The newspaper business is changing. Some people must put in extra effort to keep up with me each week.

Two weeks ago, I asked people to send me an email if they are still reading Friday’s Word.

I was encouraged by the number of responses.

If you did not respond then, I invite your response now. Let me know you are there. Thanks.

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I know my preaching can sometimes shock people.

Last week, I said that God did not kill the first-born sons of the Egyptians in the time of Moses.

God does not kill children, not even the children of our enemies.

How do we know that?

Jesus told us so.

He said we are to love our enemies.

Do good to those who do bad to us.

Why?

Because that is what God does. God loves all of us.

So, simple rule of thumb: God does not kill children.

Let me push you further: Any preacher who tells you God killed the first-born of the Egyptians does not yet understand Jesus.

And—yes—I know!

Most preachers will say God killed those children.

But those preachers are ignoring Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus forbids vengeance of any kind.

Jesus begins Matthew 5:38-45 by deliberately contradicting a passage of scripture from the Old Testament.

We must let him do that.

We must let Jesus be Lord of the scriptures.

We must give him the final word.

What I am saying here is not shocking.

But this is:

Many Christians worship the Bible and ignore Jesus.

And that’s a problem.

Drop me that email.