We live in the Information Age. Knowledge is spread from one end of the Earth to the other in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, this communication is noble, while at other times, it is destructive. Yet there seems to be no lack of craving words and messages of all types.
There was a time in the lives of many who read these posts where our words were localized except for the transnational phone call, or perhaps, if you had the wealth, international phone calls. Many of us remember a time when calls were not on an unlimited plan and video chats only existed in science fiction.
But all of that has changed, hasn’t it? Any of us have it within our means to carry out a live video call with someone on the other side of the globe. Perhaps we often get so enamored with technology we forget some things never change. They are as old as mankind itself. It’s the curse of idle words. Our Judge and King says this:
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV).
Words are powerful. Jesus warns us that even idle words, those casual remarks or thoughtless comments, carry weight in God’s kingdom. They reveal what’s in our hearts and demonstrate the sincerity of our faith. How often do we let careless words slip, thinking they have little consequence? Jesus reminds us that our words can build up or tear down, and they will either acquit or condemn us.
These words do not carry a status of immunity when they are spoken on a laptop or typed on Social Media. Sometimes, we become lulled into a false sense of anonymity because we cloak ourselves in technology that makes us feel unseen while we strive to make ourselves heard.
We feel we can type things on a keyboard that would make us blush if we had to speak them in front of King Jesus. It’s easy to strike off a belittling retort or a vicious character assassination online and then enjoy a meal with our friends. Perhaps we even laugh at what we have done with our words and bask in the accolades of our friends who praise our quick-wit and justify the use of these words.
Yet Jesus warns that we will account for every idle word we speak. Do we believe this? I fear that if we truly believed Jesus’ words, we would be less careless with the manner we use them. Do we reflect on our daily speech? How often do we speak words of encouragement, love, and truth? Or are there words of bitterness, gossip, or carelessness mixed in? Jesus invites us to take stock of what comes out of our mouths and remember that we will give an account to Him for every word.
Consider these couplets. Let’s ask ourselves where our words are focused most.
Love or hatred.
Inspiration or raunchy.
Truth or lies.
Building up or tearing down.
Promises or excuses.
Authentic or hypocritical.
Prayer or self-affirmations.
Gentle correction or reckless enablement.
Wisdom or foolishness.
Facts or rumors.
This list can go on and on. Each time we open our mouths, we have an opportunity to use our tongues for the glory of God and edification of others, or we can use it to bring dishonor to God and to tear down others. Our culture doesn’t always give us a clear guide on what to do, but Jesus does.
Do our words really carry this much weight? Are they really the things by which we will be justified or condemned? This is what Jesus, our Judge, says to us. But do we really believe Him?
James says this of our words.
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:5-10 ESV).
When we think of bad sins, we often think of things like murder, adultery, theft, or kidnapping. Yet at the same time, many of us can feel comfortable sitting with a laptop or smart phone and using our words in terrible ways, ways we would never use them in front of someone in person. Perhaps this should be the scary thing about Jesus’s words and warnings. It should frighten us when we can use our tongues in such a destructive way while giving little thought to what we are doing.
When was the last time we were purposeful in using our words? When was the last time we fought the urge to tear down and, instead, were purposeful in building up? Go back to that list of couplets. When was the last time we were purposeful in using our words to do the first of each couplet and suppress the second of each couplet?
James tells us we cannot tame the tongue. That means we need to keep a constant vigil over our words. We can never expect to reach a point where we no longer have to give thought to our words. We must constantly be in prayerful watch over the things we say.
Remember, it was the Judge Himself who warned that everyone “will give account for every careless word they speak.” Living in the Information Age where we have so many avenues to push out ill-thought through speech means we have to be especially vigilant. The words we speak now may be doing their destructive work to someone 10,000 miles away in the blink of an eye.
Here is my prayer for each of us. Spend time today reflecting on the words we’ve spoken this week. Ask God for forgiveness where our words have been careless or damaging and seek His grace to speak life and truth. Make it a goal to be intentional with our words—speak words that glorify God and build up those around us. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide our speech so that every word is an offering of grace.
Yes, our words can be destructive, but they can also be incredibly powerful in the lives of so many people. How do we want to be known by others? As someone whose tongue is like a wrecking ball using words to leave a scorched path of destruction in its wake, or as someone who people are eager to hear because our tongues bring healing salve when we speak?
As we contemplate this, let’s listen to Jesus’ words one more time as they, indeed, illustrate the weight of idle words:
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37 ESV).
If you’ve been a smoker for most of your life, it will be a hard habit to break. Don’t get discouraged when you backslide. Just get up and keep moving forward until, with God’s help, you overcome the habit.
If you’ve been a drinker for most of your life, it will be a hard habit to break. Don’t get discouraged when you backslide. Just get up and keep moving forward until, with God’s help, you overcome the habit.
If you’ve been a gossip for most of your life, it will be a hard habit to break. Don’t get discouraged when you backslide. Just get up and keep moving forward until, with God’s help, you overcome the habit.
If you’ve been a contentious person for most of your life, it will be a hard habit to break. Don’t get discouraged when you backslide. Just get up and keep moving forward until, with God’s help, you overcome the habit.
If you’ve been an angry person for most of your life, it will be a hard habit to break. Don’t get discouraged when you backslide. Just get up and keep moving forward until, with God’s help, you overcome the habit.
This is Kingdom living.
This is what walking with Jesus looks like.
Responsibility literally means the ability to respond.
Lost people are responsible- able to respond- to God’s appeal for salvation.
Many in the religious world will tell us that man is incapable of responding to God. We are not responsible.
But the Bible makes it clear that Jesus calls all men everywhere to come unto Him.
Yet, many pastors will preach that God is responsible for man’s obedience, removing any hint of man’s God-given free will from the equation.
God is responsible for the call. Man is responsible for the response. To shift these responsibilities is, well, irresponsible, and not in line with the revealed Word of God.
In this post, I go through each book in the Bible to see Jesus as the promised Messiah. I have broken these into three sections:
1. The Old Testament that looks forward to the coming Messiah and King.
2. The four Gospels that write of the arrival of the Messiah and King.
3. Acts and the Letters that look back to the Messiah and His current Kingship.
I hope these simple summaries help us see the scarlet threat of unity that runs through the story of Jesus.
Old Testament: The Coming of the Messiah:
Genesis: Jesus is seen as the promised offspring of the woman (Genesis 3:15) who would crush the serpent’s head, symbolizing the coming of a savior to defeat sin and Satan.
Exodus: The Passover lamb, whose blood saved the Israelites from death (Exodus 12), foreshadows Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Leviticus: The sacrificial system and the high priest point to Jesus as both the perfect sacrifice and the ultimate High Priest who would atone for sin once for all.
Numbers: The bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21:9) is a type of Christ, who would be lifted up on the cross for salvation.
Deuteronomy: Moses speaks of a prophet like himself whom God would raise up (Deuteronomy 18:15), pointing to Jesus as the ultimate prophet.
Joshua: Joshua’s leadership in bringing Israel into the promised land prefigures Jesus leading His people into eternal rest.
Judges: The cycle of Israel’s sin and deliverance through judges highlights the need for a perfect deliverer—Jesus, the ultimate Judge.
Ruth: Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, represents Jesus, who redeems humanity as our spiritual Redeemer.
1 & 2 Samuel: David’s kingship foreshadows Jesus, the Son of David, who would establish an eternal kingdom.
1 & 2 Kings: The rise and fall of Israel’s kings point to the need for a perfect, righteous king—fulfilled in Jesus.
1 & 2 Chronicles: These books emphasize God’s covenant with David, pointing to the Messiah who would reign forever.
Ezra & Nehemiah: The rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem symbolizes the work of Christ, who rebuilds the spiritual temple through His church.
Esther: Esther’s intercession for her people mirrors Jesus’ role as our mediator and advocate before God.
Job: Job’s longing for a mediator points to Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity.
Psalms: Numerous Messianic Psalms (e.g., Psalms 2, 22, 110) describe the sufferings, kingship, and priesthood of Jesus.
Proverbs: Wisdom personified points to Jesus as the true wisdom from God.
Ecclesiastes: The futility of life apart from God is resolved in Jesus, who offers eternal purpose and fulfillment.
Song of Solomon: The love relationship between the bride and groom symbolizes Christ’s love for His church.
Isaiah: The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) and the prophecy of the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14) clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah.
Jeremiah: The promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is fulfilled in Jesus, who brings a new and better relationship with God.
Lamentations: The sorrow over Jerusalem’s destruction hints at the need for the redemption that only Jesus can bring.
Ezekiel: The vision of the Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23) and the restoration of Israel point to Jesus as the Shepherd and Restorer.
Daniel: The prophecy of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) and the stone that destroys earthly kingdoms foreshadow the eternal reign of Jesus.
Hosea: Hosea’s faithful love for his unfaithful wife mirrors Christ’s love for His unfaithful people.
Joel: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32), fulfilled at Pentecost, points to Jesus’ work in the new covenant.
Amos: The promise of the restoration of David’s fallen tent (Amos 9:11) looks forward to the reign of the Messiah.
Obadiah: The defeat of Edom and the kingdom of God being established (Obadiah 1:21) foreshadow Jesus’ ultimate victory and reign.
Jonah: Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish prefigures Jesus’ death and resurrection after three days in the tomb.
Micah: The prophecy of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) points directly to Jesus.
Nahum: The destruction of Nineveh shows that judgment is certain, but Jesus offers salvation from the wrath to come.
Habakkuk: The righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4), a truth fulfilled in the gospel of Jesus.
Zephaniah: The coming Day of the Lord warns of judgment, but Jesus provides a way of escape for those who trust in Him.
Haggai: The glory of the second temple points to Jesus, whose presence would bring greater glory than the former temple.
Zechariah: The prophecy of the pierced one (Zechariah 12:10) and the humble king on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9) clearly point to Jesus.
Malachi: The prophecy of the coming messenger (Malachi 3:1) and the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) refer to John the Baptist and Jesus.
The Gospels: Jesus the Messiah on Earth:
Matthew: Jesus is portrayed as the King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mark: Jesus is the Servant, whose powerful miracles and sacrificial death reveal Him as the suffering Messiah.
Luke: Jesus is the Son of Man, emphasizing His humanity and compassion while fulfilling the role of the promised Messiah.
John: Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh, the Son of God, and the only way to salvation. His divine nature and mission are central.
New Testament Letters: Kingdom Living and Jesus the Messiah Fulfilled:
Acts: The apostles spread the gospel of Jesus, the risen Messiah, who establishes His church and reigns from heaven.
Romans: Paul explains how Jesus, through His death and resurrection, provides justification, sanctification, and salvation for all who believe.
1 Corinthians: Paul points to Jesus’ resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith and teaches how to live in light of His lordship.
2 Corinthians: Jesus is the source of comfort and strength in suffering, and His grace is sufficient for all needs.
Galatians: Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not the works of the law.
Ephesians: Jesus is the head of the church, and believers are united in Him, called to live out the reality of the new creation.
Philippians: Jesus’ humility and exaltation are examples for believers, and He is the source of joy and strength.
Colossians: Jesus is supreme over all creation, and in Him, believers find fullness and new life.
1 Thessalonians: Paul reminds the church of Jesus’ second coming and encourages them to live holy lives in anticipation of His return.
2 Thessalonians: Paul clarifies the timing of Jesus’ return and encourages steadfastness in the face of persecution.
1 Timothy: Jesus is the mediator between God and man, and His gospel is the foundation of sound teaching and church leadership.
2 Timothy: Paul urges Timothy to remain faithful to Jesus, the righteous judge, and to endure suffering for the gospel.
Titus: Jesus’ work of salvation leads believers to live godly lives, reflecting His grace and redemption.
Philemon: The reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus is a picture of the reconciliation Jesus brings between humanity and God.
Hebrews: Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the Old Testament types and shadows.
James: Jesus’ teachings on faith and works are echoed, calling believers to live out their faith in practical ways.
1 Peter: Jesus’ suffering and subsequent glory provide a model for Christians enduring trials, pointing to the future inheritance in Him.
2 Peter: Jesus’ return is certain, and believers are called to grow in grace and knowledge of Him.
1 John: Jesus is the incarnate Word, and His love and truth are the basis for Christian fellowship and life.
2 John: Faithfulness to Jesus’ teachings is essential to remain in fellowship with God.
3 John: The truth of Jesus’ gospel must be upheld, and hospitality shown to those who work for His name.
Jude: Jesus, Who is able to keep believers from stumbling, and His return will bring judgment and mercy.
Revelation: Jesus is the victorious Lamb, the King of Kings who will return to judge the world, establish His eternal kingdom, and dwell with His people forever.
Elon Musk wants to colonize Mars in the next few years.
I wonder what would go through your mind if you were on Mars and looked up in the sky to see Jesus and His angels pass by on their way to Earth.
Mmmmmm…
(Don’t read too much theology into this. Just a tongue-in-cheek observation for fun).
What will people be doing the moment the Lord returns?
Paul says this:
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
While people are saying, “There is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 ESV).”
This means that there will be no warning when He returns.
Liars will be lying.
Thieves will be stealing.
The sexually immoral will be committing sexual immorality.
Gossips will be gossiping.
Murderers will be killing.
And those who are allegiant to Jesus will be walking with Jesus.
If we want to be ready when Jesus returns, we must be living for Him now.
“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 ESV).
Let me ask you this… What do you look forward to most in Heaven?
Serving and worshipping God?
Spending time with the faithful forever?
Dwelling with God in a relationship so close that He’s in us and we’re in Him?
Serve in any way we’re called upon to serve?
Now, let me ask you another question…
What’s stopping us from living this way now, starting this very moment?
I am in the book of Nehemiah in my daily Bible reading. I love the way Nehemiah ends his book in the last chapter. Listen to these verses:
“Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.” (Nehemiah 13:14 ESV).
and
“and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.” (Nehemiah 13:31 ESV).
Remember me for good. Isn’t this a wonderful place to be in our walk with Jesus? Not that God needs prodding to remember, for God never forgets.
This is when we make the conscious decision to make choices in life, and even when it’s hard or inconvenient for us, we choose to act in a way to honor Him.
This is what we want God to remember us for. Remember us for good. Be aware of what we are doing and have done for Him.
Can we follow Nehemiah’s example and ask God in all good conscience to remember us for good?