In a time when division runs rampant—even in the church—and believers shred each other publicly for differing opinions, one man bravely steps out to call Christians to unity in the One who binds them all together—Jesus Christ. Author Dr. James W. Walraven dares to suggest that Christians make wiser choices, forgive one another, and mature in their faith.
Walraven, author of Will God Save Everyone, doesn’t shy away from tough topics. He suggests that though doctrines diverge, rather than separate over differences, Christians rally around the truth of the gospel—believers should treat others better than themselves. In a me-first, turbulent culture, the biblical call to love one another is almost a radical concept, but Walraven is convinced unity can be achieved.
“Spiritual maturity is critical when it comes to recognizing and resisting the many false teachings that are being promoted,” Walraven says. “As the world becomes increasingly hostile toward the Christian faith, the need for unity will be increasingly important.”
Dr. Walraven’s new book, One in Christ is written with strength through supporting Scriptures and other resources, yet with personal vulnerability, each chapter concludes with thought-provoking personal challenges designed to move believers closer to oneness in Christ.
God will guard us and protect us from the evil one (Satan). In this season of Advent, of anticipating Christ’s return that is a huge encouragement.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NAS): But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Not only will God guard and protect us, He will also strengthen us. We can trust Him to be faithful to do so. That really matters doesn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but at least for me, spiritual warfare has significantly increased in recent days. Christ is going to return, and it sure seems like Satan’s activities have been ramping up. We’ve already talked a bit about the times before Christ’s return. Scripture makes it clear that those will be perilous times. If it were possible—praise God it isn’t—even the elect would be deceived.
The time will be marked by false signs and wonders. It sure seems like false signs and wonders abound as often seen in the New Apostolic Reformation, not to mention the “signs and wonders” movement itself. We’ve seen occult practices invade those segments of the church, and even their preferred version of the Bible, perhaps better labeled their so-called Bible, the Passion Translation, a version whose text often has little in common with the original Greek or Hebrew, a version given to Brian Simmons by the supposed angel, Passion.
Then there is the rapid growth of Wicca. To cite another example, in England between 2011 and 2021, Satanism grew by 16%. Meanwhile, the world’s fasted growing religion, Islam, denies that Jesus is the Christ. To state that Jesus is God is the worst blasphemy one can commit in Islam. Yet, the Bible connects the denial of the Christ to a spirit of Antichrist.
That is all the more reason for us to be thankful for God’s protection, His guarding and strengthening us. He calls us to have a different attitude from the world. While the world is in fear and uncertainty over what is coming, we are to be encouraged that Christ’s return is drawing near.
Even for those of us who may face martyrdom, all Satan can do is kill us. He can’t touch our salvation, the eternal hope and certainty we have in Christ. As Jesus said, we aren’t to fear those who can kill the body and then do no more, rather we are to fear God who can destroy both soul and body in Hell. Our life here is temporary, our future with God is eternal.
During this season of Advent, let us continue to be thankful for what God has done for us, and the offer of salvation He gives to everyone. While salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone—there is no other name given under heaven—that free gift of salvation is open to all, there are no restrictions. It doesn’t matter what a person has or hasn’t done, forgiveness in Christ is possible.
Let us not lose heart. Let us rejoice.
In this season of hope and joy, a time of preparation for Christ’s return, what are we thankful for?
Perhaps family comes to mind. Or maybe the ability to work and a job where you can work. Do you have a particular skill that you are good at? We tend to forget that anything and everything good that we have is a gift we’ve been given. Even the ability to study, to learn a skill, is a gift from God (see 1 Corinthians 4:7).
For me, one of the gifts God has given is the ability to play a couple musical instruments well. One of the fun things I’m getting to do this Advent season is to do two special performances on mountain dulcimer for two different groups. While I do play it most Sundays for church, these two opportunities will be far more involved.
In years gone by I used to participate in special events during Advent. I’m thinking particularly of some years where I was musically involved in four services on Christmas Eve (quite a marathon, but a lot of fun: it lasted from about 3:00 P.M. until just after Midnight). But that season has long-since passed.
Since moving to my current location, doing special presentations hasn’t been an option, until this year. I’m both excited and grateful for the two opportunities. Hopefully, by God’s grace, I’ll be able to bless those who hear it. As just mentioned, even the ability to play an instrument is via God’s grace, His gift.
As such there truly isn’t any room for boasting, of thinking “Aren’t I great, aren’t I…” Focusing on self is a recipe for disaster. Rather, it is better to focus on God, to be thankful for gifts He’s given, and using them accordingly. Doing so also helps us maintain a better perspective.
Maybe we desire to be used in some big special way. If one’s gift is in athletics maybe one wishes to become a professional athlete. But if that doesn’t happen, it isn’t a reflection on that person, or on “us”. If God closes a specific door, it is for our best. He knows what He is doing with the gifts He has given us, and the best ways for those gifts to be used. At any moment, that may or may not be what we might wish, but sometimes what we wish for isn’t really in our long-term best interest.
How much better to trust God with the gifts He’s given us, and to ask for His wisdom in how to use them, and keep our focus on Him.
Each one of us has so much to be grateful for. During this season of Advent, let us focus on gratitude for what God has given us, and especially HIs greatest gift of all: Jesus Christ.
Peace. This Advent, are we thankful for what Jesus has done for us? Are we thankful for God’s salvation? What about God’s peace?
Peace with God. That is another huge thing to be thankful for, isn’t it? We have peace. Real peace. Not a false temporary peace people might find through a drug high or something like that, but real genuine peace, peace that rests in the unchanging God.
John 14:27 (NAU): “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
John 16:33 (NAU): “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
God, through Jesus, gives us His peace. It is His gift to us. Even while facing tribulation, tribulation that is showing many signs of increasing, we have God’s peace. We rest in the One who has overcome the world. Do we focus on the difficulties we may be facing, or do we concentrate on God’s peace? Which we choose makes a significant difference.
Romans 5:1–2 (NAU): “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”
Apart from faith in Jesus Christ we don’t, and indeed can’t, have peace with God. Rather as the Scriptures tell us, we are under God’s wrath for having rejected His Son. But through faith in Christ, we have peace. We don’t have to live in fear, worry, or anxiety.
The New Testament epistles typically include greetings of peace. For example, Ephesians 1:2 (NAU): “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Colossians 3:15 (NAU): “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
How do we do that? How do we live in God’s peace?
Isaiah 26:3 (ESV): “You keep him in perfect peacewhose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” In contrast, consider Isaiah 48:22 (NAU): “‘There is no peace for the wicked,’ says the LORD.”
Romans 8:6 (NAU): “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”
As we stay focused on God, God keeps us in perfect peace. If we prefer wickedness, peace is impossible. When we are struggling with sin, even as Christians, do we have God’s peace? No, we are under God’s conviction regarding our sin. By definition, the world cannot know God’s peace as those in the world have rejected Him, having their minds set on what the Bible calls their flesh, their spiritually dead human nature. While they may acknowledge some form of a false God, true peace is not found through that which is false.
Starting now, during this Advent season, let us remember God, what He has given us, and let us keep our minds focused on Him. He is our peace.