Truth Inspires

Adrian Bateman, 2016          The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like hind’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. — Habakkuk 3:19 For most human beings the primary goal of life, after survival, is the pursuit of happiness. Indeed it’s one of an American’s “unalienable rights”. But what is happiness? The definition of happy is surely situationally derived. For the hungry it would be having enough food; for the homeless, a home. For the average person it might be having more time, more leisure, more friends, more comforts, more things. Ultimately, happiness involves the removal of obstacles and the correction of problems so that we might live a life without struggle. Or, at least, without what we view as onerous or unnecessary struggle. But this is not God’s definition of happiness. No. True peace—biblical peace, that deep inner peace which we cannot explain—is found only in the presence of G...

Often I have been asked how a person can hold to a spirit of thankfulness when there is so much suffering and pain in the world. It's as if people think that if God really did exist that there would be no suffering; as if God was indebted to us to make sure we lived in perfect harmony and were protected from every form of suffering. Honestly, it is a very absurd way of looking at things. Even when Jesus performed His earthly ministry he did not bring an end to suffering. His words in Matthew 11 picture how God interacts with humanity and it is not to keep every accident that could occur from harming us. He said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29 NKJV) Jesus' words were not I will come to you and heal you of every form of suffering and pain; I will protect you from every freak accident and keep a...

To some the subject of the title may sound contradictory, ambiguous or even, blasphemous. To say Christ will rule completely sounds like Christ is not ruling now . Is that true? The scripture is clear that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ (Mt. 28: 18b), but it is equally clear that not all things are yet put under Him. Hebrews 2:8 states, “ …YOU HAVE PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. So what exactly did Jesus mean when He said, "…All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth?” (Mt 28:18b (NKJV)  In light of Hebrews 2:8 above, we see that Jesus was given all authority by the Father. And to be sure, in His own words He did say it was indeed given to Him. The word “All” would include all authority over all things to include things in Heaven and earth, His apostles, His disciples,...