Author: Brian Burdett

“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” – 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

We live in such a confusing time! There are so many conflicting voices on just about every issue we face, and many of these voices claim to speak for Christ and Christians. How can this be possible? Some are legitimately in disagreement over difficult issues, but some of these Christian voices are actually serving Satan, whether they realize it or not! They do so by subtly drawing us away from Christ, away from the cross, and toward finding authority, fulfillment, and satisfaction in something or someone else. That is Adversary’s work!

How can we be discerning as followers of Jesus? Should we simply be persuaded by the loudest, most relentless, most pleasant, most persuasive, most popular, or most controversial voices? No! We must look deeper, seeing past the disguises.

We must first look at what’s being taught – is it Scriptural and consistent with the entirety of the Bible? We know Satan can quote Scripture, which is why many deceivers draw in the faithful with a few twisted verses. Is what’s being taught consistent with the entirety of the Bible, the nature of God, and the work of Christ? We must each know and grow in what we know of God’s Word, every single day.

Then we must look at the life and character of the one doing the teaching. Is it godly? Is the Fruit of the Spirit prominently on display in his or her life? Many so-called Christian leaders who’ve been revealed for their falseness could have been detected by simply asking where was their love? Their joy? Their peace? Their patience? Their kindness? Their goodness? Their faithfulness? Their gentleness? Their self-control?

If a loud and plausible sounding “Christian” leader is missing these qualities, he or she is probably not a servant of righteousness. Stay alert, for these days are evil!

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

As we observe Labor Day and mark the unofficial end of a very strange summer, it’s helpful to remember for Whom we actually work. It’s not our boss. It’s not ourselves. It’s not our shareholders or CEO. It’s the Living God of the Universe! For this reason, there is dignity, significance, and purpose in doing every job of every kind as well as we possibly can!

As teachers and students prepare for online learning, it’s helpful to remember that whatever the inadequacies, deficiencies, and defects of this new model, we still serve and glorify God by investing our best efforts in the task that lies before us.

Whenever we’re tempted to give up or “phone it in”, let us remember Who the true judge of our efforts is and the ultimate reward we who are in Christ will receive from Him. Let us run with renewed energy the race that lies before us all of our days, yearning to hear that glorious commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

“You are to regard only the Lord of Armies as holy.
Only he should be feared;
only he should be held in awe.”
– Isaiah 8:13

At a time when we’re surrounded by so many things that could fill us with overwhelming, paralyzing fear, it’s helpful to remember that God is greater than all of these things!

Likewise, there’s so much anger and anxiety in society right now and the best cure for all of it is to step back and let ourselves be filled with the awesome person, presence, and majesty of the Lord God.

We must not elevate earthly things, concerns, or even prominent human leaders higher in our minds than is appropriate. Only God is holy!

We must not elevate the threats we face, serious as they are, higher than is appropriate in our imaginations. Let us reserve our awe, respect, honor, and fear for the Almighty. Let us draw strength from the knowledge that He created us, He loves us, He hears our prayers, He gave His unique Son Jesus as a sacrifice for us, He redeems us by grace through faith in Jesus, He embraces us, He adopts us, He forgives us, He comforts us, and He is always present with everyone who is in Christ.

“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.” – 2 Corinthians 7:8-9

If the only messages you take away from the Bible about yourself are positive, encouraging, and affirming about what you think, say, and do, you need to read more carefully!!!

The Word of God is clear – God loves us and gave His only Son to redeem us. All who trust in Christ are adopted and made new in Him. However, God calls us to constantly change to become ever more like Jesus.

God and His Word regularly confront us with the residual sin in our hearts, minds, thoughts, words, and actions. He reveals the way our attitudes, priorities, and actions stray from God’s heart and will. His Word should regularly convict us of the many ways we sin and fall short of God’s glory. The purpose of all this isn’t to crush us, but to lift us up by transforming us. God’s Word and the loving correction and rebuke delivered by His people should regularly wound us in order to heal us. These wounds bring about godly grief, sorrow, and holy repentance. These are God’s holy surgeries and medications for the sin sickness that remains within us. We should rejoice in this, not avoid it. If we seldom experience it, then we need to change our approach to reading and studying God’s Word and fellowshipping with His people!

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20

If you’re a Christian, THIS is who you are: an ambassador for Christ, placed where God has placed you (home, school, work, family, friends, community, nation) to represent Jesus and relay His message to be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

If you’re a Christian, then you are NOT an ambassador for your earthly nation. Of course you may love your nation, but your true citizenship is in Heaven. You represent the Kingdom of God and must conduct yourself accordingly at all times and in all places. There is never a time and place you aren’t representing God’s Kingdom!

If you’re a Christian, then you are NOT an ambassador for your political party. Of course you may have a preferred party, but Christ transcends earthly parties. You represent the One True King. He has positions on every political topic and there is no single party on earth that accurately upholds all of those positions in both action and attitude.

If you’re a Christian, then you are NOT an ambassador for your preferred philosophy or ideology. We don’t get to choose our message or “improve” the one we’ve been given. We relay the Gospel of Jesus Christ and teach the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

You are a royal ambassador. This is a sacred trust. Fulfill this responsibility well and NEVER forget Who you represent at all times!