first time in your life—to counsel with a true minister of God who genuinely understands and teaches the full Truth of God.

So call or write to us today.

Again, we look forward to hearing from you and serving you, for you are now in contact with the Living Church of God. May God grant you the understanding, the love and the courage to act upon the precious Truth you have been given.

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