LOVING JESUS

We are to love Jesus Christ. How could we not? He loved us first. “We love Him because He loved us first” (1 John 4:19).

Nothing motivates like the love of Jesus Christ. Nothing can change your world like Jesus. When you realize that He is reaching His hand out to you so that you will take hold and let Him guide you and love you, your life will never be the same.

The love of Christ compels us to do things a certain way. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that all died, because He died for all. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised to life again” (2 Cor. 5:14-15).

He died for us so that we would live for Him. That is the only fitting response to what Jesus has done for us—to present our bodies to Him as living sacrifices in view of how merciful He has been (Rom. 12:1). The only fitting response to the love of Jesus is to live for Him.

By focusing on how much Christ loves you, you will love Christ back. That is the way to grow in our love for Him. The wonderful love of Jesus needs to occupy your mind. You need to meditate on it and think about what it means. Think about how He knows you by name. You existed in His mind before He created you. He knows all about you and loves you. No one will ever love you like Jesus. Don’t ever forget that.

Sometimes we ask, how can I love God more? And the answer is to stop focusing on your love for God and focus on God’s love for you. By being reminded of how much God loves you, you will love God. And your love will grow.

The love of God causes things to change in our minds and in our hearts. Love for God leads us to do things that we would never have done before. To do good and to do right.

And loving Jesus is the key to loving others. Realizing how much you are loved by Christ will make your love for Him grow, and it will also make your love for other people grow.

Knowing how much people mean to Jesus will cause them to mean more to you. We are human, we are in the flesh. We have problems. And we don’t always love the way we should. We don’t always think the way we should. But we can change. The love of Christ can change us. All things can be new in Him (2 Cor. 5:17).

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).

The death of Christ proves His love for us. He thought enough of you to die for your sins. He thought enough of you to go to the Cross so that you could go to heaven and spend eternity with Him. Don’t ever doubt how much you mean to Him.

When you wonder whether or not God loves you, think about the Cross. When you wonder whether or not God really cares about this world and the people in it, think about the Cross. It is the death of Christ that proves His love. And since He loves us so much, we should turn around and love others in His name.

Embrace the love of God and be excited that God loves you. Because He does. He always has and He always will.

   Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

JESUS: “YOU ARE MY FRIENDS”

Of all the ways that Christians are described in the New Testament, there is one title that stands apart in tenderness and intimacy. It is the title that Jesus Himself gave to those who walk with Him in love and obedience: “You are My friends” (John 15:14).

This statement comes near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, as He prepared His disciples for His departure. In John 15:13–16, the Lord speaks openly of His love, His sacrifice, and His purpose for their lives. He tells them that the greatest expression of love is laying down one’s life for his friends—and then He adds, “You are My friends if you do what I command.” No longer would they be called mere servants—because the servant doesn’t know his master’s business—but they would be called friends, because everything Jesus received from the Father, He had revealed to them.

Friendship With the Lord: A High Honor

To be called the Lord’s “friend” is no small thing. The term itself is one of the most meaningful in all human language. It suggests closeness, trust, love, and loyalty. A man may be someone’s neighbor, coworker, or even family—but none of that guarantees friendship. One may be a brother in the flesh, and still not be a friend. Even a husband and wife may share a home, and not truly share friendship. But to be called a “friend”—that’s something special.

And yet, Jesus chose to apply this word not just to noble figures of history, but to ordinary men—fishermen, a tax collector, and others who had chosen to walk with Him. He didn’t say, “You are My students,” though they learned from Him. He didn’t say, “You are My servants,” though they served. He said, “You are My friends” (John 15:14).

What a beautiful glimpse into the heart of our Lord. He desires more than duty or ritual—He wants relationship. This is consistent with the overall tone of Scripture, where God is described as one who seeks to dwell with His people (Exodus 29:45), walk with them (Micah 6:8), and be known by them (Jeremiah 9:23–24).

Friendship Is Rooted in Revelation and Obedience

But this friendship is not casual. It is not sentimental. Jesus says plainly, “You are My friends if you do the things I command you” (John 15:14). Friendship with Jesus is not based on feelings or declarations—it is expressed in faithful obedience.

This is not a new concept. In John 14:15, He had already said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” Later, in 1 John 2:3–5, we are told that we can know we belong to Him if we keep His Word. So friendship with Jesus is rooted in a life of willing submission to His authority.

Moreover, Jesus said that He had held nothing back from His friends. “Everything I have heard from My Father, I have made known to you” (John 15:15). There’s a deep transparency here. God had spoken through His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2), and Jesus, in turn, opened His heart fully to His disciples. There was no secrecy—only invitation.

This stands in contrast to what we read earlier in John’s Gospel. In John 2:23–25, Jesus was in Jerusalem during the Passover, and many people believed in Him because of the miracles they saw. But it says that Jesus “did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people.” They believed in His works, but He knew their hearts were not fully committed. They weren’t ready for friendship—they were spectators, not followers.

The Cross Is the Ultimate Proof of Friendship

Jesus didn’t just talk about love—He demonstrated it. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). And this is exactly what Jesus did. As Paul would later explain, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), not because we were lovable, but because He loved us.

And now, as His friends, we are called to lay down our lives as well—not in the sense of dying on a literal cross, but in daily self-denial (Luke 9:23), putting others ahead of ourselves (Philippians 2:3–4), and loving “not in word or speech, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

This means our Christianity is not driven by the question, “What am I required to do?” but rather, “What more can I do for the One who calls me friend?” Real friendship doesn’t calculate the bare minimum. It delights to serve. As Paul wrote, “The love of Christ controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

The Fruit of Friendship

Jesus goes on to say that He has appointed His friends to bear fruit—fruit that lasts (John 15:16). Friendship with Christ is not stagnant. It’s not something we admire from a distance. It produces real change. It leads to godly living (Titus 2:11–14), spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:5–8), and faithful service (Romans 12:1–2).

What kind of fruit does this friendship bear? The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These qualities are not produced by our strength, but by Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20).

The Heart of the Matter

Perhaps the most sobering truth in this discussion is that Jesus knows who His real friends are. Judas was with Him at the table, heard His teaching, saw His miracles—and yet betrayed Him for silver (Matthew 26:14–16). Outward association means nothing without inward loyalty.

Jesus sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). And He desires not part of it, but all of it (Mark 12:30). That’s what friendship demands—total commitment, heartfelt loyalty, and a desire to honor Him in all things (Colossians 3:17).

May we examine ourselves to see whether our lives reflect the reality of that friendship. Are we keeping His commandments? Are we bearing fruit? Are we laying aside self to walk more closely with our Friend and Lord?

Conclusion

Jesus invites us into the deepest relationship possible—not just discipleship, not just servanthood, but friendship. He has shown us perfect love, given us His Word, and called us to share in His mission. The question is not whether He has proven His friendship—the cross answers that fully (Philippians 2:6–8). The question is: Will we prove ours?

Let us respond with grateful hearts, obedient lives, and unwavering loyalty. Let us say with Paul, “I count all things loss for the sake of knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:8), and let us walk as His friends—faithful, fruitful, and forever His.

            Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

CHRIST’S INVITATION

The Word of God tells us that Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10). “That which is lost” refers to people—those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1). Anyone without Jesus Christ is lost in their sins and separated from God.

Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). We were lost, but Jesus came to seek and to save us. That is what He does. That is what He brings. That is what He gives—salvation. He is the Son of God, the Savior of the world. When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking toward him, he proclaimed, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Christ is in the saving business. That is His purpose. He came into the world to live a perfect life in our place, to die on the cross for our sins, and to rise again on the third day, proving that God accepted His payment for our sins. Because of what Jesus did for us, we can be forever free from sin and fully restored to a right relationship with God. He is a God whose mercy endures forever.

Jesus pleads with us and invites us to come to Him, but He will never force us. He will not coerce you into becoming one of His followers or into accepting salvation. He offers it freely because He loves you, and He has already done all the work necessary for your salvation. But the gift of salvation must be accepted voluntarily. It is a decision only you can make for yourself.

The great invitation of Jesus is, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. We are all invited to the banquet. We are all invited to the party. Salvation is ours—full and free—because of Jesus Christ.

Once we come to Jesus and receive salvation, we must continue looking to Him. There is no Christian life without constantly fixing our eyes on Him. We look to Him by faith, trusting that He has the power, the ability, and the willingness to bring us to salvation. He would never invite us to come to Him if He did not intend to save us and to keep us saved.

In John 6:29, Jesus says that the “work of God” is that we would believe in the One whom God has sent. To please God, we must believe in Jesus Christ, the Savior. This is the greatest invitation extended to you—“Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). “Come to me” (Matt. 11:28). Everyone who is “weary and burdened” can come to Jesus and receive salvation.

Know this: You are important. You are important to God. What He thinks of you means more than anything the world can say about you. Jesus gave His life for you. Receive Him into your life, and live for Him. It’s as simple as that. When you do, you will be saved—forever free from sin and the brokenness of this world. Come to Jesus Christ.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH CHRIST

The doctrine of imputed righteousness stands at the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the foundational truth that Christ’s perfect righteousness is credited to believers by faith—not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has done on our behalf (Romans 4:3; Philippians 3:9).

The term “credited” (or “counted”) is an accounting word: it means God places Christ’s righteousness into our account. By God’s grace, the righteousness of Jesus becomes ours. We receive it—not by effort, but by faith (Romans 4:5). This is not a minor footnote. It is the great exchange.

From the beginning, Scripture makes it plain that no human achievement can secure righteousness before God. Isaiah declared that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and Paul wrote, “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). The law, though holy, serves to expose our condition, not to elevate us (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:10). So if we are to be made right with God, it must be on the basis of another’s righteousness—and that was Christ’s. He lived the perfect life, fulfilled the law, and then died and rose for us (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 4:15). By faith, His obedience becomes ours (Romans 5:19).

In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read the glorious summary: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” That is imputation. Our sin laid on Christ, His righteousness laid on us. This is a legal act of God—justification. It is not a process of earning or improving our standing, but a declaration of righteousness the moment we trust Christ for ourselves (Romans 4:6; Galatians 2:16). Our position before God is fixed in Christ—even as we continue to grow in sanctification.

This truth should lead us not to complacency, but to awe, worship, and obedience. Being declared righteous means we will live righteously—not in order to win God’s favor, but because we already have His favor in Christ (Titus 3:5‑7; Ephesians 2:8‑10). We are saved by works? No—for salvation is by grace—but we are saved for works (James 2:17; Philippians 2:12‑13).

Imputed righteousness gives peace with God (Romans 5:1), freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1), and bold access into His presence (Hebrews 10:19‑22). Our standing is not based on feelings or performance, but on Christ, the same yesterday, now, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

But beloved, this is not just doctrine to be studied—it is truth to be lived. When we embrace the fact that Christ is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30), we cease from striving in our own strength and rest in the unshakable foundation of our salvation (Galatians 2:20).

Our hope is not in what we can do—it is in One who loved us and gave Himself for us (1 John 1:9). Let us cling to Christ by faith, and boldly proclaim, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). May this truth shape our inner life, our worship, our relationships, and all we are—and may it draw us continually to the Person who is our righteousness.

           Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE ABIDING PRESENCE OF JESUS

The abiding presence of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian life. Remember that Christianity is Christ. Salvation is Christ. Prayer is Christ. Everything is about Christ. Think about Him and be conscious of His intimate presence in your life. Live each day that way, knowing that He is always near.

You are always in the presence of Jesus, which means that, even though you may feel lonesome, you are not really alone. Loneliness at times overtakes us because of the way our minds work. But when we walk by faith, we know that Jesus is with us. Because He has promised to be with us. “I am always with you, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He is with us always. That is a personal relationship with Jesus, and that will anchor your spirit, your soul, your mind, and your emotions in the depths of God’s awareness of you and His concern for you.

The best friend you have is Jesus. The closest friend you have is Jesus. Keep putting your trust in Him and looking to Him. Think about His constant nearness. The presence of Jesus is not an abstract doctrine or some “way off” reality that we can only think about. Jesus lives in us by the presence of His Holy Spirit. That means that He is right there with you at all times (John 14:17; Galatians 2:20). Right there! He is within you.

There is unlimited joy in the presence of the Lord (Psalm 16:11). When life is hard, and it very often is, we can be aware of His promise and believe it and cling to it and rejoice, knowing it is so: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

Our relationship with Him is a living one. It is like a vine and its branches, where the branches stay connected to the vine and bear fruit (John 15:4-5). Believing that Jesus is real. Knowing that Jesus is in us, knowing that we are close to the Master Ruler of the universe, will turn our trials into triumphs. The only way to live is to live with the nearness of Jesus Christ consistently on your mind.

      Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

FOR GOD SO LOVED US

The most familiar verse in the Bible tells us this powerful truth:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

This single verse contains the heartbeat of the Gospel. God’s love is not a distant or abstract concept—it is a demonstrated, active, sacrificial love. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The love of God was shown by giving His Son to die for us on the Cross. He gave what was most precious so that we might receive what we could never earn.

When the Bible says that God “gave” His Son, it means more than just sending Him into the world. It means He gave Him up to suffer, to be rejected, to carry the weight of our sin, and to die in our place. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

The greatest gift that has ever been given is the gift of Jesus Christ. And because God gave His Son to die for us, He can give us eternal salvation—not as a reward for good behavior, but as a gift of His grace.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Salvation is not earned. It is received. A gift must be accepted, and it must be accepted on the giver’s terms. God’s terms are not burdensome—they are full of grace. He calls us to believe in His Son and to trust Him with our whole heart. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

He also calls us to walk in obedience and love, which flows naturally from a heart that has been transformed by His mercy.

“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:9–10).

Jesus is the only one who ever fully pleased God. He lived without sin, perfectly obedient, perfectly righteous. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). When Jesus was baptized, the Father declared, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

When we trust in Jesus, we are united to Him. God no longer sees us in our sin, but in the righteousness of His Son. This is the beautiful doctrine of imputed righteousness—Jesus’ perfect life is credited to us.

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered” (Romans 4:7).

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“You are hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

This means that when God looks at the believer, He sees the perfection of Christ. That is why we can come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), knowing we are accepted and loved—not because of who we are, but because of what Jesus has done.

And because of Jesus’ finished work, we are no longer slaves to sin. We are free.

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18).

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

This is the good news of the Gospel. Jesus died for you. He rose again. He lives forever, and in Him, so will you. If you have trusted in Christ, you are forgiven, justified, loved, and made new.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

So look to Christ and be saved. Rest in His righteousness. Live for Him. Love Him. Let your life be a song of gratitude to the One who gave everything to rescue you.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Amen.

   Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

WE PREACH NOT OURSELVES

Many believers deeply value biblical teaching, emphasizing the need for “book, chapter, and verse”—a passion that reflects a sincere desire to honor God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yet, sometimes in the pursuit of biblical precision, there can be a tendency to prioritize verse-counting or rigid interpretations over the deeper call of Scripture: to know and love Jesus Christ.

While quoting many verses may appear commendable, it’s important that we not lose sight of the central message. As Jesus Himself said to the religious leaders of His day, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you will have eternal life. But it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Scripture is not an end in itself—it points us to Jesus, the living Word (John 1:1, 14).

When our preaching shifts from Christ to human systems, churches, or traditions, we risk missing the heart of the Gospel. Paul warned against this when he wrote, “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). He also reminded the Corinthians that he came not with lofty speech or human wisdom, but “to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

That kind of Christ-centered preaching builds faith (Romans 10:17), encourages hearts (Colossians 2:2), and unites believers around the person of Jesus, not a denomination, tradition, or church structure.

The body of Christ is one, not because we all agree on every doctrinal detail, but because we are all joined to the same Savior (Ephesians 4:4–6; Romans 12:4–5). Jesus prayed that His followers would be one just as He and the Father are one (John 17:20–21). That unity is found not in human institutions but in a shared faith in the risen Christ.

Scripture never instructs us to promote our group as “the one true church,” but to lift up Jesus as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Anyone who truly believes in Him, follows Him, and walks by His Spirit is part of His body (Galatians 3:26–28; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Our mission is not to promote ourselves, but to point others to Jesus—the only Savior, the only hope, and the only foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

     Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Paul’s instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5:17—“pray without ceasing”—is not merely a suggestion or a pious ideal. It is a divine mandate. Since Paul was an inspired penman, writing under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit, we know that this command is rooted in God’s will for His people.

Prayer was not an afterthought or a mere response to life’s challenges. It was God’s idea from the beginning. The invitation to pray is a gracious gift, a way for us to engage in direct communication with the Creator of the universe. Whenever you feel as though God is distant or that your sincere prayers are going unheard, remember that it was God who commanded you to pray. His invitation to pray comes with the assurance that He hears and listens (Psalm 34:17, 1 John 5:14). Our prayers are never wasted when offered in the name of Jesus Christ (John 16:23-24).

In Philippians 4:6–7, Paul gives further insight into the necessity of prayer. He writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Paul contrasts the believer’s response to anxiety with the antidote of prayer. Given the constant barrage of challenges in life, anxiety is a constant companion in a broken world.

Yet, Paul insists that instead of succumbing to anxiety, we are called to pray about everything. This is not merely a call to prayer for big, significant moments, but for the ordinary, everyday concerns of our lives. Whether it’s a small decision or a great burden, God cares about all of it (1 Peter 5:7).

Through prayer, we transfer our anxieties to Him, trusting that He will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer, then, becomes not only a tool for petition but a refuge from the pressures and worries of life. It is a reminder that God is in control and that we are not meant to carry our burdens alone (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maintaining a constant, ongoing communion with God is vital to Christian growth. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Prayer is the means by which we “abide” in Christ. If we are to bear fruit and grow spiritually, we must remain connected to Him through prayer.

The Bible is also vital to our growth (Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17), but without prayer, the Bible becomes an academic exercise rather than a living conversation with God. We must not only read the Scriptures but also meditate on them and seek to apply them through prayer. Without prayer, there is no personal relationship with God, and without that relationship, there is no true Christian growth.

The most important daily discipline for any believer is prayer. It is not just a duty but a delight and a privilege. Prayer is where we express our love for God, our dependence on Him, and our desire to see His will accomplished on earth (Matthew 6:9-10).

James 4:8 reminds us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” Spending time with God in prayer is the key to deepening our faith and experiencing the fullness of God’s love. Before attempting to do anything for God, we must ensure that we are spending time with God.

In prayer, we cultivate intimacy with Him, listen to His voice, and grow in our love and understanding of who He is. As we do this, our faith becomes personal and transformative. In fact, the very act of praying without ceasing strengthens our faith and keeps us anchored in His presence, regardless of the storms around us (Psalm 55:22).

In the end, praying without ceasing is not just about a continual monologue but about remaining in constant relationship with our Creator. It’s about living in prayer—making every moment an opportunity to converse with God, trust in His promises, and surrender our hearts to Him.

As we grow in this habit of constant prayer, we will find that our love for God deepens, our faith strengthens, and we become more equipped to live the life He has called us to. So, let us pray without ceasing, for it is through prayer that we experience the power of God in our lives and are transformed into the image of Christ.

        Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE SYMBOLISM OF INCENSE: A PICTURE OF PRAYER, HOLINESS AND THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST

One of the most powerful ways the Bible shows its divine nature is through prophecy—especially prophecies about future events. These prophecies reveal God’s control over time and His ability to predict what is yet to come (Isaiah 46:9-10). While humans cannot know the future, God’s prophetic words show His plans and purposes (Amos 3:7).

A unique part of biblical prophecy is the concept of types. A type is when certain people, events, or objects in the Old Testament represent greater spiritual truths, which find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). These types help us understand God’s plan for salvation and His love for His people (Romans 15:4).

One of the most important types in the Old Testament is the tabernacle (and later, the temple). These structures pointed ahead to the church and the eternal realities of heaven (Hebrews 8:5). For example, the “Holy Place” in the temple was a symbol of the church, the body of Christ (Acts 15:16-17; 1 Timothy 3:15).

The “Holy of Holies,” where God’s presence dwelled, represented heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24). Inside the Holy Place were several key items: the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. Of these, the altar of incense stands out, as it strongly symbolizes prayer.

This altar, made of acacia wood and covered in gold, was used for burning incense morning and evening (Exodus 30:7-8). The incense was carefully made from a specific blend of spices, and it could not be altered or used for personal purposes (Exodus 30:9).

This rule highlights how incense symbolized the prayers of God’s people. In Psalm 141:2, David prays, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense,” linking incense to prayer. Similarly, in the Book of Revelation, incense is described as representing “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).

It’s important to understand that prayer, like incense, is not meant to be something we only do in emergencies when our relationship with God is weak. Proverbs 28:9 warns, “He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” This teaches us that prayer is effective when it comes from a heart that obeys God (James 5:16). True prayer comes from a life that seeks God and His will (John 15:7).

The relationship between incense and prayer is especially clear on the Day of Atonement. On this day, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies with incense to represent the prayers of the people before God (Leviticus 16:12-13). The incense formed a cloud that covered the mercy seat, where God’s presence was revealed.

This symbolized the separation between God’s holiness and human sin (Exodus 25:22; Leviticus 16:2). The ritual, combined with the offering of blood, showed the need for reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity (Romans 5:10).

In the New Testament, the imagery of incense continues to help us understand Jesus’ work. Ephesians 5:2 tells us that Christ’s death was a “fragrant offering” to God, reminding us that His sacrifice pleased God (Philippians 4:18).

Furthermore, Christians are called to spread the “fragrance” of Christ’s knowledge to the world (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Our lives—through our prayers and sharing Christ with others—become a sweet aroma to God, much like the incense in the temple (Romans 12:1).

The incense used in the Old Testament temple rituals beautifully points to the relationship between prayer, God’s holiness, and Christ’s atoning sacrifice. It reminds us that our prayers, when offered in faith and obedience, rise to God as a pleasing fragrance (Revelation 8:4). We can only pray and be heard because of Jesus’ cleansing blood, which makes our prayers acceptable to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).

      Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

AMAZING GRACE

The name John Newton (1725-1807) is recognized in connection with one of the best known and best loved spiritual hymns of all time. Likely no extra-biblical writing has articulated the wonder of God’s grace as well as Newton’s beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

The words of that song have meant so much to the people of God for so many years, due in part, no doubt, to the fact that Newton poured his heart out concerning God’s grace in such a way that all of us can relate to it. “Amazing” is about as good of a word as any we have in the English language to describe God’s grace.

Paul wrote these words concerning the amazing grace of God in the second chapter of Ephesians: “And He made you alive, those who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the path of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived our lives by the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, made us alive together with Christ—you have been saved by grace—and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might display the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For you have been saved by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest anyone should boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:1-10).

This long thought of Paul conveys to us the magnificence of God’s grace. We are saved because He is gracious and full of mercy. We were dead in our sins, but God gave us life because that is what He chose to do.

Without the grace of God, we would be lost and there would be nothing we could do about it. But God is compassionate and merciful. It is His nature to be gracious. And that is what He chooses to be.

Looking to Christ by faith means looking to and depending upon the grace of God. We do not deserve His favor. We do not deserve His kindness. We do not deserve salvation. But God gives us all of these things and redeems us through His Son because that is what He has chosen to do. Because that is the kind of God He is.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” All of us should say that. We were lost but were found because of Christ. And we had nothing good in and of ourselves to claim before God. But He saved us any way. Because His grace is amazing.

The Gospel of Christ is a wonderful message. The hope of all mankind is contained in this one story of God’s love expressed to us through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because we are sinners, Jesus came and took upon Himself our sins and our punishment that we might know the love of God and be the recipients of eternal life (Romans 5:6-11).

No wonder it is called the Gospel—literally, the Good News. Grace changes people. Let us appreciate the grace of God.  

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

QUESTIONS ABOUT MELCHIZEDEK

When studying the New Testament Book of Hebrews, many questions arise in the minds of diligent Bible students. Some aspects of the material which God includes in this book are difficult for the modern disciple to decipher.

That is not to suggest that Hebrews is impossible to understand. On the contrary, the point of the book, while not as easily interpreted to us as it was to its original recipients—i. e., certain Jewish believers in Christ in the first century—we can still easily see the point if we read the letter in a modern translation we can understand.

The point of reading the Bible is to learn about Jesus, and the principles concerning Jesus in Hebrews are easily understood. The point, the principles, are easily understood—not every single thing the writer says.

One of the most mysterious aspects of Hebrews has to do with a man named Melchizedek. Some believe that he was literally a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ Himself. Is this so? I would say no, not at all.

It is certainly clear that God, in His sovereign decision-making concerning the revelation of Jesus Christ throughout the centuries, in preparation for His actual entrance into the world—the types and shadows of the Old Testament that pointed to Jesus and prepared the way for people to receive Him when He appeared—chose to have Christ appear at various times in the Old Testament before He came in the flesh.

The example of Melchizedek, however, should not be viewed as one of them in my humble estimation. When we compare things the Bible says about both of them, we come away with a clear picture of the fact that they are not the same person.  

JESUS CHRIST IS A PRIEST ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

Considering the concept of Christ’s priesthood is paramount to understanding both His identity and His role in the world. And it also reveals the connection between the Old Testament priests—especially the high priest—who typify Christ, and Christ Himself.

Christ was a priest of God according to the “order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 17). When the Bible speaks of “order,” it is using a word that speaks of an arrangement. It means that Christ is similar to Melchizedek in many ways.

If Christ was Melchizedek Himself, in other words, then He would not be according to the order of Melchizedek. “The Lord has promised and will not change His mind: You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4).

Regarding Psalm 110:4, Christ revealed that the “priest in the order of Melchizedek” was an Old Testament passage that referred to Him (Matthew 22:43-45). Thus, the priesthood of Jesus, as well as His kingship, has much in common with that of Melchizedek when it comes to its arrangement and its nature.

MELCHIZEDEK WAS MADE LIKE THE SON OF GOD

As the inspired penmen wrote the words concerning Melchizedek, he made an interesting observation that, again, points to the fact that this mysterious gentleman was a type of Christ. The writer says Melchizedek was “like the Son of God” (Hebrews 7:3).

Thus, he draws a comparison between the two men, and therefore also distinguishes between them. Melchizedek was not the Son of God, Christ was and is. By saying Melchizedek resembled Christ in certain ways, he makes a clear distinction between the two.

Hebrews 7:15 says that Jesus is “like Melchizedek.” He cannot be like Melchizedek and resemble Melchizedek, and be Melchizedek. The royal priesthood of Melchizedek was a part of God’s longsuffering plan to foreshadow the Christ, so that people would accept Him when He appeared.

Everything in the Old Testament points to Jesus, including the ministry and priesthood of Melchizedek. Yes, the royal priesthood of this man pointed to Jesus.

We must note again for the sake of emphasis, however, that highlighting the similarities between the two proves that they are not the same individual. Also notice that in the seventh chapter of Hebrews, God’s penman uses the word “another.”

Here the magnificent Old Testament priest, and the even more magnificent real Son of God are compared (Hebrews 7:11, 15). Since he uses the word “another,” again, we are not talking about the same person. No, Melchizedek was one priest, Jesus was “another” like him in some ways.

MELCHIZEDEK WAS A “TYPE” OF CHRIST

When we observe that Melchizedek was a type of Christ, we are, of course, making reference to the fact that his role as priest and king pointed to what Christ would do in the future for us.

The Old Testament prepared the way for Jesus by giving many types, which were inspired previews of aspects of the work and wonder of Christ. Though mysterious in ways, Melchizedek is a wonderful example of a type of Christ. And he certainly could not have been a “type” of Christ and been Christ Himself at the same time.

WITHOUT FATHER AND MOTHER

We also must consider the question of why Melchizedek is said to be “without father, without mother, without genealogy, who had no beginning of days nor end of life, but was made like unto the Son of God, abides a priest continually” (Hebrews 7:3). Certainly this statement, as much as any other, has caused some to develop bizarre notions of the identity of Melchizedek as it pertains to Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 7:3 is not descriptive of a literal situation concerning the life of Melchizedek. There is a point being made concerning what his kingly priesthood was like, and how it forshadowed the work of Christ.

The contrast between the priesthood of Aaron, which was the operative system of sacrifices in the Old Testament, under the Law of Moses, and Melchizedek’s priesthood, which predated the Aaronic one, is the point being made.

What we simply have to do is consider the statement contextually, looking at it through the lens of the point being made about both Melchizedek and Christ. We cannot isolate this statement concerning his having “neither father or mother,” etc., in other words, from its context. We must be true to its original meaning. It cannot mean now what it did not mean then.

Melchizedek was not literally without father or mother, as though he appeared from outer space. He is mysterious, but not that mysterious.

So in context, what is the writer saying? This: Melchizedek was not a priest because of his family line. In order to be a priest under the Law of Moses, one had to be from the genealogical line of Aaron, specifically through the tribe of Levi.

But Melchizedek was before Levi. So he was not a priest based on who his father or mother was. It had nothing to do with his bloodline.

How then did he become priest? God gave him his priesthood directly. And that is exactly the case with the Son of God as well. Jesus was not from the tribe of Levi, either. So he was a priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron.

Jesus was from the tribe of Judah, not from the tribe of Levi. And that is the point. Melchizedek was not priest because of who he was in a fleshly sense, but because God chose him to be the priest (Hebrews 7:14).

Melchizedek was a man, I am convinced, just like everyone else. He certainly had a father and a mother, or he would not have been born. But the point is, his position as priest did not come about because of his father and mother.

This is how he was like Jesus and foreshadowed Jesus. Jesus was not a priest because of his descent from Levi or even Abraham. Both men were directly chosen and appointed by God to be priests. And that is the similarity between them.

MELCHIZEDEK HAD NO BEGINNING OF DAYS

When the writer says of Melchizedek that he had “neither beginning of days nor end of life,” we also must understand this is speaking symbolically. No end of life? Does anyone believe that Melchizedek is still alive somewhere on earth today? Surely not. We must consider a more reasonable explanation.

One point that has to be applicable is the fact that priests under the Levitical system were called to serve in the tabernacle for a specific number of years. Specifically, from the age of twenty-five until fifty (Numbers 8:24-25).

Melchizedek, however, served under no such restrictions. When we look at the Genesis record, for example, there is no indication of when his priesthood began or when it ended. The suggestion seems to be that he served in that role until he died.

So what the writer is likely saying is that since we have no record of it, it is as though he had no beginning or end, making him a type of Christ in that sense. Christ is eternal, literally having no beginning or end (Micah 5:2; John 8:58).

Seventeen times in the Hebrew epistle, Jesus is referred to as our “High Priest.” His priesthood did not end at fifty years of age (he did not live that long), but continues even now and will until the end of time.

He lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25) and we always have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). He is the go-between who makes us right in the eyes of God.

Salvation comes to us totally free of charge through faith in Jesus Christ because of His role as our High Priest. His sacrifice on the cross for our sins is what makes us right with God.

And, like Melchizedek, He is also a king. THE King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Which means we live under His authority and rule and try to do what He wants us to do. So trust in Christ as your Savior and live for Him as your King.

    Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE TOUCH OF FAITH

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind Him and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, ‘If I can but touch His garment, I will be made well.’ But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her, He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed of her sickness from that hour” (Matt. 9:20-22).

This is an incredible story. In many ways, there is nothing exactly like it in the whole Bible. Here we have a description of an event to which we can return time and again to learn what it means to trust in Jesus. This woman had it figured out better than practically all of the religious leaders of her day combined. Let us see what we can learn from her and from this account.

She had been sick a long time. “A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years…” Twelve years is a long time to suffer. Many of us are suffering with things that we have been troubled by for a longer period than that. And more significantly, we have been cursed with the problem of sin all of our lives.

The disease of sin is worse than any physical malady that we could possibly have. Sin will cause us to lose our soul. It is rebellion against a holy God to whom we owe everything. But it does not matter how long you have been bad, or with whom you have been bad, or in what ways you have been bad. All that matters is that you come to the only one who can help you.

She brought nothing but a touch. “She came from behind and touched the hem of His garment.” She had nothing to offer, nothing to bargain with. Mark’s account tells us that she had spent all of her money on doctors and had not been healed (Mark 5:21-34). Going to the wrong sources for information and salvation will leave you bankrupt spiritually. Man-made religion and man-made doctrines cannot help you. Jesus is your only hope. But anyone who wants to reach out and touch Him and receive His help is welcomed to do so.

She knew in her heart what to do. “For she said to herself, ‘If only I may touch His garment, I shall be healed.’” Everyone knows whether or not they are following Jesus. To be saved and healed of sin, you must love Jesus and follow Him. But some wonder, “How do I know if I love Him?” But that is a pointless question. Everyone “deep down” knows whether or not they love Jesus and whether or not they are following Him.

This woman was practicing positive self-talk when it came to the Savior. She wasn’t saying, “I wonder if He will really save me.” She wasn’t saying, “I’ve been so bad and I am so sick.” No! She was saying, “If I can just get close to Him and touch Him, then I will be healed.” You and I should be saying the same thing. If we can just get close to Jesus, we will be fine. If we can just touch Him, if we can just hang on to Him by faith and love, we will have everything that we need. Jesus was all she needed and He is all we need.

Jesus was pleased and her need was met. “But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed from that hour.’” If you want to please Jesus, have faith in Jesus. Reach out and touch Jesus. Love Jesus. When your focus is on Him, you will never be turned away. Being close to Jesus, loving Him, is really all there is to it. It is as simple as that.

       Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

PUTTING GOD FIRST

The Bible teaches in many ways that we are to put God first. But I am sure that every believer wonders sometimes, “Am I really doing that?” On one level, everyone knows whether or not they are living for Jesus. So putting Jesus first is not a mystery. Even though we ask the question, it is one of those that we deep down already know the answer to.

This question has to do with priorities. Everybody has them. We plan our days around priorities. Lives are made up of days, so priorities determine our lives. Relationships always have to do with priorities. When someone is not being the friend or the companion that someone else needs, it is often said that we make time for what is important to us. Many relationships have been broken because one was not a priority to someone else. All of this is true when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.

Putting Jesus at the top of our list of priorities is a choice. It is a choice we can make anytime we want, but we have to continue to make it daily. Of all the information that is coming to us, we can choose that His word will be what we value most. Out of all the time that we spend with other people, we can choose to make sure that He will be the last one left off the list of people that we will spend time with each day. It is just a matter of making Him your top priority.

The greatest commandment is “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37). We know that this is the greatest commandment because that is exactly what Jesus called it. And it is easy to see that what He is saying is that we have to put everything, every part of us, into this relationship. There is no part of our lives that is left untouched by our relationship with Jesus.

Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” If we leave the statement blank, it might help us to answer the question honestly: “For to me, to live is ______.” What do we discover about ourselves?  Some would have to say, “For to me to live is family.” Some would have to say it’s money. Their career. Their hobby. Most of the things that the average person would put on that line are not bad things in and of themselves. They are wrong only because they replace God at the center of our lives.

Whatever you think about more than God can be your idol. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). An idol is whatever replaces God on the throne of our lives. He takes first place or no place.

The key is to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). Let following Jesus because as natural as walking in a garden. Sometimes the more we try to love someone or keep our priorities straight, the harder it becomes. When we realize that we are in Christ and Christ is in us, that we are in a relationship of love and dependence, then it becomes a lifestyle rather than a list of things to do.

Being close to Jesus should be like walking and breathing. We stand in a state of grace (Rom. 5:2) and we walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-4). That is talking about a way of life. The direction our lives are going. If we think of it that way, it will become much simpler.       

      Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US

When we embrace the love of Christ, our lives become completely new. There is nothing like the transforming power of Christ’s love. It will never leave you the way it found you. Believe that He loves you. Believe it deeply, in the depths of your soul and your heart. In the innermost parts of your being. Take it to heart. Rely on it. Believe that He loves you as much as you believe your own name.

Paul wrote that the love of Christ compelled him to live for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14). Love leads to life. Loving leads to living. The will to serve Christ, no matter what comes against us, is found in knowing how much Christ loves us.

We will never know it fully in this life, for the love of Christ passes knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). It is beyond human understanding. But we can grow in our knowledge of His love by spending time with Him daily and thinking about what He has done for us.

Paul knew how much Jesus loved him. And that was the powerful force that caused him to live his life in service to Jesus. When we think about people who have given their all in service to Christ, the apostle Paul has to come to mind near the top.

But Paul was not super human. He did not have supernatural faith. He was a very sinful man who had plenty of skeletons in his closet. And yet he went on to accomplish as much for Christ as Christ called him to accomplish. Before he died, he could say that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Paul wrote about the love of Christ because he embraced the love of Christ. He taught others about the love of Christ. He talked about it constantly. It was the consuming obsession of his life. He knew that Jesus loved him. Do you know that Jesus loves you? Do you have that certainty? You can have it—by deciding to believe that God does not lie, and the cross of Christ is real. He died for you.

Though you deserved His wrath and condemnation, He took your sins to the cross. All of the penalties that I was due, He took for me. There is no greater love than that. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for His friends (John 15:13). Christ has laid down His life for us. And He calls us to be His friends by doing what He commands (John 15:14).

Paul did not have Jesus with him in the flesh while he did his work for God. The Corinthians had never seen Christ in the flesh. But that did not keep the apostle from saying that the love of Christ was the driving force of his life, and should be the driving force of theirs. It gave him the will to serve Christ daily. And it kept him from turning back to the life of selfishness, that everyone without Jesus ultimately lives.

So the people who knew Jesus while He was on earth knew that He loved them. And those who have known Him since His return to heaven can be just as confident in His love for them now. We can be as sure that Jesus loves us as the original apostles—whom He loved to the end while He was on earth (John 13:1)—knew that He loved them.

You simply must know that Jesus loves you. He has proven it. He has proven it in more ways than we can even imagine. But meditating on the cross is where the depth of the matter is found.

     Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

PRAYER: THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Prayer is our lifeline. It is the lifeblood of the Christian life. It is the way we remain in contact with our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. It sustains us spiritually and helps us to grow.

We remain believers and we grow as believers as we grow in Christ. Prayer is one of the ways to do that. Therefore, it must never be viewed as a “duty” to be performed, but a wonderful and blessed privilege that God has given us.

God wants His people to pray. His word says that we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Since God is the one who told us to pray, we can be absolutely certain that He wants to hear from us.

Praying without ceasing does not mean that we will never have to turn our attention to other things at times. But it does mean that we should maintain an ongoing communication and fellowship with God that is not limited to specific routines that we schedule at certain times.

There is a time for scheduled prayer. But we should also know that we can pray and pour our hearts out to God anytime. Life is difficult and the temptation to worry and be anxious is constant. And although we cannot stop all of the anxiety-inducing times in our lives, we can bring things to God and be aware of His wonderful love toward us.

Again, the Bible enjoins us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). The next verse reveals that this will bring about a peace in our hearts and lives that transcends our ability to understand. You have to live the kind of peace that Jesus gives. It cannot be fully explained in words.

To pray is to bring our will under the dominion of Christ. It is to seek that what God wants to be done will be done, rather than giving into and living for our own selfish desires.

Jesus showed us the example here by praying, “not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). In other words, He told His Father He wanted to do what His Father wanted, not what He wanted. God gives us the desires of our hearts when we delight in Him, because His will becomes our will, and His desires become our desires (Psalm 37:4).

So pray because God is listening. We may be certain that He is whether we feel it or not. The confidence that we have before God is that “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Prayer will bring you into a greater knowledge of God’s character and a greater awareness of His presence in your life. Nothing says that you believe in Christ’s intimate presence with you like prayer.

When you struggle with prayer and think you do not know how to pray, God has that covered, as well. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit, God’s “Helper,” who comes to help us in every aspect of our spiritual lives. And the Bible specifically tells us that He helps with our prayer life because we are not praying “right.”

We cannot trust in our ability to pray. So just pour out your heart to Him and trust that the Holy Spirit will intercede for you and take your prayers to God in the right way (Romans 8:26-27).

Prayer works wonders because in prayer you have the attention of the one who rules the world. This is why the prayers of God’s people are “powerful and effective” (James 5:16). We should pray to Him when we are happy and when we are not. When we are on the mountaintop and in the valleys. Our life should be saturated with prayer because He is near to those who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18).

The New Testament recognizes that we have spiritual and emotional and physical needs. And it tells us to bring those needs before the throne of God’s grace to receive the help that we need (Hebrews 4:16).

By having a faithful prayer life, we will know the depth of God’s love, the power of God’s presence, and we will be strengthened to an ever-increasing closeness with Jesus in a personal relationship.

                           Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE HOLY SPIRIT DEVELOPS CHRIST IN US

All of God’s acts throughout history have been about Jesus Christ. He is the one that we are to glorify. And He is also the one that God Himself glorifies (John 17:1-5; 5:22-23). Jesus is God the Son, but God the Father has put all of the emphasis on His Son Jesus Christ. And the Holy Spirit comes to do the same thing. Where the Holy Spirit is, Jesus will be glorified. If you want to know if people are led by the Holy Spirit, listen to whether or not they talk about and are focused on Jesus.

You do not honor the Holy Spirit by talking about Him all the time. He wants you to be focused on Jesus, just as the Father does. The Spirit testifies of Christ and points people to Him. He wants us to come under the influence and leadership of Jesus and live our lives to glorify Him in all that we do (John 16:14). The Holy Spirit works in us, in other words, to help us be and make us Christ-centered people.

For the apostles and prophets who wrote and taught by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the first century, the Holy Spirit’s intentions were clear. He guided them to write about and talk about Jesus (John 14:26). He will do the same thing with us in principle. He dwells within us (1 Cor. 6:19) and He lives in us to develop Christ in us (Gal. 4:19). The Spirit of God is always leading people to focus on Christ.

We are called to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). We have so many things competing for our attention and trying to get us off track. We want to be completely focused on Christ. And since it is difficult to do that in this world, and even impossible to do it in and of ourselves, the Holy Spirit comes to help us to do it.

Jesus said concerning Himself that He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is everything. Everything is about Him. The Holy Spirit wants you to think like this. He wants everything to be about Christ in your life and He comes to live with you and help you to be that way.

Jesus perfectly manifested the kind of life that God wants us to live. He showed us what it looks like when people do what they are supposed to do. He is the only one who ever got it completely right. Now, the Holy Spirit is in us to develop Christ within us. And therefore, the fruit of the Spirit which forms in our hearts and lives is seen and observed by others and shows that we are connected to Jesus (John 15:1-5; Gal. 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit works against our fleshly nature—the part of us that wants to sin—to help us to do the things that please God. He knows that we need help in doing this. He knows that we are flesh. And He works to develop Christ within us. We can put to death the things of the flesh and have spiritual minds (Romans 8:5-13).

Working to make us more like Jesus is called sanctification in the Bible (1 Thes. 5:23). God’s will for us is our sanctification (1 Thes. 4:2). We are made like Jesus by the Spirit of God as we “behold” Christ—as we keep Christ as the focus of our attention (2 Cor. 3:18). And the Holy Spirit works in us to do what is well-pleasing in the sight of God (Phil. 2:13).

We become like Christ by beholding Christ. By keeping Him in our minds. The Holy Spirit helps us to see what God is really like. He helps us to see the glory and the majesty of Jesus Christ, so that we can appreciate Him and live our lives for Him. This enables us to worship Him, not only with specific acts, but with the totality of our lives (Phil. 3:3; Eph. 1:17-18).

The security of salvation comes to those who have Christ as their Lord and Savior. Who are living their lives for Christ. Jesus will bring you more security than any “doctrine” of security ever could. And it is the Holy Spirit who bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16-17), giving us the security in Jesus that we need. So surrender to what the Holy Spirit is teaching, not to what the devil or the world or your own mind has to say. The Spirit is our guarantee that Christ lives within us and that we are saved forever (Eph. 1:13-14).

So everything that the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives is connected back to Christ. He leads us to focus on Him and to be like Him. He leads us to trust Him and to love Him. He works to form Christ within us so that others will see His presence. It’s all about Jesus and the Holy Spirit makes it so.

    Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

PROOF OF THE LOVE OF GOD

No one loves you like God. He created you. He knows everything about you. And yet He loves you anyway. We have rebelled against Him and rejected His ways, yet His response to this is to save us through Christ. The amazing love of God is the theme of the Bible.

The love of God was shown in Christ Jesus. The fact that Christ came into the world to live and die for us proves the love of God. “Because when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God proves His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

Notice that God does not say He proves His love to us by making everything go our way. A lot of preachers preach that God intends for you to have everything your heart has ever desired, and that His goal for everyone is health and wealth and prosperity.

Jesus, by contrast, said that we are to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-26). By following Him, we will suffer. This world is not our home and we are not to put our stock in the things of this world or focus on the things of this world. But many believers have done that very thing.

Jesus proves His love for us. God proves His love for us by the death of Jesus. If it takes more than Christ’s death to prove that God loves you, then we have a problem. For the only perfect man who ever lived came to die for us, to prove the unfailing love of God.

Know that you are loved by God and know it because Jesus died for you. He died for me. If you were the only one who ever lived who needed to be saved, Jesus would have died for you. Salvation is personal. And the death of Christ is personally for you.

    Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

JAMES VS. PAUL? FAITH VS. WORKS?

The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by trusting in Christ and that salvation is a free gift. Gifts cannot be earned. They can only be accepted. When we turn to Jesus, we are accepting a free gift.

We bring nothing to the table but our sins. There is nothing that we can do to earn or merit anything from God. We do not deserve the air that we breathe, much less the death of His Son on the Cross for our sins. Nothing comes from us (1 Cor. 3:7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Rom. 11:36). Salvation is of the Lord (Psa. 3:8; Jonah 2:9; Isa. 43:11; Acts 4:12).

Ephesians 2:8–9 says we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. If it is by works, it cannot be by grace (Rom. 11:6). Salvation comes to us because God decided to save those who turn to His Son. It was His goodness that provided salvation.

We may not want to hear this. Some may get tired of hearing this. But it is the truth, and the truth can only help. Plus, if we do not consistently embrace the reality of what God has done for us, we will not be as appreciative as we need to strive to be.

It is good to be reminded that everything comes from God. We have rebelled against Him (Rom. 3:23), we have been unworthy servants (Lk. 17:10), and when we admit the truth, things go better. If we suppress the truth, we will walk in wickedness (Rom. 1:18). Nothing helps the mind like the cleansing truth about ourselves and about God.

So we are saved by grace, not by works. But what about this: “faith without works is dead“ (James 2:26)? Is there a contradiction here? Are James and Paul not on the same side? Do they not have their theology straight? Did one believe we are saved by grace through faith, and the other believe that we are saved by works?

No, there is absolutely no contradiction whatsoever. James does make that statement because it is true. The word “works” is not problematic. Works just means deeds or actions. So what he said could be translated “faith without good deeds is dead,” or “faith that does not lead to actions is dead,” and it would mean the same thing. Different translations will use different words, but they all mean the same thing. What we must keep in mind is not just the word itself, but the context.

In James chapter 2, James is not talking about how a person gets saved. He is talking about how saved people are to live. So he is not saying—and no apostle or prophet in the New Testament would ever say—that faith in Christ will not save you. In context, what he is saying is that Christians who claim to have faith must prove it by good works. Genuine faith, the saving kind, will always produce the fruit of good work in our lives.

Notice the example that James uses to make his point: “What good does it do, brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no works? Can that kind of ‘faith’ save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothing and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; be warm and stay fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is that? Likewise, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17).

Would anyone say that we are saved by doing good works— feeding the hungry, for example? If a lost person comes to you and asks, “What must I do to be saved?”, will you tell them, “Feed the hungry and clothe the naked?” You better not. You better tell them to put their trust in Jesus alone and what He did.

However, if a person who claims to be saved and claims to have faith in Jesus is living a life of rebellion against God and is clearly not trying to do what is right, then it would be good to say to them, “Faith not followed by actions is dead faith. You don’t really have saving faith in Jesus if your life does not demonstrate a desire to do what He wants us to do.”

James is not talking about coming to Christ and being saved. He is not talking to the alien sinner who has never put his or her faith in Christ. He is talking to believers about what real faith looks like in our lives.

Going back to Ephesians 2:8–10, notice what Paul says and how it is in complete harmony with James: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and that not from yourselves, it is the God’s gift—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do” (Eph. 2:8-10).

Paul says that we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. So he actually says we are not saved BY works, but we are saved FOR works. Paul would sign his name to the statement, “faith without works is dead” and everything else James wrote. If it is true faith, it will produce a change of life.

When Paul says in several places that we are saved by faith and not by works (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9), he is talking about how a person gets saved. How they move from being in a lost state to a saved state. When James says that faith without works is dead, he is talking about a “Christian” claiming to be saved and not living like a Christian. And in context, specifically, not loving others was what he was getting on to them about. They were not being compassionate toward others while claiming to have faith.

Anyone can claim to have faith, and we should remember this today. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we have faith because we mentally assent to the salvation Jesus offers, while continuing to live in sin and for ourselves. We are fooling no one but ourselves if we do that. And we are not even fooling ourselves, because deep down we all know better than that. The way to know that I have true faith is to look at whether or not my life is moving toward God or away from God.

Does this faith we claim to have cause us to want to help other people? Does it cause us to want to please God? Then it is true, saving faith.

     Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

CALVINISM: THOSE WHOM THE FATHER HAS “GIVEN” TO JESUS

Let’s look at John 6:37, a statement from Jesus that many contend teaches that God arbitrarily “elected” some to be saved, and these will come to Jesus no matter what. They are the only ones who will, according to this dogma. The others are “left out” by God (“Tough luck,” implies Calvinism. “God just doesn’t love you.”).

The verse says, “Every one of those whom the Father gives me will come to me; and the one who comes to me I will in no way cast out.”

The Bible’s Consistency

It certainly needs to be explained to the new convert to Christ that since the Bible is the inspired word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), it does not contradict itself. God does not tell you, for example, that you have the freedom and responsibility to make up your own mind about Jesus and then tell you that God made that decision for you.

God is not the author of confusion. His message to humanity was not given to confuse. Calvinism’s convoluted view of the “will of God” and all of these different ways that we have to look at things just to try to make sense of what they’re saying are not good.

What we need are people who love Jesus and want to share the simple message of the Gospel, rather than sit around and debate things that only make Christianity complicated, when it is supposed to be simple.

Being Responsible Bible Students

We should strive to be responsible Bible students. Mature Bible students. Those who handle the word of God correctly (2 Timothy 2:15). We have been “trusted with the Gospel”. It is a valuable gift, more valuable than anything in the world because it leads us to Jesus. He is what life is all about, so be diligent to present yourself approved to God by handling the word of God correctly.

And the way to do that is to take passages that may seem obscure or difficult at first, and compare them with plain passages throughout the rest of the Bible. You do not have the truth on any Bible subject until you have considered all that the Bible says about that subject. And if a statement or a passage seems to contradict clear statements, then you must look at the context of the “controversial” passage to see the ways in which it harmonizes with other, clear passages. And it always will.

Indisputable Biblical Facts

There are certain indisputable facts that have been established by the word of God and the truth of the Gospel. They are settled and they cannot be changed. They represent the truth. Those established facts must influence our interpretation of this verse before us. And here are some of those facts.

First, humanity has been bestowed by God with the freedom to make our own choices regarding our eternal destiny (Matthew 23:37; John 5:39; 7:17; Revelation 22:17). If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches that each individual must decide for themselves what they are going to do about Jesus. Will we receive Him and be saved? Everyone is free to do so. Or will we reject Him and be lost? You are free to do that, as well.

God will knock on the door of your heart, but He will not break down the door. He will not make the decision for you. He has not made the decision for you before you were born. How anyone could view the matter in any other way is amazing to me. Why would you want to take “difficult” passages and make them contradict what the Bible establishes from beginning to end?

Second, salvation is a free gift of grace offered to all who will receive Jesus, but it is offered on the terms laid down by the giver—God Himself. We must accept salvation on the giver’s terms. His terms are trusting in Christ as Savior and receiving Him as Lord. Salvation is by grace through faith, and the way that we demonstrate our faith is that we seek to obey Him as our Lord (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8-9; 1 Peter 4:17).

No one can make that decision for you. Even God is not going to make that decision for you. Salvation is a personal matter. You decide whether or not you are going to be saved.

The Error of Calvinism

There are many sincere people who love Jesus who hold to erroneous ideas that contradict what we have just stated. But no matter how sincere they may be, what they believe and teach is wrong. And while their love for Christ in their personal relationship should be taken seriously, their Calvinism should not.

I am not attacking the people and I’m not the judge of anyone’s heart. But I can judge doctrines by the authority of the word of God. These teachings are wrong and misguided. They are spiritually devastating to people seeking Jesus. And, I believe, they are absolutely ridiculous.

Proper Context and Interpretation of John 6:37

When we consider a statement like the one Jesus made in John 6:37, we must look at the terms that are used, how they are used, to whom Jesus was speaking, and what point He was trying to make. To just quote this statement, which virtually all Calvinists I have encountered do, with no consideration for the context or its relationship to other statements Jesus made—even in the very same conversation that is recorded in the context—is not responsible Bible interpretation.

The Connection Between “Coming” and “Given”

Consider also that Jesus said, “The one who comes to me, I will never cast out.” He will never turn away, in other words, the one who comes to Him for salvation. Why is this second part of the statement not as important to our Calvinist friends as the first part?

To imply, much less state outright, that God willfully elected some individuals to be given to Jesus, while others were willfully not given to Jesus, is just wrong. Jesus is clearly saying that those who come to Him have been given to Him in some sense by the Father. But the question is, in what sense?

The Greek Word “Gives”

As we have said before, you do not have to know Greek to go to heaven. You can learn everything you need to know about how to love Jesus and go to heaven from an English translation of the Bible, for example, with absolutely no knowledge of Greek, in which the New Testament was written.

But if you are going to be a teacher, especially if you are going to teach things that are an offense to the Gospel, you need to at least know how to look up words. That will go a long way in keeping us from making immature mistakes. The idea that God determines your salvation for you is not taught by the passage under consideration.

Salvation as a Gift of Grace

The Greek word translated “gives” is a present tense form. In simple terms, what that means is that what Jesus was talking about was happening at the very moment He was speaking about it. They were not given to Christ in eternity past before they were born. They were being given at that moment.

Every time a sinner accepts the free gift of salvation, making his or her own decision to do so, is being given to Christ by the Father. The Father does not have to give them to Jesus and Jesus does not have to accept them. Trusting in Christ does not merit being given by the Father or being received by Jesus. This happens because He is a God of grace.

Conclusion: The Father’s Grace and Your Choice

Your salvation is not a “settled fact” before you even hear the Gospel, based on some mysterious “election” of God. It is not a forgone conclusion. It is a matter of trusting in Jesus and making the decision to follow Him. If you do that, you are given to Jesus by the Father. Your decision to receive and trust Christ has no merit in and of itself. Faith accomplishes nothing by itself. It is faith in Christ that matters.

Therefore, it is not just the fact that you are believing, but that the Father has decided that if you believe, He will give you to Jesus. It is the Father’s grace and goodness that causes Him to give you to Jesus. We do not deserve it even if we have faith. That is the point of what Jesus was saying, as well as the fact that He was sent by the Father and He represented the Father.

When we read the word “gives,” said by Jesus, we should be mindful of the fact that the scriptures teach that salvation is a free gift of God. It is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The very fact that He would speak of something being given means that it is a gift.

And if you are at all acquainted, even on an elementary level, with what the Bible teaches about the free gift of salvation, then you know it is a gift that can be accepted or rejected. You make that choice. I make that choice. We receive the gift on the giver’s terms. Calvinism/Reformed Theology is simply not true.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE POWERFUL WORD

“The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edge sword” (Heb. 4:12). The word of God works in our lives. When we read it, when we meditate on it, reflect on it, the direction that it gives takes us to the foot of cross to focus on the person of Jesus Christ. Through the Bible, we will become aware that God has made Himself known completely through His revelation.

This written revelation of God is the most important document in the world. The sacred volume—the Holy Bible—is a book unlike any other. It requires us to be honest with ourselves, to focus on Christ and trust only in what He has done. It leads us in the way that is right. We cannot save ourselves, but we can accept the salvation that comes from God.

The Word of God gives direction to our lives. Psalm 119:105 says that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The word is given to direct us. To lead us. Our lives need direction, and God has given it to us.

God’s word is found in the Bible. He communicates to us through His Son and His Son communicates to us through the words of Scripture. So knowing the Bible and thinking about the Bible and reflecting on the Bible for the purpose of knowing Jesus better is something that all Christians should participate in.

Because all of these things are true, take the time to be holy before the Lord. Take time to meditate on His word. Read it and think about the things He has done for us and given us. He has promised to be with us all the way.

There is no way that we can overestimate the important role that the Word of God plays in the healing of our soul. You cannot live for God separate and apart from a knowledge of His will. And His will is found in His word. So believe that God has given us a book that is powerful, that can change our lives. Focus on reading the book the way that it is supposed to be read—to know, love and follow Jesus.

       Bryan Dewayne Dunaway