ANIMATED SCRIPTURE: BALAAM AND THE TALKING DONKEY

Growing Into His Image: How God Forms the Fruit of the Spirit in Us

The Christian life is not built on fear or hesitation. Scripture invites us to come boldly before God, to ask freely, and to trust completely in His goodness. Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7. But the gifts Jesus was pointing us toward were never material rewards or earthly comforts. They were the gifts of the Spirit, the inner qualities of Christ Himself, and the transforming work of God within us.

When Jesus explained the generosity of the Father, He said, “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Luke 11:13. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift, and everything He produces in us is part of the “good things” the Father delights to give. Psalm 37:4. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Luke 12:32. The kingdom is God's Holy Spirit in every man, and the Spirit's guidance into its fruit (fruit of the Spirit), and ultimately, eternal life through Christ Jesus.

Paul described the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance Galatians 5:22–23. These are not random virtues. They are the very character of Christ. When we ask God for the fruit of the Spirit, we are asking Him to form the life of His Son within us. Jesus reinforced this when He said, “How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:11. The good things are the things of the Spirit. They are the qualities that reflect God’s nature and reveal His work in our hearts.

This truth becomes clearer when we look at our own lives. Recently, I prayed for patience, sincerely asking God to help me grow in that area. I expected to feel calmer, more settled, more composed. Instead, life seemed to become more frustrating. Delays increased. Interruptions multiplied. Situations that tested my limits appeared one after another. At first, it felt like the opposite of an answered prayer. Then, I realized something deeper was happening. Those moments were not obstacles; they were opportunities. They were the very places where patience was being formed. What felt like resistance was actually refinement. God was answering my prayer, not by dropping patience into my heart instantly, but by shaping it within me through real experience. We are still working through it together, but I can see that patience is growing in me precisely because God allowed me to walk through situations where patience was required.

This is how spiritual growth works. God forms character through process, for His purpose. He shapes us through the steady work of the Spirit and through the moments where we must choose to walk in what He is producing. Paul explained this when he wrote, “Tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope” Romans 5:3–4. Patience is not learned in comfort. It is learned in the places where we must wait, trust, and endure. Wisdom is not gained in a moment. Proverbs says, “If thou seekest her [wisdom] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” Proverbs 2:4–5. Strength is not built through ease. The Lord told Paul, “My strength is made perfect in weakness," in the Thorn in the Flesh 2 Corinthians 12:9. Faith is not strengthened by certainty. Peter wrote that the trial of our faith is “much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire” 1 Peter 1:7. Every fruit of the Spirit is cultivated through the Spirit’s work in real life.

Jesus described this process with the image of the vine and the branches. “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” John 15:2. Pruning is the meaning here, and it is not punishment. Pruning is preparation. It is the Father removing what hinders growth so that the life of Christ can flourish within us. It is the Spirit shaping us, refining us, and clearing away what does not reflect the image of the Son.

All of this fulfills the great transformation Paul described in his letter to the Corinthians. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” 2 Corinthians 3:18. This is the heart of spiritual formation. The Spirit is the gift. The fruit is the evidence. Christlikeness is the result. When we ask God for the fruit of the Spirit, we are asking for the very heart of Christ to be formed in us. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Luke 12:32. God delights to answer our prayers, because His purpose has always been to conform us to the image of His Son. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Romans 8:29

Spiritual growth is not about striving or forcing ourselves to be better. It is about surrendering to the work of the Spirit, trusting that the Father gives the best gifts, and allowing Him to transform us from glory to glory. When we ask for the fruit of the Spirit, we are asking for the life of Christ to take root in us. And the Father, who delights to give the Holy Spirit and good gifts to those who ask, will faithfully complete the work He has begun in us: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

Come boldly unto the throne of grace..." Pray for refinement. "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36

May He guide our steps and light our way until we meet Him in the clouds. Amen.

The Journey of Sanctification: Walking with the Holy Spirit in an Imperfect World

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the quiet moments of reflection, as we meditate on the boundless mercy of God, we are drawn into the profound mystery of the Holy Spirit's work within us. Today, I invite you to journey with me through the sacred pages of Scripture, exploring how the indwelling of the Holy Spirit transforms our lives—not as an instantaneous eradication of our sinful nature, but as a gentle, ongoing process of growth, refinement, and reliance on divine grace.

Let us approach this with reverence, for we speak of the third Person of the Trinity, the Comforter promised by our Savior, who guides us toward holiness amid our human frailty.

Beloved, when we come with faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins and believing in His atoning work on the cross, we receive the Holy Spirit as a divine pledge. As it is written in Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." This reception is echoed in Ephesians 1:13-14: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

Oh, what a wondrous assurance! The Holy Spirit seals us as God's own, marking us for eternal redemption. Yet, in His infinite wisdom, God does not render us instantly incapable of sin upon this sealing. Instead, He begins a sacred process within us, where the Spirit takes residence in our very beings. As 1 Corinthians 6:19 declares: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" We become living temples, but temples still under construction, prone to the dust of this fallen world.

Let us delve deeper into this divine process, known in theological terms as progressive sanctification. It is not a sudden leap into sinless perfection but a lifelong pilgrimage, where the Holy Spirit labors tirelessly to conform us to the image of Christ. The Spirit empowers us to resist the temptations that once held us captive, producing in us the fruit of righteousness: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).

Through the Spirit's guidance, we are progressively sanctified—set apart for God's purposes. As 2 Thessalonians 2:13 reminds us: "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." This sanctification is active and dynamic: The Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8), illuminates Scripture to our minds (John 14:26), and strengthens us in weakness (Romans 8:26).

And behold the glorious promise that sustains us in this journey: 'But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord' (2 Corinthians 3:18). Yes, beloved—we are all being changed, degree by degree, from one measure of glory to another, as we gaze upon Christ. This transformation is the gentle, persistent work of the Holy Spirit, who takes the radiance of Jesus and reflects it ever more brightly in our lives.

Yet, in God's sovereign design, we can still stumble, still yield to temptation if we do not walk in step with the Spirit. The Apostle Paul, that pillar of faith, lays bare his own struggles in Romans 7:14-25: "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin... For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do... O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Here, Paul confesses the ongoing battle between the renewed spirit and the flesh—a battle that even the greatest saints wage until glory.

Consider also the lives of two anointed kings of Israel, David and Solomon, whose stories illuminate this very truth. Both were greatly blessed by God—David, a man after God's own heart, empowered by the Spirit from his youth; Solomon, granted unparalleled wisdom and splendor. Yet both fell into grievous sin: David in adultery and murder, Solomon in idolatry, turning his heart to foreign gods through the influence of his many wives (1 Kings 11:4–8). Solomon's end was marked by divine displeasure—"Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father" (1 Kings 11:6)—with no record of repentance restoring his fellowship. David, however, when confronted, humbled himself profoundly: "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13), pouring out his soul in Psalm 51 with a broken and contrite heart that God never despises. Throughout his life, David returned again and again to repentance, dying in covenant favor. Thus, even the most Spirit-blessed among us remain vulnerable to sin, but the path of progressive sanctification—of growing from glory to glory—is marked by ongoing humility and repentance, keeping our hearts soft toward the God who ever calls us back to Himself.

And so, dear reader, receiving the Holy Spirit does not prohibit us from sinning; rather, it equips us for victory while acknowledging our need for continual repentance. As 1 John 1:8-10 solemnly warns believers: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." What grace! In our failings, we find not condemnation but an invitation to draw nearer to the throne of mercy.

In the midst of this process, Scripture points us toward a glorious horizon. Consider 1 Corinthians 13:10: "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Paul, writing to the church at Corinth amid discussions of spiritual gifts and love, contrasts our current partial knowledge with the fullness to come. "That which is perfect" (from the Greek to teleion, signifying completeness or maturity) is often understood as the return of Christ or our entrance into eternity, when we shall see Him "face to face" and "know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

This perfection is not the eradication of sin in this life but the ultimate glorification awaiting believers. As Philippians 3:12-14 exhorts: "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Until then, we live in the tension of the "already but not yet"—sanctified positionally through Christ's blood, yet progressing practically through the Spirit's work.

Paul culminates his discourse with a triumphant declaration in 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." In our imperfect state, these virtues endure as anchors for the soul. Faith trusts in God's promises amid uncertainty; hope anticipates the fulfillment of His kingdom through Christ Jesus; and charity— that divine, selfless love (agapē)—binds them all through the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's heart, reflecting God's very nature (1 John 4:8).

Love is supreme because it outlasts even faith and hope in eternity. When we behold Christ, faith becomes sight, and hope is realized. But love? It flows eternally from the heart of God. In our daily walk, this love empowers us to forgive, to serve, and to overcome sin's pull, all through the Holy Spirit's enabling.

As we conclude this reflection, let us bow in awe before the Living God, the God of the living. The Holy Spirit's work in us is a profound mystery—a process of transformation that honors our free will while drawing us inexorably toward holiness. We can still sin, yes, but we are no longer slaves to it (Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace"). Walk in the Spirit, confess your failings, and press on toward "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

May the Lord bless you and keep you, illuminating your path with His Word. Until we meet in that perfect realm, let us abide in faith, hope, and charity, and the greatest which is charity [love].

In Christ's love,

A Humble Seeker

For millennia, believers have wrestled with the question: When will the rapture occur? Pre‑trib, mid‑trib, post‑trib—each view has its claims of Scriptural grounding, its arguments, and its defenders. Yet Scripture’s deepest call is not to speculation, but to faithfulness. Whether Christ comes before, during, or after the tribulation, the command is the same: be ready, be steadfast, be found so doing.

Revelation 3:10 — The Promise of Being Kept

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

This verse is often cited as evidence for a pre‑tribulation rapture. But beyond debates, its heart is clear: those who keep the word of Christ’s patience will be kept. Patience here means endurance—steadfast loyalty under trial. It is not passive waiting, but active obedience. The promise is not for the careless or lukewarm, but for those who remain faithful. "If you love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

Meat in Due Season — Faith That Matures

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant… to give them meat in due season?” (Matthew 24:45–46)

The faithful servant does not simply avoid sin. He feeds others. He gives “meat”—the deeper truths of God’s Word—at the exact time they are needed. This is meat faith: maturity, discernment, wisdom.

• Hebrews 5:14 – “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age… discerning both good and evil.”

• James 1:22 – “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

Meat faith is what sustains them, and God's poor in Spirit, milk-level believers, through the tribulation. It is the seal of maturity, the mark of discernment, the strength to resist deception and endure trials. It is God’s provision “in due season” for His household.

Discernment and maturity are fruits of salvation through Christ Jesus, not the cause of it. Those who grow from milk to meat (Hebrews 5:14) show evidence of the Spirit’s work in them, but it is Christ alone who saves.

Those with discernment do not endure alone. They are called to feed others in due season—to strengthen those who are still babes in Christ:

• Hebrews 5:12 – “Ye have need that one teach you again… for every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness.”

• 1 Corinthians 3:2 – “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it.”

The faithful and wise servant sustains the household, giving meat to those who are ready, and patiently guiding those still on milk. In tribulation, this ministry of nourishment becomes vital: the mature, discerning and faithful uphold the weak, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen the wavering.

The Light in the Darkness

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14)

Why would God remove the light of the world before its darkest hour?

• The church is called to shine in the world’s darkness.

• Tribulation is the world’s darkest night, full of deception and trials.

• Removing the church before that moment would leave the world without living witnesses of truth.

Instead, Scripture shows the faithful shining in tribulation:

• Daniel 12:3 – “They that be wise shall shine… and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars.”

• Revelation 7:14 – “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes.”

The light shines brightest when the night is darkest. God’s people are present, sealed, and faithful, bearing witness until Christ returns.

Whether or not, however, you believe the rapture will be pre‑trib, mid‑trib, or post‑trib, the promise is the same:

• Those who keep His word of patience will be kept from the hour of temptation, one way or another.

• Those filled with meat-level discernment, who feed others with meat in due season, helping sustain those still on milk, will be blessed.

The faithful servant is not idle. He is found so doing when the Master comes—serving, obeying, feeding, enduring. The timing of the rapture matters less than the posture of readiness. Jesus wants us to live today as if the rapture is today. The debate over timing will continue, but the heart of Scripture is clear: faithfulness, maturity, endurance, and service. The Lord is coming and blessed is the servant whom He finds so doing.

The faithful and wise servant will be kept from the hour of temptation: Whether it means they will be "kept" by having their eyes wide open and discerning good and evil, to sustain them and others through the tribulation, or they will be whisked away so they do not have to endure it, is irrelevant. Because whether pre‑trib, mid‑trib, or post‑trib, the promise is sure. So, grow into discernment. Keep the word of His patience. Feed others with meat in due season. Sustain those who are still on milk. And live each day as if the trumpet could sound at any moment.

That being said, the scriptural evidence is clear and abundant for a post-tribulation gathering. After all, we are the light of the world:

Why would God remove the light before the End? If there is any hope for unbelievers, or for the wavering to return to Him, we must shine our light in the darkest hour.

The scriptural proof for a post-tribulation gathering:

⏳ Daniel: The Foundation

• Daniel 7:21–22 – “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints…”
• → The saints endure tribulation until God intervenes.

• Daniel 12:1 – “And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was… and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”
• → Deliverance comes after great tribulation, for those written in the book of life.

🌑 Jesus’s Teaching

• Matthew 13:30 – “Gather ye together first the tares… but gather the wheat into my barn.”

• At harvest (the end), the wicked are removed first, then the righteous gathered.

• Matthew 24:29–31 – “Immediately after the tribulation… they shall see the Son of man coming… and he shall send his angels… and they shall gather together his elect.”

• The gathering of believers happens after the tribulation, at Christ’s return.

✨ Marking and Sealing

• Ezekiel 9:4 – “Set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations…”

• → God marks His faithful before judgment.

• Revelation 7:3 – “Hurt not the earth… till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

• → Believers are sealed for protection during tribulation.

🔥 Revelation’s Judgment

• Revelation 13:8 – “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the beast], whose names are not written in the book of life…”

• → Choices during tribulation reveal who belongs to Christ.

• Revelation 20:12, 15 – “…the dead were judged… whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

• → Final judgment separates the faithful from the condemned.

• Revelation 21:27 – “…but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

• → Only those marked and faithful enter the New Jerusalem.

The scripture shows a consistent theme: tribulation first, then Christ’s return, then separation of tares and wheat, with believers marked and preserved.

Again, Faithful and Wise Servant, give them meat in due season. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

May He open eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts and minds to understand. Amen.

See also my blogs titled, The Millennial Reign, and Righteous Indignation, for God's Words to me about Christ's return.

All Glory to God in the Highest, always!

Originally posted October 4, 2025. Reposted November 24, 2025, with no changes made.

There is a truth that anchors like an unbreakable chain: once truly saved, always saved. It is the doctrine of eternal life, a divine promise whispered across the pages of Scripture, echoing God's unchanging heart. Yet, in the clamor of casual confessions and bumper-sticker theology, this pearl of grace often gets dragged through the mud. Too many voices spout "Once Saved, Always Saved" (OSAS) as if it is a spiritual hall pass, a wink at willful sin that says, "Go ahead, indulge—God's got the eraser." But oh, beloved reader, that is not the gospel's song. It is a tragic misunderstanding that cheapens the cross and mocks the resurrection. The Bible does not peddle eternal life as a sinner's loophole; it wields it as a sacred fire, igniting holy living in the redeemed soul.

Let us pause here, in reverence, and let the Word unfold this mystery. For in its light, we see not a doctrine to debate, but a reality to live—a transformation that turns "I believe" into "I become."

Picture a Father's hand, calloused from crafting galaxies yet tender as a lullaby, clasping yours in the storm. That is the essence of eternal life: not our fleeting hold on Him, but His eternal embrace of us. Jesus Himself declares it with the weight of eternity in John 10:28-29: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." Here, salvation is not a probationary lease—it's an irrevocable deed, signed in the blood of the Lamb.

Paul, that storm-tossed apostle, chimes in with a chorus of cosmic defiance in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." No force—seen or unseen, felt or feared—can pry us loose. And why? Because salvation is God's present, permanent possession from the first whisper of faith. As the Savior promises in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." We have not just glimpsed the shore; we have landed there, the Holy Spirit our down payment on glory (Ephesians 1:13-14), a seal that whispers, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

This isn't presumption; it is the quiet confidence of Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God's gifts and His call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). He doesn't dangle hope only to yank it away. Eternal security, then, is rooted in His faithfulness, not our faltering steps. It is the freedom to exhale, knowing the One who knit us in the womb will not abandon us in the wilderness.

But here is where the misunderstanding unravels like a poorly knit sweater: true salvation does not leave us lounging in the shallows. It surges through us like a river of living water, reshaping desires and redirecting feet. "If ye love me, keep my commandments," Jesus says in John 14:15—not as a burdensome yoke, but as the natural pulse of a heart made alive. Genuine belief is not a head-nod in a crowded room; it is a root that drinks deeply, sprouting love that acts. As the Spirit stirs within, obedience flows unbidden, involuntary, like breath to the lungs. You don't think to love your neighbor; you just do, because the Spirit of God has taken hold. The Kingdom of God is literally inside you: "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21. The phrase "the kingdom of God is within you" signifies that the presence and reign of God is already present in the hearts of believers. This means that the kingdom of God is not just a future hope but a transformative reality that exists within each person. It emphasizes that God's kingdom is not confined to a physical location but is in the midst of us, influencing our thoughts, actions, and relationships with others. This concept is aided by Holy Spirit inside a believer, allowing the kingdom to manifest in their lives.

Consider the Parable of the Pounds in Luke 19:11-27, that vivid imagery of stewardship Jesus weaves for expectant crowds. A nobleman entrusts his servants with silver—not to burden them, but to invite them into his ventures. The faithful do not sweat and strain; they invest, multiply, and return with abundance, their master's joy is their reward. The slothful one? He buries his pound in fear, clutching excuses like a shield. "Saying you believe is not enough," the parable thunders. Words without works are chaff in the wind: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17. Yet those works? They are not the root of salvation—they are its radiant fruit, evidence of the Vine's life pulsing through the branch (John 15:5). "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing," Jesus reminds us, but with Him? Fruit burgeons without fanfare, a quiet testimony to grace at work.

This is the Holy Spirit's artistry: Galatians 5:22-23 unfurls the harvest—"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." These aren't virtues we manufacture in gritted-teeth resolve; they are the overflow of new birth, crowding out sin's stubborn weeds. As John writes with pastoral fire in 1 John 3:6-9, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." The "seed" is the Spirit Himself, germinating righteousness that makes habitual rebellion not just undesirable, but impossible for the truly redeemed.

Ah, but the tragedy lies in how this doctrine gets hijacked. "Once saved, always saved" becomes a mantra for the half-hearted, a sly justification for willful sin: "God forgives it all, so why fight?" It is as if grace were a fire insurance policy, letting you torch the house and stroll away unscathed. Beloved, the Scriptures roar against such folly.

Paul, ever the surgeon of souls, slices through the lie in Romans 6:1-2: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" We've been buried with Christ in baptism, raised to newness of life (Romans 6:4)—"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life"—sin's empire lies in ruins, its scepter shattered. To rebuild it brick by brick is to deny the resurrection's power.

And Hebrews 10:26-27 lands like a thunderclap: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." This is not a whip for the weary saint; it is a spotlight on the impostor, the one who tastes truth but never swallows it whole (Hebrews 6:4-6). Those who spout OSAS while wallowing in unrepentant mud are not secured—they are self-deceived, mirrors fogged by illusion. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22. True eternal life does not breed complacency; it kindles vigilance, a holy hunger to run hard after the Lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

In the end, eternal life is not a static creed etched in stone; it is a living flame, flickering in the chest of every child of God. It liberates from fear's chains, freeing us to love boldly, obey joyfully, and bear fruit abundantly—not to earn our standing, but because we have entered it. The unfaithful servant in Luke's parable did not forfeit a prize he never pursued; he exposed a faith that was fiction. But you, dear reader—held in hands scarred for your sake— you are invited to the Master's table, pounds in hand, heart aflame.

To become a true believer is to surrender all to the Savior who gave all for you. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, and thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9). Repent, as Peter thundered at Pentecost, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). It is no mere ritual, but a dying to self and rising in Him—whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Cry out for the fire of the Holy Spirit, that baptism of flame John foretold: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Luke 3:16). Be filled with the Spirit and watch as zeal ignites your service—preaching the gospel, tending the broken, stewarding the pounds with hands now steady in His. This is no fleeting spark, but an eternal blaze that empowers you to serve Jesus not in your strength, but His, turning ordinary days into offerings of glory to God.

Let this truth settle like dew on parched ground: God's got you, not because you are good, but because He is God. And in that grip, sin withers, love flourishes, and eternity dawns. What if today, you laid down the excuses and stepped into the river? What fruit might the Spirit coax from your surrender?

Until next time, may the peace of Christ guard your heart, and His joy be your strength. Amen.

Originally posted September 30, 2025. Reposted November 24, 2025, with no changes made.

In the sacred pages of the Bible, the Book of Ruth shines as a beacon of hope and faithfulness amidst the dark and tumultuous days of the Judges. Set during a time when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6, 21:25), Ruth’s story stands in stark contrast to the moral and spiritual chaos of its era. This brief yet profound narrative, nestled between the apostasy of Judges and the rise of Israel’s monarchy in 1 Samuel, is far more than an historical account. It is a divine tapestry woven with threads of loyalty, redemption, and God’s sovereign grace, pointing us toward the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi and her embrace of the God of Israel (Ruth 1:16-17) serve as a beautiful analogy for the believer’s call to follow Christ, reflecting the heart of discipleship in the gospel.

The Book of Ruth opens with a somber note: “Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). The Book of Judges paints a grim picture of Israel’s spiritual decline. The people repeatedly turned to idolatry, worshiping Baal and Ashtaroth (Judges 2:11-13), provoking God’s judgment through oppression by foreign nations. Yet, in His mercy, God raised up judges—deliverers like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson—to rescue His people when they cried out in repentance (Judges 2:16-18). This cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance underscores Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s enduring faithfulness.

Against this backdrop of rebellion and chaos, the Book of Ruth emerges as a story of hope. While Judges depicts a nation adrift, Ruth’s narrative reveals God’s grace at work through the faithfulness of individuals. It is a reminder that even in the darkest times, God is preparing the way for His redemptive purposes, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

At the heart of Ruth’s story is her remarkable declaration to Naomi, her mother-in-law, after the tragic loss of their husbands: “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me” (Ruth 1:16-17). These words, steeped in loyalty and love, echo far beyond their immediate context, resonating with the call to follow Jesus Christ.

Ruth, a Moabite widow and a foreigner to Israel, chooses to leave her homeland, her people, and her pagan gods to follow Naomi and embrace the God of Israel. Her decision mirrors the cost of discipleship described by Jesus: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Ruth’s commitment to Naomi, and by extension to Naomi’s God, reflects the heart of a disciple who forsakes all to follow the Lord. Her words, “thy God my God,” signify a profound spiritual transformation, akin to the believer’s turning from sin to worship the one true God. ". . . and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" 1 Thessalonians 1:9

Ruth’s journey leads her to Boaz, a “mighty man of wealth” (Ruth 2:1) who becomes her kinsman-redeemer. Under God’s providential guidance, Ruth gleans in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:3) and finds favor in his eyes. Boaz, in his kindness and righteousness, redeems Naomi’s inheritance and marries Ruth, securing their family’s future (Ruth 4:9-10). This act of redemption foreshadows the greater work of Jesus Christ, our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who “gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14).

Just as Boaz, a near kinsman, redeems Ruth and Naomi from destitution, Christ, through His death and resurrection, redeems His people from the bondage of sin and death. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19). Ruth’s humble acceptance of Boaz’s provision mirrors the believer’s trust in Christ’s atoning work, receiving salvation by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ruth’s story is her inclusion in the genealogy of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. The Book of Ruth concludes with a genealogy tracing from Pharez (son of Judah and Tamar) to Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David (Ruth 4:18-22). This lineage is reiterated in the New Testament, confirming Ruth’s place in the ancestry of Christ (Matthew 1:5-6, 16). The blessing given to Boaz and Ruth at their marriage, “And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the Lord shall give thee of this young woman” (Ruth 4:12), draws a deliberate connection to the story of Tamar, Judah, and Pharez in Genesis 38, highlighting profound parallels that enrich the Messianic narrative.

In Genesis 38, Tamar, likely a Canaanite, finds herself widowed and childless, facing a precarious future. When Judah, the patriarch of the tribe bearing his name, fails to fulfill the Levirate custom through his surviving son, Tamar takes bold action. Disguising herself as a harlot, she conceives by Judah, giving birth to twins, Pharez and Zarah (Genesis 38:27-30). Despite the morally complex circumstances, Tamar’s determination to secure her place in Judah’s family ensures the continuation of his lineage, through which the Messiah would come. Pharez, her son, becomes a key ancestor in the tribe of Judah, leading to David and ultimately to Christ (Matthew 1:3).

The connection to Ruth is striking. Like Tamar, Ruth is a Gentile widow, an outsider to Israel (a Moabite, a people often despised by Israel, Deuteronomy 23:3). Both women face vulnerability and uncertainty yet act with faith and resolve to align themselves with God’s covenant people. Tamar’s unconventional union with Judah and Ruth’s marriage to Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer, result in their inclusion in the Messianic line. The blessing in Ruth 4:12 invokes Pharez’s name to signify fruitfulness and prominence, as Pharez’s descendants became a numerous and significant clan within Judah (1 Chronicles 2:4-5). Similarly, Ruth’s son, Obed, becomes the grandfather of David, cementing her role in God’s redemptive plan.

The stories of Tamar and Ruth share key themes: God’s providence in using unlikely individuals, the inclusion of Gentiles in His covenant, and the preservation of the Messianic lineage through unexpected means. Both women, though outsiders, demonstrate faith and initiative, becoming vessels of God’s grace. Their inclusion foreshadows the gospel’s universal call, where “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Just as Tamar’s bold action and Ruth’s loyal devotion secure their places in the lineage of David, they point to the greater reality of Christ, who welcomes all who come to Him in faith, regardless of their background (Revelation 7:9). The comparison in Ruth 4:12 underscores God’s sovereignty in weaving these women’s stories into the tapestry of salvation history, preparing the way for the Messiah.

The contrast between Ruth and the Book of Judges is striking. While Judges recounts Israel’s repeated idolatry and moral chaos—culminating in the horrific accounts of idolatry in Dan (Judges 17-18) and civil war involving Benjamin (Judges 19-21)—Ruth’s story radiates faithfulness, humility, and divine providence. Her loyalty to Naomi, her diligence in gleaning (Ruth 2:2), and her submission to God’s will stand as a testament to the power of individual obedience in a rebellious age. Ruth’s story assures us that God’s grace is at work, even when His people falter, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.

Ruth’s declaration, “whither thou goest, I will go,” resonates as a timeless call to discipleship. Just as Ruth bound herself to Naomi and her God, believers are called to follow Jesus, saying, in effect, “Where You go, I will go; Your people will be my people; Your Father will be my God.” This requires leaving behind the old life—whether it be sin, self-reliance, or worldly attachments—and trusting in Christ’s redemptive work. As Ruth found provision and a future through Boaz, we find eternal life and purpose through Jesus, who declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

The Book of Ruth, though brief, is a pivotal link in the chain of God’s redemptive history. From the chaos of Judges to the establishment of David’s throne in 1 Samuel, Ruth’s story bridges the gap, showing how God uses the faithfulness of a Moabite widow to advance His Messianic plan. Her journey from outsider to ancestor of Christ reflects the gospel’s power to transform and include all who come to God in faith. As we read Ruth’s words and trace her legacy, may we be inspired to echo her commitment, following Jesus with unwavering devotion, trusting Him as our Redeemer, and rejoicing in His grace that welcomes us into His eternal family.

The books of Judges, Ruth, and 1 Samuel, in their vivid portrayal of Israel’s spiritual cycles, resonate deeply with the times we are now living in, as they echo humanity’s struggle with faithlessness and the hope of redemption through Christ’s return. In Judges, we see a world marked by moral chaos and idolatry, where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6), mirroring today’s relativistic culture that often rejects God’s truth for personal desires. Yet, amidst this darkness, Ruth’s story shines as a testament to God’s grace, as her faithfulness and inclusion in the Messianic line foreshadow the gospel’s call to all nations, reminding us that even in a rebellious age, God is gathering His people through faith in Christ (Romans 10:12-13). The transition to 1 Samuel, with the rise of David’s kingdom, points to the establishment of God’s anointed king, prefiguring Jesus, the ultimate King, whose imminent return will bring final deliverance from sin and death, fulfilling the promise that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Just as these books trace God’s redemptive plan through a turbulent era, they encourage us today to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in Christ’s return to restore all things.



Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the testimony of Ruth, whose faith and loyalty shine as a light in a dark world. May her example inspire us to follow Thy Son, Jesus Christ, with all our heart, trusting in His redemption and walking in His truth. Guide us, as Thou didst guide Ruth, to be vessels of Thy grace in our generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.