Part of me is happy to see 2025 winding down. It’s been… a year. This morning, as I was spending my reading and praying time, thoughts of this time last year flooded my mind.

As Christmas approached last year, it was clear that, without a miracle, we would need to move from the town where we had invested the last 8 years in planting Today.Church. No miracle, so we packed up to live like the Green Acres sitcom in the little town of East Tawakoni, Texas.

I’ve often made the joke, “living in a van down by the river,” as we’ve been living in a borrowed RV in the front yard of our house that still needs major work. In the past few weeks, some progress has been made, but it’s still far from livable.

Once again, Christmas looms, and just like last year, without a miracle, I’m not sure what we are going to do.

My morning prayer time turned into a little pity party about all the things I can’t do, the gifts we weren’t able to buy.

“How are we going to survive the next week, God?”

I should have typed that in all caps because inside, I was pretty much yelling at God.

Then suddenly, I heard my own voice. It was a prayer I prayed almost 30 years ago at the lowest moment of my life. The circumstances are another story, but at the end of my rope, I cried out:

“Okay God, if I can know You, really know You, I will give You everything.”

I heard that memory in my own voice just as clear as if it were audible. My mind could see the details of the circumstances of that night decades ago. And then I heard this in my spirit.

“But do you know Me?”

That stopped everything. All the questions. All the uncertainty. All the remorse and regret became… tears. Overwhelming emotion. Not sorrow. Extreme, exuberant joy.

“YES! YES, I KNOW YOU!”

I thought that what I needed was more stuff. More security. More stability. Why God? When all this time, all these circumstances, He’s still answering that prayer. And this prayer that I borrowed from Paul.

Philippians 3:10-11 (NET)
10 My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death,
11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

In my flesh, I thought I needed another Christmas miracle. But I have everything I need already. I can unequivocally, and without a doubt, say that I know Him. That I know Jesus, and He knows me.

I have no idea what 2026 will bring. I’m itching to preach. I’ve had the right information for many years. I’m not a novice in the knowledge of scripture. But I won’t be preaching, posting, or podcasting from a place of information. It’s about transformation. It’s about knowing.

I had a Buddy the Elf moment this morning that is so real it will be contagious. But not about Santa or tradition. It’s all about Jesus.

“I know Him! I know Him!”

If you don’t want to hear about Jesus, if you don’t want to know Him, you probably shouldn’t hang around me. If you want to know what knowing Jesus is like, follow me as I follow Jesus… not as I follow Aubrey.

That is my Christmas miracle. And because I know Him, I know He will take care of the rest.

Philippians 4:19 (NET)
And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Hello new creature. 2026, let’s do this!

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I’ve pretty much been flat on my back for a couple of days. Vertigo is no fun. I immediately prayed for and believed for healing. My circumstances don’t change the truth that God promised healing through Jesus. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. I am healed. Just haven’t seen it yet.

It’s been an interesting, mostly bedridden, experience. Lots of time to think and pray. Some “in my flesh” spiraling thoughts too. In Jesus, I am a born again child of God, but sometimes I don’t see it until… Hello new creature.

Some of the spiraling thoughts were about our life and ministry situation. It would be easy to get discouraged and jaded. Though far from perfect, we have literally been willing to give up everything to follow Jesus and make disciples that make disciples. This last year has been brutal finan…

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https://kaylagabbardministry.com

All I knew of her was a few Google searches and listening to a few minutes of some videos. I’ve been offered to go live on Substack tonight to talk about it, and maybe some other things in the news.

Had no idea what to expect, and to be rea,l the whole concept seemed odd to me. It was promoted just as a day of baptism. So I decided to just come and see.

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I went to a baptism revival today. It’s a Kayla Gabbard ministry thing.

https://kaylagabbardministry.com

All I knew of her was a few Google searches and listening to a few minutes of some videos. I’ve been offered to go live on Substack tonight to talk about it, and maybe some other things in the news.

Had no idea what to expect, and to be real, the whole concept seemed odd to me. It was promoted just as a day of baptism. So I decided to just come and see.

There had to be 5,000 people there. The few pics I took don’t do it justice. At first, I just wandered around with a friend. At least 2/3rds of the people were in line to be baptized. In fac,t for the most part, the crowd was the line.

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Can you imagine a life without worry, stress, anger, offense, and hurt feelings? It IS possible.

That’s the Way Jesus proclaimed. But most Christians believe that kind of life is some kind of unattainable ideal.

We tolerate and excuse the low-hanging works of the flesh. Sin.

But how?

By focusing on bashing those we deem guilty of hot-button sins… from the same flesh works list.

Lists rather. Galatians. Romans. Ephesians. Colossians. The Red Letters. Etc.

All works of the flesh, or sins, lead to death. There’s no middle ground from death to life.

From darkness to light. Good and evil.

Jesus tolerates nothing lukewarm.

What we believe is the problem.

That lie is used to tolerate and justify “little” works of the flesh. I should know. Been there. Done that. Wore the t-shirt.

I’m not slamming lukewarm, consumer Christians. I’m yelling hellfire in the theater, hoping someone runs for the exit. Into the arms of Jesus.

Lukewarm or halfway is deception, not an immature level of the Kingdom.

It’s believing a lie when only believing the Truth sets us free.

Sin tolerance is a false gospel.

To be born again is not an unconditional ticket to heaven in exchange for a magic prayer.

Somebody needs to say it.

Born again is Jesus in you, through you, to others. It’s the restoration of who you were created to be. In His image.

Anything less? Not Jesus.

Narrow or wide way. No medium way. And Jesus said few find it.

But He also said His yoke was easy.

What’s easy about dying to self?

It seems like halfway is easy. Not sinning is hard. Why try, when it’s impossible, right?

Cue, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace…”

Grace isn’t an excuse to keep on sinning.

Nobody really thinks that, but the only way around it practically, is to categorize sin. Focus on the big “You can’t be a Christian if…” issues. Ignore the small verbal and emotional stuff.

Easy, right?

Wrong. It’s miserable.

Let’s call it the blame game.

The guilt and shame eat you up. So you cover it with something. Just like in the Garden of Eden.

Fig leaves aren’t bad. They just don’t work.

An unrepentant heart is prone to bigger mistakes and excuses. Bigger fig leaves required.

Most of the cover-ups are anti something or someone. An unrelenting focus on the opposition, even the devil, becomes the “at all costs” standard.

Little things like gossip, backbiting, division, discord, angry outbursts, bitterness, promise breaking… no big deal. No real happiness, though.

Your opponents get under your skin, into your thoughts and emotions. You fear the enemy’s attack and tactics.

That fear shows up in your sarcasm and degradation of others.

The blame game.

It was that woman. It was the snake! Always wanting to win but somebody else always messes it up.

No matter how you slice it, that’s not the Kingdom.

In the Kingdom, small things matter most.

Nothing in scripture excuses the “little” sins we so easily ignore for a hypothetical greater good.

God’s Kingdom overcomes evil with good. All good.

Not some good to justify not-so-good words, actions, heart, and emotions.

All or nothing. Narrow or wide. Hot or cold.

Jesus or not.

We simply don’t believe it’s possible.

At this point, it may sound like I’m proving how difficult, if not impossible,it is to follow Jesus.

It’s not. We’ll get to that. Following Jesus is the easy part.

Being stressed, hurt, worried, perplexed, angry, and offended… that’s hard living. Nothing free about it.

Why do we tolerate it?

Our words betray what we really believe.

That’s pretty much the popular, militant Christian gospel right now.

What we call Christian comes in many flavors.

There are Christian Nationalism versions.

Prosperity versions.

Let’s get back to the Torah versions.

Pomp and circumstance versions.

Take pride in whatever sin you want versions.

While parts of each of those is somewhat factually correct, none of it is Truth.

It’s not the Gospel. The Good News.

People just don’t read their Bibles. None of that is in there.

Jesus is what the whole Bible points to.

Imagine you are trying to get to Disneyland…

But all you do is argue with others trying to get there, about details on the map.

Or imagine you think the map is enough, and so you never even try to go there.

The Bible is our map. The destination is Jesus.

And the trip is both instantaneous and a journey.

It’s so much more than mumbling a prayer for a magic ticket to heaven.

Eternal life doesn’t begin at the pearly gates.

How is it possible that the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in those who believe, and yet we just keep on habitually sinning?

It’s not. We get exactly what we believe.

Whose report are you going to believe? "Nobody’s perfect." Or what Jesus said?

Matthew 5:48 (NET) So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Impossible! Really?

Remember that loudmouth fishermen who denied Jesus?

He got more than a ticket to heaven. He came to believe and teach this truth.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NET)
13 Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
14 Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance,
15 but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct,
16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.”

The lie is believing being born again doesn’t come with the power to LIVE as a new creation.

A new person. Now.

Where is that verse that says we can’t experience that?

Are you believing a lie or the truth?

1 John 3:3-10 (NET)
3 And everyone who has this hope focused on him purifies himself, just as Jesus is pure.
4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; indeed, sin is lawlessness.
5 And you know that Jesus was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
6 Everyone who resides in him does not sin; everyone who sins has neither seen him nor known him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Jesus is righteous.
8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.
9 Everyone who has been fathered by God does not practice sin, because Godʼs seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by God.
10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are revealed: Everyone who does not practice righteousness - the one who does not love his fellow Christian - is not of God.

But nobody’s perfect!

That’s not the point. That’s the problem.

And Jesus is the only solution.

I’m in no way suggesting that a Jesus follower will never stumble. But the weakness of flesh doesn’t change the truth Jesus’ blood proclaims.

Denying the power of the cross to excuse living by fleshly desires is a lie of false humility that will never set you free.

The truth sets you free. What truth do you believe?

A renewed mind doesn’t tolerate works of the flesh because we aren’t in heaven yet. In earth as it is in heaven isn’t wishful thinking. It’s God’s will that we expectantly pray for in faith.

By that faith, we can live right now as transformed Jesus followers. Believing the truth changes how we think.

Romans 12:2 (NET)
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God - what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Am I saying that I have achieved perfection?

No. And yes.

Yes by faith. By the Spirit.

I’m no longer a "sinner" saved by grace. I’m a new creature. Old things are dead.

It’s about identity and relationship. Not performance.

And whatever identity you cling to becomes what you do.

Grace is instantaneous. It doesn’t just forgive sin so you can do it again.

It kills it.

Grace is the power to change, not an excuse to stay the same.

We simply don’t read the Bible as if it practically applies to daily life.

Romans 6:1-2 (NET)
1 What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase?
2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Is that some kind of unattainable ideal?

It is if you don’t believe the Truth. Remember, faith without works is dead.

And this is how the Kingdom works here and now. Not some pie in the sky.

Romans 6:11-14 (NET)
11 So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires,
13 and do not present your members to sin as instruments to be used for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments to be used for righteousness.
14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

How do you see yourself?

That’s the key to actually living like a new creature or stuck in the deception of excuses.

"Consider yourselves dead to sin."

That’s not a performance checklist. It’s faith in a new identity.

And here’s how you get there.

Not by denying the reality of living in earth, but by putting the past to death, by faith.

This is how to be "perfect."

Philippians 3:13-15 (NET)
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

Did you get that? It’s about what you think.

How can you forget the past when you blew it 30 seconds ago?

What do you believe?

"I’m just a sinner saved by grace who just keeps on sinning?"

Or do you believe the Truth?

The Truth will set you free.

The moment you accept by faith that the blood of Jesus is enough to conquer sin and death, your identity changes.

The old you dies. What is new HAS come.

You were once a sinner, but now, in Christ, these things are true.

• You are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

• You are joint heirs–a sibling of Jesus. (Romans 8:17)

• You are seated with Jesus in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6)

• The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

• You’ve already been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. (Colossians 1:13)

Why worry, stress, get your feelings hurt, beat yourself up, or get offended and put others down?

Not only CAN you live like Jesus–that’s who you were created to be. Anything less is the lie of brokenness.

So… how do you see yourself?

What would change today, if you believed, really believed, you ARE a new creature?

If you believed sin isn’t your master, Jesus is…

Why settle for the lies that excuse our own selfish desires?

It’s time to stop calling yourself what Jesus died to set you free from. You are not a sinner any longer. That’s false humility.

Speak the truth over yourself. Live from the life of Jesus within you, not the excuses and accusations of the flesh.

And don’t go back. Ask. Seek. Knock.

Like this:

Jesus will show you who He says you are! Just believe.

Hello new creature!

This isn’t doctrine, it’s DO-trine

Want to live this out? Start praying that way. Thanking God for who He created you to be! In His image.

Open your Bible and start with the words of Jesus. Read them like your life depends on it–because it does.

Wake up tomorrow and say:

Then walk like that’s true. Because it is. And the Truth sets us free.

If you want to walk this out with others who are learning to live like Jesus every day–reach out.

This isn’t just a belief. It’s abundant life, here and now.

Let’s live it together. Hello new creature(s)!✌🏼

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The Gospel, the Good News, isn’t about me fixing others. It’s not even about fixing me. It’s about knowing Jesus to become who you were created to be. Like Him. Here. Now.

When you believe that truth, and receive the gift of a clear conscience you didn’t earn, things start fixing themselves–in you first. Only then, can you really help others. In His likeness. Born again.

Hello new creature!

A new creature has nothing to take credit for. Nothing to earn or deserve. The guiltless, forgiven heart has nothing to be offended by. A clear conscience doesn't point fingers. It doesn't take things personally.

Knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are two different things. Being a Christian and following Jesus can be two different things.

If you think you are a Christian because you prayed a prayer to get a ticket to heaven, you missed the point.

Heaven isn’t eternal life. Jesus is. We get to go where He is. Forever. But it gets better.

On the way to heaven, we get to know Him. Literally. Supernaturally. Relationship–not information.

You don’t get heaven with Jesus as a bonus. A new creature in Christ gets Jesus and abundant, eternal life now. Heaven is the bonus.

As you, by faith, follow Jesus and deny the parts of you that are the result of this world, broken by sin, a new life begins to take over. His light begins to shine. Living water begins to flow out of your very being.

Are you tired of carrying burdens and stress? Are you thirsty for new life? Abundant living?

John 7:37-38 (NET)
37 On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and 38 let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ʻFrom within him will flow rivers of living water.ʼ”

Stop trying to fix yourself. Stop blaming and trying to fix others. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

You weren't created to be tired and discouraged. You were created in the very image of God, with the destiny of reflecting His very righteousness.

The Good News Jesus proclaimed is so much more than a ticket to heaven or hellfire insurance. It's a new life. Abundant, eternal life.

By faith, just be who God created you to be, in Jesus.

You weren't created to carry guilt, shame, or stress. The Good News isn't about someday. It's about abundant life now.

Hello new creature.

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2 Corinthians 5:17 (NET)
So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away - look, what is new has come!

I hope you've never experienced the heartbreak of a loved one with dementia or debilitating memory loss. That look of fear, confusion, and vulnerability in those sad eyes. It's beyond painful to watch. No one with an ounce of compassion would blame them, shame them, or callously think they deserved it because of something they did or didn't do in life.

It's just tragic to observe someone who doesn't even know who they are.

I can imagine that's what Jesus felt as He looked over Jerusalem with compassion for the crowd. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd. They didn't even know who they were created to be.

Lost.
Spiritual amnesia.

One of the hardest things to understand about grace is that "while we were yet sinners," Jesus died for us.

The cross isn't a reminder of how much God hates our sin; it's the ultimate object lesson of how much God loves the sinner, like me. Or rather, like I used to be.

Sin is an issue of identity, not just right and wrong.

You weren’t created to be a sinner. You were created in the image of a sinless God. In His likeness.

But when we reject God's truth, we believe the identity lies of this broken world. It's like spiritual amnesia or dementia.

Lostness.

But when you turn from sin's rebellion and trust that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the only Way out of the brokenness of this troubled world, your identity changes. Born again isn't just a ticket to heaven or a get out of hell free card.

It's a new life.
A new identity.

Abundant life is the restoration of who you were created to be. In His image, not a reflection of sin's brokenness. The instant you are forgiven, you are not a “sinner” saved by grace any longer.

You are a new creation thereafte… not a sinner. Grace is the favor to acquire a new identity. The opposite of lostness.

And it's only by faith.

When you truly believe the cross is enough, you are a new creature. Old things, the old you, are dead.

A Jesus follower isn't just "trying" to be better through self-discipline. That's rule-keeping and legalism. Real freedom is by faith in the truth. Only the truth will set you free. The truth of God's incomprehensible and never-failing love.

The truth is that Jesus died so you could be the righteousness of God in Him. You were created to be a joint-heir, a sibling in God's family called the Kingdom. A child of God filled with the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Seated with Him in heavenly places–here on earth, just as it is in heaven.

And when you, by faith, begin to see yourself as God sees you, through Jesus, something amazing happens. You begin to see others, not as they are now, but as who they were created to be.

But they don't know it.
They've believed the lies of brokenness.
Lost, confused, scared–living in the fear of spiritual dementia, not even knowing who they really are.

So were you.
So was I.

Where then is judgment, condemnation, finger-pointing, and name-calling?

New creatures have no need for such earthly chaos and stress. God is not the author of such confusion.

Love keeps no record of wrong.
Guilt keeps meticulous records.

A clear conscience has nothing to defend or prove.

• Nothing to be offended by.

• Nothing to argue about.

• Nothing to hide.

• Nothing to gossip about.

• To worry about.

• To stress…

Nothing.

You know Jesus. He knows you!

New creatures can’t take it personally. They are guilt-free and even fault-free, by the grace of repentance, not performance.

Romans 8:1 (NET)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

No condemnation. Not a license to sin. Being born again is the only antidote and freedom from it.

New identity in Jesus is the only Way out of sin’s brokenness. Enforcing rules is a band-aid on a corpse.

This broken world is full of people who don’t know who they were created to be. If you know Jesus, that’s not you anymore.

In Jesus, as a new creature, you are:

• The righteousness of God in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NET)
God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.

• Filled with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

Romans 8:11 (NET)
Moreover if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his Spirit who lives in you.

• Seated with Him in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:6 (NET)
and he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

• Chosen royalty.

1 Peter 2:9 (NET)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

• An adopted, joint-heir with Jesus.

Romans 8:15-17 (NET)
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are Godʼs children. 17 And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) - if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.

• A citizen of heaven.

Philippians 3:20 (NET)
But our citizenship is in heaven - and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

• Blameless in His sight.

Colossians 1:22 (NET)
but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him -

But wait… there’s more!So much more.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NET)
But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

You weren’t created to be offended, to be angry, fearful, living in guilt and shame. Who the Son sets free is free indeed! A clear conscience has nothing to prove or defend. The price of your freedom has been paid in full, once for all!

Hebrews 9:14 (NET)
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.

Don’t fall for the trap of spiritual amnesia. Jesus didn’t die to improve you. He died to make you new.

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God is doing something new in me. I'm seeing things so clearly... it hurts!!! Now I know why we faced all this struggle. Why we had to nearly lose everything. I wanted to change the world, but all along, God was just changing me. Answering my prayers to be like Jesus. Refining my love for both the least of these and the blindest hypocrite.

You don't know what you don't know. So many layers of fleshly desires to get through. Years of weekly fasting. Daily, honest reflection morning and evening. Praying for the harvest. Seeking the Kingdom with reckless abandon. Learning not to worry about stuff. Giving until we were beyond broke. Gut-wrenching accountability among trusted Jesus followers. Seeing the church we worked and sacrificed to plant essentially crumble. None of it made any sense.

As we seemed to be hanging on by financial and logistical threads, over and over I kept hearing, "Seek the Kingdom. Don't ask. Be faithful." Even that didn't make total sense. Yet even in my weakness an…

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Whether you think Jesus is a myth or the Son of God, one thing is undeniably true. There is none like Him.

From Buddha to Socrates, Paul to Luther to Calvin, every philosophy, religious leader, or movement in history has carried flaws, contradictions, and compromise. Only Jesus claims and embodies unequivocal, humble, self-sacrificial love without the spot or blemish of human weakness.

The doctrines and actions of followers, across all religions and philosophies, all degrade at times to despicable immorality. But there is only One example of humanity without flaw, without hypocrisy or failure. Only One blameless life of self-sacrificing humility without a track record of error. Jesus.

John 8:46 (NET)
Who among you can prove me guilty of any sin? If I am telling you the truth, why donʼt you believe me?

Even if you believe Jesus is a myth, can you name another Way that leads to a better, more fulfilling life–a life that truly helps others–

than the teachings and example of Jesus?

Put it to the test.

Science offers Darwin’s and Einstein’s blueprints for how things work. Jesus explains why things work. So let’s conduct an experiment. Not with theology and philosophy. Not with arguments about the meaning of words. With action.

No matter your ideological perspective, can I ask you to consider just Jesus? Not Christianity in its many historical forms. Come and see. Jesus is unique. I’m not asking you to believe me or anything. Give it a try.

Matthew 7:24 (NET)
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

Apply the simple commands of Jesus in real life context and observe the results.

Try this:

• Love God with everything.

• Love your neighbor as yourself.

• Enemies too. Without exception.

• Serve others with humility.

• Make disciples.

These aren’t abstract ideals or unattainable mythology. They are skills. Basic Jesus skills. And they are the foundation for everything.

1 Corinthians 3:11 (NET)
For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Imagine someone claiming to use Trigonometry and Calculus while denying 1 + 1 = 2 just to make a difficult equation work. That’s what happens when we ignore the basics of Jesus in order to achieve some “higher” righteousness. Without the basics, it’s not Jesus.

Basic Jesus skills are the test of whether something or someone is truly like Jesus. Without understanding them or practicing them, you have no right to declare something is like Jesus or not. Much of what is associated with Jesus today violates the basics.

No matter what side of whatever aisle you are on, can we find some common ground in Jesus basics? If you lean atheist, progressive, or conservative, can we at least agree that basic Jesus skills are a good thing and worth practicing?

I welcome any rebuttal that would suggest otherwise. Unequivocally.

Let’s talk and take this challenge together. Skill by skill. Every command of Jesus, one at a time. If you numbered them all, it’s around 100 skills. Shouldn’t anything claiming to follow Jesus actually practice all of them?

1 John 2:3-6 (NET)
3 Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments.
4 The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person.
5 But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him.
6 The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.

This series won’t rank them in importance. No cherry-picking. Every command matters equally in the Way of Jesus. You either follow them, or you don’t.

Basic Jesus Skills The Series. The first skill, “Obey the Law.”

Next up? Love your enemies. Subscribe for free at hippiepreacher.com to have these Basic Jesus Skills episodes delivered right to your inbox. Paid subscriptions help make more Jesus-centered content like this possible!

Who’s ready to take the challenge?

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A spiritual Ice Age is overtaking American Christianity. If you can’t see it, then unfortunately, you are probably part of it.

Here’s what’s happening in Jesus terms politically. The executive branch is defying the judicial branch. Breaking the law is defined that way by that constitution and stuff. Like we learned in middle school. Basic stuff. Cue the usual “but what about…” justifications.

It’s breaking the law. Period.

So, no other things considered, let’s talk about breaking the law. What did Jesus say? You render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s. You pay taxes. Obey soldiers. That second mile thing. The New Testament is clear. Christians obey the law.

Unless…

The only New Testament exemption for breaking the laws of man came in response to strict instructions not to teach in the name of Jesus.

Acts 5:29 (NET)
But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.”

That’s the Jesus standard.

For a Jesus follower, following the rules of government, employers, and even oppressors is the default unless the requirement would contradict the Law of God, as fulfilled, filled up, and defined by Jesus. That’s what the Good Book says. And if required to violate God’s Law, you rejoice.

According to the Book we say we are fighting for, even when wronged, a Jesus follower doesn’t retaliate or return insult for insult. Mistreated? Rejoice! It’s an honor to be vilified for following Jesus. That’s Christian 101. Basic Jesus skills. And rare. Very rare.

Many think you can’t make things great that Way.

But when you don’t believe the Word and Way of Jesus is enough, you begin to compromise. Only to do good, though. Right? Overlook a few lies. A little greed and haughtiness. A little adultery and immorality. Bending the rules. Breaking the law.

And suddenly, lawlessness is not only overlooked but endorsed. Supported. Cheered! Then what? When Christians start excusing lawlessness in the name of good outcomes, we ignore what Jesus warned would happen…

Matthew 24:12 (NET)
...and because lawlessness will increase so much, the love of many will grow cold.

The love of many will grow cold. That's what lawlessness brings. And those with eyes to see and ears to hear recognize the spiritual Ice Age that is rampant among the Christian rank and file. Love has grown cold. Mercy is snowed in.

Following Jesus doesn’t mean breaking the law to win. It means dying to self, even when it costs everything. We need a spiritual climate change. Being an American is no exemption from bearing the fruit of a Jesus follower.

Mercy, not sacrifice. Obedience not lawlessness. Obeying the law is a basic Jesus Skill. Go and do likewise.✌🏼

Titus 3:1-2 (NET)
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work. 2 They must not slander anyone, but be peaceable, gentle, showing complete courtesy to all people.

Proverbs 28:4 (NET)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.

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“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

I remember studying about the Statue of Liberty in the 1970s as a kid in school. We were taught that welcoming immigrants was part of the American identity. It was also understood that the principle was founded on the very words of Jesus.

Matthew 25:35-36 (NET)

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.ʼ

Fast forward to 2025. Simply acknowledging those two quotes is polarizing. Focusing on “the least of these” is no longer a good thing, but will get you labeled as a left-wing, progressive Marxist.

What have we made America into? If this is great, I’ll take not-so-great again.

And let me clarify, I’m not for wide-open borders or lawlessness. Taking in millions of the world’s needy without process isn’t the solution. Sometimes helping hurts. But fixing the problem doesn’t mean rejecting the principles our nation was founded upon. And for a Jesus follower, those principles are part of the eternal pop quiz.

Acknowledging there have been abuses to the immigration system is no justification for abusing people and denying due process—no matter how guilty someone is. And it is beyond grotesque for anyone claiming to be a Christian to support, cheer, or be silent about rounding up humans like vermin and dropping them into secretive prisons without due process.

But I digress. Just saying that much will likely turn more against me. “He’s gone liberal!” No. These are the standards and principles that used to be mainstream Christianity. How in the world did standing up for the least of these and focusing on obeying the commands of Jesus become controversial? As if that’s some sort of progressive, liberal stance…

It’s not about politics. It’s about people.

Refusing to bow the knee to MAGA Christian Nationalism has taken its toll. I’ve lost friends. Pretty much lost my job as a pastor—at least the income/career part of it. But the stakes are higher than earthly benefits.

How can I compromise on the questions Jesus said we will all be asked at the final judgment? How can I risk even the slightest possibility of hearing these words:

Matthew 7:21-23 (NET)

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ʻLord, Lord,ʼ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.
22 On that day, many will say to me, ʻLord, Lord, didnʼt we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful deeds?ʼ
23 Then I will declare to them, ʻI never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!ʼ

And what is the will of our Father in heaven? There are many scriptures like this.

Jeremiah 22:3 (NET)

The LORD says, “Do what is just and right. Deliver those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Do not exploit or mistreat foreigners who live in your land, children who have no fathers, or widows. Do not kill innocent people in this land.”

While there are theological debates about what is a foreigner or stranger in scripture, there can be no debate about how we are to treat people according to Jesus. All people. Even our enemies. Exploitation and mistreatment aren’t on any “do this” command list.

It’s not about politics. It’s about people.

While many comment and write about the stories in the headlines, I feel compelled to share about a family I know firsthand. In respect to their understandable wishes, I won’t share names or photos.

Last year, to make ends meet without a pastor’s salary, I started driving for Uber. In the fall, I picked up a couple from Walmart. He was blind; she spoke little English. It was a short trip, but in those few minutes, we connected and talked about Jesus.

They began to attend our church, and we learned more of their story. They had come to America—legally—to escape violence in Haiti. Their journey to get here legally took years and involved going to several countries first. Eventually, they paid the cartel for protection to get to the Mexican border and enter with an appointment with a relief organization. They were literally escorted in by the border patrol.

Since then, they’ve done everything required to be granted legal status.

He grew up in Florida. As a teenager, his family paid someone to take him back to Haiti for a surgery. That person dropped him off in the streets of Haiti and took off with all the surgery money. For four years, this blind teenager survived. Speaking five languages, he worked as an interpreter for several organizations and also met his future wife.

Their journey to America is an intense story with too many details for a blog post or podcast. From Haiti to the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Nicaragua—violence and danger. Heartbreaking circumstances. She lost a baby in the process due to poor medical care.

When we met, they were living in a small trailer someone had let them use. His first request? Jobs.

We were able to help them get a computer with the software for the blind he needed, and he landed work as an online interpreter. She went to work stocking shelves at Walmart. They became members of our church. We had a wedding for them. She had a healthy little baby. They worked hard and did everything required to maintain status.

About the same time we took sabbatical—January 2025—an organization helped them with housing in a larger city about 30 minutes away. It put them closer to resources for the blind that weren’t available in our small town. They still commuted to attend house church and Sunday gatherings as much as possible.

Something else happened in January. You might have heard about it.

With the new administration—everything immigration changed. No matter if someone did all the things previously required, the risks of deportation increased dramatically. Not just for criminals, but for grandmothers, children, and families like this amazing couple.

The requirements seem to change almost daily. The mom and infant are at less risk because of the status they filed for last year. The husband filed his application at the very same time in the very same place. But now the Department of Homeland Security has no record of that filing, and without a miracle, he will be deported.

This beautiful couple and their precious child are at risk of losing everything they’ve worked so hard for—all because of this new administration. They have done everything by the book. All they want is a safe, secure place to build a life together—you know, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I wish everyone could get an opportunity to meet these incredible people. I also wish everyone could’ve seen the tears and hurt during this last election as she cried out, “They think we eat dogs and cats.”

It’s not about politics. It’s about people.

If anyone deserves to be American citizens, this family does. And that tiny baby, born here, should have no risk of her birthright being stolen. Period. But that’s where we are. That’s what we have become.

The only legal hope they have right now is to hire a lawyer with this kind of immigration expertise. I’m certainly no legal expert, but according to those who know, this is the best option. And it needs to happen very soon.

While there will still be larger legal fees after this initial filing, to even engage the process needed, now requires $2,500 up front. If I had that to give, there would be no need to ask. That’s how much I believe in this couple.

While I was writing this, I got a call from a news reporter in Dallas wanting to do a story about this situation. They asked to video an interview with me, and the story should be broadcasting in a couple of weeks.

But if things don’t change, that could be too late. If this story has touched your heart, would you consider a donation? There is a GoFundMe a friend of theirs set up. I can’t post it publicly. They are understandably concerned about their names and faces being revealed right now. If you are comfortable donating that way, send me a message for that link.

If you would like to give through Today.Church, a special “Least of These” fund has been created for this purpose. It’s also tax-deductible. Here’s the link:

Least of These Fund

And of course, this family needs prayer too. We are believing for good things. As you consider this request, think about this: What if this were your family? Your baby or grandchild?

It’s not about politics. It’s about people.

James 2:14-17 (NET)

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.

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Now what Jesus? That was my prayer this morning. Stopped by the Sacred Grounds coffee shop (my new hangout) to work on some web stuff, and the owner handed me this note.

I’ve been hesitant to share a detailed update on the house renovation and sabbatical status. Two main reasons. First, the only direction I get in prayer is to wait and be still. Don’t ask. Second, sharing details worries our kids. Understandably.

Seeking the Kingdom first, above all else is at least a little bit crazy by the world’s standards. Crazy faith sometimes looks, well… crazy! I wouldn’t suggest anyone pack up and relocate without the resources to do what you feel led to do. But I wouldn’t trade it either.

The first couple of months were amazing. Miraculous provision day after d…

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One of the most rewarding times of my life I had more than a dozen disciple-making meetings each week, plus a couple of house churches, Sunday morning church, and early morning prayer meetings. Time-wise that’s more than a full time job–not even counting the study and prep time.

If I were to win the lottery, that’s what I would be doing. As I pray for provision, that’s the ultimate goal. Full time disciple-maker. This time of sabbatical has helped me realize that most of what we call pastoring takes me away from that. Most jobs I’m qualified for take me away from that too.

It’s hard for me to admit that I’m more of a missionary than an entrepreneur. The work of disciple-making isn’t even a viable vocation in much of what we call church today. Should it be?

The statistics reveal an alarming dichotomy that few even notice. Jesus didn’t build buildings, raise massive funds or hire administrative staff. He came to seek and save the lost and train them to become disciple-makers. However, the statistics prove that the Great Commission of Matthew 28 has, in our time, become the great omission.

Average church size in America is now less than 80 people. Although we’ve seen a recent plateau, attendance has been declining for decades. Are we making disciples? Is that the focus?

Baptism statistics are the best "make disciples" metric we can measure, but even those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Every pastor knows that only a small percentage of those baptized follow through. And many go through cycles where they will get baptized again and again–counted as a statistic, repeatedly.

And what does the church invest the most in? Buildings first. Then salaries. And who do we hire? Pastors. Musicians. Media teams. Administration. Childcare. None of those are bad things, but did you ever hear of a church hiring a disciple-maker?

Of course, we are not to forsake the assembly, or gathering together, but the very definition of Ekklesia is called out for a purpose. Jesus gave us that purpose. Go. Make disciples.

Baptizing them. If we compare what churches spend on their budgets to the number of baptisms occurring–it’s staggering. One study concluded that churches spend about $300,000 per baptism in America. Some suggest as much as a million dollars per…

The point is we spend a grotesque amount to make very few disciples. Let’s look at more statistics.

The average pastor’s salary in America is $109,000. The average church baptizes 5 people in a year. So in ten years, that million dollar investment produces 50 people.

If a full-time disciple-maker was hired and made 12 new disciples with half of them becoming a disciple-maker with one new disciple-maker a year, that same investment would produce 1,360 people in ten years.

Which is the better Kingdom investment? Exponential growth happens with multiplication not addition.

How would things change if churches hired disciple-makers instead of competing to hire the most talented musicians? Some are probably thinking, but youth, kids, young adults, and senior ministries are discipleship! The statistics don’t lie. Most of what we call discipleship is a ship going nowhere.

The modern church is structured and funded to sustain the institution, not a movement of disciples making disciples. Our church budgets expose our priorities—we pay for buildings, bands, and branding, but where are the disciple-makers?

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Do we treasure the lost coin, sheep or prodigal son, or just the elder brother living at home?

The early church didn’t need a marketing budget, yet they multiplied. Today we spend billions on programs and promotions, yet in America, Christianity is shrinking.

The church is to empower people for the work of ministry. It should be a disciple-making factory. A body of disciple-makers, not a bunch of paid staff to serve and entertain an audience with convenience and comfort.

We hire everything but disciple-makers and the results speak for themselves.

How can we realign our priorities? What would it even look like for churches to invest significantly in disciple-making? How can those called and equipped to make disciples be supported without getting caught up in institutional roles?

Jesus never asked for a salary. He never took up an offering. But there was money in the bag from somewhere. That to me is the promised land. My primary calling isn’t to preach, write or podcast. It’s to make disciples like Jesus modeled and commanded.

Paul never demanded support but he taught that those who labored in the Good News should make their living from the Good News.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (NET)

Donʼt you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings? In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

Will you pray with me for the wisdom to know how to redirect resources to be a full-time disciple-maker? In a lot of ways, the last five years have felt like walking through the wilderness, trying to make tents like Paul to simply survive. The Jesus Way of disciple-making is time and resource intense. He did life with those He trained to become fishers of men. It wasn't his hobby or a sideline. Disciple-making is a lifestyle of denying yourself and taking up your cross daily.

That’s the promised land I’m longing for. The evidence says otherwise, but I believe the Jordan is parting as we walk by faith, not by sight. I’ve seen miracle manna get us through the wilderness, but in the promised land, the manna stopped. That’s what I believe is on the horizon.

But this isn’t about me. America needs a disciple making movement. Isn’t it time we put our time and money where our purpose is?

Every follower is to become a fisher of men. Every new creature is an ambassador of the Good News.

If you have been challenged by this content, and would like to learn everyday disciple-making, contact me. If you don't know Jesus, and would like to learn more about Him, I'd love to show you the Way. If you'd like to support disciple-makers, there are many people, organizations and ministries that need your help.

But most of all, pray. Pray for workers in the harvest like Jesus commanded in Luke 10:2.

The primary objective of this Hippie Preacher blog and podcast is to facilitate and encourage disciple-making. Those of you who pay to subscribe are investing in more than a guy with a microphone. Disciple-making isn't my hobby. It's my full-time job no matter what "job" it takes to make a living. Each subscription provides more time for face-to-face disciple-making. Thank you for your generosity and prayers.

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Soon the first of the #BasicJesusSkills series will be published. The first skill we will talk about? Loving your enemies. In the meantime, here's a Rewind Wednesday post from last year. It's more about the Kingdom than elections, but thought it might be interesting among the polarized responses to the President's speech last night. Here's a quote from the linked article:

We can’t expect everyone to understand or agree with what we believe. We should expect opposition and adversity. But let us be castigated and mocked for our love - not for our gloating, pride, and arrogance.

And let us not become partners with Herod or Caesar as if they will rescue us from evil.

Let us be mocked for being too patient. Too kind. Lacking any and all envy. Unwilling to brag or be arrogant. Never rude or self-serving. Keeping no checklist of being wronged. Not easily angered or resentful. Not glad about injustice to anyone but rejoicing only in truth.

Bearing all things. Believing all things. Hoping all thin…

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I've tried to be very transparent about our life situation. January 20th, 2025, taking the advice of those who keep us accountable, I started a few month’s sabbatical as the pastor of the church we planted in 2017. We literally packed up everything and moved two hours away to a fixer-up house we inherited a few years ago. We’re living in a borrowed RV on the front lawn right now.

The transition from focusing on the Sunday morning "experience" to disciple-making and house churches has been a challenge. Over the past few years, we lost a lot of church people. It got to the point last year that I started driving rideshare to help make income ends meet. What I didn't really expect was how many disciple-making opportunities there would be just driving people around.

But the struggle continued and it became clear at the end of December that something had to change dramatically. And so here we are in East Tawakoni, Texas. A little lake town of less than 1,000 people.

My primary skillset is as an audio engineer, but I also am a programmer who can build websites and apps. We arrived with no real source of income and opportunities started popping up–but a month in, nothing stable has solidified. This past week, bills and obstacles were piling up and I had some moments of just feeling lost. And I had prayed this over and over but didn't feel, hear, or see an answer.

I've posted about finding a new coffee shop about ten minutes away from our new RV life. It's called Sacred Grounds and is part of a larger ministry called Community Seeds. The founder is an amazing guy and we hit it off immediately. What they do for the community is amazing. And they also need a couple of websites and some other things right in my wheelhouse. Several connections with other churches and businesses in the area also shared needs for some of the technology things I have experience in.

Logistically, it seemed to make sense to start a local ad agency. But everything I tried to do in that direction just didn't give me peace. Something was wrong. I'm missing something. But what?

Silence. No peace. No answer. But I felt like I was supposed to reach out and talk to the coffee shop guy. That conversation happened Friday. I didn't really have an agenda, just a feeling that we needed to talk and I needed to listen.

If you know me, you know that one of my life challenges is drowning in opportunity. I'm a new idea a minute kind of guy–and can get myself over-committed in a heartbeat. Not really inclined to the whole sabbatical concept, though rest is important. So I started the conversation with Coop, by sharing how lost I was feeling and how many opportunities were cropping up, but I had no peace.

Coop sat back in his chair, looked at me, and said something like, "That's a lot. I'm hearing so many different things... but what is your one thing? Do you know what your purpose is?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I'm a disciple-maker. That's the only priority. Make disciples that make disciples."

"Then do that. Seek the Kingdom first." Then Coop started quoting from Matthew 6, and this wave of peace filled the room.

I talk and post a lot about Kingdom first. Love first. That my only job is to love God, love people, and make disciples. And suddenly I realized that wasn't really what I was seeking.

Matthew 6:25 (NET)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isnʼt there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?

Nowhere did Jesus say job first. Meet my needs first. Give me the plan for tomorrow first. Kingdom first is easy to say, but do I really have faith enough to live it? God takes care of the birds and flowers–do I really trust Him to take care of us?

Matthew 6:31-34 (NET)

31 So then, donʼt worry saying, ʻWhat will we eat?ʼ or ʻWhat will we drink?ʼ or ʻWhat will we wear?ʼ

32 For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Who pursues those things? The unconverted. Ouch. That's what I've been worried about, even though the last month we've seen God's miraculous provision almost every single day.

Above all means... above all. That conversation and prayer with Coop woke me up. Pursuing the Kingdom first is easy to say, but do I really have faith enough to live it? No, I don't. Not in myself. But I know the One who does and who will freely give what I ask for. Like the father whose son needed a miracle in Mark 9.

Mark 9:23-24 (NET)

23 Then Jesus said to him, “ʻIf you are able?ʼ All things are possible for the one who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

Long story short, the only peace I have right now is pursuing the Kingdom. Go make disciples isn't a suggestion, it's a statement of identity. Every follower is a people fisher. Every new creature is an ambassador of the ministry of reconciliation.

And yes, it's crazy. It makes little logistical sense. My spreadsheets do not compute this way. But I'm more certain than ever in my life that it's time to put my actions where my mouth is.

Tentmaking is important, but Paul didn't pursue making tents. In Acts 18, he made tents in a new place with new disciples–but primarily shared the Good News regularly with both Jews and Gentiles. Paul, I'm not, but disciple-maker I am–not a tent builder first. Not an audio guy or web developer first.

While I'm not suggesting that everyone is called to make such drastic choices and sacrifices, this is what we are called to do. But I'm also 100% human enough to think, this is insanity! How will this ever work?

Matthew 6:33 (NET)

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

I either believe that or I don't. Faith isn't just what you say. Faith is pursuing what you can't see just because Jesus said it.

From this day forward, I'm going to do my best to not worry about income or tomorrow. I'm not going to be out looking for a job. I'm looking for persons of peace, looking to have more Gospel conversations and make more disciples that make disciples.

That doesn’t mean that I won’t be working or that I’ll be sitting around waiting for money to fall out of the sky. I'll make tents wherever You lead, but not by pursuing my needs first. Driving rideshare is not the most lucrative income source, but it's a great way to serve and meet more people in this area with opportunities for Gospel conversations.

Kingdom first. Love first. Me last.

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We finally watched the new Bonhoeffer movie last night. While some factual liberties were taken to imply support for what I call militant Christianity the life and death of Bonhoeffer are well documented in his own writings. He had the courage to speak Jesus truth to power in both the church and the government. And it got him killed.

Bonhoeffer stood against a church that traded the gospel for nationalism and power. Today, we face a similar deception—where faith is fused with political identity rather than allegiance to Jesus and His words. While we are not exactly Nazi Germany, you would have to be stupid or blind to truth to not see the parallels happening in the “us against them” Christian Nationalism and MAGA movements.

Somebody needs to say it.

The works of the flesh in Galatians 5 are not found, without repentance, in any Jesus follower. Me included. To ignore, excuse, support, or become linked with such is anti Jesus. Antichrist. No matter the supposed greater good or earthly kingdom it promises to make great.

The scary world leader symbolized in the book of Revelation is never given that title. Antichrist isn’t just a future world leader. The Bible defines it as a spirit that denies Jesus—not just in words, but in practice. And too often, that spirit disguises itself as “Christianity” while bearing no Jesus fruit. It’s not about what people claim; it’s about how they actually live.

1 John 2:18, 22-23 (NET)

18 Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. We know from this that it is the last hour…

22 Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father also.

Confessing the Son isn’t just about calling Jesus Lord. It’s about doing what He said. Obeying His commands. Fruit matters.

Matthew 7:16 (NET)

You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?

It’s popular to ostracize with disgust people who are assumed to practice the few sexual works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5, but the entire list is the disgusting opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit and the Commands of Jesus. It’s easy to condemn some sins while excusing others.

But Paul didn’t give us a pick-and-choose morality. Every work of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 is equally opposed to the Kingdom of God. Here’s the full list—without selective editing:

Works of the flesh…

- sexual immorality

- impurity

- depravity

- idolatry

- sorcery

- hostilities

- strife

- jealousy

- outbursts of anger

- selfish rivalries

- dissensions

- factions

- envying

- murder

- drunkenness

- carousing

- and similar things.

Paul makes it clear. Do any of that and you don’t inherit the Kingdom.

The Roman Empire, pagan temples, and the tables of sinners were full of such works, but Jesus never railed on them. Hypocrites, vipers, whitewashed tombs, blind guides, fools–that’s what He called those who practiced things on the “flesh works” list but considered themselves righteous and those not like them disgusting.

Sexual immorality? Would that include multiple affairs and marriages without repentance? Would depravity include becoming rich by owning casinos designed to swindle people? What about hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, and factions… if the works fit. It’s about the fruit, stupid.

Somebody needs to say it.

Jesus, Paul, or the other non-Revelation New Testament writers never went after Rome. And the book of Revelation is cryptic at best. Rome wasn’t the problem and still isn’t. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are the real danger. Beware! So how do you see through the disguises? Fruit.

Galatians 5:24-25 (NET)

Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.

It’s not what they say that matters but how they behave. Works of the flesh are proof that they don’t belong to Jesus. It’s not about being perfect but about humble repentance when not.

Caesar by any name isn’t the problem, compromise is. If you align yourself with works of the flesh you are unequally yoked with the world, not Jesus. Those who do are snakes and vipers to the real Kingdom. And we tread on them, not join them.

Luke 10:19-20 (NET)

Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.

Who is speaking truth to power in both the church and the government today? It’s not those taking selfies in the Oval Office reeking of the wrong fruit. What would Bonhoeffer be writing and saying about the American politicized church today?

The American church has more power, influence, and resources than ever before. But what fruit is it bearing? Does it look like Jesus, or does it reek of the very works of the flesh Paul warned us about? And more importantly—where do you stand? How do you live?

Somebody needs to say it.✌🏼

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