It is astonishing how the gospel of Christ, our Lord, has in many ways been turned from a free gift into something bound by conditions. Some may argue that such restrictions are a sign of order or modern civilization, but biblically this was never Christ’s plan when He called His apostles. In fact, such restrictions hinder the advancement of the gospel. Today, let us reflect on this truth through Scripture. When the disciples encountered someone ministering in the name of Jesus without being part of their group, notice what Jesus told them: “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.”(Mark 9:38–40) The disciples were offended that this man was casting out demons, preaching Christ, and possibly even baptizing—yet he was not officially part of their circle. Instead of rejoicing that the name of Jesus was being glorified, they tried to silence him. Perhaps they even threatened him, warning him never to use the name of Jesus again without their approval. His only “fault” was that he did not follow them. Can you imagine the discouragement that man felt? The fire in his heart for the gospel was suddenly quenched. He may have continued preaching secretly, in fear that the apostles might see him again and oppose him. The very ones who should have been his first supporters became his first opponents. This same stumbling block remains in the church today. Many who desire to preach Christ—through sermons, books, or songs—are hindered by man-made restrictions. Some ministries claim ownership over certain teachings or music, requiring permission and even payment before others can share or use them. The gospel has been turned into a business, protected like a trademark rather than proclaimed as the free gift of God. Yet Scripture clearly teaches: “Freely you have received; freely give.”(Matthew 10:8) The message of Christ is not our property—it is His. Paul himself declared: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”(Romans 1:16) The gospel is God’s power for salvation, not a commodity to be marketed. If someone takes a Christian book or teaching and reprints it freely to bless others, why should that trouble us? If a song written for the glory of Christ is sung elsewhere without mentioning the composer’s name, should we be offended? If our true motive is the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, then we should rejoice when the seed we have sown multiplies—even if our own name is forgotten. Paul captures this beautifully when addressing those who preached Christ from different motives: “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”(Philippians 1:18) Christ Himself never demanded permission slips for His name to be proclaimed. The man in Mark 9 did not seek Jesus’ approval before casting out demons, yet Jesus defended him. How then can we, who do not even see Christ physically, place restrictions on others who seek to advance His kingdom? Dear pastors, teachers, evangelists, gospel singers, and writers: do not become a stumbling block to the gospel. Do not hinder its free flow with unnecessary conditions. The message of salvation belongs to Christ, not to us. Let us remember Paul’s words: “We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”(2 Corinthians 4:5) The gospel is not about us—it is about Christ. May we labor not to protect our names or ministries, but to magnify the name of Jesus and see His kingdom expand without barriers. Shalom.
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”– Luke 21:26 (KJV) Why Will the Powers of Heaven Be Shaken? The Lord Jesus Christ, in His prophetic teaching about the end times, warned that terrifying and extraordinary signs would appear in the heavens just before the end of the world. These signs would be so unsettling that many would be gripped with fear, overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what is about to unfold. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear…”– Luke 21:25-26 (KJV) We are already witnessing some of these signs in our times. For instance, on October 1st, 2016, an extraordinary event took place in Jerusalem, Israel. Multiple trumpet-like sounds were heard reverberating across the sky—strange, thunderous blasts that startled many. At the same moment, a large, ring-shaped cloud formation appeared, causing awe and fear among residents—not just in Israel but around the world. If you have not seen it, click here to watch some recorded footage on YouTube. This was not an isolated event. In recent years, similar phenomena have occurred globally—mysterious sounds, strange lights, unexplained appearances in the sky. Scientists have offered speculative explanations: some suggest aliens, others propose natural phenomena—but none can give satisfying answers. However, the Bible had already foretold all of this: “For the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”– Luke 21:26 These unusual manifestations are divine reminders that the end is drawing near. They are wake-up calls to humanity to repent and prepare for the second coming of Christ. The Trumpet Sound Is a Warning “Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid?…”– Amos 3:6 The strange trumpet sounds in the skies could well be symbolic of the final trumpet that will sound when Christ returns. On that day, the dead in Christ will rise first, and the faithful who are still alive will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the Rapture—the gathering of the saints to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 19:7-9). The Great Tribulation Will Follow While the saints will be with Christ in glory, great tribulation will break out on the earth. This is why the current message of the gospel is shifting—it is no longer just a call to come to Christ for the first time, but a call to those already walking with Him to stay pure, alert, and ready. “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”– Revelation 22:11 We are in the harvest season. The wheat (true believers) and the tares (false ones) have already begun to separate. There is no more time left for guessing or trying to discern who is who—the time to repent is now. What Must You Do? Dear friend, if you are still living in sin or sitting on the fence spiritually, it’s time to take a bold step. The world is filled with unrest and confusion, and if you continue on this path, you may either die in sin or miss the Rapture altogether. If you are ready to give your life to Christ, right now, wherever you are, find a quiet place, kneel, and pray. Confess your sins sincerely to God. Ask Him to forgive you, and make a commitment to turn away from all sin. Tell Him that you want to live according to His will from today onward. If you do this with genuine faith and repentance, you are forgiven. The peace of God will flood your heart—this is the inward witness of forgiveness (Romans 5:1). “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.”– Acts 2:38 What’s Next? If you have not yet been baptized, look for a Bible-believing church that baptizes by full immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the biblical pattern and an essential part of your salvation (Mark 16:16). After this, the Lord will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will empower you to live a holy life and give you deeper understanding of Scripture. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things…”– John 14:26 Final Words Let these signs from heaven not just fascinate or frighten you—but let them awaken you spiritually. Jesus is coming soon. Be among those who are ready. Maranatha – Our Lord is coming! If you’d like to join our WhatsApp channel and grow in the Word of God, click here >> [WHATSAPP]
Question: Why does the Bible say in one place that a person born of God doesn’t sin (1 John 3:9), yet in another place it says that if we claim we don’t have sin, we’re deceiving ourselves (1 John 1:8)? Which of these statements is correct? Answer:To understand this, we need to look more closely at the context of the verses, their theological implications, and the broader message of the Bible on sin and the new birth. 1. 1 John 3:9 – “Whoever Is Born of God Does Not Sin” 1 John 3:9 (NKJV):“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” This verse highlights the transformative power of the new birth. When a person is truly born again, their nature is changed. The “seed” of God—His divine nature—takes residence within them. This new nature does not sin, and as a result, those born of God are no longer slaves to sin. This doesn’t mean that Christians are perfect or incapable of sinning, but rather that their relationship with sin is fundamentally altered. Theologically, this is tied to the doctrine of regeneration, the act by which God imparts new spiritual life to a believer (Titus 3:5). Theological Explanation:Regeneration is an act of God that brings about a new nature, and as a result, Christians are empowered to resist sin. The apostle Paul teaches this in Romans 6:6, stating: “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” While Christians may still fall into sin, their new identity in Christ should lead them to turn away from it and not to live in it habitually. 2. 1 John 1:8-10 – “If We Say We Have No Sin, We Deceive Ourselves” 1 John 1:8-10 (NIV):“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” Here, John emphasizes the reality of sin in the life of believers. He warns against denying sin, as this would be self-deception. Theologically, John is addressing those who may claim to have reached a state of sinlessness. This is a false claim because all people, even Christians, continue to struggle with sin (1 John 1:10). The Christian life involves an ongoing process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness but still face temptations and sins. Theological Explanation:John is teaching about the importance of confession and repentance. Sanctification is the process by which a believer grows in grace and becomes more like Christ, but this process is not completed until glorification (Romans 8:29-30). Therefore, Christians will never reach a point in this life where they are sinless, but they should continually strive to live in holiness (Hebrews 12:14). The act of confessing sin acknowledges that we are still in need of God’s grace. 3. Understanding the Tension: At first glance, these two passages might seem contradictory. However, when understood properly, they are complementary. 1 John 3:9 speaks of the new nature of a person who is truly born of God. This new nature does not willfully sin, and it has the power to overcome the desires of the flesh. However, 1 John 1:8-10 acknowledges the reality that Christians will still sin and must confess their sins to maintain fellowship with God. Key Theological Points: Justification (Romans 5:1) is the declaration that a person is made right with God through faith in Christ. This is a one-time event that cannot be undone. Sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3) is the ongoing process where a believer becomes more like Christ, growing in holiness. Regeneration (Titus 3:5) is the new birth, where a person is given a new nature and empowered to resist sin. 4. Practical Implications: A person who is genuinely born again is not in bondage to sin. They may fall into sin occasionally, but their response is different from someone who is not born of God. A true believer feels conviction and desires to confess and repent of their sins, seeking to live in alignment with God’s will (Romans 7:15-25). On the other hand, someone who claims to be born again but continues to live in unrepentant sin may be deceiving themselves and has not truly experienced the new birth (James 2:14-26). Conclusion: The two passages (1 John 1:8-10 and 1 John 3:9) are not contradictory but are addressing different aspects of the Christian life. While believers still struggle with sin, the new birth transforms their relationship with sin. A true believer, born of God, does not habitually sin because God’s seed remains in them, and they cannot continue to live in sin. However, as they walk through life, they still need to confess and repent when they fall into sin, recognizing that they are in need of God’s grace every day. Final Verse to Consider:Romans 8:1 (NIV): “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”This is the assurance every believer has—while they may still sin, they are no longer condemned because of the work of Christ.
Deuteronomy 22:8 (NKJV):“When you build a new house, then you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring guilt of bloodshed on your household if anyone falls from it.” In the Old Testament, God gave very practical and spiritual instructions to the Israelites — including this command to build a safety barrier around their rooftops. Why? Because many homes had flat roofs where people would gather, and without a parapet (a protective wall), someone could fall and die. In such a case, God would hold the owner of the house accountable for the bloodshed. But what does this have to do with us as New Testament believers? 1. Your Life Is Like a House Under Construction Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-27 that whoever hears His words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rains came, the winds blew, but the house stood firm. In contrast, a foolish man builds on sand — and his house collapses. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock…” – Matthew 7:24 This shows us that our spiritual life is like building a house. The foundation is salvation — faith in Jesus Christ. If you begin well, by laying the right foundation (Christ), you are on the path to stability and eternal life. But Jesus doesn’t stop at just the foundation. A house must be completed. That includes walls, a roof, and even the parapets — the finishing safety measures. 2. Don’t Just Build — Finish Wisely The Scripture in Deuteronomy tells us not to stop at laying a foundation or even putting up walls and a roof. God commanded the Israelites to complete their houses safely — with boundaries. Spiritually, this means that: It’s not enough to be saved. You must also set boundaries in your life to protect yourself and others. When a believer fails to live carefully, they not only put themselves in danger but can cause others to stumble. 3. Parapets Represent Boundaries in the Christian Life These protective “walls” or parapets symbolize boundaries of holiness and wisdom in our lives: How we dress Where we go How we speak What we listen to What we watch Who we associate with Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:9:“But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.” And again in Romans 14:13:“…but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” Just as a lack of parapet might cause someone to fall off the roof, our lack of spiritual boundaries can cause others to fall into sin. 4. We Are Being Watched Whether we like it or not, unbelievers — and even new believers — are watching us. Paul reminds us: “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men.” – 2 Corinthians 3:2 Your life preaches louder than your words. So if someone sees you: Dressing immodestly and yet claiming to be saved Listening to ungodly music and then leading worship Gambling, drinking, using vulgar language — yet testifying of Christ They may say, “If that is Christianity, I don’t want it.” You may become the reason they reject Christ. Jesus issued a serious warning: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6 5. Build Your Life with Fear and Wisdom Let us take care how we live. Our Christian walk is not just about avoiding hell for ourselves, but also about leading others safely into the Kingdom of God. That means: Set personal boundaries. Watch your testimony. Be consistent in word and deed. Live with integrity. Don’t become a reason for others to mock or stumble. 6. Conclusion: Don’t Neglect the Final Stage of Your Building Starting well is not enough — you must finish well. Many start the Christian walk, but not all endure. Paul said: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” – 1 Corinthians 9:27 Finish your house. Build the parapet. Be careful. Protect others through your conduct. Let your salvation not only be the foundation of your life but also the boundary that safeguards others around you. PRAYER:Lord Jesus, help me not only to begin the race of salvation but to run it faithfully to the end. Give me grace to live wisely, to walk in holiness, and to never be a stumbling block to others. Let my life bring glory to You. Amen. SHARE this message with others.Join our teaching channel on WhatsApp >> [Insert link here]