by Greg Tidwell

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

The deity of the Christ is seen in his unchanging nature, for only of God can we say: "... you are the same, and your years have no end" (Psalm 102:27, ESV). Jesus, being fully God, is the object of our worship and adoration. He is central in every aspect of our faith, defining what we believe and determining what we do.

Many problems arise when the church fails to honor and serve Christ in all things. Conversely, looking to Jesus, we find guidance for every aspect of our lives as Christians. If we want to improve, either individually or as a congregation, Jesus Christ provides an essential starting point.

Considering the unchanging nature of Christ, we see how this truth provides an essential support for our understanding of what God's people are to accomplish. As William Barclay observed:

"It is in the nature of things that all earthly leaders must come and go. They have their day and they lead their generation, and then they must pass from the scene. They have their part in the drama of life, and then the curtain comes down. But Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day and for ever. His preeminence is permanent; His leadership is for ever. And therein there lies the secret of earthly leadership. The real leader is the man who is led himself by Jesus Christ" (The Letter to the Hebrews, p.223).

How can we have confidence in the direction the church is headed? Only by looking to Jesus. He, in His unchanging nature, provides a constant assurance that we are on the right track.

When the church remains true to the Lord it can work through any difficulty. If we fail at this point, however, nothing else matters.

by Tim Hall

"I'm not afraid of Old Man Hanks. Why, I wouldn't be scared to run up to his house and knock on his door."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I dare you!"

Such conversations are common between young boys. Some are prone to making big boasts of what they can do, and others aren't slow to call their bluff. "I dare you" is another way of saying "Prove it!" Show me by your actions that your words are true.

God has issued challenges like that to us. But we're not the ones of whom he speaks; he speaks of himself. Yes, he has made bold claims. But before we can mutter our doubts about what he has promised, he urges us to "Prove it!"

In the days of the prophet Malachi, the people of Judah had lost faith in the promises of God. They brought inferior offerings to God instead of the best of their flocks. Their gifts fell short of the amount God had commanded. God responded with this challenge: "'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it'" (Malachi 3:10, NKJV). Those who had faith enough to do as God commanded would realize that God is always true to his word.

God's challenges extend to us as well. Just how much does God expect of us? Here's how Paul described it in Romans 12:1,2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ..." Reflect on those words and realize the awesome nature of the demand. God doesn't ask for a few hours of our weeks -- he asks for our entire lives! Why would anyone respond to that kind of calling?

The final words of the passage appeal to our faith: "... that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). God's will is good, acceptable (to us) and perfect. I often stand in pulpits and confidently proclaim that message. But in the final analysis, I can't prove that claim to you or to anyone else. You've got to prove it for yourself. And the only way to do that is to accept God's challenge and put him to the test.

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in him!" (Psalm 34:8) God dares you! Come give his will a try. Hold back nothing; throw yourself completely and unreservedly into his will. When you do -- and only when you give it everything you've got -- you will discover that God can indeed be trusted. Deceptive advertising didn't originate with him.