Tag: fruit

A Bold Faith in a World That Prefers Silence

Posted on by pastordarryl68

“The world tolerates Christianity as long as it stays tame. A private faith, a quiet gospel, a kneeling church. But speak with authority, stand with conviction, and they will come with torches.” — Michael Foster

The world has no issue with Christianity as long as it remains private, passive, and powerless. A faith confined to quiet prayers, polite conversations, and personal reflection poses no threat to the systems of this age. But the moment the church finds its voice—when believers stand firm in truth and proclaim the gospel with conviction—the world reacts. And that reaction is often hostile.

This is nothing new. Jesus Himself warned us: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) The gospel is not designed to blend in or be comfortable; it is a declaration of the authority of Christ over all things. The moment we live as though Jesus is not just our personal Savior but the reigning King, we are bound to meet resistance.

A Gospel That Disrupts

Ephesians 6:10-13 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. The enemy does not fear a Christianity that remains silent, but he trembles at one that is unashamed and unafraid. A faith that is spoken boldly, lived unapologetically, and proclaimed without fear shakes the very foundations of worldly powers.

Consider the early church. The apostles were not hunted down because they prayed quietly in their homes—they were arrested, beaten, and martyred because they preached Christ as Lord, refusing to bow to Caesar. They understood that faith in Jesus was not just a private matter; it was a call to stand firm in a world that demands compromise.

Paul himself wrote from prison, not because he was merely religious, but because he was a threat to the order of the day. He would not stop proclaiming Christ crucified, even when it cost him everything. The same world that rejected Jesus will reject those who follow Him wholeheartedly.

The Cost of Speaking Truth

We live in a time where the loudest voices often demand conformity. The world tolerates faith until it challenges its idols. The moment Christianity speaks against sin, calls for repentance, and declares Jesus as the only way, the opposition begins. The modern church is often tempted to soften its message—to make it more palatable, less offensive, and more socially acceptable. But truth is not meant to be reshaped to fit culture; culture is meant to be transformed by truth.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we living a faith that the world can comfortably ignore, or are we standing with boldness in the authority of Christ? The gospel does not ask for permission to be spoken—it commands us to proclaim it.

Standing in the Full Armor of God

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13-17 to take up the full armor of God, not so that we can quietly blend in, but so that we may stand firm in the evil day. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit are not the attire of passive believers—they are the armor of warriors in a spiritual battle.

Being a Christian is not about being liked. It is about being faithful. The church is not called to silence; it is called to proclaim the gospel in season and out of season, whether it is welcomed or opposed.

Let the Light Shine

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Light does not ask darkness for permission to shine—it simply shines. And when light appears, darkness reacts.

We do not need to seek controversy, but we must never shrink back from truth. The gospel is offensive to a world that loves darkness, but it is also the only message that brings life. Our calling is to preach Christ crucified, to stand firm when the world demands silence, and to trust that God is with us when opposition comes.

So let them come with torches. Let them accuse, mock, and reject. The world did the same to Christ, and yet He overcame. And because He overcame, so will we.

Will we be a silent church that the world can ignore? Or will we stand with boldness, refusing to compromise, proclaiming the truth no matter the cost?

The time for passive faith is over. It is time to stand.

Echoes of Truth: Guarding the Integrity of Biblical Theology

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Echoes of Truth Over Voices of Falsehood

Charles Spurgeon’s words echo with a deep sense of responsibility that every follower of Christ should feel: “I had rather be an echo of truth than the voice of falsehood. Rest assured that there is nothing new in biblical theology except that which is false.” This profound statement is not merely about preferring truth over lies; it is about anchoring ourselves to the eternal, unchanging Word of God, especially in a world where new interpretations and ideologies constantly attempt to reshape biblical truths.

In an age where originality is often celebrated over authenticity, there’s a temptation to seek fresh takes on Scripture—new revelations, hidden meanings, and reimagined doctrines. Yet, Spurgeon’s reminder cuts through this noise with piercing clarity: biblical truth is timeless. The core of God’s revelation to humanity has not changed, nor will it. Any teaching that claims to offer a “new” biblical truth is, by its very nature, a distortion.

The Danger of “New” Theology

Throughout history, the Church has witnessed countless waves of new theological trends—many of which veer from the core teachings of Scripture. From the rise of gnosticism in the early church to modern prosperity gospel movements, the pursuit of novelty often leads believers astray. Spurgeon’s warning is clear: when someone claims to have uncovered a “new truth” within biblical theology, we should approach with discernment. Scripture itself affirms this in Ecclesiastes 1:9: “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”

True biblical theology is not about innovation—it’s about preservation. It’s about echoing what has already been perfectly revealed through Scripture. It’s about being a faithful steward of the Word, not an innovator.

The Call to Echo Truth

Echoing truth is not passive repetition; it is an active, intentional alignment with the heart of God’s Word. When Spurgeon speaks of being an “echo of truth,” he’s calling us to deeply internalize biblical teaching so that it naturally reverberates through our lives, our speech, and our actions. This kind of echo doesn’t dilute or distort—it amplifies the original message.

In 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Paul charges Timothy: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” This warning feels especially relevant today. Many seek teachings that align with personal desires rather than biblical truth. But the call remains: preach the Word—pure, unfiltered, and unchanged.

Resisting the Pull of Cultural Influence

Cultural trends often seep into theology, subtly reshaping core doctrines under the guise of relevance or inclusivity. While the gospel is for all people, it is not shaped by the ever-shifting sands of cultural opinion. The Word of God stands as an immovable foundation. Isaiah 40:8 reminds us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Echoing truth means standing firm, even when biblical convictions clash with popular opinion. It means prioritizing faithfulness over acceptance, integrity over applause. In an era where cancel culture and social backlash can silence voices of conviction, the Church needs believers who are willing to be echoes of truth, even when it costs them something.

The Role of the Church: Guardians of Doctrine

The Church has a sacred responsibility to guard the truth. This isn’t about gatekeeping but safeguarding. Leaders, teachers, and everyday believers must approach Scripture with humility, reverence, and a commitment to its original intent. Jude 1:3 urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Notice the phrase “once for all”—the faith has already been delivered. It does not need modern enhancements or cultural upgrades.

Churches that chase theological trends risk losing their grounding in the Word. Instead, the focus should be on faithfully teaching Scripture, equipping believers to discern truth from falsehood, and fostering spiritual maturity rooted in the timeless gospel.

Final Thoughts: Why Echoes Matter

Being an echo of truth in today’s world is not always glamorous. It may not garner large followings or social media virality. But it is the faithful path. It honors the God who has revealed Himself through His Word and preserves the life-giving message of the gospel for future generations.

Let us be a people who echo Scripture with clarity and conviction. Let us reject the allure of theological novelty and stand firm in the timeless truths of God’s Word. And when faced with the choice between cultural relevance and biblical faithfulness, may we always choose to be echoes of truth—no matter the cost.

In the end, it is better to echo the eternal than to shout the temporary.

The Joyful Surrender of a Redeemed Life

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Salvation by grace is not merely a transaction—it is a transformation. When a person truly encounters the grace of God, something profound happens within them. They are no longer motivated by external rules or solemn obligations to serve Christ. Instead, their new life in Him compels them to joyful obedience.

Charles Spurgeon captures this truth beautifully: “A person who is really saved by Grace does not need to be told that he is under solemn obligations to serve Christ. The new life within him tells him that. Instead of regarding it as a burden, he gladly surrenders himself, body, soul, and spirit, to the Lord.”

Too often, Christian service is viewed as a weight—something we must do to prove our faithfulness. But the one who has truly been redeemed does not serve out of duty, but out of delight. The heart that has been changed by Christ wants to follow Him. The soul that has been set free longs to walk in obedience. The transformed believer does not view surrender to God as a loss, but as the highest privilege.

Surrender Rooted in Grace, Not Obligation

There is a stark difference between serving Christ out of obligation and serving Him out of love. The first is rooted in religious performance, an effort to meet some perceived requirement to earn God’s favor. The second flows from the realization that we have already received God’s favor through Jesus. When we grasp the depth of His love and grace, our response is not reluctant compliance but willing devotion.

Paul affirms this in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This transformation is not just theoretical—it is practical. A heart filled with gratitude and love for God no longer asks, “What must I do?” but instead, “How can I offer my life fully to the One who saved me?”

This kind of surrender is not merely about actions; it’s about identity. The believer who understands grace recognizes that their very existence now belongs to Christ. This is why Paul also writes in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Our lives are not our own—they are His, and offering them back in joyful surrender is our natural response to His mercy.

The Burden of Self vs. The Freedom of Surrender

The world often frames surrender as weakness, but in God’s Kingdom, surrender is where true strength and freedom are found. Holding on to control, insisting on our own way, and striving in our own power leads to exhaustion, frustration, and ultimately spiritual stagnation. We were not created to be our own masters. The more we grasp for control, the more burdensome life becomes. But when we release our grip and trust in God’s perfect will, we find rest for our souls.

Jesus Himself calls us into this freedom: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The paradox of surrender is that it does not bring restriction, but liberation. We are freed from the weight of self-reliance and ushered into a life of divine dependence, where God carries what we cannot. When we cease striving and rest in Him, we discover that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Living in Surrender Daily

Surrendering to Christ is not a one-time decision; it is a daily posture of the heart. Every day, we must choose whether we will live for ourselves or for Him. The enemy would have us believe that surrendering to God means giving up something precious. But in reality, it is only through surrender that we receive what is truly precious—eternal joy, peace that surpasses understanding, and a life that bears fruit for His Kingdom.

Surrender is practical. It means letting go of our pride and allowing God to shape us. It means releasing our plans and trusting in His. It means forgiving when we would rather hold on to bitterness. It means loving sacrificially, even when it’s inconvenient. It means obeying His voice, even when we don’t fully understand where He’s leading. And through all of this, it means remembering that we do not surrender alone—God’s Spirit empowers us to live this life of joyful submission.

The Joy of a Life Fully Given to Christ

A surrendered life is a joyful life. Not because it is easy, but because it is anchored in Christ’s sufficiency. When we let go of our illusions of control and allow Him to take the lead, we walk in step with His perfect will. We experience the deep, abiding joy of knowing that our lives are being used for something greater than ourselves. And in that, we find true fulfillment.

May we live not as those burdened by obligation, but as those compelled by love. May our surrender be not reluctant, but joyful. May we echo the words of the psalmist: “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)

True grace produces true surrender, and in that surrender, we find the greatest joy. Let us live in that joy today.

Blessed to Be a Blessing

Posted on by pastordarryl68

I’m living a life I can’t take a bit of credit for! Only a loving God could write this story. I am blessed way beyond what I deserve, thanks to God’s abounding grace and mercy. Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Creator, and Savior of my soul. #SoliDeoGloria

What do I do with this blessing?

When faced with the abundance of God’s grace and mercy in my life, I am presented with three potential responses. Each reflects a different perspective on the gifts God has given me and the way I choose to steward them.

Do I claim it for myself? I can tell myself that I deserve these blessings—and more. With this mindset, I adopt an attitude of entitlement, refusing to sacrifice anything for my occupation, employer, community, church, or family. The reasoning becomes simple: no one else is doing these things for me, so why should I extend myself for others? This perspective leads to self-centeredness, a narrowing of vision where God’s blessings become confined to my personal benefit, rather than being used to bless others. It’s a path that ultimately disconnects me from the broader mission of God’s kingdom.

Do I hoard it for my own benefit? I can choose to bank the blessings I receive, using them strategically for my own advantage. In this approach, I give back or reciprocate only what is required, visible, or sure to gain me recognition. This transactional mindset treats God’s generosity as a limited resource, something to be rationed and carefully allocated for maximum personal gain. By operating in this way, I reduce the transformative nature of grace to mere currency, losing sight of its true purpose and power.

Can I act as a conduit of God’s blessing. I can view myself as a vessel for God’s blessings, letting what flows to me flow through me to others. This perspective recognizes that I am not the ultimate recipient of these gifts, but rather a steward called to extend them outward. When I see myself as a conduit, I no longer keep score. I’m not concerned with who notices or what credit I receive, because the only One keeping track is the source of all blessings—God Himself. This response aligns my life with the character and mission of Jesus, allowing His grace and love to flow freely through my actions.

The third response is the only choice for those who truly desire to be WITH Jesus, be LIKE Jesus, and DO what Jesus did. To live as a conduit of God’s blessings is to embrace the transformative power of grace, allowing it to overflow into the lives of others. It shifts the focus from self-preservation to selfless giving, mirroring the life and ministry of Christ. Jesus did not hold back His love, mercy, or generosity; instead, He poured it out abundantly, even at great personal cost.

When I consider the blessings in my life, I am reminded of the responsibility they carry. These blessings are not mine to hoard or claim as my own; they are opportunities to reflect God’s love and character to the world. To live as a conduit of blessings means adopting a posture of humility, recognizing that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). It means understanding that my purpose is not to accumulate, but to distribute—to let God’s grace flow through me in ways that uplift, encourage, and transform those around me.

This perspective challenges me to reevaluate how I approach generosity and service. Am I giving freely, or am I calculating my actions to ensure they benefit me? Am I reflecting Christ’s selflessness, or am I holding back, afraid of what I might lose? Living as a conduit requires trust—trust that God’s provision is sufficient, and that as I give, He will continue to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

Let us daily ask ourselves: How can the blessings in my life serve as a testimony to God’s grace and an instrument of His kingdom? Am I using these gifts to further my own interests, or am I allowing them to flow outward, reflecting the generosity of the One who gave them? The call to be a conduit of blessings is not always easy—it requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to put others before ourselves. But it is also deeply rewarding, as it brings us closer to the heart of God and allows us to participate in His redemptive work in the world.

May we choose to live as conduits, not containers, of the abounding grace that flows from the heart of God. In doing so, we reflect the love, mercy, and generosity of our Creator, living out our calling to be His hands and feet in a world desperately in need of His blessings.

The Unbreakable Bond of Salvation in Christ

Posted on by pastordarryl68

You have probably heard people say, “I used to be a Christian.” They speak as though being a follower of Christ is something that can be undone. It’s a phrase that raises questions. It also offers an opportunity to clarify an important truth. When someone is genuinely transformed by the Holy Spirit, that transformation is permanent.

There’s no such thing as a “former Christian.” If you have truly been saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit has entered your heart, there is no going back. It’s not just an emotional decision or a fleeting commitment. It’s a lifelong journey of transformation that begins the moment we accept Christ. This journey continues throughout our lives.

Jesus Himself assures us of this in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

This passage speaks to the security we have in Christ. Once you’re in His hands, you belong to Him forever. It’s not something that depends on our strength or ability to stay faithful—it’s grounded in Christ’s power to keep us.

It’s easy to get confused when we see people who once appeared committed to the faith suddenly drift away or declare they are no longer Christians. Does this mean salvation can be lost? Not at all. 1 John 2:19 explains it clearly: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

True salvation bears lasting fruit. While some may have experiences with the church or outward signs of faith, those who truly know Christ remain rooted in Him, even through difficult seasons.

One of the most powerful assurances we have as believers comes from Ephesians 4:30:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts is not temporary. When we are saved, we are sealed for eternity. This means that the transformation that takes place when we give our lives to Christ is something no one—not even ourselves—can undo.

Of course, the Christian walk is not without challenges. There will be times of doubt, struggle, and even moments where we may feel distant from God. But instead of these moments pushing us away from our faith, they often become opportunities for God to draw us closer to Him. Through trials and hardships, we grow, learn, and depend on Christ even more.

As Romans 8:38-39 beautifully reminds us: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There is no undoing the work of salvation once it has taken root in your heart. If you’ve been saved by Jesus, you are His forever. Let’s be encouraged by the truth that our salvation is secure in Christ, and no matter what, the Holy Spirit continues to work in us to bring us closer to the likeness of Christ.

Just Look at the Fruit

Posted on by pastordarryl68

There will always be critics who pretend to be invested in your life, motivated by all sorts of self-centered emotions and agendas, speaking from their own narrative, perspective, and assumptions.

At the same time, sometimes even in the same moment, God will gift His people in your life with exhortation, discernment, mercy, wisdom, faith, and generosity to speak hopeful TRUTH into your life – even in correction or rebuke. These truths from God are edifying to the soul and refreshing to the Spirit, equipping you for every good work in the body of Christ.

How do you know the difference? You will know them by their fruits…every single time. Fruit doesn’t lie. Look at the fruit. Look at how they spend their time and with whom they spend it. People are easier to read than a book, if you know what to look for.

“You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16-20