The Example of Christ

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Christians and Politics The example of Jesus

We have been exploring the link between Christians and Politics. So far, we have quoted from various secular sources, including media sources, political pundits, and social researchers. We have also looked at the disastrous history of blended church-state models. All of this is important and helps frame our discussion about the present turmoil we face. Now, we turn to the King of Kings for His view of Christians and government. He is our Lord and Teacher (John 13:14). Therefore, we listen, learn, and apply his teachings.

 Given the politicized condition of some churches and church members, a non-Christian might be surprised at how few times Jesus or his apostles spoke of government. When they did, it was often in an indirect way. For example, Jesus told his followers to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13, 14). Surely, our salting would include interactions with the state and, when possible, politicians

There are a few direct statements made about government.

“render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25)

“Render” suggests the idea of an obligation that is repaid. Followers of Christ have obligations to both the state (Caeser) and to God. There is a distinction between the two. We know from the apostle’s clash with the Sanhedrin that one obligation exceeds the other; namely, our commitment to God is superior. Jesus said, “Seek first” the kingdom (Matthew 6:33), while his apostles, Peter and John, said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

If Jesus were physically here today, he would not engage in the trash talk that marks the public voice of many religious leaders.

On point with the present deterioration of public speech and discourse is Paul’s statement, taken from Exodus 22:28, that we “shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people” (Acts 23:5). The apostle himself had just rebuked the High Priest. When he realized what he had done, he quickly corrected himself.[1]That is Christian guidance not often heard today. It is also complementary to Paul’s exhortation to pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1, 2). Perhaps we have forgotten?

When arrested, our Lord did not revile his captors, nor Herod, nor Pilate. Isaiah foretold his peaceful example that he would not open his mouth when beaten (Isaiah 53:7).

If Jesus were physically here today, he would not engage in the trash talk that marks the public voice of many religious leaders.

The Bible teaches me to imitate Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1; Ephesians 5:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:21, etc.). So how, then, should we conduct ourselves today?

[1] Jesus once called Herod a “fox,” a derogatory term for someone who is sneaky or sly. Jesus spoke from his divinity in truth, not in rage, anger, or vengeance. See Luke 13:32

A Brief Survey of Blended Church and State

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Christians and Politics

A brief history of blended church and state shows that such mixing is always bad for both. Before we go further let me be clear that good government must be based upon sound biblical principles. But the church should never exist in service to the state. Likewise, It is fruitless and harmful for the government to compel Christian conduct. Nevertheless, our interest here is to survey the harm done to the church when it blends with secular government.

Blended Church and State in the Bible and in History

Our first example occurred over 3000 years ago. Judges ruled the Israelites of the Old Testament when needed. After many years, the people demanded a king like the other nations around them. Through the prophet Samuel, God warned the people that a king would prove bad for the nation. God warned them that a king would militarize and enslave segments of the Kingdom. God told Samuel, “they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). The people sought national glory and honor over their relationship with the Creator. A careful review of biblical history will show that the kings of Israel consistently led the people astray.

1000 years later, during the time of Christ, the Roman Empire ruled the world. To increase their glory and to enhance their authority, these emperors allowed and sometimes commanded people to worship them as gods. The cult of worship would find its fullness in Constantine who blended church and state into the so-called Holy Roman Empire.

About 300 years after the establishment of the Lord’s church, the nascent Roman Catholic church began. Historian Diane Bowder (The Age of Constantine and Julian, 1987) observes that Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which protected all faiths from persecution and returned confiscated church property. No other Roman ruler had gone so far. He soon moved to enforce Christian doctrine in the name of unity and social stability. He served as the judge over religious disputes.

Blended Church and State Today

Today, papal authority reigns over millions of Roman Catholic adherents. The Pope is a Head of State and is headquartered in Vatican City, a sovereign state. Among the embarrassments of this blended church-state creation was the papal silence in the face of Nazi atrocities in WWII.

A first cousin to the Roman Catholics, the Russian Orthodox Church is a highly influential force, albeit a silent one, on Russian President Vladimir Putin. The nicknamed, “Russian Orthodox Army” was one of the first units deployed in the invasion of Ukraine.

The non-Christian world has problems too. Islam has a lengthy history of mixing faith and government. In the present day, Iran is a spectacular example of such a combination. Trying to force submission to Islam is a hallmark of Iran and its many puppet regimes. Strong influence from Hindu worshippers in India directly affects governmental operations, including turning a blind eye to the oppression of religious minorities, although some improvements have been noted in recent years.

The point of all this is to see the intolerable compromises required when church and state mix. Let the church challenge and influence the Empire from the outside where we “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12), not from the inside. Why? Because our kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). As a good soldier of Christ, remember,” No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4). Be the salt, not the fries!

The Church and Government

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Christians and Politics The Church and Government

The Church and Government are both important, yet different, God created three separate institutions. First, he gave us the home (Genesis 2: 18-25). Next, he instituted government, for he knew that man could not govern himself (Jeremiah 10:23). Finally, God created the church (Acts 2:41, 47). Just as the government cannot take the place of the home, the church cannot take the place of the government. Each of these organizations is unique. While there may be some overlap and similarities among the three, they are each different and vital in their own ways.

The founding fathers of the United States ensured that the government would not infringe upon matters of faith. People could worship God in a way of their choosing. But there would be no state or national church, as had been the case in England. They understood that the fledgling nation could not thrive, probably not survive, without strong homes and strong churches. Just as they would not tell someone who to marry, they would not tell someone how to worship. The Church and Government would complement one another.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison notes that 9 of the 13 original colonies had some form of religious test for elected officials. (Center for the Study of the American Constitution; Department of History, ND) It is undeniable that the founders of our great nation intended faith to buttress, complement, and inform the functioning of the newly formed government. Sadly, that influence waned and is  all but invisible in public life.

Richard John Neuhaus penned The Naked Public Square in 1988. In it, he laments the decreasing role of faith in public policy. He sees the death of democracy as the certain end of a faithless system. (Neuhaus, 1988). The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, published in 2023 documents the growing unrest in some religious, Christ-believing communities. Some seek to retake American democracy by force. This “Christian Nationalism” is the subject of a future article and ought to be rejected.

As noted previously in THE Kingdom and I Pledge Allegiance, there is only one Kingdom of import. Only the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. It is this divine kingdom that we are to seek before all others (Matthew 6:33). Paul says, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Today, we are strangers waiting to go home (Hebrews 11:13). We must not be overly concerned with the petty political polemics of the day because this world is not our home.

To be sure, we “salt” this world with the glory of Christ and hold up a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:13-16). We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Christians can and should participate in the political process. They should vote and should exercise every venue to influence our elected officials.

But Jesus draws a line. He says, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:15-22; c.f. Romans 13:7). We clearly have obligations to the Church and Government and to live our daily lives for Christ. I think we know which is most important. To which, the Church or Government, God or politics, will we devote our time and effort this week?

I Pledge Allegiance to What?

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Christians and Politics

I remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance from my earliest days. We said it at sporting events, in Aunt Ogla’s Kindergarten class, and in just about every public assembly. In Boy Scouts, we placed great emphasis on the care, honor, and presentation of the American flag because it was the best-known symbol of our country.

But we never said the pledge or presented the colors in our worship assembly.

There is a Difference

As a child, I didn’t understand. If you could stop all activity at a football game (and that’s some undertaking in Alabama), stand, place your hand over your heart, sing the national anthem, and say the pledge, why not in worship? Adults understood the division between the nation and the church, between the secular and the holy, and between the common and the divine.

Some have forgotten that distinction.

The church of my Lord does not belong to the United States, nor is it subservient to it in any way. When Jesus was asked about paying taxes his response was simple: “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We have obligations both to the government and to God. Paul, by inspiration, commanded obedience to the government (Romans 13:1 – 7). In his life, Paul acknowledged the government’s authority while benefiting from its laws (Acts 25:11).

The Roman Empire was the ultimate secular authority in Jesus’ and Paul’s day. They were pagans and hostile to both Christians and Jews. But, Jesus commanded obedience to Rome. Jesus doesn’t restrict obedience to democracies. He commands that Christians obey all governments, including communist, fascist, monarchal, socialist, theocratic (think Islamic in Iran, Hindu in India), and even authoritarian governments like North Korea.

Except…

First Things First

A Christian’s first allegiance is to the Kingdom of Christ (c.f. Colossians 1:13, 14). Peter and John rejected the authority of the Sanhedrin. When ordered to stop preaching about Jesus’ death, and especially His resurrection, the apostles’ response was sharp: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In their previous meeting, they told the rulers Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19, 20). In other words, No!  We won’t stop preaching Jesus! Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

Christians have no divided allegiance. Our allegiance is to an “otherworldly” kingdom, one not of this earth. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). We now live in a world governed by evil (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4). We are to be the light of this world and the salt of the earth so that we might improve and remove the darkness while showing good works (Matthew 5:13 – 16).

Christian, you belong to Christ. You are his servant. You live in a dark world which you brighten by the love of Christ. Pledge allegiance to the Lord!

(I am not suggesting we stop saying the pledge to the flag. Just keep first things first.)

THE Kingdom

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Kingdoms rise and fall, but there is one that will never fall. The Israelites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Egyptians all collapsed. It was once said that the sun never set on the British Empire. Yet, today, Great Britain is but a shadow of the great empire it once was. Almost 2000 years ago, a THE Kingdom began that exists today and will never fall.

Earthly kingdoms have an inherent flaw from which they cannot recover: they ultimately depend upon the whims of humanity. Whether the Kingdom is a monarchy, a democracy, or a totalitarian state, at some level, people make the decisions for the government and set the direction for that government.

In 1 Samuel 8, a “great idea” came to Israel. They wanted a king so that they could be like the nations around them. What a mistake that was. Eventually, as a direct result of poor leadership, the Kingdom would split. The majority of the Kingdom would find themselves constantly in idolatry. Assyria took them into captivity, from which they never returned as a nation.

The other half of the nation also struggled with idolatry. Weakness in their leadership resulted in 70 years of enslavement. They returned from that captivity but never again saw the glory their Kingdom once had. That nation, Judah, like every kingdom before, would be utterly destroyed in 70 AD.

Despite Israel’s failings, something permanent would arise. Isaiah 2 speaks of “the mountain of the House of the Lord.” In Daniel 2:44, the prophet writes,

“…in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the Kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”

Neither Isaiah nor Daniel spoke of an earthly Kingdom. They spoke of something divine, something eternal, something we can enjoy today. They foresaw a Kingdom headed by the Lord and not by mankind. It would be a return to the kind of Kingdom Israel had before they abandoned God as their king (1 Samuel 8:7).

The church was established in Acts 2 and is the permanent kingdom of Isaiah 2 and Daniel 2. It is the church established in Acts 2. Acts 2:41, 47, should be viewed in connection with Colossians 1:13, 14. When the church was established in Acts, God added people to it. In Colossians 1, it is God who transfers us into the kingdom of his beloved son. In 1 Corinthians 15:34, Paul writes that Jesus will deliver the kingdom to God at the end of time.

With God, Jesus is called “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1 Timothy 6:13–16). Kings have kingdoms and the Lord has the church. Ephesians 2:19 calls us “fellow citizens.” You, I, and all Christians are citizens of that kingdom that will never fall. Led by our Sovereign, we will reign with him in glory!

Choosing a Bible Translation

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Bible Translations open bible

Dozens of different Bible translations fill bookstore shelves. Choosing a Bible translation can be confusing. People select their translations based on their current needs and desires. It is impossible to identify the best translation for all circumstances. The best translation is one that you will use and read. Some see these differing Bibles as proof of confusion in the religious world. They close their Bibles and throw their hands up in exasperation. They declare that God simply cannot be known, so why try?

Inspiration of the Bible Translations

The Bible asserts that it Is the Inspired Word of God.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”  (2 Peter 1:19-21).

A lot is happening in this short passage but notice, particularly the last sentence. Men had no role in crafting God’s message. They spoke as the power of the Holy Spirit moved them. This is Biblical inspiration. Paul says that “all Scripture is breathed out by God”  (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus says that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). God delivered his true word through man and ensured that it was accurately recorded.

It is evident that modern translations do not enjoy this same certainty, but they are very reliable. All modern translations are periodically upgraded to reflect the ancient text better. Among the most respected translations, there is no doctrinal disagreement that hinges on a challenging translation.

The original documents that make up the Bible, those parchments that were actually written by Peter, Paul, and other Bible writers, are lost to history. However, thousands of copies, coming from different times and places, are used to reconstruct the original text. Taken in its totality, there are no significant differences based upon a misunderstanding of the original text.

Mainline Bible Translations

There are a handful of translations that are universally considered reliable but not perfect. Each strives to be accurate and faithful to the original text of the Bible. And each teaches a person how to come to God for salvation. This non-exhaustive list might include the American Standard Version, The English Standard Version, The New American Standard Bible, the New King James Bible, and others. These seek to remain as close to the original Greek text as possible (for the New Testament, Hebrew for the Old Testament) while providing an understandable English copy.

Colloquial translations are also available. These include The Message, The Living Bible, and perhaps others. In my judgment, these are inferior translations and are not suitable for serious Bible study. Modern, mainline Bible translations are very easy to read and understand.

The Purpose of Bible Translations

A Bible translation’s only purpose is to communicate God’s word accurately. As language changes, translations are updated to offer the best wording for the present day. For example, the King James Version was first completed in 1611. Most recently, it was updated in 1982. Why? Because we no longer speak like we did in 1611.

It is impossible to produce a readable Bible translation that is word-for-word from the ancient texts. Instead, scholars from across academia work to produce a translation that is first accurate and then readable. This last part, readability, explains why there are so many translations today. The mainline translations seek to keep the language updated and fresh for the modern reader. They have replaced “thee” and “thou” with “you.” They did that because that is how we speak today.

Choosing a Bible Translation

Here are 5 tips to help you select a personal Bible.

  1. Choose a translation you will read. Obvious, right? A Bible on the shelf is of little use. Select a translation that you can read easily. Have a second translation available on your phone (probably for free) for comparison.
  2. Stick with a mainline translation. You are committing to read God’s word, not somebody’s idea of what God should have said.
  3. Choosing a Bible translation by a committee, not an individual, is best. The best translations are almost always prepared by a diverse group of scholars from many different faith groups. Their biases (we all have them) tend to cancel out, thus publishing a solid text. Even well-intentioned people can err.
  4. Avoid “Study Bibles” for now. A solid study bible can be an excellent tool. But it can also be a distraction. Initially, you will want to focus on the Bible text. Having access to other tools will become important.
  5. Select a “red-letter edition.” These have the words of Jesus printed in red. This makes it easier to follow his conversations, lessons, and prayers.

If you think of other tips that have helped you, please let us know in the comments below. The important takeaway is to own a Bible that you will use. It will change your life!

3 Things That Will Last Forever

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The Appian Way is an ancient road built by the Roman Empire 312 years before Christ. Today, portions of it remain, and you can walk along the ancient cobbled stones. I wonder if the Roman slave realized how long his work would last. The Mona Lisa may be the most recognizable painting ever created. Da Vinci may have spent 12 years working on it. Today, it’s over 500 years old. Did he know it would be his crowning achievement? Some things just last. But here are 3 things that will last forever.

Some things just last.

Family Lasts

The first family was created because God saw that “it was not good that man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). He fashioned a woman from the man, and she became his helper. The two produced three children and thus formed the first family. Despite the Cain/Abel tragedy, I suspect Adam and Eve still loved their children until their final days.

Paul reminds Timothy of the legacy of faith that flowed from his grandmother and his mother, and Paul remembers his own ancestor’s faith (2 Timothy 1:3- 6). Family always passes down more than just DNA.

Friends Last

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity,” writes Solomon in Proverbs 17:17. Social media causes us to confuse friends and contacts. A thousand Facebook friends is largely meaningless. But one close friend in real life is priceless.

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

(Proverbs 18:24)

Cultivate a few close friends. Invest your time into their lives and allow them to do the same with you. Serve them sincerely, and they will surely return the blessing. At the day of death, we never regret a close friend.

Faith Lasts

More than anything else, a strong faith lasts. A strong faith in Christ will follow you through the darkest days. It will accompany you to the grave and then beyond. The Psalmist wrote these familiar words: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). In David’s longest night of suffering, his faith bolstered his confidence. He faced death, as we all will, with a solid faith in his redeemer.

When the last pitch is thrown, when the final tackle is made, and the closing song is silenced, we are left with faith that endures beyond the grave. Ask God to build your faith. Open your eyes for the evidence of his work in your life. You will be buoyed above the greatest waves of this life.

Family, friends, and faith. One with all three is blessed indeed!

Silence

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silence

Silence. We fear silence. It’s to be avoided at all costs. We keep the television on at home and the radio playing in the car. If a newscaster is quiet for too long, he gets embarrassed. When the preacher pauses, we get nervous. When was the last time you and your spouse rode along in silence?

There’s actually a lot of sound, just not much worth hearing. Sometimes, silence is desired. It’s healing, even therapeutic. Leave the earbuds in the car and walk through nature. The sound of birds, crickets, and a chorus of basso profundo frogs is the perfect inoculation against the ruckus of the world.

People talking without speaking

People hear without listening

Simon & Garfunkel, The Sound of Silence (1964)

The folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel bemoaned the silence despite a chorus of noise all around. Nothing was said worth listening to. There was only The Sound of Silence.

They were correct 60 years ago, and they are still right today.

Silence. When Words Hurt

Sometimes, it’s better to be silent. When tragedy struck Job, his three friends came and sat in silence with him. They said nothing for a week (Job 2:11 – 13). There are times when words are ineffective and may bring more pain. In tragedy, there are no magical missives. A gentle hand on the shoulder may be best.

We may become too aggressive in our desire to show concern and offer aid. We don’t mean to cause harm, but sometimes, week intentioned words are misheard or misinterpreted. As students of human behavior, we can sense when we are getting too close or too personal. “I love you” may be the only words they need.

Silence. When Words Help

There are times when carefully directed discourse can bring encouragement and healing to the hurting soul.

Paul said it this way: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person (Colossians 4:6). He seems to be talking about our interactions with unbelievers. But one key phrase is so useful for us today. He says, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt.” Have you eaten food without enough salt? Unsalted speech is also tasteless.

The king questioned why Nehemiah was sad. Nehemiah explained that his home, Jerusalem, lay in ruins. The king asked what Nehemiah was asking for. Then, before saying another word, Nehemiah “prayed to the God of Heaven” (Nehemiah 2:4). The King gave Nehemiah all that he asked for and more. Prayers need not be elaborate or long. Pray before speaking.

Our parents and grandparents often advised us to count to 10 before answering or speaking. Words can help but only when well considered. Never respond in anger for you will surely regret it later.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…” wrote James (James 1:19).

Slow down. Think. Make sure you say something worth hearing.

Gideon: How’d He Do It?

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Gideon

There are many spectacular events in the Bible. There were the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea and later the Jordan. The Blind and deaf were healed and people were raised from  the dead. In a separate category, there was the Creation, the Virgin Birth, and the Resurrection. But there is one miracle, actually a series of miracles, that has always fascinated me: Gideon’s victory over the Midianites in Judges 6 – 8.

Israel had returned to their wicked ways, and as punishment, God allowed Midian to enslave them. Gideon is an unremarkable man from an unremarkable family in an unremarkable tribe in an enslaved nation (6:15). Yet, he is told by an angel that he “shall strike the Midianites as one man” (6:16). After three different, convincing, miracles, Gideon attacks the army of Midian with 300 soldiers divided into three companies. The Midianite army numbered 135,000 swordsmen( 8:10)! That’s a ratio of 450:1! I don’t think the vaunted Navy Seal Team Six would take on such a battle. But one more thing: Gideon’s army carried no weapons (see 7:20 for their armaments). How could this unremarkable man command one of the greatest victories in Israelite history?

The answer is pretty straightforward: He didn’t.

The victory over Midian was God’s work. Gideon was just an obedient servant. He wasn’t a great tactician, and he was not a great warrior. He wasn’t much of a leader at all. He was just a servant.

But he and his countrymen were prone to taking undeserved credit. In Judges 7:2, the Lord said, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” In verse 9, God tells Gideon, concerning the Midianite army, “I have given it into your hand.” This was no common victory; it was all the power of God.

While Gideon was not responsible for the victory, his faith and obedience were required. The three chapters in view record three moments when God helped build Gideon’s faith. In Judges 6:36 -40, Gideon asked for and received two miracles, which boosted his faith. He asked for a fleece to be laid on the ground and moistened with dew while the surrounding ground would be dry. The Lord’s angel caused that to happen. Next, Gideon reversed the request. This time, the ground would be wet and the fleece dry. Again, the miracle occurred, and Gideon was encouraged.

The third faith-builder came when Gideon and his servant were sent to infiltrate the Midianite camp. They overheard soldiers talking of a dream in which a cake of bread tumbled into their camp, struck the tent, and flipped it over. The soldier said, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel. God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp” (vs. 14).

With renewed faith, Gideon was prepared to obey God even in what seemed an odd battle strategy. The Israelite battalion was now a small company of soldiers. The 300 were further split into 100-man contingents. With no weapons in hand, Israel defeated the mighty Midianites.

The victory belonged to the Lord, but Gideon’s faith and obedience were necessary, too. Could God have won without Gideon? Of course. But he chose to use a mortal to accomplish his work.

You and I fight battles daily. Faith and obedience are required. It was hard for Gideon to see the outcome, especially given the odd tactics. But he believed and was obedient! Faith and obedience are simple tools for accomplishing great things for God. If we trust God’s lovingkindness and obey his simple commands, we will gain the greatest victory of all!