Requirements for Salvation

Posted on November 3, 2026November 3, 2026 by Chaplain John

When Jesus was questioned about what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22:34-40, He answered so much at the same time. Matthew writes, “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV).

There are some who point to John 3:16 and say we need to believe in Jesus. To claim belief in Jesus, one first needs to research the Greek word “πιστεύω” for the “belief” used in John 3:16. The Greek Strong’s Number is 4100, which translates into a combination of English words: Belief, Believe, Believers, Commit, Commission, Entrust, and Trust. Since this is a combination and not a choice of these words, this matches what Jesus said in the greatest commandment.

Once someone believes in Jesus and loves the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, you will be building a relationship with the Holy Trinity. This relationship starts with communication, as with any relationship. Communication with God includes reading His love letters to you, also known as the Bible. To understand the Bible and God’s instructions for you can only be done through prayer. Once someone is doing the above, they start to read Scripture, which gives them the details on how to accomplish such things; they find the words to be in a church body, or communion of saints. This allows them to support others and to be supported by others.

John writes about the Vine and branches in John 15:1-17: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). When a Christian is constantly checking in with God to determine what the instructions are and how to be obedient, they are building a relationship with God. When the Holy Spirit nudges them to care for the weak in the community, they have accomplished the goals of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31-46. When the Holy Spirit tells them how to spread the word of the Gospel, they are following the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20.

When the author served in the United States Marine Corps, they were asked to be willing to lay their life down for their country. Matthew wrote, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NIV). As Marines, we did not always have to die for the country, but we were willing. The same with Jesus. The Apostle John was not martyred, but was willing if it was requested of him. When a military person dies in battle, they earn a Purple Heart. When a believer dies in battle against the evil one, they inherit eternity with Jesus.

The final answer. Many say I cannot do all that, because I am weak and a sinner. Jesus knows and is rather asking us to be obedient rather than perfect. In so doing, before, during, and after entering battle against the evil one, pray to the Holy Spirit for strength. You will fall, as all the apostles have done, and Jesus asks us to humbly confess our mistakes.

Please feel free to ask questions.

May God share His love with you,

Chaplain John

Why Is There Evil and Suffering in our loving God’s world?

Posted on October 7, 2026October 7, 2026 by Chaplain John

When we look around, we see beautiful sunsets, majestic galaxies, and wondrous creatures from God’s creation. We also get to share the love of God with others and receive His love. Many Christians and non-believers ask: “Since our loving God is all-knowing, how could He allow evil and suffering in this world?” After all, when we turn on the news, we hear about wars, abortions, school mass killings, greed, sexual sins, and so much more.

Isaiah writes about Satan falling and being cast down to earth (Isaiah 14:12-15, 2011, New International Version). Satan fell from heaven and is going to hell. Satan wants to take you with him to hell. Jesus wants to save you from the grips of Satan and hell. Jesus is offering an opportunity to go to heaven. Jesus briefly describes our choice of who we want to spend eternity with. Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, New International Version).

Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son, and the boy’s desire to get away from his loving family he thought had too many rules (Luke 16:11-32, New International Version). Just as the devil played mind games with the prodigal son, telling him he deserved his own freedom, the devil plays that same game with everyone. While “Beelzebul” implies pagan association and is thus more amenable to the scribes’ aims, to speak of “Satan” reframes the context in spiritual terms, with Jesus’s power explained in the context of his cosmic battle against God’s enemy.[1] Satan wants to trick you just like he did with the prodigal son. Without experiencing or witnessing the evil and suffering Satan has caused through his hate, one would not be able to describe it. In some ways, this is like attempting to describe an emotion you never experienced.

The Israelites did not appreciate slavery under the Egyptians. Once they were freed from the Pharaoh and Egypt, they understood both slavery and freedom. The Israelites now celebrate the Passover every year. Joshua questions the Israelites, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15, New International Version). God is also asking His people the same question, and we need to determine who to follow.

If choosing who to follow and spend eternity with, we first need to understand who they are and what their tendencies are. Patricia Snow writes, “If the devil's best trick is said to be convincing people he doesn't exist, the postconciliar Church collaborated in the deception.”[2] Let us look at the question of the evil Satan has caused in the world a little closer. Satan shows us his evil in attempts to bring people to hell. The amazing part is that the Deceiver then tells people to blame God because of what he, Satan, has done. The sad truth is people then follow Satan because they say they hate the evil of the world that Satan has caused.

Christians also have stories of bondage in addiction to sin. The devil and other sinners introduce them to the bondage of addiction. Once they turn to God and follow God’s instructions, they are freed from the addiction. With the new freedom through God, the new person made whole by God can now share their experience with others. Paul wrote about problems and trials and how it makes God’s people stronger (Romans 5:3-4, New International Version). God can turn Satan's evil into something good. Paul writes, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, New International Version). You have seen the love which comes from our Almighty God. You have also witnessed pure evil from the devil directly or indirectly. This provides a glimpse of the love of Jesus when He laid His life down for your salvation. And you have seen just a small glimpse of the evil and hate from Satan. Feel blessed that God is giving the world a glimpse of heaven and hell before making a choice. There is much more love from God and much more hate from Satan. It is time to determine where you want to spend eternity.
Chaplain John

Bibliography

Otten, Jeremy D. 2023. "The Devil in the Details: Beelzebul and Social Identity Complexity in Mark 3:20–35" Religions 14, no. 8: 1070. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081070.

Snow, Patricia. “Satan Unbound: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life,” First Things no. 328 (December 1, 2022).

[1] Jeremy D. Otten, "The Devil in the Details: Beelzebul and Social Identity Complexity in Mark 3:20–35," Religions (Aug 2023), https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081070.

[2] Patricia Snow, “Satan Unbound: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life,” First Things no. 328 (December 1, 2022), https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/satan-unbound/docview/2737177507/se-2.

Praying to God

Posted on July 11, 2026July 11, 2026 by Chaplain John

Hi brothers and sisters in Christ, If you know the power of prayer yet still find it difficult to pray, you are not alone. Even the twelve apostles struggled with prayer and humbly asked Jesus to teach them. Their request reminds us that prayer is a journey of growth, and we can confidently look to Christ for guidance and strength.

Jesus understood that prayer does not always come naturally. When His disciples struggled with how to pray, they asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray." In response, Jesus gave them the Lord's Prayer as a model, showing them the essential elements of a meaningful conversation with God.

Another helpful guide for prayer is the acronym ACTS, which provides a simple framework for developing a balanced and heartfelt prayer life:

A – Adoration: Praise God for who He is—His holiness, love, power, mercy, and faithfulness.

C – Confession: Humbly acknowledge your sins and shortcomings, asking God for His forgiveness and cleansing.

T – Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for God's blessings, His provision, answered prayers, and His constant presence in your life.

S – Supplication: Bring your requests before God, praying for your own needs as well as the needs of others.

Whether you use the Lord's Prayer or the ACTS model, remember that prayer is not about finding the perfect words. It is about developing a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father, who loves you, hears you, and delights in spending time with you. If you have any thoughts on prayer, please feel free to share them. May the love of God be with you, Chaplain John