Just because we go through difficult times, that does not mean that we are not Christian.
In 2 Corinthians 6:10, the apostle Paul says that he was sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. That means in the world, having all the reasons naturally to be sorrowful, yet he was rejoicing. He was poor, yet he himself made many rich. The blessing of the Lord adds wealth and riches, and brings no sorrow to it. It does not include financial richness alone. Paul continues to say that he had nothing, yet he possessed everything.
In Philippians 4:17–19, Paul explains that he does not lack anything except the things given by others, which God will give back. It is not that believers do not understand the gravity of the situation, or that they are aloof, in la-la land, or out of touch with reality. Rather, believers are called to overcome. Overcoming through trust in God is seen even in the Old Covenant. In the New Covenant with Christ, the Holy Spirit teaches us all things.
The Bible is not surprised by the presence of unregenerate individuals in the church. In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke about the wheat and the tares in the church. They go through all the motions, but they do not have hope in Christ. They may follow what the Old Testament says and trust in God, but they lack a relationship with Christ. Furthermore, even leaders who lead the church may not be born again. In 2 Corinthians 11:13, the scripture addresses false apostles and deceitful workers, noting that Satan appears as an angel of light and preaches another gospel.
This distinction highlights why the New Covenant makes all the difference. Psalm 19:1–2 describes how the heavens declare the glory of the Lord and night unto night reveals knowledge. While that remains true, John 1:14 reveals that the Word through which everything was created became flesh and dwelt among us, allowing us to behold His glory full of grace and truth. In Hebrews, it is written that God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament, but in these last days, He has spoken through His Son, who is the express image of His person and upholds all things by the word of His power. Jesus Christ is the culmination and fulfillment of that glory.
Under the New Covenant, believers do not have to stay up all night to gain knowledge because the Holy Spirit teaches all things. Luke 12:12 states that the Holy Spirit will teach believers in that very hour what to say. In John 16:12–13, Jesus stated that the Holy Spirit would guide believers into truth. This spiritual wisdom grants believers a clear understanding of situations and spiritual realities.
Colossians 1:27 highlights “Christ in you, the hope of glory”. Believers carry the helmet of salvation mentioned in Ephesians 6:17 to protect their minds. As noted in Philippians 4:7, the peace of God guarding hearts and minds surpasses all understanding. When believers fall short, God does not condemn them; failure does not define a person’s identity.
In Psalm 35:11–14, David describes fasting and praying for his enemies, noting that his prayer returned to his own heart. In contrast, Philippians 4:6–7 instructs believers in the New Covenant to make their requests known directly to God, resulting in His peace. Similarly, in Job 1:21, Job attributed his loss directly to God because he could not see into the spiritual realm. Under the New Covenant, believers possess authority and are not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). First Corinthians 2:9–10 explains that God reveals His deep things to believers through His Spirit.
Romans 5:5 affirms that hope does not disappoint because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Believers approach God not as begging slaves, but with the confidence of children. First John 2:1–2 explains that if anyone sins, believers have an Advocate—Jesus Christ the righteous—who is the propitiation for our sins. First Peter 3:15–16 encourages believers to always be ready to give a defense for the reason for their hope with meekness and fear.
When dealing with enemies, Romans 12:17–21 teaches not to repay evil for evil, but to feed hungry enemies and give them drink, thereby heaping coals of fire on their heads. Connecting this to Isaiah 6:6–7—where a burning coal touched Isaiah’s lips to purge his sin—heaping coals represents a spiritual cleansing that opens the door to repentance. Believers are called to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6) by loving enemies and praying for persecutors (Matthew 5:44–48). Proverbs 16:7 notes that when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
In John’s gospel, Jesus invited those who are weary to come to Him for rest. Before the cross, humanity was at enmity with Him, but through the cross, believers are reconciled and given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). Believers are called to pray for, forgive, and bless those who offend them. The burning coal touches and cleanses, and when a person is right with God, He acts as an umbrella of protection.
Believers must decide to renew their minds in the Word of God rather than follow the ways of the world. As Jesus stated in Matthew 6:33, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ensures that all necessary things will be added. Believers are encouraged to leave behind selfishness, count the cost, and walk in peace, hope, and love through Christ.
The Two Covenants: Explores the shift from God’s glory revealed externally through creation in the Old Testament to His glory revealed personally in Jesus Christ and through the indwelling Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
Role of the Holy Spirit: Emphasizes real-time spiritual guidance and awareness, contrasting Job’s lack of spiritual insight with the New Covenant understanding of spiritual authority over the adversary. A practical example of personal financial guidance (tax handling) illustrates the Holy Spirit’s daily direction.
The Armor of Hope: Details Christ in the believer as the foundation of hope, standardizing Jesus as the Advocate (propitiation) so that believers approach God as children rather than servants.
A New Way to Pray: Differentiates David’s prayer returning to his own heart from the New Covenant practice of directing requests straight to God to receive supernatural peace.
Heaping Coals of Fire: Re-interprets the hot coal image from Romans 12 and Isaiah 6 as an act of radical love meant for spiritual cleansing and reconciliation rather than retribution.