Author: Art Davison

ENEMIES OF THE CROSS–PHILIPPIANS 3:17—4:1

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ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
PHILIPPIANS 3:17—4:1

Introduction:
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to follow his example and walk in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. However, he warns us of those who walk as “enemies of the cross of Christ.”
We are seeing more and more a moving away from the truth even by those who have for many years stood by the Word of God. False teachers abound in the Lord’s churches and are reaping the fruits of a false gospel.
Let us consider the enemies of the cross and be aware of their false teachings, but at the same time we must walk before men as a testimony of the saving grace of God.
I. ENEMIES OF THE CROSS DESCRIBED
A. Those that are CONTRARY, vs. 18-19.
1. Seducers, 1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”
a. They have departed from the faith, 2 Timothy 4:4, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
b. They have fallen away from the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”
2. Many corrupt teachers, 2 Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
a. They will grow weary of the old plain gospel of Christ, 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
b. They will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
B. Their destiny is DISTRUCTION, Romans 6:21, “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.”
1. Their pride will destroy them, Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
2. They love strife, Proverbs 17:19, “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.”
3. They that forsake the Lord shall be destroyed, Isaiah 1:28, “And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.”
C. Their God is their belly.
1. They are controlled by their fleshly nature, Romans 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
2. Their mind is controlled by earthly things, Romans 8:7,“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
3. They surrender to themselves:
a. To immorality and licentiousness, Romans 1:26-27, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”
b. To gluttony and drink, Proverbs 23:21, “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
D. They glory in their shame, Jude 13, “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”
II. THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
A. The Lord Himself is the only hope.
1. Outside of Christ there is no hope, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. The Lord justifies by His grace, Titus 3:7, “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
B. The Lord is the only Savior, Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
1. He becomes our Savior by faith, Psalm 118:14-15, “The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation. 15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.”
2. He is the only way to heaven, John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
CONCLUSION
The picture that we have painted of the enemies of the cross is very real and not exaggerated at all. The Scriptures are clear about those who would pervert the truth and live in immorality. There end will be in the lake of fire.
However, the Lord has left the door open for any one who will repent of their sins and trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. That person God will forgive and save his soul and give eternal life.

CONVERTED AND REGENERATED–ROMANS 6:16-23

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CONVERTED AND REGENERATED
ROMANS 6:16-23

Introduction: Key verse: 17
The Apostle Paul knew whereof he spoke. He knew the Lord in Redemption and Conversion. These are great subjects to study. Every believer should know and understand what the Lord has done for him in redemption.
I. THE HUMAN RESPONSE TO THE GOSPEL
A. Conversion requires a commitment…
1. Of the total personality, Matthew 18:3, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
2. Of the intellect, Matthew 13:15, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
3. Of the will, Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
B. It requires an understanding of God’s atonement [the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation].
1. To feel the guilt of sin, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
2. To feel the love of God, 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
3. To repent of that sin, Mark 6:12, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.”
a. To change one’s mind for better, with abhorrence of one’s past sins, Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
b. After repentance comes conversion, Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
4. To surrender to God’s offer of salvation, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
II. THE RESULTS OF CONVERSION IS…
REGENERATION: The buying back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom.
A. Redeemed from the curse of the law, Galatians 3:13, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
1. The law makes us guilty and subject to the judgment of God, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
2. For if we break one point of the law we are guilty of all, James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
B. Redeemed out of the slavery of sin, Revelation 5:9,“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
III. THE RESULTS OF REDEMPTION IS…
A. A new creature, a changed man, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
1. Old things are passed away, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
a. In the past we fulfilled the desires of the flesh, Ephesians 2:3, “Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
b. We walked in the vanity of our minds [depravity, devoid of truth], Ephesians 4:17, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,”
2. All things are become new, Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
B. A new man with a nature to obey God, Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
1. We are His people, Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
2. We are the works of His hands, Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
3. We shall fear Him, Isaiah 29:23, “But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.”
C. A new man with a nature to glorify God, Romans 15:6, 9, “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.”
1. A righteous nature, Isaiah 60:21, “Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”
2. Partakers of the divine nature in Christ, 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
CONCLUSION
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed thro’ His infinite mercy, His child, and forever I am.
No. 92 in the Broadman Hymnal

HE LIVES–I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

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HE LIVES
I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

Introduction:

The most joyous occasion in the Scriptures is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Without His resurrection we would not have any hope. No wonder when His disciples saw Him after His resurrection there was great joy.

However, there are those who do not believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. Many of the religious crowd of the Lord’s day did not believe in the resurrection of the dead even though the Scriptures taught it. We have some today that not only doubt the resurrection, but also that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. For these there is little hope.

I. SOME SAY THERE IS NO RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:12, “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

A. If Christ is not risen, then your faith is vain, v. 17, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”

1. All of our preaching is vain, v. 14, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

2. If Christ is not risen we have no salvation, Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

B. All of those who have died as Christians are perished, 1 Corinthians 15:18, “Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”

C. We are without hope, 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

II. CHRIST IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

A. The Witnesses are many.

1. Peter saw the Lord as did the all of the Apostles, v. 5, “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:”

a. The Apostles needed some convincing, Luke 24:36-43.

1) They were terrified, v. 37, “But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.”

2) They needed evidence, v. 39, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.”

3) They still needed more evidence, vs. 41-43, “And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.”

b. Thomas was not there the first time the Lord appeared, John 20:27-28, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28-And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

2. More than 500 brethren saw Jesus after His resurrection, v. 6, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

3. James, the half brother of Jesus saw Him, v. 7, “After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.”

B. The Effects of the Resurrection.

1. A Great Joy, John 16:22, “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

2. A Great hope, 1 Corinthians 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

a. Those who first hoped in Christ, Ephesians 1:12, “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted [hoped] in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

b. Those who were persuaded, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”

3. A Great Expectation, the redemption of our body, Romans 8:19-23.

a. Waiting for the coming of the Lord, v. 19, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:7, “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

b. We shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, vs. 21-22, “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

c. We look forward to appearing with Him in Glory, v. 23, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

CONCLUSION
Jesus is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father. The Apostle Paul writes, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1). Our expectation is the Second Coming of our Lord who is alive and the God of the living, “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.” (Mark 12:27a).

FREE AT LAST–ROMANS 8:1-13

Art Davison ROMANS 0 Comment
FREE AT LAST
ROMANS 8:1-13

Introduction:
Imagine what might have been if Adam had not sinned against God in the Garden of Eden. What glorious fellowship man had before the Fall could be ours today.
Now think of what God has done for man since the Fall. God was ready with the plan of salvation immediately. Man’s disobedience caused immediate spiritual death severing fellowship between God and man. The Lord was ready with His plan of redemption to restore that fellowship. He was ready to FREE MAN from his GUILT, from the FEAR OF HELL, and much more. Consider the following:
I. FREE FROM GUILT
A. We were guilty before God, Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
1. The whole world is guilty before God, James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
2. Every man has fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
B. We are delivered from the bondage of sin and death, v. 2-3;
1. The Law of God caused us to know our sin, Romans 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
2. We were freed by the law of Faith in the Son of God, John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
a. We are blessed whose iniquities are forgiven, Romans 4:7, “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
b. We are blessed because God does not impute our sin, Romans 4:8, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
II. FREE FROM THE FEAR OF HELL
A. How can there be punishment for the guiltless? v. 2; John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
B. He who believes is not condemned, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
III. FREE TO APPROACH THE FATHER’S THRONE
A. You were unable to see the Father’s face, Exodus 33:18=20, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
B. You could not speak with him, Psalms 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”
C. Now you have ACCESS with BOLDNESS by Jesus Christ, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
1. To the throne of God, Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
a. To obtain mercy, Psalms 13:5, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
b. To find grace to help, Psalms 30:10, “Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.”
2. To present our petitions before Him, 1 John 5:15, “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
IV. FREE TO ENJOY THE PRIVILEDGES OF A SON OF GOD
A. The PRIVILEGES you might have enjoyed, if you had never sinned, ARE NOW YOURS because you have been justified by faith in Christ, vv. 30-31, 33-34, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
B. For we have AN INHERITANCE in Christ, Colossians 3:24, “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
1. Our inheritance is forever, Psalms 37:18, “The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.”
2. The Lord has made us worthy of the inheritance through Christ, Colossians 1:12, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”
3. Our inheritance is incorruptible, 1 Peter 1:4, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
CONCLUSION
We are free from the condemnation of unbelief by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. By His mercy we enjoy His great blessings and especially salvation through our Savior. Perhaps this poem will express it better than I.
A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear with thy righteousness on,
My person and offerings to bring:
The terrors of law and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

EXAMINE YOURSELVES–II CORINTHIANS 13:5

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EXAMINE YOURSELVES
II CORINTHIANS 13:5,
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul is defending his Apostleship in this chapter by declaring that the very proof of his apostleship is the changed lives of those that are now members of the Church in Corinth.
Paul challenges the brethren to “examine” themselves whether they are in the faith. I believe that many Christians today need this challenge. They need to look at themselves and find the evidence that they are really born-again Christians and whether or not they are serving Jesus Christ according to His will.
I. THE DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR FAITH
A. Did YOU DEMONSTRATE that YOU were in the faith? 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
B. Did YOU demonstrate that Christ was in YOU by OBEYING His will? Romans 6:16-17, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17- But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.”
1. To stand the test was to do what was RIGHT, Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
2. To fail was to be DISOBEDIENT and therefore subject to God’s discipline.
a. The results of disobedience, Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
b. Death for all men was the result of Adam’s disobedience, Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
II. THE TEST OF YOUR FAITH
Vv. 5-6, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6- But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.”
A. It is absurd to imagine that we can be consistent Christians and live in the world, John 15:19, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
B. Paul expresses his concern regarding the consistency of his own testimony, 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
1. Paul was sure of his testimony and thus he says, “Receive us,” 2 Corinthians 7:2, “Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man,”
a. We have wronged no man, 2 Corinthians 1:12, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.”
b. We have corrupted no man, 2 Corinthians 4:2, “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
c. We have defrauded no man, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8- Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9- Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”
2. You also are sure of where you stand regarding your testimony with the Lord before this world, Romans 8:35-39.
a. God’s mercy is everlasting, Psalm 103:17, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;”
b. His love is everlasting, Jeremiah 31:3, “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
C. We can be consistent even though we may fall from time to time, the Lord will stay with us, Psalm 37:24, “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. 28- For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off .”
CONCLUSION
The evidence of Paul’s apostleship was the living proof of the born-again Christians in all of the places where he had ministered. God’s people make a difference when they are consistent in their testimony for Jesus Christ.
The world may not like us, but they can see Jesus Christ in our lives when we follow the teachings of the Word of God.