Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Tag: Discernment

Work out your own salvation

No Exceptions Needed: Following Scripture to Heaven

August 7, 2026 / / 0 Comments

I am certainly glad that our eternal salvation does not depend on others. Each individual chooses to live their lives in faith and obedience to God or not; the choices of others do not change my outcome. I heard the following story many years ago: A lady stated: “I don’t attend church services because there are hypocrites there.” Her friend then responded: “I would rather attend services with hypocrites than spend eternity with them.

According to Scripture, we are each responsible for working out our own salvation; no one can work it out for us. Others may share Christ with us, but it’s up to us to study and discern from Scripture if what they shared is truly by God’s authority; in other words, found in Scripture according to God’s word, because if we don’t, are we not putting our faith in that person’s teaching rather than God’s own Words?

We are all individuals, collectively seeking eternal life in heaven, and we need to pick up the Cross to follow Jesus as stated in Scripture. If we do so according to God’s Word, we don’t need to seek or hope for exceptions to His Word not found in Scripture to gain eternal life. Nope, we can know by simply doing His will; heaven is our home. Following the ideas of others over what is actually found in Scripture is dangerous, no matter how widely accepted.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:22-24

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 2:12

Acts 17:11, Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24, Romans 14:12, Galatians 6:5, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 1:22, John 14:15

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Alzheimer’s and change

July 8, 2026 / / 3 Comments

The point to the attached meme is not lost on me. However, I have also discovered that things may not be what they seem on the surface. My wife once had issues with her “pew seat” as her Alzheimer’s progressed. You see, for such patients, small changes can be big issues; even a simple change, like having to sit in a different location, can be a problem as they are losing their ability to understand the change.

This was during an earlier period of the disease; where she would sometimes say loudly, “They’re sitting in our seat or some other irritated remark, and she would sometimes become discombobulated when she couldn’t find and sit in her usual seat. I would then try to get her to understand it’s not a big deal and sit elsewhere with her.

Alzheimer’s or other dementia-type diseases don’t always stand out in appearance. For a very long time, people would talk to my wife occasionally and have no idea she was on this downward journey.

My reason for addressing the message behind this meme is to draw attention to the possibility that, before we assume rudeness is intentional or unchristian-like, maybe we should consider that there may be more to the situation than we see on the surface. Maybe it would help to assume there is such an issue and draw on our compassion rather than frustration or judgment in such a situation. I’m sure that if a Christian knows there’s a reason like this behind someone’s attitude, they would be more than happy to accommodate them.

Today, because of the progression of this disease, that issue is gone as we are not able to attend services as we used to.

I hate Alzheimer’s

  • Colossians 3:12
  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

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SEE TO IT - "SEE TO IT that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 ESV

SEE TO IT

June 24, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Colossians 2:8 seems to stress we have a personal responsibility to study and know God’s Word so that we are not swayed.

It reads… “SEE TO IT that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 ESV (Emphasis added)

In short, IT’S ON US! The only way to “SEE TO IT” is to read and study so we can know the words and intent of our Creator for ourselves, God’s Holy Word.

God gave us what He wanted us to know and follow in writing for a reason, didn’t He?

  • 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Philippians 2:12-30
  • Hebrews 5:14

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Oops, I almost forgot to take my eyes out.

“Oops, I almost forgot to take my eyes out.” Or “Got to put my eyes in.”

April 7, 2026 / / 0 Comments

This type of language is called “hyperbole.” It can engage the listener by bringing more attention to an otherwise dry statement. In today’s culture, especially in our news, hyperbolic language is often distorted and twisted to be” Literal Language,” no matter how obvious the exaggeration. By treating hyperbolic statements literally, one might call someone a liar or twist the intent of their statement to make it sound disrespectful when there was no such intent.

My point is: We would do well to pay more attention to the intent of messages rather than getting caught up and inflamed by spin. Generally, the intent of a hyperbolic statement is obvious; unless you’re looking to change the message to further a different agenda, you should get it.

In my example, which I often use, I’m referring to putting in or taking out my contact lenses. No thought of disrespect or inconsiderate intent is aimed at or considered toward anyone in such a situation where they have literally lost an eye, and it would be wrong to accuse me of such.

I have used hyperbolic language naturally for many, many years. Long before I learned, it had a name and definition.

Jesus taught with hyperbolic language:

“Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”

Jesus was not lying about a log; He used hyperbole to make a point, yet many in today’s media would call Jesus a liar if his teachings contradict their agenda.

We need to exercise much discernment in what we see and hear today, and then be slow to speak or judge, lest we join in spreading lies rather than be certain of spreading truth. It’s just way too easy to be gullible with all the untruth in media and Artificial Intelligence.

Definition: hy·per·bo·le [hīˈpərbəlē]

NOUN * Exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

“being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,” Romans 1:29

“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.” Proverbs 20:19

“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” James 1:26

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36-37

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