Category: Life & Perseverance

Stay Salty

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Jesus stands on the side of the hill and says what the kingdom of God is like. Jesus does not tell His disciples to try real hard to become salt. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.” That little word “are” matters. The disciple’s usefulness begins with what Christ has already made true, not with religious effort trying to manufacture something fake.

Salt was valuable, necessary, and understood. Salt preserved meat from decay, brought flavor to food, and even served as payment in the Roman world. Jesus uses that picture to say that believers matter in the world. Salt preserves what is right and healthy, slows down the rot sin brings, and adds something that gets people’s attention. The Spirit of God in the believer is the real saltiness. Christ in the believer is what changes lives, blesses people, and makes a disciple different from the world.

Romans 12 says not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. God is the one holding the salt shaker. The disciple is the vessel, and the Holy Spirit is the one who brings the flavor. Ephesians 2 says believers are created in Christ for good works prepared ahead of time. The Christian life is not a bunch of Christians running around trying to bless people in their own strength. The Christian life is disciples walking around letting Jesus in them preserve life and change people.

Jesus also warns that salt can become tasteless. That should get a believer’s attention. Compromise does not always look like open rebellion. Compromise often looks like gradual dilution, like water leaking into a barrel of salt until the salt washes away and only gray useless grit remains. A person can look full and still be full of dirt. A disciple can say the right words, show up at the right times, and still stop being useful if the world has been allowed to dilute the life of the Spirit.

James calls friendship with the world hostility toward God because giving the heart to the world after belonging to Christ is spiritual adultery. Jesus says tasteless salt is good for nothing except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. That warning is serious, not because Christ’s sacrifice was weak, but because Christ died to make His people useful to the Master. The call is simple and weighty: be salty, stay salty, stay close to God, pray in the Spirit, walk in truth, and let the world see something real enough to make it thirsty for Jesus.

Watch full sermon videos here: Salt and Light Sermon Series

Key Takeaways
  1. Salt is identity before activity Jesus says disciples “are” the salt of the earth, not that they should strain to become it. Christian usefulness begins with union with Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, not with self-made religious energy. A disciple learns to live out what God has already made true, like learning how to wear what has already been given.
  2. The Spirit brings the flavor The believer is not the one shaking the salt all over the world. God holds the shaker, and Christ in the believer is what actually affects lives. That truth humbles spiritual ambition and also removes fear, because usefulness depends on surrender to the Spirit, not on personal strength.
  3. Compromise usually dilutes slowly Compromise does not always arrive as loud rebellion against God. More often, it seeps in like rainwater through a leaky roof, slowly washing away the salt until the barrel still looks full but has become useless grit. The danger is not merely looking worldly, but becoming so mixed with the world that Christ is no longer recognizable.
  4. Usefulness belongs to surrendered vessels Second Timothy says a cleansed vessel becomes useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. The point is not endless recommitment like a revolving door, but a yielded life where the Spirit is allowed to rule. A life surrendered to the Holy Spirit becomes available for God’s purposes in ordinary moments.
  5. Distinct lives create holy thirst Salt makes people thirsty, and a Spirit-filled life can awaken thirst for Jesus in people who do not even know what they are looking for. The world does not need slightly better versions of itself. The world needs lives so clearly changed by Christ that people begin to wonder whether God is real and whether His truth can be trusted.

The Shield of Faith and Prayer in the Spirit: What Makes it All Work

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Faith & Discipleship, Life & Perseverance1 Comment

Scripture: Ephesians 6:16,18 (NASB 1995) “In addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one….With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

Paul brings Ephesians 6 back to the main thing: God gives the full armor so his people can stand firm in the victory Jesus already won and go make disciples. Christ died for sins, for forgiveness, for reconciliation with a holy God, and also so his people would have everything needed to participate in the kingdom of God. The Bible keeps pressing toward that same work, telling of Jesus, preaching the gospel of peace, and making disciples.

Paul says the struggle is not against flesh and blood. The real enemy is the devil with his schemes, lies, discouragement, and condemnation. Satan wants to pull as many people as he can away from God because he already knows he is defeated. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection claim victory over those powers, so God’s people have no reason to shrink back.

The Armor Belongs Together

The armor of God belongs together. Truth cinches everything up like a man getting his belt situated before serious work. Righteousness protects the vitals because Christ gives his righteousness through faith. The gospel of peace puts shoes on the feet so the good news goes wherever God’s people go. Salvation holds the head up because forgiveness means shame does not get the last word. The sword belongs to the Spirit, not to the believer trying to sling Bible verses around by himself.

The Shield of Faith Snuffs Out the Fire

The shield of faith stands right in front because Satan keeps shooting flaming arrows into the mind and heart. Those arrows are lies, accusations, criticism, shame, and doubt meant to start a wildfire. Faith soaks the shield so the fire gets snuffed out. Satan may be stronger than any person, but he cannot win against Christ’s victory.

Prayer in the Spirit Keeps You in Step

Paul ties that shield of faith to prayer in the Spirit. Real prayer is not just talking at God about whatever is on the heart. Prayer in the Spirit means staying alert, listening, responding, and keeping in step with what the Holy Spirit is doing. The simple things like forgotten eggs and bacon at camp even became a gospel moment, because ordinary errands can turn into holy openings when the Spirit has somebody’s attention.

The Spirit helps weakness when God’s people do not even know how to pray as they should. The Spirit intercedes according to the will of God. Prayer in the Spirit means praying in God’s will, in God’s Word, in faith, for God’s glory, and for lost souls. Jesus paid too high a price for bad days, stress, pain, or busyness to make his people check out from the work of the kingdom.

Key Takeaways

  1. Faith snuffs out Satan’s fire. The shield of faith does not keep every arrow from hitting, but it keeps the fire from taking over. Satan aims at the mind and heart with shame, accusation, and doubt, hoping one spark becomes a wildfire. Faith answers those lies with settled confidence in what Christ has already done, not with confidence in personal strength.
  2. Prayer means staying in step. Prayer in the Spirit is more than telling God everything on the list. The Spirit calls for attention, listening, and obedience, so prayer becomes a way of keeping pace with God instead of running ahead or lagging behind. The life that prays this way learns to ask, listen, and get back to kingdom work.
  3. Ordinary errands can become ministry. Things like forgotten eggs do not have to be just a funny camp story, because God may use a grocery delivery to put unbelieving people near the gospel. The Spirit often works through small interruptions, inconvenient details, and plain old daily life. A disciple paying attention may find that the next open door is sitting in an every day life exchange.
  4. The Spirit uses the Word. The sword is the Spirit’s sword, not a weapon for careless hands to swing around. Scripture does damage when it is thrown at people apart from surrender, context, and the Spirit’s work. The Word first cuts, heals, and shapes the believer, then the Spirit uses that same Word through that life for somebody else.
  5. Discipleship is the whole point. The armor does not exist so God’s people can feel safe while staying still. The whole outfit is given for standing firm, bringing the gospel of peace, resisting the enemy, and making disciples. Busyness with personal kingdoms can dull spiritual attention, but Paul keeps the church alert to the mission Christ died to make possible.

Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit: Standing in the Victory Already Won

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17 (NASB 1995) “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6 keeps pressing the same point: God gives everything needed to go do what he commanded. The armor is not just any armor. It is the armor of God, given so the saved person can be strong in the Lord and in his might, stand firm against the schemes of the devil, and keep advancing the gospel.

Paul makes clear that the struggle is not against flesh and blood. The real fight is against spiritual wickedness that wants to hinder who a person is in Christ, what Jesus has already done, and the victory already won. The battle is not about trying to win something Jesus has not won yet. The battle is about standing in the victory and walking in it.

The Helmet of Salvation Gives Settled Assurance

The helmet of salvation gives settled assurance. The helmet sits on the head because it says who a person is. Like a soldier’s helmet marked rank and position, salvation marks the saved person as belonging to Christ. The child of God walks “with head held up,” not bragging about being saved, but bragging that Christ saved. The Father’s opinion is enough, just like the prodigal son sitting again at the Father’s table mattered more than the older brother’s complaint.

The helmet also protects the mind. Satan’s lies are aimed at the mind, twisting truth, stiring doubt, and drags forgiven sin back into the room like it still has authority. Salvation answers that with confidence in the blood of Christ. Victory in Jesus is not just an old hymn; it is the truth that keeps the mind standing when feelings start talking foolishness.

The Sword of the Spirit Is the Word of God

The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. The sword is not the disciple maker’s weapon to swing around however he wants. It belongs to the Spirit, and the Spirit uses the truth with accuracy, at the right moment, for the right people. The word has to be poured in so the Spirit has something to work with. Scripture becomes more than quoted verses; it becomes lived wisdom that gets inserted into real lives.

God uses his people to bring truth, prayer, courage, warning, and help into somebody else’s life. Sometimes the right word keeps a brother or sister from stepping into sin. Sometimes a simple question to a hurting stranger opens the door for prayer. Christ calls the lost to repent, be baptized, receive the Spirit, and stop missing out on the life that only salvation gives.

Key Takeaways

  1. Wear salvation with settled assurance. The helmet of salvation is not wishful thinking about heaven or vague hope that enough good things got done. Salvation rests on what Christ has done, not on the strength of a person’s mood, memory, or performance. The Father’s welcome is weightier than every accusation, even the ones that sound believable.
  2. The Father’s opinion is enough. The prodigal son came home ready to live low, but the father restored him as a son. The older brother’s resentment did not change the robe, the ring, or the seat at the table. God’s love gives the saved person a place that human opinion cannot revoke.
  3. Truth must become lived wisdom. The word of God is not mainly a pile of verses to throw at people. The Spirit forms truth into a life until wisdom comes out naturally in real conversations, real pain, and real decisions. Scripture does its deepest work when it changes the person carrying it before it is spoken to somebody else.
  4. The Spirit wields the sword. The sword belongs to the Spirit, not to the person who wants to win an argument. God’s truth cuts accurately because the Spirit knows the right time, the right wound, and the right healing. Surrender matters more than swinging hard.
  5. Surrender makes witness natural. Making disciples is not forced religious labor when salvation is alive in the mind and heart. The saved person starts noticing pain, asking questions, praying for strangers, and stepping into moments God has already prepared. The hard work is not performance; the hard work is surrendering to what Jesus has already done.

Stand Firm Without Freezing: The Armor that Moves You Forward

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13–15 (NASB 1995) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6 keeps saying, “stand firm,” but standing firm does not mean freezing in place. The command to stand firm calls God’s people to be strong in the Lord, suited up in what God has already supplied, and ready to move forward for the gospel. The “frozen chosen” picture exposes a fake firmness that sits still, gets comfortable, and calls fear wisdom. The text presses past that comfort zone because Jesus never promised that obedience would always be fun, easy, or comfortable.

The Belt of Truth Holds Everything Together

The belt of truth holds the whole thing together. The Roman belt was not just decoration and it was not there to hold pants up. The belt kept the armor in place so the soldier could move, fight, and not get tangled up in his own gear. Truth does that spiritually. Truth gives confidence when fear says, “What if they react badly?” Truth reminds the believer that the power is in the gospel, the power is in Christ, and the job is not to save anybody by personal strength but to step in and let the Lord do his thing.

The Breastplate of Righteousness Guards the Heart

The breastplate of righteousness protects the vital places. The breastplate guards the heart, the lungs, the life blood, all the places where one blow can do terrible damage. Christ’s righteousness does that for the Christian. God no longer looks at the believer as a sinner standing on personal merit, but as one standing in Jesus’ righteousness. That confidence matters when Satan fires lies, guilt, hesitation, and fear into the mind. If that ammunition gets to the heart, faith gets weakened. The breastplate keeps the mess of the world from striking the vital organs spiritually.

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace Prepare You to Move

The shoes of the gospel of peace make the whole armor ready to go somewhere. The gospel of peace is not just a calm feeling. The gospel is God making terms of peace with enemies through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Sin made people prisoners to sin behind enemy lines, and the gospel sends God’s people to tell prisoners they can be free now. The task is not to throw the Bible at sinners or fight lost people as enemies. The task is to tell them, “God doesn’t hate you. Jesus died so you can be free.”

Armor That Equips You to Stand and Step Forward

The armor of God equips the believer to stand strong and step forward. The belt, breastplate, and shoes belong together. Truth holds righteousness in place, righteousness protects the heart, and the gospel of peace moves the feet toward one more person who needs to hear that freedom is available in Christ.

Key Takeaways

  1. Standing firm is not freezing. Standing firm in Ephesians 6 does not mean staying safe, still, and untouched. Fear can make comfort look like faithfulness. The armor of God is given so the believer can hold ground and still move toward the world with the gospel.
  2. Truth holds everything together. The belt of truth gives stability because truth keeps the rest of the armor from shifting out of place. Confidence in Christ comes from knowing what is true and walking in it. The gospel has the power, and the believer’s part is to step into obedience while the Lord does his thing.
  3. Righteousness guards the heart. The breastplate of righteousness protects the place where Satan aims his lies, guilt, fear, and condemnation. Christ’s righteousness gives the believer courage to speak without being ruled by how another person may respond.
  4. The gospel announces peace. The gospel of peace means God has made terms of peace through Jesus for people who made themselves enemies. Lost people are not the enemy to be attacked, but prisoners to be told that freedom has already been won.
  5. Proper shoes mean forward motion. The shoes of the gospel prepare the believer to move into hard places without slipping all over fear. God’s armor is not for looking dressed up on Sunday, but for going out ready to love one more person behind enemy lines.

Be Strong in the Lord: Standing Firm in the Full Armor of God

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Faith & Discipleship, Life & Perseverance1 Comment

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–13 (NASB 1995) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

The soldier on the edge of the battlefield stands there with a real enemy in front of him and eternal stakes on the line. The commander has not handed him 98% of what he needs. God has already placed within reach the strength of His might and the full armor needed to stand firm in a victory already won by Jesus.

Paul’s “finally” in Ephesians 6 gathers up everything already said in the letter. God has saved believers by the blood of Christ, united them in Christ, made them one body, and called that body to live holy because He is holy. The assignment to make disciples never comes with an “unless.” God knows every trauma, every interference, every attack, every blessing, and still gives the command.

Strength Has a Location

The phrase “be strong” cannot stand by itself. Paul says, “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Strength outside Christ will not carry the mission. Christ is the place where God’s might is found—the same might shown when God raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him above every rule, authority, power, dominion, and name.

Christian confidence grows when the believer quits measuring personal ability and starts drawing from resurrection power already made available in Christ. God does not send His people into spiritual battle with missing pieces. The comfort of the Christian life is not that the battle feels small, but that the provision is complete before the first step is taken.

Armor Must Be Put On

The full armor of God is not decoration. Paul gives an active command: put it on. Armor left unused is like a coat a cold teenager refuses to wear, or fire gear a firefighter leaves in the truck before running into a burning house. The world is on fire, and the mission is to rush in and tell prisoners that Jesus has already won and there is a way out.

Spiritual immaturity often looks like freezing in the cold while the coat is already in hand. The armor does not help while it sits unused. Paul’s command requires action, not because God has failed to provide, but because believers must choose to stand dressed in what God has given.

People Are Not the Enemy

The devil’s schemes are real because lies are meant to deceive. Satan does not care two hoots about people for their own sake. The enemy wants to hurt what God loves and disrupt what God is doing. The armor matters because Satan is a master liar, and flesh and blood is not the enemy.

Paul names rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness because the struggle is spiritual. People in the room, people in the community, difficult people, broken people, and lost people are all people Jesus died for. The text calls believers to stop fighting in their own strength, stop treating people like the enemy, and stand firm in Christ.

Stand in What God Has Already Provided

Paul’s command is not to win the war, because Jesus has already claimed the victory. The call is to stand in what God has already provided, not to prove strength by trying harder. Surrender becomes the place where God’s strength shines most clearly, especially when human strength has run out.

The provision is complete. The call is simple: stand, surrender, pray, obey, and trust God to do what only God can do.

Key Takeaways

  1. God supplies more than almost enough. He does not send His people into battle with missing pieces. The strength of His might and the full armor are already provided so believers can stand in Christ’s victory.
  2. Strength is found in Christ. “Be strong” is not a call to bare human toughness. The strength has a location—“in the Lord”—and a source—“the strength of His might.”
  3. Armor must be deliberately worn. The armor of God does not help while it sits unused. Believers must choose to put it on and stand dressed in what God has given.
  4. People are not the enemy. Every person is someone Jesus died for. The fight is against spiritual forces of wickedness, not the ones held captive by the enemy’s lies.
  5. Standing is not self-effort. Jesus has already won. The call is to stand in what God has provided, surrendering so that His strength is clearly displayed.

When God Created a Man: What Genesis 2:15 Reveals About the Purpose of Men

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Most men of today spend a great portion of their lives in pursuit of the answer to one question: What is my purpose?

This pursuit plays out in career advancement, financial success, physical achievement, influence, retirement plans, and even ministry titles. We assume purpose is something discovered later in life—after enough experience, enough failure, or enough self-reflection.

However, we must ask ourselves, when Scripture presents a different reality, what will we do with it?

The purpose of man was declared from the very beginning of creation. God never intended that we simply search and discover our purpose.

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.” – Genesis 2:15

We see this before sin entered the world. Before Eve was formed. Before children were born and before nations existed. God gave man his purpose. This purpose was simple: cultivate and keep. This verse is about God’s design. It’s about responsibility and the foundation of man’s purpose. The foundation of manhood. Misinterpreting this verse will mean a catastrophic misunderstanding of ourselves.

Purpose Was Given Before the Fall

The timing of Genesis 2:15 is of most importance to notice. This command was given when God’s creation, the world, was perfect. When work was not punishment and responsibility was not a result of consequences. The role of leadership was not a heavy weight upon the shoulder. It was a sinless environment where man received the call to cultivate and keep. Negative consequences are commonly associated with failure, however, in this case work and stewardship are not negative consequences. They are a calling or an assignment by the creator.

Adam was not created to just exist or relax indefinitely in paradise. God had intent when He place Adam in the garden. “The LORD God took the man and put him into the garden.”. Man’s responsibility and calling was an assignment from God. Therefore, the question is not. “What do I feel called to do as a man?” but instead, “What has God entrusted to me as a man?”

“Cultivate” — The Call to Build What God Entrusts

It is crucial that we notice that Adam was not told to preserve the garden as it was when God placed him there. He was given the responsibility of developing it and protecting it. The Hebrew word that is translated “cultivate” helps us understand the idea of working, serving, and laboring with effort. The implication is an idea of development. A godly man does not merely maintain that which God has entrusted to him, he works to improve what he touches. This doesn’t just happen, it requires effort. It involves sweat. It demands patience. The soil must be worked, seeds must be planted, and time must pass. This pattern applies to every area of life.

There are many indications in the Scriptures that show this pattern. While Jesus was hungry in Matthew 21:18-19, he cursed a barren fig tree for not producing what it was created to produce. Also, in Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30 we see a picture of what it looks like to cultivate and keep that which has been entrusted to us. This pattern applies to every sphere of life.

Spiritual Cultivation

No man simply drifts into holiness by chance. A man must cultivate a relationship with his Creator. Nothing about spiritual maturity happens accidentally. This type of cultivation requires disciplined prayer, and steady study of Scripture. Sin must be confronted. This type of cultivation requires a deliberate engagement.

Each man has an assignment to cultivate his spiritual life in such a way that it grows healthy and is useful. God intends for that which has been entrusted to each man to increase in become more than it was when it was given.

Marital Cultivation

Any man who has entered into marriage would agree that a strong marriage is not something that just happens because we want it to. Marriage must be cultivated. Love must be expressed not assumed. Leadership roles must be intentional. An avenue of communication must be facilitated. When the marriage is neglected, like in a garden, weeds are free to grow. As weeds are allowed to grow in a marriage, they will choke out all that makes a marriage healthy. A husband cultivates his marriage by investing his consistent and deliberate effort.

Fatherhood Cultivation

No man became a godly adult by raising themselves. Fatherhood comes with the assignment to train, correct, encourage, and model spiritual health and integrity. This type of cultivation must be consistent, and it must be prioritized. After all, our children are not our own. They belong to God. We are simply given stewardship over them for a short while. There must be a return on investment.

Vocational Cultivation

Wherever God places a man, cultivation is required and expected. Whatever a man’s work, whatever his career paths, it is not merely a source of income. It is a responsibility and a stewardship requirement. A godly man should develop skills founded on competence, integrity, and diligence toward his labor. He should leave things better and stronger than when he arrived. If nothing grows under a man’s care, he is not functioning according to Genesis 2:15.

“Keep” — The Call to Guard What God Entrusts

Man’s assignment was not only productive–it was protective as well. This part of man’s assignment requires strength and alertness. If we are to understand this part of the assignment, we must first discern the Hebrew term that carries the meaning of guarding or watching over something valuable. We could also use words like protecting and preserving.

A goldy man is not merely a builder or a caretaker. He also is expected to be a guardian. And the short fall of Genesis 3 shines a light on the consequences when the guardian fails the assignment.

When the serpent approached Eve, Adam was present. The Scripture do not show any intervention on the part of Adam, the man. No confrontation or intervention. All that which God entrusted to him was unguarded in that moment.

The failure was a lack of protection. A pattern which repeats itself in every generation.

Guarding Doctrine

Perhaps one of the most precious and valuable responsibilities given to man by God is Truth. Once a man receives Truth, he must not only cultivate it in his heart, but he must defend it with everything he has. False, doctrines cannot be tolerated within the body of Christ or in the man’s home. This requires diligent cultivation by regular study and prayer in order to be able to defend. This requires courageous boldness. Truth is given to all who genuinely seek it.

Guarding Moral Purity

A man’s relationships, conversations, and the world’s information bombardment must be filtered. Everything must be filtered by the Truth. Discernment is key. Guardianship of a man’s moral purity is a task that demands non-stop attention. Passivity in this area not only invites spiritual erosion but guarantees a failure to keep that which God has entrusted to us.

Guarding Marriage and Children

Neglect, bitterness, distraction, and temptation. These are the enemies of a godly marriage. Against such things a man should passionately protect against in his marriage. Part of how this is done is by cultivation. In the same way, a man’s children need protection from exposure to the ways of the world without discerning leadership this only invites confusion for the children. Again, stewardship and responsibility for that which God has entrusted a man are the assignment.

Guarding the Church

We can find in the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church how he described the church as the “bride of Christ”. This would indicate something precious and valuable to Jesus. Therefore, it would naturally be just as precious and valuable to the godly man. Since it is God’s will that the believers be united in Christ and function as one, the Church, then we can understand man’s assignment must also apply to the Church.

This assignment to protect is not one of aggression. It is a calling to responsibility. Culture often paints a picture of masculinity in two extremes: domination or passivity. Scripture presents an entirely different presentation. Biblical manhood is responsible stewardship. The man who refuses to guard that which God entrusts is not demonstrating humility. He is failing to accept or flat out rejecting his assignment.

The Pattern Continues Through Scripture

There is a pattern found throughout Scripture that supports Genesis 2:15. Over and over, men were called to build and guard or cultivate and keep.

Noah cultivated obedience in a corrupt culture. Nehamiah built a city while organizing protection. Paul mentored Timothy, instructing him to guard that which was entrusted to him. While studying these examples, we can see the assignment played out. Develop what God gives you and defend it faithfully. By now you can see that the pattern always points to Christ.

Biblical manhood is not something that was invented. It is something that has been assigned by God the Creator. And we can see plainly that where Adam the man failed, Jesus the Christ succeeded.

The Danger of Avoidance or Neglect

The vulnerable man is evidence of a life of avoidance or neglect of responsibility. Genesis 3 demonstrates how passivity is very much a choice. A choice to either accept or reject the assignment. This neglect of responsibility is usually a subtle embrace of a life of passivity. Avoiding difficult conversations. Ignoring gradual compromise. Passing off spiritual leadership completely to others. And a total failure to pursue spiritual growth. All of this over a period of time will produce erosion.

The man who cultivates without guarding becomes careless. The man who guards without cultivating becomes harsh. Both commands require balance.

Living Out Man’s Purpose Today

None of this is only something that happened ages ago and only applied then. It is God’s design for man. It is and will always be God’s design and plan for godly manhood. Every man is entrusted with a garden to cultivate and keep. It is not a question of whether a man has a garden, it is a question of whether that garden is being cultivated and kept. The reality of it all is that a man’s purpose does not require reinvention. A man’s purpose requires faithfulness.

Conclusion: The Job Description Still Stands

The calling given to man has never been revoked. Cultivate and keep. What God entrusts a man should build upon. What God assigns a man should protect. As life goes on and seasons change in a man’s life, the responsibility will remain constant. So, if we are seeking purpose in manhood then we should begin with the creation of man.

As a man evaluates his given garden, he should evaluate areas that require cultivating and areas that require guarding. Once this evaluation habit is started, it is important for the man to then act. Man’s purpose is not realized by hopeful wishing; it is fulfilled in obedience to the assignment.

Genesis 2:15 is much more than an account of the beginning of man. It is the very blueprint for godly manhood. To this day, the assignment still stands. The calling is still in place.

To God Be the Glory.

The Christian Journey Cannot Be Solo

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

As we read here in 1 Corinthians, we can plainly see that the singular Body of Christ is made up of a plurality of individual believers. This is Paul’s description of the Church. Everyone who becomes a believer, by way of placing faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior and following God’s plan of salvation, is grafted into the body of Christ.

Graphic featuring the text 'ONE BODY, ONE SPIRIT' and 'One Church' with people holding hands in the background, symbolizing unity and community.

So many times, I meet people in the community and as I get to know them, I find out that they believe in God. However, when the conversation turns to discussing what congregation or church they serve with, suddenly things change. It seems to trigger a frantic series of comments about how “they and God do their own thing.” Or “nature is my church.” Increasingly I am hearing from all ages that people just do not believe that there is a need to attend worship or be a part of a church congregation to be saved.

 My first response to this is that we must be very careful not to attach anything to the process of salvation other than what scripture teaches. What I mean is that attending church or being a part of a congregation of believers is not what saves a person. That’s right, going to church is not going to save anyone from the consequences of sin. However.

Scripture teaches many things about the Christian life and the characteristics of being a genuine believer in Christ. I want to focus only on a few areas of scripture for the purpose of this topic. But first I want to review what it means to be a Christian.

People who claim to be a Christian are those who have accepted the truth about Jesus as the Christ. His life on the Earth and death, burial, and resurrection are the work that brings forgiveness for the sins of mankind. Putting one’s faith in this fact and repenting of being a sinner is the beginning of this process. The Christian life is a series of acts of obedience which leads to spiritual growth, starting with baptism by immersion and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Upon becoming a Christian, the Holy Spirit immediately begins the work of sanctification. This is the lifelong journey of growing in Christ and the Holy Spirit having His way in our hearts through our submission to His will in our lives. This is what it means to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Here we find the issue in the hearts and minds of many who actually do believe but do not realize that their understanding is off. The following are the definition of the words ‘Lord’ and ‘Savior.”

Savior (Greek-Soter) means savior, deliverer, preserver.

Lord (Greek-Kyrios) means master, one to whom someone belongs.

I believe it is difficult for a person to reconcile how they can be a genuine Christian while at the same time ignoring, or rejecting the truth found in the Word of God. The Christian life grows and is lived according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit together with the truth God’s Holy Word. The Bible.

Many want Jesus as ‘Savior’ but cannot or will not accept Him as ‘Lord’. The problem with this is that it cannot work this way. There is only one Jesus. There is only one Savior, who is also Lord.

So, when Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, (inserted above), he describes how God designed the body of Christ, The Church, to be the united by the one Spirit. There is only one church. No one can be the church alone. We cannot “do” Christianity by ourselves. We need other believers. That is what God created. Wen Jesus returns for the purpose of bringing home His bride, it will be The Church.

“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.” – 2 Corinthians 11:2

“But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”  – 1 Corinthians 12:24-25

The point in all of this is simply that according to scripture, God intends for those who are saved by the blood of Christ to be united in Christ. United in the Spirit which dwells in each of them. One Church, lead by one Spirit, saved by one Savior.

Each believer has a specific purpose which God intends to use in harmony with the body of Christ. Because of this we should have a growing desire to be connected with a group of other believers where we can serve and grow together for the sake of the witness and for the sake of the lost souls in the world.

As I have already stated, not one of us can be the church alone. We need each other for growth, accountability, encouragement, strengthening, as well as fellowship in Christ. In fact, it is actually an act of disobedience if we are not regularly connected to a congregation of other believers. We are disconnected from what God is doing with His Kingdom.

“and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:24-25

We the believers around the world are a powerful force to reckon with. Our mission is to go into the world for the purpose of exposing the lost to the reality of God and the need for Jesus as Lord and Savior. When the Church is active together, united in Christ, we are unstoppable!

God and His Kingdom is and always has been claiming great victories over the existence of His creation! Even in our world today. The Kingdom of God is the greatest thing going in the entirety of God’s creation! Why would anyone who claims to be save by the powerful blood of Jesus not want to be a part of it?

Anyone who is genuinely saved would then naturally desire to be a part of the Church. It would be an extreme necessity. In fact, when we are away from our Christian family, we feel something missing. Christians need each other. We need each other like we need Jesus. After all, it is the same Holy Spirit living in us!

“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” – Matthew 18:19-20

To God be the Glory!

Anxiety, Fear, Worry, & God

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

It has always been my belief that God as our creator indeed created man with emotions. Therefore, we should be able to conclude that emotions are an important part of who we are as human beings. Since that fact being the case, it would make sense that our emotions are not generally a terrible thing to experience. However, I will say that, just as with anything else in our lives, our emotions can play a positive or negative role in the course of our lives.

Close-up of two eyes with water droplets, featuring the text 'Do Not Be Afraid' in a bold font, and words 'Worry', 'Anxiety', and 'Fear' in a contrasting style.

Out of the many different emotions that human beings experience, Love and Hate seem to be the extreme opposites of them all. Somewhere in the span of that spectrum of emotions we will find anxiety, fear, and worry. It is these emotions that I will focus on in this blog post.

It has come to my attention that several articles and news stories are reporting this thing that they are calling, “phone phobia.” Surveys over the 2023-2024 time period are showing that almost 90% of Gen Z dread making or accepting a phone call. This is only one example of our society today and how we seem to be struggling in different ways with anxiety. There are, no doubt, countless more ways in which people from all generations experience anxiety.

As I thought about this statistic, at first, I thought to myself, well that seems a bit of a silly thing to be anxious about. Yet as I thought about what might really be happening, I was not only saddened for our society, but I also became concerned for the future of our society. I became concerned because I know that this kind of anxiety is evidence of a society that either does not know God or at least struggles in their relationship with Him.

I want to be clear that I am not intending to make a judgement against anyone who struggles with anxiety, worry or fear. I, just like most others, have struggled with these emotions at various times throughout my life. I know that the struggle is real.

Having said all of that, I would like to present some truths that if taken seriously and by faith, we could be set free from this prison of fear, worry, and anxiety. Yes, that is right. These emotions can become just that if we allow it. But, God, our creator, never intended for any of our emotions to become a prison or strong hold in our lives.

I have often preached that emotions are not sinful. However, how we process or deal with our emotions can affect our behavior. If our emotions are not dealt with in the manner in which God intended, then we can find ourselves allowing stress into our lives. To get to the point, God never intended for our emotions to be allowed to control our lives. Sure, emotions can and do affect our decision making but to allow emotions to drive our every decision would be less than what God would desire.

The fact is that we are told not to fear 365 times in the Bible. And just like most others, my first reaction each time I read it is, “easier said than done.” However, the fact remains that God’s Truth over and over again commands us to not be afraid.

These emotions, anxiety, fear, and worry are exactly what these 356 occurrences are addressing. It should be obvious that these emotions interfere with what God wants for His creation. God wants us to live in confidence, strength, and assurance in Him. He wants the world to see Him in us! That does not happen if we surrender to fear, anxiety, and worry.

The truth is, we live in a world that is in decay and it seems that evil and wickedness is increasing more and more as the world turns. The reality is that evil and wickedness has existed since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden. What has changed is the culture and the way that we exist in the world, and as long as there is change there will always be anxiety, fear, and worry.

When we read the bible, we are ready the inspired Word of God. We can notice that every truth that is in the Bible was written to someone in some age or generation of time. We can notice that all of them struggled with emotions just as we do today.

So, when we read in Philippians and see how the believers were being encouraged to keep their minds on the Lord and focus on who they were in Christ, and we see these words found there.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

Notice that we can find some tools to overcome our anxieties, fears, and worries. As we notice these tools, hopefully we can notice that we have not been left to ourselves to deal with these difficult emotions that seem to take over our lives.

First, we pray. We talk to God regularly. He already knows our emotions. We should go to Him and be honest with Him and ourselves about our emotions.

Second, we offer our petitions. This is where we call on God to intervein. We ask God to give us what we need to overcome our emotions. We petition the Lord to guide us through these fears, anxieties, and worries. His Word tells us that He is waiting for us to come to Him.

Third, we always express our gratitude for God’s faithfulness. This helps in at least two ways. When we praise God and thank Him for His presence and blessings, we then begin to focus on Him rather than that which produces our fears, anxiety, and worry. Also, expressing gratitude, even before we see answers to prayer, shows God that we not only trust Him but also revere Him a Lord.

Fourth, all of the previous tools when exercised, are evidence that we actually believe in God and Trust in Him in all things.The more we trust God the better we are able to manage our emotions because we are more comfortable with giving them to Him.

The following pieces of scripture are simply a few parts of God’s Truth. I hope that you will read them and consider putting your faith in what they mean.

“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” – Proverbs 12:25

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

The bottom line here is that us human beings were created to believe in God and walk with Him. This is the Christian life. This kind of life requires faith. Faith is the key to living the life that Jesus died on the Cross for. Faith is the key to truly knowing God as He intended for us all! Faith is the key to overcoming these emotions so that they do not control our lives and dictate our every decision.

In case anyone does not know or understand what faith is. I will point out Hebrews chapter 11:1.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

Yes, I know. Easier said than done. If was easy, a caveman could do it. It is not meant to be easy, but it is very possible. All it takes is deciding to believe in God and then believe God. It means that we trust God always in all things.

I pray that if you struggle with anxiety, fear, or worry that God would draw you near to Him and that you would by FAITH draw near to Him. He is faithful and will give you victory!

To God be the Glory.

Our Struggle with Patience

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & Perseverance1 Comment

As I sit down to write this blog post, I find myself overwhelmingly aware of the reality of this topic. What I mean is that I have spent much time in thought and prayer as to just how to word my thoughts about patience and how it impacts the Christian life. The problem is, the more I think about getting it done, the more impatient I become about getting the words out to finish the blog post! The struggle really is real!

To get on with it. I was having a discussion with some people recently about the fruit of the Spirit as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” While making the point in the discussion that we should notice that scripture shows the word ‘fruit’ as a singular and not a plural. Meaning that each of these virtues which make up the fruit of the Spirit are simply a part of the totality of the fruit of the Spirit. Sort of the DNA of the fruit of the Spirit.

While we discussed each virtue, when we looked at the virtue of patience, like always, we all expressed frustration about the fact that we all struggle with patience in our lives. I personally believe that struggling in this area of life is normal and should be expected. However, I do think that many times, people may misunderstand what this part of the fruit is really about.

It is common that our knee jerk reaction when talking or thinking about patience that our thoughts go to all those time in life when we have trouble waiting for someone or something. Or maybe we think about having to put up with a person or people that are difficult to put up with. I would say that both of those thoughts are correct and applicable. However, I would submit that God in His Word intends that we have a deeper understanding of what patience is all about and how it plays part in the totality of the fruit of the Spirit.

Recently while teaching through 1 and 2 Samuel, we studied how David was running for his life while King Saul was in hot pursuit for the purpose of killing him. All the while, David had knowledge of God’s promise and plan for his life that he would eventually become King of Israel. David exercised patience each time he had opportunity to kill King Saul and showed self-restraint. David at that time was a superb example of what it looks like to trust God and His plan.

Oh, how we wish we could be patient like David was. Oh, how we wish we could be as patient as Noah was while he built this gigantic boat in the middle of ridicule and persecution. And it definitely seems impossible to exercise the patience that our Savior displayed when He was arrested, beaten, mocked, spit on, cursed, and eventually crucified! He showed us the ultimate example of waiting on the Father to complete His plan! That is what patience as well as the rest of the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit is all about.

We say Amen! While at the same time, we continue to struggle with patience in our lives. Let us consider that maybe some of that struggle exists because our perspective on the things of life can be out of place. If our perspective is that which is focused on ourselves and how the world affects our own lives according to our plans and desires, then it is possible that we will experience unnecessary struggles in our lives.

If our perspective on the things of life and the events of this world are that of the Christian life, then our faith will have a great affect on our ability to exercise patience in all aspects of our lives. At the same time, it would not mean that we will never struggle with patience, it simply means that our struggles will ultimately build strength in our faith and our walk with Christ.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” – James 5:7-8

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”- James 1:2-3

James explains this struggle that we all have with patience. He tries to help us understand that even this struggle has a purpose in the plan of God for our lives and for the bigger plan for His Kingdom!

Returning to our study in 1 and 2 Samuel, we are reminded throughout the life of David that hardship and struggles will prepare us for whatever God has in the plan for our future. It is most likely true that most if not all of us who are walking with Christ genuinely can testify that God had been preparing us for the things in are life today throughout our younger days. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that many of our worries and anxieties were unwarranted.

As James points out in the previous text, when we experience challenges to our patience, we should notice that our faith is being tested and we are being strengthened for endurance. Therefore, we should expect our struggles with patience to be different the longer we live and walk with Christ!

Finally, I would offer encouragement when we say to ourselves, “that all sounds great but this patience thing is just too hard!” Thank God for His Holy Spirit who lives in all of us who are part of the body of Christ through submitting to the work that Jesus did on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins! Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would be sent to be with us, be our guide, to be our strength. We are not expected to work hard at being good at all these virtues that Paul described as the fruit of the Spirit. What Paul is saying is that if we live surrendered to the presence of the Holy Spirit then this fruit, (singular), will be evident in our lives. Not only one or two at a time but all of them.

Our hard work is simply the work of submitting to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Surrendering to God. 100%. This is when patience will be on display in our lives for the world to see!

To God be the Glory.

The Power of Expectations

On By Archie L. GilmerIn Culture & Conviction, Faith & Discipleship, Life & PerseveranceLeave a comment

Anyone who has been “around the block” would testify to the fact that things do not always go the way that we plan or expect. When our expectations are not met, we might sometimes say “life happens.”

The truth of the matter is that when our expectations in life are not met, disappointment is the result. Therefore, we should make an effort to notice that expectations, while not always wrong or out of line, can be immensely powerful. Expectations can be so powerful that they could lead to either overwhelming anxiety and depression when not met or unbelievable success and blessings when applied appropriately.

I personally have spent most of my life learning to appropriately deal with expectations. My own toward others, others toward me, and expectations between me and God.

For years I struggled with managing expectations between myself and others. I often crumbled under the weight of the expectations that I felt others placed on me and also became defeated when let down by the expectations that I had put on others around me. Mostly, the expectations or lack of expectations that I had for myself had done the most damage early on.

It is only when we can learn what God expects that we then have any chance to manage expectations between others as well as ones we have for ourselves. After all, who knows better than God?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 55:8

After giving our lives to Christ and receiving forgiveness and grace through the blood of Christ, only then can we understand that what God expects is that we be who He created us to be. Then after we see that because of our desires to sin against Him that we cannot live up to His expectations, then we cry out in repentance and surrender to God. That is when we begin to learn and truly understand what God expects. He expects us to trust in Him by faith.

The point is this. Once we learn the proper place for expectations to live in our lives, then we will experience more joy and less disappointments and anxiety in life. After all, is that not what we all are searching for? There is nothing more miserable than a broken spirit.

“A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22

Just to be clear. There are many situations and roles in life that require expectations to be in place for all of us. Parents definitely should have expectations for their children. Spouses should have expectations for each other. Employers should have expectations for their employees. Society should have expectations for their government and so on and so forth.

However, when we put all of our weight on those expectations and insist that our lives play out exactly according to those expectations, well then, we would be setting ourselves up for failures, disappointments, anxieties and ultimately those broken spirits.

This is not the life that God would have us live. He would have us live lives that are able to put those expectations in their appropriate places all the while leaving room for God’s plan. In other words, as we try to manage expectations appropriately in our lives, we would do good to expect some unexpected realities to impact our lives.

We can know the will of God, via the Word of God, however we cannot know the mind of God, nor do we always know God’s plan as it plays out. So, we would do better to be more flexible when it comes to our expectations for ourselves, others and even God. We should learn to commit our plans to the Lord and let Him have His way.

“Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3

To God be the Glory.