When we started our Christian journey, there was no way to know all of the challenges we would face and how our lives would change. Knowing that we will continue to face challenges and change, are we committed to persevere? What are the sources of inspiration that we can draw from to help us strengthen our commitment?
Eric Rank
Where Is Joy?
It’s pretty hard to hear the news these days. Circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 escalate day after day. The so-called experts interviewed in news reports fail to articulate answers about how to really solve problems. In fact, they aren’t even able to fully explain the problems in the first place! With such a lack of reliable information available, it is hard to believe that anyone has a plan to improve things any time soon.
With unemployment rates increasing and basic freedoms being stripped from people worldwide, there will be casualties of COVID-19 beyond those who have become infected. Depression, suicide, domestic violence, and substance abuse are among the destructive agents that will undoubtedly result from measures put into place by the world’s governments. The bad news of the pandemic will turn worse. Unfortunately, there is a grim outlook for the immediate future in the world we live.
With bad news lurking behind each corner, it is important for our wellbeing to have a source of joy in our lives that we can trust in. But where can we find it? How is it possible to find joy in the trial that spreads around the world? Clearly, the answers to these questions are different for each of us individually. But as hard as they might be to answer, it is critically important that we take the time to make sure that we do have an answer. If we do not make the effort to find true, meaningful, virtuous joy in our lives, our hearts will grow hard. God will not be able to work in our lives if we refuse to find delight in His plan for us. God provides reason for joy in the darkest of times, but if we fail to acknowledge it, we will only fall into deeper darkness.
As His imminent death drew near, Jesus Christ knew that His disciples were going to face difficult times. But He gave them encouragement. First, He explained that His love was reason for joy. “‘As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 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. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full’” (John 15:9-11). The joy that Jesus Christ offers to us comes from the knowledge that God loves us, plain and simple. When all else fails, we have this fact to give us hope.
The source of joy that we have in knowing God loves us keeps us grounded, but this does not mean that we will be invincible to the effects of sorrow. Quite the contrary. Jesus Christ also knew that His disciples would suffer and experience sorrow. When preparing them for His death, Jesus said to them, “‘Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you’” (John 16:20-22). Again, the reassurance and source of joy come from having a greater perspective – seeing the big picture. Even though we will experience sorrow, it is temporary, and there is a greater future that we are to be a part of.
Certainly, it is comforting to know that we have a wonderful future to look forward to if we stay close to God. But we have to wait for the gratification in receiving that joy. Is there something else we can do to find joy in the present experience of life? Fortunately, the answer is, “Yes!” The method also involves changing our perspective in how we view our circumstances.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon expresses his grief in the endeavor to find enduring satisfaction in the products of his work. He saw that his accomplishments would only be temporary, and felt despair in that ultimate result (compare Ecclesiastes 2:9-23). However, he also reconciles his sorrow by finding reason for joy, even knowing the eventual fate of his work. By finding inherent satisfaction in the process of working hard and the daily experience of life, there is cause for joy. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them 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 3:11-12). Even in the hard times, we can always continue to put forth our best efforts, whether the results succeed or not. We can find a moment to see the beauty of God’s creation. We can find happiness in sharing a smile with one another. In so many simple ways, life offers ample opportunity to find joy in the moments of our experience.
Truly, it is a gift of God to find joy. By understanding His plan that involves each and every one of us, we have hope for a much better future. By seeing the goodness and beauty that resides in our daily activities, we have solace in the present. By keeping our perspective fixated on remembering our blessings, we will find joy in the places where it seemed to be hiding before.
Patience
Do we have the patience for God to fulfill His plan? How can we overcome the human tendency of impatience as we wait for His promise?
Stand Still, Watch This
When we face what might seem to be impossible circumstances, we need to remember that God has a plan for us, individually and collectively. Do we trust in the promises that God has made to us?
A Reason For The Hope That Is In You
The Bible instructs us to always be ready to have an answer for the hope that is within us when people ask us about our beliefs. What are your reasons for continuing to hope for the future that God promises?
Now What?
As we see the current events march ever closer towards the denouement of God’s plan, how should we respond?
What Are Our Responsibilities in Bearing Witness of Jesus Christ?
To “bear witness of Jesus Christ” means different things to different groups of nominal Christian religions. To some, “bearing witness of Jesus Christ” involves proselytizing to as many people as will pass by. To others, bearing witness involves merely going to church services to socialize with others of like mind. An innumerable variety of interpretations abound beyond these two examples as well. But what does the Bible say in regard to the responsibility of a Christian to “bear witness of Jesus Christ”?
Rightly understood, the Bible nowhere uses these terms. Where then does the idea of “bearing witness of Jesus Christ” come from? Two of the primary Scriptures in the Bible that describe bearing witness of the things and events pertaining to Jesus and the message which He brought can be found when He addresses His disciples in John 15:27 and Luke 24:48.
In addressing the apostles before He was murdered, Jesus explains the tasks ahead of them after His inevitable physical departure. “‘But when the Helper comes, [which] I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth [which] proceeds from the Father, [it] will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning’” (John 15:26-27). In this moment, Jesus tells the apostles that they will receive the Holy Spirit after His resurrection, and that they will also share their knowledge and understanding of the events pertaining to Jesus and His Work and Message with others. Following this passage, Jesus also informs them that because of their Work in sharing the Truth with others, they will be despised and persecuted for it.
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His disciples were gathered together with Him for a brief period of time. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He addressed them saying, “‘…These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things’” (Luke 24:44-48). Clearly, Jesus informed them about the privilege they had regarding the knowledge and understanding they were blessed with, knowing the Truth about Jesus’ role in the Plan of God.
Seeing that the disciples who were close to Jesus at the time were literal eye witnesses to the fulfillment of Scripture, it is clear that they were able to share a firsthand account of Jesus’ Work. Because they were willing and able to share the knowledge of the Truth with others, we have the Bible that we can read today to provide us with access to the same knowledge. The role of being a “witness of Jesus Christ” required then that they boldly proclaim the Truth—the role He had to fulfill and the message that He, the Messenger of God the Father, proclaimed. The same responsibility of standing up for the Truth continues for Christians today.
“Bearing witness of Jesus Christ” in the sense of standing up for the Truth, is the responsibility of a Christian. If it wasn’t, Christianity would have died out after the first generation, because no one would have shared the knowledge of the Truth. As we know from Jesus Christ’s own words, the Church in these last days has an unending commission to preach the gospel to the world as a witness, which necessarily involves proclaiming the Truth which Jesus Christ proclaimed, which includes of course, but is by no means limited to, the Person of Jesus. What the Church needs to proclaim is the gospel OF Christ, not the gospel about Jesus Christ (compare Matthew 24:14, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15). Therefore, being part of the Body of Christ and playing a role in the Work given to the Church, we have a responsibility to “bear witness of Jesus Christ” in the way as explained in this Q&A.
In order to bear witness, we must have some firsthand experience that we can share. Since we presently live in an age when Jesus Christ does not physically exist, how is this possible? Quite simply, with the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and God the Father living within us as baptized members of the Church of God, we have access to the knowledge and understanding of the Truth. As we read earlier, the Holy Spirit “testifies of Him,” and therefore it also provides us with a way of gaining firsthand experience needed to be a trustworthy witness.
But what does it mean to be a Christian witness in our day-to-day living? Under what circumstances are we expected to offer testimony of our experience? While a prescription for the specific actions to perform does not exist, the Bible provides us with a great deal of guidance on the matter.
The first guideline in being “a witness of Jesus Christ” is to be ready to share our knowledge of the Truth of the Gospel of the KINGDOM OF GOD, which Jesus proclaimed, and of Jesus Christ’s role in the Plan of God. As we read in 1 Peter 3:15-17, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
We can see that being ready to “bear witness of Jesus Christ” is expressed here with a few salient characteristics. First, we are to be ready to give a defense or an answer to those who ask us about our beliefs. This refers to our individual responsibility. When addressing the Church, it has the duty to proclaim the Truth as a Witness, whether being asked to do so or not. Those who respond positively can and will be taught further by the Church.
By contrast, being ready to give an answer does not involve preparing to attack others with our knowledge. Reinforcing this, our attitude in offering our witness’ testimony involves meekness and humility. Even though the knowledge of the Truth is privileged, we need to be cognizant of the fact that such knowledge does not elevate us above others. Glorifying God by offering a witness of Jesus Christ’s message and role in our lives requires us to be convicted in our beliefs, so much that we’re ready to explain ourselves to anyone who enquires about it who are genuinely interested and who want to learn about the Truth.
In addition to being ready to answer for our faith as a “witness of Jesus Christ,” we need to be confident and unashamed in proclaiming our beliefs. If we have faith in the Truth, we have nothing to worry about in expressing our confidence in it when we are asked to do so. In fact, if we express ourselves without confidence, and instead are ashamed of the teachings of Jesus Christ, He too will be ashamed of us. In His own words, Jesus states, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). When we are being asked to share our firsthand experience as “witnesses of Jesus Christ,” we have to remember that God and His Truth will back us up, and we have every reason to be completely confident.
While it is important to be ready and confident in the way that we offer our belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ which He brought from God the Father, there are times when our efforts to offer testimony are wasted. It benefits no one to proclaim our witness to individuals who only want to provoke an argument. As Jesus instructs us, “‘Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces’” (Matthew 7:6). In some cases, we may encounter individuals who seem to want to learn about our beliefs, but in reality, are only interested in arguing and justifying themselves. In such cases, offering a “witness of Jesus Christ” is futile.
In addition, we need to remember that our role in the Body of Christ is not to bring people to conversion. It is God’s job to call people out of the world, not ours. Because of this fact, when we offer a “witness of Jesus Christ,” it must be for the purpose of sharing our account of the Truth, when asked, which may help others who are in the process of being called to understand more clearly. Quoting from our Booklet, How to Find the True Church of God on the topic of proselytizing, we write the following.
“‘We do not believe in proselytizing. Therefore, we do not seek members by having people standing on street corners or going around neighborhoods knocking on doors. We carry out our various projects in an effort to freely give to all people regardless of their race, nationality, or religious affiliation. We believe in the godly way of helping others by providing the financial means by tithing and voluntary contributions.’
“Rather than trying to proselytize or ‘convert’ others, we are told to preach the gospel as a witness. The Greek word for ‘witness’ is marturion, and means, literally, ‘witness’ or ‘testimony.’ This word is also used in Acts 4:33 where we read that ‘with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.’”
As we grow in our conversion as Christians, our ability to offer a “witness of Jesus Christ” and the Truth of God will also grow. When we are challenged and called upon to do so, it is our responsibility to share our personal testimony according to the guidance provided by the instructions of the Bible so we glorify God and participate in fulfilling the Work He sets before us.
Lead Writer: Eric Rank
Progressing
I recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with a friend about the amazing design of God’s commanded Holy Days. He knows that I don’t observe holidays like Christmas and Easter because of their pagan origins, and even acknowledges the historical facts. I talked about how shallow the meaning of man’s holidays is in comparison to the fascinating layers of meaning in the commanded Holy Days of God. I described the establishment of God’s Holy Days to memorialize past physical events and to also focus on future events, thereby training the physical nation of Israel as God brought them out of Egypt into the Promised Land. I explained how the Holy Days also have a spiritual meaning that applies to the progress of our own conversion today. I explained how they also represent phases of the ultimate Plan of God for mankind to join Him as members of His Family in the Kingdom of God. When considering the richness and depth of meaning in God’s commanded Holy Days, the meaning of manmade holidays absolutely pales in comparison. After very briefly going through an overview of God’s Holy Days and sharing how they provide me with true spiritual meaning in my life, my friend said that it gave him chills to think about it. The Plan of God is truly awesome, in the literal sense of the word.
To my friend at that moment, the Plan of God seemed awesome as well. And I wondered what would happen for him. Would he have more questions? Would he question his participation in mainstream Christian holidays? I wondered how it would change his life as well. Would this insight that I shared make a difference in his life? I don’t have answers to those questions. But I have hope, knowing that I was able to share the Truth, and at the right time, it will help him.
As easy as it is to apply the question of “why aren’t you doing something with this information?” to a friend, it is more important to turn that question inward and ask ourselves the same question (compare Matthew 7:3-5). As we know, with knowledge and understanding we also become more responsible for bearing fruit with the spiritual gifts we are given (compare Luke 12:48). When God provides us with insight and understanding, is there something more we can do with that understanding? With the Holy Spirit that God entrusts us with, what kinds of questions should we ask to further our development? Does God look at us and wonder why we aren’t seeking to make more changes in our lives? Perhaps the most succinct and poignant question to ask ourselves is simply, what prevents us from progressing? We know that the life of a Christian involves continuous self-examination, correction, improvement, and growth. Is this activity of growth something that we are actively engaged in? If not, it really needs to be.
Fortunately, God knows that we aren’t perfect yet. He knows that we need support. He knows that we cannot succeed on our own. This is why He provides us with His Holy Spirit as a down-payment on an investment in our salvation. But we have a part to play in that investment as well. Our work involves applying the knowledge and spiritual understanding to grow in our obedience to His commandments. Our part involves offering God His rightful glory in the words we speak and in the way we live. It is a tremendous honor to have God’s Spirit in this day and age. How do we choose to use it?
Every day provides us with an opportunity to put the Holy Spirit into use. What are we doing with those opportunities? Do we take the chance to demonstrate our commitment to God, or do we simply let opportunities pass us by? Just as we faced choices during our initial conversion to follow the Way of God over the way of the world, we continue to face choices when we are years into our conversion. We have the rare gift of having access to God’s understanding through His Holy Spirit that dwells within us right now, and it is our responsibility to use it. “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:14-15). Even though Paul directs his words to Timothy and refers to the additional portion of the Holy Spirit which he received with his ordination as a minister, the principle of not neglecting the gift of the Spirit in us and progressing applies to all of us. As we continue on in our Christian conversion, there is no end to our God-given ability to make progress. All we have to do is keep searching for ways to move forward, while overcoming the obstacles on our paths.
The Bad News And The Good News
Our mortal nature is inherently flawed, making it impossible to live a life in perfect obedience to God. That’s the bad news. The good news is that God believes in us anyway. He is there to help us successfully overcome our imperfections so we can enjoy life eternally with Him as members of His Family.
The Value of Life
After reading articles in recent Updates about the atrocities and scandals surrounding abortion, I become increasingly aghast at the dismissive treatment of human life. This is of course nothing new, but it seems that the rhetoric is becoming more brazen and unapologetic. In the misappropriated name of mercy and freedom of choice, unborn infants are consciously and systematically murdered. Even when circumstances in the life of the mother are difficult, the fact remains that only one party has a voice in the choice to kill. The life of the murdered is valued only for the salvaged body to be bought and sold on the market for scientific and medical purposes. To God, the society that allows this to happen is shamefully condemned. And that is putting it lightly.
Infanticide is clearly an evil deed in the eyes of God (compare 2 Kings 8:12, Amos 1:13, Matthew 2:13-18). To draw any other conclusion that justifies abortion is plainly insulting to Him. God gives us some very clear commandments to love one another. To make a conscious choice to kill an innocent, helpless child is an impudent rejection of God that demonstrates the very opposite of love. The choice to kill shows a sharp contrast between the value that God has for our human lives and the attitude of man that counts life so cheap.
The ever-increasing spending on the military also shows an irony in the hearts of man and their governments. In the name of protecting peace and safety, the accumulation of war machines capable of wiping out entire populations proliferates. How the act of killing in war can fulfill a mission of peace boggles the mind. Yet, this is the claim that militaries and governments make. The hostility that makes a system of defense seem necessary begins in the misguided, selfish hearts of men.
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3). The value of life from the perspective of mankind is not the same as God’s. To the carnal man, the “other” side is a threat, which affects an escalation of increasingly violent responses, killing people who are valuable to God.
What is the value of life? To mankind, one would think that the value of our own lives would be paramount. But from the ways in which man behaves, the evidence shows the opposite to be true. Sadly, life is cheap to man. The killing that we hear about in the news, the laws of the land, and the investments of man prove it. To God, this attitude to life contrasts His undying love for us. In a perfect expression of love, God the Father offered His Son as the ultimate Sacrifice to cover man’s sin which was necessary so that all could live eternally (compare John 3:16). Then, in further proof of God’s love for life, He resurrected Jesus Christ to live in glory forever. To God, the value of life is infinitely greater than the evaluation made by man. God values our lives so greatly that His entire plan involves bringing as many to eternal life as possible so we can all live together in love and everlasting peace. The value of life will finally meet an equilibrium where death itself is destroyed.
We should be encouraged by the value that God places on our lives individually as well. He is intimately involved in the details of our lives. He knows our struggles. He knows our hearts. He knows our needs. Beyond merely knowing us, He loves us and values us individually. “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31). Even if our lives are cheap to man, we are valuable in the eyes of God.
Seeing that God values our life infinitely more than the world does, how should we conform our minds, hearts, and behavior? Quite simply, we follow God’s lead and demonstrate love through obedience. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3). When we obey God, His love for us grows and our life fulfills the value He holds for us. In addition, we express the same value of life towards our fellow man through obedience to God’s commandment to love one another. If we want to understand the value of life, we need to do nothing more than look to God and learn from Him.