People are fascinated with other worlds in books, movies, video games, and vacations. Most like to think of the experiences of traveling to foreign places. The anticipation in planning to travel is a part of the joy. Why does the anticipation of a better place appear to be innate within most people? Many dream of a better life. What about the afterlife?

            Some describe death or the afterlife as a great adventure. Many debate whether life exists after death. Beliefs about the cause of all life determine what someone believes about the afterlife. While nothing is what rocks dream about, people dream of other worlds. Engineers design roving robots to detect their environment before they create them in one place and test them for use in anticipation for other locations. Why do humans desire better homes? Why do so many look forward to an afterlife?

            People can see that the cause of the universe must exist beyond the universe and its natural laws. No mindless cause of the universe can decide how intelligent life would come to exist and understand its origin. However, the intelligent Cause would engineer intelligent life that can reason that the original cause of the universe is the intelligent Creator. Therefore, one must think rightly about God who created human life to want to keep living and who made every place of people to dwell. For God, another world to come is no challenge for Him.

            By a reasonable faith in God, Christians hope for life in a renewed body resurrected never to die (Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:53). The Christian faith is the most reasonable hope for human life to be restored to life after death by the Creator of all living things. The afterlife is apparent in trusting the witnesses of Jesus’s resurrection. The hope of eternal life fills Christians with joy to live another kind of life now and forever. Those who rise again to eternal life must have a compatible place to live. Jesus gave hope to His followers by overcoming death and preparing a place for them (John 14:1–3; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28; 2 Timothy 1:10). Christians look forward to a city in a heavenly country designed and prepared by God for the faithful (Hebrews 11:10, 16).

            In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus of Nazareth taught His disciples while sitting on a mountain by first proclaiming blessings as the conditions of joy and happiness that align with the character of those who are faithful to God. Jesus’s blessings foretold of the coming kingdom that His followers looked forward to entering (Matthew 5:3–12). Jesus described the kingdom of heaven as a place of comfort, fulfillment, and mercy for those who mourn sin, hunger for righteousness, and are merciful to others. The kingdom of God includes the meek inheriting the earth that is the heavenly land (Matthew 5:5; 19:28–29; cf. 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1–2). In that kingdom, the pure of heart will see God, and those who make peace will be called “sons of God” (5:8). Jesus encouraged His followers to express joy when others curse, persecute, and slander them (5:10–12). Why? The teacher taught His students that the kingdom of heaven is theirs. The kingdom of God is worth the trials of life, so we trust God.

            Do we have the character of those who inherit the kingdom? The character of those entering the kingdom are humility in spirit, mourning human rebellion, meekness in self-control, hunger for righteousness, merciful in abundance, purity in heart, makers of peace, and enduring persecution for righteousness. By the hope of the kingdom of heaven, Jesus called His followers to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13–16). The glory of those faithful to God is like a city on a hill that no one can hide. The follower of Jesus is a light that illuminates an otherwise dark room so everyone can see (5:15). Followers of Christ give light so that others can see their works and praise God (5:16).

           Thank God for the hope of eternal life! God help us to live by the character of the kingdom according to Jesus’s preaching!       

How do most people study baptism? Initially, most who study what the Bible says about baptism gather as many scriptures as they can about baptism. Then, they read them and harmonize them to come to a conclusion. That is a word study. No one needs to be an academic to do this. Every Christian should continue to do word studies as long as they are understanding those scriptures according to the surrounding texts.

            Despite such a common approach to studying a subject in the Bible, many people still directly contradict each other about baptism and more. Why do so many disagree with each other on biblical subjects? Some add teachings from their background that align with their family, friends and, or church to interpret baptism in a more agreeable way. Furthermore, many search out more scriptures that appear to disprove what other scriptures appear to say. That may be a confusing process, but this allows them to believe what they are comfortable with accepting. However, Christians can and must agree in unity. The apostle Paul wrote, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10 ESV). Agreeing to disagree about essential teachings is not a biblical option for Christians.

            How people study the subject of baptism in the Bible does not reveal any fault with Jesus, His Apostles, or the Bible that they quote and added more by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. 2 Peter 1:20–21). People feel ashamed for mishandling a message or action of those whom they respect. Reinterpreting someone's words to dismiss someone’s message has always been dishonest and wrong. Christians must remain honest in how we study and understand the Scriptures. The apostle Paul taught Timothy, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Bearing false witness of the words of Jesus and His Bible is an act of great dishonesty to faithful followers of Jesus. The Bible is not always easy to understand, and no action worth its time is always easy. Peter observed about Paul's letters, "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16). The ignorant and unstable are those who try to disprove scripture with scripture so they can support what makes them comfortable.

            Paul warned Timothy, "Evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). Furthermore, Paul urged him, "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14–15). By these words and earlier warnings about living in the last days, the apostle declared, "Every Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17). In a chaotic world where everyone seems to contradict oneself from last month, Christians have an anchor and foundation for the truth that Jesus relied upon and taught.

            Now when believers return to the subject of baptism, what do we find? Who should be baptized? What did Jesus say about baptism? What is the purpose of baptism? These are great questions that everyone needs to study honestly. Thank God for His written Word!

God has given power and authority for Christians to act as free people. "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:15–16 ESV). For this freedom, Christians obey the governing authorities but obey God over government (Titus 3:1–2; Acts 4:19; 5:29).

          While Christians live as free, how can Christians stand against oppression and tyranny (cf. Isaiah 1:23; Micah 7:3)? As has been said many times, if the righteous, God-fearing, pro-family, pro-life, hardworking, and freedom-loving people stay out of politics, then who does that leave to make policies under which we live and struggle to survive? The whole of the Christian life is freedom in full action against the oppression of evil. The Scriptures do not depict the church forming armies or ministers acting as informants to assassinate government officials (Ephesians 6:12; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4). What can the faithful do especially when the "authorities" are illegitimate and act contrary to their laws and promises?

The church has a number of ways to stand against oppression and tyranny:

• Be willing to suffer for the truth even unto death (Acts 7:54–60; 12:1–5; 1 Peter 2:13–16; 3:13–18; Revelation 13:5–10).
• Obey the government but obey God first over government (Acts 4:19; 5:29).
• Organize civil representation to elect officials, secure freedom, and set laws (cf. Deuteronomy 1:13–18; Exodus 18:19–23).
• Serve in civil government as an official, officer, or soldier (Acts 10:1–2; 16:25–36; Romans 16:23; Philippians 4:22).
• Claim citizen’s rights to secure freedom even by enduring authoritarian abuses (Acts 16:16–24, 35–40; 22:22–29).
• Use protection from authority including police, guards, and soldiers (Acts 23:12–14).
• Respect, obey, and pay taxes to the authorities (Mark 12:13–17; Romans 13:1–7; Titus 3:1–2; 1 Peter 2:13–17).
• Never avenge selves but leave wrath to God and overcome evil with good to bring justice upon the wicked via the authorities (Romans 12:18–13:7).
• Pray for the oppressed and pray for the authorities to be saved (Acts 12:4–5, 12; 1 Timothy 2:1–4).
• Respectfully correct the actions of authorities that are immoral and instruct them of how God is the foundation of rights and the source of morality (Matthew 14:1–5; Acts 4:5–12; 5:27–32).
• Seek first the kingdom of God proclaiming the gospel and making disciples (Matt 28:19–20; Mark 16:15; 1 Peter 2:9).
• Meet with religious groups when you can share the gospel (Acts 18:4, 19; 19:8; cf. 18:27–28; Hebrews 10:24–25).
• Give relief to the needy including victims of oppression (Luke 4:18–19; 6:27–36; Acts 20:34–35; Galatians 2:10).
• Live a peaceful, quiet, and independent life working with your hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 2:2).
• Live a life of freedom especially freedom from sin (John 8:31–32; 1 Peter 2:16).

God brings justice to evil rulers (2 Thessalonians 1:6–9; cf. Psalm 2:10–12; 125:3). Throughout the Old Testament, God demonstrated His providential wrath on evil rulers and evil nations. The Israelite prophet Daniel declared, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). God has not changed. He will judge all. Thank God for His justice and mercy!

In his headquarters, Pilate questioned Jesus, “Where are you from?” When Jesus did not answer, Pilate asked again, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” (John 19:10). Jesus revealed, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11 ESV). Jesus revealed that some sins are greater than other sins. The high priest carried more guilt as he held a position set by God, twisted God’s Word to condemn the Christ, and delivered Jesus to crucifixion. Sins are not equal in intention, degradation, and consequences.

            When many Christians speak of the equality of sin, they are referring to how all sin and have died in sin. Sin brings the condemnation of death to all because all have sinned (Rom 3:23; 5:12; 6:23). In this sense, all humanity shares in sin and no more. James declared, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (Jas 2:10; cf. 1 John 3:4). Beyond the guilt of breaking God’s law, sin has no more equality.

            Some assert that “all sins are equal” and think there will be no variation of punishment. However, Jesus taught that those who are not prepared for God or reject God will receive a more severe punishment than those who are ignorant and so receive a lesser punishment (Luke 12:47–48). Jesus concluded, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48b). Jesus also revealed that judgment would be more bearable for Sodom than for Capernaum who rejected the signs of Christ (Matt 11:22–24). Not all sins have the same judgment or the same ultimate consequences.

            Jesus taught that anyone who causes a believing child to stumble would better have a millstone hung around his neck and thrown into the sea (Mark 9:42). Why not apply this to everyone if all sins are equal? Anyone who commits sin does so outside the body, but those who commit sexual sins do so against one’s body (1 Cor 6:18). Why note this if all sins are equal? Misusing the Lord’s Supper has a different consequence too making one guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor 11:27–32). Why not say this of every person who sins if all sins are equal? Not all sins are equal.

            The sin of rejecting God and Christ denies God's forgiveness. God does not forgive unrepented sins such as apostate blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31). Those who willfully sin have no more sacrifice to cover sin (Heb 10:26–29). Those who practice the sins of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Cor 6:9–10; Gal 5:19–21; cf. Heb 6:4–6; 2 Pet 2:20–22).

            The apostle John revealed that there is a sin not leading to death (1 John 5:16–17). John was speaking of those who continue to walk in the light and confess their sins to the Father. These receive the forgiveness of all sins (1 John 1:7, 9). God forgives all sins that people repent from doing in addition to forgiving sins of ignorance (Luke 23:34). Christians must forgive one another as Christ forgives (Eph 4:32). Therefore, Christians must forgive those who repent (Luke 17:3–4).

            Some have said that no sin is greater than another is so that an innocent spouse cannot divorce one’s spouse for fornication and marry another, because all people sin and each person is just as guilty as another is (cf. John 8:1–11). Therefore, they think that one must forgive the other and remain together. They think that Jesus’s exception for the innocent to divorce a spouse for fornication is exaggerated and is not actually applicable (Matt 19:9).

            Some claim there is no difference between the man who is practicing a sexual sin and the person who fails to do good (Jas 4:17). Therefore, some reason that the church cannot discipline the man who openly practices sin because all people are guilty of sin (1 Cor 5). They refuse to withdraw from anyone openly living in adultery, the couple living together committing fornication, and homosexuals living in a sexual union. God’s people must withdraw from those who openly practice sin such as fornication, greed, extortionists, idolaters, revilers, and drunkards (1 Cor 5:9–11).

            As God is holy, His people are to be holy (1 Pet 1:14–16). Christians must not let the false teaching that “all sins are equal” to destroy holiness in the church. Thank God that He forgiveness the faithful!

How can I spend time with God? The following acronym is a simple way to remember essential ways to use our time and draw near to God.

Thanksgiving

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV).

            Psalm 100:4                                         2 Corinthians 2:14

            Colossians 3:15–17                             Hebrews 12:28

Inspiration

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

            John 14:23                               2 Timothy 3:16–17

            Hebrews 3:13                          Hebrews 10:24–25

Meditation

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

            Romans 8:5–6                         Romans 12:2

            Psalm 19:14                             Psalm 119:15

Exercise

“Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7b–8).
           
Romans 6:19                           1 Corinthians 6:18–20

Ephesians 2:10                        Philippians 1:20                                  

                [Contributed by Sheila Moon and supplemented by Scott Shifferd.]

Jesus’s approach to teaching in hostile settings was amazingly effective. Christians today can learn from Christ to do the same. The faithful can take the same principles and apply them in this hostile world. Here are some of Jesus’s practices that we can imitate:

Challenge listeners that they can listen to know the truth if they seek God. At the Feast of the Booths, Jesus went to the temple in Jerusalem to teach. His opening words were, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority” (John 7:16–17 ESV). In other words, those who complied gave vindication to Jesus as speaking from God for even accepting the challenge of examining His teaching. This would certainly bring attention to Jesus’s teaching and encourage people to examine their hearts. Later, Jesus revealed, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God” (John 8:47).

Bring back failed accusations and slander. For instance, Jesus brought up the accusation that He profaned the Sabbath by healing a disabled lame man on the Sabbath (John 7:19–24; cf. 5:1–17). Jesus noted that the Jews circumcised on the Sabbath, so that He can make a man whole on the Sabbath. Furthermore, Jesus challenged them saying, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24). Jesus effectively confronted the heart, so the people started questioning why the authorities do not kill Jesus maybe because they know that He is the Messiah (John 7:25–27, 40–44). Furthermore, Jesus confronted what the people were saying about knowing where Jesus came from and not from where the Christ will come. Jesus agreed that they knew Him, but they did not know the One who sent Him (John 7:28–29). Later, Jesus addressed unbelievers as those who did not truly know Him and so they did not know the Father of Jesus (John 8:14–20).

Declare the truth that Christ is the light of the world. Jesus began often by declaring a challenging truth. In John 8, Jesus taught, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (8:12). In other words, Jesus promised Himself as the illuminating source to guide the way of life for those who follow Him. The Christian should imagine making similar statements to others that Jesus is the light of the world or that Christians are the lights in the world (cf. Matt 5:14–16; 1 Thess 5:5).

Confront doubt with why people doubt. When unbelieving Jews tried to twist Jesus’s words, then Jesus kept teaching the truth and telling them why they do not know that He is the Christ. Jesus taught, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” These Jews responded suggested that Jesus was planning to kill Himself. To counter this contempt, Jesus declared, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:23–24). Jesus knew what was in their hearts and the cause of their disbelief was to avoid exposing their sin (John 2:24–25; 3:19–20). For this reason, He confronted these slanderers, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires” (John 8:43–44a).

As a Christian seeking to proclaim the truth, these words of Christ are encouraging to stand on the ground of truth. I hope that I can somewhat speak like Jesus when confronted by such hostility especially since Jesus’s words led to many coming to believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 7:40–44; 8:30). Thank God that we can read the words of Jesus Christ!

Many have not yet heard about it, but a movement has been spreading among independent churches to “congregational singing,” which means “singing together” in unison excluding concert formats. The movement emphasizes going back to the biblical form of worship in song. The apostle Paul wrote, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5–6 ESV). The earliest Christians worshipped by singing with one voice as a congregation. There were no special groups, choirs, praise teams, or any other concert setting in the early churches. Singing in worship and for edification has always been about “one another.” Paul instructed, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). Many churches have experienced that choirs, praise teams, and concert formats take away from congregational singing. Even the arrangement of seating in a church building can hinder congregational singing by taking the focus off edifying and encouraging one another to love and good works (1 Cor 14:6; Heb 10:24–25).
            Hundreds of independent churches across the United States have been shifting to congregational singing (ex. 9Marks ministry). The churches implementing congregational singing have been wrestling with the conflict of musical instruments and various contemporary styles. These churches are in addition to many primitive Baptist and Orthodox churches who do not use musical instruments. These churches have come to emphasize the “regulative principle” for worship, which is a principle upholding the Scriptures regulating the assembly. (The writer must clarify that I do not support the common “reformed” teachings about salvation and I cannot endorse them as churches of Christ. However, I am encouraged by the direction that they are going for their assemblies.)

            Is the “regulative principle” in the Bible? First Corinthians 11 and 14 are both chapters giving commands for edification, decency, and order in the assembly. Paul corrected the church at Corinth, “But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse” (1 Corinthians 11:17 ESV). Paul expanded and gave specific instructions for partaking of the Lord’s Supper together in the assembly (1 Cor 11:17–34). Furthermore, Paul taught, “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Paul also wrote, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” (1 Corinthians 14:26).

            Among most believers, the belief in the regulative principle has been lost. Churches host “praise and worship” concerts to engage various people and bring them to hear a portion of God’s Word, but a portion of God’s Word is what most will ever receive. They receive no instruction from Jesus’s words about true worship (John 4:20–24). New Testament Christians must stand for true worship and allow the Scriptures to give order to the most edifying assembly. The assembling of the church should not be boring. If a gathering is boring, individuals should first examine themselves according to the Scriptures, and then they can encourage the elders’ leadership of the congregation to seek out biblical precedents to increase edification.

            The churches of Christ have kept the Scriptural order of the assembly. However, many have gone so far as to assume a stripped-down “Baptist” assembly that forgets the heart of worship. The Apostle Paul taught, “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Corinthians 14:15). The apostle also instructed being filled with the Spirit and “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–20 ESV).

            Are you singing? Are you singing with one voice as a member of the congregation? Are you singing with your heart and your mind? Thank God that we can speak together with one voice the truth about God and give thanks to Him.

How do you know when God is speaking to you besides the Bible? This is a common and a good question to address. Many people claim to get specific new revelations from God. Some even claim to be prophets and write prophetic texts. Some churches claim direct inspiration from the Spirit of God to alter traditions and much more. Are they all right? Are they mostly right?

            Claiming direct revelation from God to deliver to others is different from claiming private personal revelation from God for one’s life. How can the individual Christian know the difference from having an idea and God giving them revelation?

Here are some biblical observations relevant to this subject:

1. God speaks to His people today by His Son — Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2; cf. 2:3–4).

2. God did not speak and give direct revelation to everyone throughout the Bible, but He spoke to the prophets who spoke to the people (Hebrews 1:1; 2:2). 

3. God gave revelation by His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit as written in Scripture (Ephesians 3:3–5; cf. 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

4. Jesus promised to reveal all truth through His Spirit to His apostles (John 14:26; 16:12–13).

5. James promised that those who pray would receive wisdom from God (James 1:5–6). 

How do Christians get that wisdom from God? Christians get wisdom from God’s Word and from experiences in life understood in the light of God’s Word. Believers certainly get such wisdom from the illumination of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:16–18). However, what is the illumination of the Spirit? The Apostle Paul spoke about the illumination of the Spirit, and he taught that the Spirit gave revelation through the apostles and prophets for Christians to read and know this mystery of revelation (Ephesians 3:3–5; cf. 2:19–22). Revelation from apostolic Scripture is certainly illumination from the Spirit. This writer may be wrong, but I am not aware of any independent personal revelation from the Spirit apart from God’s written Word. I think that I would be arrogant to assert that I got an additional revelation to “all truth” revealed by the Spirit to the apostles. If everyone had this revelation of all truth, then no one would need the Bible. Furthermore, Jesus heavily relied upon the Scriptures as the revelation of God when He taught others. Christians must do the same. The Apostle Paul taught that the Scriptures are all-sufficient for every teaching and good work (2 Tim 3:16–17).
            Whatever ideas and thoughts we have from God must agree with God’s revealed Word. Otherwise, people may invent what they want thinking that their ideas come from God. They would be adding to “all truth” that Jesus promised to reveal to His apostles. Those ideas will limit their understanding of the Bible. Many read Scripture and add background scenarios that can change how they view the Bible. This happens a lot when someone does not like Jesus’s command to divorce only for extramarital sex, so they assert a background scenario that Jesus was just talking to the Pharisees or to those under the OT and not to everyone (Matthew 19:9). Many do not like speakers being males in the church so they add a background scenario that some wives were speaking out and not respecting their husbands (1 Corinthians 14:33–37). They even reason that God has no gender to dismiss masculine leadership, so they disregard that Jesus came as a male and trained male disciples to be preachers.
            What is behind people wanting to hear directly from God? Many want to do as God wants and they want specific instructions for their life. However, most people in the Bible did not get direct instructions for every life event and situation. Think about everyone in the Faith Chapter of Hebrews 11. They acted by faith not knowing how and when God would act. God wants us to trust and obey Him through all times even when we do not know what is happening and what we should do (Romans 8:28). Sadly, some people appear to want a sense of significance beyond what God has already given them. This is pride over humility. The faithful avoid this and so they believe and trust in their Creator.
            God made you in His likeness able to think intelligently and communicate. God wants you to trust Him and listen to His words revealed in Scripture for the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

How would you rate your level of understanding God’s Word from 1 to 10 with 10 being fully mature Christian capable of teaching others on more than the elementary teachings of the Scriptures? All Christians are growing, and the faithful will never stop growing in knowledge. Peter closed his last letter commanding, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 ESV). Many Christians should be concerned because have stopped growing and are falling behind.

            The apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit answers many questions about Christian maturity and understanding the Bible in Hebrews 5:11–14. The apostle explained the implications of Jesus as the high priest in the previous verses and he noted that these are hard to explain to many Christians because they have become hard of hearing (cf. Heb 4:14–5:10). Paul expressed, “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11).

            How did they become hard of hearing? By the writer assuming the Pauline author of Hebrews is Paul, he observed previously that these Hebrew Christians were apostatizing. Paul warned, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Their problem was that they were hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (3:13). Paul urged these Christians to encourage one another every day and hold to the original confidence as they share in Christ (3:13–14). For this reason, the apostle warned them not to harden their hearts as the Israelites did in the rebellion against Moses (3:15–19).

            If you struggle to understand, do not be discourage Peter noted that much of Paul’s writing was hard to understand (2 Pet 3:15–16). However, if you know that you should have matured to teaching God’s Word to others, then you should be concerned. You can progress quickly by constantly studying God’s Word and talking with others.

            The apostle Paul expanded and observed, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child” (Hebrews 5:12–13). The lack of discipline and study has hurt the church as the faithful watch others give up and no words seem to persuade any change of their thinking. Jesus had good reasons for training His disciples constantly every day by example and teaching.

            These Christians were not mature. Paul explained, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). The apostle is not talking about the mere judgment of right and wrong behavior but distinguishing “good from evil” teaching. Paul urged them, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (6:1). The apostle saw that they should not need to establish the foundation of elementary teachings any more (6:2–3). Paul saw that they needed again to be taught the foundation of repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on hands, resurrection, and the judgment day. These Christians should be studying and teaching these subjects in-depth and not needing someone to teach them again.

            Can you teach foundational teaching from the Scriptures on these six subjects? Then you know that you are mature in teaching. Do not give up on the contemplation of God and His Word. The best help that I get is to listen to other brethren in conversations, books, articles, and recorded sermons and studies. We need each other. Wherever you are, stay close to God and return if you need to the contemplation of His Word so that you can confidently teach the truth.

There is no regret in turning your life to God. The apostle Paul taught that Godly grief leads to repentance unto salvation without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). Repentance has no regret. Repentance means to change one's mind to change one's life away from sins (Acts 26:20; Romans 12:1–2; Hebrews 6:1). Do you feel shame and guilt for sin? You will not regret repentance. Some experts confront guilt as "degradation" and work to eliminate guilt but not the sin. Again, repentance leads to salvation without regret.
            Christians should remain reflective of biblical teachings about repentance. Believers should be in a constant state of the renewing of the mind so that they do not conform to the world (Romans 12:1–2). If Christians are pleading to the world to repent, then the faithful must set the example of repenting. Paul taught, "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30 ESV). God wants all to come to repentance so they will be saved (2 Peter 3:9).

            When Paul confronted the church of Christ at Corinth for their sins, his teaching caused great sorrow. However, that sorrow was from God by which they repented of their sins. In recognition of this repentance, the apostle taught that his causing grief in others was so that they repent (2 Corinthians 7:8). Paul rejoiced for them not because they were grieved but because they repented (7:9). Repenting is not sorrow but the change that comes from the humility of Godly sorrow. Upon this, Paul noted, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (7:10). Godly grief produces earnestness to clear oneself of sin through a number of emotions of anger, fear, longing, and zeal (7:11). These reactions all revealed this church's earnestness to repent in the sight of God (7:12).
            How can Christians become more receptive of grief to repent? Believers can quit blaming others for their guilt and personal conflicts. How could someone make you feel guilty? "Don't make me feel guilty" is a strange response. Should you feel guilty for what you are doing? Maybe you should. If someone slandered you and framed you for murder, would you feel guilty for murdering someone? No. Someone cannot make you feel guilty if you did nothing wrong. Maybe I am wrong. Someone could make you doubt your choice of words as inconsiderate or even disrespectful. However, they are not making you feel guilty when you are innocent. Feeling guilty even for an unintentional action is your guilt, shame, and embarrassment that when this is Godly sorrow will help you change.

            Jesus revealed, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32). If you are not a sinner, why would you need Jesus? Christians must accept the saying, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost" (1 Timothy 1:15). That is why Jesus taught, "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He taught, "that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47; cf. Acts 20:21). Repentance leads to life (Acts 11:18). Repentance is essential to have one's sins forgiven through baptism in Jesus's name (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 10:43, 47–48).

            The faithful will repent unto salvation without regret. Jesus revealed, "Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7). Thank God for those who repent and bring about rejoicing in heaven.