Richard Rogers

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Make Peace in a Conflict-torn World (May 5, 2025)

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

Regrettably, I can recall many times in my life when my words and actions contributed to conflict rather than helped to resolve it. However, we cannot dwell upon our past mistakes, but must count them as learning experiences and move forward, purposing not to repeat them. In a world teeming with division, discord, and dissent, we should be engaged in efforts to diffuse conflicts and promote peace in our relationships with other people. As Jesus Christ’s ambassadors to the world, Christians are called to be peacemakers!

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

Providing encouragement and commendable examples for us to follow are many biblical peacemakers. Joseph forgave his jealous brothers who had sold him into Egyptian slavery, saying what they’d intended for evil, God meant for good. Jonathan sought to make peace between his jealous father, King Saul, and his best friend and rising young heir to the throne of Israel, David. The Apostle Paul went from being a zealous persecutor of Christians to passionately seeking their salvation as one of the greatest evangelists of all time.

“Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11)

History’s ultimate example, of course, is Jesus Christ whose peacemaking efforts are at the heart of the central theme of mankind’s redemption that runs throughout the Bible. Jesus became God incarnate and ended His earthly ministry by shedding His blood to pay the price to restore peace between a rebellious human race and a righteous God of grace. Among the Beatitudes, the eight blessings pronounced by Christ during His powerful Sermon on the Mount, was His call to Christians to be peacemakers and to reap an ultimate accompanying reward!

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

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Tested by Trials (April 23, 2025)

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We all face troubles, trials, and temptations in our lives! Personal hardships are an integral part of living in an imperfect world corrupted by sin. No one looks forward to these trying seasons, but we know they will come. Christians are certainly not exempt from painful afflictions. In fact, Jesus told His disciples to expect tribulation. In a worldly society where God’s Word is increasingly compromised and Christianity marginalized, followers of Jesus Christ are also confronted with ridicule, injustice, and in many parts of the world, extreme persecution. Hardships are an inevitable test of our faith, but believers must claim the promise of a faithful God to work even the most difficult circumstances we face to our ultimate benefit.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials;” (James 1:2).

It’s contrary to our human nature, but believers are instructed to rejoice in the midst of suffering, knowing a sovereign God is in control. Rather than complain and pass blame, we should seek to profit from our trials! Trusting in biblical teaching that God weaves the circumstances, good and bad, of those who love and seek to do His will into a pattern of overall good, we can expect long-term value from the adversities we endure. When Christians respond properly to difficulties and focus on God rather than our troubles, we position ourselves to grow spiritually and become more Christlike servants to God and each other. The rewards for faithfulness to the LORD in the valleys as well as atop the mountains of life are enormous, here and hereafter.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation (being put to the test); for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

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The Symbolism of the Cross (April 18, 2025)

Representing the hope of everlasting life that is offered to all who trust in Jesus Christ, the cross is the most prominent symbol of Easter and Christianity. First, the Cross of Christ is a symbol of our Savior’s suffering. We cannot comprehend the excruciating pain and shame that Jesus endured at Calvary for you and me. He was brutally beaten, whipped, spat upon, scourged, insulted, mocked, and disfigured. Our LORD’s body was pierced for our sake—a crown of thorns was thrust into His head, penetrating flesh to the skull, and iron spikes nailed Him and our sins to that tree, causing Christ unbearable agony. Jesus’ suffering on that rugged cross was unimaginable. He did it for us; He did it out of love for you and me!

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

The cross is also symbolic of Christ’s servanthood! Jesus performed the greatest act of service in human history when He suffered and died to obediently fulfill the purpose for which God the Father sent His beloved and only begotten Son into this sin-scarred world -- not to condemn, but to save humanity. Separated from our just and righteous heavenly Father by our sins, Jesus rescued us from the grip of spiritual death and gave all who believe in Him the assurance of an eternal heavenly home after our earthly lives. Christ became the supreme servant because God wills that none should perish in hell and be forever separated from His presence. Jesus willingly did it for us; He did it out of love for you and me!

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7)

Above all, the cross is the symbol of our salvation as believers! When Jesus declared in agony before He died: “It is finished.” (John 19:3, He proclaimed the faithful completion of the sacrificial work His Father had sent Him to do. Jesus paid in full the sin debt owed by mankind, converting the cross from a symbol of suffering and servanthood to a redemptive bridge that spans the gulf separating lost souls from a righteous God. Christ reconciled all who choose to turn from their sins in repentance to the heavenly Father for forgiveness, liberating them from the penalty of death, the consequence of sin. Jesus shed His blood on that cross to secure our eternal salvation. He did it for us; He did it out of love for you and me!

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

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The Name that Saves! (April 11, 2025)

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

It is the most precious, priceless, prominent, and powerful name ever spoken! It is the sweetest name that can grace human lips and warm our hearts. It is the most honorable and glorious name ever conceived. Indescribably beautiful, it is the name above all names—Jesus Christ! This magnificent name is all-encompassing. The matchless name of Jesus signifies the gentleness of an autumn breeze caressing the petals of a lovely flower kissed by the rays of a radian sun. Yet this most exalted of names speaks of the awesome power that created the universe, laid the foundation of the world, and placed the stars in the sky. The name of Jesus is synonymous with love, light, and life! Above all others, uniquely, Jesus is the name that saves!

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Distinguishing the most remarkable and influential person to ever trod the earth, this is the matchless name that we should seek to honor and glorify by the way we live each day. All that we think, say, and do should flow from a genuine love for Jesus, a grateful appreciation for what He has done for us, and an earnest desire to proclaim our LORD’s majestic name to others. For salvation, it is imperative that we call upon the name and embrace the person of Jesus Christ, exclusively by faith in Whom God offers us His grace and His precious gift of eternal life. The heavenly Father has given all authority to His beloved Son, setting the name of Jesus Christ above all others. By earnestly acknowledging His name, even the vilest of sinners will be saved!

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

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Persevere When Persecuted (April 8, 2025)

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Walking by faith in Jesus Christ is the only route to abundant and eternal life, but the Christian lifestyle is far from a cakewalk. We live in an age when moral standards are rapidly plummeting; God’s Word is being compromised, if not altogether rejected; and the multitudes are pursuing the pleasures and passions of the material world rather than laying up heavenly treasures by building spiritually life-saving personal relationships with Christ. In a nation founded on Christian principles and godly values, the followers of Christ in America are increasingly ridiculed, derided, and scorned. Far worse off than us, practitioners of the Christian faith in many other parts of the world are severely persecuted, ostracized, and brutally murdered.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

Persecution is part and parcel of living for Christ. The persecution of Christians has been evident since the earliest days of the church. As born-again believers who seek to model Jesus’ earthly example of love and service, we can expect to suffer some form of persecution, and we’d better be prepared for this testing of our faith. It takes real courage to stand up for our Christian beliefs and defend our faith in a fallen world and secular society where evil and injustice prevail. As Christians true to our faith, however, we must boldly persevere with humility, grace, and love to fulfill Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel and make new disciples. Encouragingly, we can rest assured that those who suffer persecution for Christ’s sake will be richly rewarded in eternity!

Jesus promised: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)