Skip to main content
search
Category

Christian Living

Jul 29
Love0

Going Against the Flow

By Christian Living, Evil, Faith, Holiness, Life No Comments

For most of us, the pressure to go with the flow is much stronger than we care to admit. The societal compulsion to think and live like everyone else can be intimidating, and the misguided values of our fallen world are often enticing. Following Jesus, though, requires the courage to move in the opposite direction by going against the currents of compromise.

Learning from one of Israel’s greatest failures at a pivotal moment offers us some practical guidance. After the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt through ten miraculous plagues, He led them safely through the Red Sea before feeding them manna from heaven and water from a rock in the middle of the desert. After years of journeying together, the Jews were finally on the verge of the Promised Land (Num. 13-14).

After Moses sent out twelve spies to survey the Canaanite territory over the span of forty days, the people heard reports of a land flowing with milk, honey, and abundant fruit (Num. 13:27). While Joshua and Caleb challenged the people to pursue God’s best for them, the ten other spies magnified the obstacles out of fear. In the end, the nation disobeyed God and refused to enter the land (Num. 14:1-3). Their contrasting responses teach us three important lessons as we seek the Lord’s will despite the pressures of our culture.

First, we should celebrate that God’s plans for our lives are always attainable. Despite the Lord’s clear direction, the presence of strong inhabitants in the land paralyzed the fearful spies (Num. 13:28). In other words, to them obedience seemed impossible.

We hear similar misleading voices today. You cannot maintain sexual purity in this culture, they say. You cannot guard your mind with so much wickedness around you, we are told. You cannot build your life around Scripture without becoming irrelevant, many insist. You cannot remain committed to church when others walk away, people speculate. You cannot speak openly about Christ without alienating people, others predict.

Do not believe those lies.

Though God never promises an easy road, He always equips us to walk the path He chooses. Every Christian is the “workmanship” of the Father, created in Christ Jesus for good works that the Lord prepared for us to walk in before we were born (Eph. 2:10).

Personal holiness can sometimes isolate us. Obedience will leave you standing alone. Biblical convictions will put you at odds with the mainstream. Godliness will always be antithetical to popular opinion. Salvation’s narrow road may put us out of step with the world around us, but our Savior does not demand what is impossible, nor does He require anything that is not for our good (Matt. 7:13-14).

Second, we can rest knowing that God’s power is always available. Joshua and Caleb never denied the presence of giant warriors in the land. Instead, they pleaded with their peers, reminding them that the Lord was present with them and for them (Num. 14:9). That realization changes everything.

Christians often look at our deteriorating culture and surrender to despair. We lament declining morality, fractured families, biblical illiteracy, sexual confusion, and increasing hostility toward Christian convictions. These concerns are real and deserve our attention, but fear should never define our response to darkness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God promises to enable our greater devotion (Rom. 8:5). Whatever He calls us to, He empowers us for. His plans are never out of reach, nor are His desires unattainable.

Because Christ lives within us (Gal. 2:20), we never face temptation alone (1 Cor. 10:13). The Holy Spirit cultivates a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6), enabling us to repent of sin, share the gospel, and serve others as salt and light in our communities (Matt. 5:13-16). Few feel strong enough to live the Christian life and, in reality, none of us are. Yet, the Lord has not left us powerless against the schemes of the devil (Eph. 6:11-17).

Finally, we must never forget that God’s people are always accountable. Unbelief, not intimidation, was the root cause of Israel’s failure. Despite everything God had shown them, they refused to trust His Word. Consequently, an entire generation forfeited the privilege of entering Canaan (Num. 14:20-23). Their story reminds us that our choices have consequences.

Clearly, disobeying God is sinful. But knowing to do good, and refusing it, is just as egregious (James 4:17). The Lord holds us responsible for both. Our actions, or the lack thereof, have lasting implications.

Perhaps you keep postponing obedience. Maybe God is calling you to fuller surrender. Do you need to forgive someone? To abandon a sinful habit? To repent before God? Perhaps passivity plagues your walk with God? Do you spend enough time reading God’s Word? Are you active in a local church? Have you been putting off obedience of some kind?

Do not assume tomorrow will offer the same opportunity as today. Israel learned the hard way that our inaction is often rebellious. By the time they realized their error, it was too late (Num. 14:40-45). Going with the flow will rob us of God’s best for our lives. You can squander years chasing pleasure, possessions, approval, comfort, or success. By the time you recognize what those pursuits have cost you, the burden created may be irreversible.

So don’t be afraid to stand against the tide of cultural lies. The crowd may offer an easier road, but faith will choose another direction. Go against the flow. Trust God’s plan. Depend on His power. Remember your accountability. You won’t regret doing so.

Adam B. Dooley
July 29, 2026

Jul 08
Love0

The Pesky Reality About Our Trials

By Christian Living, Heaven, Salvation No Comments

None of us ever ask God for trials.

We pray for healing instead of sickness, peace instead of conflict, and provision instead of uncertainty. Adversity interrupts our plans, steals our comfort, and exposes our weaknesses. Hardship arrives uninvited, overstays its welcome, and forces us to ask questions we never expected to face. These intrusions are pesky because of the havoc they wreak.

The most disconcerting reality about life’s troubles, though, is not found in the wake of its collateral damage. The greatest nuisance is not the pain our trials bring but the truth they expose. In one sense, our burdens build faith into our lives in a profound way (James 1:2-4). But, in a different sense entirely, our problems have a way of exposing genuine devotion to Christ or the lack thereof.

Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with a familiar story about two men who built two houses on two contrasting foundations (Matt. 7:24-27). Outwardly, the homes appeared nearly identical. Their materials were the same and their design was consistent. The difference, however, remained unseen to the human eye beneath the surface. The first house enjoyed the firm foundation of a rock while the other emerged above the shifting sands.

Over the course of time, both homes encountered the same rain, floods, and winds. It was only after the storm struck that the critical distinction between the structures was clear. One house stood tall because of the security beneath it. The other had a great fall due to its faulty footing. Jesus’ parable is obviously about much more than residential construction. His lesson focuses on how we live our lives. Like these homes, we cannot fully discover what we are made of until the wind begins to blow.

The storms did not build the foundations; they exposed them. That truth should make every Christian stop and think. Adversity has its way of uncovering who we really are and what our foundation is (or is not). Even more remarkable, though, is that the fuller context of Matthew suggests these verses are not primarily about our earthly challenges and difficulties.

Christians, like all people, will face hard times. But the emphasis here points us to a greater storm that is coming. Previously, Jesus warned that not everyone who professes to know Him will be welcome in the kingdom of God (Matt. 7:21-23). The clouds of divine judgment are forming and one day every person will stand before the Lord to give an account. Justice will rain down; holiness will flood the earth; and the relentless righteousness of God will blow across our sinful lives.

No wonder our Savior issued numerous warnings about the coming judgment of God. He told us there are two gates, one that is small and the other that is wide, and two paths, one that is narrow and the other that is broad, from we must choose to enter. (Matt. 7:13-14). He warned that there are two kinds of fruit (good and bad), and that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit (Matt. 7:16-20). Two different confessions will separate the sheep from the goats (Matt. 7:21). And now, lest we miss the point, there are two differing foundations upon which we can build our lives.

This impending storm transforms the way we view our temporal problems. Trials become much more than unwelcome interruptions; they are dress rehearsals for eternity! Every burden we face exposes whether our faith rests fully on Christ or merely upon the sands of religious activity. Adversity has a pesky way of laying bare what lies beneath the surface.

The Bible consistently teaches that genuine faith perseveres. James explains that trials produce endurance (James 1:2-4). Peter says God refines our faith like gold in the fire (1 Peter 1:6-9). Paul reminds us that suffering produces perseverance, proven character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). None of these passages indicate that our commitment through hardship earns salvation. Instead, persistence through difficulties reveals the reality of saving faith. In other words, earthly storms give us a glimpse of what will happen when we stand before God one day.

If we consistently abandon Christ due to our weariness, we should honestly examine whether we have ever built our lives upon Him. On the other hand, believers who continue trusting, obeying, and loving Christ through the hurt and pain of a fallen world gain increasing assurance that their lives rest upon the only foundation that cannot fail. Our perseverance does not determine God’s verdict. It points toward it.

One day every person will face the greatest storm of all when we stand before the Lord. Those who build their lives on Jesus Christ need not fear that day because our Savior already endured God’s judgment in our place. Until then, every earthly trial reminds us to keep trusting Him. Those who stand upon Jesus through the temporary storms of our broken existence can look toward eternity with confidence—not because of our strength—but because the Rock beneath us will never fail.

Adam B. Dooley
July 8, 2026

Jun 24
Love0

Celebrating America’s Christian Heritage

By America, Christian Living, Faith, Freedom No Comments

As America celebrates her 250th birthday, citizens across our nation will gather beneath fireworks, wave flags, and remember the extraordinary events that gave birth to the United States. Two and a half centuries after the signing of our Declaration of Independence, we still enjoy freedoms that millions of people around the world only dream about. This national milestone deserves more than a casual acknowledgement. Gratitude, reflection, and an honest appraisal of the principles that made America exceptional are in order.

Celebrating America’s Christian heritage does not require blind assertions that all the Founders and our earliest citizens were orthodox Christians. History does not support such claims, though the modern insistence that the majority were deists is demonstrably false. Fifty-two of the fifty-five signers of the Declaration of Independence were Protestants, along with roughly 75% of the population.

Despite their rejection of a state church, the Founders possessed a deep conviction that Christianity was the necessary garden from which freedom would flourish. The men who established our nation overwhelmingly believed that a Christian foundation would protect broad religious liberty for minority groups.

The Declaration of Independence itself reflects sincere spiritual conviction. America’s founders grounded human rights not in government, public opinion, or political power, but in God. Because Scripture so clearly teaches that every human being bears the image of his Maker (Gen. 1:26-27), they insisted that all people are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” Those words changed the world.

For the first time in history, a nation unashamedly asserted that government does not grant rights; it merely recognizes the rights God has already given. The Founders submitted to governmental structures that exist under God’s authority to restrain evil and promote good (Rom. 13:1–4; 1 Pet. 2:13–17). Their goal was not to create truth, define morality, or to determine ultimate worth. At its best, government recognizes what God has already revealed.

Our forefathers feared what would happen if Americans abandoned the moral principles that Christianity supplied. George Washington famously observed in his Farewell Address that religion and morality serve as “indispensable supports” for political prosperity. John Adams wrote that the Constitution was made only for a “moral and religious people” and proved wholly inadequate for any other. Their concern aligns with Scripture’s repeated warning that righteousness strengthens a nation while sin destroys it (Prov. 14:34). To them, freedom could not endure among a people who lacked virtue, self-restraint, and moral conviction.

These concerns were not unfounded. Free societies demand something unique from their citizens. Tyrannies control behavior through force. Dictatorships rely on fear. Constitutional republics require citizens to govern themselves. When people refuse to exercise self-control, government eventually steps in to impose external control. As virtue declines, freedom dissipates with it. Lasting liberty requires moral restraint.

The Founders recognized that Christianity supplied the moral framework necessary for self-government. Scripture commands honesty (Eph. 4:25), personal responsibility (2 Thess. 3:10–12), humility (Phil. 2:3–4), justice (Mic. 6:8), compassion for the poor (Prov. 19:17), and love for neighbor (Mark 12:31). These virtues do more than shape private character; they strengthen public life.

Alexis de Tocqueville, the famous French observer who traveled America in the 1830s, noticed this spiritual connection immediately. “Americans,” he stated, “combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive one without the other.” The success of American culture, according to Tocqueville, was their willingness to exercise their freedoms within a moral framework shaped by biblical principles.

Today, many voices insist that faith and public life should remain entirely separate. Thankfully, our history tells a different story. America did not emerge from an ethical vacuum. Biblical ideas influenced our national understanding of right and wrong. Churches helped shape communities, Christian convictions informed public virtue, and religious faith strengthened the cultural foundations upon which constitutional republic rested.

Even Thomas Jefferson, who admittedly wanted more separation between church and state than his contemporaries, envisioned nothing remotely like the aspirations of the ACLU or the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. While governor of Virginia, Jefferson issued a prayer proclamation for the purpose of solemn thanksgiving and petitions to “Almighty God.” Additionally, he drafted bills outlining the governor’s prerogative to call for days of fasting and humiliation, as well his ability to punish Sabbath breakers and religious malcontents. Jefferson’s proposal for a national seal was depiction of the Red Sea crossing from the book of Exodus under the motto “Rebellion for tyrants is obedience to God.” Freedom from religion was the farthest thing from our third president’s mind.

Of course, Christians should not view America as the kingdom of God or confuse patriotism with discipleship. God’s family transcends every nation, including our own. Our highest allegiance belongs to Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20). No nation can replace the church, and no flag should receive the devotion that belongs to the cross. Yet believers can still thank God for the remarkable blessings He has given this country while recognizing the profound influence Christianity exerted on its development.

As we mark 250 years of American independence, we should celebrate both the freedoms we enjoy and the foundations that sustain them. Liberty remains a precious gift, but it requires moral responsibility. Freedom flourishes when citizens, even nonbelievers, embrace virtue, honor truth, strengthen families, and love their neighbors. A Christian worldview remains the secret ingredient for protecting the pluralistic realities of the American melting pot.

America’s founders understood these realities. They believed our experiment in self-government depended upon a people shaped by moral conviction. All these years later, their warning remains as relevant as ever. If we hope to preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must recover the virtues that made liberty possible in the first place.

Adam B. Dooley
June 24, 2026

Jun 18
Love0

Narrow Faith in a Broad World

By Christian Living, Eternity, Evil, Heaven, Judgment, Obedience, Priorities, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sin, Surrender No Comments

Nearly every area of life depends upon narrowness and exclusivity. None of us are eager to be a surgeon’s guinea pig on an operating table, preferring instead a physician who understands the single most effective method for heart surgery. After we board a flight, we trust that the pilot understands the right and wrong way to land the plane. Need a prescription filled? You will not seek out a pharmacist who is comfortable throwing whatever pills are available into your medicine bottle. When making a deposit at our local bank we settle for nothing less than a teller who transfers our funds into a specific account, without changing even one digit in the account number.

Instances like these powerfully demonstrate that narrowness and exclusivity are not only kind, but also the keys to avoiding calamity and heartache. Yet, when it comes to spiritual matters, many strangely conclude just the opposite. Ours is a world that often views moral truth claims as harsh, and their messengers as hateful and bigoted. In this climate, insisting that Jesus is the only way to heaven is out of bounds. Articulating biblical morality falls into the category of hate speech. Speaking with confidence or certainty emboldens critics to chide your hubris and hypocrisy.

But how do we explain this?

Why do so many resist the straightforward claims of Scripture?

Simply put, the path of the majority is broad and deceiving. Jesus explained, “The gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it” (Matt. 7:13). Though we should take no pleasure in it, the popular course of the masses leads to damnation and destruction. Inclusivism and tolerance are buzz words on the broad road. With no boundaries or restrictions, those on this path are free to live however they choose.

We could rightly call it “Just Be Yourself Boulevard.” Live your truth is the theme, and following your dreams is the primary ambition. Rightly, Jesus contrasted this enticing road to hell with the narrowness of the heavenly highway. “The gate is small,” our Lord insisted, “and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:14).

The implications here are as necessary as they are sobering. First, hell is real and eternal. Gehenna (Matt. 10:28, 18:9) was the most common word Jesus used to describe a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41-42). With fire that is unquenchable, the torment of hell is everlasting due to the imposing glory of God (2 Thess.1:9). Unfortunately, our discussions of these realities demonstrate that we have no idea what we are talking about. We tell people to go to hell. People talk about partying in hell. We speak so flippantly about God’s final judgment that there is little to no fear of its coming.

Yet, according to Jesus, the majority of people, those whom we know and love, are on a devastating path that secures their future condemnation. Populating the broad path are the likely suspects. The fornicator is there. The adulterer is there. The homosexual is there. The liar, thief, agnostic, atheist, and humanist are all there. But there are also scores of religious people who blindly walk along this expansive route. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and denominations of all stripes are there, all of which have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Tim. 3:5).

That preacher who reduces salvation to earthly prosperity and gain? He’s on the broad road. That minister draped in a rainbow flag as she openly celebrates sin and encourages others to do the same? She’s on the broad road. Those denominations that brazenly ordain homosexuals to lead their congregations? They are on the broad road. The networks of churches across denominational lines that jettison biblical truth for worldly wisdom and philosophy? All of them are on the broad road.

So much of what passes for Christianity here on this earth is far from it in the eyes of God. It may sound harsh to point out the obvious, but isn’t warning those in danger really the most loving thing to do? The Bible repeatedly warns us to stay alert against falsehoods like these. “Certain persons,” lamented Jude, “have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”(Jude 4).

So, what are we to do? Walking through the narrow gate of salvation requires leaving everything behind in order to follow Jesus. None of our worldly achievement, ambition, or affluence earns our right to eternal paradise. The narrow path is a vivid picture of how we live our lives, reminding us that God’s grace saves andsanctifies (Eph. 2:8-10). The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus shared these words, is a record of the life changes that accompany a genuine walk with God. Obedience to Christ does not save, but it serves as powerful evidence that we are born again.

Thus, entering the kingdom of God begins with the realization that we are sinners deserving of death (Rom. 3:23, 6:23). Next, we are to repent of our sins in order to turn toward Christ (Acts 20:21). We respond to the gospel by confessing Jesus as our Lord in light of His resurrection from the dead (Rom. 10:9). Because these steps are the beginning rather than the end of our journey on the narrow road, we should repeatedly examine ourselves, looking for the signs of internal and external change, as the markers that our faith is real (2 Cor. 13:5).

If these claims were untrue, all talk of the narrow road would indeed be an insult. But, if Jesus was telling the truth, and He was, the most loving, compassionate act is to warn people of the deception and danger along the broad path. So which road are you traveling? All who are willing are welcome on the narrow road, but it requires total surrender. Choose wisely. Your eternity depends on it.

Adam B. Dooley
June 18, 2026

Apr 16
Love0

The Problem With Getting Even

By Christian Living, Revenge, Uncategorized No Comments

Have you ever wanted revenge?

The common, unseemly impulse to settle every score often rears its ugly head when we least expect it. Someone abruptly cuts you off on the highway. A boyfriend or girlfriend does you wrong. Your spouse betrays your trust. A lifelong friend throws you under the bus. Regardless of who it was, or when it happened, chances are there is at least one person whom you would love to see “get what’s coming to them.”

The instinct runs deep. Our fleshly disposition yearns for vengeance at the first hint of wrongdoing (Gal. 5:19-21). Yet, as He always does, Jesus confronts our depraved tendencies head-on by offering a radically different standard for living (Matt. 5:38-42). By emphasizing grace over retaliation, Jesus describes for us what “second-mile” Christianity looks like. He forbids personal vengeance not because justice is unimportant, but because God is the only perfectly righteous judge.

As is His custom in the Sermon on the Mount, our Savior corrects Pharisaical misinterpretations of the Old Testament. The familiar concepts of “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth” were meant to shield society from the dangerous extremes of leniency and excessive punishment (Exod. 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). Over time, religious leaders distorted Moses’ teaching in order to promote personal vendettas under the guise of Scripture. Those with power and resources effectively became judges, juries, and executioners against their enemies.

Thus, Jesus issues a radical command to lay down our rights by turning the other cheek when others seek to harm us (Matt. 5:39). With laser precision, our Lord lays our hearts bare by calling us back to the entirety of Scripture, which insists on our forfeiting revenge as a strategy (Lev. 19:18). No matter how justified we may feel or how right we may be, taking matters of justice into our own hands is not permissible.

Contextually, Jesus’ message has nothing to do with dismantling civic institutions of accountability. He is not prohibiting just war, capital punishment, police enforcement, or fair consequences. The Bible robustly promotes governing authorities as one of God’s means to punish evil doers (Rom. 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14). Turning the other cheek is not a call to national pacifism, but an admonition to trust God enough that we stay out of the way, allowing Him to bring about justice that is free from our personal agendas.

Seeking revenge clouds our judgment; it escalates conflict; and it often creates consequences far worse than the initial offense. Simply put, vengeance toward others only makes matters more difficult (Prov. 14:29; Js. 1:20). Choosing restraint requires great strength and tremendous faith. We must believe that God will judge rightly at just the right time (Heb. 10:30). Absorbing the transgressions of others protects us from bitterness while deepening our trust in the Lord (Eph. 4:31-32).

None of this means, however, that Christians must ignore danger or abandon our responsibility to protect others. A husband should guard his wife and children by preserving and defending his home (Neh. 4:14; Prov. 14:26). Those who are strong have a moral duty to prohibit efforts to harm the weak and vulnerable (Ps. 82:3-4). Preventing evil doers from hurting others is both noble and justified when necessary.

Even when defensive measures are required, though, our motives should be free from uncontrollable anger that demands getting even. As much as is within our power, we are to seek to live in peace with all people (Rom. 12:18). In fact, we should be willing to go above and beyond to ensure our continued harmony with others. Jesus instructs us to give away our coat when someone demands our shirt (Matt. 5:40). He insists that we walk two miles instead of one when others are a burden to us (Matt. 5:41). Neither time nor space will allow me to explain the full background of these directives, but the principle is clear—do everything necessary to remain at peace with those around you. Relationships matter more than our personal rights or vindication.

The humility necessary to live in these ways will not come easy. Yet, putting others before ourselves remains the very heart of Christianity (Phil. 2:3-4). Returning evil for good is a hellish way to live. Responding with good for good and evil for evil is the human way to live. But replying to every act of evil with good for your enemy is God’s heavenly prescription for living.

Ultimately, how we treat others is an expression of devotion to the Lord whom we follow (Col. 2:23-24). After all, Jesus Himself endured the rejection of His enemies and the suffering it created (Phil. 2:5-8) because of His confidence that God the Father would give Him a name that is above all other names (Phil. 2:9-11). So, let’s be like Jesus, knowing that the Father will make all things right (Ecc. 3:17; Rom. 12:19) and all things new (Rev. 21:4-5).

Adam B. Dooley
April 16, 2026

Apr 08
Love0

Struggling to Believe

By Christian Living, Doubt, Jesus No Comments

I love this time of year. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday is a highlight on every church calendar. Additional worship services, large crowds, and first-time professions of faith create lasting momentum that churches often ride for months. Social media posts and pictures ought to bring a smile to our faces as we celebrate all that God is doing in congregations across our nation.

And yet, I cannot help but think of another reality that often follows the largest Sunday of the year. When surveying the New Testament, we quickly realize that the initial response to Jesus’ resurrection was confusion, and even unbelief. People heard the reports. They listened to the testimonies. They knew the tomb was empty. And yet, most struggled to believe at first.

If doubt plagued potential followers of Christ in the first century, certainly we modern pilgrims will struggle with uncertainty as well. Perhaps you have heard the story of Jesus’ cross and resurrection before. The news of God’s love may not be anything new to you, but deep down you might be wondering if all this religious fervor is really true?

Two of Jesus’ earliest followers illustrate the anxious tension you might be experiencing in the aftermath of Easter Sunday. A man named Cleopas (Luke 24:18), along with a friend, discussed the commotion surrounding Jesus’ missing body while they journeyed toward Emmaus (Luke 24:13-14). Reports that Christ had risen from the dead only seemed to confuse them more as they discussed it.

Because the men were unable to piece the significance of the weekend events together on their own, Jesus met them along the road while they traveled (Luke 24:15-17). The willingness of our Savior to run to their doubts rather than away from them ought to encourage us. Though these sojourners rightly understood Jesus’ prophetic teaching, miraculous deeds, and death on the cross, they seemingly had no category for His victory over the grave (Luke 24:19-21).

A similar disconnect between the sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection remains today. According to Barna Research, though eight out of ten Americans celebrated Easter this year, less than half of them associate the holiday with the empty tomb of Christ. Whether due to ignorance or confusion, we, like Cleopas and his companion, still look upon Jesus rising from the dead with suspicion and uncertainty.

Thankfully, Christ is neither angered nor annoyed by our skepticism. Our questions do not intimidate Him, nor does our hesitancy frustrate Him. Just as Jesus spoke with clarity on the Emmaus Road, He is still guiding us to truth today (Luke 24:25-26). And how does He do so? Luke simply reports, “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27).”

Maybe Jesus explained from the book of Genesis that the Messiah would suffer a bruised heel (death on a cross) before crushing the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). Perhaps He explained that Isaac on the altar offered a picture of His death as a sacrifice on Calvary (Gen. 22). Or, Jesus might have recalled the first Passover in Egypt in order to identify Himself as the final Passover Lamb by which God will pass over our sins (Exodus 12). He could have reminded them that Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days as a picture of His three days in the tomb (Matt. 12:40).

Regardless of what Scriptures our Savior used, the point is that from cover-to-cover the Bible points us to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s plan, of which the resurrection is foundational (John 5:39). Apart from a risen Savior, Christianity is a lie and the Bible is the greatest hoax in the history of the world. If Jesus did not rise, this life is all there is. The truthfulness of the Bible and the redemption we seek are inseparable.

Not surprisingly, Jesus’ strategy worked. After systematically addressing the concerns of these questioners, our Lord vanished from their sight. As Cleopas and company debriefed, each man marveled, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us (Luke 24:32)?” The pattern was not unique for these two men, however. While addressing another group of bewildered followers, Jesus once again pointed to the Law, the prophets, and the Psalms in order to demonstrate is salvific mission (Luke 24:44-47).

Herein is a clue to help us face our doubts and answer our questions as well. Do you struggle with whether to believe all this talk of resurrection from the dead? Let me encourage you to read the Scriptures and see for yourself. The Bible holds up to our scrutiny. It answers our deepest questions, while quieting our secret fears. And the Word of God will unapologetically point you to Jesus Christ as the risen Savior who can change your life forever.

Adam B. Dooley
April 8, 2026

Feb 26
Love0

Stop Misquoting Jesus

By Accountability, Christian Living, Jesus, Judgment No Comments

After preaching the Bible for over twenty years, I continue to be amazed by the transformative impact simply declaring the truth of Scripture can have on people’s lives. On a weekly basis, I witness firsthand how the Word of God is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16) for those who will simply yield to it.

Equally astounding, though, is the swift backlash that often comes from those who reject the plain meaning of Scripture in order to defend what is contrary to God’s commands. The mental gymnastics required to deny basic biblical realities would be entertaining if the stakes were not so high. Those who resent moral absolutes as toxic and oppressive fail to realize that they, according to Scripture, walk in the futility of their minds, alienated from God because of the hardness of their hearts (Eph. 4:17-18).

Yet, there is one verse of Scripture that even those who deride and scorn the Bible love to quote authoritatively as they defend all kinds of carnality. Making definitive truth claims often chides detractors to respond, “Ah, Ah, Ah! Judge not lest you be judged (Matt. 7:1)!” Think I’m exaggerating? Consider the following Christian claims:

  • Arrogance is a subtle form of idolatry that God will resist (James 4:6).
  • Lying is offensive to the God of truth and has its origin in hell (John 8:44).
  • Adultery is never justifiable because marriage is a picture of Christ and His church (Eph. 5:22-33).
  • Abortion is murder because God weaves us together in the womb (Psa. 139:13-16).
  • Homosexuality is sinful because it violates God’s natural design (Rom. 1:24-27).
  • All religions are not the same. All roads do not lead to heaven (Matt. 7:13-14).
  • Jesus is not the best way of salvation; He is the only way of salvation (Acts 4:12).

Ideas like these are not revolutionary; they are as old as Christianity itself. Yet, in a post-Christian world where the new religion is self-autonomy, our culture often responds to assertions like these with disgust and vitriol. Even more remarkable, though, is how many people will claim that these historical positions contradict the very Bible that revealed them. Sometimes those who reject most of what Jesus said are eager to quote Matthew 7:1 when they disagree with the moral assessment of another. Who are you to judge? Doesn’t the Bible say judge not?

Sadly, far too many Christians do not know how to respond when antagonists twist and mock the Bible for manipulative purposes. So great is our fear of being too judgmental that some have referred to Jesus’ words in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount as the eleventh commandment. Stripping this verse from its original context makes it the perfect crutch for those anxious to gaslight anyone brave enough to speak what is biblically accurate but unpopular. Ironically, those who cite Jesus’ warning are often the most judgmental toward those with whom they disagree!

Contrary to internet theologians eager to dismiss the Bible with the Bible, Jesus’ instruction about judging others is not a prohibition against discernment and moral accountability. Neither is He suggesting that Christians should never make judgment calls about the behaviors of others. Just a few verses later, Jesus Himself judges that some are like dogs who are resentful of what is holy, and others are like swine that are undeserving of pearls (Matt. 7:6). Later, in the same passage, Jesus warns that we should beware of false prophets, which is hardly possible apart from making judgment calls (Matt. 7:15). Next, He says, “You will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:16, 20).” Again, insights like these are impractical if it is always wrong to issue any kind of moral verdict. Surely Jesus is not being inconsistent by disobeying His own command!

Instead, our Savior is admonishing us to judge carefully, realizing that the standards we impose on others will be the same criterion by which God evaluates us as well. His point is not that we should never judge, but that we should refuse to do so hypocritically. Thus, before judging others we should honestly evaluate ourselves. To help us grasp this understanding, Jesus provided a powerful analogy immediately after his precept. Imagine noticing a splinter in your brother’s eye but failing to see the log in your own (Matt. 7:3-4)! The solution is not, as many recklessly assume, to ignore the speck in another’s eye indefinitely, but to remove the 2X4 in your own eye first before seeking to help others (Matt. 7:5).

Clearly, Jesus is not suggesting that believers shy away from issues of right and wrong, or that we remain silent due to the ridicule of critics. In a world where the only rule is that there are no rules, Christians are called to be salt and light, which means we do not retreat from speaking what is true and we are just as deliberate to live what is true. May God give us the discernment and commitment to do so.

Adam B. Dooley
February 26, 2026

Feb 18
Love0

The Pleasant Lines of the Lord

By Christian Living, Faith, Happiness, Joy, Providence No Comments

Sometimes I have to pinch myself. When I look at my wife and children, I cannot believe they are mine. When I stand before the congregation I serve each week, the privilege of leading them overwhelms me.  When I consider all the simple pleasures that are continually part of my routine, joys like sports with my kids, Bible studies, and fellowship meals, I realize just how much I love my life.

Or, to quote King David, “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me (Psalm 16:6).” Indeed. And yet, before we can celebrate our receiving from the Lord, we must first appreciate our need to take refuge in the Lord. “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You,” David wrote, “You are my Lord; I have no good besides You (Psalm 16:1-2).”

The order here is important because our greatest treasure in life is God Himself, not the blessings He bestows. We should count all things as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Phil. 3:8). Thus, seeking Him first provides the backdrop upon which God draws the pleasant lines of our existence (Matt. 6:33).

In fact, the moment we prioritize the gifts of heaven, we will most assuredly miss the Giver behind the mercies we enjoy. I often wonder how much of God’s benevolence I have missed simply because I found greater security in myself. Taking refuge in Christ, you see, is not less than receiving protection from our enemies, but it is more.

Trusting God for opportunities to experience His blessings is also an expression of confidence in His care for us. Knowing that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,” Christians can rest in the safety and provision of the Lord (James 1:17). Doing so prevents us from looking for that which is good outside of the will of God.

Fundamentally, every temptation woos us to pursue what is noble through dishonorable means. By perverting legitimate desires and ambitions, the enemy entices us to fulfill appropriate longings in inappropriate ways. Pay close attention to the first act of spiritual sedition in Eden’s Garden and you will quickly notice Eve wrestling with the dilemma of believing God or trusting her instincts.

Tragically, because the fruit of the forbidden tree was good for food . . . a delight to the eyes . . . and desirable to make one wise, the first woman fell for the lie that the path to happiness and satisfaction exists outside of God’s directives (Gen. 3:6). Fulfilling the right aspirations in the wrong way is always a recipe for disaster.

How often are we guilty of the same miscalculation? Failing to take refuge in the Lord inevitably results in misguided transgressions aimed at personal contentment and gratification. Cheating can tarnish our pursuit of success. Pride can pollute our healthy desires. Selfishness can soil our best deeds. Unfettered rage can blemish even our most fitting words. And our pursuit of justice can fall short because of revengeful bitterness.

In each instance, we knowingly or unknowingly choose to step outside of the Lord’s gracious refuge. This is why dating couples choose to seek intimacy (which is good) by defiling their marriage bed (Heb. 13:4). This is why homosexuals search for love (which is good) by stepping outside the boundaries of nature and Scripture (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). This is why people work hard to care for their families (which is good) by trusting in the uncertainty of riches (1 Tim. 6:17).

On and on it goes, but far too easily we trust in the pursuit of God’s blessings more than God Himself. Everything truly good in our lives will originate from God and will be consistent with His character. Sadly, we often miss the abundance of God’s best because we prematurely take matters into our own hands. Those who find refuge in the Lord are secure enough to trust whatever He gives, whenever He chooses to give it. Then, and only then, will the lines which outline our lives be wonderfully pleasant and satisfying.

Adam B. Dooley
February 18, 2026

Feb 04
Love0

What Do Storms Reveal About Us?

By Christian Living, Obedience, Suffering, Trials, Worry No Comments

All of us are headed toward a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm. I do not remember the first time I heard those words or the first time I repeated them. Most pastors have offered a version of the remark in more than a few sermons. The prevalence of this biblical truism reminds us that trials are commonplace for all people without exception. Both the righteous and the wicked experience blessings and difficulties again and again (Matt. 5:45).

To illustrate the point, Jesus shared a story about two men that built their homes on different foundations (Matt. 7:24-29). Both subsequently faced rain that fell, floods that came, and winds that blew against their houses (Matt. 7:25, 27). We can certainly relate. The pressures of life come from above, below, and all around us. Nothing we accumulate, construct, or secure is ever entirely safe in our broken world.

Live out West and you will have to weather earthquakes and fires. Make your dwelling in the South and you will battle tornadoes. Call the North your home and flooding will always be a threat. Take refuge on the East coast and hurricanes may unsettle you. No region is without its problems just like no life is free from trouble. When it comes to heartache, it is not a matter of IF but WHEN (James 1:2).

How we handle the storms of life, though, depends upon the foundation upon which we build our lives. Jesus delineates between a wise man who builds his house on a rock and foolish man who chooses to erect his residence on the sand (7:24, 26). The rock in the parable is a picture of safety (Ps. 27:4-5) pointing to Christ Himself (Isa. 28:16). By contrast, the sand depicts instability, illustrating a life outside of the faith.

Above the surface, the two homes look incredibly similar. Made with comparable material and a common design, the two buildings are equally attractive. Lurking beneath the surface, however, is the difference. Some people appear to be self-sufficient without the Lord until the rain starts falling. Others appear to be religiously well-kept, until the floods commence and many fall apart when the wind begins to blow. Yet, there are also those who remain remarkably strong when storms rage around them.

So, how do we explain the contrast? The foundation is key. Navigating the storms of life is impossible outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Neither atheistic independence nor dead religion will strengthen us when adversities rise. So, how should we evaluate our commitment to Jesus? Thankfully, our Savior specifically explained that the man or woman who “hears these words of Mine and acts on them” is like the wise man who built his house on the rock (Matt. 7:24).

Here, Jesus distinguishes between the religious establishment and those who really love Him. Building on His previous application, He insists that true righteousness is much more than religious conformity to external standards (Matt. 5:20). While the Pharisees were stricter than any other Jewish sect, inwardly thy were dead toward God. These religious hypocrites sought to obey God’s commands without imitating His character. Despite giving the appearance of righteousness, they did not sincerely love the Lord. Their lives serve as a sober warning that religious activity and biblical salvation are not always the same.

Be careful, though. Jesus is not advocating for a version of love that places no value on obeying God’s commandments. Those who say they know God yet live in perpetual disobedience are untruthful (1 John 2:3-6). Claiming to love God without obeying Him is just as damning as seeking to obey Him without loving Him. Both errors lead us away from God. The Lord will evaluate the conduct of our lives, but He is equally concerned about the condition of our hearts.

Thus, throughout the Sermon on the Mount Jesus emphasizes both inward and outward commitment. Before offering guidelines about marriage, money, prayer, and revenge, our Savior admonishes us that blessing comes through a poor spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering for righteousness, showing mercy, and a pure heart (Matt. 5:1-12). Refusing to murder is important, but so is our unwillingness to harbor hatred in our hearts (Matt. 5:21-26). Resisting adultery is key, but so is our determination to fight secret lusts (Matt. 5:27-30). Telling the truth is important, but opposing other deceptions is, too (Matt. 5:32-37).

So, what about it, church member? How healthy is your heart? Despite projecting religious fervor, do you hate, curse, and slander inside? Are lust, cheating, and rebellion in your soul? Are you continually worried because you do not trust God with your life and future? Do you judge others for standards that you simultaneously refuse to live by yourself? Is prayer far from you because of a hidden independence? Are you a professing believer who lives like a practical atheist?

Unfortunately, the sands of religion are a poor substitute for the foundational rock of Jesus Christ. He isNOT shaken when the storm comes! He is NOT washed away by the rain of trouble! He will NOT sink in the flood of adversity! He will NOT wilt under the winds of tragedy! Christ will stand tall though the world around Him rages. And so will you, if you plant your life firmly upon Him.

Adam B. Dooley
February 4, 2026

Jan 28
Love0

How Can I Know For Sure?

By Assurance, Christian Living, Discipleship, Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience, Sanctification No Comments

How can I know for sure that I am a Christian?

The frequency of this question over the years has been staggering. Initially, we might falsely assume that the concern signals weakness. The reality, though, is that most Christians doubt at some point whether they are truly born again. From the youngest to the oldest, from the newest convert to the seasoned saint, churchgoers of all kinds sometimes struggle with questions about their salvation.

The famed preacher Charles Spurgeon began his ministry in London, England at age 17 and remained in the pastorate until his death at 57. If you are unfamiliar, Spurgeon was the Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and Tom Brady of pastors during the late 1800s. Long before the modern mega church movement, more than 6000 congregants crowded into services in order to hear him preach. At 27, he shared a message before 23,000 people without any electronic amplification. Newspapers around the world printed his sermons weekly. Today, those collected messages fill 63 volumes, making him the most prolific author in the history of Christendom.

Yet, at the height of his spiritual power and popularity, Spurgeon shared an honest confession in his autobiography, “I felt at that time very weary and very sad and very heavy at heart; I began to doubt in my own mind whether I really enjoyed the things which I preached to others” (Autobiography, Vol. 2). Likewise, in his Lectures to My Students, Spurgeon lamented, “There are times when the believer questions whether he has ever been converted at all, and fears that all his religious experience has been a mistake.” Remarkably, the greatest preacher since biblical times wrestled with seasons of doubt, too.

Testimonies like these reassure us that we are not alone in our struggles but do little to guide us toward clarity. So, what is the greatest evidence that an individual has experienced genuine salvation? In a word, obedience. More than mere outward conformity, true obedience flows out of our inward transformation. God not only expects us to keep His commandments, but He also empowers us to do so by writing His law on our hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). Grace encompasses both the gift of forgiveness and the means of perseverance.

No wonder Jesus insisted, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Ultimately, the thin line between religious hypocrisy and sincere affection for Christ is a heartfelt willingness to obey what God says. At the conclusion of His Sermon on the Mount, our Savior even warned, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).

Admittedly, the subject of personal holiness has, in many ways, fallen on difficult times. On the one hand, some erroneously teach that Christians can reach a state of moral perfection, always obeying everything that Scripture teaches. Yet, an honest reading of the Bible does not bear out such lofty expectations (1 John 1:8-10). Additionally, the failed efforts and lifestyles of biblical saints stand in stark contrast to any quest for unblemished purity. Abraham’s lying, Jacob’s deceptions, David’s adultery, Solomon’s hedonism, and Jonah’s selfishness illustrate our shortcomings. Peter’s hunger to be the greatest in God’s kingdom, his threefold denial of Jesus, and his capitulation to legalism in Galatia all prove that we continue to fall short of God’s standards even after we are born again.

On the other hand, though, are those who readily admit their flaws but quickly jettison any talk of personal obedience or holiness as legalistic. For these, loving God becomes a substitute for adherence to any and all scriptural commands. The idea is that we simply love God rather than obey, as if the former contradicts the latter. To the contrary, according to the Bible, “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

None of this means that an unbeliever can obey one time in order to be saved, nor that a believer becomes unsaved after committing a single transgression. The point is that Christians display a pattern of life change. “By this we know that we are in Him,” wrote the Apostle John (1 John 2:5). Or, to simplify, the more you obey God the more assurance you will have that you belong to Him. As your love for God grows, so does your obedience, giving you increased confidence that your faith and commitment are real.

Good works may not be the cause of our relationship with the Almighty, but they are the consequence of it. Scripture describes faith in God that fails to produce life change as dead and worthless (James 2:14-26), even as it encourages us to look for deeds appropriate to repentance (Acts 26:20). Jesus Himself explained, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32).”

The key to avoiding legalism here is understanding good works an expression of love to our heavenly Father (2 John 6). The world says, “I’ll do what I want to get what I want.” Lust says, “I’ll do you want to get what I want.” But only love says, “I’ll do what God wants to get what He wants.” Seeking the Lord’s will above our own is the greatest witness of love for Him. Openly celebrating or continually practicing sinful behavior is entirely contrary to saving faith, no matter how passionately we insist otherwise. Frankly, doing so is the opposite of loving our Savior.

Adam B. Dooley
January 28, 2025

Close Menu