Tag: Faith in Action

When to Say No to the King: Drawing the Line with Faithful Defiance

By faith, Moses’ parents hid him for three months, defying Pharaoh’s decree to kill Hebrew baby boys. They were unafraid of the king’s edict because they recognized a higher authority: God Himself (Hebrews 11:23). This act of defiance wasn’t reckless rebellion but a profound display of faith and discernment. It prompts us to ask: When is it right to disobey authority for the sake of obedience to God?

The Bible presents a clear tension. On the one hand, we’re instructed to respect governing authorities as established by God (Romans 13:1-7) and to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s (Matthew 22:21). On the other, examples like Moses’ parents, Daniel in the lion’s den, and Peter and John before the Sanhedrin show that there are times when defiance is not just permissible but necessary. How do we navigate this?

The key lies in understanding the nature of authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God. All human authority is derivative, meaning it operates within boundaries set by God. When earthly authorities contradict God’s clear commands, their legitimacy to enforce obedience is forfeited. For Moses’ parents, the king’s edict required them to participate in the murder of innocent children—something directly opposed to God’s character and law. For Peter and John, being forbidden to preach the Gospel was a direct contradiction of Jesus’ commission.

But how do we apply this in our modern lives? First, we must ground ourselves in Scripture. God’s Word must be the foundation for discerning right from wrong, truth from error. We can’t rely on feelings or cultural trends but must seek clarity from what God has revealed. Second, we must examine the situation carefully. Is this a matter of preference or principle? Are we being asked to sin, or are we simply uncomfortable with the authority’s request?

Third, we must act with humility and courage. Defying authority for God’s sake doesn’t mean being abrasive or self-righteous. Even as Daniel refused to stop praying, he maintained respect toward the king. When Peter and John declared, “We must obey God rather than men,” they did so with boldness but not arrogance. Faithful defiance is not about rebellion for its own sake but about fidelity to God above all.

For us, this might look like standing firm in our convictions when pressured to compromise at work, in school, or in relationships. It might mean speaking truth in a culture that values comfort over confrontation. It could even mean defying laws that contradict God’s justice or moral law.

The challenge is to do so wisely and prayerfully. Are we motivated by a desire to honor God or to make a point? Are we acting out of faith or fear? Faithful defiance requires us to trust God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through our obedience, even when the cost is high.

Moses’ parents remind us that faith sometimes calls us to say “no” to the king. But that “no” is always rooted in a deeper “yes” to God. When the moment comes to choose, may we have the discernment to know the difference and the courage to stand firm.

Status Update

The book of Philemon is more than just a short letter—it’s a window into the radical redefinition of relationships that the Gospel brings. Onesimus, once a slave and a fugitive, is now described as a “beloved brother” in Christ. Imagine how shocking this must have been in a world that defined people by their status, wealth, or social position.

Paul’s appeal to Philemon isn’t grounded in authority or obligation but in love. He invites Philemon to see Onesimus not through the lens of societal hierarchy but through the eyes of Christ. This status update—from slave to brother—demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel, which dismantles human divisions and unites us as one family in Christ.

But the letter doesn’t stop there. Paul steps in as an intercessor, offering to absorb any debt Onesimus owes. This act mirrors Christ’s work on the cross, taking our sins upon Himself and restoring our relationship with God. It’s a reminder of the grace we’ve been given and a call to extend that same grace to others.

So, how does this apply to us today?

We live in a world that constantly categorizes people: by their job, income, political views, or past mistakes. Like Philemon, we are called to update our perspective. In Christ, no one is “less than.” Are there people you’ve written off because of their past? Relationships you’ve allowed to remain broken? Paul’s letter challenges us to see others as God sees them—worthy of love, forgiveness, and restoration.

Let this be your status update: forgiven, redeemed, and called to reconcile with others.

A Life That Honors God

In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul writes, “For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects — bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God” (NET).

Paul’s prayer reveals a critical connection between knowing God and living for Him. He petitions for the believers in Colossae to be filled with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding—attributes that aren’t just intellectual but deeply spiritual. This knowledge isn’t for personal pride or theoretical debate; it’s meant to result in lives that honor God.

A deeper understanding of God’s will shapes our choices, guiding us to live in ways that reflect His character. When Paul says “live worthily of the Lord”, he envisions a life aligned with God’s desires—a life marked by good deeds, steady growth in faith, and a pursuit of holiness. Knowledge that doesn’t transform our actions is incomplete; true wisdom moves us to love, serve, and glorify God in all we do.

But this transformation isn’t automatic. It requires effort, prayer, and submission. We live in a world that tempts us to pursue knowledge for personal gain or social validation, yet Paul reminds us that God’s wisdom is countercultural. It equips us to bear fruit—not for applause or recognition, but as evidence of His work in us.

Consider how this plays out in daily life. When we encounter difficult situations, spiritual wisdom helps us discern a response that reflects Christ’s love. When tempted to prioritize fleeting goals, understanding God’s will redirects us to eternal purposes. The knowledge Paul prays for isn’t merely academic; it’s practical, life-giving, and glorifying to God.

As we seek to grow in knowledge and wisdom, let us do so with the goal of living lives that honor Him. May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect a deep understanding of His will, and may we bear fruit that pleases Him in every good work.

Assurance in Uncertainty

Paul’s journey to Rome, as described in Acts 27, is a masterclass in trusting God amidst uncertainty. Back in Acts 23:11, an angel assured Paul that he would testify in Rome. Yet the path to that fulfillment was anything but straightforward. Storms, shipwrecks, and imprisonment were part of the journey—none of which seemed to align with the idea of divine favor. Yet through it all, Paul remained steadfast, trusting in God’s promise even when the circumstances seemed to contradict it.

How often do we find ourselves doubting God when the road gets tough? We might believe in His promises, but when delays or detours arise, we start questioning whether we heard Him correctly. Paul’s story reminds us of an important truth: God fulfills His promises, but often in ways that defy our expectations.

Imagine Paul aboard the storm-battered ship, reassuring the terrified crew that no one would perish because God had promised his arrival in Rome. That’s faith in action—not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God’s assurance. Paul wasn’t spared the storm, but he was sustained through it.

This kind of faith invites us to trust God’s character more than our circumstances. His promises are not bound by the limitations of our understanding. When we face uncertainty, we can rest in the truth that God is always working for our good, even when we can’t see it.

Paul’s confidence also teaches us to focus on faithfulness in the present moment. He didn’t let the chaos of the storm distract him from his mission or erode his trust in God. Similarly, we are called to remain faithful in the “storms” of life, even when the outcome feels unclear.

What storms are you facing right now? Are you tempted to doubt God’s promises because the journey doesn’t look like you expected? Trust that His timing is perfect and that His ways are higher than ours. Let Paul’s example encourage you to hold onto God’s assurance, even when uncertainty abounds.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24, NET)

When Jesus Calls

In the Gospels, we see a remarkable moment when Jesus calls His first disciples. While they were going about their everyday lives—fishing by the shore, mending their nets—Jesus walks up and simply says, “Follow me.” And just like that, they drop everything and follow Him. What’s most surprising is the immediacy of their response. They didn’t hesitate, ask for time to think about it, or even inquire about what this journey would look like. They left their nets, their boats, their livelihoods, and followed Him instantly.

We find this story in multiple Gospel accounts. In Matthew 4:18-22, we see Simon Peter and Andrew being called, followed by James and John. Luke 5:1-11 gives more detail about the miraculous catch of fish, which serves as a sign of Jesus’ power. In Mark 1:16-20, the simplicity of Jesus’ call is emphasized once more—there’s no fanfare, no big promises, just a command to follow. And they obey.

There’s something about Jesus’ call that cuts through the noise of everyday life and demands a response. The disciples might not have known the full scope of what they were getting into, but they knew this: Jesus was worth following. His call offered something more meaningful than their fishing nets, and they couldn’t ignore it.

What can we learn from this? Often, we can become so caught up in our daily routines, our plans, and our careers that when Jesus calls us to something new, we hesitate. We might ask ourselves, “What if I’m not ready?” or “What will this mean for my current plans?” But the disciples teach us that when Jesus calls, the only right response is to follow—without delay, without conditions.

Jesus’ call doesn’t always lead us away from our jobs or families, but it does lead us away from a life where we are in control. To follow Jesus means giving up the idea that we have everything figured out and trusting that His path is better, even — perhaps especially — when we can’t see where it leads. When the disciples left their nets, they didn’t know that they were stepping into a world-changing mission, that they would witness miracles, or that they would eventually become the leaders of the early church. They just knew that Jesus was calling, and that was enough.

For us today, the call of Jesus might look different—it could be a nudge toward a new direction in life, a call to serve in your church or community, or a challenge to step out of your comfort zone. Whatever it is, we are invited to respond like the disciples—immediately and wholeheartedly. Jesus still calls us today, and He calls us into a life filled with purpose and adventure. But we won’t discover that if we hold onto our “nets” and insist on staying in control.

What is Jesus calling you to today? Will you drop everything to follow Him?

Going Through the Motions? The Call to True Holiness

During today’s reading, I was struck by how the people of Israel seemed to treat the temple and its associated rituals as mere routines, missing the deeper significance. This echoes God’s command to His people in Leviticus 19:2: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” The call to holiness means being set apart—distinct from the common, the mundane, the profane. Holiness is not simply about following rituals, but about embodying the character of God Himself.

The people of Israel had fallen into the trap of ritualism—going through the motions without grasping the essence of what it meant to be in relationship with a holy God. Ezekiel’s temple vision is a stark reminder of this. The very structure, the detailed measurements, and the specific instructions all scream one thing: God’s holiness demands reverence. The temple was not just a building; it was the dwelling place of the Almighty, and everything about it was designed to reflect His uncommon nature.

Holiness isn’t just about external actions but about the condition of the heart. The rituals were meant to point to something deeper—God’s character and His call for His people to be set apart from the world. The Israelites were not simply to look different from the nations around them; they were to embody the nature of the God they served. And that same call extends to us today.

As Christians, it’s easy to fall into the same trap. We can go through the motions—attending church, reading the Bible, saying prayers—without really engaging with the holiness of God. The routines and rituals of our faith can become just that: routine. But God calls us to live uncommon lives, to be set apart for His purposes. Holiness is not something we achieve by ticking boxes or performing rituals. It’s a transformation that takes place when we allow God’s Spirit to shape us into the image of Christ.

So what does that mean for us today? First, we must recognize that holiness is not optional. Just as God’s people were called to be distinct, we are called to be salt and light in a world that often looks very different from God’s Kingdom. Second, we need to reflect on our own lives and consider whether we’ve reduced our relationship with God to a series of rituals or whether we are truly engaging with His presence. Lastly, being uncommon means living with purpose, showing the world that there is something different about those who follow Christ—not because of anything we do, but because of who He is.

Holiness is not about being perfect; it’s about being set apart for a purpose. Let’s embrace that calling today.