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Surrender

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

May 28
Love0

A Holy God in an Unholy Age

By God, Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Surrender, Worship No Comments

Before his passing in 2017, the late theologian R.C. Sproul remarked, “The greatest spiritual need in people’s lives today is to discover the true identity of God.” Those words are just as convicting today, if not more so, than they were a decade ago. Though many in our world would never reject God outright, multitudes are content to reinvent Him.

Modern versions of Christianity continue to shrink God to a size that is more manageable to our senses. We prefer a tame deity who stays in the background. One who shows up when we need Him because He fancies us the center of the universe. This god is anxious to take his marching orders and eager to remain quiet when we disagree with him.

Isaiah 6 offers a much different picture. With a vision of the Lord enthroned, untamed, glorious, and burning with holiness (Isa. 6:1-4), Scripture confronts us with the unrivaled identity of the only true God. This prophetic picture shatters our sentimental preferences. The living God far exceeds the watered-down mascot who cheers our every ambition, no matter how misguided.

 The background of Isaiah’s glorious image was a season of national uncertainty in Judah. After a reign of more than 50 years, King Uzziah died, leaving a hole inhabited by instability and anxiety (2 Chr. 26:3). Yet, when God’s prophet looked toward heaven, he did not see the Lord panicked or pacing, but reigning from His throne without interruption (Dan. 4:34-35). History does not rattle Him. Evil does not overcome Him. The future does not intimidate Him (Isa. 46:9-10).

Around the throne flew seraphim—angelic servants—who antiphonally sang, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory (Isa. 6:3)!” We prefer to speak more casually about the God we serve, eagerly reducing him to the man upstairs, our life coach, or even worse, our co-pilot. Yet, Isaiah’s description leaves no room for such frivolities.

The seraphim did not chant, “Love, love, love,” even though God is love (1 John 4:8). Nor did they cry, “Merciful, merciful, merciful,” even though the Lord delights in mercy (Mic. 7:18). Instead, they selected the single attribute that most fully captures God’s essence. Holiness does not stand beside God like one trait in a list of many. Holiness defines God, along with all the glory and majesty that accompanies Him (Lev. 11:44–45; 1 Sam. 2:2; Ps. 99:3, 5, 9).

Even the repetition matters. The three-fold declaration marked the emphasis that should grip us. Our God is in a category all His own, without rival or equal. The scene echoed Sinai, where the mountain quaked and smoke rose like a furnace due to Yahweh’s awesome presence (Ex. 19:18). The glorious holiness of God is heavy, and none swagger into His presence.

Isaiah certainly did not.

With a confession that cut through every self-illusion of righteousness, he lamented, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:5). Notice that there is no excuse for or dismissal of his sin. Holiness means that God stands completely separate from wickedness. Evil cannot corrupt Him. The darkness of our transgressions has no fellowship with the light of His purity. We cannot celebrate our sins and embrace God at the same time.

Tragically, our contemporary efforts to rush toward God’s love with no mention of His holiness forfeit the very grace we desperately need. Yet, the greatest testimony of God’s compassion for sinners is not His affirmation of our waywardness, but His transformation of our lives. Though we were formerly dead in our trespasses, walking according to the course of this world, God has made us alive together with Jesus (Eph. 2:1-5). Christ did not die to save us from nothing, but to rescue us from our vile disobedience.

In his humility, Isaiah experienced what countless Christ followers would later find out for themselves. When one of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched the prophet’s lips, his iniquity was taken away (Isa. 6:6-7). Therein is a picture of the same gospel Christians preach today.

Notice that God took the initiative. The coal came from a place of sacrifice where the consuming fire of God cleanses our shame (Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29). The Lord does not negotiate with sin; He destroys it. Thus, God transferred Isaiah’s guilt to the offering, satisfying His holy wrath. Simultaneously, God covered His servant with grace and forgiveness.

The same mercy is available to us through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. He was pierced through for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, as God transferred our guilt upon Him (Isa. 53:5-6). Through His scourging we find healing and by means of His chastening He purchased our well-being (Isa. 53:5). Christ became sin for us, not because the Lord was eager to embrace our rebellion, but so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). God loves us enough to send His only begotten Son, not to wink at our sin, but to do something about it (John 3:16).

How holy is our God? So much so that He put His Son to death to save sinners like you and me. Our world does not lack opinions about God. What is missing, though, is reverence (Rom. 3:18). Many laugh at the idea of holiness. Others rewrite reality altogether (Isa. 5:20). Far too many demand affirmation, then punish dissent. Thankfully, our God does not take cues from this fallen age. He reigns from His throne in strength and power, knowing that He will have the last word (Ps. 2:1–4).

Adam B. Dooley
May 28, 2026

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

Dec 10
Love0

The Forgotten Gifts of Christmas

By Christmas, Hope, Surrender, Uncategorized, Worship No Comments

Most have heard the ancient proverb, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Some trace the pithy premise back to Aesop’s fable of a fox that lived in such proximity to a lion that he was terribly afraid. Over time, though, the interaction between the animals became more casual. Soon, the fox strolled up to the lion, only to be devoured as a result.

No matter the origin, the principle is painfully clear. Constant exposure to anything can dull our sense of awe, gratitude, and reverence. Certainly, the lesson applies to the holy realities of our faith. Much to our chagrin, our commitment sometimes grows cold and our enthusiasm tends to wane. Regarding Christmas specifically, genuine Christians would never show open contempt for the nativity, but our familiarity can rob us of its joy.

Think I am overstating our pattern? When the is the last time you pondered the details surrounding Jesus’ birth? Do you still find the gift of God’s Son touching? Or, has the most remarkable story in history become mere wallpaper amidst a busy holiday schedule? Is it possible for us to understand what Christmas is about without being moved by it anymore?  Sadly, we are quite capable of singing carols, attending services, and hanging decorations while our hearts barely flicker.

A quick survey of the first Christmas, however, paints a dramatically different picture. The wonder and astonishment of Mary uncovers what I refer to as the Forgotten Gifts of Christmas (Luke 1:46-56). Her perspective is the spiritual antidote to our seasonal boredom.

Admittedly, some have erroneously exalted the mother of our Lord to the place of God. Nowhere does Scripture instruct us to worship Mary or offer her our prayers. She did not live in perpetual virginity nor was she free from original sin. Yet, we ignore this godly woman to our peril. Her example is both inspirational and instructive.

Mary reminds us that worship is a gift. After the annunciation of Gabriel (Luke 1:28-37), Jesus’ mother marveled with worship, exalting the Lord for His grace (Luke 1:46). At this moment, God was bigger to Mary than ever before. His greatness loomed large as she contemplated that her Son would save God’s people from their sins (Luke 1:31). As God in human flesh, Jesus stepped out of eternity into time so that one day He could take us out of time into eternity. Even more, these realities were the messianic fulfillment of promises made to King David long ago (Luke 1:32-33; 2 Sam. 7:12-13).

Additionally, Mary understood that she, too, needed a Savior (Luke 1:47). Realizing her humble state, the teenager from Nazareth knew she had nothing to offer the Lord (Luke 1:48). She could no more save herself by good works than she could have chosen to have a child as a virgin. Thus, Mary became a disciple of Jesus even before she held Him as a mother. We, too, come to Christ empty handed. The only recourse is to admit our need, plead our guilt, and revere the Lord with our worship and praise (Luke 1:50).

Mary reminds us that surrender is a gift. By identifying herself as the Lord’s bondslave, Mary highlights her complete submission to the will of God. With the same posture that Jesus would later carry into Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46), she yields to God’s desire and plan (Luke 1:38). The profundity of her commitment is often lost on us because we remember Mary as a heroine of the faith. Our modern accolades quickly gloss over the upheaval caused by her holy visitation.

At just 12-14 years old, Mary was busy planning her life with Joseph. She was probably giddy over how handsome he was. Likely, her mind was full of dreams about their first home together and how many children they might have. Then, in a dramatic moment marked by the stress of potential misunderstanding, Mary realized that hers was a story that few would believe. How would she explain it to Joseph? What would her family say? What would her friends think? Would the wedding still happen? Would anyone ever believe that she was still a woman of integrity?

Yet, with resolute determination, Mary insisted, “May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38).” Soon, God settled her heart in the home of Elizabeth where John the Baptist leapt in the womb due to the presence of God (Luke 1:39-45). By saying yes to the Lord, Mary experienced her Savior in a personal way.

The same is true for us. For some, surrender means receiving Christ as your Lord and Savior. For others, it will require formalizing membership in the church home of your choice. Yielding to God may result in baptism, service, giving, or sharing with others. But nothing unleashes the presence of God in our lives like surrendering ourselves fully to Him.

Finally, Mary reminds us that hope is a gift. Often forgotten this time of year is that God promises to make the world right and new. Luke emphasizes these themes by listing a series of role reversals where God scatters the proud, exalts the humble, and fills the hungry (Luke 1:51-53). In an age where the ruthless get ahead, the elite lord themselves over others, and the wealthy ignore the needs of the poor, Christmas encourages us that God will have the final say. Tis the season for Him with whom nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37)!

The hope of the nativity is not merely for Mary and Joseph, or even for Israel, but all spiritual descendants of Abraham as well (Luke 1:54-55). Because God took care of Abraham and Mary, He will take care of you and me, too, along with all of those who are in Christ Jesus.

Adam B. Dooley
December 10, 2025

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