God wants us to internalize His law—to obey, not just in letter, but in spirit. He wants His way of life to become who we are on the inside. If we allow hate or bitterness to linger, we construct a stronghold, brick by brick. It can lead to arguments, gossip, slander—even betrayal or violence. Allowing these strongholds to remain is sin, even if we never act on them outwardly. The sobering reality is that only God knows how many strongholds reside within each of us. That’s why He commands us to tear them down. With His help, we can crucify the old man and replace him with Christ living in us. As Paul said in Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: neverthe - less I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me... Hold On to Your First Love How we view our calling plays a major role in defeating the inside man. God’s calling is a miracle—a divine intervention. It must never become a hobby or mere tradition. Many in the Church today are second, third, or even fourth-generation Christians. The danger of seeing this way of life as “just something we do” is very real. If we ever find ourselves drifting into apathy, we must return to the foundation. Prove the truth again. Prove this way of life again. We are told to “contend for the faith once delivered” and to “work out our own salva- tion with fear and trembling.” We must live this way not just out of familiarity, but out of deep conviction that this is the way—the only way to true peace, joy, and lasting love. God didn’t need us. He could have remained with the Word and the angels, lacking noth- ing. Yet He created a physical world, estab- lished laws, and formed us—so He could share His glorious way of life.
And yet, how often do people break His laws, reject His truth, or even deny His existence? We must long to serve the God who has done—and continues to do—so much for us. We must want to become like Him: to speak His words, love as He loves, and reflect His mind in all we do. This is our first love. We must never let it fade, no matter how many years it’s been since we were first called. More Than Words Growing up in the Church of God I remember hearing the Young Ambassadors sing, “We Are Family.” That phrase was every- where—even printed on magazine covers. Does our outward appearance reflect who we truly are inside? But after Mr. Armstrong’s death in 1986, I saw how quickly things changed. My family left the Church due to the doctrinal shifts, and people who had once fellowshipped together suddenly pretended not to know each other. I remember waving at familiar faces—only to be ignored. At ten years old, I didn’t fully grasp the cause of the division. But the experience left a lasting impression. For many, “we are family” had become just words—feel-good sen- timents that lacked substance when tested. Now, nearly 40 years later, we must ask: Are they still just words? Many have had painful Church experiences. Some have closed themselves off to avoid being hurt again. That’s understandable— but that’s exactly what Satan wants. Instead, we must choose to love, encourage, and edify one another. Life isn’t perfect. Disagreements will happen. But we must rely on God’s way to resolve them. If a brother or sister wrongs you, go to them. Clear the air. Forgive. Don’t rehearse the hurt—resolve it. We know trials lie ahead. God’s people will need each other more than ever. Continued on page 11
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