Q & A.

QUESTION.

How can I overcome pride?


ANSWER.

A minor league baseball player traveling to visit his family struck up a conversation with an older gentleman seated next to him on the plane. The rookie was pleased when his traveling companion expressed an interest in baseball, so the young ballplayer began bragging about his athletic skills on the field. During the flight, the bush leaguer boasted of his daring stolen bases, the well-connected balls smacked out of the park, and those diving catches that turned a double into an out. As the plane prepared to land, the big-talking minor league rookie learned the polite gentleman who had listened so intently was Hank Aaron, the Hall of Famer whose unequalled major league baseball career spanned twenty-three years. By his own admission, the boastful minor league ballplayer learned a valuable lesson in humility.

Pride is an elevated view of and a preoccupation with self. Pride is a fault we despise in others yet freely excuse and even justify in ourselves. Many theologians believe that pride, not drunkenness, adultery, or murder, is the deadliest of all sins, for it was pride that led to Lucifer’s rebellion (Isaiah 14:14) and the first couple’s attempt at usurping God’s authority in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:5). Many other sins originate from pride.

God’s warning that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18) is illustrated again and again in the pages of Scripture. One particularly notable episode, the story of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar, begins with his boasting, continues with his downfall, and ends with his confession. After being duly warned of his prideful nature by the prophet Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar stood on the rooftop of his palace and praised himself, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30, ESV). Immediately, God judged his pride, and for the next seven years, the once grandiose monarch groveled about on all fours in the manner of a wild beast while grazing on the palace lawn. From regal to rags and from banquet table to mouthfuls of fodder, King Nebuchadnezzar completed a seven-year course on the dangers of pride and the virtues of humility.

How, then, does one overcome the grievous sin of pride? First, we must understand that pride, like dangerous narcotics, is addictive and detrimental to our well-being. The more we feed pride, the firmer its grip. Pride is a loathsome garment that is not easily shed, and it’s deceitful: those who think they have already achieved humility are probably mistaken. D. L. Moody used to pray, “Lord, make me humble, but don’t let me know it.”

Once we admit that pride has a foothold in our lives, we confess this sin to our Savior as we would any other sin (1 John 1:9). Once we have confessed the sin of pride, the Holy Spirit can begin correcting our faults and molding us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. We may take cheer, knowing that, once God begins a good work in us, He will see that work to its completion (Philippians 1:6).

Just as the minor league baseball player learned a lesson in humility after boasting to Hank Aaron, we will understand the folly and foolishness of pride by comparing and contrasting ourselves to our Creator. Even the Henry Fords, Thomas Edisons, and Elon Musks of the world could not rightfully say they helped lay the foundation of the earth and mark off its dimensions (see Job 38:4–5). Only God can make that claim. Our greatest accomplishments are as insignificant as anthills in the shadow of God’s unfathomable creation.

To overcome pride, we must remember, as the psalmist did, our condition before Christ’s salvation: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2). We must understand grace: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10). We must acknowledge that all we have is a gift from God: “Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

And, to overcome pride, we must praise the Lord. Covered in dew and reeking with seven years’ worth of filth, a humble King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’ At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my lords sought me, and I was established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:34–37, ESV).

Pride is to our detriment. Humility is for our greater good. Perhaps a final component of overcoming pride is a sincere, heartfelt desire for humility. When we truly understand the perils of pride, we will flee from it. When we realize the immense blessings of humility, we will long for it.

Q & A.

QUESTION.

How can I be sure I won’t be left behind in the rapture?

ANSWER.


The series of Left Behind novels and movies has prompted a lot of questions from a lot of people: is the rapture for real? (Answer: yes.) Will the rapture be followed by a time of divine judgment on earth? (Answer: yes.) Will I be left behind in the rapture? (Answer: that depends.)

The rapture is what we call the event in which Jesus comes again to take believers out of this world. The Bible calls it a “catching away” (1 Thessalonians 4:17) and describes it as an instantaneous “change” of the body that bypasses death (1 Corinthians 15:51–52). Those raptured “will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Believers in Jesus Christ are taken in the rapture; unbelievers will be left behind when the rapture occurs.

Those left behind in the rapture will face a quickly changing world—and the change will not be for the better. Second Thessalonians 2:11 says that the “power of lawlessness” is currently being held in check by the Holy Spirit. At the rapture, the true church is removed from the earth, and the Holy Spirit’s restraint will be “taken out of the way.” At that moment, the world will have no born-again believers anywhere. All the Christian workers in hospitals, nursing homes, orphanages, rescue missions, relief agencies—gone. Every Christian in law enforcement, social work, and health care—gone. And of course many churches will sit empty. In addition to the great void in the service community will be the commencement of God’s judgment on a rebellious world, detailed in Revelation 6—16.

Don’t be left behind. Make sure you are ready for the rapture. Since the rapture is for believers, it is vital that you place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior (Acts 16:31). Repent of your sin and fully trust in Jesus alone as the payment for your sin. Believe in Him, and you will not perish (John 3:16). The Lord knows who are His, and He will leave none of them behind (John 10:14).

Those who are saved by faith in Christ will not be left behind in the rapture. The saved are like the five wise virgins in Jesus’ parable who are ready for the coming of the bridegroom; they have their lamps trimmed and burning and full of oil—a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 25:1–13). To make sure that you are not left behind, trust Christ. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not delay another moment. The matter is urgent. Trust Christ now.

Q & A.

QUESTION.

Is Jesus in every book of the Bible?

ANSWER.

The Bible is God’s Word to us (Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16). Studying God’s Word shows us who God is and what He has done. The Bible also reveals what matters to Him, how we are to live, and our purpose in His plan of redemption. Jesus is also called the Word (John 1:1), and He is “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15) in whom all God’s fulness dwells (Colossians 1:19). Jesus is the theme of the Bible. Jesus is in every book of the Bible because everything in the Bible ultimately points to Him (see John 5:39).

From the beginning pages of Genesis to the end of Revelation, Jesus is present and active. Although the Son of God did not come to earth until a specific point in history, He is integral in both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament reveals our need for a Savior and predicts His coming, setting the stage for His entrance into the world. He appears in prophecy and in Christophanies—pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God (Genesis 16:7–14; 22:11–18; Judges 5:23; 2 Kings 19:35; Daniel 3:25). The New Testament describes His coming, His work to bring salvation to our sinful world, and His ongoing work as we await God’s kingdom and the restoration of all things (Acts 3:21; Revelation 21:1). We can see Jesus in every book of the Bible in the following ways:

Genesis — Jesus is the Word of God, creating the heavens and the earth; He is the promised Seed of the woman
Exodus — Jesus is the Passover lamb
Leviticus — Jesus is the high priest and representative of the tabernacle; He is the lampstand, He is the showbread, and He is the sacrifice on the altar
Numbers — Jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night and the smitten rock that gives living water
Deuteronomy — Jesus is the prophet greater than Moses
Joshua — Jesus is the Commander of the Army of the Lord, leading His people into the Promised Land
Judges — Jesus is the true and final judge
Ruth — Jesus is the kinsman redeemer
1 & 2 Samuel — Jesus is the anointed shepherd king who slays the giant
1 & 2 Kings — Jesus is the righteous King of Kings and Lord of Lords
1 & 2 Chronicles — Jesus is the faithful restorer of the kingdom
Ezra — Jesus is the faithful restorer of the temple
Nehemiah — Jesus is the redeeming rebuilder of the walls
Esther — Jesus is the sovereign protector of His people
Job — Jesus is the living redeemer and our true comforter
Psalms — Jesus is the Good Shepherd who hears our cries
Proverbs — Jesus is wisdom
Ecclesiastes — Jesus is the meaning of life
Song of Solomon — Jesus is the loving bridegroom coming for His bride
Isaiah — Jesus is the promised Messiah; the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace; the Suffering Servant wounded for our transgression and bruised for our iniquities
Jeremiah — Jesus is the Potter and the Righteous Branch
Lamentations — Jesus is the weeping prophet
Ezekiel — Jesus is the river of life, bringing healing to the nations
Daniel — Jesus is the fourth man in the fiery furnace
Hosea — Jesus is the ever-faithful husband pursuing His unfaithful bride
Joel — Jesus is the restorer of what the locusts have eaten and the One who will pour His Spirit on His people
Amos — Jesus is the burden-bearer and the true restoration
Obadiah — Jesus is the judge of all the earth and mighty to save
Jonah — Jesus is the salvation of all lands and the prophet cast out in the storm who spent three days in the depths
Micah — Jesus is the promised Messiah born in Bethlehem
Nahum — Jesus is the avenger of God’s elect
Habakkuk — Jesus is the reason for rejoicing and our strength even when the fields are empty
Zephaniah — Jesus is the preserver and restorer of His remnant and kingdom
Haggai — Jesus is the desire of all nations
Zechariah — Jesus is the cleansing fountain and the pierced Son whom every eye on earth will one day behold
Malachi — Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings; He is the refiner’s fire
Matthew — Jesus is the King of the Jews
Mark — Jesus is the Servant King
Luke — Jesus is the Son of Man
John — Jesus is the Son of God, the Word made flesh who dwelt among us, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
Acts — Jesus is the risen Lord, bringing salvation to all nations
Romans — Jesus is our justification and the righteousness of God
1 Corinthians — Jesus is the Rock
2 Corinthians — Jesus is our triumph, sanctifying the church
Galatians — Jesus is the liberation that fulfills the law and sets us free
Ephesians — Jesus is the head of the church who gives us God’s armor
Philippians — Jesus is our joy
Colossians — Jesus is the firstborn of all creation and the head of the church
1 Thessalonians — Jesus is coming again with a trumpet and a shout to meet believers in the clouds
2 Thessalonians — Jesus is believers’ patience as they await His return
1 Timothy — Jesus is our mediator between God and man
2 Timothy — Jesus is the Seed of David, raised from the dead, and our salvation
Titus — Jesus is our blessed hope and our faithful pastor
Philemon — Jesus is our Redeemer, restoring us to effective service
Hebrews — Jesus is our High Priest and the author and finisher of our faith
James — Jesus is the One at work in our faith in action
1 Peter — Jesus is the Living Stone, the Chief Cornerstone, and the Rock of Offense
2 Peter — Jesus is the faithful, longsuffering Lord, not willing that any should perish but offering salvation to all
1 John — Jesus is love and the true and eternal God
2 John — Jesus is the truth by which we walk in love
3 John — Jesus is all that is good and a hospitable host
Jude — Jesus is the One who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless with great joy
Revelation — Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Q & A.

QUESTION.

What is God?

ANSWER.

A. W. Tozer wrote, “’What is God like?’ If by that question we mean ‘What is God like in Himself?’ there is no answer. If we mean ‘What has God disclosed about Himself that the reverent reason can comprehend?’ there is, I believe, an answer both full and satisfying.”

Tozer is right in that we cannot know what God is with respect to Himself. The book of Job declares, “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?” (Job 11:7–8).

However, we can ask what God has revealed about Himself in His Word and in creation that “the reverent reason” can grasp.

When Moses was directed by God to go to the Egyptian Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites, Moses asked God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13).

The answer God gave Moses was simple, yet very revealing: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you”’” (Exodus 3:14). The Hebrew text in verse 14 literally says, “I be that I be.”

This name speaks to the fact that God is pure existence, or what some call pure actuality. Pure actuality is that which IS with no possibility to not exist. Put another way, many things can have existence (e.g., human beings, animals, plants), but only one thing can be existence. Other things have “being” but only God is Being.

The fact that God alone is Being leads to at least five truths about what God is – what type of being God is.

First, God alone is a self-existent being and the first cause of everything else that exists. John 5:26 simply says, “The Father has life in Himself.” Paul preached, “He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:25).

Second, God is a necessary being. A necessary being is one whose nonexistence is impossible. Only God is a necessary being; all other things are contingent beings, meaning they could not exist. However, if God did not exist, then neither would anything else. He alone is the necessary being by which everything else currently exists – a fact that Job states: “If He should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself His spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust” (Job 34:14–15).

Third, God is a personal being. The word personal in this context does not describe personality (e.g., funny, outgoing, etc.); rather, it means “having intent.” God is a purposeful being who has a will, creates, and directs events to suit Him. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9–10).

Fourth, God is a triune being. This truth is a mystery, yet the whole of Scripture and life in general speaks to this fact. The Bible clearly articulates that there is but one God: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deut. 6:4). But the Bible also declares that there is a plurality to God. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Notice the singular “name” in the verse; it does not say “names,” which would convey three gods. There is one name belonging to the three Persons who make up the Godhead.

Scripture in various places clearly calls the Father God, Jesus God, and the Holy Spirit God. For example, the fact that Jesus possesses self-existence and is the first cause of everything is stated in the first verses of John: “All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life” (John 1:3–4). The Bible also says that Jesus is a necessary being: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

Fifth, God is a loving being. In the same way that many things can exist but only one thing can be existence, people and other living things can possess and experience love, but only one thing can be love. First John 4:8 makes the simple ontological statement, “God is love.”

What is God? God is the only one who can say, “I be that I be.” God is pure existence, self-existent, and the source of everything else that possesses existence. He is the only necessary being, is purposeful/personal, and possesses both unity and diversity.

God is also love. He invites you to seek Him and discover the love He has for you in His Word and in the life of His Son Jesus Christ, the one who died for your sins and made a way for you to live with Him for eternity.