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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

Jan 21
Love0

How Much Does It Cost To Follow Jesus?

By Christian Living, Discipleship, Love, Priorities, Righteousness, Surrender No Comments

How much does it cost to know Jesus? Well, it depends.

In one sense, following the Lord is entirely free. Scripture is robustly clear that we cannot earn the grace of God. We cannot buy His forgiveness. None of us deserve the salvation that our Savior alone provides.  No amount of sacrifice, effort, or work would ever be enough to merit any part of our redemption. Grace through faith alone is the recipe (Eph. 2:8-9).

Yet, in another sense, the grace by which we are saved never remains alone (Eph. 2:10). Ultimately, walking with God will cost you everything. He demands your whole heart and life. Your family and loved ones belong to Him. Your wealth and possessions are rightly His. Your future and dreams must bend to His direction. We are but stewards who manage the reality God entrusts to us.

C.S. Lewis aptly explained, “Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given to you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.”

Thus, every moment of every day is for Him. Every dollar we accumulate is for Him. The job we go to is for Him. The family we enjoy is for Him. The future we seek is for Him. Nothing about our lives is off limits when we identify as a Christ follower. These parameters are key to understanding one of the stranger statements Jesus made during His earthly ministry. The first time I read these particular words it took my breath away.

“If anyone comes to Me,” He said, “and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:26).” Even when you understand that Jesus is using hyperbole, the statement remains jarring.

How can these words possibly be true in light of the Bible’s seemingly contradictory imperatives? Scripture instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25); wives are told to respect their husbands (Eph. 5:33); children are to honor their parents (Ex. 20:12); and a refusal to provide for your family is a sign of unbelief (1 Tim. 5:8). Even more broadly, Jesus Himself insisted that we should love our neighbors (Matt. 22:39) and enemies alike (Luke 6:27). Christians from every generation have correctly understood that love is a hallmark of genuine faith.

So, what biblical principle could possibly emerge from such a direct, unexpected command? To understand our Savior’s application, we need to first appreciate that varying degrees of love are not only normal, but also healthy. For instance, as a Christian man I want to love all people generally by being a good neighbor. But, as the pastor of a local church, I love the congregation I serve differently because of the beautiful relationship that exists between a flock of believers and their earthly shepherd. Additionally, though, I have close friends that I have laughed with, hurt with, and rejoiced with whom I love at an even greater level.

Yet, none of these remarkable friendships even compare to the deep connection I have with my family. I love my parents more than anyone on the outside because they gave me life and shaped the man I am today. My children are at a greater level still, because as bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh I see myself and the future in their eyes. But my wife, my precious helpmate, is my greatest earthly love. Because we are one flesh, both her successes and burdens are equally mine. No one even begins to compare to her.

These degrees of love are not only proper, but they also promote healthy boundaries by which I protect the people closest to me. We should love ALL people, but NOT in the same way. Relationships of all kinds are important, but none should compare to those between parents and children, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives.

Except for one.

When Jesus speaks of hating those who are closest to us, He is not suggesting that we loathe, resent, or despise family members. Rather, His principle is intended to compare and contrast. The idea is that as much as you care for your relatives, and even yourself, you should love them LESS than you love God. The things and people you prize the most in this life must pale in comparison to your love for Christ. In terms of depth and degree, being a disciple of Jesus means that we love Him even more than our families.

Realizing how costly such a commitment is, our Savior offers two parables to drive His point further home. Just like a builder who constructs a tower will first assess the obligations of construction (Luke 14:28-30), we must decide if we are willing to pledge ourselves to the Lord without reservation. Or, if you prefer, like a king who calculates the probability of victory before going to war (Luke 14:31-32), we reckon with the price to be paid before identifying ourselves with Christ.

In a modern world that continually dumbs down the gospel and dismisses the importance of doctrine in an effort to make it as easy as possible to follow Jesus, these words are particularly sobering. To the contrary, our Savior is saying that every person is free to decide that the Christian faith is not for him, but he is not free to redefine what biblical faith is. You are free to make whatever choice seems right to you, but you are not free to categorize anything less that total surrender, affection, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Christianity. Count the cost and choose carefully.

Adam B. Dooley
January 21, 2026

Jan 07
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The Beauty of Brokenness

By Brokenness, Christian Living, Grief, Trials No Comments

It was not my best sermon.

After being away from my congregation for six weeks, the induction phase of my son’s chemotherapy ended, and we returned home from the Memphis Ronald McDonald House. Though he was now in remission, 128 consecutive weeks of treatment remained in order to prevent him from relapsing with leukemia. We were tired, emotionally spent, and fearful of what lay ahead of us.

With my pastoral duties resuming, I decided to preach through the Old Testament book of Job. What I did not anticipate, however, was the uncontrollable emotion I felt when I opened my Bible and began to speak. As an active participant in the story, the passage I read was neither theoretical nor flat. Each verse struck a different emotive cord as I shared about the inevitability of trials in a fallen world. And with every insight I explained, it seemed as though God was speaking directly to me through His Word.

That’s when the tears began to flow. At first, I was embarrassed. The vulnerability of the moment left me exposed like never before, and frankly, I did not like it. The more I tried to pull it together the less composure I seemed to have. Yet, as God carried me through the message, His strength was perfected through my weakness in an obvious way. I realized, perhaps for the first time, that God usually breaks us before He uses us.

Then, in a moment of spiritual clarity, I felt unexplainable joy. Joy because the Holy Spirit was so obviously present and active. Joy because others were benefitting from my hardship. Joy because of the manifest power of God’s Word. And joy because, unlike anything before or since, I needed the realities that I dared to proclaim. Don’t get me wrong, I never really doubted any of the doctrines in Scripture, but my son’s cancer forced me to lean on the Lord’s promises like I had not previously. When we move from merely explaining Scripture for the benefit of others to experiencing the same truth for ourselves, life change occurs.

Such is the beauty of brokenness.

Earthly pain is often God’s chosen method to help us live out the eternal truths we claim to believe (James 1:2-4). He sometimes uses unexpected affliction to add the depth of experience to the width of our knowledge (Psalm 147:3). Pastors in particular face the constant danger of being educated beyond their obedience level.

Without discipline, we will arrogantly project outward images of ourselves that contradict the inward realities of who we are. Even if unintentionally, we may prop up the professional holy man persona in an effort to meet the expectations of the people we serve. Hypocrisies like these will not only render us ineffective, but also jeopardize the health and vitality of our souls. Adversity usually represents a divine invitation toward greater authenticity. Tears, as unwelcome as they might be, are a powerful instrument to help us glory more in our Savior than ourselves (Psalm 6:8). The destination of obedience is often at the end of affliction’s road (Psalm 119:67).

So, I no longer run from the tears. And neither should you.

Today’s heartache may become a future pillow with which you can comfort others who are hurting (2 Cor. 1:3-4). In His goodness, God is thoroughly more strategic with our trials than we are, often allowing His children to share with others the strength and consolation they received directly from Him. One reason every believer needs to live in Christian community is the collaborative strength we find through the shared experiences of the body (Heb. 10:23-25).

God’s preachers are not immune from the burdens this requires or the blessings it produces. The Lord instructs us to love one another (Rom. 13:8), bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2), be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32), comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18), pray for one another (James 5:16), teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16), and serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).

Additionally, every trial is a potential platform for your declaring the gospel and demonstrating genuine faith (Phil. 1:12-14). Though it seems counterintuitive, our most powerful opportunities to be witnesses for Jesus will often come when our lives are falling apart. Because unbelievers frequently dismiss Christianity as unnecessary at best or a crutch at worst, observing faithful saints who suffer well is a powerful jolt of reality that opens wayward hearts to the claims of Christ. When non-Christians encounter the sustaining faith of a weary saint, the result is powerfully inspirational.

Better still is the hope that our troubles are often doorways that lead to deeper intimacy with Christ as our faith is proven and stretched (1 Peter 1:6-9). Perhaps one of the greater pitfalls of ministry is losing our passion for Christ in exchange for our pursuit of ministerial success and recognition. Hardships often serve as a needed wakeup call to remind us that the great reward of our faith is Christ Himself. As he recounted all that he lost to pursue Jesus, the Apostle Paul joyfully boasted that it was all . . .

  • . . . for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).
  • . . . that he might gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
  • . . . to be found Him (Phil. 3:9).
  • . . . that he might know Him (Phil. 3:10).

Apart from suffering, we simply cannot learn about God or relate to Him on an intimate level.  Believing God is real and present is one thing. Trusting that He is enough no matter what you face is another matter entirely. Though we are quite capable of cognitively grasping these ideas, we cannot embrace them fully until we experience their reality for ourselves. Trials force us to move beyond superficial knowledge about Jesus into a meaningful, daily walk with Him. Much to our chagrin, the power of Christ’s resurrection is always preceded by the fellowship in His sufferings (Phil. 3:10).

No matter how God chooses to enter your pain and regardless of how many tears you shed, remember that He promises to wipe each one of them away (Rev. 21:4) and collects them in a bottle (Psa. 56:8). Against the backdrop of eternity, all trials are temporary. Isaiah prophesied of a day when “they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).”

No wonder “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).”  The Lord has the final say about all our adversities. When we worship through our deepest valleys our present struggles wilt under the magnificent shadow of the future.

Behind every tear that falls and every heartache we carry, God is actively working all things together for good for those who know Him and love Him (Rom. 8:28). Even on our darkest days, we can trust that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). Though life is sometimes too short to heal all our hurts, the hindsight of eternity will make all things clear. Ironically, trials that make us doubt God’s purposes on this earth will lead us to praise His plans in heaven. Tears have a way of keeping our hope anchored to a world to which we’ve never been.

Maybe that sermon wasn’t so bad after all.

Adam B. Dooley
January 7, 2026

Dec 30
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Eyes on the Future

By Christian Living, Future, Priorities, Sanctification No Comments

What would you like for your life to be like one year from now? What about five years from today? Or ten? How about twenty years from now? What are the goals and ambitions that drive your life? With a New Year unfolding, what are the dreams that have you putting pen to paper in the form of resolutions and objectives?

Admittedly, not all our aspirations are pleasing to the Lord. Without a renewed mind, many of our daydreams quickly morph into selfish pursuits that dishonor God. So, if I could narrow the focus just a bit, how do you hope to become more like your Savior in the next twelve months? In what ways will you seek to grow His kingdom and serve His people? How do you hope the world will be a bit different because you are in it?

Certainly, we are in no position to presume tomorrow because, for some, it will not come (Luke 12:16-21). Nor should we seek to predict tomorrow because, despite our most informed calculations, not one of us knows what the future holds (James 4:14). Yet, wisdom still requires that we prepare for tomorrow in order to position ourselves for the Lord’s work and plan (James 4:15).

As 2026 unfolds, the Apostle Paul offers the practical guidance we need to ready ourselves for whatever lies ahead. Desiring to know Christ, both in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship His sufferings, God’s servant opens his heart of resolve for us to see and emulate (Phil. 3:10). By doing so, Paul demonstrates the balance of living in the moment while also anticipating what comes next. Continued growth as a Christian without haughty presumption requires three core commitments.

First, realize that the present can be deceiving. With uncanny humility and raw transparency, Paul acknowledges that he is neither perfect nor entirely mature in his faith (Phil. 3:12a). Remarkably, one of history’s greatest Christians was under no illusion that he had the right to boast of his present growth or condition. Though Paul had developed tremendously since his conversion, he laments, “I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet (Phil. 3:13a).” In other words, our commitment to Christ is ever evolving and, this side of heaven, always has room to deepen and expand.

Such an honest assessment is important because of our tendency to exaggerate our accomplishments and minimize our failures. Our descriptions of the “good old days” paint them much brighter than they really were. Likewise, our appraisal of the present often lacks accuracy due to our stubborn pride. Thus, Scripture repeatedly warns us of the danger of thinking too highly of ourselves (Rom. 12:3).

When is the last time you sat alone with an open Bible and prayerfully asked God how you are doing spiritually? Can you identify your shortcomings? Do you allow compromised commitments to remain? Is your heart cold toward God? Are you guilty of simply going through the religious motions of Christianity?

With schedules that move at the speed of light, we seldom notice when our intimacy with God begins to wane. Our faith can easily devolve into performance mode because we tend to prize what people think of us more than what the Lord knows about us. If God’s missionary to the Gentiles had not arrived in his faith, it is safe to say that neither have we!

Second, refuse to let the past distract you. “One thing I do,” wrote Paul, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13b).” With singular focus, he strategically released what came before in order to take hold of the future that was coming. Doing so is easier said than done. Unfortunately, the past often functions as an anchor to which we cling rather than a platform from which we launch. Both positive and negative experiences can keep us bound by what has already occurred.

Sometimes our past sin intimidates us. Before his declaration for the future, Paul admitted his great regret over his previous transgressions. As a persecutor of the church, he murdered others and blasphemed God due to the blindness of his heart (Phil. 3:6). Perhaps you can relate. Is there a past sin that haunts you so much you cannot let it go? Maybe a previous act of adultery causes you shame? Maybe an exposed lie has left you embarrassed to show your face?  Maybe an abortion long ago still haunts your soul? Maybe a failedcommitment continues to overcome you with guilt?

Or could it be that past suffering scars you? Paul was all too familiar with the hardships of faithfully walking with the Lord, including beatings, crimes, poverty, and the general burdens of life (2 Cor. 11:23-27). If anyone was vulnerable to bitterness or resentment toward others, it was God’s apostle! Undoubtedly, there is pain in your rearview mirror that letting go of is difficult, too. If friends betray us, it stings. If a spouse deserts you, it is lifechanging. If death rears its ugly head unexpectedly, it breaks our hearts. Traumas like these can be tough to shake.

On the other extreme, our past successes can often disillusion us. Some carry the burden of their inability to measure up in the present to the glory of years gone by. Paul’s recollection of his previous accomplishments reminds us that former blessings can weigh us down just as much as preceding trials (Phil. 3:4-6). Was your past so fulfilling that everything you do now leaves you frustrated and lacking? Do you find it impossible to live up to your prior accolades?

In all these instances, the key to our continued sanctification and growth is our refusal to dwell on the past. For some, turning the page to a new chapter of living will be the greatest victory in 2026. Learn from the past but refuse to live in it. Whatever you formerly counted as gain, consider it loss for the sake of Christ (Phil. 3:7).

Finally, let your progress in the Lord motivate you. “I press on,” Paul continued, “so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:12b).” The goal was to seize whatever God had seized him for! Understanding that the Lord has a particular intention for your life is a necessary step toward living according to His design. With eyes fixed on finishing well, we should labor with vigor and concentration for the upward call of God (Phil. 3:14). Living without regrets requires a holy ambition to realize God’s unique purpose for our lives.

We should channel every passion, skill, and opportunity for the glory of God. What natural abilities or impulses fulfill you? Is it encouraging the hurting? Crunching numbers? Building a business? Creating a peaceful home? Understanding and teaching difficult concepts? The possibilities are endless, but every skill set is a tool to point others to Christ while also becoming more like Him. Use your personality and gifts as a means of spiritual growth and development. Socially, financially, professionally, recreationally, and vocationally, the goal is the same—to look for and submit to God’s will for our lives.

In addition, disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, sharing your faith, serving others and intentional generosity will surely transform your walk with the Lord. The small, seemingly mundane parts of life—details like how we use our time, how we treat other people, and what food we put into our bodies—will have an impact as well.

Foundational to all these commitments is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the doorway to trusting God, the way to acknowledge God, and the first step down the narrow road of walking with God. My prayer for you, and all in our community, is that you will experience God’s best in the coming year.

How will you reach for God in 2026? How will your life be different one year from now? In what ways will you be more like Christ? Here’s to taking hold of the future that God has for each of us!

Adam B. Dooley
December 30, 2025

Nov 27
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To Whom Are You Thankful?

By America, Christian Living, Gratitude, Thanksgiving No Comments

Without diminishing the various religious festivals that preceded it across the ocean, most recognize the holiday called Thanksgiving as a uniquely American tradition. Before appreciating the role of US presidents who helped to normalize the observance of the holiday, however, we would do well to commemorate the noble intentions of Separatist Puritans who, due to their inability to reform the Church of England, sailed across the Atlantic in search of the freedom to establish an English-speaking society that was robustly committed Scripture. Despite efforts of modern revisionists to downplay the distinctly Christian motivations of the pilgrims, their stated mission in the Mayflower Compact was “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.”

When the Puritans arrived in the New World in November of 1620, the harsh New England winter coupled with starvation and disease nearly did them in. Before the cold months subsided, only 53 of the 102 pilgrims on the Mayflower survived. Thankful to be alive, they, according to the first governor of Plymouth Colony, “fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over this vast and furious ocean.” From the very beginning of the American experiment, gratitude to Almighty God, even in the midst of tremendous hardship was at the forefront of colonial life.

Realizing the continued theme of God’s faithful provisions, our first president, George Washington, declared a National Day of Thanksgiving in order to offer prayers to the “Lord and Ruler of Nations.” In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, after extolling the divine blessings upon our country, offered a Thanksgiving Proclamation wherein he encouraged the last Thursday of November as a day of praise to our “beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” Following the same pattern during World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt sought national gratitude in the midst of a difficult season even as he formalized the federal calendar to include the Thanksgiving holiday. He pleaded with Americans to “bear more earnest witness to our gratitude to Almighty God.”

If nothing else, these historical realities remind us that Thanksgiving is more about WHOM we give thanks to than WHAT we give thanks for. Each year I always chuckle when I read about atheist and humanist groups attempting to express appreciation to no one in particular when the fourth Thursday of November rolls around. Some will merely voice gratitude to family and friends (we can learn much about the value of esteeming the people in our lives). The notion of secular grace, however, leaves many worshipping the universe or luck in general. Not only is this logically and theologically inadequate, but it is also a colossal waste of time. Giving thanks, by its very nature, requires that someone be there to receive it.

Even with a cursory reading of God’s Word, the theme of thankfulness emerges. King David instructed, appointed, and admonished leaders in Israel to offer thanks to God after settling the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16). He tells the people to make God’s deeds known (16:8), to speak of God’s wonders (16:9), to glory in God’s name (16:10), to remember God’s work (16:12), to proclaim the good tidings of God’s salvation (16:23), and to ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name (16:28-29).  Then, at a high point of praise, David admonishes: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:34).”

Neither time nor space will permit me to cite all the verses extolling the virtue of thankfulness. My personal favorite simply reads, “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).” Thanklessness is a form of independence from God, which is nothing more than practical atheism in disguise. Giving thanks not only reminds us that God is real, but also that He is both active and benevolent in our lives.

So, join me this week, and every week, in giving thanks to the Lord for the magnificent work of His hands. Count your blessings and voice your love and appreciation to the Father above (Psalm 105:1). On your good days and on your bad days, remember the will of God and give Him thanks through everything season of life. (Eph. 5:20).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Adam B. Dooley
November 27, 2025

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