Category Archives: Character of God

Grace / Forgiveness, Loving / Kind, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

A True Clean Start: Embracing God’s Grace (Reflection on a New Year)

As another year dawns, it’s a time when many of us contemplate the idea of a fresh start. The turning of the calendar seems to hold the promise of leaving behind past mistakes and embracing new opportunities. It’s a season of New Year’s resolutions, where we pledge to rid ourselves of bad habits or adopt better ones. However, as January fades into February, the enthusiasm for these “clean starts” often wanes, and we find ourselves back where we began.

But what if there’s a way to attain a genuine clean start—one infused with divine power and lasting transformation? The good news is that such an opportunity exists, and it’s not confined to the month of January. Through Christ, we can experience true forgiveness, redemption, and renewal. Our past sins need not define us, for God’s grace offers a pathway to a fresh beginning at any moment.

1. The Prodigal Son: A Story of Forgiveness (Luke 15:11-32)

“And He said, ‘A man had two sons…'” (Luke 15:11)

In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates God’s unwavering love and forgiveness. The younger son squandered his inheritance in a distant land but came to his senses and returned home, expecting nothing more than to be a hired servant. However, his father’s response was a powerful demonstration of God’s grace. The father ran to embrace his wayward son, showering him with love, forgiveness, and a clean start.

2. God Awaits Our Return

God, our heavenly Father, awaits our return just as the father in the parable did. He watches the horizon for our humble repentance, ready to run and embrace us. There’s no sin too great for His forgiveness, no rebellion beyond His reach. It’s within our power to choose whether we return to Him or remain separated.

3. The Helper: God’s Power in Our Transformation (John 16:5-15)

“But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you…” (John 16:7)

When we turn to Christ for forgiveness and renewal, we receive more than forgiveness alone. God graciously sends the Holy Spirit as our Helper. The Spirit empowers us to overcome sin, make lasting changes, and embark on our fresh start. We are not alone in this journey; we have the divine power and guidance of God Himself.

4. A Call to Repentance and Obedience

While God’s forgiveness is boundless, it requires sincere repentance and a commitment to follow His ways. Repentance means turning away from our sinful past and submitting to God. The Bible is clear that we must obey God’s commandments and live according to His Word to walk in His grace.

5. God’s Promises of Forgiveness

God’s promises of forgiveness are abundant throughout the Scriptures:

  • “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow…” (Isaiah 1:18-20)
  • “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19-21)
  • “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace…” (Ephesians 1:3-14)

6. The Invitation to a Fresh Start

So, as the calendar turns from one year to the next, remember that a clean start isn’t limited to January. Through Christ, we can experience forgiveness, renewal, and transformation at any moment. God’s grace is always available, ready to wash away our sins and empower us to live according to His will.

Embrace Your Fresh Start

As you embark on this new year, remember that God’s grace offers you a fresh start—a clean slate free from the burdens of past mistakes. You need not rely on the changing of the calendar or societal norms for a new beginning. Instead, turn to God, repent of your sins, and submit to His guidance. Allow His Spirit to empower you in your journey of transformation. In God’s grace, every moment is an opportunity for a true clean start.

May the grace and peace of our Lord be with you,

John Golda

—-

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Grace / Forgiveness, Merciful, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God

Chosen by Grace, Not Merit (Genesis 38:1-11)

Have you ever looked at the brokenness of a family — or your own past — and wondered how God could possibly bring anything good from it?

Key Verse:
“But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD took his life.” —Genesis 38:7 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 38 interrupts the Joseph narrative with a sobering account of Judah and his family. Judah separates from his brothers, settles among the Canaanites, and marries a Canaanite woman. His sons grow up in an environment far removed from God’s covenant standards, and their lives reflect it.

This chapter records selfishness, sexual immorality, disregard for responsibility, and rejection of God’s ways. God responds decisively, judging wickedness and allowing the consequences of sin to unfold. Yet this dark chapter also sets the stage for one of the greatest revelations of grace in all of Scripture — that God would later choose the tribe of Judah as the lineage through which Yeshua would enter the world.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 38:1-11

Judah and Tamar

      1And it came about at that time, that Judah departed from his brothers and visited a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua; and he took her and went in to her. 3So she conceived and bore a son and he named him Er. 4Then she conceived again and bore a son and named him Onan. 5She bore still another son and named him Shelah; and it was at Chezib that she bore him.

      6Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the LORD, so the LORD took his life. 8Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. 10But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the LORD; so He took his life also. 11Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.

Reflection on Genesis 38:1–11:
Genesis 38 records terrible behavior and deeply broken choices by Judah and his family. They are living far from God, guided by the flesh and driven by self-interest rather than obedience to God’s ways. This is not a family seeking the Lord — it is a family drifting further from Him.

Judah’s separation from his brothers is more than geographical; it is spiritual. His marriage into the Canaanite culture and the moral collapse of his household reflect a rejection of God’s covenant standards. Scripture gives no details about Er’s wickedness — only that it was serious enough to bring God’s judgment. Onan, too, acts selfishly, using Tamar while refusing his responsibility, and God judges him as well.

The result is devastation: death, grief, and a vulnerable woman left without protection. This is the fruit of living by the flesh — broken relationships, suffering, and loss. God is not pleased, and the consequences are real.

And yet, standing back from the text, we are confronted with an astonishing truth. This is the tribe God chose. From this deeply flawed, sinful lineage would eventually come King David — and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself.

What an overwhelming reminder of God’s grace.

God does not choose by merit. If He did, none of us would stand. God chooses by grace — giving what we do not deserve — and by mercy — withholding the punishment we rightly deserve when we repent and turn back to Him.

Though we do not see repentance in this first part of Genesis 38, we know the larger story. God redeems what is broken. He works through imperfect people, messy families, and painful histories to accomplish His purposes.

This passage assures us that a sinful past does not disqualify us from God’s grace. Brokenness is not the end of the story. God’s invitation still stands: turn away from living for the flesh, turn toward Him, and walk in His ways.

Application:

  • Take sin seriously. Living according to the flesh brings real consequences.

  • Do not drift from God’s ways. Small compromises can lead to great brokenness.

  • Reject merit-based thinking. God’s grace, not your performance, is your hope.

  • Be encouraged by God’s mercy. Your past does not disqualify you from God’s purposes.

  • Turn toward God today. Repentance opens the door to forgiveness and renewal.

  • Trust God with your family’s story. He can redeem even deeply broken histories.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy that reach even into the darkest places of human failure. Help me take sin seriously without losing hope in Your forgiveness. Show me where I need to turn away from the flesh and return to Your ways. Heal the broken places in my life and my family, and remind me that You do not choose by merit, but by grace. I place my trust in You and thank You for redemption through Yeshua. In His name, Amen.

Kindness / Gentleness, Love, Loving / Kind

Perfect Love, Properly Understood(1 John 4: 7-21)

When Scripture says “God is love,” do we pause to ask what that truly means — or do we allow culture to redefine it for us?

Key Verse:
“We love, because He first loved us.” —1 John 4:19 NASB

Background Context:
In 1 John 4:7–21, John makes one of the most profound statements in all of Scripture: God is love. But he does not leave that truth undefined. John roots love firmly in God’s actions, God’s holiness, and God’s purposes.

God’s love is revealed not in passive acceptance, but in sacrificial redemption. He sent His Son so that sin could be forgiven, not ignored. He gives His Spirit so that believers can be transformed, not left unchanged. John connects love to obedience, abiding, confidence before God, and genuine care for fellow believers.

This passage confronts shallow definitions of love and calls believers to understand and live out love God’s way.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 John 4: 7-21

God Is Love

      7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

      15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19We love, because He first loved us. 20If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

Reflection on 1 John 4:7–21:
“God is love” is one of the most quoted — and most misunderstood — statements in Scripture. John does not mean that God is love in the sense of unconditional acceptance of all behavior, lifestyles, or choices without repentance. God’s love is holy, purposeful, and redemptive.

God loved us first — while we were still sinners — but He loved us too much to leave us there. His love moved Him to send Yeshua to die for our sins so that forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation could be possible. His love also moved Yeshua to affirm the Torah and the Prophets as God’s standard for righteous living, both by His teaching and by His perfect example.

God’s love continues through the indwelling Holy Spirit, given to believers as Counselor and Guide — not to affirm the ways of the world, but to help us turn away from sin and walk in obedience to God.

John teaches that our love is perfected by abiding in God. This does not mean we become flawless, but that love reaches its intended purpose as we live in relationship with Him, walking in His ways. As love matures, fear diminishes. Those who abide in God’s love need not fear the day of judgment, because their confidence rests in Christ’s finished work and a life oriented toward obedience.

John also emphasizes love for our brother. This raises an important question: who is our brother? Yeshua answers this clearly. Our brother is not defined simply as “everyone who breathes,” but as those who do the will of the Father.

Yeshua said:
“Whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:50)

This does not mean we show hatred or cruelty toward unbelievers — Scripture calls us to kindness and truth for all — but it does clarify that biblical fellowship and family identity are rooted in submission to God.

Another critical question follows: how do we love God’s way?
Yeshua answers this as well. Love for God and love for others are inseparable from obedience to God’s commandments. According to Yeshua, the entire Torah and the Prophets hang on loving God and loving others — not as vague sentiment, but as lived obedience.

Yeshua said:
“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

True love does not encourage people to remain in sin. That is man’s version of love, not God’s. God’s love tells the truth, calls for repentance, and invites transformation. Love that separates people from God is not love at all.

Biblical love shines light into darkness and points the way back to the Father through the Son. It calls us to be less like the world and more like Yeshua.

Application:

  • Define love biblically. Let Scripture, not culture, tell you what love truly is.

  • Remember God loved you first. Your obedience is a response, not a requirement to earn love.

  • Abide in God daily. Love matures as you live in relationship with Him.

  • Do not fear judgment. Perfect love casts out fear when your trust is in Christ.

  • Love your brother faithfully. Care for fellow believers with truth, humility, and action.

  • Speak truth in love. Do not use “love” as an excuse to affirm sin or silence truth.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving me with a love that saves, transforms, and leads me into truth. Help me understand Your love as You define it — holy, faithful, and redemptive. Guard my heart from adopting the world’s version of love, and teach me to love You and others through obedience and truth. Let my life reflect the love You first showed me through Your Son. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faithful, Loving / Kind, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Pride, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Wickedness / Evil

Steadfast Love Beyond Measure (Psalm 36)

Have you ever been struck by the contrast between how broken people can be — and how faithful God remains?

Key Verse:
“Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” —Psalm 36:5 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 36, attributed to David, opens with a sober reflection on the nature of human wickedness and then pivots dramatically to a soaring declaration of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. David observes how sin deceives the human heart, dulling conscience and removing fear of God. Yet instead of dwelling there, he lifts his eyes to the character of the Lord — a God whose mercy, righteousness, and protection far exceed human corruption.

This psalm contrasts the emptiness of life apart from God with the abundance and refuge found in His presence.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 36

      1Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.

      2For it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.

      3The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

      4He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.

      5Your lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

      6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.

      7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

      8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.

      9For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.

      10O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

      11Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.

      12There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.

Reflection on Psalm 36:
David begins by describing sin as deceptive and self-flattering. The wicked person no longer recognizes or hates his own sin. There is no fear of God before his eyes, and as a result, his words and actions drift further from wisdom and goodness. This is a sobering reminder of what happens when truth is replaced by self-justification.

But David does not linger on darkness. He intentionally shifts his focus upward — from the failure of man to the faithfulness of God. God’s lovingkindness reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness to the skies, His righteousness stands like mighty mountains, and His judgments are as deep as the sea. Where human sin is shallow and fleeting, God’s character is vast and unchanging.

David then turns to personal trust. God is not distant or abstract; He is a refuge. Those who know Him are sheltered under the shadow of His wings, satisfied by the abundance of His house, and refreshed by the river of His delights. God is the source of life and light — without Him, all else fades.

The psalm closes with a prayer for continued mercy and protection. David asks God to preserve His lovingkindness for those who know Him and to guard him from the pride and violence of the wicked. His confidence rests not in his own strength, but in the sure downfall of those who oppose God.

Psalm 36 teaches us to see clearly: to recognize the reality of sin without becoming consumed by it, and to anchor our hearts in the overwhelming faithfulness of God.

Application:

  • Recognize sin honestly. Do not allow self-deception to dull your sensitivity to wrongdoing.

  • Lift your eyes to God’s character. His love and faithfulness far exceed human failure.

  • Take refuge in the Lord. Find safety under the shadow of His wings.

  • Draw from God’s abundance. True satisfaction comes from His presence, not the world.

  • Walk in God’s light. Let His truth expose darkness and guide your path.

  • Trust God’s justice. He will ultimately deal with pride and wickedness.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your steadfast love and unshakable faithfulness. When I am tempted to be discouraged by the sin I see — in the world or in myself — lift my eyes to Your greatness. Shelter me under Your wings, satisfy my soul with Your presence, and guide me by Your light. Keep my heart humble, faithful, and anchored in You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Discerning / Judging, Fear / Reverence for God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

If God Says Something is Bad, Can We Make It Good?

There can easily be constant pressure to accept the traditions and ways of men or the culture around us. In many cases, it may be what we grew up with. It could be filled with great family memories from childhood and generations of family tradition. Everyone around us may be doing something a certain way and this helps us fit in with other Christians. Often, even if the origins of the tradition are pagan, people have framed up new stories about how the traditions of men really honor God. What should we do? Can we truly take something that God said was bad and make it good?

Christmas, and many holiday traditions common to Christians today, serve as powerful examples. There are many traditions that are of pagan origin. Many don’t know this and don’t even think to ask or test their traditions. Many more do know the traditions are of pagan origin, but rather convince themselves that we can turn what God said was bad into something good. Is this true? What does God say in the Bible?

Consider His people as they left Egypt. Yahweh delivered them from slavery through many mighty miracles. There were ten plagues, parting of the Red Sea, defeat of Pharaoh’s army, God appearing as fire and smoke to lead them, manna and water miraculously to meet their needs in the dessert. Surely, we would think that generation could never turn from the ways of God, but they did. They allowed themselves to revert to influences from the Egyptian culture in which they had lived for generations.

Exodus 32:1-10

The Golden Calf

      1Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4He took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” 6So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

      7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8“They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” 9The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. 10“Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

I think we can all see clearly that Yahweh was not pleased with His people for making this idol and worshiping it. He was going to destroy them and start over. Let us consider carefully what happened. If we read to quickly, we may conclude, as many have, that the Israelites were worshiping an idol of a false god and that is why Yahweh was upset… but this is not the case.

Look closer. Indeed, they had created an idol and began to worship it, but in fact they were using the idol to represent Yahweh Himself. Consider the following verses:

“This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” 5Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.”

In fact, the people were worshiping Yahweh, and He was very upset! Why? Yahweh does not want His people to worship Him in the way that the pagans worship their false gods. He wants us to worship Him in the way He tells us.

Deuteronomy 12:30-32

30beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ 31“You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

      32“Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.

The Israelites may have been worshipping Yahweh, but they were doing so in like manner to how the Egyptians worshipped their false gods by making idols.

While this may seem like it does not apply today, it certainly does! Yahweh has not changed His opinion on what is good and what is bad. He still does not want us to worship Him with idols or with any of the manners or traditions with which the pagans worship false gods. If we take the time to study our common Christmas and Easter traditions (and other traditions as well), we will certainly find the history of many of these traditions are derived not from God’s word, but from pagan worship practices. Christians have created new meanings for many of these traditions, but they still are derived from pagan worship. Yahweh is not pleased, even if we say it is Him whom we are worshipping.

Do not repeat the error of the Israelites, which drew great anger from Yahweh. Instead, learn the history and true origin of the traditions you practice. Reject the ones that are derived from pagan worship. Instead, study and learn the practices and worship that Yahweh instructs us in His word. There is so much to learn!

I encourage you to invest time to get to know Yahweh. If He is Lord (and He certainly is!), then we should take time to learn His ways and reject the ways of the pagan worship… even if done in Yahweh’s name. Do not accept something just because it is a family or cultural “tradition”. Test and explore to understand the true origin and whether or not it may be offensive to our Lord. Do not fool yourself that you can take what is bad in His eyes and make it good by creating new Christian stories around old pagan traditions. Choose the Lord’s ways over even dear traditions that may be emotionally difficult to walk away from. Do not be like Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom while leaving, but rather leave behind the past things without looking back on them.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

His Timing Not Ours, Love, Loving / Kind, Patient

Loved, Chosen, and Safe (Song of Solomon 2:1–7)

Have you ever struggled to believe you are truly loved — not because of what you do, but because of who you are?

Key Verse:
“He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” —Song of Solomon 2:4 NASB

Background Context:
Song of Solomon 2:1–7 continues the intimate dialogue between the bride and her beloved. The bride begins with humility, describing herself as an ordinary flower among many. The beloved responds with affirmation, setting her apart as unique and treasured. Their exchange emphasizes belonging, safety, and delight in love.

This passage also introduces an important refrain repeated throughout the book: love is powerful and should not be rushed or forced outside of God’s timing. It highlights both the beauty of affection and the wisdom of restraint.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Song of Solomon 2:1–7

The Bride’s Admiration

1“I am the rose of Sharon,
The lily of the valleys.”

      2“Like a lily among the thorns,
So is my darling among the maidens.”

      3“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
So is my beloved among the young men.
In his shade I took great delight and sat down,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.

      4“He has brought me to his banquet hall,
And his banner over me is love.

      5“Sustain me with raisin cakes,
Refresh me with apples,
Because I am lovesick.

      6“Let his left hand be under my head
And his right hand embrace me.”

      7“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field,
That you do not arouse or awaken my love
Until she pleases.”

Reflection on Song of Solomon 2:1–7:
The bride begins by downplaying herself — “a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.” Her words express humility, but they may also hint at insecurity. The beloved immediately responds by distinguishing her from all others: she is a lily among thorns. His love does not merely accept her — it cherishes her as rare and precious.

She then describes resting under his shade and delighting in his fruit. This is the language of safety and provision. Love here is not anxious or demanding; it is secure and nourishing. The bride does not strive for affection — she rests in it.

The image of the banquet hall and the banner of love speaks to public affirmation. This love is not hidden or ashamed. The beloved declares his love openly, covering her with protection and dignity.

Yet love is also overwhelming. The bride speaks of being faint with love — a reminder that love is powerful and must be handled with care. This leads to the warning repeated three times in the Song: do not awaken love before its proper time. Desire is good, but it must be guided by wisdom and patience.

Spiritually, this passage reflects God’s love for His people. He calls us chosen, precious, and protected. He invites us to rest under His care rather than striving for approval. At the same time, God teaches us that love and desire must be submitted to His timing, not driven by impulse.

In marriage, this passage reminds us that love flourishes where there is affirmation, safety, and patience. Love does not rush, pressure, or demand — it protects and honors.

Application:

  • Receive God’s love. Stop striving to earn what He freely gives.

  • Rest in your identity. You are cherished, not ordinary or replaceable.

  • Affirm those you love. Speak words that build security and dignity.

  • Honor God’s timing. Do not rush emotional or physical intimacy.

  • Protect what is sacred. Love grows best when handled with care and wisdom.

  • Choose patience over pressure. True love waits for the right season.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving me with a love that is secure, patient, and protecting. Help me to rest under Your care and stop striving for approval. Teach me to honor Your timing in love and desire, and to treat what You have made sacred with wisdom and respect. Let my relationships reflect the gentleness, safety, and faithfulness of Your love. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Learning To Pray Effectively, Protector / Deliverer, Psalms

The Lord Fights for the Righteous (Psalm 35)

When you are treated unjustly or falsely accused, where do you turn — to retaliation, or to the Lord who sees all things?

Key Verse:
“Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.” —Psalm 35:1 NASB

Background Context:
Psalm 35 is a psalm of David written during a time of intense opposition and injustice. David is being pursued, slandered, and attacked by enemies who repay his kindness with hatred. Though the language is strong and emotional, this psalm is not a call for personal revenge. Instead, David brings his anguish directly to God, asking the Lord to act as his defender and judge.

This psalm reflects a deep trust in God’s justice. Rather than taking matters into his own hands, David lays his case before the Lord, confident that God sees the truth and will act rightly in His time.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Psalm 35

Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.

A Psalm of David.

     1Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.

      2Take hold of buckler and shield
And rise up for my help.

      3Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

      4Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.

      5Let them be like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the LORD driving them on.

      6Let their way be dark and slippery,
With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

      7For without cause they hid their net for me;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

      8Let destruction come upon him unawares,
And let the net which he hid catch himself;
Into that very destruction let him fall.

      9And my soul shall rejoice in the LORD;
It shall exult in His salvation.

      10All my bones will say, “LORD, who is like You,
Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him,
And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?”

      11Malicious witnesses rise up;
They ask me of things that I do not know.

      12They repay me evil for good,
To the bereavement of my soul.

      13But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;
I humbled my soul with fasting,
And my prayer kept returning to my bosom.

      14I went about as though it were my friend or brother;
I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.

      15But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together;
The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me,
They slandered me without ceasing.

      16Like godless jesters at a feast,
They gnashed at me with their teeth.

      17Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue my soul from their ravages,
My only life from the lions.

      18I will give You thanks in the great congregation;
I will praise You among a mighty throng.

      19Do not let those who are wrongfully my enemies rejoice over me;
Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.

      20For they do not speak peace,
But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

      21They opened their mouth wide against me;
They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”

      22You have seen it, O LORD, do not keep silent;
O Lord, do not be far from me.

      23Stir up Yourself, and awake to my right
And to my cause, my God and my Lord.

      24Judge me, O LORD my God, according to Your righteousness,
And do not let them rejoice over me.

      25Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!”
Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”

      26Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who rejoice at my distress;
Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.

      27Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication;
And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified,
Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.”

      28And my tongue shall declare Your righteousness
And Your praise all day long.

Reflection on Psalm 35:
Psalm 35 gives voice to a kind of prayer many believers hesitate to pray — a prayer that cries out for justice. David does not pretend that betrayal and slander do not hurt. He names the pain honestly before God.

David describes enemies who plot secretly, mock him publicly, and rejoice in his suffering. What makes their actions especially painful is that David had previously shown them compassion. He had mourned for them in their hardship, yet they repaid him with hostility. This kind of betrayal cuts deeply.

Yet David does something crucial: he does not retaliate. Instead, he asks the Lord to contend for him. He calls on God as warrior, judge, and protector. This is not vengeance — it is surrender. David entrusts justice to God rather than seizing it for himself.

The psalm also reveals David’s confidence that God sees everything. False witnesses may distort the truth, but God knows the heart. Those who rejoice in wrongdoing may seem to prevail for a time, but David trusts that God will not remain silent forever.

Throughout the psalm, David’s lament turns toward praise. He anticipates rejoicing in God’s salvation and publicly declaring God’s righteousness. Even in the midst of injustice, David’s hope is not merely in being vindicated, but in honoring the Lord.

Psalm 35 teaches us that bringing our pain to God is an act of faith. We do not need to sanitize our prayers. God invites honesty — grief, anger, confusion — all laid at His feet. True righteousness is not proven by silence, but by trusting God to judge rightly.

Application:

  • Bring injustice to God. When you are wronged, take your case to the Lord rather than seeking revenge.

  • Trust God’s justice. He sees motives, lies, and hidden actions that others cannot.

  • Refuse retaliation. Leave room for God to act instead of responding in anger.

  • Pray honestly. God welcomes prayers that reflect real pain and real trust.

  • Maintain integrity. Let your response reflect faith, even when others act unjustly.

  • Look ahead to praise. Expect God’s righteousness to prevail, even if the timing is not immediate.

Closing Prayer:
Father, You see every injustice and hear every cry for help. When I am wronged or falsely accused, help me to trust You rather than seeking my own defense. Guard my heart from bitterness, and teach me to wait for Your righteous judgment. Strengthen my faith to believe that You are my defender and my deliverer. I place my cause in Your hands and choose to praise You, even in the struggle. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Father / Yahweh, Holy / Set Apart, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Loving / Kind, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Repenting from Sin

Set Apart to Live Like Him (1 John 3:1-10)

Have you ever paused to truly consider how astounding it is that God calls you His child — and what that means for how you live?

Key Verse:
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” —1 John 3:1 NASB

Background Context:
John opens this section with an outburst of worship. He marvels that God does not merely forgive us — He adopts us. We are not simply servants or followers; we are His children. Because of this new identity, the world does not understand us any more than it understood Jesus.

John then connects identity to transformation. When Christ appears, we will be like Him, so even now we purify our lives in anticipation. He contrasts the children of God with the children of the devil, explaining that habitual sin is incompatible with a life born of God.

This passage is not about sinless perfection but about the direction of one’s life — a life shaped by righteousness rather than rebellion.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

1 John 3 (1-10)

Children of God Love One Another

     1See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

      4Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

Reflection on 1 John 3:1–10:
John begins with awe: “See what great love…” The message is not merely taught; it is exclaimed. Adoption into God’s family is a gift beyond human comprehension. The more we understand it, the more we recognize that our lives must be transformed to reflect our Father.

John reminds us that being God’s child will make us misunderstood in this world. Our values, our priorities, our hopes, and our obedience are different. We belong to a heavenly Father, not an earthly system.

Then he gives a forward-looking promise: “We will be like Him.” Our future glory motivates present purity. Hope in Christ leads naturally to holiness.

John then moves into a strong warning about sin. He speaks plainly: those who practice sin — meaning those who live in it as a pattern, habit, or defining lifestyle — show that they do not belong to God. Not because they struggle, but because they have no desire to change.

He is not describing the believer who stumbles and repents, but the person who is comfortable in sin and unchanged by grace.

John explains why:

  • Jesus came to take away sin.

  • Jesus appeared to destroy the works of the devil.

  • God’s seed — His life — remains in His children.

A transformed identity produces a transformed life.

This passage also reminds us that our faith is not a “blind leap.” It is anchored in the historical reality of Christ’s appearance, His victory over sin, and His ongoing work in those who belong to Him. Our transformation is evidence of His living presence.

Application:

  • Marvel at your identity. Begin each day remembering: “I am a child of God.”

  • Pursue purity. Let the hope of seeing Christ shape your choices today.

  • Examine your habits. Are your patterns consistent with belonging to God or to the world?

  • Do not become comfortable with sin. Repent quickly; cling to Christ’s power to change you.

  • Live as someone set apart. Expect to be misunderstood — your allegiance is heavenly.

  • Anchor your faith in truth. Your walk with God is rooted in real, historical acts of God, not vague spiritual sentiment.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling me Your child. Help me never take for granted the love that adopted me into Your family. Purify my heart, transform my habits, and empower me to walk in righteousness. Keep me from becoming comfortable with sin, and strengthen me to live as one who belongs to You. Make my life a testimony to the grace and truth of Your Son. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

All Powerful / King of All, Faithful, His Timing Not Ours, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Promises, Study the Word

God’s Faithfulness Across Generations (Genesis 36)

Do you ever look at others who seem to prosper and wonder why their lives appear easier or more successful than yours?

Key Verse:
“For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.” —Genesis 36:7 NASB

Background Context:
Genesis 36 records the genealogy of Esau, also called Edom. While genealogies may seem difficult to read, they serve an important purpose in Scripture: they trace God’s faithfulness through history, show His fulfillment of promises, and reveal the unfolding of nations.

Though the covenant line continues through Jacob, God still blesses Esau. Decades earlier, God promised Abraham that many nations would come from him, and that included Esau’s line. Genesis 36 shows Esau becoming a great leader, his descendants forming powerful clans, and eventually producing kings long before Israel had any.

This chapter demonstrates that God is faithful in every direction — to His covenant promises for Jacob, and to His broader promises for Abraham’s other descendants.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Genesis 36

Esau Moves

      1Now these are the records of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).

      2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite; 3also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. 4Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel, 5and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

      6Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. 7For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock. 8So Esau lived in the hill country of Seir; Esau is Edom.

Descendants of Esau

      9These then are the records of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir. 10These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Esau’s wife Adah, Reuel the son of Esau’s wife Basemath. 11The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho and Gatam and Kenaz. 12Timna was a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Adah. 13These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath and Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 14These were the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon: she bore to Esau, Jeush and Jalam and Korah.

      15These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. 17These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 18These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. 19These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

      20These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah, 21and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam. 24These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah—he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness when he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon. 25These are the children of Anah: Dishon, and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. 26These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran. 27These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan. 28These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29These are the chiefs descended from the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, 30chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, according to their various chiefs in the land of Seir.

      31Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel. 32Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33Then Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah became king in his place. 34Then Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites became king in his place. 35Then Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the field of Moab, became king in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. 36Then Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah became king in his place. 37Then Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates River became king in his place. 38Then Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor became king in his place. 39Then Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar became king in his place; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.

      40Now these are the names of the chiefs descended from Esau, according to their families and their localities, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, 41chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 42chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 43chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom (that is, Esau, the father of the Edomites), according to their habitations in the land of their possession.

Reflection on Genesis 36:
Genesis 36 opens with a simple but meaningful statement: “Now these are the records of the generations of Esau.” What follows is not a random list — it is a demonstration of God’s faithfulness.

Esau becomes the father of Edom, a nation with chiefs, clans, and kings. His descendants are numerous, organized, and influential. God had promised that Esau would become a great nation, and He fulfilled that promise fully.

This chapter also shows a peaceful separation between Jacob and Esau. Their possessions became too great to dwell together, echoing the separation of Abraham and Lot. God was expanding both families, but His purposes required distance so that Jacob could inherit the land of promise.

Esau’s story raises an important truth:
Earthly success is not the same as covenant blessing.
Esau prospered — with land, kings, and power — but he did not pursue the God of Abraham with his heart. His descendants become a significant nation, but they also frequently opposed Israel later in Scripture.

At the same time, Genesis 36 reminds us not to assume that outward prosperity equals God’s favor, nor that hardship means God has abandoned His people. Jacob’s path was harder, but he walked in the covenant. Esau’s path looked prosperous, but without the spiritual inheritance.

In recording Esau’s genealogy, Scripture teaches us that God is faithful, sovereign over nations, and working on multiple tracks at once. His promises always come to pass — for covenant and non-covenant lines alike — but not all blessings are the same. Some are earthly; others are eternal.

Application:

  • Trust God’s timing and promises. If He fulfilled His word to Esau, how much more will He fulfill His covenant promises to His people?

  • Do not measure God’s blessing by earthly prosperity. Wealth or influence does not equal spiritual favor.

  • Avoid comparison. Others may appear to prosper more quickly, but God’s path for you is part of His eternal plan.

  • Recognize God’s sovereignty. Nations rise and fall under His hand; nothing in history is accidental.

  • Value spiritual inheritance above all. Jacob’s path was harder, but led to eternal covenant blessing.

  • Remember that genealogies matter. They reveal God’s faithfulness even in places we are tempted to skim past.

Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness through every generation. Help me trust Your promises, even when others seem to prosper more quickly or easily. Teach me to value spiritual inheritance above earthly success. Lead me in Your covenant ways, and give me confidence that You are sovereign over my life and over all history. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Parables, Seeking God, Study the Word, Submitted / Servant, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays

The Widower Who Remarried: a Parable for the Holidays

In the tender narrative of a devoted widower, a poignant tale unfolds—a love story marked by cherished habits and traditions. This man, who once joyfully celebrated his first wife’s preferences with flowers, candy, and thoughtful gestures, found himself caught in the grip of those very traditions when she passed away.

Just to be clear, this is not a biblical parable, but one based on biblical teaching and one that is true many times over.

Grief-stricken but resilient, he remarried after a time of grieving, unaware of the impending storm that would brew within the walls of his new life. His second wife, with distinct tastes and desires, yearned for a love uniquely tailored to her. Despite gentle pleas for understanding, the man clung tenaciously to the echoes of his past, repeating gestures and traditions designed for his first love.

The stark contrast between his professions of love and the unchanged traditions left his second wife wounded and questioning. The pain intensified as the man, well-intentioned but misguided, failed to recognize the stark difference between honoring her and just holding on to the traditions of the love he once knew.

It may seem obvious to many of us that the man should have focused on his current wife to show her love in ways that were special to her, instead of just continuing with old habits or traditions that were based on someone else. The real question is, however, if we do the same thing to God without realizing it.

This thought-provoking parable serves as a mirror reflecting the way we often treat our relationship with God, especially when it comes to celebrating holidays. Steeped in long-held traditions, some stemming from ancient pagan practices, we, too, risk offering God a bouquet of weeds while insisting they are roses.

The parallel to our spiritual journey is striking. Are we, like the widower, unwilling to shed the comfort of familiar traditions and embrace God’s desires as communicated in the scriptures? Despite the discomfort and familial challenges, the heart of the matter lies in whether we choose man-made traditions over God’s prescribed path.

Diving deeper, the revelation unfolds that many commonly cherished celebrations—Christmas trees, wreaths, mistletoe, and even the December 25 date—are rooted in pagan worship practices. The Church, unable to quell these practices, eventually embraced them, akin to giving a weed the name of a rose.

The call is clear—to love God deeply is to align our lives with His desires, not clinging to traditions offensive to Him. The scriptures lay out the path, highlighting God’s Moedim (appointed times) or holy days for celebration, contrasting with the man-made festivals we’ve come to accept.

Acknowledging this truth is a challenging emotional journey. Admitting the need for change amidst familial resistance is a test of our devotion to Christ above all. As Jesus forewarned, following Him may stir discord even within our households, yet true discipleship requires prioritizing Christ over all familial bonds.

May this narrative stir a courageous introspection, prompting a prayerful pursuit of God’s kingdom above the familiar and cultural traditions. As the challenge resounds, may our hearts find the courage to trust in God’s ways over those of men, embracing the transformative journey toward a life more pleasing to Him.

If you truly love God, and submit your life to God… take the time to learn more about what He wants and not just stick to traditions of men that are offensive to Him. You can easily study online even using Christian encyclopedia’s like Zondervan or other encyclopedias. The origins are not secret, only that it has been accepted to celebrate God in ways that were developed by pagans for their gods. 119Ministries.com has put together an effective documentary in video form you can watch (The Christmas Question). They have previous teachings available for free you may consider as well (Sunburned – Part 1 and Sunburned – Part 2).

The LORD has also given us instructions on what holy days to celebrate to point to Him and our relationship with Him. They are called the Moedim and are outlined in Leviticus 23 and other places throughout the Bible.

You can find scripture where Jesus participated in the Moedim. You will never find record of Jesus celebrating Christmas and Easter (or almost anything we celebrate commonly today) in the Biblical record.

Passover and Easter are very different. See what they focus on. With God’s celebrations, the focus is always on Him and not gifts or food or simply ourselves. To learn more, scroll through and read from our Traditions/ Holidays category of teachings.

I recognize that this is an emotional subject for many and admitting that we should change is very hard. Even if we accept it and change our behavior, there will be much difficulty among family. This is to be expected when we stand for Christ above all others. Jesus said so himself in Matthew 10:23-39.

32 “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36     Your enemies will be right in your own household!’[l]

37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

We each must decide whether or not we submit to God fully or hold tightly to the traditions of man. By the way… study of the new testament clearly shows that clutching to the traditions of man was the way of the Pharisees and Sadducees, not the way of Jesus.

God wants his people to be holy (set apart for God’s use) and righteous (living according to God’s commands rather than the world’s). He wants us to put Him first, above everything else.

Challenge yourself to objectively evaluate your traditions and seek first the kingdom of God. Do not dismiss this quickly but rather prayerfully seek God to show you the truth of His word and how to apply it in your life. Ask yourself about any tradition you claim to observe to honor God, if you were not influenced by family or cultural traditions would you naturally come up with this tradition by studying the Bible? If not, that can be a good indicator.

Pray that God would give you courage and boldness to pursue him with how you live. My family and I have been on this journey, we remain on this journey still today. It is difficult at times, but well worth pursuing to grow closer to Him and be more pleasing to Him. Trust in His ways over those of men.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.