The Christian’s pursuit

A blinded and humbled man fell before the voice of the Author of life. The soul-piercing question echoes through the ages, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul’s persecutions had begun with the violent stoning of Stephen, and resulted in the scattering of Christians (Acts 8:1-3).

Saul wasn’t satisfied with mere intimidation, he ravaged the church. Later, he would reveal that it was his intent to destroy the church of God through violence (Galatians 1:13). Not content with dispersing believers, in his raging fury, he persecuted Christians to foreign cities (Acts 26:11). It is here, on the road to Damascus, that his pursuit of violence led to a pursuit of peace.

“Persecute” and “pursue” both find their origins in the same Greek term, διώκω (dioko). Forty-three of its 58 occurrences are clearly negative, referring to some form of persecution. But 10 times it is used positively. Four times the Christian is told to pursue peace (Romans 14:19; 2 Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 3:11). Three times we are instructed to pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Two times we are commanded to pursue righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22). Faith or faithfulness is also mentioned twice in those same passages. Steadfastness, gentleness, hospitality, holiness, and doing good also are to be sought.

It is clear that the Christian lifestyle is not a passive one. We cannot hope to become like Christ while putting forth minimal effort. BDAG describes διώκω in part, “to move rapidly and decisively toward an objective.”/1 We are to seek these Christ-like qualities with the same decisiveness and devotion as Saul had toward the destruction of the Way.

It is also clear that these pursuits are life-long and essential. Notice how the Holy Spirit encourages the faint-hearted Hebrews, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14 ESV).

Following Paul’s encounter with Jesus, and his calling upon the Lord’s name (Acts 22:16), the apostle’s life changed. Instead of heeding the call of violence in persecution, Paul pursued “the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

What is it that you are pursuing?

__________

1/ William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 254.

Lee Parish

1. Stick with the Word

Some saints want to show themselves to be intelligent by dabbling in the philosophies of the world, the theologies of the denominations, or the politics of the nations. But the world has more than enough of these. Our message has to distinguish itself clearly from all these. We preach an almighty God whose love encompasses all of history and who glory has revealed itself in terms we can grasp. From creation we move quickly to the Book of Life, whose final author knows us better than we know ourselves. The Bible is the best argument for God’s existence. His power lives in it and from it people can be convicted of the truth.

How do we stick with the Word?

• Read it often, memorize its pages, live its truths.
• Be taught by God’s teachers, don’t miss a single opportunity to study.
• Teach it at every opportunity to those in Christ and to those outside.

It’s the Ezra approach: “Now Ezra had dedicated himself to the study of the law of the Lord, to its observance, and to teaching its statutes and judgments in Israel” Ezra 7.10.

2. Be the people of God

The world is full of hate. The people of God show a superior path, where love reigns and where each looks to the interest of others. The doctrine of love is what the world must hear and see first. Not even denominations who profess to be the church can show love because, to exist, each one must proclaim its superiority over the other factions.

Christ’s followers must distance themselves in every way from such groups. We must do whatever necessary to avoid even looking like them. First impressions are important. People often will not give us a second chance. Our best foot forward is the acceptance in Christ of every single human being, whom God welcomes with open arms, when one shows faith and obedience. Otherwise, the walls of sin remain to block access to God. But the invitation remains open. Humility insists with gentleness urging repentance.

We are better than none, but we have an exclusive word from the only true God. We speak of him boldly.

We have no right to criticize any system of belief and to urge the reception of grace, if we do not live our faith and live in community for which we were purified from our sins, 1 Peter 1.22. That means that there is no question where we will be on the Lord’s Day. We will be at the Lord’s Table with the Lord’s People.

3. Declare yourself

The real Christian cannot hide his faith. A hidden faith dies quickly, just as a flame without air is soon snuffed out. It matters not what is going on around us, the message must be proclaimed. Every single Christian received from the Lord the task of the News. Not only can the silent saint not save others, he himself cannot be saved in his disobedience.

If we flinch before the fight, we are not worthy of the Kingdom of God. If we flee and hide in the “caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, and cisterns” of this world (compare 1 Samuel 13.6-7), we will have no part in the victory of the faithful.

Several of the New Testament books were written in part to embolden the saints in their task as they faced persecution.

• Jesus warned us about it not infrequently. The “confession” he declares to be so necessary is, in context, the preaching of the gospel in the public square, Matthew 10.32-33.
• Peter told the Christians to keep speaking about their faith in the midst of challenges and pressures, 1 Peter 3.15.
• The writer of Hebrews warned against giving up in the “struggle against sin” — that is, when the “opposition … by sinners” appears — the sin of abandoning the faith, Hebrews 12.3-4.

4. Focus on the One Thing

A big temptation is to get involved in social and political issues of the day. The Christian belongs to the heavenly country. He is not to be involved in the affairs of this life, 2 Timothy 2.4. We are not Democrats or Republicans. We have no party or earthly affiliation. We wear a single name: Christian. We represent one “cause,” the Kingdom of God.

If we want to save others by the blood of Jesus Christ, we must not alienate by taking sides in earthly conflicts. We have a single message, the cross of Christ. We are a single-issue people: God created man for his love and offers it in his Son. We do not concern ourselves with the nation’s Supreme Court, but with the judgment to come when all will appear before the Sovereign Judge of all mankind, Acts 24.25. If we speak of earthly things, we are not reflecting the concerns of the Holy Spirit, John 16.8-11.

What is the One Thing of our message?

• Jesus the Just
• Jesus the Reconciler
• Jesus the Sacrifice
• Jesus the Lord and Savior (in that order)
• Jesus the Example
• Jesus the Judge
• Jesus the Revealer of the Will of God

And that’s just for starters.

5. Start where people are in order to get to salvation

What a challenge to be sensitive to where each person is in his belief system! Because we must start where people are. Today, more than ever, Christians bump up against a wide range of beliefs. Not only must we deal with people who believe in denominationalism and atheism, but rampant sexual deviation, witchcraft, anarchism, environmentalism (one of the most extreme religions out there), scientism, socialism, and selfism, to name just a few. Such a gamut of beliefs sounds a bit like the first century, doesn’t it?

It does no good to talk about the evils of denominationalism to a person involved in Wicca. The atheist isn’t interested in immersion for the remission of sins. Both subjects are important, but those can’t be our starting points with such people.

So to be a Christian in a topsy-turvy world, we must be flexible when dealing with people. We have one gospel that is able to save all people, but to get to the point of salvation, we must often start at different points, just as the proclaimers in Acts did, depending upon their audience.

Not only possible, but necessary

God made the faith for every century, with every certainty. He is able to keep us faithful and to make us capable for service and proclamation. We think our times are tough, and well may they be. But God is sovereign. He works in the hardest situations. And he uses his people in the fire of the furnace and in the den of lions to pluck from the mouths of the unbelieving a confession of his glory.

So feel the breath of the beasts and the smell of the burning and praise God that you can be a real Christian in such a world as this.

J. Randal Matheny

At Sydney’s Bondi Beach, an eerie scene unfolded. The water began to turn to a horrifying, blood red. As one might imagine, swimmers and spectators became alarmed and fled out of the water. It turns out the red water came as a result of a sudden increase in red algae. The algae turned out to be mostly harmless, but swimmers were still discouraged from going into the water (ABC).

While the water on this day was not actually blood, it does bring to mind the day when the waters did literally turn to blood. Exodus 7:20-21 details out, “So Moses and Aaron did even as the Lord had commanded.  And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood.  The fish that were in the Nile died, and the Nile became foul, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile.  And the blood was through all the land of Egypt.”

During this time in Egypt, some of the most awe-inspiring miracles were about to take place.  Besides having the water turn to blood, the Egyptian people were going to suffer through plagues of frogs, gnats, flies, death of cattle, boils, hail, locust, darkness, and the death of the first born (Exodus 7-12). Soon after this, God was going to deliver His people from Egypt by parting the Red Sea, allowing them to escape, and destroying Pharaoh’s army (Exodus 14).

What was God’s purpose in all of this? To deliver His people and display His power (3:7-8, 20; 6:6-7). God most definitely accomplished His goals. In fact, He accomplished them so well that this scene in Sydney invokes strong reminders of the remarkable events in Egypt that happened thousands of years ago.

While the red algae in Sydney was quite a strange scene, we can imagine how much more impactful it was when the water actually turned to blood. The message is simple: God is powerful. This makes Him so very worthy of our worship, honor, and praise.

Brett Petrillo

Trusting in God

The account of David and Goliath stirs the imagination. Children love to hear about the boy David defeating the ‘giant’ Goliath. Even as adults we like it when the underdog wins.

The army of Israel was fighting against their enemy, the Philistines. Each army was camped on opposite sides of the Valley of Elah, a wide valley ideal for a conflict between armies. Rather than instigating a battle, the Philistines suggested an alternative: “Why do you come out to line up in battle formation?… Am I not a Philistine and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. If he wins in a fight against me and kills me, we will be your servants. But if I win against him and kill him, then you will be our servants and serve us…I defy the ranks of Israel today. Send me a man so we can fight each other!” (1 Samuel 17:8-10 CSB).

The Philistines had weighted this challenge in their favor. Their champion was an impressive man. His height was “six cubits and a span” (1 Samuel 17:4) – about nine feet tall (just under 3 metres). He wasn’t just tall, but he was well built, as well: he “wore a bronze helmet and bronze scale armor that weighed one hundred twenty-five pounds. There was bronze armor on his shins, and a bronze javelin was slung between his shoulders. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s beam, and the iron point of his spear weighed fifteen pounds” (1 Samuel 17:5-7). The impression is that he was a giant of a man in every respect. No wonder no one would accept his challenge and instead lost their courage and were terrified! (1 Samuel 17:11)

When David heard the challenge that Goliath had been making twice a day for over a month, he could not figure out why no one would fight and defeat this loud-mouthed Philistine.

It wasn’t that David was equal to this man in physical prowess. Although often depicted as a child, David was old enough to kill wild animals and even marry. Just after this incident, he became a leader of Saul’s army. This tells us that he was at least in his late teenage years if not in his early twenties at this time. But he was looked on as simply an inexperienced “youth” (1 Samuel 17:33).

How could this youth of little experience take on the seasoned warrior Goliath? It wasn’t because of the weapons he chose, although he chose weapons he was used to – his sling and a few stones from a brook – and not Saul’s armor. Normally such weapons would have been ineffective in a fight to the death. The key lies in what he told Goliath.

“You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel — you have defied him. Today, the Lord will hand you over to me. Today, I’ll strike you down, remove your head, and give the corpses of the Philistine camp to the birds of the sky and the wild creatures of the earth. Then all the world will know that Israel has a God, and this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord’s. He will hand you over to us” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

He won this battle simply because he trusted in God.

Do we trust God to be with us in the battles of life that we face? Do we view our battles as already having been won because God is on our side?

There is much to learn from David and his trust in God. He did not doubt God but acted on his faith.

Jon Galloway

C.S. Lewis was right when he said of Jesus:

Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to (Mere Christianity).

How did Lewis reach this conclusion? He read the gospels. The more we read the gospels the more impressed we are with what we find, particularly in the words of Jesus. The things Jesus says are so ingrained in the “idea of Jesus,” that we regularly miss the shocking nature of them.

For example, when Jesus cast the demon (or demons) out of the man of Gadara, he told him, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19).

What strikes you about this statement?

When teaching younger Bible school classes, I usually have the kids read from the Bible. I don’t do this just for the academic act of reading, I do this so I can challenge them to open their eyes and see what is there.

When reading a passage of Scripture, we can easily gloss over things. I tell people, “When you read the Bible, remember that you are not just reading, you are eating. You are consuming God’s word. It is food for your soul. You have to slow down, and chew, and take time to digest it.”

Look again at the response of Jesus in Mark 5:19, but go slowly. Chew on it. Digest the words, the phrases. Notice what is there.

Now, let me share what I see. Notice these words: “great things the Lord hath done.”

The who?

The what?

The Lord.

Jesus – he calls himself, “The Lord.”

Now, there may be some quibbling here about the Greek word kurios, which can be used as a sort of generic and courteous term, equivalent to “sir” in English. But the context demands that Jesus is doing more than giving himself a courteous title. He is telling this man, in no uncertain terms, exactly who has driven the demons from him. He is not using the term colloquially, he is using it regally, authoritatively – and to boot, singularly.

He is the Lord.

He is The Lord.

He is God.

Someone is not saying it about him.

The inspired writers are not making it up. It is completely unlikely that the Jewish writers would have made up something like that. It would have been heresy – still is for many.

Yet, here is Jesus, claiming to be God. This is a type of claim that Jesus actually makes so often that it is ubiquitous with him. He says it, and we move on as if nothing happened.

The only way we can fully appreciate it is to imagine someone we know saying the same thing. Read the words of Jesus in the voice of your next-door neighbor, your son, your spouse, your minister, your boss.

For example, suppose your boss comes to work tomorrow and provides lunch for everyone (not miraculously, of course), and you say, “Thank you so much!” And she replies, “Think nothing of it! Now, go back home and tell everyone in your neighborhood that the Lord has provided for you.”

How does that sound?

If your boss says something like this, you instantly know she is either being silly, or has a screw loose. When Jesus says it, it doesn’t sound foreign or strange. Why? I believe it is because everything we know about Jesus’ life is completely consistent with the claim he is making. He truly was tempted in every point like the rest of us, yet without sin (Heb. 5:8-9).

This is what Lewis was getting at: “Let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

No, he did not. His claims were higher and greater than those of average men. But the life he lived, the death he died, the resurrection he accomplished, make all of those words, all of those claims, sit perfectly within the realm of reason.

Is there anyone else in history for whom this is the case?

Rick Kelley

In a west Texas town a few years ago, employees in a medium-sized warehouse noticed the smell of gas.  Sensibly, management evacuated the building, extinguishing all potential sources of ignition — lights, power, etc.

After the building had been evacuated, two technicians from the gas company were dispatched.  Upon entering the building, they found they had difficulty navigating in the dark.  To their frustration, none of the lights worked.

Witnesses later described the vision of one of the technicians reaching into his pocket and retrieving an object that resembled a lighter.  Upon operation of the lighter-like object, the gas in the warehouse exploded, sending pieces of it up to three miles away.

Nothing was found of the technicians, but the lighter was virtually untouched by the explosion.  The technician that was suspected of causing the explosion had never been thought of as “bright” by his peers.

Years ago, Jim Croce, in his song, “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim”, used to sing about things that you don’t dare do (pull the mask off the Lone Ranger or tug on Superman’s cape, for example).  He might have done well to add, “You don’t flick your Bic inside a building with a gas leak”!  In an explosive situation, the last thing you want to do is provide the spark.

We’ve all been around those kinds of situations (not literally, but figuratively) — where someone was angry and it wouldn’t take much to create an explosion.  We have two choices in that setting, described by Solomon in this way:

“A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger, but an unkind answer will cause more anger.” (Prov. 15:1)

How I admire those people I know (and my wife is one of them) who have a calming effect on those around them (including me), gently stifling the flames of anger before they burst in flames.

“Wise people calm anger down.” (Prov. 29:8b, NCV)

May God help us all to be wise.

Have a great day!  Alan Smith

Pete and Gladys were looking at a new living room suite in the furniture store. Pete said to the salesman, “We really like it, but I don’t think we can afford it.”

The salesman said, “You just make a small down payment ….. then you don’t make another payment for six months.”

Gladys wheeled around with her hands on her hips and said, “Who told you about us?”

Like Pete and Gladys, we all find it much easier to start a task than to see it through to completion, especially a difficult task. If school gets tough, we’re tempted to drop out. And we’ve all started diets and programs of regular Bible reading; starting is the easy part, sticking with them is the hard part.

It shouldn’t be surprising that what we find so difficult in so many areas of our lives should also be difficult in our Christian walk.
We’re tempted to simply quit. That’s why there are so many words of encouragement to hang in there when things get tough.

“For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” (Hebrews 3:14).

Don’t just “make the first payment.” Remain steadfast to the very end!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

Note: The following piece came to me “author unknown.” It is not humorous, but is designed to cause us to reflect. I hope you appreciate the change of pace.

DYING TO SELF

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient, loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility — and endure it as Jesus endured, that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to self.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25)

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

I read recently about a lady who had just moved from an apartment to a house in the same small town. One day at the grocery store, she used the last of her personalized checks bearing her old address. The cashier examined the check and asked if all the information on it was correct. The shopper assured her that it was correct, and the cashier started to put the check in the cash drawer. But then she inquired again if everything was accurate.

“Why do you ask?” the shopper responded.

“Because,” she replied, “my husband and I moved to this apartment yesterday, and I don’t remember seeing you at breakfast.”

Busted! This woman could have gone to any other store in the town and told them that was still her address and no one would have suspected a thing. But there was no way to fool this cashier because she lived there herself.

It’s much the same way with our spiritual lives. It’s easy to fool a lot of folks. “How’s your prayer life?” Couldn’t be better! “How’s your walk in Christ?” It’s fine. No problems at all!

But I wonder if there are times when we’ve moved away from God without telling anyone. They don’t know we’ve moved. For all they know, everything’s fine. But we can’t fool God. “Things are great? That’s funny, because I don’t remember seeing you at breakfast.”

One of the most well-known of all scriptures is Psalm 23. You’ve heard it recited hundreds of times, as have I. But I wonder if all these years I’ve misunderstood the very last phrase. You see, I’ve always understood David to take assurance in the knowledge that there is an eternal home waiting for him. But could it be instead that David was making a promise of his commitment to stay close to God?

“I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6b)

Others may think we still dwell there. But has God seen us around lately? May God strengthen us in our resolve to dwell with Him all the days of our lives, so that we may dwell with Him for all eternity.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

You know it is true you can find anything and everything at Google.com. The only trouble is anyone can post items, true, untrue, or make-believe. So you are left after searching through many web sites making a decision based on your what you think sounds best.

Now, not exactly the same, but close, is a search through Bible commentaries to find the truth. Let me give you this example. Not long ago while teaching the book of Mark during one of the classes I mentioned the names of 22 different authors that had written a commentary on the book of Mark. And my simple question was, “Which writer is correct?”

As I looked out over the class, I could see the many faces of confusion. Then I said, “That’s right, the one you agree with.” Then I went on to explain if we are not careful we ask others, read books, commentaries, attend lectureships searching for someone that agrees with us and our understanding of a Bible passage.

Remember, it is God that has given us His word, His instructions, and His guidance as recorded in the Bible. Now, of course, a study of language, history, customs, and culture of the day are going to helpful. But that is quite a bit different than saying about a Bible passage, “This is what God meant.”

Note a few passages that make it clear that we can understand.

 Ephesian 3:3-4 “That by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. That by referring to this, when you read, you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.”

Of course some things are hard to understand, II Peter 3:15:17, “As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You, therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness.”

Last, consider the warning found in, I Cor. 13:36-37, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.”

So again, it is your “own” soul that is of your greatest concern, Not that you are not concerned about others, but be sure of your own situation. My strong suggestion is, be a student of God’s word and not the latest books on the market.

It is being a doer of His word that leads to eternal life.

Dick Brant

As a kid, I remember partial solar eclipses. My mom would bring me out to the backyard, warn me not to look at the sun, and we would use a pinhole projector to “watch” the solar eclipse safely. As a kid, this was only mildly interesting. I didn’t really appreciate what was happening. As an adult, total eclipses are awesome and mind-boggling.

When we stop and think about it, the fact that we have solar eclipses at all is incredible. There are so many factors that must be perfectly in tune for this to happen.

• The sun has to be a certain size and distance from the earth.
• The moon has to be a certain size and distance between both the sun and the earth.
• Everything must rotate and line up perfectly on the same plane. Other planet’s moons rotate many different directions.
• The earth has to be in the right position to view the eclipse.
• There must to be intelligent beings there to view it, understand it, and stand in awe of it.

Joe Rao from space.com explains these factors in greater detail: “The sun’s 864,000-mile diameter is fully 400 times greater than that of our puny moon, which measures just about 2,160 miles. But the moon also happens to be about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun (the ratio varies as both orbits are elliptical), and as a result, when the orbital planes intersect and the distances align favorably, the new moon can appear to completely blot out the disk of the sun” (Solar Eclipses).

Change any of these factors and eclipses would be impossible, or at best, just partial eclipses. As it stands, everything is perfect for total solar eclipses on earth. This is not the case on any other planet. Mercury and Venus don’t have a moon. Mars’ moons are too small for a total eclipse. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune do get total solar eclipses, but they are gas planets, so you obviously can’t stand on the planet to view them. Not to mention, the sun is very small at these distances. Pluto does get total solar eclipses, but that moon always faces the same side of Pluto. Not that any of these planets can support life anyway.

The odds of all these things happening perfectly is astronomical. Not to mention, there need to be people on earth, and everything that it takes to sustain life, to witness such an incredible event such as this. Sadly, scientists have chalked total solar eclipses as “accidents in nature” (ibid). When God is taken out of the picture, there really isn’t any other option available than calling things “an accident.”

Solar eclipses are no accident. They happen because God wanted to give us another amazing visual proof of His power, intelligence, and magnificence. They happen to show evidence of His existence. When He created the sun, moon, and stars, He placed everything perfectly so we could watch in awe (Genesis 1:14-19). Solar eclipses are just one more way we can clearly see God’s “eternal power and divine nature” (Romans 1:20).

Brett Petrillo

What do these beautiful songs have in common?

“An Empty Mansion” (1937), “Beyond the Sunset” (1936), “Heaven Holds All to Me” (1932), “Never Grow Old” (1930), “I’ll Live in Glory” (1936), “In Heaven They’re Singing” (1937), “No Tears in Heaven” (1935). “Paradise Valley” (1935), “This World Is Not My Home” (1937), “Won’t It Be Wonderful There?” (1930).

First, it is easy to see, they are songs about heaven. They express the deepest longing, anticipation, and hope of the Christian heart. Second – did you see it? – these songs were all written at about the same time period, about 1929-1939. Are you following this still?

These beautiful songs of heaven were written during the Great Depression. Have you seen those black-and-white photos of mothers wearing threadbare dresses, children in rags, hunger etched in the bones of their faces? When the nation suffered economic collapse, businesses were boarded up, millions of workers were laid off when hunger and destitution ravaged the land: In those desperate times, it seems, people turned their thoughts to the hope of heaven.

Heaven, a place of permanence, hope and plenty. Can you see them in your mind’s eye singing in simple church buildings, eyes closed, singing of their homesickness for heaven?

Interestingly, we hear far fewer songs written these days about heaven. Is it because we feel more secure economically? We have it so good in the present that we don’t long for heaven as we once did.

We should probably not put such stock in the current good economic times. Experience and Scripture tell us how faulty such a premise that is!

The greatest missionary who ever lived would say that “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). And the writer of Revelation could exult in a place where there were no more tears, the Lord was the light, no hurtful, mean or violent person would be present, and where the sweetest people who ever lived would sing in exultation to their God.

In times of distress, I suppose, it’s easier to remember that this world is distinctly not our home. It’s when times are good that it is harder to draw this distinction. And yet, beloved, our hearts should still long for heaven.

Stan Mitchell

Through the years there have been individuals, usually preachers, who feature themselves as being “free thinkers” who present “thought provoking” lessons that are usually attacks upon what they call the “traditionally held” views.  The “in depth” lessons presented by these individuals usually leave many in the audience wondering just what they have said and thinking that the preacher is so “deep” in his thinking and presentation that they do not understand simply because they do not have the knowledge or ability the preacher has.

These men have at times caused confusion and strife by their preaching and when questioned about their teaching they usually reply, “You just don’t understand what I am saying.”  Again, the implication is that any problem that may exist is due to the lack of knowledge or ability on the part of the hearer to comprehend the “deep” things taught by the preacher.

I think it is time to start putting the blame where it belongs.  Are these men the “deep” thinkers they want us to believe they are?  I often think of a statement I once heard made by an old country fellow.  He said, “Just because you can’t see the bottom of the river doesn’t necessarily mean the water is deep, it may just be muddy.”  I am convinced that this is the case with some of these “deep” thinkers.  They have the ability to present their thoughts in such a confusing manner that they just “muddy the water.”

The apostle Paul said that he wrote the things revealed to him by the Holy Spirit so that “when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4).  One of the characteristics of faithful gospel preachers through the years has been their ability to present the truth of the gospel in a way that made it easily understood by those who heard.  If these men who fancy themselves as being such “in depth” students of the word really have the knowledge and ability they want us to believe they have then why don’t they just teach what they believe to be the truth in a simple understandable manner.  If we are misunderstanding what they are teaching then we plead with them to use their “superior” ability and present their teaching so that we “inferiors” can understand.  The gospel of Christ remains the same today as when first preached on the day of Pentecost.  When someone has to preach something that has never been preached before or preach it in a way no one else has ever preached it we had better beware.

I certainly do not want to discourage any study of God’s word nor do I condone those who become satisfied with “the way we have always done things” and will not change even when change is necessary to conform to God’s word.  However, I do not approve of those who seem more concerned with impressing men with their ability to be “deep thinkers” rather than helping men understand the plain and simple teachings of God’s word.  All preachers need, from time to time, to ask themselves the same question Paul asked in his epistle to the Galatians; “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?” (Gal. 1:10).  Paul said, “if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

I have often said that the two greatest compliments that could be paid to one preaching are: (1) “He preaches the truth” and (2) “He presents it in such a way that all can understand.”  When we become more concerned with “making an impression” than we are with “preaching the word” we are making a grave mistake.  Our concern must always be the salvation of souls and not self-glorification.  If the gospel is preached souls will be saved and God will be glorified.

Don’t be intimidated by those who try to make you feel inferior in your ability to understand truth.  Their teaching may not be “deep,” it may just be “muddy.”

– by James Hahn

The apostle John said, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

The greatest danger we face in life is love or desire for worldliness or sin. Sin is the only thing that can separate a man from God (Ps. 59:1-2; 1 Jn. 3:4). Sin often brings heartache to our lives and can bring eternal separation from God (see Rom. 6:23).

The Solution is love or desire for the Father and His Word. A proper, submissive (obedient) love for the Lord keeps us from sin, and also steadies our thoughts on the eternal reward of our gracious God.

The world is passing away. Those who do God’s will, will abide forever (see also 1 Pt. 1:23). Which do you choose?

Daren Schroeder

Little, But Powerful

 The news seems to be filled with people whose tongues are out of control. Bad language and hurtful words are the rule of the day. God’s people must refrain from joining in, because he tells us about the power of that little member of the body.

 A rider is able to control a horse by using a bridle in its mouth. Huge ships are turned with a small rudder. A little match can set a massive forest on fire. The tongue is small like a bridle, rudder or match, but it is able to do great things, good or bad. We need to keep control of our mouths lest they damage others or commit us to sinful ways (James 3:3-5; Psalm 39:1).

 An uncontrolled tongue is totally wicked and devastating (Proverbs 16:27; 26:18-28). It stains the whole life in its sinfulness. It can set the stage for what emotions lead us to do. Hitler’s tongue led the whole world to war. The tongue’s fire is so destructive it can only be set on fire by hell, the place God prepared for the devil and his angels (James 3:6; Matthew 25:41).

 Men use the tongue to praise God (Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 13:15; Romans 10:9-10). Yet, the same tongue is used to pronounce curses on men, effectively praying to God to cause evil to fall down on them. The one who loves God must show it through his display of love for his fellow man, who is made in the image of God (James 3:9; 1 John 4:20-21; Matthew 25:31-46; Genesis 1:26).

 Praising God and cursing man with the same tongue is as contradictory as a fountain giving sweet and bitter water at the same time. It is as absurd as a fig tree bearing olives, a vine producing figs or a fountain producing fresh and salt water (James 3:10-12).

 Our mouths tell others what is in our hearts (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18). Getting our hearts right with God will result in good words coming from our lips to or about our fellow man.

 Gary C. Hampton

It is altogether fitting that the last word on righteousness comes from the last chapter of the last book of the Bible. The old apostle John, last of his tribe, writes what are probably his last words to a cowed and persecuted church.

As he wraps up the series of apocalyptic visions showing the grand victory of Christ and his followers, he makes what at first glance appears to be a strange statement.

Let those who do wrong keep doing what is wrong. Let the filthy still be filthy. Let those who are righteous keep doing what is right. Let those who are holy still be holy (Revelation 22:11 CEB).

Why would John not want the wrongdoers and morally filthy to be converted? Has the apostle of love gone sour in his old age? Has he lost his evangelistic spirit and hardened the lines between the lost and the saved, along with his arteries?

There is no pride in knowing who does wrong and who does right. Arrogance has no place in righteous perseverance. Righteousness and holiness are divine gifts which, of course, must be cherished and maintained, but continuing in these does not allow for self-congratulation, since God’s power keeps them intact. But we know whose we are, and what we are, and, like our wise Lord, where we are going (vv. 12-15). These things are open for anyone to observe; it is not hard to assign each to his place (v. 10).

John’s statement is an end-time truth. “The time is near” (v. 10). At the end of all things, truth becomes sharper and clearer. Old people have blurred vision and vague memories, but the aging of truth makes the lines between good and evil stand out. It grows in strength and rises in power.

At the coming of Jesus, there will be no shake-ups in the two sides. No last-minute conversions. What you have been in life is what you will be in eternity. Forget Purgatory. Forget second chances. Forget death-bed confessions. You are setting in concrete your destiny today.

At the same time, here is a last, rousing call to examine one’s decision. Jesus throws out a warning. We all are daily deciders as to what direction we choose. So he encourages the righteous and holy ones and sends up a flare to the wrongdoers.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge (v. 17).

As the revealing Lord said in the Sermon on the Mount, righteousness is about doing what is right. Holiness is about demonstrating the nature of God in our daily walk. They both may be state and process, but neither of these exists without the other. To give up on the process is to abandon the state.

Life is hard, and the daily grind doesn’t get easier. Someone said that the golden years are not so golden. Each phase of life has its challenges, each stage comes with its hardships. We can complain and find reason to back off from faith. We can whine about criticism and persecution. But let the righteous keep on in righteousness and the holy revel in holiness.

Let us be faithful to the point of dying for our faith, if need be (Revelation 2:10). Some have done that. Some today are in this position. Our turn might be next. But let us never fear the evil of this present world; rather, let us fear and tremble before him who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).

Yesterday’s righteousness will not carry us through. Just as each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34), and as God sent just enough manna from heaven for each day’s supply, so righteousness finds its sufficiency in the present. Whatever the Preacher meant by his admonition not to be too righteous (Ecclesiastes 7:16), we can never have enough today to last through tomorrow.

So let us as God’s righteous people continue to listen to his Word and eschew anger (James 1:19-21), to act in love and compassion (James 2:24), to pray unceasingly for the salvation of our fellow man (James 5:16). In these is our righteousness.

A. Neale

Kingdom future

Jesus, his apostles, as well as the early church proclaimed a message revolving around the good news of the kingdom. After Jesus’ death and ascension, preaching shifted to Christ and the kingdom.

This kingdom proclamation contained a message for the present. Through Christ, God’s power was overcoming all the binding weapons of evil to usher in a new manifestation of God’s rule. Christ brought release. People were to live with kingdom values and behaviors. Upon Jesus’ resurrection, he was exalted as Lord.

However, their proclamation also included a message regarding the future. At the end of time, some would inherit the kingdom while others would not.

How does today’s preaching compare with their message?

Both Jesus and the New Testament writers announced that current behavior will influence future reward. The repetitive nature of this message reveals its critical importance for our understand today. To summarize this aspect of their kingdom message, we learn that:

• How people respond today to the message about the kingdom determines their future reality (Luke 14:15-24). Some will understand the kingdom’s value and respond appropriately (Matthew 13:44-46), while others will allow various life experiences and situations to override and squelch its transforming impact upon their lives (Matthew 13:18-22);
• When the Son returns unexpectedly, the kingdom will be comprised of some who have wisely prepared for his return, while other citizens will discover they are woefully unprepared (Matthew 25:1-13).

In light of the events that will transpire with the kingdom at the end, how are people to prepare?

• Preparation involves being faithful in handling their “nobleman’s” business. This will determine whether one will be blessed or lose everything/ be cast out. Furthermore, those who reject the nobleman-turned-king will be slaughtered (Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 25:14-31).
• Citizens of the kingdom prepare for the future by showing compassion during their lifetime. This results in storing up treasure for themselves in heaven. Accordingly, they will inherit eternal life in the kingdom. On the other hand, those who fail to demonstrate love toward others will be sent to the eternal fire prepared for the devil (Luke 12:32-34; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 25:31-46).
• By pursuing godly virtues and works of faith, God’s people can make certain their calling.  Thus they can anticipate their entrance into the eternal kingdom (2 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Part of the good news is that when citizens of the kingdom faithfully live for God obeying him, they can look forward to belonging to God and being under God’s reign at the end of time. However, we are also told that some people at the judgment will be lost because they chose to reject Christ and the gospel. Furthermore, some who professed Christ will be lost because they failed to obey God’s will or to pursue righteousness (Matthew 13:36-43; 13:47-50; 5:15-23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12).

In the end, death itself will be placed in submission to the Son. At that time the Son will hand over the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). God’s reign will be absolute.

To be sure, more can be written about the future kingdom. Nevertheless, the fact that current behavior impacts our future reality is certainly one central and significant message about the kingdom.

If this emphasis by Jesus and the New Testament authors upon doing makes us nervous, we need to remember this is what they taught and what they wrote. How then do we reconcile such a message with the call to rely upon Christ for salvation?

For starters, let’s remember that both Jesus’ teaching ministry as well as the New Testament letters were directed to those whom God had already claimed as citizens of his kingdom by covenant (Exodus 19:4-6; Colossians 1:12-14; Hebrews 8:6f.; Ephesians 2:12,13,19). Accordingly this was/is the encouraging message God desires his people to hear from his inspired communicators, in order that his people might fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. It also simultaneously warned them and warns us to not fall off the wagon. These were not teachings to pagans informing them how to either become a part of God’s covenant people and thus members of his kingdom, nor how such individuals could save themselves based upon their own actions.

Barry Newton

More than 30 years ago, we wrote an evangelistic study which we still use today, among others. In that study, the very first text we teach others is Genesis 1.1-3. A main point of this reading emphasizes God’s power as he created the universe with a word. His power is unlimited. He is more powerful than any other. He is omnipotent.

His power overcomes all others. This is what Paul affirms in a prayer in Colossians 1:  “who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;” (v. 13 WEB).

Most modern versions, even supposedly literal ones like the NASB, make this verse into an independent clause. That’s fine and good. But it’s actually part of Paul’s prayer for his readers. It serves as one of the bases for his and their thanksgiving. Read the whole prayer here:

9 For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; 13 who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; 14 in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins; 15 who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, WEB

1. Such a rescue from the control of darkness provides a powerful motive for thanksgiving! Let us never lose sight of this truth. We ought to rise from our beds every single day giving thanks to God for such a deliverance.

This change of location into Christ’s Kingdom is one of several phrases that causes a saint’s gratitude to break forth. God’s power, for the one who decides to submit, does not inspire cringing fear or cries of terror, but gladness, rejoicing, and celebration, because by this translation God becomes Father and we his inheriting children, v. 12. We have not jumped out of the frying pan into the fire, but have allowed ourselves to be rescued from the deepest depths of perdition and welcomed into the warm climate of original communion with God.

2. This deliverance is a done deal for Christians. It has already happened. Brethren rightly use this verse to show the folly of premillennialism. Our transference into the Christ’s Kingdom has already been accomplished. The verb is in the past tense.

Besides showing how this damaging doctrine is false, it also opens the door to the nearness of the eternal Kingdom. We are but a step away from heaven. Our hope focuses on the imminent coming of Christ. When he comes at that unknown hour, he will usher us past the judgment bar into the wide-open doors of our eternal rooms. In this Kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ now reins.

Its major feature is love. For love we were created and all mankind seeks it, in one form or another.

3. The saving power of God wrenches us from the dark domain. Behind the word “power” in v. 13 lies the surprising Greek word, exousia, often translated “authority.” This Greek word means “the power which decides” (TDNT II: 566). The dark master has decided our fate. He destined us for destruction. But that decision has been removed from his hands. The overwhelming power of God has changed our destiny.

Some versions translate this word here as “tyranny,” “dominion,” “domain,” “control,” and even “kingdom.” (See the various translations here.) The dark lord stole our ability to decide our future. God has restored it. The choice is now ours. We may now allow God to remove us from his “sphere of power” (TDNT II: 567).

God exercises all power. His power is benevolent. He desires our salvation. Let everyone trust in him and place our lives in his hands. He will care for us and rescue us.

J. Randal Matheny

Some of the biggest mistakes people make come from assumptions.

The people of Nazareth made assumptions about Jesus that were very wrong. When he visited his hometown, Nazareth, Jesus attended the synagogue and taught there. It was an opportunity to tell people the truth about himself and God.

As Jesus taught the hometown folks, many of them became indignant (Matthew 13:54). One said, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” That was an assumption. These people had seen Jesus all his life. They figured they knew who he was. But, oh, how little they did know!

Jesus is not the carpenter’s son. He is the son of God. The miracles the Lord performed before their eyes and his teachings proved this. But they had assumed because the young Jesus was with Joseph that he was Jesus’ father. They embraced the assumption while they rejected what their eyes and ears told them.

Then they asked, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these powers?” There is another assumption. “Where did this man…” Jesus wasn’t just a man. He is Immanuel or “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Humans make many assumptions. Some assume evolution is true, but when people honestly study the evidence of God’s word, it is shown to be false. Some of the established religions in the world would appear correct. Then, when the fruit of sexual misconduct and hypocrisy are apparent, they are proved to be false.

Isn’t it time to stop looking at the Bible through the doctrines and “confessions” of faith that are popular in some religious bodies? Isn’t it time to find out for yourself that the Bible alone is true?

John Henson

I suppose one’s response to their baptism is a personal thing. Sometimes there are tears. Often there are smiles and sighs of relief. It’s fun to think back to that moment when you knew God’s grace had cleansed your soul. What about this question: “What was life like for you in the six months after your baptism?” Were you on fire for God, talking to as many people as you could about what He had done for you? Or did you go about life the same as if nothing was different? Did your reputation as a believer change in your circles, or did your reputation stay the same? It’s just a guess, but I suspect many Christians have very little recollection about the weeks and months after we climbed out of the baptistry.

One of the great stories of the New Testament is that of the Thessalonian Christians. These Grecian converts joyously accepted the gospel from Paul and immediately let that message change their lives in very visible ways. The apostle’s letter to them was probably written a matter of weeks or months after he was run out of town. Notice what he says about their new-found faith.

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (ESV)

What inspires me from this text is the fact that these brand-new believers were so on fire for God that their reputation moved throughout the whole province. Their faith served as an example to be emulated by others who would here the good news of Jesus’ grace.

Go back to your own conversion. While it would be interesting to know what kind of fire we demonstrated in the months following our baptism, let’s take this a step further. What kind of reputation do we have now? Is the fire still burning strong so that people would look to our faith as a Thessalonian-esque beacon? Or have we forgotten that fire and let it dwindle so that no one really knows about Christ’s ongoing work in us? If so, what can you do to restoke the flames of excitement and show others what God does for you daily?

Cory Waddell