God’s Logistical Support for Every Christian

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Logistical grace is God’s faithful provision for His people, supplying what they need to live, serve, and advance in His will. It is the divine support system by which He sustains every believer from the moment of salvation until departure from this life. Though God permits His people to face suffering, adversity, persecution, and even physical death according to His sovereign will (Phil. 1:29; 2 Tim. 3:12; Heb. 9:27), He faithfully provides the inner stability and sustaining grace necessary to endure hardship and continue walking by faith under pressure (Phil. 4:11-13; Heb. 4:16). Paul wrote, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). This provision rests upon the certainty that if God has already given His greatest gift in Christ, believers can confidently trust Him to supply every lesser need according to His perfect wisdom and timing.

Logistical Grace in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, God’s provision is displayed vividly in Israel’s wilderness journey. God delivered Israel from Egypt, then sustained them in a barren land where human resources were insufficient. He gave them water from the rock (Ex. 17:6), manna from heaven (Ex. 16:4), quail for food (Ex. 16:13), and preservation for their clothing and bodies. Moses later reminded them, “Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years” (Deut. 8:4; 29:5). God also provided His personal presence as reassurance. Scripture says, “The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light” (Ex. 13:21). His visible presence provided divine guidance and comfort. Later, the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, showing that God dwelt among His covenant people (Ex. 40:34-38). Their daily provisions were the expression of God’s covenant faithfulness. Even when Israel failed repeatedly through unbelief, complaining, rebellion, and disobedience (Num. 14:1-11; Ps. 78:17-22), God continued to preserve the nation according to His covenant promises (Lev. 26:44-45; Ps. 78:23-24).

The Old Testament gives other examples of God’s logistical support. God preserved Noah and his family through the flood (Gen. 7:1; 8:1). He protected Jacob during his years away from home and brought him back safely (Gen. 28:15; 31:3). He elevated Joseph in Egypt so that many lives would be preserved during famine (Gen. 50:20). He fed Elijah through ravens, then through a widow during drought (1 Ki. 17:4-16). He protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:25-27), and preserved Daniel in the lions’ den (Dan. 6:22). David reflected upon God’s faithful care when he wrote, “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). In each case, God supplied the right provision at the right time for the fulfillment of His purpose.

Logistical Grace in the New Testament

In the New Testament, God continues to provide support for His people. Jesus taught His disciples not to be consumed with anxiety over food, drink, and clothing, saying, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt. 6:32). He then gave them a directive, saying, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). The believer is not promised wealth, ease, or exemption from suffering. He is promised the Father’s care. God knows the need before the believer asks, and He supplies according to His wisdom, timing, and purpose. Christ explicitly commanded believers to live one day at a time, saying, “Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself” (Matt. 6:34). Logistical grace functions on a day-by-day basis as the believer walks by faith.

During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly demonstrated God’s provision. He provided food for hungry crowds (Matt. 14:19-21; 15:36-38), supplied tax money for Peter and Himself (Matt. 17:27), and after His resurrection prepared breakfast for His disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:9-13). Following the birth of the church in Acts 2, believers continued to experience God’s provisional grace. In Acts, He protected His servants, opened prison doors, directed missionaries, and supplied material needs through fellow believers (Acts 5:19; 12:7-11; 16:25-26; Phil. 4:15-18). Therefore, Paul could confidently declare, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). However, though believers will benefit from God’s basic provisions (Matt. 6:25-33; Phil. 4:19), they may fail to benefit fully from what God freely supplies through ignorance of Scripture (Hos. 4:6), unbelief (Heb. 3:16-19; 4:2), or ongoing carnality and disobedience (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 11:30).

Spiritual Provisions for Christian Growth

Though God faithfully provides material necessities for daily living, His greatest provisions are spiritual, for these equip the believer to grow to maturity (Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Pet. 3:18), walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 10:38), and produce eternal fruit (John 15:5, 8; Gal. 5:22-23). To this end, God supplies the spiritual resources necessary for Christian growth and service (Eph. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:3). He has given the completed canon of Scripture, which reveals His will and renews the mind (Rom. 12:1-2), and equips believers for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). He has also provided the indwelling and filling ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 5:18), who strengthens the believer for daily Christian living (Gal. 5:16). Furthermore, Christ has gifted pastor-teachers to instruct, equip, and edify the saints through the consistent communication of God’s word (Eph. 4:11-12). Together, these provisions form God’s logistical support for spiritual advance, enabling believers to develop inner stability, grow in spiritual maturity, walk faithfully with Him, and glorify Him through fruitful Christian living (Col. 1:9-10; 2 Pet. 3:18).

Needs, Contentment, and Gratitude

There is also a difference between needs and greeds. Scripture gives the basic standard: “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Tim. 6:8). Food and covering establish the baseline. God may provide far more, and often does, but the believer must not confuse divine provision with personal indulgence. Contentment is part of spiritual maturity. Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Phil. 4:11). The mature believer gives thanks for Scripture, daily bread, clothing, shelter, protection, strength, health, transportation, employment, friends, church, and opportunities to serve. Spiritually healthy Christians operate by divine viewpoint and maintain an attitude of gratitude, “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph. 5:20; cf. 1 Th. 5:16-18; Col. 3:15-17).

Conclusion: Sustained by Grace

Logistical support is part of the believer’s riches in Christ because God sustains the Christian from salvation to glorification. The same God who saved us by grace also supports us by grace. He gives temporal provision so we can live out spiritual purpose. He gives enough strength for each day, enough wisdom for each trial, enough grace for each burden, and enough resources to accomplish His will (2 Cor. 12:9; Jam. 1:5; Heb. 4:16). The believer is never outside the Father’s care. He may be tested, stretched, humbled, or delayed, but he is never abandoned. God has declared, “I will never leave you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Rest in that.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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The Word, Not Wonders, Produces Maturity

Posted on October 27, 2025 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Introduction

Throughout Scripture, God has revealed Himself in ways both dramatic and ordinary. Mighty acts, visible glory, audible voice, and miraculous signs all testify to His reality and power. Yet the consistent testimony of the biblical record is sobering: supernatural experience, no matter how powerful, does not produce faithful obedience. The problem is not with the clarity of God’s revelation but with the condition of the human heart. Negative volition resists divine truth, explains it away, or substitutes human viewpoint in its place. From Israel’s wilderness generation to Christ’s own ministry, from the apostolic witness to the judgments of the Tribulation, the pattern repeats. Miracles may astonish, experiences may terrify or thrill, but apart from faith in God’s Word, they leave no lasting spiritual change.

Experience vs. Faith

The record of Scripture demonstrates with certainty that supernatural experience does not produce faithful obedience to God. Israel’s wilderness generation is the classic example. They saw the plagues devastate Egypt and witnessed their supernatural release from slavery (Ex 7–12). They passed through the Red Sea on dry ground, then watched the Lord collapse the waters upon Pharaoh’s army (Ex 14:21-31). They lived under the visible manifestation of God’s glory in the pillar of cloud and fire, ate manna from heaven, and drank water from the rock (Ex 16–17). Furthermore, at Sinai they experienced the climactic theophany of thunder, lightning, cloud, trumpet blast, and earthshaking terror (Ex 19:16-19). They vowed obedience, saying, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do!” (Ex 19:8; 24:3). Yet within forty days they built the golden calf and credited their deliverance to a man-made image (Ex 32:1-6). The greatest display of divine power, even accompanied by audible revelation, did not restrain the sinful impulses of their hearts.

Later, when ten of the twelve spies who scouted the land of Canaan returned in unbelief—magnifying the giants and minimizing God, spreading fear through the camp, and leading the nation to reject His promise (Num 13:31-33)—the people believed the lie, despite all the miracles they had seen. The result was catastrophic: “Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, ‘Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!’” (Num 14:1-2). Their response confirmed the principle that repeated supernatural experiences (such as their deliverance from Egypt, the pillar of cloud and fire, daily manna, and water from the rock) do not override negative volition. With undeniable evidence before their eyes, they still grumbled, doubted, and longed for slavery, declaring, “Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” (Num 14:3). Then, plotting together, they said, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt” (Num 14:4). According to Cole, “The very people who had seen first-hand the marvelous and miraculous demonstration of God’s omnipotence against one of the most powerful nations of the second millennium B.C. now longed to return to a world of bondage rather than believe a word of blessing.”^[1] Israel tested God ten times in the wilderness (Num 14:22). Their experiences were real, but “the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith” (Heb 4:2). Without faith, experience degenerates into a fleeting impression, incapable of producing obedience. Hence Moses continually directed them back to the Word of the covenant, not the wonders they had seen (Deut 8:2-3). Healthy faith rests not on sight but on trusting God’s revealed Word, which alone provides the foundation for endurance and obedience.[2]

The lesson is repeated in the rebellion of Nadab and Abihu. These sons of Aaron, consecrated as priests, were specifically named among those who “went up with Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel” (Ex 24:9-11). They had already joined the people in promising, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do” (Ex 19:8; 24:3). Yet even after such a privileged experience, they disobeyed the Lord, for “Nadab and Abihu… offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD” (Lev 10:1-2). Ross notes, “They had been on the holy mount and had looked upon the glorious vision of God.”^[3] Yet that great spiritual experience of God’s presence did not insulate them from arrogance and irreverence. The real issue lies deeper. Jeremiah declared, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer 17:9). Fallen man resists divine authority even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Jesus underscored this same reality in His account of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man insisted that a resurrection would persuade his brothers, Abraham answered that if they would not hear Moses and the Prophets, “they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31). Jesus places Scripture above experience. His reference to “Moses and the Prophets” speaks of the authoritative written revelation of God. By contrast, resurrection is an obvious sign of divine power, yet even this will not overcome hardened unbelief. In fact, when Jesus raised Lazarus of Bethany from the dead (a different Lazarus than the one in Jesus’ account) the response of the religious leaders exposed their negative volition and suppression of revelation. John wrote, “But the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death also; because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and were believing in Jesus” (John 12:10-11). Rather than submitting to the truth, they actively resisted, seeking to destroy the evidence itself.

Jesus performed numerous miracles of staggering scope: healing the sick, restoring sight, cleansing lepers, calming storms, feeding thousands, and raising the dead (Matt 4:24; Mark 4:39; John 11:43-44). These were done openly before multitudes, yet John records, “Though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him” (John 12:37). Miracles authenticated His authority but could not penetrate hardened hearts. When Jesus prayed, “Father, glorify Your name,” the Father answered audibly from heaven, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Yet the crowd was divided, with “some…saying that it had thundered; others…saying, ‘An angel has spoken to Him’” (John 12:28-29). This demonstrates that negative volition either dismisses revelation as natural or reinterprets it according to human viewpoint rather than receiving it as divine truth. Paul affirms the same principle, declaring that creation itself testifies to God’s eternal power and divine nature, leaving humanity without excuse (Rom 1:20). But those with negative volition suppress God’s truth and exchange His glory for lies and idols (Rom 1:18, 23).

This same principle continues in the apostolic witness. Peter, James, and John beheld the glory of Christ at the Transfiguration and heard the Father’s voice from heaven (Matt 17:1-6). Peter later testified, “we were eyewitnesses of His majesty” and “we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven” (2 Pet 1:16-18). Yet he immediately adds, “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention” (2 Pet 1:19). The apostle insists that the written Word—not spiritual experience—is the abiding foundation for faith. Fruchtenbaum states, “Although Peter did have a great and remarkable experience when he witnessed the Transfiguration, the written Word of God is still a more valid source of authority than anybody’s experience.”^[4]

This dynamic of negative volition plays out in the Tribulation. Global judgments fall, and mankind recognizes they come directly from God. The kings of the earth cry out to be hidden from “the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev 6:16-17). Yet their knowledge does not lead to humility or a change of mind (cf. Rev 9:20-21). During the bowls of wrath, they “blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds” (Rev 16:11). Again, though men know the source of judgment, “they blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail” (Rev 16:21). According to Thomas, “The followers of the beast knew exactly the source of these huge stones, and responded by shaking their fist in the face of God.”^[5] This reveals that without humility and faith, even direct recognition of God’s hand only deepens rebellion, as pride chooses defiance over submission.

God’s Word is fully sufficient to strengthen faith in those who, with humility, are willing to receive it, learn it, and put it into practice. Peter exhorts newborn believers to “long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2). Paul commended the Ephesian elders “to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). He also affirmed that “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). The emphasis is consistent: spiritual health and growth come not through sight or experience, but through the intake and application of the written Word of God. Experiences fade, memories dull, and miracles pass, but “the word of our God stands forever” (Isa 40:8). Only those who humble themselves before God and receive His Word in faith find enduring stability, transformation, and blessing.

Conclusion

The believer must not chase after the extraordinary as though experience could replace truth. Scripture consistently testifies that spiritual stability does not rest on what the eyes see or the senses feel, but on the eternal Word of God. “The righteous shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38), and that faith comes by hearing and believing God’s revelation (Rom 10:17). To walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7) means humbly submitting to God’s authority, depending on the Spirit’s filling (Eph 5:18), and feeding daily on His Word (Psa 1:2; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2). Miracles may dazzle and experiences may stir the heart, but they cannot transform it. Only the Word of God, received in humility with faith, brings lasting change, maturity, and blessing.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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^[1] R. Dennis Cole, Numbers, vol. 3B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 225.

[2] Life demonstrates a striking paradox. Some people, though surrounded with every advantage—privileges, provisions, and even great spiritual experiences—still waste their lives in unbelief and disobedience. Others, despite disadvantages, obstacles, and hardships, press through to faith, obedience, and lasting impact. The difference is not external circumstance but internal response. Scripture describes this as volition: the heart’s decision either to receive or resist divine revelation. Positive volition is marked by humility and a willingness to submit to God’s authority, embracing His truth in faith, however weak or limited the outward resources may be (Heb 11:6; Rom 10:17; Jam 1:21-22). Negative volition, by contrast, springs from pride and self-rule, suppressing the truth and explaining away even the most overwhelming evidence of God’s power and grace (Rom 1:18-20). This principle explains why supernatural experiences, no matter how dramatic, cannot produce lasting transformation apart from faith and humble submission to God’s Word.

^[3] Allen P. Ross, Holiness to the Lord: A Guide to the Exposition of the Book of Leviticus (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 233.

^[4] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Jewish Epistles: Hebrews, James, First Peter, Second Peter, Jude, 1st ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2005), 399.

^[5] Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995), 277.

The God Who Knows Your Name

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

One of the most comforting truths in the Christian life is that God knows us perfectly and loves us completely. It is said of the Lord, “He counts the stars and calls them all by name” (Psa 147:4). If God’s knowledge is that specific concerning His creation, how much more so regarding His children? Jesus reminded us that not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father’s will (Matt 10:29), and then added, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt 10:30). God doesn’t merely notice us—He knows us. He knows when we sit down and when we rise up (Psa 139:2a), our thoughts before we think them (Psa 139:2b), and our words before we speak them (Psa 139:4). Yet this knowledge is not cold or detached; it is personal and caring. God is not merely watching—He is walking with us. David asked, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psa 139:7). The answer, of course, is nowhere—and that is good news. We never need to fear being forgotten, overlooked, or abandoned. Scripture assures us that nothing can separate us from God (Rom 8:38-39), that He is always “for us” (Rom 8:31), and that He has promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb 13:5).

The apostle Paul encouraged believers in Rome, saying, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32). If God gave us His very best when we were sinners, surely He will take care of us now that we are His children. We don’t have to beg or bargain for His provision. He delights in meeting our needs—spiritual, emotional, and financial. Paul said, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). That doesn’t mean we’ll get everything we want, but it does mean we’ll never lack anything we truly need. And that’s enough to quiet our hearts.

These truths are not for emotional believers who chase spiritual highs, but for those who consistently study and meditate on Scripture, walk by faith, and trust God at His Word regardless of circumstances. As we grow spiritually, these divine realities begin to outweigh the clamor of life’s shifting situations and produce in us a relaxed mental attitude grounded in divine viewpoint. Let us be among those who humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand (1 Pet 5:6), who delight in His Word day and night (Psa 1:2), who walk by faith and not by sight (Prov 3:5-6; 2 Cor 5:7), who serve others in love (1 Pet 4:10), and who live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age (Tit 2:11-12). When we learn to see life from God’s perspective, we begin to experience the peace of God that surpasses all comprehension—a peace that flows from a settled confidence in His unchanging character. As Isaiah affirmed, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa 26:3). Life may shift around us, but when we rest in God’s Word and fix our eyes on Him, we find strength that steadies the soul. And by His grace, we can even smile at the storm, because we know the One who commands it (Mark 4:39).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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The Spiritual Life and the Walk of Faith

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Walk by Faith 2 The spiritual life is inseparably connected to the walk of faith, for to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal 5:16) is to “walk by faith” (2 Cor 5:7). The former assumes the latter. God the Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21), ensuring the written text is God’s authoritative revelation, the very “Word of God, which performs its work in you who believe” (1 Th 2:13b). It follows that God the Holy Spirit will instruct us in the Word He authored.[1] Jesus told His disciples, “the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you” (John 14:26), and “He will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13). Paul said the Word of God is “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17), indicating that the Spirit works through Scripture to equip us for spiritual battles and faithful living. The “Word of God is living and active” (Heb 4:12) because the Spirit of God is living and active. The Spirit of God leads us by means of the Word of God, enabling us to understand, recall, and apply it to our lives by faith.

Furthermore, the fruit of being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18) is similar to the fruit of a mind saturated with God’s Word, where “the word of Christ richly dwells within” us (Col 3:16a). Being filled with the Spirit leads to “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father” (Eph 5:19-20). Similarly, letting the Word of Christ richly dwell within us results in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16b). The fruit of being filled with the Spirit and a mind saturated with God’s Word is similar, because the Spirit works though His Word. Wiersbe states, “In his Letter to the Ephesians, Paul emphasized being filled with the Spirit; in his Letter to the Colossians, he emphasized being filled with the Word. But the evidences of this spiritual fullness are the same!”^[2] Radmacher states:

“In Ephesians 5:18 Paul wrote, “Be filled with the Spirit,” and in Colossians 3:16 he said, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Though these commands differ, the results are the same, thus suggesting their close relationship. These verses therefore suggest that it is not possible for God’s Word to dwell in believers unless they are filled with the Spirit; and conversely, Christians can’t be filled with the Spirit without the Word of Christ dwelling in them.”^[3]

A Woman Reading Her Bible To walk by faith is important to the spiritual life. Faith is a mental activity that relies on information. Biblically, faith is never blind. It is never an irrational leap into the unknown. Rather, it is a reasonable response that follows reliable information. Faith trusts facts. For example, none of us have personally seen the resurrected Christ, yet the record of Scripture is historically true and reliable, based on eyewitness accounts of people who walked with Jesus (Luke 1:1-4; John 20:27, 30-31; 21:24; Acts 4:20; 10:39; 1 Cor 15:3-8; 1 Pet 5:1; 2 Pet 1:16-19; 1 John 1:1). After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to many people and gave proof of victory over sin and death. These eyewitnesses include Mary Magdalene and other women (John 20:10-18; Matt 28:8-9), two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), the disciples without Thomas (John 20:19-25), the disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29), the disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-23), Peter, James, and more than 500 brethren at one time (1 Cor 15:5-7), the disciples at Jerusalem before His ascension (Acts 1:3-9), Stephen at the time of his martyrdom (Acts 7:56), Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6; 1 Cor 15:8), and John on the island of Patmos (Rev 1:9-18).

Faith in Christ comes from accurate historical accounts, so that even though we do not see Jesus, we believe in Him. Jesus told Thomas, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (John 20:29b). The writer of Hebrews said, “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb 11:1). Peter communicated something similar to believers, saying, “though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls” (1 Pet 1:8-9). These early Christians rejoiced even though they had not seen Jesus personally. They accepted the testimony of reliable witnesses who had known Jesus, and their faith in Him resulted in the salvation of their souls.[4]

Looking to the Cross Believing in Jesus as our Savior comes after we hear and accept as true the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-4), thus conquering sin and death. Jesus accomplished what we cannot—our eternal salvation. When we hear this good news of what Jesus has done for us, we can place our faith in Him (John 3:16; Acts 4:12) and be fully assured of forgiveness of sins (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7) and eternal life (John 10:28; Rom 6:23). The benefits of the cross are applied to us the moment we believe in Jesus as our Savior. This simple act of faith results in our justification before God, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law” (Rom 3:28), and “we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law” (Gal 2:16). Eternal salvation is by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:24, 28; 5:1), in Christ alone (Acts 4:12).

Live by Faith

Live by Faith After being born again by faith alone in Christ alone, we are to continue in faith. Paul wrote, “as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col 2:6). We received Jesus by faith, and after being born again, we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). The word “walk” translates the Greek verb peripateō (περιπατέω), which is here used as a metaphor for how we live, behave, or habitually conduct our lives. To walk by faith means we learn and apply God’s Word to our lives (i.e., marriage, family, education, work, finances, etc.). It means obeying God’s directives, claiming His promises, and utilizing His resources for our daily problems. We are also instructed to “walk by the Spirit” and not the flesh (Gal 5:16). When we live by faith and depend on the Spirit for strength and guidance, we “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” with which we have been called (Eph 4:1).

As Christians, we are instructed to learn God’s Word that we might come to know our new identity in Christ and lay hold of the many blessings God has provided for us as His children. Gospel information started our journey of faith, and Bible doctrine is the basis for our spiritual walk and advance to maturity. The advancing believer is living the righteous life that God expects, for He says, “My righteous one shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38), and “faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see” (Heb 11:1 NET). To live by faith in God and His Word pleases Him, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Paul said, “we have as our ambition…to be pleasing to Him” (2 Cor 5:9).

Christians who fail to live by faith, who choose not to learn and/or live by God’s Word, will default to humanistic philosophies, values, and experiences. In immature or carnal Christians, experiences and feelings will be regarded as more real, reliable, and important than God and His Word. Though we can enjoy our experiences and feelings (when they align with God), these are not stable, so we must be careful not to prioritize them or make them the base of operations. Divine wisdom should be our base of operations, as God wants us to learn and live His Word, to trust Him in all things, and to live by faith as obedient-to-the-Word children. When feelings rise high, faith must rise higher, lest we get bogged down and trapped in faulty reasonings that enslave and hinder our spiritual life and victory. The walk of faith requires discipline of mind and will.

Look of Doubt Ultimately, “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23). Faith starts with God and His directives and promises. Once we learn about God’s directives, provisions and promises, He expects us to live by them, to be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude” ourselves (Jam 1:22). It is possible to learn God’s Word and not apply it by faith, which is why James wrote, “to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Jam 4:17). It is a sin not to live by faith. The writer to the Hebrews warned his readers, saying, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God” (Heb 3:12). After hearing God’s Word, it is evil for a Christian not to believe it. It’s evil because God’s Word is absolute truth (2 Sam 7:28; Psa 119:160; John 17:17), and rejecting or doubting it implies that God, who cannot lie (Num 23:19; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), is untrustworthy, which is an affront to His perfect nature. This evil behavior was exemplified by the Israelites in the wilderness, for after they’d been delivered from Egyptian bondage, they failed to live by faith (Num 14:11), angered the Lord (Psa 95:8-11), and so forfeited the blessing of inheriting the land (Heb 3:15-18). The danger for us as Christians is that we might know God’s directives and promises, but fail to apply them by faith, and never benefit from His blessings. The writer to the Hebrews said, “Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard” (Heb 4:1-2).

Hindrances to the Walk of Faith

The hindrances of Christian faith are ignorance of God’s Word (Hos 4:6), irrational and unwarranted fears (2 Tim 1:7), failure to claim promises (Heb 3:12), unwarranted self-reliance (Prov 3:5-6; Jer 17:5-7), yielding to the pressures and pleasures of the world (Jam 4:4; 1 John 2:15-16), and choosing the desires of the flesh rather than God’s will (Gal 5:16-17; 1 Pet 2:11). Ignorance of God’s Word guarantees failure in the Christian life, for we cannot live what we do not know. This is why we are to study God’s Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18), renovate our minds (Rom 12:1-2), live by faith in God (Prov 3:5-6; 2 Cor 5:7; Heb 10:38; 11:6), and walk by the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh (Gal 5:16).

God’s Word is Reliable

A Woman Reading Her Bible Though Peter had personally seen and heard Christ (2 Pet 1:16-18), he told his readers, “We have the prophetic word made more sure” (2 Pet 1:19a). Other translations read, “we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing” (2 Pet 1:19a NET), and “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable” (2 Pet 1:19a NIV). The words “more sure” translate the Greek adjective bebaios (βέβαιος) which means reliable, dependable, or trustworthy. According to BDAG, it refers to “something that can be relied on not to cause disappointment.”^[5] Kenneth Wuest states, “The idea here is of something that is firm, stable, something that can be relied upon or trusted in. The idea in the Greek text is, ‘We have the prophetic word as a surer foundation’ than even the signs and wonders which we have seen.”^[6] Robert B. Thieme Jr., notes, “God’s Word is more real than empirical knowledge, more reliable than anything seen, heard, or felt (2 Pet 1:12–21). Unlike the grass that withers and the flowers that fade, ‘the word of our God stands forever’ (Isa 40:8). God guarantees that His Word never goes forth without accomplishing His will (Isa 55:11).”[7] The point is that God’s Word is absolutely reliable, “to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place” (2 Pet 1:19b).

In summary, the Christian life is a walk of faith that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and grounded in God’s Word. Faith is not blind or speculative; rather, it is a confident trust in the revealed truths of Scripture, producing a life that seeks to honor God through obedience and reliance on His promises. To walk by faith is to live in active dependence on God, letting His Word shape our thinking, guide our actions, and strengthen us for every challenge we may face. The Holy Spirit works through the Scriptures to instruct, remind, and empower us, enabling us to live the Christian life. As believers, we are called to a disciplined life of learning and applying God’s Word, and not trusting in experiences or feelings. The walk of faith is pleasing to God, honors Him, edifies others, and brings us mental and emotional stability.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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[1] Divine revelation came by means of God the Holy Spirit. On three occasions Luke makes this very claim, saying, “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus” (Acts 1:16; cf. Psa 109:8), and “the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people devise futile things’” (Acts 4:24-25; cf. Psa 2:1), and “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers” (Acts 28:25; cf. Isa 6:9). In each of these examples, the prophets were the mouthpiece of God, reveling His thoughts and expectations to people. Furthermore, the Spirit illuminates His Word to those with positive volition (John 7:17; 1 Cor 2:15). Unbelievers with negative volition suppress God’s revelation (Rom 1:18-20), and reject the things of the Spirit, which they “cannot understand” and regard as foolishness (1 Cor 2:14). Paul wrote, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” (1 Cor 2:12-13).

^[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 140.

^[3] Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck, Understanding Christian Theology (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), 887.

[4] The apostle John was an eyewitness to the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and like other eyewitnesses (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), he documented the historical events of Messiah. The whole of John’s Gospel had a purpose, and that was to convince people that Jesus is the Messiah and that if they believed in Him, they would have eternal life. John wrote, “many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-31). What John recorded in his Gospel is historically accurate and sufficient to lead a person to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and, after believing in Him, to be blessed with eternal life. That’s good news! When we preach Christ, we provide the necessary information for others to make an intelligent decision to believe in Him for eternal life. The gospel is good news information about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor 15:3-4). At a moment in time, a single act of believing in Jesus as our Savior will save us eternally. The Jesus we believe in is the God-Man (John 1:1, 14; Col 2:9), the Jewish Messiah (Matt 1:1, 17), who was sinless (1 John 3:5), died a substitutionary death for everyone (Mark 10:45; Rom 5:8), paid our sin-debt in full (Col 2:14; Heb 10:10, 14), was resurrected on the third day (Acts 10:40; Rom 6:9), and is the only Savior of mankind (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). The only response from us is to accept the good news and believe in Jesus as our Savior, for “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

^[5] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 172.

^[6] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 34.

[7] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Word of God”, Thieme’s Bible Doctrine Dictionary, (Houston, TX., R. B. Thieme, Jr., Bible Ministries, 2022), 294.

Mastering Focus as We Walk by Faith

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Woman Holding Bible Living by faith is both a science and an art due to the interplay between objective truths and subjective experiences that characterize the faith journey. Faith is grounded in the objective truths of Scripture. Just as science relies on established laws and principles, living by faith involves understanding and applying biblical truths. This includes doctrines such as God’s character (i.e., He is righteous, merciful, loving, gracious, etc.), claiming His promises (i.e., He provides, never leaves, etc.), and the walk of faith that obeys God’s directives as they relate to life (i.e., marriage, education, finances, etc.). Just as scientific methods yield consistent results when applied correctly, living by faith produces reliable outcomes in the believer’s life. When principles of faith are properly and consistently applied—such as trust in God during trials or the practice of Bible study and prayer—believers can expect to experience spiritual growth, peace, and guidance. The art of living by faith involves the personal, subjective experience of our walk with God. Each believer’s journey is unique, with individual responses to challenges they face. How God dealt with Abraham was different than Jeremiah, who was different than Paul or John. Faith requires creativity in how one applies biblical truths to everyday life. And though each passage of Scripture has only one meaning, the applications can be many.

Driving a car provides a good analogy. Just as driving requires an intuitive understanding of the vehicle’s controls—such as the ignition, steering wheel, gas pedal, and brakes—living by faith involves a personal, instinctive grasp of God’s guidance and promises. While knowing how to operate the car is crucial (science), a skilled driver must also be attuned to the nuances of the road, traffic patterns, and weather conditions (art). When driving properly, a driver must navigate obstacles—like road construction, detours, changes in weather, or sudden stops—which requires quick adjustments and creative solutions. This mirrors how believers face challenges in life, needing to adapt their faith to their own circumstances.

Renovating the Mind

A Man Studying the Bible 2 At the moment of salvation, apart from the basics of the gospel, the believer’s mind is generally saturated with worldly thinking that needs to be expunged and replaced with divine viewpoint thinking via God’s Word. This renovation of the mind happens as we prioritize the intake and application of God’s Word to every aspect of life (i.e., education, marriage, finances, work, etc.). This means obeying the directive, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2). In this way, we are “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:10), and to “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). The walk of faith is what God expects of us, as He says, “My righteous one shall live by faith” (Heb 10:38), which we know pleases Him (Heb 11:6). As growing Christians who want to walk with the Lord, we need “the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 3:10) rather than “the wisdom of this world” (1 Cor 3:19).

The process of cognitive renovation is a lifelong pursuit that involves aligning our thinking and actions with biblical truth. It emphasizes the consistent intake and application of God’s Word as the foundation for spiritual growth and stability. This mindset enables us to make sound decisions based on God’s Word, respond effectively to challenges, and develop the capacity to live spiritually. It involves evaluating life based on objective truths derived from Scripture, rather than relying on emotions, experiences, or sinful self-interests. Such orientation is essential for maintaining spiritual integrity and resisting negative influences that can neutralize our spiritual walk.

Learning and living are always a two-step process, as we cannot effectively live what we do not properly know. However, learning God’s Word is no guarantee that we will live by it, for it is possible to “know the right thing to do and not do it” (Jam 4:17). Living by faith necessitates both the content and continuity of divine viewpoint thinking. The content of the Bible provides the basis for a stable mind, while the continuity of divine viewpoint thinking enables the perpetuation of that stability, assuming the believer is claiming biblical promises rather than living in fear and applying God’s directives as an obedient believer rather than living selfishly or by worldly values. In this way, we prove ourselves “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” who are deceived (Jam 1:22). This process demands years of learning and living according to God’s Word, allowing us to master the details of life.

Because we live in a fallen world that is filled with sinful people, it’s natural that we will experience conflicts that will disrupt us and potentially knock us off course. God is aware of these difficulties and uses them to humble and teach us (Deut 8:1-5) and to help us grow in our walk with Him (Rom 5:3-4; Jam 1:2-4). As we face difficulties—and it’s inevitable that we will—we must learn to be flexible and adapt to our situations. Interestingly, ocean surfers learn to reorient their bodies while on their surf board in order to master unpredictable waves, which can be strong and threatening. Skilled surfers don’t fight the waves; instead, they adjust their stance and movements in response to the changing conditions. Training and agility are key to adaptability and resilience, while rigidity guarantees a crash. In the same way, Christians facing difficulties can learn to “ride the waves” of life by trusting in God’s provisions and guidance. Rather than being overwhelmed by circumstances, they can rely on biblical principles to find their balance and direction. Just as mastering surfing takes years of practice, so does learning and living according to God’s Word.

A Focused Mind

A Woman Reading Her Bible When we face difficulties in life, the first area to be affected is our thinking. Having a focused mind that is properly calibrated to God’s Word is crucial for living successfully as a Christian. When Jeremiah faced the crisis of Jerusalem’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., he experienced psychological and emotional disequilibrium, saying, “My soul has been rejected from peace; I have forgotten happiness. My strength has perished, and so has my hope from the LORD” (Lam 3:17-18). Here, Jeremiah was close to total despair. Huey states, Jeremiah “reached the lowest ebb of despair in verse 18 with the declaration that all his hope in the Lord had been destroyed…The sufferings were so deeply impressed in the heart of the victim that he found himself constantly thinking about them. His memory left him depressed and despondent.”^[1] It’s natural that a believer would feel overwhelmed in a crisis. But God does not expect us to stay there mentally, but to rise above our feelings and circumstances and live by faith. Jeremiah, in his crisis, intentionally focused his thoughts on the Lord, declaring, “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope” (Lam. 3:21). Jeremiah took control of his thoughts and chose to think on the Lord. His specific reflections were, “The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23). Dyer correctly notes, “This one thought crowded out the hopelessness that threatened to overwhelm him.”^[2] One promise from the Lord is enough to reorient and recalibrate our thinking to produce cognitive and emotional equilibrium. According to Radmacher, “As long as we contemplate our troubles, the more convinced we will become of our isolation, our hopelessness, our inability to extricate ourselves from the present trouble. But when we focus on the Lord, we are able finally to rise above, rather than to suffer under, our troubles.”^[3]

Interestingly, cats have a remarkable ability to reorient themselves in mid-air when falling awkwardly. This ability, known as the “cat righting reflex,” allows them to reorient their bodies in mid-air to ensure a softer landing. As Christians, when we find ourselves in awkward moments where we feel like we’re falling out of control, we must learn and practice to reorient quickly so that God’s Word softens our landing. As growing Christians, it’s inevitable that we will face difficulties in life. Sometimes these difficulties are intended to correct us (such as when we are outside of God’s will), and other times to perfect us (such as when God uses suffering to help us grow spiritually). Therefore, it’s important that “we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5a), and that we set our minds “on things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). This means we frame life from the divine perspective, imprison harmful thoughts, and reorient our minds to think on God and His Word. This requires the intentional discipline of both mind and will as we focus on God rather than on troubling situations.

Maintaining focus is central to our walk of faith, and the advancing Christian makes learning God’s Word the number one priority above all other aspects of life. Strong faith is developed by a disciplined mental attitude. The essence of faith is to trust God’s character and His promises without wavering, regardless of circumstances. The Bible tells us that Abraham “grew strong in faith” (Rom 4:20), and this because He focused on the “the promise of God…being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Rom 4:20-21). When distractions, doubts, or worldly concerns pull our attention away from God and biblical thinking, our capacity to believe and rest in His promises diminishes, and our relaxed mental attitude is forfeited.

The foundation of faith lies in the fact that God made promises and does not fail to uphold His Word. God has integrity, and His perfect and infallible nature guarantees the fulfillment of His Word. As Scripture affirms, “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num 23:19). Of course He will! He’s the Lord God! Samuel said, “the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind” (1 Sam 15:29). Furthermore, we are told that “It is impossible for God to lie” (Heb 6:18; cf., Tit 1:2). These verses demonstrate that God’s very nature ensures the truth of His promises. Because we know God’s Word and trust Him completely, our faith can be strong, for we know, “He who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). God is true and His Word can be trusted.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

If this article has enriched your understanding and walk with Christ, and you feel led to support my ministry, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Your gifts enable me to continue sharing the gospel of grace and providing in-depth biblical teachings. Thank you for partnering with me in this mission.

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^[1] F. B. Huey, Jeremiah, Lamentations, vol. 16, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1993), 472.

^[2] Charles H. Dyer, “Lamentations,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1217.

^[3] Earl D. Radmacher, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 951.

Two Fathers, Two Kingdoms: Understanding Spiritual Identity in a Divided World

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Everyone we meet has two fathers. Everyone.[1] They have a biological father and a spiritual father. Biblically, their spiritual father is either God or Satan. The Pharisees incorrectly thought they were children of God, and said to Jesus, “The only Father we have is God himself” (John 8:41). Here’s an example were perception was not equal to reality. Jesus refuted them, saying, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world” (John 8:23), and “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44a). According to William Hendriksen, “Identity of inner passions and desires establishes spiritual descent: they are constantly desiring to carry out the wishes of the devil; so he must be their father. The devil desires to kill and to lie, and so do they.”^[2] We live in a divided world where “the good seed are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38; cf., 1 John 3:10).

Satan as ruler of this world Those who are children of Satan are called “sons of disobedience” (Eph 2:2), are under “the dominion of Satan” (Acts 26:18), and reside in his “domain of darkness” (Col 1:13; cf., Rom 2:19). These walk “in the futility of their mind” (Eph 4:17b), and are “darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart” (Eph 4:18). Paul said that Satan “has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor 4:4). But these are not unwilling victims; for though they are born into Satan’s kingdom and “held captive by him to do his will” (2 Tim 2:26), they also enjoy what he offers and are said to “love the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19). The word love in this passage translates the Greek verb agapao (ἀγαπάω), which is in the active voice and means they willingly love the darkness of Satan’s world system and all their affections are tied to it. They continue as residents of his kingdom by choice and not by chance. Freedom awaits them if they want it. Freedom in Christ. But they don’t want freedom. And when given the opportunity to be liberated from their captor, they prefer to clutch their chains of familiar pleasures and practices than to step into the unknown freedom and responsibilities of liberty in Christ. Jesus said of them, “you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:40).

The apostle Paul described them as “men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18), are “without excuse” before God (Rom 1:20), and “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures” (Rom 1:22-23). Of those who are negative and set their wills against God, three times it is written that He “gave them over” to “the lusts of their hearts” (Rom 1:24), and “to degrading passions” (Rom 1:26), and “to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Rom 1:28). Once God permits a person to operate by his sinful passions, that person is given a measure of freedom to live as he wants, but not without consequence, both in time and eternity. Furthermore, “God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Th 2:11-12).

To say that Satan is someone’s father also means they are his children by imitation. Jesus said of Satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44b). By his actions, Satan became the murderer of souls, directing the first humans into sinful acts that ultimately led to their spiritual death and the enslavement of all mankind (Gen 2:17; 3:1-6; Rom 5:12, 14, 19; 6:23). According to William Hendriksen:

From the very beginning of the history of the human race the devil had murder in his heart, and he actually plunged the human race into the ocean of death, physical, spiritual, and eternal (Rom 5:12; Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8)…The devil, then, is the very wellspring of lies, the creator of falsehoods (see Gen 3:1, 4; Job 1:9, 10, 11; Matt 4:6, 9; Acts 5:3; 2 Th 2:9, 10, 11). When he lies, he is original. When he does not lie (Acts 16:16, 17), he quotes or even plagiarizes; but even then he gives the borrowed words a false setting, in order to create an illusion. He ever strives to lie and deceive, and this he does in order to murder.^[3]

Those who are children of Satan: 1) are spiritually deceived, 2) belong to Satan’s world-system (are of this world), 3) share Satan’s desires, 4) have murder in their hearts, and 5) practice lies and deception to promote their agenda. These persons are generally inclined to harm others spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, or even physically, which endangers the well-being of those near them. As growing Christians, we are to show them love and grace when possible (Matt 5:44-45), but also guard ourselves against their attacks (Acts 20:28; 2 Tim 4:14-15).

Satan is a master strategist who seeks to plant his agents into all organizations whereby they can have a destructive influence on others, especially if they can promote a departure from the Bible and its morals in the NT. These agents of Satan will promote lies, deception, violence, and murder to obtain and retain their places of pride and power. Today, we observe their corrupt influence in the seminaries, government, the press, academic institutions, the military, businesses, sports, entertainment, and society in general. The Christian influence that once guided our country is diminishing, and short of a spiritual awakening, the trend toward evil will only get worse.

As a growing Christian, I am not neutral. I make it a point to study God’s Word every day, walk by faith in the Spirit, speak truth, show love, demonstrate grace, and pray for others (both saints and sinners). If there comes a time when we, as Christians, should face rising persecution, we must be ready. The more time we spend learning God’s Word and walking by faith, the better equipped we will be to stand against attackers who may seek to silence us by whatever means they can.

Bible Promises - 3 It is to our benefit to realize we live in a fallen world, and when we walk with God, in total devotion to Christ, the world will reject us. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). We understand that the gospel of grace and solid Bible teaching will, on occasion, threaten other people’s pride and power, and we should not be surprised when they react negatively and with hostility, either verbally or physically. If possible, we are to get along with others and pursue peace (Rom 12:18), but never at the price of neglecting our mission to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), or gather together for Bible study (Acts 2:42; 2 Tim 2:15), fellowship (Heb 10:25), worship (Eph 5:19-20), and prayer (1 Th 5:17). Because we live in a fallen world, there will be times when we must choose whether we will serve God or man. Of course, the correct choice is, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29; cf. Dan 3:18). And though we may enjoy periods of peace and blessing, the world is currently under Satan’s control, which means it will only get worse, not better. As Christians, we are both realistic and optimistic about the world and the future. Realistic that we will not win the world to Christ during our time on earth (though not for want of effort by sharing the gospel and Bible teaching), and optimistic because we know Christ is coming back and will make everything right when He returns. Lastly, we must keep our focus on God and His Word (Isa 26:3; Col 3:2, 16), as it provides mental and emotional stability when trouble comes (and it will). Adversity is inevitable, and we must handle it by wisdom and faith.

Mature Christians make it their life’s mission to glorify God by learning and living His Word, to share the gospel of grace with others who will listen, edify others with biblical teaching and godly living, and love others sacrificially with integrity. We say with Paul, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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[1] Jesus is the sole exception, for by the God the Holy Spirit He was supernaturally conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary and was born without original sin or a sin nature. Furthermore, Jesus lived His entire life in perfect obedience to the Father and committed no sin (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). He said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). And when He reached the end of His earthly mission, Jesus said to the Father, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

^[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, vol. 2, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 60.

^[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Gospel According to John, vol. 2, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 60-61.

Walking Worthy of God’s Call to Service

Posted on April 20, 2023 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

The greatest event in our lives occurred when we became “children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:26), believing the simple gospel message “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4). Nothing compares with it. Nothing at all. For that single decision has forever changed the course of our lives and eternal destinies in ways we can never fully calculate. Through faith in Christ, we were forgiven all our sins (Eph 1:7; Heb 10:10-14), given the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; Phil 3:9), eternal life (John 10:28), became “children of God” (John 1:12), were rescued “from the domain of darkness” and transferred “to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13), and are now brothers and sisters to Jesus, Who is “the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim 6:15). These, and other wonderful blessings have been bestowed on us who are now, in Christ.

After being “justified as a gift by His grace” (Rom 3:24), we are called into phase two of the Christian life, which is our sanctification. In this phase, we start off as newborn babes in Christ, knowing little about God and His Word. As spiritual babies, our primary objective is to grow into spiritual adulthood, to “press on to maturity” (Heb 6:1), “no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14), but “to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:14-15). We advance to spiritual maturity by learning and living God’s Word on a daily basis, as we feed on “the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet 2:2). The reality is that we cannot live what we do not know, and learning God’s Word necessarily precedes living His will. But, it is possible to learn His Word and not live His will. For this reason, we must be “doers of the word, and not merely hearers” who delude ourselves (Jam 1:22).

Called Into Service to the King

Now that we are God’s people and are growing spiritually, we are called into service to the King, to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph 4:1). Paul uses similar language when writing to Christians in Thessalonica, saying, “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Th 2:12). We are called to a mission, and our mission field is wherever we happen to be and includes whoever we happen to meet. To fulfill our divine objective requires submission, humility, commitment, biblical education, field training, and advancement testing. We reach the spiritual high-ground by operating by faith as God’s Word saturates our thinking and directs our speech and behavior. And this dynamic life of service is executed in the Lord’s power, for “whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever” (1 Pet 4:11).

Sadly, not everyone answers the call to service, as our positional justification does not guarantee our experiential sanctification. But for those few who do answer the call, there is no better life, no higher calling, no nobler pursuit, than that which we live in our daily walk with the God of the universe who has called us “out of darkness and into His marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9; cf. Eph 4:8-9). As those who are now “the saints in Light” (Col 1:12), we need to act like it. God expects our performance to reflect our position in Christ, “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light; for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth, trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Eph 5:8-10). And we are to “lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Rom 13:12), and learn to function “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Phil 2:15). Being a light in the world means helping those who are positive to God to know Him. It means sharing Scripture with them. It means sharing the gospel of grace to the lost who want to know God so they might be saved (1 Cor 15:3-4; Eph 2:8-9). And for Christians who want to grow spiritually, it means helping them know God’s Word so they can advance to spiritual maturity (Heb 6:1; cf., 2 Tim 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18). Such a life glorifies God, edifies others, and results in joy for the believer.

Our service to the Lord takes place in an ever fluctuating hostile environment that is largely governed by Satan. And we’re not told why, but for His own sovereign reasons, God permits Satan a modicum of freedom in our world, to influence mankind to function apart from God.[1] As believers-on-a-mission, we are instructed, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world” (1 John 2:15a), and “do not be conformed to this world” (Rom 12:2a), for “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (Jam 4:4). The world (κόσμος kosmos) does not refer to the physical planet (γῆ ge), but to those values and philosophies that are antithetical to God and His Word, which values and philosophies originate in Satan, the prince of darkness, and are promoted by his demonic forces and those people who belong to his kingdom of darkness.[2] It’s helpful for us to know that Satan’s world-system is unreformable, being systemically corrupt throughout.[3] Being irredeemable, Satan’s world-system can only be resisted. For those people who are trapped in that system, we share the gospel of grace with the hope that they will turn to Christ and be rescued out of it. When someone turns to Christ as their Savior, they are liberated from “the dominion of Satan” (Acts 26:18), as God rescues them “from the domain of darkness” and transfers them “to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col 1:13). This is their new reality in Christ, as they have been transferred from one kingdom to another.[4]

As we grow spiritually and walk with God, learning and living His Word (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17), we will stand in opposition to Satan’s world-system and sow the seeds of spiritual insurrection in the lives of those who live and walk in his kingdom of darkness. We disrupt Satan’s kingdom when we share the free grace gospel that liberates others from spiritual bondage and brings them into relationship with God. The gospel is the only way a person can be delivered from spiritual slavery; “for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Once saved, we seek to influence the thoughts and lives of other Christians through biblical teaching (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2), fellowship (Heb 10:23-25), prayer (Jam 5:16), edification (Eph 4:29), encouragement (1 Th 5:11), love (1 Th 4:9; cf. Eph 4:14-15), and words of grace (Col 4:6).

But Satan does not want us to succeed and will work to hinder us, either by pleasures or pressures. When we fail, and we occasionally will (Prov 20:9; Eccl 7:20; Rom 7:18-21; Jam 3:2), it’s important to confess our sins directly to God and accept His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), get back into the arena and “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12), and share God’s gospel of grace with all who will listen. And as we promote the gospel and biblical teaching, we will disrupt Satan’s domain of darkness by calling out of it a people for God. Worldly-minded people may not want to hear what we have to say, and their personal choices should be respected (Matt 10:14; Acts 13:50-51), but they should never be under the false impression that they have the right to quiet us.[5]

Ultimately, we know God’s plans will advance. He will win. The future messianic kingdom on earth will come to pass. Christ will return. Jesus will put down all forms of rebellion—both satanic and human—and will rule this world with perfect righteousness and justice. But until then, we must continue to learn and live God’s Word and fight the good fight. We are to live by faith (Heb 10:38; 11:6), share the gospel of grace (1 Cor 15:3-4), disciple others (Matt 28:19-20), be good and do good (Gal 6:9-10; Tit 2:11-14), and look forward to the return of Christ at the rapture (Tit 2:13; cf. John 14:1-3; 1 Th 4:13-18).

Summary

As Christians, we have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Our salvation results in forgiveness of sins, the gift of righteousness, eternal life, and a new status as a child of God. After our salvation, we are called to journey towards spiritual maturity and service to our God and King. The journey involves learning God’s Word and applying it by faith, and service to the King requires submission, humility, commitment, field training, and advancement testing. As God’s children, we are to glorify God in all things, be lights in a dark world, and help others know Him and grow spiritually. But we live in the reality that living the Christian life is not always easy and will be met with opposition, both from Satan and other people who operate according to their fallen natures. Despite this opposition, we are encouraged to share the gospel of grace and biblical truth with others, to live by faith, and serve as ambassadors for God. By promoting the gospel and biblical teaching, we disrupt Satan’s domain of darkness by calling people to God. While not everyone wants to hear the gospel or Bible teaching, believers should be respectful, conversational, and never have a confrontational attitude, as arrogance never helps advance biblical truth. Ultimately, we know God will establish his righteous kingdom on earth after the Second Coming of Jesus, so we look forward to His return.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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[1] God always retains His sovereignty over His creation, for “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psa 103:19). As believers, we know “our God is in the heavens, and He does whatever He pleases” (Psa 115:3), and that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind” (Dan 4:17).

[2] Our world is fallen for two reasons. First, at some time in the past—we don’t know exactly when—there was an angelic revolt in heaven, where an angel, of the class of cherubim, by the name of Lucifer, sinned against God and led an angelic revolt (Isa 14:12-14; Ezek 28:12-17). The result was that a third of the angels fell with Satan (Rev 12:4), and this created his kingdom of darkness. But Satan expanded his kingdom of darkness when he convinced the first humans, Adam and Eve, to follow him rather than God (Gen 3:1-8). When Adam and Eve sinned, they abandoned their position as theocratic administrators (Gen 1:26-28) and handed the title deed of the world over to Satan (Luke 4:5-6), who now rules over the realm of mankind. Three times Jesus referred to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). Other Scriptures call Satan “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), and “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), informing us “that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). And Satan is no benevolent dictator, but rules as a tyrant who has “weakened the nations” (Isa 14:12), and currently “deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9; cf. Rev 20:3). Satan rules by deception, oppression, and enslavement; and because he is a finite creature, he relies on others—fallen angels and people—to help him advance his agenda. These are his useful idiots.

[3] Systemic corruption refers to a form of corruption that cannot separate the inherently immoral values from the institutions and processes that guide them. This corruption permeates the entire fabric of Satan’s system, and reflects his values, strategies, and practices. And Satan’s corruption infects most of society, influencing those who accept his values and practices, who range from high-ranking officials to everyday citizens.

[4] In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gave the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matt 13:36-43). In that parable, Jesus said, “the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the weeds are the sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38). This is a picture of reality, as the whole world is split into two groups of people, the saved (good seed) and the lost (weeds). This means everyone we meet is either a child of God or a child of Satan. Those are the only two options. And this state of affairs will continue until Christ returns at His second coming, at which time He will remove all unbelievers (Matt 13:39), and will establish His earthly kingdom for a thousand years (Matt 6:10; Rev 20:4-6). Afterwards, all unbelievers will stand before Christ at the Great White Throne judgment and be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11-15).

[5] As God’s influencers in the world, we should never try to force the gospel or Bible teaching on anyone, but be willing to share when opportunity presents itself. At times this will bring peace, and other times cause offense and disruption. In this interaction, we must be careful not to fall into the exclusion trap, in which the worldly person (whether saved or lost) controls the content of every conversation, demanding we only talk about worldly issues, as Scripture threatens his pagan presuppositions. Having the biblical worldview, we should insert ourselves into daily conversations with others, and in so doing, be a light in a dark place. We should always be respectful, conversational, and never have a fist-in-your-face attitude, as arrogance never helps advance biblical truth (2 Tim 2:24-26).

A Role Model for Believers

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

There’s a wonderful passage in the book of Ezra that tells us something about this righteous man that God used to bless others. We learn, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). The Hebrew verb כּוּן kun, translated set, means “to prepare, make ready…to erect, set up…determine, to fix something.”^[1] Other translations render the verb as determined (CSB), dedicated (NET), and devoted (NIV). This determination speaks of an inward decision by Ezra to do three things: 1) to study the law of the LORD, 2) to practice it, and 3) to teach it to others. Laney states, “The order is significant. A person cannot practice what he has not thoroughly studied; and he should not teach principles he has not carefully applied.”^[2]

As a priest, Ezra was modeling God’s intention for him, “For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts” (Mal 2:7). There is direct relevance for us as Christians, for Jesus “has made us to be a kingdom, to serve as priests to His God and Father” (Rev 1:6). Righteousness is a choice to learn God’s Word, to live God’s Word, and to instruct others to do the same.

Learn God’s Word. First, “Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD.” To study the law of the LORD is simply to study His written Word. This kind of devotion and study lasts a lifetime, for one cannot adequately grasp God’s Word in a few lessons. A devoted life of studying God’s Word was held by others in the Old Testament. David writes of the godly person, whose “delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). And the benefit of such activity is that the dedicated person “will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). Another psalmist wrote, “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa 119:97). Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV). A little further on in his letter, Paul said, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17).

Live God’s Word. Second, Ezra sought “to practice” what he’d learned from God’s Word. There’s an axiom that we cannot live what we do not know, and learning God’s Word necessarily precedes living His will. Of course, it is possible to study God’s Word and never apply it. This is why James wrote, saying, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (Jam 1:22). Biblical wisdom is the application of God’s Word to everyday life. Jesus communicated this, saying, “everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt 7:24). Learning and doing. That’s the order. Warren Wiersbe writes, “If our knowledge of the truth doesn’t result in obedience, then we end up with a big head instead of a burning heart (1 Cor 8:1; Luke 24:32); and truth becomes a toy to play with, not a tool to build with. Instead of building our Christian character, we only deceive ourselves and try to deceive others (1 John 1:5–10).”^[3]

Share God’s Word. Ezra went a third step, as he sought “to teach” other believers how to live the truth of God’s Word. If the next generation of believers are to be effective, they need to know God’s Word and how to live it. This was true in Ezra’s day, and it’s certainly true in ours. But such biblical communication should not be limited to the church pulpit or seminary classroom. Sharing God’s Word should be something practiced by all growing Christians. What’s interesting is that that apostle Paul built on what Timothy’s mother and grandmother had taught him in the home. Paul said to Timothy, “I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well…and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 1:5; 3:15).

In closing, may we all model this simple formula for godliness and success, diligently studying the Scriptures, applying what we learn as we grow, and sharing that knowledge with others. This is what Paul hoped Timothy would do, as he encouraged him to “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim 1:13-14). Not only was Timothy to retain and guard the treasure of God’s Word in his heart, but he was to pass it on to others, as Paul stated, “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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^[1] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994–2000), 465.

^[2] Robert B. Hughes and J. Carl Laney, Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary, The Tyndale Reference Library (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 169.

^[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Heroic, “Be” Commentary Series (Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1997), 38–39.

Bible Promises that Strengthen our Faith

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

without faith it is impossible to please One of Satan’s strategies is to get us to focus on anything and everything to the exclusion of God and His Word. Both prosperity and adversity can lead us away from the Lord. The Lord permits us to face trials in order to develop our Christian character (Jam. 1:2-4). He also gives us promises that are rooted in His character that we might learn to trust Him as we walk with Him. The tests of life are inevitable, but how we handle them is optional. Faith is not automatic in the Christian, but is a discipline of the mind and will. The growing Christian learns the Word of God and consciously applies it to his life moment by moment. As the believer studies Scripture, he learns that God has perfect integrity and always keeps His promises. The believer benefits from his study of Scripture only when he learns to trust in God and to take Him at His Word. It’s only by faith that we receive the blessings God offers.

For the Christian, faith requires learning, as the Scripture declares, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).[1] Once learned, Scripture must be applied by faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Learning and living is the proper order as we advance spiritually in our walk with God. Below are a few Bible promises that will stabilize the believer’s thinking in the midst of adversity.

As for God, His way is blameless; the word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. (Ps. 18:30)

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Ps. 55:22)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isa. 26:3-4)

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isa. 41:10)

The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:22-23)

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)

Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)

He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5b)

By trusting in God, we can experience confidence to face the daily pressures of life. I pray you memorize some or all the verses in this article so you can quickly draw them from memory when you need them.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min.

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[1] Most Scripture is taken from the NASB.

Walking with God

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Dr. Steven R. Cook

Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. (Gen. 5:22-24)

The genealogical record of Genesis chapter 5 is repetitious: men lived and died. The repetition is broken with one man, Enoch, as Moses wrote, “God took him” (Gen. 5:24). God decided His friend, the one who “walked” with Him, would not see death, so the Lord took him directly to heaven. “The word walk implies a steady, progressive relationship and not just a casual acquaintance. To walk with God is the business of a lifetime, and not just the performance of an hour.”^{^[1]} It is written in the New Testament, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God” (Heb. 11:5).

…“Enoch walked with God and he was not; for God took him.” The phrase is full of meaning. Enoch walked with God because he was His friend and liked His company, because he was going in the same direction as God, and had no desire for anything but what lay in God’s path. We walk with God when He is in all our thoughts; not because we consciously think of Him at all times, but because He is naturally suggested to us by all we think of; as when any person or plan or idea has become important to us, no matter what we think of, our thought is always found recurring to this favorite object, so with the godly man everything has a connection with God and must be ruled by that connection. When some change in his circumstances is thought of, he has first of all to determine how the proposed change will affect his connection with God—will his conscience be equally clear, will he be able to live on the same friendly terms with God and so forth. When he falls into sin he cannot rest till he has resumed his place at God’s side and walks again with Him. This is the general nature of walking with God; it is a persistent endeavor to hold all our life open to God’s inspection and in conformity to His will; a readiness to give up what we find does cause any misunderstanding between us and God; a feeling of loneliness if we have not some satisfaction in our efforts at holding fellowship with God, a cold and desolate feeling when we are conscious of doing something that displeases Him. This walking with God necessarily tells on the whole life and character. As you instinctively avoid subjects which you know will jar upon the feelings of your friend, as you naturally endeavor to suit yourself to your company, so when the consciousness of God’s presence begins to have some weight with you, you are found instinctively endeavoring to please Him, repressing the thoughts you know He disapproves, and endeavoring to educate such dispositions as reflect His own nature. It is easy then to understand how we may practically walk with God—it is to open to Him all our purposes and hopes, to seek His judgment on our scheme of life and idea of happiness—it is to be on thoroughly friendly terms with God.^{^[2]}

Walking with God starts with a relationship. It is a relationship in which we are rightly related to God by faith (John 3:16), and one that continues in faith (2 Cor. 5:7), trusting Him in all things (Prov. 3:5-6). To “walk with God” is the ideal standard for a believer (Lev. 26:3-12; Gal. 5:16, 25; Eph. 4:1; Col. 2:6-7; cf. Rev. 3:4). It does not mean a life of sinless perfection; rather, it means that when we sin, we handle it in a biblical manner with humility and confession (e.g. 2 Sam. 12:1-23; cf. 1 Kings 11:4; 1 Jo. 1:8-10). Walking with God means we go in the same direction He is going, and like a friend, we are glad to share in His fellowship (1 Jo. 1:1-10). It means God is regularly in our thoughts, and we live every day conscious of Him and His will for our lives (Rom. 12:1-2; Col. 3:16-17). Walking with God means we are open and honest with Him about everything, and agree to let His light shine in our lives, not fearing what it exposes (1 Jo. 1:5-7). It means being sensitive to what may offend Him, and making every effort to please Him through a life of faith (2 Cor. 5:9; Heb. 11:6). May we all learn to walk with the Lord.

Steven R. Cook, D.Min.

Related Articles:

What does it mean to walk with God? (GotQuestions)
To walk with God. (Ray Stedman)

^{^[1]} William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 38.

^{^[2]} Marcus Dods, The Book of Genesis (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1893), 51-53.

Thinking on Scripture

Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook

Tag Archives: walking by faith

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