Scripture warns that a time will come when good will be called bad and bad will be called good (Is 5:20), and Paul speaks of perilous times in the last days, which will be marked by earth’s inhabitants despising those who are good (2 Tim 3:3). Surely, these days are upon us.^[1] Currently, the bad are so beguiled that they believe the good should be apologizing to them for disagreeing with their life of debauchery.^[2] Truly, apology is exactly what this untoward generation needs. In fact, they desperately need the righteous to apologize like never before. Say what? The righteous need to apologize to the wicked? Absolutely, at this most trying time, every Christian must realize that ‘We Must Apologize.’ But what does this mean, really?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “The earliest uses of apologize more often meant “to offer an excuse or defense” than “to acknowledge a fault.” The verb came into our language from the noun apology, which similarly had an initial meaning (beginning in the early 16th century) that did not necessarily acknowledge fault (“something said or written in defense or justification of what appears to others to be wrong or of what may be liable to disapprobation [condemnation]”).^[3] (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

From this earliest understanding of the word apologize, stems what some consider to be a distinct branch of theology called ‘apologetics.’ However, this discussion will attempt to identify apologetics as the ultimate commission of ‘all’ who call upon the name of the Lord.

Apologetics

“Apologetics is the study and practice of giving answers for the reasonableness and truth of the Christian faith. The word comes from the Greek apologia and means “to give a defense.” In 1 Peter 3:15, Christians are commanded to give an apologia to anyone who asks the reason for our hope.”^[4] Here is this passage in context:

1 Peter 3:14-17

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify [venerate] the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” ^[5] [author’s comment]

Notice that Peter indicates that the defense one makes, of the hope provided by the gospel of Jesus, is what ‘may’ cause the evildoers who falsely accuse the good, to be ashamed. Therefore, each and every Christian has to apologize (defend the gospel) when reviled instead of finding offense and expecting the wicked to say, I’m sorry. Remember, the only difference between the wicked and the righteous is the latter believes in Jesus. Paul spoke of this:

Ephesians 5:8-11

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them [with the truth of Scripture 2 Tim 3:16].” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

Titus 3:3-8

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly [Apologize – Defend the truth], that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain [continue in a state of ready defense] good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (emphasis mind) [author’s comment]

While there is a distinct theological discipline of apologetics. It is clear, even from this cursory view of Scripture, that ‘all’ are to defend the gospel by showing and telling others the hope that resides in them. However, there is another aspect of apologetics that applies to every Christian, the defense of all Scripture without strife or quarreling.^[6] Paul speaks of this:

2 Timothy 2:14-16

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (emphasis mine)

Notice Paul encourages Timothy to charge the believers to avoid striving when defending the truth. This strife can only bring about the destruction of the hearer. This means the apologist (Christian) must simply defend the truth without entering into frenzied contention. The truth itself is enough, and salvation comes to the hearer that acquiesces to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Though, sadly, many choose to reject the Holy Spirit and become Godless.^[7]

The second point to notice here is that it is very important for the Christian to study God’s Word to the point of thoroughly understanding it. Whereby making the defense all the easier. Think about this: when you are very sure of your position, it is easier to state your case and leave it at that. Therefore, fully understanding God’s Word eliminates the need to strive.

While on the topic of strife, the apologist is to avoid foolish and unlearned questions because they are designed to cause strife. Paul eloquently deals with this:

2 Timothy 2:23-26

“But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord [anyone who serves the Lord] must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

James provides the capstone to this section of study when he speaks of the superiority of the true wisdom that comes from above:

James 3:13-18

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work [this is why the apologist must avoid strife]. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]

Each Christian, while relying on wisdom from above, is called to peacefully sow righteousness through good conversation, which ultimately defends the truth of God’s Word. This alone can bring about the environment necessary for the lost to find their way unto salvation by believing on Christ Jesus, whom the apologist defends. With this in mind, it is important to remember how the faithless come to saving faith…

Romans 10:13-17

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Paul’s words should spur us into the reasonable service of apologetically evangelizing for Jesus.

Teachers Too

When we see Him face to face, and the Lord begins to judge all that we have done on earth, He will look at the teachers in a manner that is stricter than the student. Indeed, the teacher will be held to a much higher standard, as noted by James:

James 3:1

“My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” [author’s comment]

One can imagine the conversation between Jesus and any given teacher when He examines their works. One teacher may say, “Lord, I studied all of the writings of Luther, and I patterned my teaching after his.” Another might say they followed Spurgeon. Many others may indicate the scholar or theologian that shaped their teaching. In response, Jesus might say, “Why did you not follow me?” After all, Jesus instructed the disciples to teach those they went to, everything He had told taught them (Matt 28:20).

With this in mind, since Jesus is the Word of God, teachers should teach from the Word of God, not from the writings of any given scholar or theologian. Said another way, the Word of God must be the primary source of teaching. The writings of others must only be allowed to shed light upon (illuminate) the truth of Scripture.

Therefore, apologists must use the rock-solid foundation of Scripture in forming their defense of Scripture. This approach is antithetical to the process taught by most institutions of higher learning as they call for citations of many scholars in defense of any argument. Ironically, it often seems that in the process of citing sources, the thoughts of so many obscure the intended message of the one true God. This is akin to not being able to see the forest for the trees.

Before leaving this point, consider this: James chapter 3, understood in context, disparages anyone becoming a teacher, or as James put it, ‘master.’ Close examination reveals that James is actually teaching that no one has the right to claim a superior teaching position to that of Christ. In other words, we are not to be teaching in our own name or the name of any other. Instead, we are to do exactly what Jesus told the disciples to do… teach Him. If we truly desire to defend the truth, we must, without hesitation, teach Jesus Christ, all of Him, to the lost who desperately need Him. After all, He alone is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), and His name is the only name under heaven whereby men must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Conclusion

Every Christian who apologizes, by offering their best defense of the gospel, should greatly desire to hear these words, ‘apology accepted.’ In fact, our greatest earthly desire must be to see the dead come to life. The alternative is unthinkable, for without the truth, the lost will be eternally separated from God. Therefore, may every apologetic Christian answer this call:

Calling all Christians… will you answer the call to be an apologist who studies God’s Word in order to mount a defense of the truth in a world that prefers lies? Will you engage in battle in a manner that is void of strife but full of love for the lost? Will you speak wisdom to the foolish in a way that establishes the fact that they have need of the Savior Jesus Christ? Will you be ready with this defense at any given time (instant in season and out of season, 2 Tim 4:2)? Finally, will you remain faithful until the very end?^[8]

If you answered yes to ‘all’ of these questions, welcome: Christian – Apologist – Evangelist.

Let us finish with a charge from arguably the greatest defender of the faith (apologist) to ever live, outside of Christ Himself, the Apostle Paul:

2 Timothy 4:1-5

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

Website: In His Commission

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[1] For greater understanding, see the article, “Watch – Warn – and Win Souls.”

[2] For greater understanding, see the article, “America: Once like David – Now like Cain.”

[3] Merriam Webster Dictionary, “Apologize.”

[4] From Answers in Genesis, “Apologetics.”

[5] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”

[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “While We Wait.”

[7] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Return of the Godless.”

[8] For greater understanding, see the article, “Help Us Lord – To Overcome.”

Psalm 27:13-14 “I had fainted, Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

My husband and I love to travel, but there are just some places that we would rather not visit due to the amount of depravity that is known to be at those particular locations. Nevertheless, this past year, we were given the opportunity to visit ‘Lost Wages’ for a work trip, so we took the offer despite our inner qualms about it. Of course, ‘Sin City’ did not disappoint! What with all the gross fumes of marijuana smoke wafting up into the air as we walked through the stinky plumes all along segments of the sidewalk strip. Not to mention the ladies who were undoubtedly younger than even our own daughters who were walking around practically naked, if not for their strategically covered outfits, if one could even call it that! All the while shamelessly flaunting themselves as if there were no Heavenly Father that can see them with His holy eyes of fire up above this openly wicked place!

Revelation 19:12 “His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.”

Even though we tried to make the most of our complimentary time there by eating at a fancy restaurant like the one next to the well-known fountains and opting to go see some of the more family-oriented performances and shows, even still, it was largely unenjoyable for us! My takeaway from not only hearing about this place for so long and after actual’ feet on the ground’ visiting there, for me it was more or less a huge ‘Nothing Burger’! Seriously?! Celebrities and people from all walks of life and from all around the world make a big ol’ deal about coming to this ‘much ado about nothing’ location as if it were totally ‘Living the High Life’?! (Insert incredulous stare)

The devil’s playground is no longer so-called fun for God’s children because once our spiritual eyes are opened, we see things through the lens of God’s wisdom and discernment! Therefore, we are able to perceive the true intention in indulgences like that and can avoid the inevitable outcome of such revelry because we now understand the nefarious nature of it all! It was also especially unappealing for us to have to walk by and see all of the drunkenness, suffer through all of the cigarette smoke, and make our way around all of the gambling that was going on even during normal daytime hours, and apparently all hours of the night as well!

Since ‘us children of the day’ like to go to bed at decent times, such as between 9-10 pm, and only like to go out and about during the daylight hours, needless to say, this party atmosphere for those of the night/darkness was definitely ‘not our cup of tea’! So much so, in fact, that we chose not to wait to fly back but instead opted to pay to fly back a whole day earlier! Yes, it was that unappealing! Upon arriving home, we vowed that next time, no matter if another trip is offered, if it is a place that we know we truly would not want to visit, we are not going to go regardless!

Between immoral places like that and all the depravity happening to our children these days, the economic and financial uncertainty/instability, the wars and rumors of wars, the toxins and poisons put into our air, water, food, and health care products, and on and on blatant corruption and never-ending cycle of ‘insane events’ goes – this world we live in is definitely not the ‘Land of the Living’ as described in the Bible! It is more like the land of the downright debased, the walking dead, the mindless zombies, the blatant liars, the all-out deceivers, and total evildoers, to be exact!

1 John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Just recently, I was doing some research on the death of an actor who I was pretty infatuated with back in the late 80s and early 90s. This person grew up living in places in the world such as Venezuela and Oregon but apparently ended up in California and was essentially ‘sold out as a child star’ to the Hellywood Industry.

If he had continued to live, he would have no doubt become more famous than some of the big-name actors of our time! Seeing how he was obviously living ‘without the sovereign protection and hand of God’ upon his life, he was, in turn, demonically lured to the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’! Sure enough, as soon as he was deceptively given a lethal cocktail to drink, he then indiscernibly guzzled this toxic mixture down and instantly became violently ill. He subsequently began convulsing out on the sidewalk in front of the street until his young heart gave out! Talk about an utter tragedy… yet evil stuff like this happens all the time in this ‘reality of living in the land of the walking dead’ that we call our world!

Mortifying, isn’t it?! Once again, like the great Psalmist said, “I had fainted unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living “… then the Psalmist goes on to say, “Wait on the LORD and be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart.” (((Sigh))). It is hard to wait on the LORD sometimes, isn’t it? Especially when we want to go HOME already! I remember looking up at the clouds and crying while driving home from work back in September 2015 because the rapture didn’t happen on this ‘particular prophesied day and time’ (information from a sensational YouTuber Channel, no doubt). Still, I sooo wanted to go home even back then! Every day my heart’s cry is still… Maranatha! (Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!)

Speaking of ‘death’ every time a person dies, I tend to look up what their beliefs were, and unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, they died as an utterly ‘lost person’ because they clearly did not put their trust in the LORD JESUS CHRIST! Instead, these ‘worldly people’ often laid their trust in false gods and idol worship, or they were into various religious cults or subscribed to all-out humanism. Interestingly enough, more often than not, search engines often claim them as having some sort of ‘Christianity,’ but their lives, social media posts, and how they lived it undeniably reveals otherwise!

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”

Recently, the idea that “Hell is not a real, physical place or one of eternal punishment” has come to the surface in our community, and I have to say that is a very dangerous idea, teaching, or suggestion on so many levels! One is that people are taught that it is not real or permanent or that they can ‘pay their way out’ (kind of like in the teaching of ‘purgatory,’ an unbiblical idea that one can supposedly ‘pay their dues or do their time’ then can get out sooner or later depending on several factors).

This kind of false teaching leads people to believe that they can ‘redeem themselves’ by relying on their own good works, or prayers of loved ones, or penance paid to get them out of Hell! This, in turn, indoctrinates these lost souls to not trust in or rely on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and in what He did on the cross as propitiation for our sins to satisfy God’s righteous standards to save us! All of which only helps to grease their inevitable slide and descent into Hell!

The absolute truth is this: Only GOD can save souls; we cannot! Only JESUS was the perfect and holy sacrifice; none of us can ever even remotely compare! Only JESUS is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE… certainly not us! If anything, please point people back to JESUS! He is the only way to the Father; there is no other way! This is the truth and nothing but!

2 Corinthians 4:18 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

The fact is that JESUS spoke about Hell many times in the Bible, and He did not mince words either! Therefore, Hell is a real place, more real than what we see in the here and now! For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal! Hell is also a place of outer darkness (separation from any hope of ever seeing or knowing God again), a place of bitter weeping and gnashing of teeth! Where their worm dieth not, where the fire is not quenched, where Hell, Death, the Beast, and the False Prophet will be thrown into the subsequent Lake of Fire for all of eternity, along with all those who died without JESUS as their Personal Savior! Those who did not trust in His precious blood to wash away their sins, those who did not rely on His Righteousness to vindicate them and instead relied on their own good works and trusted in themselves to be ‘good enough’ to enter into Heaven!

As if we could ever be good enough… for the Bible plainly states that no one is good (except for God), no, not one!

Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”

Is hell real? Is hell eternal? | GotQuestions.org

Another question that has been brought up in recent circles is: “Can the devil read our minds?” To which I responded that the devil is not ‘omnipresent.’ To which this person went on to say that the devil roams to and fro throughout the earth; therefore, he can read our minds. Inevitably, the correct answer is that the devil is a created being and is in no way ‘on par’ with Almighty God; therefore, no, he cannot read our minds. Only God has that authority and power. The devil and his minions are sure to study us and can ‘influence what we think,’ but the enemy is not omnipresent (everywhere at the same time); only God is!

Can Satan read our minds or know our thoughts? | GotQuestions.org

Excerpt from: Psalm 27:13 Commentaries: I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. (biblehub.com): Heaven, however, is still more properly termed the land of the living; where there is no more death; this earth being rather the land of the dying. And nothing is so effectual to keep the soul from fainting under the calamities of this present time as the believing hope of seeing the goodness of the Lord in that world, with foresights of those glories, and foretastes of those pleasures, which are for evermore. -End Source

I agree with the above Bible commentary; this present world is not the ‘Land of the Living’ but a place of death, dying, debauchery, and decay! (Side note: I still miss our 10-year-old ‘kitty cat son Dallas’ who passed away in June…. I hope we get to see all our pets in Heaven when we get there and even hear them reply and talk to us, too, like God allowed certain animals to do briefly in the Bible! It would be nice to hear Dallas (10), Callie (12), and Harley (12) say, “I missed you and am so happy to see you again!” For now, I ask our new 6-month-old ‘kitty cat daughter Jellybean’ how she is doing every morning. In response, she just runs around and plays in the curtains in our room and then races me down the hall as if she’s competing against me in the Olympics…. I think that means she had a good night’s sleep! Hopefully, in Heaven, she’ll be able to answer and tell me what she thinks.

“For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart/mind the things God has prepared for those who love HIM!”

Either way, Heaven (our real HOME with GOD) is the true ‘Land of the Living’ because His Word tells us that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, nor pain! Hallelujah to CHRIST JESUS forevermore!

Revelation 21:1-7 “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

Until next time… Maranatha!

Sincerely & In Christ,

Candy Austin

(I have no Accolades….
I am just a Nobody
trying to tell Everybody
about Somebody who
can save Anybody!)

https://youtu.be/_wCTQdmXkUg

My Mission is to be ‘Salt and Light’ to a lost and dying world.
To be an Ambassador for Jesus Christ.
All for Him and His Glory!