The Man Who Changed The World

Jesus did not just change the world, He altered history, caused the rise and fall of nations and effected the eternal existence of billions of souls. – Clint Decker

Johaness Gutenberg, a German inventor, built a printing press in the mid-1400s that historians say brought about an “information age.” In 1455 he printed Europe’s first-ever book, a Bible. The printing press changed the world. (Image by Unsplash)

The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, and provided a unique system of government unknown to any nation on earth. The opening lines of the constitution state, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." The founding of the United States changed the world.

Though these are consequential events in world history, neither has impacted humankind like the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. He did not just change the world, He altered history, has caused the rise and fall of nations and effected the eternal existence of billions of souls.

The incarnation of Jesus occurred in Israel between 6 and 4 B.C. According to Webster’s dictionary, incarnation is a word that describes “the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthy form.” In particular, it refers to the birth of Christ, when the Lord God took on human form and became one of us. This is called the Doctrine of the Incarnation. It is said of Jesus “…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) The incarnation is the moment in history when the God who made the heavens and the earth, made Himself a simple and normal looking man who came to live among us, in order to reveal who He is and deliver the world’s most important message directly to us.

The resurrection of Jesus took place outside of Jerusalem about 33 A.D. Before this miracle, day’s earlier Jesus was arrested and tried by authorities on false charges of blasphemy. The high priest demanded of Him saying, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” (Matthew 26:63) When Jesus told them the truth, they responded with rage, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.” (Matt. 26:64), Subsequently they immediately ordered the sentence of death upon Him. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion, history records as Good Friday, where He died a sacrificial death for the sins of all humanity; past, present and future. Then for three days He lay in a borrowed tomb. But early on Sunday morning, history’s most renowned miracle took place. Jesus had risen Himself from the dead and walked out of His tomb. He is alive and still is today!

Why is Jesus’ incarnation and resurrection the most monumental events in world history? Why is Jesus the most significant person to ever walk the earth? Jesus own words confidently and boldly state why, because “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (Jn 14:6).

Jesus declared He is the way. All mankind is searching for meaning, purpose and direction. Jesus says to the whole world, “Come, follow me.”

Jesus declared He is the truth. Everyone longs to know what is right and wrong and how to live a life free from guilt and shame. Jesus is the standard for truth, balancing the scales of justice and raising up high the banner for holiness in an unholy and evil world.

Jesus declared He is the life. Every man and woman hungers for the intangible things that money, power and success can never buy – life, real life. Jesus proved He is the source and giver of real and lasting life.

A prayer for you – Lord God, help us to see Jesus as more than a good man. More than a moral teacher. Let us see Him as the Son of the living God who died and rose again that we might have new life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who is The World’s Most Polarizing Figure?

From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. – Clint Decker

It is not who you might think. A local news outlet in Campbell County, Kentucky, reported that in 2024, graduating high school senior, Micah Price, told his classmates at the beginning of his commencement address, “the honor, the praise and the glory [goes] to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the light, He is the way, the truth and the life. Class, [and] everyone in the audience today, I’m here to tell you if you don’t have any of those things in your life, you can’t seem to find the answer, my Lord and Savior is your answer. He will give you the truth, the way and the life.” Then Micah proceeded with the rest of his speech, sat down and the program continued. However, as students were receiving their diploma, things were different for Him. The Superintendent withheld giving it to Micah. Why? One mention of Jesus’ the school district okayed, but when Micah went off script talking further about Him that was not okay. (Image by Pixabay)

David Limbaugh, the author of Persecution put it in very simple terms, "Jesus is offensive." Jesus Himself explained this by saying, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before…you." (John 15:18). From the moment of His birth to the present, Jesus has consistently topped the Who's Who List for the world's most polarizing figure. On the one hand, every Sunday, including the seasons of Christmas and Easter millions gather to worship and adore Jesus as Savior and Lord. But on the other hand, there are nations across the globe where His followers are imprisoned, killed or culturally ostracized.

What is so offensive about Him? His name. Strong’s Lexicon states the Hebrew origin of Jesus’ name as meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” This communicates how Jesus is Redeemer and Savior. Peter, one of Jesus’ key Apostles declared, “…there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) Jesus said of Himself, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) This naturally leads us to ask, “What has Jesus come to save us from?”

When mankind was created by God, we were made perfect and walked in a beautiful relationship with Him. But then we disobeyed God, became separated from Him and came under a curse. It causes all humanity to be born with a bent toward evil, pride and selfishness. Consequently, we are subject to the Lord God’s anger. However, due to our Creators grace and mercy He did not leave us to ourselves. On Christmas Day we celebrate how He sent His only Son to save us from our waywardness. On Good Friday, we remember that He sacrificed His life for all our wrongs, and on Easter Sunday we recognize that He rose from the grave conquering Satan, evil and the darkness within us. His victory over death has become our victory too.

Jesus is offensive because many view themselves as generally good and reject His message that they need saving from sin. Therefore, when our moral failings are pointed out, it becomes a point of contention. He is also offensive due to His teachings of exclusivity claiming that “He is the only way to God,” that “Jesus is the only Savior” and that “Forgiveness can only come through Him.” In a world of many religions and spiritual options, these messages of Christ offend. Jesus is also rejected because of His divine justice. When He speaks of hell and the judgement of God coming upon those who refuse Him, it is uncomfortable.

What will you do with Jesus? One day He will bring the whole world to its knees. The Scripture says, "God has highly exalted him…so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…" (Philippians 2:9,10,11) Today seek Him, know Him and receive Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray people will come before you with their questions or objections about Jesus. And may they see Him high and lifted up above all others and recognize their need for Him as Savior and Lord. In His holy name. Amen.

God’s Message to The Atheist and Agnostic

I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going. 

                                      – Woody Allen

Legendary filmmaker Woody Allen has written and directed nearly 60 films and won four Academy Awards. In 2010 he released the film, “You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.” Dave Itzkoff, a New York Times columnist, interviewed Allen about the film and his life. Itzkoff noted the supernatural is important to the movie, which opened the door for Allen to comment about his view of faith. Allen said, “I was interested in the concept of faith in something. This sounds so bleak when I say it, but we need some delusions to keep us going.” Allen is not alone in his sentiments. The Gallup organization conducted a religious survey finding that more Americans agree with Allen today than they did nearly 70 years ago. In 1956 96% of U.S citizens identified with the Christian faith. Since then, that number has plummeted to 68%. In 1954 0% of Americans considered themselves atheists, agnostics or people who just simply were not religious. However, for the last seven decades the number has skyrocketed with 22% claiming that spot. (Image by Unsplash)

For Allen and the growing number of Americans that view religion as not important or delusional, they have it backwards. Having no faith in God and putting faith primarily in oneself is the ultimate delusion. It is a grave mistake to believe that all you need is yourself – your own goodness, education, wealth or personal effort. The wisdom writings in the Bible address this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5) It is also eternally dangerous to believe God does not exist. The Bible strongly states, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1)

Throughout history there have always been people that did not believe in the Lord God. Either they did not believe in any god or believed in a different and false god. The position of Allen is nothing new.

Throughout history how has the one who made the heavens and the earth responded to such deeply held views? Has He turned His back on them and refused to engage at all or lashed out in anger? Not at all. God Himself says to the atheist, agnostic and all who do not trust Him, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) When God says “reason together” it means He is intentionally reaching out to help you understand Him.

How is He doing that? Through His Son. He has revealed Himself in Jesus, who stated very clearly for those wondering who He was and who God is, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:44-45) Do you want to know if God exists? Look at Jesus.

Christians talk much about the death and resurrection of Jesus. What does it reveal about God? It is written that Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Is. 53:5) In the face of your arguments against God, He sees within you a sickness that comes from a life of sinful choices, and while you debate against Him, He has sacrificed Himself on a cross that you might have His perfect peace.

Woody Allen commented on death in his interview, “I’ve experienced that thing where you wake up in the middle of the night and you start to think about your own mortality and envision it, and it gives you a little shiver.” In the face of death and dying the Lord God points all people to His unique Son who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." (Jn. 11:25-26).

A prayer for you – Lord God, some may wonder if you exist. Today, reveal yourself to them through your unique Son. Let them see who you are in His teaching, miracles, signs and wonders. In His holy name. Amen.

The Battle for Moral Truth

The battles we face today are fact versus feeling, reality versus idealism and truth versus lies. – Clint Decker

A university student once listened to his professor give an unplanned lecture on why God does not exist, then afterwards he asked the students to write a paper on the question, “Does God exist?” The Christian student felt if he wrote a dissenting viewpoint, it could cost him a good grade. (Image by Unsplash)

An employee was working late one night when he witnessed his manager swipe some cash from the company safe. The manager spotted him, then instructed him to keep quiet about it. The next morning when the owner discovered the cash was missing, he told employees to come forward with any information. The employee wrestled with what to do, feeling he could not betray his boss who had been so good to him.

A young woman was asked out for a date by a charming and handsome young man. As the evening progressed, she felt such a connection with him, feeling like he was the perfect guy. While they were having conversation during dinner though, she noticed how he asked their server for his third beer. She knew about the dangers of alcohol all too well, as she had dealt with alcohol abuse in her family.

A pastor was once asked to share a message on what the Bible says about abortion. However, he knew there were at least two women in the congregation who had abortions and was concerned how they might feel about such a message.

The battle for moral truth is a war zone, and it becomes intensified when the truth conflicts with our feelings for others. The battles are fact versus feeling, reality versus idealism and truth versus lies. These struggles are the grounds for building a life of courage or ruining a life because of cowardice.

Jesus is our prime example for learning how to courageously stand for truth under fire.

Once some religious leaders approached Jesus to ask Him an accusatory question, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Matthew 15:2) To which Jesus immediately turned the tables and asked them, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3) It was more of a rhetorical question, as Jesus did not give them an opportunity to answer. Instead, He publicly charged them in a bold rebuke saying, “…you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites!” (Matt. 15:6,7)

It was such a startling and concerning exchange that the disciples approached Jesus privately and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” (Matt. 15:12) How did Jesus respond to the concerns of His disciples? He did not back down or apologize at all. Rather he stated, “Leave them; they are blind guides.” (Matt. 15:14)

The charge the disciples made toward Jesus was serious. They were saying He was being a spiritual stumbling block to the religious leader’s relationship with God. Their question revealed how they had a greater concern for the Pharisees than for the truth of Jesus. This is the problem with our culture. We have equated feelings to the same level as truth, and if the truth is offensive to others we might go so far as to reinterpret the Bible to our liking, or just ignore it all together.

When we are not honest with people and dance around the truth, it is the greatest disservice we could ever do toward someone. Even though we may have avoided conflict, we have put their life and soul in jeopardy.

Conversely, when we speak the truth, is the most kind, gracious, humble, loving and compassionate thing you could ever do for someone in the eyes of God, regardless of their response and regardless of what happens to you.

Jesus once said, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (Luke 7:23)

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help us to be more concerned about the souls of others, than the feelings of others. Help us to never fear speaking your holy truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.