A husband and his wife were riding along together in a car. They had been quarreling and hadn’t spoken for a long time. Finally, they passed a mule in a pasture. The man pointed to the mule and asked his wife, “A relative of yours?” Without a moment’s hesitation, she responded, “Yes, by marriage.”

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

It is inevitable in relationships that we have conflict. If we are not careful, we allow our negative feelings to cause that conflict to escalate into a downward spiral and we say things which are very harmful to the person we should love most in this world.
Can you imagine Christ and His church carrying on a conversation like that above?

The apostle Paul tells husbands in Ephesians 5:25-28,  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶  that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷  that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. ²⁸  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.”

He then concluded the section by admonishing the wives to respect their husbands. – Ephesians 5:33  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Paul told the Roman Christians in Romans 13:10, “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Guess what?  Your husband or your wife is your neighbor. Every command that we have on how to treat our fellow man or fellow Christian, also applies to how we treat our mate also.

Sometimes we find ourselves treating our mate in ways that we would never treat a stranger on the street.. How sad that is.
We are one flesh. We have a relationship in marriage like no other on earth. That’s why Paul said, “He who loves his wife, loves himself.” Eph. 5:28. He implies that, “She who respects her husband respects herself..” We are one flesh. When we harm (physically or emotionally) our mate, we are harming our self.

The husband/wife relationship should be a place of peace and comfort, a place where we can come together and renew and recharge from the ravages of life.

Living joyfully with our wife is God’s gift to us, but it’s up to us to keep it joyful. Ecclesiastes 9:9  Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.

Someone said marriages may be made in heaven but the maintenance work is done here on earth.

May we strive to make our marriage what God intended for it to be.

– Larry Pasley

I like brown shoes and wear them most of the time. However, if you insist upon wearing black shoes, I will not argue the point.  Go right ahead! I’m a very tolerant man with respect to shoes.

But some of my friends tell me I am intolerant in religious matters. They just can’t understand why a kindhearted, tolerant fellow like me would say that they must obey God’s commands and practice in religion only that which God has authorized. (Well, maybe that is the way they put it.) Sometimes they find it difficult to tolerate my intolerance.

Some intolerance is born of egotism – the product of self-centered individuals who think they are the center of the universe, and that their ways must be accepted by all. This is very bad (Jas. 4:11-12).

And there is an intolerance of sort, which is born of love. I love my granddaughter and insist that she not eat the shoe polish (the brown, that is). I can’t bring myself to be unconcerned about this matter.

And there is an intolerance born of respect for authority and deep concern for those who fail to respect the divine will. Paul contended with the Israelites frequently because (a) he loved them, and (b) he knew they could not be saved while they followed their own erroneous ways. Paul’s convictions, and his concern for men, made him seem intolerant (Rom. 10:1ff).

People who really believe something – strongly enough to work for it, teach it, and practice it – are often called “narrow” or “bigoted.” Meanwhile, the shallow-thinking, crowd-following, spineless fellow is likely to mistake his own lack of conviction for broadmindedness and congratulate himself for being such a wonderful person.

It is well and good to be tolerant in matters of indifference – where the rights of men are equal. But to tolerate sin and transgression of God’s law is to assume the right to judge that law (Jas. 2:9ff), or to relegate divine matters to the category of black and brown shoes.

In the final analysis, tolerance is often a disguise for the lack of conviction and concern. In their liberal attitude toward shoe colors, men forget to prepare for a robe arid a crown.

– by Robert F. Turner

Deception by Nuance
The Purpose of Baptism

    Let me remind you of three passages of Scripture which you know by heart: 

    Matthew 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

    If you are not deceived by Satan or his mouthpieces, that passage is easy to understand.

    In English (NASV), there are two commands and two participles, which are verbs ending in “-ing,” which indicate something that occurs at the same time as the leading verb:

    Command: “Go” – Technically, this is an aorist (past tense) participle, but its force is attached to the main verb: “make disciples.” 

    Command: “Make disciples.”

    How? The two participles answer that question:

        “Baptizing” – Present active participle

        “Teaching” – Present active participle 

    So Jesus makes it clear that one is not a “disciple” or a “Christian” until he or she is baptized. 

    Passage number two – Mark 16:15-16:

    “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

    Again, there are two commands (in NASV):

    “Go” – Which, again, is an aorist participle which carries the force of the main verb:

    “Preach” (the only imperative in Greek)

    Then Jesus gives two conditions that are necessary for one “to be saved:”

    Believe
Be baptized. Both these actions are aorist participles which happen at the same time, or before, the main verb. In this case, the main verb of the sentence is “shall be saved.” Therefore, the “believing” and “being baptized” must come before or at the same time as the main verb.

    Passage number three – Acts 2:38:

    “Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

    You don’t need me to point out the Greek to you; the evidence of the text is easy enough to understand in the English. There are two commands in this verse: “Repent” and “let be baptized.” The purpose of baptism is equally clear: “for the forgiveness of sins.”

    The expression “for the forgiveness of sins” is used times:

    Mark 1:4

    Luke 3:3 – both related to the purpose of John’s baptism

    Matthew 26:28 – Christ’s blood was shed for forgiveness of sins (εἰς ἄφεσιν ἁμαρτιῶν  in Greek; compare it to the same phrase below from Acts 2:38)

    Luke 24:47 – repentance is for forgiveness of sins 

    Acts 2:38 – baptism is for forgiveness of sins (εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν)

    There is not a single verse in the NT that discusses the theology of baptism that does not connect it to salvation. Whether the metaphor is circumcision (Col. 2:11-12) or clothing (Gal. 3:26-27) or washing (Acts 22:16). Baptism in water for the forgiveness of sins is intimately tied into the Gospel message. There is one verse which ties baptism to the church: 1 Cor. 12:13. 

    Now, here’s the “deception by nuance” that I’ve been building up to…

    Because Protestants are influenced by their Protestantism more than the Bible (because they see Acts 16:31 as the standard “paradigm” for salvation), here’s how Satan is deceiving people through the mouths and pens of his spokesmen, and I’m going to give you a few examples next time…

    Protestants are glad, all day long, to say baptism is a symbol and baptism is an “initiatory rite” into the church and baptism is a “pledge,” but they adamantly deny it has anything to do with salvation or with being washed by the blood of Christ. That’s where you have to read or listen with discernment. As long as Protestants talk about baptism into the church, Satan is laughing in hell. Because he has motivated / influenced people to twist the Scriptures by nuance. He just doesn’t want anyone to understand that baptism is what puts you into Christ.

    Here is the “plan of salvation” which Satan preaches through the mouths of his deceivers:

    “He that believes (and is sincere) shall be saved and immediately must be baptized” (Mark 16:15).

    Can someone be saved who twists the words of Jesus Christ? Is that not a perversion of the words of Jesus Christ? (2 Peter 3:16)

    Then again, Satan twists the words of the inspired apostle Peter from Acts 2:38 to read:

    “Repent for the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and immediately be baptized.”

    Let me ask my original question again from several weeks ago: Can you be saved by obeying man?

Paul Holland

THE LIVING CHRIST:  The heart of the first chapter of Revelation, as of the entire book, is the exaltation of the resurrected, living Christ, from the Christ of human history to the Christ of Eternity.  It was the Living Christ, that John saw in the vision on Patmos (1:17-18).  The Christ who gave Himself for the church (Eph. 5:5:25), is no mere incident of passing   significance in history, but He is the TURNING point in history.

They needed the One who continues to live and to intimately relate Himself to the life of each individual child of God (Gal. 2:20; Col 3:3,4: I John 5:12).  The church of Christ still needs the power and presence of the Living Christ.  Too many times we present Him only as the man of Nazareth, but have failed to present Him as our contemporary.  We must have the historic Christ….and more.  We have the Christ who is The Sacrificer of our single lives. He is The Reader of hearts, The Helper of our most private straits, and The Inspirer of our most deep and sacred confessions.

AS A CONTEMORARY to them and to us, He incites us to give reverent consideration to the special message He is soon to  present them, by calling their attention to what He means to us. “Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us  from our sins by his blood,”  (Rev. 1:5b).  Let us notice:

HE LOVES US:  It is the love for Christ that motivates Christians to obey His will (John 14:23).  It is the response that we make to the love He has for us.  “We love because he first loved us.”  (I John 4:19)  HE LOVES US!  As this subline assurance was to throb in the heart of the members of the Seven churches of Asia, so also it is meant to throb in the hearts of Christians today.

CONSIDER THE EVER-PRESENT, TIMELESS LOVE OF CHRIST!  The text was written over a half century   after Jesus was buried.  Written to    Asiatic Christians, Greeks and foreigners,  none of whom had probably ever seen Him in this world.  To these people John did not proclaim a PAST LOVE.  A Christ who loved long ago….but a Christ who loved them then, at the time the book was written.  This is what we need to realize today.  Not just that Christ loved us….BUT THAT CHRIST LOVES US!  LOVES US TODAY! 

      HE LOOSED US FROM SIN!  This is the greatest expression of Christ’s love for His followers.  He shed His blood for us (Rev. 1:5).  In doing this He “made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father,” (Rev. 1:6).  This is the exalted position that we    occupy before our Father —  Heavenly citizenship and a Priestly office.  A Christian to be faithful to the Lord must never forget what he is.  He is not of the world-But called out of the world to serve the Living God.

HE COMETH AGAIN:  Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him,” (Rev. 1:7).  The Living One, who has been made both Lord and Christ, who now sits on the Throne of His Kingdom, will someday come again. (Acts 2:29-39; I Cor. 15:23-25).  Nothing is more plainly taught and more highly   featured in the New Testament than the Second Coming of the Christ.  When we realize that Christ is Living, is Reigning, is Coming Again, we will be encouraged to better living.  The Living Christ is coming again….ARE YOU READY?

By Frank Briscoe

Have you ever been engaged in some other activity when a sermon thought struck you, and you had to grab a napkin or used envelope and frantically scribble it down while it was still fresh on your mind?

I was sitting in a worship assembly joining with my brethren in singing praises to God, when some phrase in the hymn suggested a sermon idea.  In fact, it suggested a whole, seven-part sermon series!

1. DREAD: His whole ministry was overshadowed by the Cross – Jesus lived every day in anticipation of the agony at the end of the road (Matt 16:21, Mark 10:45, etc.). Thought Exercise: If you could choose to know the future, would you want to know the day of your death? What if a horrible end awaited you? How would that foreknowledge change your life in the present?
2. FORBODING: Jesus was not only focused on his own future suffering, but he also carried the weight of knowing the impending doom of his own people, of the terrible judgement that would soon fall on Israel because of their unbelief. Even as he staggered to the Cross, this was on his mind (Luke 19:44, 23:27-31, etc.).
3. ABANDONMENT: In his time of need, Jesus’ closest friends let him down (Matt 26:36-46). Judas betrayed him – Simon denied him – they scattered into the darkness like frightened rabbits (Mark 14:50-52).
4. PHYSICAL SUFFERING: The pain of a crucifixion was “excruciating” – a word derived from the Latin crux, which means “a cross.”

https://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/113/

http://www1.cbn.com/medical-view-of-the-crucifixion-of-jesus-christ

5. HUMILIATION: Jesus died a shameful death (Hebrews 12:2, Galatians 3:13) in front of mother (John 19:26), which caused her to experience a parent’s worst nightmare (see Luke 2:34-35).
6. SEPARATION: One of the heartbreaking aspects of the crucifixion is the anguished cry of Jesus – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34/Psalm 22:1), as “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
7. DEATH (Hebrews 2:9,14-18).

Series Conclusion: “The joy set before him, endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2-3).

Dan Williams

When I was in third grade, I had two boys threaten to beat me up after school one day.  They were the Ciccarelli twins – tough guys (it still sends a cold chill down my spine even when I type their name!)  I couldn’t understand it.  Why did these boys want to beat up a charming, precious little third-grader (according to my mother)?  It didn’t make sense to me; I barely knew them.  But one thing I knew was that they were going to be waiting for me after school.

And sure enough, after school there they stood waiting.  However, I had all day to think about their threat and I took action.  I rounded up all my friends, and we all walked home from school together.  In fact, we walked right past the Ciccarelli brothers, and they didn’t say a word.

Now, to the point of this story.  Why is it that a third-grader may know how to deal with bullying and opposition better than grown Christians?  What do I mean?  Well, when the Devil begins to pick on some Christians, and make their lives difficult, what’s one of the first things that some Christians do?  They stop attending church services.  They withdraw from everyone.  Instead of drawing on the strength of their brothers and sisters in Christ, they choose to face their enemy all alone.

As a third-grader, I knew that I was going to get “beat up” if I was found all by myself.  So I surrounded myself with friends, and avoided the beating.  Seems there’s a lesson in there for us.

– Steve Higginbotham

Sid and Barney headed out for their usual 9 holes.  Sid said, “Let’s make the time worth the while, at least for one of us, and bet $5 on the lowest score for the day.”  Barney agreed and they enjoyed a great game. After the 8th hole, Barney was ahead by one stroke, but he hit his ball into the rough on the 9th.

“Help me find my ball, you look over there,” he said to Sid.  After five minutes, neither had any luck, and since a lost ball carries a four-stroke penalty, Barney quietly pulled a ball from his pocket and tossed it to the ground. “I’ve found my ball!” he announced triumphantly.

Sid looked at him forlornly, “After all the years we’ve been friends, you’d cheat me in golf for a measly five bucks?!?”

“What do you mean cheat?  I found my ball sitting right here!”

“And a liar, too!!!”  Sid said with amazement.  “I’ll have you know I’ve been standing on your ball for the last five minutes!”

It’s so easy to point the finger at others when we’re guilty of sin ourselves!  That was the problem with the Pharisees.  It wasn’t just that they judged others (because some judgment is appropriate and necessary).  The problem was the kind of judgment, their anxiousness to find fault in others while taking no time to examine their own lives.

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  (Matthew 7:3-4)

Father, help me not to focus so much on the shortcomings of others that I fail to maintain my own relationship with you.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)

Can you imagine better advice for getting along with others?  How often we hear it said that the problem in a family, a plant, an office, a school, or even a church is a breakdown of communication. Obedience to this verse would change all of that.

“Be quick to hear.” Listen! Try to understand where the one who is talking “is coming from” and what he or she really means. See if you can repeat what was said so accurately that the one who said it will agree that you have stated the position accurately.

Now, make sure a reply is needed. We do not have to correct every mistake we hear.  Some are not serious enough to require attention. Others, though serious, may have to wait for a more suitable time to be corrected.

Even if a reply is needed, take your time. “Be slow to speak.”  Think of what you are saying.  Think how it will sound to the one hearing it and how it will sound if it is repeated to someone else. Ask yourself if what you are about to say will do good or do harm. Ask God to help you to say only what needs to be said. Nehemiah was asked a question by the king and managed a prayer before he answered (Neh. 2:4-5).  Remember that once you have spoken, you cannot recall your words.

Above all, “be slow to anger.”  Anger almost always breaks down communication; shouting matches seldom end in a better understanding of each other.  And, besides jeopardizing human relationships, they endanger our relation with God.  We may fancy that our anger is “righteous indignation,” but the Holy Spirit says: “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

Are you thinking, “That’s not much of a way to win an argument”?  RIGHT!  But it is a pretty good way to stop one.  How would you like to by to argue with someone who is “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger”?

– by Sewell Hall

The book of Joshua records the conquest of the land of Canaan. It shows us the triumph of faith at Jericho and the far reaching consequences of sin as Israel was defeated at Ai.

With full faith in the power of God, Joshua had sent 3,000 soldiers to attack Ai (Joshua 7:1-5). It came as a great shock when this little town not only stayed the attack, but killed 36 Israelites. Joshua, despondent over this defeat, tore his clothing and fell to the ground in prayer. God explained to Joshua there was sin in the camp of Israel.  While this sin remained unpunished God would not be with them.

In Joshua 7:21, we find Achan had sinned by stealing goods at Jericho. After Achan’s confession, “Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his sheep, his tent and all that he had and they brought them to the valley of Achor. . . so all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned him with fire after they had stoned them with stones” (Joshua 7:24, 25). One commentator observed that “Public executions are public examples.”

Years later, after the conquest of Canaan, we find a sermon in which the sin of Achan is recalled. “Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? And that man did not perish alone in his iniquity” (Joshua 22:20).

We need to remember that Achan “did not perish alone.” Thirty-six of Achan’s comrades, plus his sons and daughters, died because of his sin. I do not know much about Achan, but I am certain that if you could talk to him today he would tell you he had no idea how many lives his sin would affect. The tragedy is that he did not think about what his sin would do to other people.

None of us lives in a vacuum. Our actions have a lot of bearing on the eternal destiny of others. Paul tells us that “none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7). Have you ever thought about how your sins affect your spouse, children and those you work with?

When parents forsake the assembling of the saints their children must suffer the consequences, i.e., growing up without a knowledge of the Lord. I have met too many parents who waited till their children were almost grown before they tried to teach them the Bible. Most of the time, it is a case of “too little, too late.”

In a divorce, it is the children who have to pay the highest price. They have to pay for the immorality of their mother or father.

Sometimes parents have to pay the price for the sin of their children. “A foolish son is the ruin of his father” (Prov. 19:13). The grief inflicted is not because the children hate their parents, I’m afraid it’s because they just don’t care.

I pray that we can all learn a lesson from Achan without having to learn it the hard way.

– by David Padfield

This time of year, seasonal affective disorder is an issue many face. Dealing with occasional slumps is part of the human experience, but for some people depression is a near-permanent experience. I’ll share some of the verses I go to for these exact issues, but with some explanation attached.

Rom 8.18-27 can be summed up like this: “Everything in creation is a little broken, and we’re all waiting for the day when it’s not broken anymore.”

This isn’t to say that everyone deals with depression, but everyone deals with something. Chronic depression is just as much a byproduct of a flawed reality as arthritis, economic downturn, and car accidents.

For this discussion, there are two principles in Romans 8 that I take to heart: one, depression does NOT mean we don’t love God enough. It’s just another reminder that we aren’t supposed to be here forever. Two, it’s not going to last forever. We can put up with almost anything for a little while. Having the energy to put up with it, though, is something we’ll address with the next passage.

I Tim 5.23 – “Stop drinking water exclusively and use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your constant sickness.”

Look at the principle of this verse, please. It’s not a suggestion to use alcohol as a treatment for depression. Alcohol is known to make depression much worse! The principle is that God has given us the ability to use man-made substances to help sickness.

In fact, Paul uses commands (imperatives), not suggestions here. “Stop drinking water (only),” is one. Paul tells him to make use of (χρῶ, an imperative) a small amount of wine because it would help him manage his chronic stomach issues.

A person dealing with chronic depression – under a health worker’s direction, of course – is absolutely free to use medication to help manage daily life. It doesn’t indicate a “lack of faith” in any way, and it doesn’t mean a person isn’t dependent on God. God himself, through Paul, encourages the responsible use of medication when necessary.

I Cor 7.7 (paraphrased) – “Not everyone has the same abilities.”

This is specifically talking about sexual urges in a completely different context from our discussion. Paul encouraged Christians who were about to face difficulties to avoid the issues that may come with getting married. It’s a lot easier to disown God when an enemy can exploit a person’s love for their spouse. Paul pointed out that not everyone has the same amount of self-control, so if marriage would keep away sexual temptation, go for it.

That said, there’s still a valuable principle here: not everyone has the same abilities. Many Christians who face chronic depression often make things worse for their faith by comparing themselves to other Christians. “(Insert Name) is way more involved, more energetic, more put together, way ahead of me spiritually.” God knows our heart (I Ki 8.39; Rev 2.23). If we aren’t putting all that we can into our faith, we’ll be held accountable for that. God knows what our limits are, and will judge us accordingly.

This principle does not excuse anyone from serving God to the best of their abilities. What it should do is help us put our own abilities into perspective. We have different levels of ability, and God knows that.

In summary: Chronic depression is a very real byproduct of a broken world. God encourages us to take advantage of whatever medical care we have access to. God knows our hearts, which should both provide comfort and push us to grow.

Gary Pollard

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Life is uncertain; death is sure. “it is appointed for men to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Knowing this, we must prepare for eternity. Amos 4:12 states: “Prepare to meet your God.” Life and death are serious subjects. Therefore, the possibility “if I am lost,” is worthy of our best consideration. In Hosea 4:6, God states: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” We cannot hide our heads in the sand as an ostrich.

If I am lost, I will not be alone. It is a pity that so many will be lost (Matt. 7;13-14). No one lives or dies to himself (Rom. 14:7). Eve was not alone in the garden (Gen. 3:1). The rich man desired his brothers not to be with him (Luke 16:19ff).

If I am lost, I will be lost forever. Jesus says in Matthew 25:46: “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Hell is eternal (2 Thess. 1:7-9). There is no chance after death. The idea of purgatory is false (Luke 16:19-31). That place will be torment, not songs of joy, peace, and comfort (Luke 16:23).

If I am lost, I will suffer double loss: the loss of joy and the suffering of anguish. I will trade joy, peace, rest, my associates, God and Christ for misery, despair, wailing, and darkness (Luke 13:28; Mat. 13:42).  This loss is irreparable and the suffering, eternal.

If I am lost, it will be my fault. There are many who do not desire me being lost. God does not (John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9). Christ does not (Matt. 20:28; 1 John 2:1; Titus 2:14). The Holy Spirit does not (Eph. 4:30). The angels in heaven do not (Luke 15:10). The lost themselves do not want me to be with them (Luke 16:19).

The fact is, if I am lost, I alone bear the responsibility for being lost. Jesus said, “whoever will” may come (Rev. 22:17).

How are we living today with those thoughts in mind?

• the late Wayne Holland
• from a sermon preached in Hiawassee, GA (1/6/1985)
• Roxboro, NC (3/18/1990)
  • • • • Henderson, NC (8/23/1998)

I guess we have all used the excuse at one time or another as a teen. “Well, everybody else is (wearing it/doing it/going there).” I suppose we all heard the same answer. “If everybody jumped in a lake, would you?” There you have the wisdom of Momma. Moreover, it is rooted and grounded with the Word of God.

The Bible is full of examples of “the majority being right” being inconsistent at best. In I Samuel 14, Saul had made a decree that anyone who ate would be put to death. His son Jonathan, unaware of it, found some honey, dipped his rod in it and ate a little. Much to his chagrin, Saul said he had to put him to death. The people cried out in I Samuel 14:45 to save his life. A chapter later, God, through Samuel, tells Saul to go and utterly destroy the Amalekites and Agag, their king. they were to wipe them out. The Israelites did, but spared Agag and some of the livestock. When Samuel came to inquire, after the excuse-making and twisting of the truth, Saul finally got around to the facts. The majority of the people wanted to spare those things, and he listened to the majority. As a result, Saul lost God’s favor, the kingdom, and his life (as well as his sanity, it seemed).

In the New Testament, people lined the roads to Jerusalem, throwing palm branches and even their coats on the path Jesus traveled. They shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel.” (John 12:12-13). Yet these were the same people who shouted even louder, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! His blood shall be on us and on our children!” (Matt. 27:15-26). It was the majority that was pleased when Herod put James, the brother of John to death (Acts. 12:1-2). It was that same majority that led Herod to imprison Peter (Acts 12:3).

In truth, “everybody” is not doing this or that. “Everybody” is not wearing this or that. “Everybody” is not going there. Sometimes it seems that way when we are kids, and even as adults. However, “everyone” is not drinking, dressing immodestly, telling dirty jokes, cheating on their spouse, neglecting their families, being unfaithful to the church, and so on. However, even if they were, shouldn’t we still do right ourselves? Jesus said the majority would be lost (Matt. 7:13-14). That is His way of speaking the truth Momma did so long ago. “If everyone jumps in the lake (of fire), will you?” (See Rev. 20:14-15).

Corey Sawyers

HOW DOES A couple regain trust when an incident has seriously damaged it…?

The question is not as important for minor infractions, but it is essential when there has been a great loss of trust.

How do you regain trust?  It’s not easy.

• TRUST BUILDS OVER TIME.  Trust builds as a you gain confidence in someone being there for you.  While research shows that people vary in their general trust of others, deep trust only comes from seeing that your partner is there for you over time.  A wife, for example, can only regain her trust in her once unfaithful husband slowly.  The best thing that can happen is for a considerable amount of time to go by without a serious breach of trust.  That takes commitment and new ways of living together.  They can’t afford to let the same kind of distance build up again.  And if a husband has another affair, it will probably be impossible for his wife to trust him again.
• TRUST HAS THE GREATEST CHANCE OF BEING REBUILT WHEN EACH PARTNER TAKES APPROPRIATE RESPONSIBILITY.  The best thing a man can do to regain his wife’s trust is to take full responsibility for his actions.  If the wife sees her husband doing all he can to bring about serious change without her prodding and demanding, her trust will grow and she’ll gain confidence that things can get better — not perfect, but better.  It’s easier to trust when you can clearly see your partner’s dedication to you.
• A wife can also help to rebuild her husband’s trust.  For one thing, he’ll need to see that she doesn’t plan to hold the affair over his head forever.  Can she really forgive him?  If she reminds him about the affair,especially during arguments, he won’t be able to trust her statement that she wants them to draw closer and move ahead.
• IF YOU’VE LOST TRUST, RECOGNIZE THAT YOU CAN DO MORE TODAY TO FURTHER DAMAGE IT THAN TO REGAIN IT.  It takes a long time to regain trust but only a moment or two to crush it.  If the husband comes home tonight to be with his wife, still trying, she’ll gain a little more trust.  On the other hand, if he comes home two hours later without a good excuse, his wife’s trust will take a big step backward.  Mistakes are going to happen, but the commitment to change must remain clear.  The commitment says you have the time and motivation to rebuild trust.
• SURVEILLANCE DOESN’T INCREASE TRUST.  You can’t regain trust by following your partner around every moment of the day to make sure he or she doesn’t do anything wrong.  If won’t add to a wife’s trust to follow her husband wherever he goes or to call up his friends and ask what he’s been up to.

The exception to this is when you both agree that some checking up is okay.  The wife and husband could agree that for a time, he’ll call frequently or she’ll call him to touch base more often than usual.  But long term, the wife will have to come to trust her husband for both of them to relax in their relationship.  Let’s hope that her trust will not be misplaced.  To trust again is a risk. Your partner could let you down again and there’s no way to be sure that this won’t happen.  That’s why they call it trust.  As with forgiveness, it involves letting go.  Howard Markman, Scott Stanley, Susan L. Blumberg, “Forgiveness and the Restoration of Intimacy,” Fighting for Your Marriage, 224-225

Mike Benson

As we mentioned in the first article of this series, some people do not make a good “first impression,” and sometimes the problem is in the eyes of the beholder. Many movies, children’s books, songs, and the like have helped us form incorrect opinions about some of those whom we read about in the Bible. We began with Thomas, and today I would like for us to take a second look at another disciple. Let’s see if we do not walk away with a better “Second Impression.”

Judas is “the bad guy.” When we think of him, we most often think of the scene of his kissing Jesus in the garden. With that kiss, he indicated the One he was turning over to the soldiers. He betrayed Jesus! As such, he goes down in history with some of the most notorious traitors of all time. Cassius, Brutus, Benedict Arnold, and Tokyo Rose have nothing on the man who betrayed the Lord. We are not so surprised at this heinous act because we think we have the character of Judas all figured out. How often do we think of him as the influential disciple chosen by Jesus and respected by the eleven? Despite our first impression of Judas, think of how incomplete a picture we have painted of him.

First, remember Judas was a disciple of Jesus! That means:

• He heard what Jesus taught (Mt. 5:1-2ff).
• He saw Jesus perform miracles (Mt. 8:23-27).
• He saw Jesus even raise the dead (Mt. 9:19-25).
• He was given exclusive insight into what Jesus taught (Mt. 13:10-12).
• He even helped Jesus perform miracles (Mt. 14:17-21).
• He was able to cast out unclean spirits (Mt. 10:1-4).
• He was able to heal every kind of disease and affliction (Mt. 10:1-4).

Think about all of that! Judas was doing good, hearing truth, and involved in great efforts to teach about Jesus! Because of this, he was also highly respected.

Second, remember the disciples respected Judas!

How can we come to that conclusion?

• They followed his lead. They became indignant at the “waste” of using the expensive perfume to anoint Jesus (Mt. 26:6-9). John’s account says it was Judas who did these things. It seems evident that Judas began the outcry, and the others naturally followed Judas in this.
• John also tells us that Judas became upset because he was the treasurer and wanted the money for himself. All of the disciples (to a certain degree at least) were concerned about what they could get out of Jesus. That is why the lobbied for positions and argued about who was the greatest. The point, though, is of all they could have chosen, at the time, they trusted Judas with the money.
• In Matthew 26, Jesus tells the disciples one will betray Him. Not one disciple said, “It’s Judas, right?” Instead, they each said, “Is it I, Lord?” (vv.21-22). In other words, Peter, Andrew, John, and all the rest thought they might be the betrayer before it ever entered their mind it might be Judas. That thought never entered their minds, apparently. When Judas did leave, they thought he was going out to do a good deed for the poor!

Third, remember this did not turn out how Judas wanted it. Perhaps, as some have suggested, Judas only wanted Jesus to step up and be the Messiah they all knew He should be. By leading the soldiers to arrest Jesus, it seems Judas might have thought this was the straw that would lead the Christ to throw out the Romans and sit on David’s throne. While we cannot know his motivation for sure, we can be confident he was upset when it became apparent that Jesus would be put to death. After all, that would be the only reason they would be bringing him to the governor. It was at that moment (“then”) that Judas wanted to reverse the course (Mt. 27:1-5).

So, what can we learn from Judas?

1. We can be with the right people, hearing the right things, and not be following Jesus.
2. We can be doing the right things, in the right places, and not be following Jesus.
3. Everyone can think we are following Jesus, and we not be following Jesus.
4. We must CHOOSE JESUS before we can FOLLOW JESUS!

Our first impression of Judas may have been of some notorious criminal mastermind. The text paints a different picture! He is one who was following Jesus while doing the right things but allowed his desires to turn his heart. Isn’t it true that the same thing could happen to us? No matter what the songs or stories might say, God’s word gives us a great second impression of Judas as one whose life is a warning for us all!

Corey Sawyers

Inigo Montoya said, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” It is one of the funny lines of the movie The Princess Bride. The truth is, sometimes we do the same with verses and texts in the bible. We want to take a fresh look at verses we think we know, but that context says means something different than we usually proclaim.

Such is the case of today’s verse. Perhaps you have heard it said when someone was talking about how special a gathering was. Maybe you have heard it used by someone who was trying to justify skipping the weekly assembly. It could be that you have even heard some well-meaning brother pray, “We are thankful that when two or more are gathered in your name, you are right here with us.” Is it true that in Matthew 18:20, Jesus is talking about his presence when we gather in his name?

First, we must look at the context. Matthew 18:15-17 is giving us a formula for what to do when a brother is guilty of sin. It is a four-step process.

1. Show him in private (v.15). It shows the person in sin that your objective is helping them because you love them. Your goal is to win back a brother.
2. Take one or two more with you (v.16). This is an appeal back to Deuteronomy 19:15 in order to have two to three witnesses. Again, the objective is not gossip. It is winning back a brother.
3. Tell it to the church. Now you have the entire family of God working to bring this one back. Note: be sure not to tell it to the church and visitors. This is a family matter, so keep it strictly within the family.
4. Treat them as one who is no longer considered to be part of God’s family. This is not an easy step, but when it becomes necessary, it can work.

In verses 18-19, Jesus is not telling the apostles they can make up whatever laws they would like. Jesus is Lord, not the apostles. Stay in context. When the church has made this decision, having followed the steps Jesus has outlined, that decision is bound in Heaven. The consequences for one staying in sin are not only felt on earth, but they bear eternal weight as well.

Then we get to our verse, Matthew 18:20. What is Jesus saying? He is telling us that we are not to let someone stay as part of the family that God has ruled not a part of His family. Because the “two or three witnesses” have established the matter in the congregation, the decision was made. It was not only a congregational decision but also a heavenly one. So, if you go against the decision, you are not just going against the congregation. You are also going against the Lord.

Our verse is followed by the parable of the unmerciful servant (vv.21-35). Again, the context is about how we deal with those in sin, not our assemblies.

Sometimes a single verse may seem to have a plain meaning. However, when we look at that verse in its context we see something more. Then we are able to reboot the verse to perform how the Lord intended.

Corey Sawyers

If any age of man is the era of selfishness, ours is it. The selfie is our symbol. If Narcissus had his pool of water, we have that ubiquitous extension of our personalities, the smartphone.

In the last letter that has remained from his hand, the apostle Paul warned his son in the faith, Timothy, away from false teachers and manipulators of souls. The entire passage deserves reading, but start with these six verses:

But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. 2 Timothy 3.1-6.

The phrase: “lovers of themselves,” is a single word in the underlying Greek language. It is found only once in the New Testament. It stands here at the head of this list of sins. Perhaps Paul is thinking that all our transgressions flow from it.

In his Tyndale commentary on 2 Timothy, Donald Guthrie said this term and the second one furnish the key to the list. It begins and ends with two pairs of compound words about what people do or do not love. The second word of the first pair (“lovers of money”) may seem out of place, but remember that love of money is “a radical cause of evil, cf. 1 Tim. 6:10” (J.N.D. Kelly, Pastoral Epistles, 179).

With all these love compounds (phil-), the sins are surrounded by a love which belong to another universe than God’s sacrificial love.

Love of self is selfishness (CEB). In his work on synonyms, Trench said one writer “likened the selfish man to the hedgehog that rolls itself up into a ball, presenting only sharp spines to those without, while at the same time keeping inside the soft, warm wool for itself.”

Though the term here for selfishness is unique, the Bible has a variety of words and descriptions to help us identify self-love.

• Jude says false teachers are “following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters” Jude 16.
• ESV and other versions translate the word eritheia as “self-seeking” in Romans 2.8. NET translates it as “selfish rivalries” in Galatians 5.20, as “selfish ambition” in Philippians 1.17, and as “selfishness” in James 3.14, 16.
• “Self-will,” authades, refers to the person who acts on his own initiative, Titus 1.7; 2 Peter 2.10.
• Other words refer to pride, vanity, and arrogance.

The somewhat difficult verse of Proverbs 18.1 reminds us that selfishness cannot abide living in community: “One who has isolated himself seeks his own desires; he rejects all sound judgment.” This applies to family and church, when the “passions that battle inside you” cause conflicts and quarrels, James 4.1-3.

Preachers and teachers err when they affirm that Christians should love themselves because of the second commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself. The error starts by going to the Bible to find support for psychology’s concept of self-love. But did the Lord really mean we ought to love ourselves? Hardly!

On the contrary, man naturally and carnally promotes his own interests. So we ought to turn that into promoting with equal intensity the interests of others. (We cannot do both.) Love is not “self-serving” 1 Corinthians 13.5. Paul makes it clear: “Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others” Philippians 2.4 CEB.

As always, Jesus has the last word with these definitions of selfishness and selflessness and their consequences. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it” Mark 8.35.

J. Randal Matheny

The shortest book of the Old Testament is called Obadiah, and is a scathing condemnation of the Edomites for their treatment of Israel when the Jews were attacked and looted by their enemies.  If we were asked, “Who wrote the book of Obadiah,” the answer would be, “Obadiah, of course.”  But which Obadiah? (Because there are actually several in the Bible.)

In 1 Chronicles, there is an extensive genealogical list (several, actually) that lasts nearly ten full chapters.  Five different men named “Obadiah” are listed in those chapters (3:21; 7:3; 8:38; 9:16, 44).  The same book also mentions a warrior from the tribe of Gad named Obadiah: this man was a fighter who was elevated to become one of the captains of David’s army (12:9-18).  Yet another Obadiah is mentioned as the father of Ishmaiah, the ruler/governor over Zebulun (27:19).  Then there’s a Levite named Obadiah, who faithfully oversaw repairs made to the temple of God (2 Chronicles 34:12).

When a portion of the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity, a man named Obadiah brought 218 men (probably children, grandchildren, nephews, younger brothers) with him (Ezra 8:9).  Later on, one of the priests who helped with the rebuilding project was named Obadiah (Nehemiah 10:5, 8).  Another Obadiah (though it is conceivable that it is the same one) during that time was a protector of the prison (Nehemiah 12:25).

But the two most likely candidates for the writer of the book of Obadiah are not among those eleven men.

One was the governor of King Ahab’s house, but risked his life to hide a hundred prophets of God, and even fed them (presumably with Ahab’s food) during a great famine (1 Kings 18:1-16). This man was also acquainted with Elijah, which was also very dangerous at this time, since that prophet had a death sentence hanging over his head by Jezebel.  But Obadiah remained faithful to the Lord and His prophets.

The other one is a man chosen by King Jehoshaphat to travel around the kingdom as a teacher of the Law, to bring the people back to God—and it seems to have been so effective that the nations around them even feared the Lord as a result (2 Chronicles 17:3-10).

We may never know for certain which man wrote Obadiah, but now at least you know a little bit more about the possibilities.

-Bradley S. Cobb

Have you ever heard of Hur? “Didn’t you mean to say, ‘Haven’t you heard of her?'” No, I meant to say, “Hur.” He is one of the great “supporting roles” in the Bible. Literally!
In Exodus 17, Amalek came to fight against Israel. The plan for the Israelites involved many people in several different roles. There was Moses, the fearless leader of the Israelites and spokesman for God. Not only did he inform of the plan (v.9), it was his hands that, when raised, allowed Israel to prevail (v.11). There was also Joshua, the leader of the armed forces who mounted the charge into battle (vv.9-10, 13). Alongside Joshua were the men chosen to fight. We do not know their names. However, we can appreciate their courage and valor.

There are also two more individuals in the account. Aaron and Hur are the unsung heroes – the supporting roles – of the battle. They had the grand task of holding up Moses’ hands. As long as Moses keeps his arms and staff in the air, Israel wins. They fall, and Israel loses. The vital lesson for us is that everyone can contribute because everyone can be a Hur! (Now, truthfully, how many of those reading this have heard of Hur?) Not everyone will be a preacher, elder, deacon, teacher, or someone in the “spotlight.” There are things for you to do that are just as vital, important, and necessary. How can you be a Hur?

• Make a phone call to the person that hasn’t been attending.
• Send a card to encourage a missionary or preacher, or to lift someone who is sick or sorrowful.
• Make a meal for a shut-in.
• Wash baptismal garments, clean the building, or prepare communion.
• Financially support a preacher student, a teacher, or a missionary.
• Visit your preacher or youth minister at his office to pray for him and his family.
• Make homemade cookies, bread, or some other good to give to visitors.
• Stop an elder after services, pull him into a classroom, and pray for him.
• Be a “helper” in a children’s class.
• Send flowers, or a bring a gift card by for the office personnel – Meda, Teri, and Lynn.
• Make it a point to welcome all the visitors at each service.
• Invite a deacon and his family over for Sunday lunch. Invite a different one each week until you have had them all over.

Even the most unknown, ungifted person can contribute to the victory. Ultimately the victory is because of the Lord (vv.14-16). However, He expects all of us to do our part because every part is essential!

So, what are you waiting on? Be a Hur!

Corey Sawyers

Since the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, former heads of terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere, there have continued to be suicide bombings around the world. At this writing they do not seem to be as frequent as in years gone by, and this may be because of Covid-19. The drop in frequency of such suicide bombings is deceptive. We might be deceived into thinking we have been successful in subduing such a mindset. Unfortunately, those who have a propensity toward such violence and force are as alive today as it was when the terrorists flew jet planes into the New York Twin Towers almost twenty years ago. As Rush Limbaugh was fond of saying, “Don’t doubt me on this!” The same mindset that motivates terrorists to carry out the horrific deeds that make news also motivates groups like Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and the Ku-Klux-Klan to promote violence in those cities where they think they can get away with it. Let the violence lessen in one area, and it seems to crop up in other areas. The past half-century has taught us one important lesson, namely that things will wax worse and worse throughout the Christian dispensation. So long as the devil is around, he will continue to be that “roaring lion” going about seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). Consequently, the evil in this world is and will continue to be rooted in inevitability.

It has not been that long ago when Americans seemed to think mad bombers were “over there,” and we were isolated from the influence of such insane acts of violence. All that changed at the turn of this century – September 11, 2001, to be exact. While it appeared that we were safe and secure, we were already hearing warnings of “inevitability.” After 9/11 the consensus of politicians and public leaders was that attacks on American soil were inevitable. Former FBI director Robert Mueller went on record (5-21-02) as stating that suicide bombers are inevitable, even here in our country: “It is inevitable that suicide bombers like those who have attacked Israeli restaurants and buses will strike the United States [and] we will not be able to stop it.” Such language, to say the least, is a little unsettling. Except for the Civil War, American citizens, since the founding of this nation, have been exempt from war on our home soil. Unlike Europe, Africa, Japan, China, and other nations, we have not experienced an invasion of the enemy, occupation by another nation, or the threat of physical harm because of warfare on our homeland. Those sentiments are no longer true. Dan Rather, shortly after the attack on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001 observed that the words in the fourth stanza of “America, The Beautiful” read thus:

O Beautiful for patriot dream,

That sees beyond the years.

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears.

America, America! God shed His grace on thee.

And crown thy good with brotherhood,

From sea to shining sea.

The words “undimmed by human tears” were the focus of Rather’s comments. In tears he pointed out that now our cities have been dimmed by human tears. We have experienced firsthand the invasion of an enemy. And we are afraid! That fear is heightened by the uncertainty of time and place. As former FBI Director Robert Mueller noted, “I believe it is going to come…Now, is it going to happen today, tomorrow or two years? We’re not certain.” Meanwhile we have our own form of terrorism here in the United States. Unbalanced and unhinged (and I might add, unlawful) individuals seem to think that taking innocent lives in order to make some kind of “statement,” or gain some twisted form of notoriety is the new norm. They take it upon themselves to enter a movie house, or post office, or former place of work, and gun down innocent bystanders. Will it happen again? Probably! Will we get any warning? Probably not! This was precisely Muller’s point. Of course, Mueller can only guess what lies down the road. We need not become unsettled because of one man’s opinion, nor should we live in fear that some mad man is going to walk into the local Walmart and “pull the string.” Now to the point of this article. Why is it that folks can become so unsettled over something that may or may not ever happen, yet totally ignore the warnings of something that really is inevitable? Let me explain.

There is an event, the precise date unknown to men that awaits the whole of mankind. Of course, you know what I speak. “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). “For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only” (Matt. 24:36).

Why is it that our reaction to the announcement of an “inevitable” threat to our physical wellbeing has such a profound effect on our emotions, while we give so little thought to another “inevitable” promise that faces all mankind, past, present, and future generations? Comparing the two events, consider the following:

First, there is the possibility factor. Even with all the input from some of the top government agencies at his disposal, Mr. Mueller can only make an educated guess. It may turn out that he is right, and that indeed suicide bombers ARE inevitable. But neither he nor his constituents can look into the future. On the other hand, our God is omniscient. He has proven His power in this area by predictive prophecy that has come true 100% of the time. As to the possibility of the judgment, you can rest assured that day will occur.

Second, there is the time factor. When it comes to probable terrorist acts on our home soil, the FBI director admits, “We’re not certain.” All available information is brought to bear, and still, “We’re not certain.” Who knows the mind of a terrorist, what time frame that might constrain him, or events and circumstances that may bring about the opportunity for his intended actions? Who among men can predict that some madman will walk into his workplace and shoot innocent victims? As for the judgment, “no man knows, not even the angels in heaven.” Why is it, then, that men think they see the “signs” of the Lord’s return in judgment? The precise moment of the judgment cannot be determined, and men manifest their arrogance and foolishness when they attempt to pre-guess or circumvent God.

Third, there is the purpose factor. Why do the FBI, CIA, and other intelligence agencies think it important to provide advance notice of an “inevitable” attack by terrorists? The answer is obvious. So that we can be alert, prepared, and ready for such an event and thereby minimize the injury and loss of life. God has warned us of the judgment. He has even told us that He is not willing that ANY should perish (2 Peter 3:9). Additionally, He has provided a “way of escape” (1 Cor. 10:13). He has promised to see us through if we will but trust and obey. How grateful we are that God has warned us of that “inevitable” event.

I am puzzled, however, that so few give serious consideration to the Divine warnings concerning that coming day of Judgment. The only conclusion I can come to is that they must not really believe that the Judgment Day is “inevitable.” I wonder!

By Tom Wacaster

In the mid-’80s, while teaching at Bear Valley, in one of the Homiletics classes, the assignment was to present a lesson dealing with,  “The Assurance Of Your Salvation.  “Each of the nine students presented their lessons, and with all the lessons of the years, well most have been forgotten for the most part. But one of the illustrations used has stayed with me these 35 or so years.

One of the students began by saying, “You are in the fight of your life. You are in the ring with George Forman, and to stay alive, you must win. Well, what are the chances,” he said? He went on to say, “I was thinking what chance did I HAVE, NONE.”

Then the Connor man leaned down and said, “the fight is fixed, you can lose, but you must stay in the fight, stay in the ring.”

Then he went on to say, “The Christian life is like that, the moment you put on Christ in baptism you became the eternal winner. But you must stay in the fight. Never give up, never turn back; keep your eyes on the goal.

A few verses that make it clear we are in a Fight.

II Tim. 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

 I Tim. 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Eph. 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

     James 1:12, “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

I am sure you can think of other passages that make it clear we are in a fight. But always remember the fight has been won through Christ. Satan has been defeated.

From  Romans 8:31-35, consider this promise, ” What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”

So Again, Stay In The Ring,

Dick Brant