Clarity: How Much Influence Should the Bible Have on Morality?

Part of the Clarity Series: Building a Christian Worldview

How much influence should the Bible have on our morality?

This is more than an abstract question—it shapes how we live every day. Whether we’re making personal choices, engaging in culture, or raising children, our view of right and wrong matters deeply.

In Clarity, we’re exploring key topics that shape our worldview. We’ve considered spiritual warfare, the trustworthiness of the Bible, faith and science, political identity, and the End Times. Now we turn to morality—and how Scripture forms it.

This is what I want you to remember: The Bible shapes the beliefs and behaviors of God’s people as we live as salt and light in the world.

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The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine trying to live out every command in the Bible for a year. That’s exactly what author A.J. Jacobs attempted in The Year of Living Biblically. In a TED Talk, he shared three key takeaways: following rules reshaped his behavior and mindset, sacredness matters, and—perhaps most notably—we all pick and choose the rules we follow.

Jacobs, an agnostic, made value judgments about which biblical commands seemed helpful or harmful. But that raises a deeper question: Who gets to define what’s right and wrong?

Across cultures and religions, morality exists. But a Christian worldview begins with a foundational claim: morality flows from God, our Creator. Romans 2:14–16 reveals that even those without the Law have a moral compass—because all humans are made in God’s image. We were created to reflect His character.

If that’s true, why don’t we all share the same moral convictions? The answer is found in the story the Bible tells.

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The Bible’s Story: Our Moral Foundation

In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created to walk with God and learn from Him what is good. But in Genesis 3, they chose to define good and evil for themselves. That rebellion has echoed through human history ever since.

Still, God didn’t abandon His plan. He called Abraham and formed Israel to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5–6). They were to reflect His holiness and justice through the Law. Yet Israel, like humanity at large, often failed—choosing conformity to the world over obedience to God.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declared Israel would be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). That calling was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). And now, Jesus commissions His followers to carry that light, to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16).

This is where our morality matters most: we are called to embody God’s character so that the world might see what love and truth look like.

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Biblical Morality Begins with Love

Morality isn’t about legalism—it’s about love. When asked to name the greatest commandment, Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6 and Leviticus 19: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29–31). The Ten Commandments reflect this: the first four teach us how to love God; the last six show us how to love people.

Love is more than a feeling. It’s sacrificial, intentional, and deeply rooted in action. Jesus showed us what this love looks like by washing feet, healing the broken, and dying on the cross (John 13:34–35). Paul echoed this call in Ephesians 5:1–21, urging us to walk in love, truth, and wisdom—to live lives that reflect the light of Christ.

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The Bible’s Role in Shaping Morality

So how much influence should the Bible have on our morality? For followers of Jesus, it’s not just an influence—it’s the foundation. God’s Word reveals His will and character, forming our hearts and habits as we study, worship, and obey.

That doesn’t mean quoting Scripture will always convince others. Many reject the Bible’s authority. But we still influence the world—not by forcing moral codes, but by faithfully living as God’s people. That’s how the early church transformed the Roman Empire, and that’s how we can live as a faithful witness today.

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Living the Truth: A Challenge

This week, read Ephesians 5:1–21.

Ask God to reveal any area where your life isn’t aligned with His love and truth. Then, choose one practical way to show sacrificial love to someone around you. Let your morality shine as a reflection of God’s light in the world.

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Tying It All Together

This Clarity series helps us build a lens through which to view life.

• Spiritual warfare taught us to depend on God’s power.

• The Bible gave us a trustworthy source of truth.

• Science and faith reminded us that reason and revelation work together.

• Politics revealed our identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

• The End Times called us to live with purpose.

• And now, morality anchors us in love and holiness, pointing us toward the kind of life that reflects Jesus in a dark world.

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Closing Prayer

• Thank God for the wisdom and truth found in His Word.

• Confess where your morality has been shaped more by culture than by Scripture.

• Ask God to help you live as salt and light, a faithful witness of His love and truth.

If you have questions about what it means to follow Jesus—or if you sense the Holy Spirit calling you deeper—please reach out. Let’s walk this road together, living out a worldview shaped by Scripture, and shining God’s light in a world longing for clarity.

Sunday Prayer: Peace and Harmony

Gracious and loving Father,

You are the source of patience, encouragement, and perfect peace. We come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your divine guidance to live in complete harmony with one another, as is fitting for those who follow Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may embody Your love, grace, and unity in all our actions and words. Help us to set aside differences, to bear with one another in patience, and to build each other up in faith. Unite us as one body, so that with a single, joyful voice we may lift up heartfelt praise and glory to You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. May our lives be a testament to Your transformative power, drawing others to Your everlasting love.

We pray this in the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

Lessons from the King: Our Good Father

 Imagine this: In November 1844, George Mueller, a Victorian-era Christian known for his care of orphans, began praying for the conversion of five individuals. He didn’t just toss up a quick prayer and call it a day. No, he prayed for them every single day—whether he was sick or healthy, at home or on the road, swamped with work or free.

Eighteen months later, the first came to faith. Mueller thanked God and kept praying. Five years after that, the second was converted. Six more years passed before the third found Christ. Still, two remained—sons of a friend—unconverted. Did Mueller give up? Not a chance. He kept praying daily, trusting God’s goodness.

Thirty-six years into this journey, he wrote, “They are not converted yet, but they will be.” And in 1897—fifty-two years after he began, and after Mueller himself had gone to be with the Lord—those final two men gave their lives to Christ.

What fueled such relentless prayer? Mueller knew God as a good Father—one who hears, who cares, and who gives good gifts, even if the answers take a lifetime to unfold.

That’s the heartbeat of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:7-12. Because God is our good Father, we can ask boldly, seek persistently, and trust Him fully—both for ourselves and for the way we love others.

Living as Citizens of the Kingdom

In this series, Lessons from the King, we’ve been unpacking Jesus’ proclamation that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. He didn’t just announce it; He taught us what it means to live as citizens of that Kingdom. That is what the Sermon on the Mount is about.

And here’s the thing: citizenship isn’t about following a checklist of rules out of fear of punishment. You can obey laws and still not be loyal. True righteousness—true citizenship—flows from a transformed heart, a heart loyal to King Jesus. That’s what matters.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus keeps circling back to the condition of our hearts. We’ll live righteous lives if our hearts are good—but how do we get there? As He nears the end of this teaching, that’s the question He’s tackling: How can we have transformed hearts?

Let’s walk through Matthew 7:7-12 to find out, starting with the middle section—verses 9-11—because it’s the key that unlocks the rest.

God Is Our Good Father (vv. 9-11)

Jesus asks a simple question: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”

If you’re a parent, you feel this in your bones. Love compels us to give our kids what they need—and often what they want, too. It hurts when we can’t. But let’s be honest: we’re also selfish. Sometimes we don’t want to be bothered, or we prioritize our own desires. There’s a conflict of interests inside us.

Now compare that to God. Jesus says, “How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him?”

If we, flawed as we are, can provide for our kids out of love, how much more can we trust God to provide for us? He doesn’t have that inner conflict—He loves us fully and desires what’s best for us.

I was reminded of this recently with our car troubles. We had front axle issues and an air sensor issue. After getting the axle issues fixed, the main display screen announced we needed to insert the Maps DVD. But the DVD was inserted, and now we couldn’t use the radio or the back-up camera. As I was taking it back to the Mechanic I heard a sound, I opened up the DVD player and the Maps DVD came out. I reinserted it, and it reinstalled. At that moment it hit me: I could trust God to provide for us. He’s not distant or stingy. He’s not waiting to condemn us—He sent Jesus to save us, to show us mercy, to bring us into His Kingdom. We can put our faith in Him because He’s a good Father.

We Can Be Confident in Asking (vv. 7-8)

With that in mind, Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.”

This kind of boldness in prayer was radical in the ancient world. Teachers didn’t go around telling people they could be confident God would answer. But Jesus does—because God is a good Father.

To get this right, we need context. Jesus isn’t handing us a blank check for anything we want. He’s still addressing how we live righteous lives, how holiness flows from our hearts.

In Luke’s parallel account (Luke 11:13), the “good gift” is named as the Holy Spirit—God’s wisdom and power to live as Kingdom citizens. This is what we’re to pray for.

God doesn’t want us independent of Him; He wants us dependent on Him. Unlike parents raising kids to stand on their own, God calls us to mature into deeper reliance on Him.

Dallas Willard put it this way: “We consume the most grace by leading a holy life, upheld by grace—not by continuing to sin and being repeatedly forgiven.”

So what do you need to live as a citizen of the Kingdom? Wisdom? Strength to crucify your flesh? Guidance? Transformation? Ask God for it—boldly—knowing He’ll provide.

We Can Treat Others with Love (v. 12)

Then Jesus ties it all together: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

That “therefore” (missing in some translations) is crucial. Because God is good, we can fulfill the Law and Prophets—not through rules, but through love.

We can be generous because God is generous to us. We can forgive because He’s forgiven us. We can show mercy because He’s shown mercy to us.

Back in verse 2, Jesus warned that the standard we use to judge others will be used on us. So we choose mercy, just as we’d want mercy for ourselves.

How do we live this out? Assume the best about people, not the worst. Maybe they’ve had a bad day, or they’re wrestling with grief, depression, or doubt. Give them the same grace you give yourself when you say, “I lost track of time,” “I’m not feeling well,” or “I didn’t sleep last night.”

A Challenge and a Thought

Take some time this week to meditate on what it means for God to be your good Father. Then ask Him—confidently—for the wisdom or transformation you need.

John Eldredge writes in The Way of the Wild Heart:

“You are the son of a kind, strong, and engaged Father, a Father wise enough to guide you in the Way, generous enough to provide for your journey, offering to walk with you every step. This is perhaps the hardest thing for us to believe—really believe, down deep in our hearts, so that it changes us forever, changes the way we approach each day.”

Do we believe God is our good Father? The more we trust Him, the more we’ll experience transformation in our lives.

Lessons from the King: Judging Others

 Imagine being accused of a crime you didn’t commit—not because of hard evidence, but because a computer said you were guilty. That’s what happened to Jason Vernau, a medical entrepreneur who spent three days in jail after being falsely accused of check fraud. AI-driven facial recognition software flagged him as a match for a bank customer involved in fraud. The twist? Jason was at the bank that day—but only to deposit a legitimate check. The technology made a hasty connection, and the investigators ran with it, failing to dig deeper or consider the full story.

“This is your investigative work?” Vernau asked in disbelief. “You have a picture of me at a bank and that’s your proof? Where’s my fingerprints on the check? Where’s my signature?” The charges were eventually dropped, but the damage was done—all because of flawed judgment based on incomplete information.

Too often, we’re not so different. We jump to conclusions and pass judgment on others without knowing the whole picture. But as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus calls us to something better—a righteousness that reflects humility, love, and mercy rather than condemnation.

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A Kingdom Heart

In our series Lessons from the King, we’re diving into the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches us what it means to live as citizens of His Kingdom. Early in this sermon, He sets the bar high:

“Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Matthew 5:20, NLT).

The Pharisees’ righteousness was all about rules, appearances, and exclusion. Jesus, however, calls us to a righteousness that flows from the heart—a transformed desire and will, rooted in allegiance to Him as our King. That’s where true change begins.

Today’s lesson from Matthew 7:1-7 challenges us to reject the judgmental spirit of the Pharisees and embrace Kingdom values instead. To understand this, let’s look at how Jesus critiqued the Pharisees in Matthew 23:2-4, 13. He condemned their hypocrisy—they burdened people with rules, judged them harshly, and declared them unfit for God’s Kingdom, all while refusing to lift a finger to help.

Kingdom citizens, Jesus says, must be different. Our righteousness is built on humility, mercy, and love.

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Do Not Judge—Or Do We?

“Judge not, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1-2) is one of the most quoted verses in the Bible—and often misunderstood. At first glance, it might seem like Jesus is telling us to avoid all moral discernment. But context is key. Just a few verses later, in Matthew 7:6 and 15, He instructs us to discern wisely—about who we share the Gospel with and how we identify false prophets.

So what does He mean?

Jesus isn’t forbidding us from recognizing right and wrong. He’s warning against the kind of judgment the Pharisees practiced—condemning others and shutting them out of God’s Kingdom. That’s not our job.

When we rush to condemn, we risk two consequences:

1. The standard we use on others will be turned back on us—by people and ultimately by God. If we refuse to forgive, we won’t be forgiven.
2. We’re stepping into a role reserved for God alone, who sees the full story of every heart.

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Start with Yourself

Jesus drives this home with a vivid, almost comical image:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-5).

It’s ridiculous to imagine someone with a log sticking out of their eye trying to help someone else with a tiny speck. Yet that’s what we do when we judge others without examining ourselves first.

This isn’t about ignoring sin in others. It’s about humility—recognizing that we only see a fraction of their story while knowing our own flaws all too well. The Pharisees acted righteous without being righteous, condemning others while ignoring their own hypocrisy.

Jesus calls us to confess our sins, turn to God, and approach others with mercy. Only then can we offer help rather than judgment, pointing people to Jesus with love.

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Wise Discernment, Not Blind Acceptance

Lest we think Jesus wants us to throw caution to the wind, He adds:

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matthew 7:6).

Here, He calls for discernment. Dogs and pigs were unclean animals in Jewish culture, often symbols for those hostile to God’s ways. Jesus isn’t saying we should write people off lightly—He’s teaching us to focus our efforts wisely.

If someone has shown contempt for the Gospel, rejecting Jesus outright, we shouldn’t waste energy forcing it on them. They might “turn and tear you apart,” derailing our mission to share God’s love with those who are open.

This is why Jesus taught in parables: they revealed who was truly seeking God and who wasn’t. Our job is to share what’s holy with the receptive and pray for those who resist, trusting God to work in their hearts.

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Living as Kingdom Citizens

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged” might be famous in our culture, often wielded as a shield for bad behavior. But Jesus isn’t endorsing blind acceptance. He’s calling us to rise above the Pharisees’ condemnation and embody Kingdom values.

We’re to be humble, knowing we’re sinners saved by grace.
We’re to be merciful, offering help rather than exclusion.
And we’re to be discerning, focusing on those open to God’s truth while praying for His enemies.

The big idea is this: Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven don’t condemn but show humility, love, and mercy to others.

It’s tempting to judge—especially when we hold God’s Word and see where others fall short. But Kingdom citizens realize God has been merciful to us, and we’re called to extend that grace to others.

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A Challenge and a Prayer

When the urge to judge strikes, hit pause and pray. As Scot McKnight puts it, “We are to conclude ‘that is wrong’ and ‘that is good,’ but we must not pronounce ‘you are condemned by God.’”

We’re citizens of the Kingdom, not the King. Only He knows the heart.

So today, thank God for Jesus, who makes us part of His Kingdom. Ask Him for wisdom to examine your own life first. And pray for someone who needs His forgiveness—maybe even someone you’ve been tempted to judge.

Let’s live out the righteousness of the Kingdom, reflecting our King’s heart in all we do.

Why I Still Follow Jesus

Why do I still follow Jesus Christ? 

For me, it comes down to purpose—a call that God has woven into my life. Jesus didn’t just ask His first disciples to drop their nets and believe a set of ideas; He invited them into something bigger: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That same invitation echoes today. We’re made for good works (Ephesians 2:10), not just to hold to a set of doctrines and beliefs, but to actually live those truths. In other words, following Jesus isn’t about checking off a list of doctrines—it’s about joining a movement that changes the world, through the simplest acts of love (Matthew 25:31-46).

Of course, plenty of Christians fall short of this calling, but that doesn’t make the calling invalid. Rather, it reminds us that we need help in living this calling out in our lives. As followers of Jesus, we’re meant to bring light to our families, communities, and nations. The Church, at its best, is God’s love in action.

The purpose I have as a follower of Jesus depends on two important choices. It depends on my choice to be faithful to King Jesus in every area of my life. I can only live this calling out if I am faithful. The second choice is the choice to love. Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to love: to love God and to love people. If I am not going to love, then it is impossible for me to live out the purpose of my life.

Now, compare that to what I’ll call the “evangelical atheist.” Their message urges people to abandon belief in God—but what’s the replacement? Do they genuinely think a world without God would be better? If so, where’s the proof? History doesn’t exactly back them up. And when they reject the source of goodness and love, what’s left to inspire kindness or sacrifice?

That’s not to say atheists can’t be moral or altruistic—many are. But they lack a foundation to call others to a life that seeks to make this world a better place. Without an absolute moral standard, they rely on shifting personal or cultural ideals, which is shaky ground when human nature often prioritizes self-interest over the suffering of others. Atheism critiques but doesn’t construct; it deconstructs faith yet offers no compelling alternative that can inspire, unite, or transform people and culture.

Faith in Jesus is not just about our self-interest. It calls us to something greater. The New Testament teachings this truth over and over again—Jesus commands us to love God and others (Matthew 22:34-40), Paul urges us to serve selflessly (Romans 12, Galatians 6, Ephesians 2:10), James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 1:27), Peter exhorts us to bless others (1 Peter 3:9), and John emphasizes love in action (1 John 3:16-18). Disciples of Jesus are not just encouraged to love—we’re expected to. It’s central to our calling.

What’s amazing is how this call to love is for everyone. No one is incapable of loving. If morality were merely a personal construct, we’d have an innumerable number of ideas about what is right and wrong —forcing everyone to champion the causes they believe to be most important, whether climate change, poverty, or global suffering. That’s a recipe for burnout and division, especially since we cannot agree on what’s most important.

Christianity changes that. God sets a moral standard, calls us to love Him and others, and then gives us the freedom to bring our unique gifts to the table. The metaphor of being the Body of Christ nails it (Romans 12:3-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)—we are different parts of the body with distinct roles (Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:7-11). God’s plan is a Church full of individuals, each equipped to tackle the world’s brokenness in their own way.

 None of us can meet the world’s brokenness on our own, but when we work together we can make a difference.

So, I follow Jesus—doubts and all—because this call isn’t just about my personal relationship with Jesus; it’s about God’s people working together to influence the world. It’s about serving those around me and carrying God’s love into the world, all the while partnering with others. In living it out the calling to love and serve, I discover the life I was made for. And honestly? I want others to find that life too.

Lessons from the King: Loving Your Enemies

 

In his book After You Believe, N.T. Wright shares this thought: “When you’re suddenly put to the test and don’t have time to think about how you’re coming across, your real nature will come out. That’s why character needs to go all the way through: Whatever fills you will spill out.” (p. 28).

This idea captures the heart of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38-48. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that there is more than just surface-level obedience—beyond simply avoiding evil. He calls us to live with radical grace and love that reveals the heart of God. Loving our enemies isn’t just an ideal; it’s the evidence of a transformed heart, a life shaped by the character of the King.

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The Call to Grace Over Retaliation

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” (Matthew 5:38-39)

The law of retribution—“an eye for an eye”—was meant to prevent personal revenge and promote justice. However, Jesus introduces a new way: the way of grace. Instead of seeking vengeance, He calls us to respond with patience, generosity, and love.

Consider His examples:

• Turning the other cheek (v. 39) – In the ancient world, a slap was an insult more than a physical assault. Kingdom citizens are called to absorb the insult rather than retaliate.

• Giving beyond what is required (v. 40) – The poor had little, yet Jesus tells them to give even their cloak if sued. This radical generosity defies worldly wisdom.

• Going the extra mile (v. 41) – Under Roman law, Jews were required to carry a soldier’s pack for one mile. Jesus challenges them to double it—choosing service over resentment.

• Giving generously (v. 42) – Even in hardship, we are to be open-handed, trusting God’s provision.

Paul echoes this in Romans 12:14-21, urging believers to overcome evil with good. True justice isn’t found in revenge, but in reflecting the goodness of God in a broken world.

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The Call to Love Over Hate

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44)

The Pharisees had twisted the law’s command to love their neighbors into permission to hate their enemies. But Jesus reveals the true intent of God’s heart: love is not limited by borders, race, or even morality. God sends rain on both the righteous and the wicked. His love extends to all—and ours must too.

What does loving an enemy look like?

• Love actively (v. 44) – Show kindness to those who oppose you.

• Pray for them (v. 44) – Intercede for those who mistreat you, asking for God’s mercy on their lives.

• Reflect God’s character (v. 45) – As God’s children, we are called to mirror His indiscriminate grace.

This isn’t easy. It’s much simpler to ignore those who hurt us, to justify our distance by saying we don’t “hate” them. But love calls for more. It requires interaction, kindness, and a willingness to extend mercy even when it isn’t deserved.

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The Call to Christlike Perfection

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Jesus isn’t calling us to sinless perfection, but to completeness—to a maturity that reflects God’s character. True righteousness isn’t about checking the right religious boxes. It’s about a heart transformed by God’s love.

So where do we start?

• Trust God for justice – We don’t have to seek revenge; we can trust Him to make things right.

• Overcome evil with good – Through generosity, kindness, and forgiveness, we push back the darkness.

• Love even when it’s hard – Because that’s what God has done for us.

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The Challenge

This week, take a step toward radical grace:

• Show compassion—make a meal for someone, volunteer, or donate to a charity.

• Pray for someone who has wronged you.

Loving our enemies isn’t just about them—it’s about us. It’s about becoming the kind of people who reflect the heart of God. And when we do, we don’t just avoid sin—we become the light of the world.

May we be a people who overcome evil with good, not because it’s easy, but because it’s who we are in Christ.

God With Us

During the Advent season, we’re invited to reflect on one of the most profound truths of our faith: God loves us!  This love is not abstract or distant, rather, it is personal, present, and powerful. It’s “God with us.”

The promise of Immanuel is not just a story for Christmas cards. It’s the bedrock of our hope, the anchor of our peace, the wellspring of our joy, and the ultimate expression of God’s love. Let’s explore together what this means for us today. 

The Promise of Immanuel

Isaiah 7:14 foretells the birth of Immanuel, meaning "God with us." This promise was given to King Ahaz during a time of fear and uncertainty, assuring him that God had not abandoned His people. While the immediate fulfillment pointed to deliverance in Ahaz’s time, the ultimate fulfillment came centuries later in Jesus Christ.

When life feels overwhelming, and circumstances seem to whisper that God is far away, Isaiah 7:14 reminds us otherwise: God is with us. His presence sustains us, offering hope when we’re tempted to give up.

The Fulfillment of God’s Presence in Jesus

The Gospel of John takes us deeper into the mystery of "God with us." John 1:14 tells us, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.”

This is not just poetic imagery—it’s staggering truth. The Creator of the universe stepped into His creation, not as a distant observer but as one of us. In Jesus, God’s love became visible, tangible, and present.

Love is demonstrated through presence. When we lose someone, it’s the absence of their presence that we grieve most deeply. God, knowing our need for His nearness, didn’t just send a message—He came Himself. Even knowing He would be rejected, Jesus chose to come, to dwell with us, and to show us love.

The Impact of God With Us

Ephesians 2:4-6 unveils the depth of God’s mercy and love. Through Christ, we’re not just forgiven; we’re made alive, seated with Him in heavenly places. This speaks to a restored relationship and purpose—living as reflections of His love in a broken world.

God’s love transforms us from the inside out, freeing us from fear and filling us with hope. It empowers us to push back against chaos and corruption by loving, serving, and forgiving others.

Celebrating the Greatest Gift

At the heart of Christmas is the astounding truth that God came near. He stepped into our world so we could step into His love. Relationships thrive through presence, and God’s greatest act of love was becoming present with us in Jesus.

This Advent season, we celebrate a love that moved heaven and earth to dwell among us. It’s a love that invites us into a restored relationship and gives us hope, peace, joy, and purpose.

A Challenge for the Season

Over the next two weeks, make it a point to spend time with the people in your life. As you do, pray that your presence may be a conduit of God’s love to others. Just as God showed His love through His presence, we can reflect that love in the way we show up for others.

Closing Prayer

Let’s thank God for His presence and commit ourselves to follow Jesus, living as reflections of His love in the world:

1. Thank God for Jesus, the ultimate expression of His love.

2. Ask for the empowerment to love others well.

3. Commit to walking in His ways, sharing His love through both word and action.

Closing Thought

The heart of Christmas is the promise of Immanuel—God with us. This truth transforms everything. It reminds us that we are not alone in our suffering, and we are not abandoned in our struggles. Instead, God has come near, offering His love, His presence, and His power to redeem.

As you celebrate this season, let the reality of God’s presence shape your heart and your life. May you experience His love deeply and share it boldly, knowing that through Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of love is here—God is with us, now and forever.

The Power of Love

 

“Nothing can live in God but as it lives in love. So that love alone is the cure of every evil; and he that lives in the purity of love is delivered from the power of evil into the freedom of the Spirit of love.”

— Andrew Murray, Daily in His Presence (September 10 reading)

I’ll admit, when I first read these words, I struggled to accept them. Can love really overcome the darkest parts of our world? Common sense tells me that evil needs to be fought with power and strength. Love alone doesn’t seem sufficient to combat the evil of the day.

Do I believe that “love alone is the cure for every evil”? 

Intellectually I do, but in my heart I doubt. Love might provide the motivation—after all, I want to protect those I care about—but it seems to me that force is necessary to win the battle against evil.

This tension is something I wrestle with as I follow Jesus. I still cling to the idea that there are times when combating evil with strength, even violence, is what’s needed. But then I hear Jesus’ words, challenging my thinking:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” 

— Matthew 5:43-45 (CSB)

Jesus points us to the example of God, who pours out love even on those in rebellion against Him. He loves them despite their actions.

This is the kind of love we’re called to—a love that is active, persistent, and sacrificial. It was this kind of love that caused the early church to flourish. They cared for orphans, embraced the marginalized, and risked their lives to care for the sick during pandemics. This wasn’t passive love. It was love in action.

As the early church practiced sacrificial love, two significant things happened. First, the church grew. They embodied what they believed, and their communities received a small taste of the Kingdom of God.

Second, the morals and values they lived by laid the foundation for Western civilization. The world before Jesus was violent and dark. But as His followers lived out love for God and their neighbors, the moral landscape of the world began to slowly change.

Love may not be an instant fix for evil, but when practiced consistently, it changes things. It transforms hearts, heals wounds, and reshapes societies. Love is an investment for the future, and when we commit to it, we start to see its quiet yet profound power.