Tag: theology

God Is Love, Kingdom Discipleship

Love in Holiness: Set Apart by Love, Not Lawlessness

Rooted & Raised

From the series “The Love of God: Revealed, Received, and Radiated”

Love is not permission to do what is right in our own eyes.
It is the power to do what is right in God’s.

The love of God is not passive. It is purifying.
It does not lower the standard—it fulfills it.
It does not ignore sin—it rescues from it.

If God is love, and that love now lives in us, then we must live as He lived—in holiness.

“Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy also in all your behavior; because it is written: ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
— 1 Peter 1:15–16

Holiness is not legalism. It is not asceticism.
Holiness is the character of God reflected through the life of a redeemed person.
And it is inseparable from love.

The Church was never meant to be known for compromise or cold religion. It was meant to be known by a love that obeys.

“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.”
— 1 John 5:3

The love of God does not cancel the Word of God—it confirms it. It doesn’t reject commands; it makes them possible. Only a transformed heart can fulfill what God requires. That transformation is the work of His Spirit, not our self-discipline.

We don’t love God by dismissing His boundaries.
We love Him by walking in His ways.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15

These are the words of Jesus—not to enslave, but to awaken.
Holiness is not just abstaining from evil.
It is the pursuit of what is beautiful in God’s sight.

The early Church knew this. They rejected the world’s pleasures not out of pride, but out of devotion. They separated themselves from idolatry, immorality, and deceit—not because they were better, but because they had been born again.

Their love for God was visible in their choices.
Their desire for holiness was rooted in the cross.
They did not earn salvation—they walked in the salvation they had received.

The Didache (c. AD 50–100):
“There are two ways: one of life, and one of death… and this is the way of life: First, you shall love God who made you. Second, your neighbor as yourself… and whatsoever you do, do it in holiness and in the fear of God.”
— Didache, Chapters 1–3

The love of God is not just a message to receive.
It is a life to be lived.

And if it is truly in us, we will hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Romans 12:9).
We will set aside every sin that entangles, because we have seen something better.
And we will walk in a purity that comes not from self-effort, but from surrender.

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
— Hebrews 12:14

The Church today must remember what the Church once knew:
God’s love is holy.
It does not excuse sin—it delivers from it.
It does not affirm rebellion—it calls us into restoration.
It is not lawless—it is loyal to the heart of God.

To love Him is to walk as He walked.
To belong to Him is to be set apart.
And to be set apart is not to withdraw in pride—but to shine in purity.

We are not called to reflect the world.
We are called to reflect Christ.

Sources & References

Love in Holiness: Set Apart by Love, Not Lawlessness

Scripture (NASB 1995):

  • 1 Peter 1:15–16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.”
  • 1 John 5:3 – “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments…”
  • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”
  • Romans 12:9 – “Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”
  • Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue sanctification, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Ante-Nicene Source:

  • The Didache, Chapters 1–3.
    “There are two ways: one of life, and one of death… and whatsoever you do, do it in holiness…”
    [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com/didache.html]
3–4 minutes
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Kingdom Discipleship, Kingdom Living

The King Will Return

Rooted & Raised

And Every Eye Will See Him

The return of Jesus is not symbolic, secret, or spiritualized—it is literal, visible, and global. Just as He ascended in the clouds, He will descend in power and glory. This is the climactic moment all of history moves toward.

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…”
— Revelation 1:7

His Return Will Not Be Hidden

“This same Jesus… will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
— Acts 1:11

Jesus will not return in secret. He will return as King of kings and Judge of all, visible to all peoples, tribes, and nations. The early Church never doubted this—they declared it with certainty and hope.

“He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.”
— Apostles’ Creed

The Resurrection and the Gathering of the Saints

“The dead in Christ will rise first… then we who are alive… will be caught up together with them in the clouds…”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

This is the blessed reunion of the Bride and Bridegroom. Not mythology. Not metaphor. This is the long-awaited day when Christ returns for His own.

Every Knee Will Bow, Willingly or Not

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess…”
— Philippians 2:10–11

For some, it will be joy. For others, dread. The difference lies in whether we knew Him as Savior or rejected Him as Lord.

The Early Church Lived for This Day

“Let us not grow weary, for He will soon appear.”
— Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 23

They didn’t speculate on the timing—they lived in readiness. They looked to the sky, not in fear, but in faith. Their hearts were anchored in the certainty that the King was coming.

What We Can Learn

  1. Jesus will return visibly, gloriously, and victoriously.
  2. All people will see Him—and respond with either joy or fear.
  3. The resurrection and gathering will be real and glorious.
  4. Readiness means living with our eyes and hearts lifted.

Sources:

  • The Holy Bible — Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18; Matthew 24:27–31; Philippians 2:10–11
  • Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 23
  • Apostles’ Creed
  • Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians
  • Didache, ch. 16
2–3 minutes
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Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 52

Rooted & Raised

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

— Matthew 6:19–20 NASB1995

💼 A Family That Invests in Eternity

Jesus tells us that earthly treasures don’t last—but heavenly ones do. A Kingdom family learns to value generosity, compassion, and righteousness more than stuff.

What we model as parents teaches our children what truly matters.

🕯 A Mother’s Role

Lead by example. Let your children see you give, serve, and invest in things that matter to God. Speak often of eternal rewards, not just earthly achievements.

📖 Talk About It:

  • What do we treasure as a family?
  • How can we give more to others and focus on heaven this week?

🪡 Kingdom Practice

Pick one item to give away this week as a family—to someone in need or as a surprise gift. Talk about how giving builds eternal treasure.

✍️ Prayer:

Lord, help our family value what You value. Teach us to invest in heaven through love, generosity, and faithfulness. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 52

Rooted & Raised

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

— Matthew 6:20–21 NASB1995

🚀 What You Chase Reveals Your Heart

Jesus isn’t against savings accounts—He’s warning us about misplaced priorities. What you chase shows what you value. Kingdom teens invest in what matters: truth, people, and eternity.

You can’t carry earthly treasure into heaven, but you can send it ahead.

🖊 Real Talk:

  • What gets more of your attention: God or stuff?
  • What would it look like to store up eternal treasure this week?

✨ Try This:

Give something valuable (time, attention, generosity) this week that costs you something. Let it build treasure in heaven.

✍️ Prayer:

Lord, redirect my heart. I want to live for what matters to You, not for what fades. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧢 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 52

Rooted & Raised

“Don’t keep treasures just for this world. Store up treasures in heaven!”

— Matthew 6:19–20 (Paraphrased)

🌟 Heavenly Treasure

Jesus wants us to care more about things that last forever—like kindness, love, and helping others—than about toys or money.

When we live like Him, we are saving up treasure that will never break or disappear.

🏛 Long Ago…

Kids in the early Church learned to share and care for others. They were taught that true treasure was found in loving God and doing good.

💡 Think About It:

  • What is something I care about too much?
  • What is one kind thing I can do today that God sees as treasure?

✨ Let’s Pray:

Jesus, help me care more about loving others than about having things. I want to store up treasure in heaven. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 52

Rooted & Raised

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”

— Matthew 6:19–21 NASB1995

💼 Treasure What Lasts

Jesus challenges our priorities. Earthly treasure fades—Heavenly treasure remains. What we pursue reveals what we love. Kingdom living shifts our focus from temporal wealth to eternal worth.

Where our treasure is, our heart follows. Jesus calls us to invest in what cannot rust, rot, or be stolen.

🔗 Ante-Nicene Reflection

The early Church was known for its radical generosity. They sold possessions to meet needs and gave freely to the poor, valuing heavenly reward over worldly gain.

💭 Reflect

  • Where do I spend most of my time, money, and energy?
  • Is my heart tied to earthly things or Kingdom things?

✨ Prayer

Father, help me treasure what You treasure. Teach me to seek what lasts and to give freely for the sake of Your Kingdom. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 51

Rooted & Raised

“When you fast… don’t make it obvious.”

— Matthew 6:16 (Paraphrased)

🔈 Quiet Hunger for God

Fasting is between you and God. It’s not about looking holy—it’s about becoming hungry for the things that last. Jesus says to keep it low-key. No show, no drama. Just focus.

Let fasting be worship, not performance.

🖊 Real Talk:

  • Have I ever fasted to look spiritual?
  • What would it look like to fast secretly and sincerely?

✨ Try This:

Pick something to fast from—social media, snacks, music—for one day this week. Use the time to pray and read Scripture. Tell no one.

✍️ Prayer:

God, I want more of You. Teach me to fast in a way that pleases You, not people. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

🧢 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 51

Rooted & Raised

“When you fast, don’t try to look sad so people feel bad for you. Smile and look normal.”

— Matthew 6:16–17 (Paraphrased)

😊 God Sees the Heart

Fasting means giving something up to spend more time with God. Jesus says we shouldn’t do it to get attention. It should be a secret between you and God.

God is happy when we want to be close to Him—even if no one else knows.

🏛 Long Ago…

Kids in the early Church learned to fast by giving up little things joyfully. They were taught that God cares more about the heart than what others see.

💡 Think About It:

  • Can I give up a snack or toy for a day just to think about God?
  • How can I do that cheerfully?

✨ Let’s Pray:

Jesus, help me want You more than anything else. Even if I give something up, I want to do it just for You. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 51

Rooted & Raised

“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do… But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.”

— Matthew 6:16–17 NASB1995

💡 Secret Fasting, Open Reward

Fasting is a private act of devotion, not a public badge of holiness. Jesus reminds us that the value of fasting isn’t in others noticing—it’s in drawing closer to the Father.

Kingdom fasting is cheerful, humble, and unseen. We don’t advertise our sacrifice; we hide it so God alone sees it.

🔗 Ante-Nicene Reflection

Early Christians practiced regular fasting with joy and discipline. They saw fasting not as a show but as a surrender, a way to quiet the body and tune into God’s voice.

💭 Reflect

  • Do I fast with the right heart—joyfully and quietly?
  • What distractions might God be calling me to lay down in fasting?

✨ Prayer

Lord, help me fast in secret for Your eyes alone. Let my hunger draw me closer to You and not to the praise of others. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Kingdom Living

Not Appointed to Wrath

Rooted & Raised

Hope in the Midst of Tribulation

The return of Christ is not just about what happens then—it’s about how we live now, especially in seasons of hardship and persecution. The early Church knew what it meant to suffer. But they held to a truth that sustained them: they were not appointed to wrath.

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Wrath Is God’s Judgment—Tribulation Is the World’s Hatred

Jesus warned that His followers would face tribulation (John 16:33), but He also promised they would not face the wrath of God. The early Church expected persecution from men, but deliverance from divine judgment.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
— John 16:33

The Early Church Suffered, but Trusted in Rescue

They knew trials would come—but they looked beyond them. Their hope wasn’t in escaping all pain. It was in being preserved through it, and ultimately, delivered by Christ Himself.

“The faithful are not kept from the fire, but through it. The Lord knows how to rescue the godly.”
— Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 55

Wrath Is for the Unrepentant, Not the Redeemed

“Much more then… shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
— Romans 5:9

Jesus bore wrath once and for all on the cross. Those in Christ are covered. This promise gave the Church courage—even when Rome’s sword threatened them.

Enduring with Hope

Even in the fiercest trial, the early saints knew they were in the Lamb’s hands. Their hope was not shaken by what man could do. They feared no wrath, because they were sealed with love.

“The storm may rage, but it cannot breach the walls built by the blood of Christ.”
— Hermas, Similitudes 9

What We Can Learn

  1. Believers are appointed to salvation, not wrath.
  2. Tribulation purifies the Church—wrath destroys the wicked.
  3. God promises presence in trial and rescue from judgment.
  4. Our security is rooted in Christ’s finished work.

Sources:

  • The Holy Bible — 1 Thessalonians 5:9; John 16:33; Romans 5:9; 2 Peter 2:9; Revelation 3:10
  • Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 55
  • Hermas, Similitudes 9
  • Didache, ch. 16
  • Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Magnesians
2–3 minutes
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