CHRIST FORMED WITHIN

God’s purpose for us is not only that we be forgiven, but that Christ be formed within. Salvation is the beginning of a far greater journey—the shaping of the soul into the likeness of the Savior. The Father’s desire is not just to make us better, but to make us His. Paul wrote with holy yearning, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). This is the mystery of the Christian life—not us trying to be like Him, but Him living in us, expressing His life through clay vessels.

This forming comes through the Cross. The Cross is not only the place where Christ died for us; it is where we die with Him. It is where pride is broken, where self-will is surrendered, and where our hearts are emptied so His Spirit can fill them. Each time we yield our way for His way, His image grows clearer in us. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The Cross is not the end of life—it is the beginning of His life in us.

Christ in us is the secret to all fruitfulness. Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But when we abide in Him, His love flows through us like living water. Our words become softer, our service becomes purer, and our hearts begin to reflect His patience and peace. We do not strain to bear fruit; we simply stay near the Vine, and His life produces what our effort never could. The more we rest in His presence, the more His beauty begins to shine through.

This is the true work of grace—not achievement, but transformation. God’s goal is not to make us famous, but faithful. Not powerful in the eyes of men, but pure in the sight of Heaven. Day by day, the Holy Spirit shapes us, often quietly, through trials, tears, and tender mercies, until the life of Christ is seen. And when that happens, heaven touches earth. The fragrance of His life fills our days, and the world sees not us, but Him who lives within.

Lord Jesus,

Let Your life be formed within me. Shape my heart to mirror Yours. Teach me to yield where I once resisted, to love where I once judged, to trust where I once feared. May the Cross do its holy work in me until pride is broken and Your peace reigns. Let my life be a reflection of Your gentleness and strength. Abide in me as the Vine in the branch. Let Your words find a home in my heart, and let Your Spirit breathe through my days. When I am weak, be my strength. When I am silent, speak through me. When I am still, fill me. And when I stand before You at last, may the world have seen not me, but You living in me.

Amen.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE SPIRIT WHO GIVES LIFE

The Spirit of God has always been moving—hovering over the waters in the beginning, breathing life into creation, whispering truth through prophets, and filling hearts with holy fire. From Genesis to Revelation, His presence marks the heartbeat of God’s work among men. Wherever the Spirit moves, death yields to life, despair gives way to hope, and dry ground blossoms again.

In the Old Testament, we see the Spirit at work in promise and power. The prophets spoke of His coming as rain upon the wilderness. Isaiah said, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isaiah 11:2). Ezekiel heard God say, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27). Joel declared, “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). The same breath that hovered over the deep in creation now enters the hearts of the redeemed in new creation.

Few scenes portray this better than Ezekiel’s vision in the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1–14). The prophet stands amid lifeless remains—symbols of a people without hope. Yet when God commands him to speak, the bones begin to rattle, the sinews stretch, the flesh returns, and finally the breath of God fills them. What was once dead stands alive, an army raised by the Spirit’s breath. So it is with every believer who receives the Spirit of Christ. We who were dead in sin are made alive unto God, not by effort, but by the indwelling breath of Heaven.

In the New Testament, the promise becomes personal. Jesus calls the Spirit a Helper, Teacher, and Comforter (John 14:26). He guided first century men into all truth (John 16:13). Today, He fills us with divine love (Romans 5:5), and empowers us to live and share Christ boldly, in principle the way He did the apostles of Christ (Acts 1:8). Paul reminds us that we are temples of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), that the Spirit intercedes when words fail (Romans 8:26), and that His fruit is love, joy, peace, and all that reflects the life of Christ (Galatians 5:22–23). The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in us to produce holiness and strength.

Discipleship without the Spirit becomes labor without life. But when the Spirit fills us, the Christian walk ceases to be duty and becomes delight. The Spirit does not make us perfect overnight, but He makes us alive. And in that life, Christ is formed within. Let us yield daily to His quiet leading, letting His wind blow through every thought and desire, until our hearts echo the faith of Ezekiel’s valley: “Thus says the Lord God…I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live.”

Holy Spirit of Christ, breathe upon me again. Move within the dry valleys of my heart and make them green with Your life. Teach me to walk in Your ways, to love as Christ loved, and to live in constant fellowship with You. May every word I speak and every step I take bear the fruit of Your presence. Fill me, renew me, and make me a vessel through whom the breath of Heaven flows. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bryan Dewayne Dunaway

THE TERRIBLE END OF TURNING BACK

If one believes the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” as it is often taught, then the words of Peter in his second letter make no sense at all. For Peter writes of those who “have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” but are “again entangled in them and overcome” (2 Peter 2:20). He does not say they almost escaped, or that they pretended to. He says they escaped. That is the language of salvation—of deliverance and cleansing through Christ. Yet they turned back.

Peter goes further: “The latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2 Peter 2:20–21). If these were never truly saved, why would it be worse for them afterward? How can it be worse to fall from something you never possessed? Only the one who has truly known Christ, and then turned away from Him, fits this warning. Their condemnation is deeper because their rejection is deliberate. They have despised the grace that once rescued them.

Those who teach that no Christian can ever fall away remove the force of Peter’s warning. They must say, “These people were never saved,” though the text says they “escaped the pollutions of the world” and “knew the way of righteousness.” The Bible does not warn hypocrites of becoming worse; it warns believers of departing from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1). Such warnings have no meaning if apostasy is impossible.

Peter’s solemn conclusion is clear: “It has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’” (2 Peter 2:22). These are not unconverted dogs or unwashed sows—they have been cleansed, but have gone back. Grace was offered, cleansing received, but sin reclaimed them. It is a dreadful truth, yet a merciful warning. The believer must walk humbly and faithfully, lest the heart grow cold and the old nature return. For to turn from Christ after knowing Him is to choose darkness after seeing the light—and that darkness is indeed greater than before.

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FALLING AWAY AND THE WILLFUL HEART

The Bible leaves no honest reader in doubt that it is possible for one who has truly come to Christ to fall away through persistent rebellion. Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks not of mere professors of religion, but of those who “were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit.” These are not casual hearers—they have known the grace of God. Yet the passage warns that if such a person “falls away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.” The impossibility is not because God’s mercy has run dry, but because they have hardened their hearts through continual defiance. They persist in the very sin that nailed Christ to the cross.

This same truth is echoed in Hebrews 10:26-27: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment.” The writer is not describing a stumble or a moment of weakness, but a settled, deliberate turning away from the Savior. Such sin is “willful”—a conscious choice to reject the very grace that once brought salvation. These are believers who have received the truth, yet choose darkness. The Spirit has pleaded, the Word has warned, and still they continue in rebellion.

Both passages paint one solemn picture: the believer who once stood in the light but now closes his eyes to it. The impossibility of renewal lies not in God’s unwillingness to forgive, but in man’s refusal to repent. God’s arm is not shortened, but the hardened heart no longer responds. Just as Pharaoh hardened his heart against repeated mercy, so these persist in crucifying Christ afresh—mocking His grace and despising His call. To live in willful rebellion is to silence repentance itself.

The message of Hebrews is plain. We do not accidentally lose salvation; we forfeit it through persistent sin and conscious rejection. Salvation is not fragile, but neither is it careless. The Christian life must be guarded and nourished with obedience and faith. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). The way to remain safe is to remain near the cross—to keep the heart tender, the conscience pure, and the will surrendered to the Lord who loved us and gave Himself for us.

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THEY WENT OUT FROM US

Many have taken John’s words—“They went out from us, but they were not of us” (1 John 2:19)—to mean that every person who falls away was never truly saved. But the Bible shows that this verse does not describe all Christians who stumble or depart. John was speaking of false apostles and deceivers who denied that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:22). They were never part of the true fellowship of the faith. They did not lose salvation; they had never embraced the gospel’s truth from the heart.

When John wrote, the church was troubled by antichrists—those who claimed divine knowledge while rejecting the Lord’s authority. Their departure revealed their nature. They “went out” because their message was not of God. Yet this is very different from a believer who has tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then falls away (Hebrews 6:4-6). That tragedy is not about false apostles, but about true converts who turn back from grace.

The New Testament repeatedly warns genuine believers to continue steadfast in the faith (Colossians 1:23), to make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10), and to take heed lest they fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). Why would such warnings exist if a believer could never fall? The Bible does not say that every deserter was a hypocrite from the start—it says that some truly believed and then departed from the living God through an evil heart of unbelief (Hebrews 3:12).

So John’s statement in 1 John 2:19 applies narrowly to those who were never truly part of Christ’s body—the deceivers who opposed His truth. It does not erase the many passages that call Christians to endurance, repentance, and faithful abiding. Salvation is real, and so is the danger of falling. Let us therefore walk humbly with Christ, keeping our hearts close to His word, for “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

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IF YOU WANT TO GET TECHNICAL ABOUT IT (“Once Saved, Always Saved”)

There are moments when a believer must pause, breathe deeply, and look straight into the Scriptures with an honest heart. The truth is never afraid of inspection. The gospel does not tremble beneath the weight of sincere questions. And when we ask whether a real child of God can fall from grace, the Bible does not answer with riddles or shadows. It answers with people. It answers with names written in the holy story. Judas Iscariot, once chosen and empowered, stepped into darkness. Simon of Samaria believed, obeyed, and then drifted. Ananias and Sapphira were part of the fellowship, yet cut short in judgment. The man in Corinth walked with the saints, then was handed to Satan because of persistent sin. Hymenaeus and Alexander were shipwrecked concerning the faith. These are not parables. They are living witnesses that the Christian life must be kept with humility, vigilance, and a heart anchored in Christ.

Some might say the case of Judas is complex, but his story shines with a hard clarity. Jesus chose him. Jesus sent him. Judas preached. Judas held the moneybag. Judas ate the bread and walked the road and heard the voice that raised the dead. And in the breaking of that fellowship, Jesus still called him “friend.” There is a solemn tenderness there, a reminder that proximity to Christ is no substitute for a heart surrendered to Him. When we follow the text without forcing it to fit a system, we see what is plainly written. Judas turned away from the Light he once walked beside. It is Scripture, not imagination.

Simon’s story stands beside Judas like a twin pillar. Acts says he believed. Acts says he was baptized. Acts says he continued with Philip. Luke uses the same language for Simon that he uses for every other convert in Samaria. His fall was not from ignorance but from pride. And when Peter rebuked him, he did not tell him to be baptized again or to “start over.” He told him to repent, because a believer can step off the path and must be called back through repentance and prayer. This is not harsh. This is mercy reaching through the fog.

And then there is that fearful but holy phrase, delivered to Satan. It appears when believers drift into dangerous sin. It means removal from the shelter of the church, the lifting of protection, the exposure of the wandering soul to the consequences of rebellion so that repentance might yet awaken the heart. It is discipline, not destruction. It is sorrow from the shepherd’s staff, not a sword from an enemy’s hand. Even here the Father is calling, pleading, longing for His children to return.

If you want to get technical, this view is not new. It is not narrow. It is not the product of a small corner of Christianity. It was held almost unanimously by the early church. It has been preached by saints, scholars, reformers, revivalists, and the simple faithful through the ages. It is the heritage of Orthodox believers, Catholic believers, Wesleyan believers, holiness believers, Restoration believers, and millions more. Only a small stream within the Reformed tradition insists otherwise. That does not make them evil, but it does remind us that the belief that one must continue in faith to remain in grace is not an oddity. It is the river the church has long sailed upon.

Truth does not depend on how many embrace it, but it comforts the seeker to know that he walks an ancient path. The warnings of Scripture are not meant to terrify the saints. They are meant to guard them. To keep them. To call them. To remind them that salvation is a living relationship with a living Christ. The Lord who saves us is the Lord who keeps us as we abide in Him. So let the technical minds study the texts and trace the history. The message remains simple and clear. Stay close to Jesus. Keep your heart soft. Walk in the light. And trust the grace that not only saves but shepherds us all the way home.

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Note:

Most Christians throughout history and around the world have not held to Once Saved Always Saved.

Here is the broad consensus across the centuries:

• The early church fathers (1st-3rd centuries) almost unanimously taught that believers could fall away.

• The Eastern Orthodox Church rejects OSAS.

• The Roman Catholic Church rejects OSAS.

• The majority of Anglican, Methodist, and Wesleyan traditions reject OSAS.

• Most Holiness, Pentecostal, Restoration Movement, and Churches of Christ reject OSAS.

• Even many Lutherans reject eternal security in the Calvinistic sense.

Only a portion of the Reformed world (and later Baptist traditions influenced by them) holds to an unconditional eternal security doctrine.

Most Christians past and present do not hold to OSAS.

FALLING FROM GRACE: BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

Some argue that no one in the New Testament ever truly fell from grace, but the Bible presents examples that prove otherwise. Consider Judas Iscariot. He was chosen by Christ, walked with Him daily, witnessed His miracles, and was entrusted with the bag of money among the apostles. Yet we read, “Now he was numbered among the twelve, and he went to the chief priests to betray Him” (Matthew 26:14).

Jesus warned of Judas, “The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” (Luke 22:22). Judas, though once with Christ, ended in darkness, “And after the food, Satan entered into him” (Luke 22:3), showing that he turned entirely to the side of the adversary.

Judas Iscariot was not a stranger to the grace and presence of Christ. He was chosen by the Lord Himself—“Did I not choose you, the twelve?” (John 6:70). He was sent out with the others to preach, heal, and cast out demons (Matthew 10:1-8), which no unbeliever could do apart from the power of God working through him. He sat at the same table, heard the same teaching, and partook of the same ministry as Peter and John.

When the Lord washed the disciples’ feet, Judas’ feet were washed too (John 13:5). He was entrusted with the treasury (John 12:6), a mark of confidence and belonging within the group. Yet though he once walked in the light, he turned away from it. Jesus’ sorrowful words, “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50), show that Judas had shared true fellowship before his fall.

Simon of Samaria stands as a solemn reminder that even one who has believed, obeyed, and been baptized can fall from grace if he turns his heart away from God. The Bible says, “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done” (Acts 8:13). The language leaves no doubt—Simon believed and was baptized. He entered into the same covenant as the other converts of Samaria. He was in Christ.

But soon after, temptation crept in. When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:18–19). His motives became corrupt. The love of power rose above the love of God. Peter’s rebuke was stern and sobering: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God” (Acts 8:20–21).

Simon was not told to be baptized again. His baptism had been genuine. He was not told to “believe again,” as though he had never believed. He was told, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22). Baptism brings one into Christ, but repentance and prayer keep the believer in right fellowship with God. Simon was a baptized believer who fell into sin. He was warned that he stood in danger of perishing unless he repented.

Peter’s words were not theoretical. “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity” (Acts 8:23). The chains of sin can bind even one who has known the grace of God, if the heart grows proud or careless. Yet mercy was still extended to him—the door of repentance was open. “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon pleaded (Acts 8:24).

His story reminds every believer that the Christian life must be guarded with humility and repentance. Salvation is not a past event only, but a living relationship that must be nourished and protected. Simon fell, but his fall warns us to keep our hearts right before God, to turn quickly from sin, and to pray earnestly for forgiveness. The same grace that received him in baptism was still reaching for him in repentance.

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11) provide another striking example. They were members of the early church, yet they lied to the Holy Spirit and were struck dead. Peter says, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” (Acts 5:9). This demonstrates that even those within the fellowship of the Spirit can be removed for deliberate sin, showing a serious breach with God’s saving grace.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts a man living in sexual immorality with his father’s wife. Paul commands, “Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). This man had been part of the church, part of the community of the faithful. Yet he was removed from fellowship and exposed to the influence of the enemy. If he had not once been one of those in Christ, Paul would not have had to deliver him to Satan. He would have already belonged to Satan. Of course this is a figure of speech, but the reality behind it remains. He was saved, and he was living in sin, therefore he was lost. The disciplinary action Paul demanded was to bring him back to the fold by refusing to fellowship him until he repented.

Being “delivered to Satan” does not mean eternal condemnation in that moment; rather, it signifies removal from the protection and blessing of the church, allowing the consequences of sin and the reality of Satan’s influence to bring the person to repentance—or, tragically, to final destruction if repentance is refused. It is a sober demonstration that someone who has been on the side of truth can be exposed to judgment and spiritual danger through persistent sin.

Finally, consider Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20). Paul says, “Whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” These men were once instructed in the faith, yet they became shipwrecked in regard to the faith (1 Timothy 1:19). They illustrate clearly that genuine believers, if they abandon truth, can fall away and face severe consequences, including ultimate separation from God.

Again, when Paul or the Lord “delivered someone to Satan,” it is not a casual statement. It is the withdrawal of God’s protective hand and the exposure of the individual to the natural and spiritual consequences of sin. The phrase indicates that the person is removed from the fellowship and protection of the church, left to confront the reality of rebellion and the deceiver’s influence. The intent, however, is redemptive if repentance occurs—“that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Persistent refusal, however, reveals the tragic outcome: falling completely away from grace.

The New Testament clearly presents real examples of those who were once among the people of God but ultimately fell away: Judas Iscariot, Simon the sorcerer, the man in 1 Corinthians 5, Hymenaeus and Alexander. These passages show that salvation is not a guaranteed, irrevocable status independent of faith, repentance, and obedience. God’s grace is abundant, but the Bible warns believers to remain steadfast, watchful, and faithful, for those who stray can indeed fall under judgment and be “delivered to Satan.”

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THE CALL TO OBEDIENCE: WALKING DAILY IN THE WILL OF THE FATHER

The message of the Lord is plain, simple, and perfectly clear, though it pierces the soul like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). There is nothing hidden in this calling, and nothing in human cleverness can twist it. Jesus declared, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). It is a truth that leaves no room for idle profession, for superficial faith, or for a name that merely sounds like devotion. The heart must be engaged, the soul surrendered, the life conformed to His Word (James 1:22).

The pathway of obedience is neither casual nor sporadic. “Whoever loves Me will keep My words, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him” (John 14:23). There is intimacy with God in obedience; it is the evidence of a living faith. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there will My servant be also” (John 12:26). The follower walks in the same light as Christ, not in darkness, and the presence of the Lord is a guiding fire through every shadow (1 John 1:7).

Faithfulness is a daily call. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Every choice, every thought, every action matters before God, The life of faith is active and visible; it cannot be hidden under the guise of words alone. “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3).

The Lord calls His people to vigilance and endurance. “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). The temptations of pride, pleasure, and ease are constant, but the Spirit equips the believer to persevere. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Each trial is a refining fire, and each obedience in the midst of difficulty produces the gold of Christlike character (1 Peter 1:6-7).

There is a divine seriousness in these commands, and yet a richness in the promise. “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). The faithful life is not a burden; it is the path to joy, to communion with the Lord, and to eternal reward. “Let us run with endurance the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2). The Shepherd who leads us is merciful, tender, and unerring.

Obedience is also the measure of discernment. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter, but he who does the will of My Father” (Matthew 7:21). There is a faith that is empty and a profession that deceives. The Bible warns that many will be shocked at the judgment because they “thought” salvation rested in words alone (Matthew 7:22–23). The Lord looks at the heart, and the heart reveals itself through the life it produces (Luke 6:45).

The pathway of the disciple is marked by steadfast love, service, and perseverance. “Do not be weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). Our labor is not in vain when it is offered to the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). The believer abides in Christ by obeying, loving, and walking in the light of His Word, for “he who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).

Faithfulness is not only duty—it is delight. “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). The joy of obedience, the sweetness of walking in His paths, and the peace of resting under His care are the rewards of those who truly call Him Lord (Psalm 16:11; Romans 14:17). Every act of obedience, every sacrifice, every small act of faith strengthens the soul and demonstrates that we belong to Him (1 John 3:24).

The Christian life is therefore simple and profound. Listen, obey, endure, and abide. “He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be My son” (Revelation 21:7). The path is marked clearly in the Word of God. There is no hidden mystery, only the daily, faithful walk with Christ, which begins in hearing Him, continues in following Him, and culminates in the joy of eternal life in His presence (Romans 8:14–17).

Beloved, the call is plain: do the will of the Father. Let every step, word, and deed be measured by the Word of God. Be faithful, persevere, obey, love, endure. This is the life of the sheep, the true follower, the disciple whose heart is known by the Lord. Nothing is more certain, nothing more beautiful, and nothing more rewarding than walking with Christ in the simplicity of His truth (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 2:3–6; Hebrews 12:1–2).

Father, draw my heart into the quiet place where Your will becomes my desire. Teach me to walk in the paths You have marked, to trust the wisdom of Your hand, and to obey You with a love that flows from the cross of Your Son. Let my steps honor You today. Let my thoughts rest in You. Lead me, Lord, and I will follow. Amen.

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HIS SHEEP FOLLOW HIM

“My sheep hear My voice, and they follow after Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” The Lord speaks, and His sheep recognize it. His voice rises above the clamor of the world, tender and compelling, calling the heart to trust, to obey, to move. To follow Him is not a single act of decision, but a daily, sustained walking in His ways. The Greek word translated “follow,” conveys a continuous action, a committed, step-by-step discipleship (John 10:27–28).

Hearing His voice draws the believer into life that is both joyful and disciplined. The call of Christ is persistent, inviting His sheep to walk closely beside Him, to be attentive to His guidance at every turn. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me daily” (Matthew 16:24). “He who desires to follow Me must deny himself, and keep on bearing his cross each day” (Luke 9:23). True following is active and enduring, a life of dependence and obedience, not mere profession.

To serve Christ is to remain near Him, to move in His presence, and to align one’s steps with His path. “If anyone serves Me, let him walk behind Me, and where I am, there will My servant be also” (John 12:26). The security of the sheep rests in the Shepherd, yet the call to follow remains. Following Him is a sustained journey, lived moment by moment, guided by His Spirit, and marked by love and faithfulness.

Even when the storms of life press upon the heart, the sheep continue to follow because they are drawn, not dragged. They remain close to the Shepherd, listening and responding. The life of a believer is one of continual movement toward Christ, not static assurance. The Lord leads, and His sheep move with Him, step by step, abiding in His voice, trusting His care, walking daily in obedience and love (Psalm 23:1–3; Hebrews 12:1–2; 1 Peter 2:21).

Following Christ is a lifelong path. The sheep hear His voice, and they follow—not once, but continually. This is the joy and privilege of belonging to Him: the ongoing, living relationship in which every step is taken in faith, every choice guided by His hand, every day an opportunity to abide in Him and walk in His ways (John 10:27–28).

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ACCESS TO GOD

Dear believer, step quietly now into the holy of holies. Come—not in fear, but in awe. The veil has been torn. The way has been opened. The very presence of God, once veiled and distant, is now your dwelling place through Jesus Christ our Lord. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19–20).

Through His suffering and His shed blood, Jesus did what no high priest under the old covenant could ever do. The priests of old came trembling once a year, with fear in their eyes and blood on their hands. They stood for a moment before the mercy seat, offering sacrifice first for their own sins and then for the people’s (Hebrews 9:7). They never lingered. The work was never finished. The veil always hung there as a reminder—thus far and no farther.

But when Christ cried out upon the cross, “It is finished,” the veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). The hand of heaven did what no man could do—it opened the way for all who believe. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). Do you realize what that means? You may come into His presence at any hour, not because of your merit, but because of His mercy.

Think of it: under the old covenant, a man removed his sandals before a burning bush because the ground was holy (Exodus 3:5). Holiness then meant distance. Approach was dangerous. But in Christ, holiness means nearness—because the Holy One Himself has come near to us. What was once separation is now communion. The covenant of law kept man at a distance; the covenant of grace brings man to the very heart of God.

When we open the pages of the New Testament, what do we see? No longer a temple of stone and sacrifice, but believers meeting in homes, breaking bread, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubt. They are calling God “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). The language of fear has been replaced with the language of family. The Father’s house is no longer guarded by curtains and cherubim—it is open to every redeemed soul who comes through the Son.

Why such a shift? Access to God. That is the wonder of the Gospel. Bought and paid for—not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18–19). Grace itself has become the one who leads us in. He is the Servant who takes us by the hand and brings us before the throne of mercy. He invites us to sit by the fountains of living water, to drink deeply, to rest in His finished work.

If I may put it this way—He is not merely the guide; He is the gift. He does not just lead us to God; He is the presence of God among us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He is Emmanuel—God with us.

Imagine this in the language of the ordinary. Suppose you wanted to visit the library but were too sick to leave your home. What if the library itself came to you? Years ago, Elvis Presley no longer wished to record in the studio, so RCA brought the studio to him—right into the Jungle Room of Graceland. They built the means around him, to reach him where he was.

So it is with grace. We had no power to climb the hill of God. We were too weak, too far gone. But He brought the holy place to us. “Christ entered once for all into the Most Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). He entered to bring heaven down to the hearts of men.

That is what it means to have access to God. Not that we rise to Him, but that He descends to us. Not that we bridge the gap, but that He became the bridge. He brings the holy of holies into our very souls. The mercy seat is no longer behind a curtain—it is within the believer’s heart, sanctified by His Spirit.

To know this access is to worship with wonder. It is to cease striving and to rest in the reality of His finished work. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand” (Romans 5:1–2).

When you pray, you are not shouting toward heaven. You are speaking to One who abides within you. When you worship, you are not trying to reach Him—He has reached you. When you lift your heart in praise, the Spirit Himself lifts it higher still.

Let your soul enter into that holy stillness. Take your shoes off, for you are on holy ground. But this time, the ground is not a desert, and the fire is not one that burns the bush. It is the fire of the Spirit that burns within the believer’s heart. The veil is gone. The door stands open. The invitation remains: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

So come—into the holy of holies. Come through His flesh. Come by His blood. Come as one who has been invited, not as one intruding. Sit at His feet. Drink of His Spirit. Rest in His grace.

The presence of God is not far away. It has come to dwell within you. That is the glory of the Gospel. That is access to God.

Lord Jesus, You have opened the way. You tore the veil with Your own hands and brought the holy of holies into my heart. I come to You now, not as one worthy, but as one washed. You are my access, my peace, my nearness to God. Teach me to live with the awareness that You are here—that heaven itself has drawn near through You.

Let me never again treat Your presence as distant. Let me draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. Keep me humble, grateful, and still before You. When I pray, remind me that I stand already within the mercy seat. When I worship, let the melody of my soul rise from the altar You have sanctified within me.

Thank You, Lord, for bringing God to me. Thank You for being the living way through the veil. Let Your presence be my dwelling and Your love my song forever.

Amen.

BDD

WILL YOUR PETS BE IN HEAVEN?

Believing that you will see your pets again contradicts nothing in the Bible. Don’t let someone’s legalism take away a thought that brings you comfort. Yet we will consider this carefully from a biblical perspective.

The Bible does not tell us directly whether our beloved pets will be in heaven. Yet it gives us enough light to hope, enough truth to comfort, and enough wisdom to rest in the goodness of God. We do not know all that awaits us beyond the veil, but we know this — when we see Jesus, that will be enough. Every longing will be fulfilled in Him. Every sorrow will fade in His presence. The aching question of who or what will be there will dissolve in the joy of the One who is there.

Still, it is not wrong to wonder. Creation itself bears the marks of God’s artistry and compassion. The same Lord who noticed a sparrow’s fall (Matthew 10:29) and made a covenant with “every living creature” after the flood (Genesis 9:10) does not forget the work of His hands. The Bible says that “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” and that “the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21–22). That promise reaches beyond humanity—it speaks of a world redeemed from decay. Nothing that was defiled by sin will remain defiled forever. What God pronounced “very good” in the beginning will not end in ruin.

If the Lord intends to make all things new (Revelation 21:5), we should not be surprised if His renewal touches every corner of His creation. We cannot claim to know that our pets will be there, but we may trust that nothing good, nothing pure, nothing that reflects His gentle heart, will be lost. The imagery of peace in the prophets, though pointing to the reign of Christ in His church, still hints at the deep harmony God will one day restore. The wolf and the lamb may not graze together in a literal meadow, but the symbol tells us something real: the curse will be reversed, and the chaos of sin will be silenced.

Heaven will be home, not foreign ground. The Lord who wipes away all tears does not erase holy affections; He redeems them. If our Father saw fit to bless us with creatures that brought joy, loyalty, and companionship here, then whatever awaits us in His new creation will not be less beautiful or less kind. Whether we see those same creatures again is hidden from us, but the heart of God is not hidden. We know His love. We trust His promise.

So let your hope rest not merely in seeing your pet again, but in seeing Christ face to face. In that moment, you will lack nothing. And if, in His goodness, He chooses to fill eternity with familiar friends who once ran at your side, it will be only one more proof that His mercy endures forever.

BDD

SAVED IN CHRIST, KEPT BY FAITH

There is a dangerous comfort in the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” It whispers to the soul that once we have prayed a prayer, said a creed, or walked an aisle, our salvation is guaranteed no matter the path we tread afterward. Yet the Scriptures tell a different story, a story of a Savior who calls His children to ongoing faith, obedience, and repentance.

The psalmist cries, “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works” (Psalm 73:28). Notice, it is the ongoing act of drawing near and trusting that matters. Faith is not a static moment; it is a living relationship. Grace is not a one-time gift to be banked, but a continual outflow of God’s life into our souls.

Consider the warning of our Lord: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). There is a temporal aspect here, a calling to perseverance. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says plainly, “Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Faith is not a label; it is a life marked by fruit, obedience, and endurance.

There is a false security that lulls the believer into complacency. Christ’s sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and the true sheep are kept by the Shepherd, not by their own fleeting promises. This is not salvation earned by works, but salvation lived in Christ, a faith that moves, perseveres, and clings to Him.

The believer is not merely saved at a point in time but is being saved, kept in the fellowship and life of Christ. The apostle Peter writes, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10). Here is the paradox: we are saved by grace, yet we are called to vigilance, diligence, and holiness. Grace secures, but faith must respond continually.

The Bible overflows with this tension. Hebrews 3:12 warns, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.” Revelation 2 and 3 are letters to churches, calling them to repent or face the risk of losing their reward. True salvation bears continuity, not mere profession.

Logic, too, confirms what Scripture teaches. If salvation required only a single moment of faith, there would be no need for exhortations, warnings, or commands. God would not urge perseverance, holiness, or obedience if His grace once applied could never be forfeited. The very existence of warnings implies that salvation can be resisted, neglected, or abandoned. The gospel invites a living trust, a faith that continues in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Beloved, do not rest in a false security. Our hope is not in the fleeting assurance of a past prayer, but in the present, abiding relationship with Christ. He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep; we are kept, yes, but kept as we follow, trust, obey, and remain in Him. The life of Christ within us is not dormant. It grows, it calls, it sanctifies. It bears fruit that lasts.

So let us take courage. Let us take up the call of vigilance, the pursuit of holiness, the daily reliance on grace. Let us not deceive ourselves with a cheap security, but rejoice in the profound truth that Christ keeps those who abide in Him—and that abiding is a continual, faithful turning of the heart toward our Savior.

BDD

FAITHFUL, NOT PERFECT

There is a great difference between being perfect and being faithful, and every heart knows it. The Bible never asks for perfection in the flesh, but it does require faithfulness of the heart. We all understand that difference. A man may not be a perfect husband, but he can be a faithful one. He may speak too sharply, forget an anniversary, or fail in many small ways, yet he loves his wife and will not betray her. His heart is hers. Everyone knows that this is possible. Then why should it be thought impossible to remain faithful to Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives?

A man can choose to keep faith with his mate, his country, his calling, or his friends. He can decide to be loyal, and he can remain loyal. Every soldier who has stood under fire, every friend who has stood by another in hardship, proves that faithfulness is not beyond our reach. It is not perfection that God requires, but devotion. No one is a perfect mate, but some are faithful mates. No one is a perfect Christian, but some are faithful disciples. The Lord is not looking for flawless performance—He is seeking steadfast hearts. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

The Bible is full of this balance. It speaks in stereo to both ears at once. In one ear, we hear the warnings: “Do not trifle with God. Do not play with your soul. Be serious and diligent.” The Bible warns us that “if we live according to the flesh, we will die; but if by the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body, we will live” (Romans 8:13). That warning is not for the world but for the believer. Yet in the other ear, we hear the assurance: “Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ” (Romans 8:38–39). “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him with His hand” (Psalm 37:23–24). Both messages are true, and both are needed. One keeps us humble, the other keeps us hopeful.

The security of the believer is not found in a man-made doctrine—it is found in a living Christ. When Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me, and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:27–28), He described a living, continual relationship. His sheep are not those who merely believed once, but those who keep following. The promise “they shall never perish” is given to those who continue to hear and follow. The security is not in a theological formula, but in the Shepherd Himself.

If you follow Him, you will never perish. If you walk in His Spirit, you are safe. When you stumble, He lifts you up. When you grow weary, He strengthens you. But if you turn away willfully and walk no more with Him, you step out of the light. The hand that holds you will never let go—but you must remain in that hand. God has not made faithfulness an impossibility. He has made it a choice. You can choose to love Christ. You can decide to be faithful to Him. Every day, your heart may say again, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

Christ is the security of the believer. When you stop trying to rest in a doctrine of men and begin resting in the Lord Himself, you will find a deeper peace than any system can offer. Doctrines cannot hold you, but Christ can. The Savior who died for you will live in you, and the Spirit who sealed you will keep you. Your part is to keep your heart loyal. His part is to keep your soul safe. “He is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24).

So do not fear that salvation will slip away in the night. The Lord does not cast away His people. But neither should you presume upon His grace. Stay close. Stay tender. Stay faithful. For faithfulness is not perfection—it is love that will not leave. Christ brings all the security your soul will ever need. Decide to love Him, and you will find that His love will hold you fast forever.

BDD

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

There are moments when you pause and just stare at a hand and realize it’s astonishing. The way the fingers bend, each joint perfectly placed, each tendon and muscle working in harmony—it’s the kind of mechanical choreography that would take a hundred drafts in a movie storyboard to even hint at.

And yet, here it is, effortlessly, naturally, alive. You don’t have to be a doctor to know that something this intricate didn’t just “happen.” You sense it, the way a filmgoer knows a scene has been meticulously framed, that every element belongs exactly where it is.

Look closer: the eye. It’s not a mere camera. It’s a lens, a light sensor, a processor, a projector, and a painter all at once. In a theater, you can marvel at special effects, CGI, a thousand technicians working to craft a single moment that feels real. And yet your eye does this every second, adjusting, focusing, perceiving color, depth, motion—performing in perfect harmony with the brain behind it, almost as if the universe itself whispered, “Let there be sight.”

Psalm 139:14 captures this in a line most of us rush past: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” The human eye, the orchestration of nerves, blood vessels, and light-sensitive cells—it all points to a Designer whose mind is beyond ours.

Even the rhythm of a heartbeat has a story to tell. You can hear it, or feel it if you pause long enough, and notice it is not random. It adapts to what you do, anticipates your needs, responds to tiny signals your conscious mind doesn’t even register. We should note that such order reflects a mind that cares about details, a Creator whose design is purposeful.

And you should nod at the poetry of it, the drama of life beating quietly inside your chest, unseen yet unmistakably alive. One could dissect every valve, every electrical impulse, every vascular pathway and still come away stunned at the elegance, the timing, the sheer precision.

And then there’s the mind. Language, memory, imagination, creativity—they can write symphonies, design skyscrapers, craft stories that move generations. Every thought, every dream, every flicker of insight points to more than evolution’s blind hand. There is authorship here, a wisdom far beyond the sum of neurons and synapses.

Romans 1:20 reminds us: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” When you look at your own reflection, touch your skin, feel the flexibility of your joints, hear the beat of your heart, or think a single coherent thought—you are witnessing the fingerprints of God. The human body is not just a marvel of biology; it is a mirror of divine artistry, a living, breathing argument for a Designer who made not only with skill, but with infinite care.

Lord, I stand in awe of the life You have woven in me. Every heartbeat, every thought, every movement reflects Your wisdom and care. Teach me to see Your hand in the ordinary, to marvel at Your design, and to live in gratitude for the gift of my body and mind. May I honor You in how I care for myself, in how I use my gifts, and in how I reflect Your creativity to the world. Let my life be a song of praise for the One who made me fearfully and wonderfully. Amen.

BDD

FROM SURFACE FAITH TO DEEP FELLOWSHIP

Many Christians live content with a surface faith, unaware that Christ desires more than polite acknowledgment or weekly attendance. He calls us to a life where His presence saturates our days, where every thought, every action, and every word flows from communion with Him. This is the kind of relationship Jesus described in John 15:4–5, where He says, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” The ordinary moments of life can become extraordinary when they are touched by His nearness.

Yet many believers are held back by distraction and habit. Like the Corinthians, who were baptized and called by God but still struggled with worldly desires (1 Corinthians 3:1–3), we often allow routines and responsibilities to crowd out intimacy with the Savior. The heart may belong to Him, yet it remains lukewarm, hesitant to press into the depth of relationship He offers. The riches of knowing Christ intimately are available, but they demand attentiveness and a willingness to listen, not just on Sundays but in the silence of our homes, the quiet of our work, and the stillness of our minds.

Jesus also warns that life apart from Him bears little lasting fruit. Apart from Him, we can labor in vain, striving for success, approval, or comfort, and still remain spiritually barren (John 15:6). The life He offers is not simply measured by outward conformity but by inward connection. Our spiritual growth is less about what we do for Him and more about how we let Him dwell in us and shape us from the inside out. True maturity comes when we allow His Spirit to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our affections, so that our lives reflect Him naturally and consistently.

The invitation to deeper fellowship with Jesus is always open. He longs for a heart fully devoted to Him, one that delights in His presence and trusts His guidance (Psalm 16:11). When we respond to His call, even the mundane becomes sacred, the ordinary is transformed, and the impossible becomes possible through His strength. A life lived in constant awareness of Him is a life marked by peace, joy, and steadfast love (Philippians 4:7). The Vine invites us to draw near, to remain, and to bear fruit that lasts—not for our glory, but for His eternal praise.

Lord Jesus, draw me closer to You today. Teach me to abide in Your presence, to listen for Your voice, and to rest in Your love. Take my distractions, my doubts, and my hesitations, and fill me with a longing for intimacy with You. Let every thought, every word, and every action flow from Your Spirit, so that my life may bear fruit that brings glory to Your name. Amen

BDD

WHAT IF YOU HAVE COMMITTED “THE UNPARDONABLE SIN”? (You Haven’t)

There are few words in the Bible more sobering than those of Jesus in Matthew 12:31–32. He said that every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, “but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” The context is vital. Jesus had just healed a man who was both blind and mute. The people were amazed, but the Pharisees, seeing what they could not deny, chose to attribute His power to Satan. They saw the Son of God in the flesh, performing a miracle by the Spirit of God, and yet with cold deliberation, they said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul.” This was no mere slip of the tongue. It was a hardened rejection of divine truth. It was calling the light darkness.

The word “blasphemy” in Greek means to slander or speak evil against. Jesus was saying that to knowingly attribute the work of the Spirit to the power of the devil was a sin of such rebellion that forgiveness would be impossible—not because God’s mercy was too small, but because such a heart would never seek it. The unpardonable sin, therefore, was not a moment of doubt or anger or even a careless word; it was the deliberate rejection of God’s truth when that truth had been fully revealed in Christ Himself.

No one living today can commit that sin in the same way the Pharisees did, for no one today sees Jesus in the flesh performing miracles. That moment in history cannot be repeated. Yet the principle still remains: any sin a person will not repent of becomes, in that sense, unpardonable. God will not forgive a sin that one refuses to confess or turn from. The only unforgivable sin is the persistent, willful rejection of the Holy Spirit’s call to repentance and faith in Christ.

Modern theological scholarship affirms this. Many scholars note that the “eternal sin” of Mark 3:29 (aiōnios hamartia in the Greek) was a unique act of rebellion against the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus. Murray J. Harris has observed that anyone who fears they may have committed the unpardonable sin shows by that very fear that they have not, for such sensitivity is the mark of a heart still open to God. Others remind us that since Christ no longer walks among us performing miracles, we cannot repeat that historical sin. What remains possible is the condition of the heart that refuses to repent.

The Bible gives us the response of grace. The apostle Paul said, “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy” (1 Timothy 1:13). He was forgiven because he turned to Christ in faith. If even Paul could be cleansed from blasphemy, then no sin is beyond the reach of grace. Every sin can be forgiven when it is confessed. Only the one who will not come to the cross is left unforgiven.

Therefore, no believer today should live under the shadow of fear that they have committed an unpardonable sin. If you grieve over your sin, if you desire forgiveness, if you long to be restored—then you have not committed it. The Spirit who convicts is the same Spirit who comforts. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. The mercy of God is greater than your past, stronger than your failures, and deeper than your fears.

The unpardonable sin was a deliberate rejection of the visible Christ, performed before the very eyes of those who knew better. That cannot happen again. But its warning still speaks: do not resist the Spirit of grace. Come to Him while the door is open. Confess freely and rest in the promise that “he who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” The power of forgiveness remains the same. The grace of Christ is still sufficient. And no one who truly desires His mercy will ever be turned away.

BDD

ABIDING IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS

There is so much that I cannot do. But this one thing I can—I can abide in Jesus. I can stay near to my Lord if I truly long to do so. I can walk with Him so closely that His presence becomes my very atmosphere. I can know Him, not as a distant King, but as the Beloved of my soul. He can be the One I think of when my eyes open each morning and the last thought before I drift into sleep. His name can become the sweetest sound my heart will ever hear. Such intimacy with Christ is not reserved for a chosen few; it belongs to every soul that desires Him more than the world.

When this becomes reality, He is not merely part of our lives—He is the center of them. Every decision bows to His will. Every ambition is filtered through His Word. His smile becomes our reward, and His displeasure our greatest grief. Our obedience flows not from duty, but from love. When we speak, His Spirit gives meaning to our words. When we act, His life directs our steps. The verdict of others, whether praise or scorn, matters little. Let them say what they will—“These people have been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

You will know Jesus as deeply as you desire. You will experience His closeness as strongly as you hunger for Him. You will have as much of Jesus as you truly want. Never forget this. The devil will tell you that such fellowship is impossible—that others may know Him so, but not you. Do not believe that lie. Surrender and desire open the door. Through these, you can walk with Christ as Paul did, and know the same holy fire that burned within him.

Jesus calls this life abiding. “Abide in Me,” He said (John 15:4). To abide is not to visit His presence occasionally, but to make His presence your dwelling place. Before we can speak of abiding, however, we must first speak of beginning—for this relationship is not the shallow faith of convenience. It is the deep union of a heart crucified with Christ. It is the very life Paul longed to see in the Galatians, who had begun in the Spirit but wandered into self-effort.

The Corinthians, too, though baptized and called “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2), were still babes in Christ. Paul said he could not speak to them as spiritual but as worldly (1 Corinthians 3:1). His letter was a gentle summons—Come higher. Leave behind your carnality. Live in the fullness of Jesus.

That call still echoes through the ages. It is Christ Himself whispering, “Abide in Me.” Not just on the mountaintop, but in the valley. Not just in joy, but in the secret sorrow. Not just in the moment of prayer, but through every breath. And as we do, the life of the Vine will flow through the branch—Christ in us, the hope of glory.

Lord Jesus, draw me nearer. Teach me what it means to abide in You. Let my heart find its home in Your presence and my strength in Your love. Take away every distraction that keeps me from Your side. Let Your life flow through mine, until others see not me, but You alone. Amen.

BDD

CHRIST THE EVERLASTING COVENANT

Long before the manger, God spoke through His prophet, saying, “I will give You as a covenant for the people” (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8). That was not the promise of parchment and ink, but the promise of a Person. Christ did not merely bring the covenant—He is the covenant. He came as God’s living vow to a fallen world. His blood became the seal of divine mercy, His cross the altar of everlasting grace (Matthew 26:28; Luke 22:20).

The covenant given through Moses was holy, yet it could not heal. It was written on stone, not on the heart (Exodus 24:7–8). It revealed sin but could not remove it (Romans 3:20). Every sacrifice under that system was a shadow, a temporary covering for the guilt it could never cleanse (Hebrews 10:4). Humanity’s weakness showed our need for something more—something greater than law, something living. God, in His mercy, promised a new covenant that would not be written by human hands but by His own Spirit upon human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–33).

When Jesus lifted the cup and said, “This is My blood of the new covenant,” heaven itself leaned near. Grace was no longer a prophecy—it was a Person (Matthew 26:28). The shadows vanished in the light of Calvary. The veil that had long stood between God and man was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).

Now, through His Spirit, that covenant lives within us. The law once engraved on stone is now written on tender hearts (Hebrews 10:16). The Holy Spirit leads, teaches, and empowers us to walk in the will of God (John 14:26; Romans 8:9–11). What once condemned now transforms. What once demanded obedience now inspires love.

Christ is not only the giver of this covenant—He is its mediator and its guarantee. “He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). The priests of old stood daily offering sacrifices that could never cleanse the soul, but Jesus offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27). His perfect obedience became our righteousness (Romans 5:19). Our standing before God rests not in our striving, but in His finished work (Ephesians 2:8–9).

To live under this covenant is to live in freedom. No longer do we work to earn favor; we rest in the favor already given (Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:1). We are not laboring to become righteous—we are living from the righteousness of Christ. The Spirit within us shapes us day by day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

And one day, when faith becomes sight, we will see the fullness of this everlasting promise. The covenant sealed by blood will end in glory. “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (Revelation 21:3–4). The story that began at the cross will find its final chapter in eternity, where love reigns forever.

Lord Jesus, You are the covenant of grace and the promise of eternal life. Write Your love upon my heart until it beats in rhythm with Yours. Teach me to rest in what You have finished and to walk daily in the power of Your Spirit. Keep me faithful, grateful, and full of praise until I see You face to face. Amen.

BDD

IF YOU LOVE HIM

“If you love Me, you will obey My commands.” (John 14:15). Love for Jesus is not measured by words alone. It is not found merely in the songs we sing, the prayers we pray, or the emotions we feel. True love for Christ is revealed in a simple, childlike desire to do what He says. Obedience is the language of love. The one who truly loves Jesus will seek to please Him in all things—not out of fear or duty, but out of a heart that has been captivated by grace.

To accept Jesus as Savior is to accept Him as Lord. He cannot be divided. The One who saves us also rules us. When you receive Christ, you are saying, “You are my Master. My life belongs to You.” The Lordship of Christ is not a burden; it is freedom. His commands are not heavy chains, but keys that open the gates to joy. “His commandments are not burdensome,” John reminds us (1 John 5:3), because they lead to life, peace, and holiness.

Think of Jesus as your loving Lord—your Boss, yes, but one whose heart beats with affection for you. He is not harsh or unreasonable. Every word He speaks is truth, every command He gives is for your good. When He says “Follow Me,” it is not to control you, but to lead you out of darkness into light (John 8:12). When He says “Forgive,” it is to free you from the poison of bitterness (Matthew 6:14). When He says “Love one another,” it is because He knows love is the very breath of heaven (John 13:34).

He tells you what to do not because He must prove that He is God, but because He is God. His authority flows naturally from His being. The sea obeys Him, the winds bow to Him, and even death itself trembles before His word (Mark 4:39; John 11:43-44). Shall we, who have been redeemed by His blood, do any less?

Every command of Christ is for your benefit. There is not a single “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not” that does not flow from love. His commandments are like guardrails on a dangerous mountain road—they keep us from falling over the edge. The path of obedience is not a narrow prison; it is a highway of peace that leads to life (Isaiah 35:8).

Notice how Jesus frames it: “If you love Me, you will obey My commands.” (John 14:15). It begins with love. Love first—obedience follows. Love is the root; obedience is the fruit. You cannot reverse the order. Trying to obey without love is religion. Obeying because you love Him is relationship.

Loving Jesus is a decision—a daily surrender of the heart. It is waking up each morning and saying, “Lord, You are my life. I trust You more than I trust myself.” It is choosing to dwell on His goodness, to reflect on His mercy, and to delight in His presence. When you truly see how much He loves you—how He left heaven, bore your sin, and suffered for your soul—your heart cannot help but love Him back (1 John 4:19).

And that love transforms everything. It softens the hardest heart. It melts rebellion. It purifies motives. When you love Jesus, obedience becomes natural. You begin to want what He wants. You find yourself drawn to His will like flowers turning toward the light. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4).

Of course, we are still in the flesh. We stumble. We fall. But even when we fail, love brings us back. Peter denied the Lord three times, but love restored him. On the seashore, Jesus asked him, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:15–17). Notice that Jesus did not ask, “Peter, will you promise never to fail again?” He asked, “Do you love Me?” Because if love is there, obedience will follow.

Obeying Christ’s commands is not a single act—it is a way of life. It is about direction, not perfection. The believer’s life is a steady walk toward the heart of Jesus. “Whoever says he abides in Him must walk as He walked.” (1 John 2:6). We do not measure our faith by how high we climb in a moment, but by the steady, faithful steps we take daily.

When love is the fire that burns in your heart, obedience becomes the smoke that rises to heaven. Get the love right, and everything else will follow. You will not have to force obedience—it will flow from within, like a river from its source. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38).

To live for Christ daily is not a complicated mystery—it is the simplicity of faith expressed through love. It is the quiet surrender of your will to His. It is trusting Him when you cannot see, obeying Him when you do not understand, and resting in Him when you are weary. It is to abide in the vine, drawing life from His life, bearing fruit because His Spirit dwells within you (John 15:4–5).

The life of union with Christ is the secret of true holiness. It is not striving, but abiding. It is not laboring to be good, but yielding to the One who is good. The branch does not struggle to bear fruit—it simply stays connected to the vine. And as we remain in fellowship with Jesus, His life flows into us. His peace becomes ours. His strength becomes ours. His obedience becomes ours.

So, beloved, let love be your aim. Let your heart say, “Lord Jesus, I love You. Teach me to walk in Your ways.” The one who loves will obey—not out of compulsion, but out of joy. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not heavy.” (1 John 5:3).

Love Him deeply. Follow Him closely. Trust Him fully. And you will find that obedience is no longer a burden—it is a delight. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

When you love Him, your life will tell the story. Every step, every choice, every word will whisper one truth: “I love the Lord, because He first loved me.” (Psalm 116:1).

Lord Jesus, teach my heart to love You more each day. Let my life become a quiet testimony of that love. May every word I speak and every step I take echo the truth that You first loved me. Let gratitude be the melody of my days and obedience the rhythm of my walk. In Your precious name I pray, amen.

BDD

IF YOU WANT TO GET TECHNICAL ABOUT HEBREWS 13:17

The King James translators in 1611 worked in a world where church and monarchy were tightly connected. Authority and hierarchy were part of everyday life — both in government and religion. So when they came to Hebrews 13:17, they chose words like “obey” and “rule” that fit the tone of their culture’s structure, not necessarily the heart of the Greek text. They leaned toward institutional authority because that’s how the church functioned in their time.

Modern translations return to the original sense (some don’t) — describing leaders who guide and believers who trust and cooperate, not rulers and subjects. These versions better reflect the relational, servant-hearted leadership that Jesus taught and the early church practiced.

We’ve all heard that verse — “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…” It’s quoted often, especially when someone wants to remind you who’s “in charge.” But if you want to get technical about it — and sometimes you should — the original Greek doesn’t say obey or rule at all.

The verse in Greek reads:

Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν καὶ ὑπείκετε (Peithesthe tois hēgoumenois hymōn kai hypeikete)

At first glance, that may look like a mouthful. But let’s take it slow, because there’s gold in those words.

The first word, peithesthe, comes from peithō. It doesn’t mean “obey” in the sense of being commanded. It means “be persuaded,” “be won over,” or “trust.” The writer is saying, “Be open to those who lead you. Let yourself be convinced by their example.” It’s not about submission to an office; it’s about being inspired by a life.

Then there’s hēgoumenois, which our English Bibles often render as “them that have the rule over you.” But hēgoumenois simply means “leaders,” “guides,” or “those who go before.” It’s a relational term, not a hierarchical one. Think of someone walking ahead on a trail, showing you the way, not sitting above you giving orders.

Finally, hypeikete is translated “submit yourselves,” but it really means “yield,” “cooperate,” or “be receptive.” It’s the kind of openness that comes from respect and trust, not from fear or force.

So, if you put it all together, the verse really says something like:

“Be persuaded by your leaders and be open to them, for they watch over your souls as those who will give account.”

That sounds different, doesn’t it? It replaces the image of a ruler sitting in authority with the picture of a shepherd walking beside the flock. It calls for trust, not control — cooperation, not domination.

The early church never functioned as a corporation. Their leaders weren’t board members or businessmen; they were servants, shepherds, and spiritual guides. When the writer of Hebrews spoke of those who “watch for your souls,” he meant men and women who prayed for others, fed them the Word, and modeled faith by example.

Somewhere along the way, we began to read the Bible through the lens of power — building structures, hierarchies, and systems of control. But Christ’s kingdom was never meant to work that way. Jesus said plainly, “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them…but it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25–26).

When you understand Hebrews 13:17 in its true language, the pressure to “submit” to mere human systems begins to lift. You can respect godly leadership without surrendering your conscience. You can learn from shepherds without bowing to bosses.

God’s church doesn’t run on domination; it runs on love. Spiritual authority is not the power to control — it’s the grace to influence through example.

So if anyone ever tells you, “You can’t have an independent faith or ministry unless you’re under someone’s rule,” remember what the text really says. Be persuaded by those who genuinely lead you — those who live what they teach — but never trade the voice of Christ for the commands of men.

If my reading of Hebrews 13:17 is wrong, then who exactly are these “leaders” we are supposed to obey? Are they the Baptist pastors, the Catholic priests, the Presbyterian elders — each with their own rules, traditions, and interpretations of what it means to follow Christ? If they are not simply seasoned, Spirit‑filled believers who walk the path themselves, who guide by example, teach the Word faithfully, and help others grow in faith, then who are they? And if every group gives a different answer about what it means to live as a Christian, how can blind obedience to human authority be the standard? The verse is meant to point us to real shepherds, not human institutions, and if we lose that, we lose the very purpose of God’s design for leadership in the church.

The Shepherd of your soul still leads His sheep personally. And when He calls you to walk a certain path, you don’t need a board’s permission to follow Him.

BDD