Faith is joy, but discipleship comes at a cost

The Red Pill Awakening

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We serve the gospel and advocate for our Lord and God Jesus Christ by sharing our gospel stories and we believe that "You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

November 15, 2024

Faith is joy, but discipleship comes at a cost

Matthew 20:17-19

While going up to Jerusalem, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside privately and said to them on the way, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death. They will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked, flogged, and crucified, and on the third day he will be raised.”

The apostles James and John, the sons of Zebedee, wanted a place of prominence in the kingdom of Jesus, and apparently, their mother wanted that for them as well.

Jesus answered his disciples, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?”

James and John answered, “We are able.”

The word "minister" means servant. Not a lofty position, not famous, not prominent. It's a humble position to take and should only be taken in humility, because there is often a very costly consequence involved in this decision. Jesus is again predicting his persecution, which is right around the corner, and he's again having to caution his disciples to count the costs of following him into that persecution.

The twelve apostles and the many other followers are about to embark upon a ministry mission that will ultimately span millennia and convert millions of people. And they all will pay a terrible price for that decision.

So, James and John get a look into the future they will face. Their fate is like Jesus’. He's there to suffer for sinners and drink the cup of God’s wrath, and they too will face similar future consequences.

But meanwhile they're selfishly seeking prominence in Jesus' kingdom. And the other apostles heard this and became angry.

Soon a battle breaks out and the place turns into a melee between all the disciples.

And Jesus breaks it up...saying,

vs. 26-27 "It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave."

There cannot be a better man among the ministers. There cannot be grifters and charlatans. There cannot be prominent figures and still be servants. And the fruit of that mission cannot be popularity. If it is any of these things it is very much likely that it is not "in Christ". Because being in Christ immediately sets you up against the ways of the world. And the world is very unkind to those who try to set themselves up as holy and good, righteous in God alone. The world doesn't appreciate, accept and celebrate the things of heaven, the world seeks worldly things. The world celebrates the created things, not the Creator. The world assigns glory to the deeds of humanity. Therefore, if the world sees your ministry as something to be admired, you're probably corrupted by the world.

There is always a terrible cost for authentic ministry. James and John, sons of Zebedee, were the so called, "Sons of Thunder". James proclaimed the gospel after Jesus' resurrection and was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred for his faith. At times, often at inappropriate times, James could be rash and unthinking. He did not always apply the gospel to earthly matters. When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, he and John wanted to call down fire from heaven and wipe out every living thing there.

I can relate to James.

James had an abiding faith unto death. He was killed with the sword on order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, about 44 A.D.

James got his wish. He was given a very prestigious situation. He became the first among the apostles to suffer and die by the sword for his ministry. James wanted to take up that cup that Jesus took up, and he did, he died for his faith.

“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” —Acts 12:1–2

I wonder if his mother regretted asking that of Jesus.

And of course, we know that James will likewise rise up and be received by our Lord into eternal glory. His mother will see him sitting upon one of the twelve thrones.

"But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:28-30).

This is the ministry. The apostles exercised authority by teaching people how to become Christians and how to remain faithful, even unto death. They, guided by the Holy Spirit, rendered decisions on every question that arose in the early church times, the so-called apostolic church. They ruled on "...all things that pertain to life and godliness..." (2 Peter 1:3).

And they suffered greatly.

Simon, also known as Peter, was killed by Emperor Nero around 64 AD, was crucified on a cross upside down. Peter’s brother Andrew allegedly suffered a similar death in the Greek city of Patras around 60 AD.

John the beloved is traditionally regarded as the only apostle to die of old age. When Mary (Jesus' mother and now John's adopted mother) died, John allegedly went to Ephesus. While there he wrote his three epistles to the church. After that he was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel. While there he received the revelation from Christ and wrote the Book of Revelation. Eventually, he makes it back to Ephesus and dies an ordinary death sometime after 98 AD.

It's hard to narrow down how Phillip died. One record says he died of natural causes. Another says he was beheaded. And still another says he was stoned to death. And yet another that he was crucified upside down. According to records he likely died in the ancient Greek city of Hierapolis. Probably he, not unlike Barthlomew, was flayed and beheaded or crucified upside down. Or all the above. No one knows for sure. But obviously the demonic pagan world did whatever they could, in very gross ways, to destroy the ministry of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Thomas, of doubting Thomas fame, suffered death by stabbing (spearing) for preaching the good news at the hands of the people in Mylapore, India.

The apostle Matthew, it is said, was slain by a halberd (a spear with an ax head attached) in the city of Nadabah Ethiopia, in A.D. 60. The early church fathers said he was burned, stoned, stabbed, or beheaded. At any rate it didn't end well for him.

James son of Alphaeus was stoned to death. Jude was martyred in Syria on his missionary journey with Simon the Zealot. As for Simon the Zealot (let's call him Simon Z), it seems many people wanted credit for killing him. Legends say that Simon Z and Jude went into Persia and other places driving out demons from the pagan temples there. These two are the exorcist crew. They made a lot of people very angry when they drove out the demons who helped them provide signs and wonders that of course they could then grift off of. One claim is that Simon Z was sawed in half.

Mathias was stoned to death as far as we know. His ministry is somewhat obscure.

Judas of course killed himself, and I don't think you could say he had much of a ministry at all.

The Apostle Paul was stoned several times, shipwrecked, imprisoned, flogged, tortured, and ultimately it is said he was beheaded. An apocryphal work from the second century known as The Acts of Paul says that Nero had Paul decapitated. And in 200 AD, Tertullian wrote that Paul’s death was like John the Baptist’s.

And many others in the first church were murdered for their faith by very gross acts of violence. And now the largest religion in the world exists as we know it today because of the work they began in the years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The cup Jesus talked about to them became their cup.

The position of prominence they sought probably wasn't what they'd hoped for. But their faith, their witness, their hope was such that they did face these trials in Christ.

It's notable to me that not one of them confessed against Christ except Judas who committed suicide. They all knew something that was powerful enough to maintain their resolve even in the face of terrible pain and suffering. There are no stories of them being angry at God because things weren't going their way. They did have church dramas, that's going to happen apparently, even among these faithful people. But in the end when pressed up against a rock and a hard place, they all chose the rock (the gospel truth about Jesus Christ) and took the hard place in faith.

They all had faith in his resurrection and theirs being secured in Him. So much so that they lived and died for it.

These people gave everything. Think about that, all of Zebedee's sons were killed. Think about their mother and her request that they sit at Christ's left and right hand. Think about her the next time you're pissed off at your church because they did something unkind to you, or didn't meet your needs. Get a grip friend. Faith is joy, but discipleship comes at a cost.

#Discipleship

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If you were to ask me what it was that he "emptied", I would say he emptied himself of glory, of exaltation, and privilege. He made himself of no reputation. He made himself available to human violence and subjugation. The Greek word for "emptied" (ekenōsen) in verse 7 implies a voluntary act of ...

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"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

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In religious contexts, like Christianity, grace is God’s unearned love or mercy, such as granting salvation despite our human flaws. Like a parent forgiving a child for a serious mistake, showing love despite the hurt, without holding a grudge.

Spiritual grace refers to divine or transcendent favor, love, or empowerment, often unearned and freely given. Grace is a no questions asked welcoming love. This is why Grace is sovereign and transformative, overcoming human resistance to bring about salvation.

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It was all God's plan. All of it.

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Acts 3:13-16

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Acts 3:1-5

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

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From Transactional Works to Transformative Love:

Knowing God’s Heart

Galatians 5:4

"You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."

Thinking you've got to do something for God in order to deserve something from God, feels like a transactional love.

Let me ask you a question...if you don't hear those words (well done) from Jesus, would you still love Him?

Galatians 5:4 warns against seeking justification through the law, which cuts us off from Christ and His grace. Reducing a relationship with Jesus to a checklist of deeds, is not a gift rooted in Christ’s sacrifice. When someone does this they make an idol of themselves and their works. They are in effect saying their deeds are greater than Christ's sacrifice and love.

Relying on the law for justification severs us from Christ’s grace.

Why?

Because Christ's glory cannot have an effect upon us while we're still living in our own works of self-righteousness. It shifts our trust from His finished work to our own efforts. What if the virgins whose oil ran out were too busy practicing their self-righteous works, what if they forgot to fill up with God's love while they were working to fulfill their perceived religious duties.

When we make an idol of our works, we’re essentially declaring our self-righteousness sufficient, which dims the radiance of Christ’s glory in our lives. His grace can’t transform us while we’re clinging to the illusion that our deeds outshine His sacrifice. It’s like trying to earn a gift that’s already been freely given; our self-focus blocks the reality of His love and power.

Q: Why do people do this?

A: Unbelief. Because some will always fall back into self-preservation and performance. The enemy has convinced them that sin is so powerful that Christ could not forgive it, defeat it, or defend against it.

Think about this. If Christ can't defeat sin, even with forgiveness alone, with mercy, then He is not worthy to be called our Savior. You adopt this attitude, and you are saying Jesus is not worthy, he's not a perfect sacrifice. It's a subtle but profound rejection of Christ’s sufficiency.

People fall into this trap because the enemy exploits our human tendency toward self-preservation and prideful performance, whispering that sin’s power is too great for Christ’s sacrifice to fully cover. This lie leads to a mindset where we feel we must earn God’s favor, as if our works could outdo the cross.

Q: You want to know when true repentance and born again faith happens?

A: When your dependence upon yourself runs out. When your supply of self-sufficiency comes to end.

Born from above, salvation from dead works, happens when our self-dependence and self-sufficiency are exhausted. When we hit the end of our own resources, when we realize our works can’t save us, that’s when we surrender to Christ’s sufficiency. It’s in that moment of humility and brokenness that we truly grasp the power of His cross and are reborn by faith in Him alone.

Q: What is this thing, "dead works"?

A: Doing something, sometimes militantly, to get God to do something for you. It's spirituality without love for God. Maybe it's a love for the law. It's a desire to perform your love to earn God's grace.

Hebrews 6:1

"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God."

Dead works are not just futile efforts but a misdirected affection that prioritizes self-effort or legalism over a genuine relationship with God. As Hebrews 6:1 urges, believers must repent from "dead works" as a foundational step toward spiritual maturity.

Acting like what you think a Christian should act "to get God to do something for you" reflects a quid-pro-quo mindset, treating God like a vending machine rather than a loving Father. It's transactional love, not transformative love. Rigid rule-keeping, compulsive service, or ritualistic devotion to prove worthiness lacks the heart of worship, driven instead by duty, fear, or pride. A "love for the law" suggests an idolatrous fixation on rules or performance, where the law becomes a substitute for Christ’s grace. It's revealing the contradiction; grace, by definition, cannot be earned, yet dead works chase this impossible goal.

Let's look closer into why people fall into this trap:

1. Unbelief in Christ’s Sufficiency: The enemy convinces people that sin’s power outstrips Christ’s sacrifice, so they must add their own efforts to "secure" salvation. This leads to a "love for the law" as a false savior. This deception drives individuals to supplement Christ’s work with their own efforts. This lie creates a spiritual insecurity, prompting people to "add" their own efforts to ensure their standing with God. The enemy’s deception preys on human vulnerabilities, amplifying doubts about God’s grace. The enemy exaggerates sin’s power, making it seem unconquerable. The fear that "I’m not good enough" or "God won’t accept me" drives people to perform. Some view God as a harsh judge rather than a loving Father, assuming He demands constant proof of worthiness. The enemy reinforces this by twisting scriptures to emphasize law over love, obscuring God’s character as revealed in Christ (John 3:16-18). They forget that Christ did not come to condemn.

2. Fear of Losing Favor: The militant drive to perform often comes from fear; fear of God’s rejection or not being "enough." This fuels a transactional approach: "If I do this, God must respond." The fear of losing God’s favor stems from a deep-seated insecurity about our standing with Him. This leads to a transactional approach to faith: "If I do this (pray enough, serve enough, obey enough), God must respond (love me, bless me, save me)." This mindset is the essence of dead works; efforts devoid of love for God, rooted in fear rather than faith, and disconnected from the grace of Christ’s finished work. It's a distorted view of Christ's character. The enemy exploits this, sowing doubts about God’s unconditional love.

Remember always: 1 John 4:18

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear"

3. Pride in Performance: A "desire to perform your love" can stem from pride, where people want to take credit for their righteousness rather than rely on Christ’s. It's showcase faith. Pride rejects the humility required to accept grace, insisting on earning salvation to maintain control. This desire to "perform your love" refuses to admit dependence on Christ’s sacrifice. Pride is a core aspect of fallen human nature, seeking self-exaltation over God’s glory (Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"). Many church cultures celebrate self-reliance and accomplishment, fostering a mindset where value is tied to performance. This spills into faith, where people assume God’s favor must be earned through impressive (sainthood) works.

4. Cultural Conditioning: Many are taught that love must be earned, so they project this onto God, assuming His grace requires payment through works. Cultural conditioning shapes our worldview, often teaching that love, acceptance, and value are contingent on our worldly and Church performance. These church-culture works are driven by a need to earn love and lacks worship, producing the "dead" quality of Hebrews 6:1. At the heart of it, these faith practices lack love for God. Example: Performing religious duties out of obligation feels hollow, missing the joy of a grace-based relationship with God. And without love all these works are like a clanging gong. All noise no substance, no love.

5. Lack of Intimacy with God: "Spirituality without love for God" is key. Without a deep, personal relationship with Him, people default to rules or rituals, mistaking activity for devotion. Loveless, performance-based faith. Believing God is primarily a judge leads to performing duties to appease Him, not seeking His heart. A believer might read the Bible daily but skim it as a task, missing the chance to hear God’s voice. It's faith without the hope of salvation, often tied to a faith that isn't anticipating Christ's return. A church that prioritizes church attendance or tithing over personal prayer and anticipating Christ's return can condition believers to equate activity with church devotion. Feeling unworthy to approach God in anticipating prayer, a believer might overcompensate with charitable acts to feel more righteous and thereby earn their reward. The enemy promotes this performance-based faith, making catechism feel more reliable than a vulnerable faith connection with God's word. Some believers never learn how to cultivate direct intimacy with God, especially if their faith community focuses on external practices. Growing up in a tradition heavy on liturgy but light on personal devotion can leave someone unsure how to relate to God personally. This is the danger of both orthodoxy and fundamentalism. Without a deep, personal relationship with God, people default to rules or rituals. Believers perform spiritual duties; prayer, church attendance, fasting, out of obligation, not love, treating them as checkboxes to maintain God’s favor. Praying a set number of minutes daily to "stay right with God," without engaging the heart in worship. This is the "love for the law" I spoke about earlier. Obsessively tracking church involvement to feel spiritually secure, rather than seeking God’s presence. It brings to mind the Pharisees who embody the pitfalls of a loveless, performance-driven faith. Prioritizing ritual over heart.

Modern "Pharisees" might enforce strict rules (e.g., orthodox ritualistic worship, self-righteous dress codes, traditional behavior standards) over grace, fostering a "love for the law" that sidelines intimacy with the word of God.

To avoid the Pharisees’ error and cultivate intimacy with God, believers need to know God.

Q: How do you "know God"?

A: Let's see if the word of God can help...

Jeremiah 9:24

"Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness."

So right away we see that God shifts the focus from the believer toward Him. It's about engaging with God as a loving Father, not a distant judge, through prayer, worship, and trust.

John 17:3

"This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Spirituality must be rooted in love for God. Knowing Him fuels this love, making works a response to His grace, not a payment for it. Knowing God changes us, aligning our desires with His and producing fruit through the Spirit, not dead works (John 15:4-5). Unlike the Pharisees, who relied on law, knowing God means resting in Christ’s finished work (the resurrection and the anticipation of his return).

The Pharisees doubted God’s grace, relying on law over relationship. Their pride sought self-glory, not God’s heart.

Jesus used a parable to describe this:

Luke 18:9-12

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

It was cultural conditioning. Their tradition taught that righteousness was earned, projecting this onto God. Knowing God would have shifted their focus from dead works to a faith rooted in love.

How to "Know God" and Cultivate Intimacy

Prayer is a two-way conversation, not a ritual to earn favor. Share your heart with God and listen for His voice.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Pause to reflect, asking, "Lord, what do You want me to know?"

Read the Bible to know God’s character, not just rules. Approach it as His revelation of Himself, seeking His heart.

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

In your devotion ask God, "What does this reveal about God’s love, mercy, or faithfulness?" Journal insights to deepen understanding.

Q: Do you love worship?

Worship in love for Christ, not from a sense of duty. Worship through songs of love, prayers of thanksgiving, and reflection upon the gospels, and expressing your love for God, focusing on His goodness rather than performance. Unlike the Pharisees’ empty rituals, worship from love fosters intimacy, making works a response to God’s glory, not a transaction.

The Holy Spirit (not idols like temples, cathedrals, vestments and furniture) reveals God’s heart and empowers intimacy. Before your worship, your prayers, or your devotion to scripture, pray, "Holy Spirit, show me God’s love and truth." Be open to His nudges, like a sense of peace or conviction. Ask the Spirit to help you regularly examine your heart, confessing specific sins or fears in prayer. Thank God for His grace, accepting His love without earning it.

Conclusion:

Jesus said,

"Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4-5).

And the apostle whom Jesus loved wrote:

1 John 4:7

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

This verse powerfully connects to our discussion about knowing God to cultivate intimacy and avoid the Pharisees’ error of dead works. What Jesus taught they were lacking was love. Love for God and love for one another. They were trapped in a transactional relationship with God.

1 John 4:7 emphasizes that love is the hallmark of knowing God, as it originates from Him and is evidence of being "born of God." To know God is to experience and reflect His love, which is the essence of a personal relationship with Him. The Pharisees missed this mark, and Jesus said of them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

Justice reflects God’s righteousness and commitment to fairness, equity, and care for the oppressed. It involves living rightly with others, upholding God’s moral order, and advocating for those who are wronged (Micah 6:8). The Pharisees practiced a superficial justice, focusing on outward compliance with the law. They neglected the poor, the marginalized, and sinners, judging them harshly instead of seeking their restoration.

Mercy is God’s compassionate forgiving love, extended to the undeserving, reflecting His grace and willingness to withhold judgment. It involves showing kindness, forgiveness, and empathy, especially to the broken or sinful. The Pharisees lacked mercy, condemning sinners rather than extending grace. Their rigid adherence to the law left no room for compassion, as they saw themselves as superior, not in need of mercy.

Faithfulness is steadfast trust in God and loyalty to His covenant, expressed through a life of obedience rooted in love, not duty. I see it as "anticipation" of Christ's return and a living faith that experiences Christ's Spirit even now. Faithfulness is a dynamic, forward-looking love for God.

Viewing faithfulness as "anticipation" connects it to our eschatological hope, where believers live with eager expectation of Christ’s second coming.

Titus 2:13

"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"

This hope fuels obedience, not to earn favor, but to align with God’s kingdom. This makes faithfulness active and relational, not a static rule-following, producing works that are alive, not "dead".

By grounding our faithfulness in love, we echo 1 John 4:7’s link between knowing God and loving, ensuring spirituality avoids the Pharisees’ transactional mindset. This view transforms faithfulness from the Pharisees’ external, loveless adherence to law into a dynamic, Spirit-filled relationship that anticipates Christ’s return while living in His presence now in love.

Food for thought:

How do you see modern believers missing this kind of faithfulness; perhaps in routine faith practices or church cultures that lack anticipation or Spirit-filled life?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with humble hearts, seeking to know You deeply and love You truly. Forgive us when we fall into the trap of transactional love, striving to earn what You freely give through Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Lord, we confess our unbelief, fear, pride, and the cultural conditioning that makes us think Your love must be earned. Break the enemy’s lies that sin is too great for Your cross, and help us trust in Christ’s sufficiency. Holy Spirit, guide us to abide in Jesus. Teach us to pursue justice by caring for the oppressed, to show mercy to the undeserving, and to live faithfully with eager hope, free from the Pharisees’ loveless spirituality. When our self-sufficiency runs dry, lead us to surrender, finding new life in Your grace. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior, who calls us to know and love Him forever. Amen.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

June 15, 2025

Speak, Lord:

Hearing Jesus’ Voice Through Visions and Scripture in the Last Days

John 10:27

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

Hearing leads to following. Hearing Jesus’ voice is a privilege of belonging to Him. It’s not a distant command but a personal call rooted in love and mutual knowledge. The Greek word for "listen" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing but heeding or obeying. It suggests active, attentive listening. Sheep recognize their shepherd’s unique voice amidst the others. Similarly, Jesus’ followers discern His voice; through His teachings, the Holy Spirit, or Scripture, because they belong to Him. This listening is relational, rooted in trust and familiarity, developed through ongoing communion with Christ. And in this communion, there is "knowing". Jesus’ knowledge of His sheep is personal and intimate, experiential understanding, akin to the mutual knowledge between the Father and Son (John 10:15). Distinguishing Jesus’ voice from others (false teachers, worldly noise) requires spiritual sensitivity, cultivated through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. In a world full of competing voices (media, opinions, doubts, and fears), test what you hear against Jesus’ teachings and character.

But What About ACTUALLY Hearing from Jesus?

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in helping believers hear Jesus’ voice, acting as the divine intermediary who bridges the gap between Christ and His followers.

John 14:26

"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

The Holy Spirit illuminates Jesus’ teachings, bringing His words to life in our hearts. When we read Scripture or recall Jesus’ words, the Spirit helps us understand their meaning and relevance, making Jesus’ voice clear and personal. The Spirit tunes our hearts to discern God’s voice, much like a sheep learns to recognize the shepherd’s call (John 10:27). He softens our hearts, removes spiritual dullness, and fosters intimacy with Jesus. The Spirit acts as Jesus’ mouthpiece, relaying His truth and will. By conveying what Jesus desires for us to know, the Spirit ensures believers hear the Good Shepherd’s voice in a way that glorifies Him.

John 16:13-14

"When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you."

The Spirit convict's believers of sin, aligns them with Jesus’ righteousness, and guides them in practical decisions, helping them follow Jesus’ voice. In our trials, the Shepherd’s voice reassures us of His nearness. The Spirit conveys this presence, helping us hear God’s comfort amidst our fear's. God provides His comfort and peace abundantly despite opposition. His Spirit's anointing signifies honor and blessing; and He freely brings an overflowing cup of excessive provision.

1 Corinthians 2:10-12

"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is…the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."

The Holy Spirit enhances this posture of listening by enabling you to recognize Jesus’ voice, much as Samuel learned to discern God’s call. The Spirit prepares your heart to say, "Speak, Lord," and equips you to respond faithfully.

1 Samuel 3:10

"Speak, for your servant is listening."

Samuel’s response models for us the posture of readiness that the Spirit cultivates. The Spirit prepares us to listen humbly and respond faithfully to Jesus’ call.

Like Samuel, approach God with humility. Ask: What might be hindering my ability to hear Jesus today? Many aren't hindered really, they are likely very intimately involved in a relationship with God's word and that's enough to achieve the Lord's work in them. And others? They're probably lost in other things and need goading. Maybe they need a radical call. Whatever the situation, the Lord isn't limited by apostolic cessation. If He needs to speak He will. To image our Lord is somehow incapable of that is nonsensical.

What Can We Do to Be Open to Hearing from God?

Sit in a comfortable, distraction-free place. Maybe light a candle, (I don't), or play soft worship music, (I don't), or listen/read the Bible or expository commentary on the Bible. But ready your mind for listening and hearing a word from God.

Pray:

"Holy Spirit, prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Lord, speak for your servant. Open my heart to Your Scriptures, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Help me trust Jesus’ knowledge of me. Amen."

Take a few deep breaths, release your tension. Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calling you by name in His intimate knowledge of you, your joys, struggles, and needs. And then consider how hearing leads to action. Open yourself up to these thoughts and meditate on them in silence. Close your eyes and visualize this scene. Hear Jesus say your name; softly, warmly, and with care. Let the Spirit bring His voice to life. If it helps, imagine a peaceful setting, like the green pastures of Psalm 23. Rest in the moment, trusting that Jesus knows you intimately.

Now, bring to mind one joy, one struggle, and one need in your life.

For each, say:

"Jesus, You know my [joy/struggle/need]. Speak to me about it."

This isn't a rote recitation of a mantra, this is you being honest and open to hearing from God. Trust the Spirit to convey Jesus’ understanding, perhaps through a Scripture, a sense of peace, dreams and visions, or a gentle prompting.

Say aloud or in your heart:

"Jesus, You know my joy. Speak to me about it."

And listen in silence for a prompting. Maybe a scripture will come to mind. Maybe not even in that moment, maybe in the next day or several days later as the Spirit finds the avenue in you by which to reveal The Lord's will.

When I meditate, I have expository sermons and meditations playing as a background for my time of devotion. For instance, I'll turn on Spotify while driving throughout the day, or early in the AM before I start my day. And there I have many teachers podcasts that I follow. I'll start these programs and allow them to enrich my meditation as I search the scriptures in my thoughts. Expository sermons are a form of preaching that focuses on explaining and applying a specific passage of Scripture in its context, aiming to convey the original meaning and intent of the biblical text to the listener. These sermons involve a detailed, verse-by-verse or passage-by-passage explanation of Scripture, prioritizing the text’s original meaning, historical context, and theological significance. These sermons are anchored in a single passage or book, often preached systematically. And likewise, my devotional writing follows this same line of systematic thought.

Often, I'll have already received a focus scripture from my prayer time or interactions earlier in the week that I search to hear messages about. Allowing these Spirit-led teachers to help open up the scripture will enrich the word from God that you hear. The devotion writing unpacks the meaning of the text for me, often addressing grammar, word meanings, or theological themes. This is how I've always learned, by writing. I've always been a great note taker, and I learn by writing what I hear. I learn best when I'm scribbling, drawing, just moving a pencil on a page. I don't know why, I just know it works that way with me.

Try journaling. Write down what you sense/hear. For example: "My joy is [describe]. I sensed Jesus saying [note Scripture, feeling, or prompting]." This activity for me has evolved over the years into a daily verse by verse devotional writing through the entire Bible. It started with my lay ministry studies and became "a thing" for me when I was leading as the prayer coordinator in my local church.

For me this practice of using the background teaching was an attempt to drown out the tinnitus I suffer from. Music was too distracting and soft meditative sounds weren't enough, though I've experienced revelation through music. So, I use the preaching and teaching to mellow the mood and the tinnitus, but often I find that I'll hear a related timely message chime through teaching.

If you use Spotify, select a playlist with trusted teachers (expository sermons or devotional podcasts) or a specific message related to your focus Scripture (e.g. John 10:27 or another from your prayer time). Start the audio at a low volume to enrich without overwhelming your thoughts.

Pray:

"Holy Spirit, tune my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Guide me through Your Word, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Use these Spirit-led teachings to open the Scriptures. I say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ Amen."

By focusing on the text, expository listening lets God’s Word speak directly to you, helping you hear Jesus’ voice as the Spirit illuminates the passage. Practice testing these promptings against Jesus’ character and align this time of study with expository teaching, emphasizing sound doctrine. Theological depth equips you to distinguish Jesus’ voice from "worldly noise".

Speaking of "noise", there are many competing voices out there on the spectrum of dreams and visions. Many believe they have experienced these manifestations of The Spirit, and many others completely reject the idea that we are still hearing from God through prophets, apostles, dreams and visions. The spectrum of beliefs, ranging from those who embrace dreams and visions as ongoing manifestations of the Spirit to those who reject them as ceased with the apostolic era, creates a complex landscape for believers to navigate. And we could write many books about the subject. But as for me, I know the Spirit still speaks in these ways. I've personally experienced a waking vision and revelation in which I heard the voice of God speak directly to me. So, for me it's kind of one of those things, I can't deny what I already know to be true.

So, what do I know?

Dreams and visions are supernatural experiences through which God communicates with His people, often involving visual or symbolic imagery, messages, or impressions. I'd say that I've experienced all the above in several different situations.

From Joseph’s dream of divine favor (Genesis 37:5-9) and Daniel’s symbolic dreams (Daniel 7:1-28), to Peter’s vision of clean animals (Acts 10:9-16) and Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), God has personally visited people with answers to heartfelt questions and concerns. And even speaking directly to them. Don't be fooled, the Devil ha spoken as well, through mystics and so called "saints".

In Acts 2:17 The Lord’s Scripture says,

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams"

This promise, fulfilled at Pentecost, I believe, extends into the church age. And believe me, I understand the difficulties in believing this. I've known lifelong pastors and missionaries who have served Jesus with everything they have but have never experienced The Holy Spirit outside a religious context like in the sacredness of a ritualistic moment or devise. I would believe likewise if it weren't for my own personal experience. Not hearing directly from God isn't a problem and doesn't somehow diminish ones faith. In fact, I might argue that people of great faith don't need to hear directly from God.

Dreams and Visions:

There are specific manifestations of the Spirit’s outpouring, alongside prophecy. These manifestations should glorify Christ and especially reinforce His intimate knowledge of you. In one instance, in my case, I heard in a vision God speak, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it." The context was a vision of myself as a small boy. I had climbed to the top of my favorite climbing tree (a large silver Maple in the backyard). I was very troubled, upset about my sequestered life of loneliness and abuse. I was crying out to my mother who I never knew and to God. I cried out for a family. For a family like all my friends had. I remember I bawled my eyes out. But I had forgotten about that prayer so long ago. I was 40 when I remembered that prayer. I was given a vision of myself in that tree. And I heard God speak those words, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it."

Immediately upon hearing that I was given a vision of my own family, my children, my wife, my grandchildren. And I realized in that moment that in God's glory I was given a tremendous gift. I was getting an ongoing answer to my childhood prayer. I was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that I completely broke down in tears and humility. Very few times have I been in this state. Once before, when I experienced my sudden conversion in Christ. And since then, a few times at critical moments of spiritual awakening. Each time, apparently, I have to be brought completely to my knees. I'm a hard nut to crack apparently. But I can testify that God is a nutcracker.

Don't take my word for it...

1 Corinthians 2:10-11

"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

My vision glorified Jesus by revealing His faithfulness across decades, fulfilling my prayer for a family. Jesus’ intimate knowledge of me is evident, as He knew my childhood pain and is answering my cry throughout my entire life. Now that's intimacy. God’s words, "I was there, I heard your prayer," reflect His presence in my loneliness and abuse, fulfilling Psalm 23:4 ("You are with me"). The vision of me as a boy in the Maple tree shows Jesus’ omniscience, as He discerned my heartfelt cry (John 2:24-25). The subsequent vision of my family underscores God’s ongoing answer, revealing His prevenient grace, a Wesleyan theme I had learned about shortly after that encounter with God. The overwhelming joy and gratitude that brought me to tears mirrors many biblical responses to divine revelation, (e.g. David’s awe in Psalm 16:11 "You fill me with joy in your presence"). And finally, being brought to my knees reflects a broken spirit, (Psalm 51:3 "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.").

This vision fulfills the Spirit’s outpouring, as young men see visions. Its clarity and impact, recalling a forgotten prayer at age 40, echoes New Testament revelations. The Spirit’s role in revealing the past and present affirms my testimony against cessationist doubts. My undeniable experience equips me to steward this vision confidently, but the full spectrum of that revelation requires a biblical approach in order to filter out false voices and deepen my understanding of Jesus. And this ongoing revelation never ends in this life. I'm still learning about Christ from this extraordinary experience. I'm still learning about family and I'm still learning about the depths of my own sinfulness. The lessons go on; the vision is still alive today and is still teaching me.

Knowing this calls for a biblical approach to deepen my understanding of Jesus while filtering out the distortions. This is why I devote so much of my time to reading and writing about scripture. I'm not devoting time to dreaming or producing visions. They aren't the source; the source of truth is scripture.

Scripture is the ultimate test for visions (1 John 4:1).

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

One important rule of thumb, if your dream, visions, revelation from scripture, fosters pride and self. Reject it!

Test it.

Does it uphold God’s Word?

Does it exalt Christ?

Does it produce love, joy, or humility?

And confirm it.

Seek prayer, Scripture, or counsel.

And remember always, Scripture has primacy over any and all dreams, visions, and revelations. It requires interpretation by its very nature. Scripture remains central to that task. Yes, visions and dreams have diminished since the end of the apostolic era, but God is still alive and present through his Spirit and will speak if it is His will. Why else do we pray if not to be heard, and if we are heard will not our God who is righteous and holy answer that prayer? And maybe he'll explain that answer in person if need be.

I have no idea why I received that answer in that way. I was praying while driving and listening to Christian music. I was crying because I was moved by the Spirit in that prayer. And then it happened.

I trust in God’s responsiveness, as evidenced by my vision. I trust God's holy Word above all else. This connects deeply with my practice of meditating with expository sermons. Scripture is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Spirit’s work continues in this church age, guiding believers into truth (John 16:13-14) and glorifying and revealing Jesus in His word, dreams, visions, and as well as in revelations.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Good Shepherd, thank You for calling us by name and speaking through Your Word and Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for guiding us into truth, revealing Jesus’ intimate knowledge of our joys, struggles, and needs. Lord, keep Scripture as our lamp, ensuring Your Word remains central above all dreams and visions. Protect us from the noise of competing voices, granting discernment to test every revelation against Your truth. Deepen our understanding of Christ, family, and our own sinfulness, that we may follow Jesus with humility and obedience. May our prayers rise to You, righteous and holy God, trusting You hear and answer according to Your will.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight

June 08, 2025

The Divine Beginning:

Creation and Purpose

The creation account in Genesis chapters 1–2 reveals God as the intentional and sovereign Creator who brings order, beauty, and purpose to the universe. He speaks light into darkness, separates the waters, forms the seasons, and crafts a world teeming with life. Humanity is the pinnacle of this creation, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) and given the sacred task of stewarding His creation (Genesis 2:15).

Genesis 1:1 sets the stage:

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Each day of creation culminates in God’s declaration that it is “good". Genesis frames creation within God’s eternal plan, while Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 reflects on time’s seasons and humanity’s longing for eternity. This divine order imbues mankind with purpose: to live in communion with God, reflect His glory, and cultivate His world.

Humans are created with a capacity for transcendence, yearning for the Creator, and humankind are the creators of their history. Some are wicked and some are good.

Genesis shows God imposing His order and purpose on the chaos of the void (Genesis 1:2–3). And this is affirmed in Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart."

God's creation retains an inherent beauty and purpose, even if humans struggle to grasp it fully. The Preacher recognizes that God’s created order retains its inherent goodness, even as humans grapple with understanding it.

In Genesis, humanity’s purpose is rooted in communion with God and stewardship of His creation (Genesis 2:15–17). Ecclesiastes reaffirms this, concluding that true meaning lies in fearing God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Both books suggest that life apart from God, whether through disobedience (The fall of mankind), or chasing worldly pursuits (vanity), all of these ungodly things leads to futility.

Mankind’s history takes a tragic turn in Genesis 3 with the Fall to sin. Disobedience to God’s command fractures the harmony of creation, introducing sin and death (Genesis 3:17–19). The communion with God is strained, and the stewardship of creation becomes toil. This disruption sets the stage for the human struggle that Ecclesiastes laments.

Ecclesiastes 1:2
"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”

This captures the futility that permeates life "under the sun" when separated from God’s purpose. The chasing of worldly pursuits; pleasure, wealth, wisdom, chasing the wind mirrors the rebellion of Genesis 3, where mankind seeks autonomy apart from God, only to find emptiness. Yet, even in this brokenness, both Genesis and Ecclesiastes hint at hope through the promise of redemption as the enemies of God are crushed.

Genesis 3:15
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

In time mankind began to invoke the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26 marks a significant moment:

"At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord."

After the Fall, amidst growing wickedness (Cain’s murder of Abel, Genesis 4:8), some turn back to God, seeking Him in worship. This act of invoking God’s name signifies a return to the Creator, a recognition of humanity’s dependence on Him.

But a pattern emerges as humanity’s history unfolds. By the time of the patriarchs and beyond, idolatry becomes prevalent, as seen in the nations surrounding Israel. Ecclesiastes reflects on this human tendency to chase after fleeting things, which can be seen as a form of idolatry. The Preacher critiques the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or human wisdom as "vanity". Yet, Ecclesiastes 12:13 offers the antidote:

"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

This call to true worship mirrors Genesis 4:26, urging humanity to invoke God’s name rather than turn to false gods. Mankind’s history, as seen through Genesis and Ecclesiastes, is a story of tension between worshiping the true God and building idols.

Abel’s acceptable offering (Genesis 4:4), Enoch’s walk with God (Genesis 5:24), and Noah’s obedience (Genesis 6:9) reflect hearts turned toward God. Cain’s violence, Lamech’s pride (Genesis 4:23–24), and the widespread wickedness before the Flood (Genesis 6:5) foreshadow humanity’s inclination to elevate self or created things above God.

The Preacher reflects that all human endeavors "under the sun" fall short without God (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Whether literal (statues) or figurative (wealth, and power), all idols are a misguided attempt at filling the "eternity" in our hearts by our own means.

Both Bible books teach us that true meaning lies in fearing God, invoking His name, and aligning with His eternal purpose. It seems as if there is a divine purpose in it all.

Ecclesiastes 2:11
"Then I considered all that my hands had done…and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind."

The fall of mankind introduced a rival impulse: to build idols and placing our trust in fleeting things. Today, we face the same choice: will we invoke God’s name, living for His glory, or build idols that cannot satisfy?

The origins of idolatry can certainly be traced to as far back as the Fall of mankind, but there is much more going on here. Ecclesiastes reflects on this duality, observing that humanity’s pursuits often mirror idolatry.

Ecclesiastes 5:10
"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money"

And for that matter also pleasure, which becomes an idol when it replaces God as the source of our meaning.

Theologically speaking, idolatry originates in the misdirection of worship.

Romans 1:21-23
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."

This exchange, rooted in the Fall, begins when humanity elevates self or creation above the Creator.

In Genesis, God created us to worship Him, reflecting His glory in a world declared "good." But the Fall turned our hearts toward idolatry, seeking meaning in self or created things. Ancient idolatry often involved tangible objects; statues, altars, or celestial bodies. These were worshiped for fertility, power, and security, reflecting a misplaced trust in the creation over the Creator. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes broadens idolatry to include intangible pursuits. The Preacher calls chasing pleasure, wealth, or wisdom a vanity, akin to worshiping false gods that promise meaning but deliver futility.

Modern idolatry involves physical statues but also manifests in intangible pursuits such as; obsession with wealth, possessions, fame, social approval, and clinging to political, social, or cultural ideologies as ultimate truth, replacing God’s authority. In our secular age, modern idols are often socially acceptable, even celebrated. And unlike ancient idols, which were overtly religious, modern idols are subtle, embedded into our lifestyles or institutionalized as our traditions and values.

Ancient people crafted idols of wood or stone; today, we chase wealth, status, or self-image, yet both lead to emptiness. Genesis 4:26 reminds us to call on God’s name, and Ecclesiastes 12:13 urges us to fear Him. In our world, idols are everywhere; screens, success, or approval. Let’s recognize these false gods, repent, and worship the Creator who placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), finding our true purpose in Him.

What in your life; money, career, social media, competes with God?

Pray for clarity to identify these things.

Finding Our True Purpose

We live in a society today that has been conditioned to accept the fact that we are no longer a Christian people. And there is nothing new about that under the sun.

Acts 4:8-10
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well."

Think about what Peter is doing. Peter didn't need to explain in these details. He didn't need to point out to the Sadducees that it was they who killed Jesus. But Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, held them to account for their evil deeds.

"Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified"

And this bold statement blew their minds.

These are just a bunch of backwater fishermen...

"[They] perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

How did these "educated" men recognize them as Christ followers?

Maybe it was this?

Peter shares the gospel:

Acts 4:11-12

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

One of the ways our culture marginalizes faithful Christians is to trot out marginal Christians as a form of a more "reasonable" representation of Christianity that isn't narrowminded and who aren't a bunch of backwater idiots spewing nonsense. The intelligentsia will mock faithful Christians who hold conservative views about challenges to cultural norms like genderqueer identities. They'll mock faithful Christians for following the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. They'll marginalize and vilify conservative Christians for being bigoted and hateful because they aren't being like these "other Christians". And these enlightened rulers and authorities won't tolerate them and their supporters. These politicians and agents of the state will not accept neutrality.

And so, these authorities conspire to clamp down on the Christian community:

Acts 4:17-18
"in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So, they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

So many moderate Christians are under the delusion that if we just keep to ourselves and act in ways that doesn't make others uncomfortable or feel threatened, they'll just leave us alone. Until that day when you're out amongst the masses and they're trotting out their perversions as normal and they begin to force you to call it good. They force you to name your pronouns and respect theirs. They force you to believe their evolution theory. They force you to accept marriage as defined by their secularism. They force you to accept their culture of death. And when you don't play along, you're an idiot.

Neutrality is not an option. They'll pump your children full with their ideology. They'll marginalize you even among them.

Why?

Why will they do these things?

It's because at the end of the day their worldview is atheistic, they don't believe there is a God.

"But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."

They weren't complaining that Peter and company were healing people. They weren't even complaining that they were meanspirited or violent. They wanted "this name" to be silenced.

"So, they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus."

There is no neutrality allowed for Christians who are faithful to God's teachings and purpose. Oh sure, they'll tolerate Christian's who don't preach "this name". They'll even elect as their representative's, people who quote the bible, but they won't preach that name.

Why? What is it about that name?

Because if Jesus is who he says he is, there's no way to avoid worshipping and listening to him. We can't avoid obeying his word. We won't be able to mingle with the secular systems anymore. You can't avoid the truth when the name is invoked. And it's this age-old tension that has been marginalizing people since the beginning.

What did Peter and the others do? What was their response?

Did they say among themselves, "It’s okay, we'll just witness in our lifestyles", or "preach the gospel, and when necessary, use words"?

No, they said:

Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."

They acknowledged and respected the authority of the Sadducees, but they could not and would not deny what they knew to be true.

Many Christian people try to oblige the Sadducees of their times. They keep their religion to themselves, marginalized to their buildings and to whatever jewelry they're wearing around their necks. And there's no gospel getting out. They'll borrow Christian principles and viewpoints when it helps them, but always leaving the gospel behind. It's for them, and for any who will come and fit into that marginalized community circles.

Acts 4:21
"And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened."

They let them go their way. They didn't approve of the message or it's founder. But for now, it's expedient to keep the peace.

Even so, they won't allow for neutrality. They'll keep threatening you. They'll continue to come at you. They'll take your things. They'll cancel your lives. They'll murder you. Eventually you'll end up dead. They will make you dead for deadnaming them. And that's what this is really about. Jesus' name calls them out and they hate that. They hate Him and they hate you because of Him.

What do they want from you?

We already know, they want you to stop speaking His name [Jesus].

And the enemy of the truth is a slick dude. He'll even get you to come around to his thinking by being welcoming to you. He'll try and make you comfortable. They'll give you positions of authority. They'll make you one of them. They'll put you at ease. No persecution. Instead of killing you they'll make you feel like you're in Christ when you're into their secularism. Just don't teach or preach that name and you'll get the robes and mantles decked out in rainbow colors. Just mingle Jesus' name with Buddha and Mohammed and you'll get the honor of giving the blessing at the dinners. Just stand up and wave their Pride flag from the pulpits and you'll be fine.

From the beginning it's been like this. Today the authorities are offering acceptance, comfort, or even authority to Christians who compromise by blending Jesus’ name with secular or pluralistic ideologies. This tactic echoes the idolatry warned against in Ecclesiastes, where pursuits like wealth, pleasure, or human approval (Ecclesiastes 5:10) become modern idols that promise fulfillment but deliver vanity. The apostles’ response in Acts 4:19–20 rejects this compromise, prioritizing obedience to God over human approval, even under threat.

Today we face too many challenges to our faith, too many competing ideas. Modern idols like money, career, and social media often compete with God by demanding our time, identity, and allegiance. And the enemy is using all of it to get what he wants. He's breeding discontent while promoting security. He's redefining your purpose in Christ by redefining your faith. He's injecting ambition into your heart redefining your purpose and he's making success into a false god. He's playing on the pursuit of likes, followers, or influence, echoing Romans 1:23’s exchange of God’s glory for fleeting images.

These idols are being subtly embedded into our lifestyles and celebrated by the culture.

So, what can we do?

Dedicate time to worship or pray, re-centering on God’s name. Speak Jesus’ name in a small act of courage. Take one intentional step to proclaim Jesus’ name, perhaps sharing a biblical truth with a friend or colleague, even if it risks discomfort, as Peter and John did. This could be as simple as explaining why you prioritize faith or gently standing firm on a biblical conviction when pressured to conform. This act aligns with Genesis 4:26’s call to invoke God’s name and Ecclesiastes 12:13’s exhortation to fear Him, countering the cultural push to silence Jesus’ name. And believe me, there are marginalized Christians out there that are frightened and wishing you would speak up. Be strong, be bold, be the example.

Prioritize faith over ambition. The creation account in Genesis 1–2 establishes that humanity’s purpose is to live in communion with God, reflect His glory, and steward His creation. This purpose is inherently relational, rooted in worship and obedience to the Creator. Ambition, when it seeks personal glory over God’s, becomes a form of idolatry, misdirecting the "eternity" God placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Ambition for wealth, status, or power, when divorced from God’s purpose, leads to futility (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Faith, however, anchors us in God’s eternal design, ensuring our pursuits align with His glory rather than our own.

Jesus Himself reinforces this in Matthew 6:33,

"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

The temptation is to compromise, to blend faith with cultural norms to avoid conflict. Prioritizing faith over ambition means rejecting this compromise, boldly proclaiming Jesus’ name, and trusting God’s purpose over worldly success. To prioritize faith over ambition requires intentional choices that re-center life on God. Evaluate your priorities, set boundaries, pursue godly ambitions that aren't really just a lie. And practice bold faith.

Begin every day with a prayer of surrender. Thank God for His eternal design and seeking His kingdom first. Before checking emails, social media, or work tasks, spend 5–10 minutes praying, thanking God for His eternal design. Commit one specific ambition, perhaps a career goal or social media habit, to God, asking, "How can this serve Your kingdom?"

Meditate on Ecclesiastes 3:11. And thank God for His beautiful creation and the eternity He’s placed in your heart. Choose one practical way to honor God today. Spend time in prayer or worship, calling on God as the source of all meaning. By evaluating your priorities, setting boundaries, and pursuing godly ambition, you reject the idols of money, career, and social approval, fulfilling your created purpose to reflect God’s glory.

Remember, there's no neutrality allowed for Christians who are faithful. So, let’s choose faith, call on God’s name (Genesis 4:26), and seek His kingdom first, trusting that He makes "everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

You are the sovereign Creator who spoke light into darkness and placed eternity in our hearts. We thank You for Your beautiful design, revealed in Genesis, and Your call to fear and worship You alone, as Ecclesiastes teaches. Forgive us for chasing vain ambitions; money, career, or approval, that compete with You. Grant us clarity to identify these idols and courage, like Peter and John, to proclaim Jesus’ name boldly, even under pressure. Help us prioritize faith over ambition, re-centering our lives on Your purpose. May we seek Your kingdom first, trusting in Your redemption and living for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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