DID KING DAVID SIN WHEN HE NUMBERED THE PEOPLE?

Beth Johnson

Was there a law against numbering the people? What was the law for numbering the people?

• Exodus 30:11-16 KJV And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. 13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord. 14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. 16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.

Had David numbered the people at any time before he was enticed or “moved”?

• 2 Samuel 18:1-2 KJV And David numbered the people that were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 And David sent forth a third part of the people under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother, and a third part under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said unto the people, I will surely go forth with you myself also.

What is the difference between other times King David had numbered the people and this time?

If God moved David to do it, can we say he sinned this time?

• 2 Samuel 24:1-3 KJV And again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he (Our Heavenly Father) moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. 2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people. 3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the Lord thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

Joab rebuked David, but was Joab always right in his evaluations?

• 2 Samuel 24:4-10 KJV Notwithstanding the king’s word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel. 5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer: 6 Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon, 7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hibites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, even to Beer-sheba. 8 So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days. 9 And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 10 And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Notice that David felt guilty, but did the LORD say he was guilty? Keep 2 Samuel 18:1 firmly in mind.

• 2 Samuel 24:11-15 KJV For when David was up in the morning, the word of the Lord came unto the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12 Go and say unto David, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things; choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. 13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days’ pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to him that sent me. 14 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the Lord; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man. 15 So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men.

We know that David loved his people, and whatever happened to them was in effect happening to him.

Would David have been able to witness the judgment of these “sheep” being destroyed if he had not believed it was his punishment?

• 2 Samuel 24:16-19 KJV And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 And David spake unto the Lord when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house. 18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the Lord commanded.

When God decided certain Israelites had been destroyed, he told his angel to stop the plague.

• 2 Samuel 24:20-25 KJV And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground. 21 And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee. 24 And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Besides all these things, we know our Heavenly Father’s testimony of David’s character was true when He said…

• 1 Kings 15:5 KJV Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he (God) commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

What is sin? If there was no law against counting the people, was David guilty of sin?

• 1 John 3:4 KJV Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

  Beth Johnson

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Civic freedom is a privilege Americans have had for centuries. It is also something many people around the world have never experienced. Throughout history, both free and tyrannical governments have risen and fallen. As Americans, we bask in the glory of our freedom. We exercise our rights. We even take freedom for granted, while citizens of socialist and communist nations long for the freedom we have. When our freedom is threatened, we feel like it’s the end of the world. But the bottom line is, whether living in a free country or an oppressive one, Christians are citizens of a different nation altogether. We are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” of God’s (1 Pet. 2:9). Paul explains this also in his letter to the Philippian church…

“But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”

Philippians 3:20-21

At every turn, we’re bombarded with news of corruption, injustice, and oppression around the world. Fear strikes our hearts at immorality that is accepted and even encouraged. We react with fear because we know our native country to be our homeland, and as the world moves further from Truth, we feel less and less at home. Certainly, Paul knows exactly how this feels as he wrote the book of Philippians in jail after being arrested for sharing Jesus.

But the beauty of belonging to God’s kingdom is that we have a better home waiting. Through civil unrest or persecution, Christians on earth have an opportunity to live exemplary lives (1 Pet. 2:11-12, 15) and become more like Christ (1 Pet. 2:21-23) through trials. Even more so, in death, the faithful Christian has nothing to lose and everything to gain (1 Cor. 15:53-56). Whether we’re talking about cancel-culture or blatant persecution (both of which happen today), Paul’s message rings true. We must never let the instability of this world overshadow the glory of Heaven. No matter what happens, our homeland is Heaven, and our Ruler is God.

By Emily Pollard

Psalm 5:4 “For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.”

School teachers are the most remarkable humans. Somehow, they inspire children to greatness, even though those students seemingly lie dormant in their classroom from September to May. And there is more. From calming angry parents in the pickup line, to disassembling and reassembling copiers as fast as a Nascar pit crew, to possessing the telepathy to name the child who released the hamster in the classroom, teachers are superheroes.

But one area in which teachers admittedly struggle is pairing up roommates for overnight fieldtrips. Certain students simply can not room together. Perhaps one is a night owl, the other an early bird, or one likes it cold and the other likes it hot, or they argue, (and their parents argue, too). Through it all, teachers have proven incompatibility does exist!

Did you know incompatibility is found in scripture? Two of the greatest incompatible conditions are good and evil. Just as with roommates, good and evil simply cannot live together. And, since God is good, evil cannot coexist with Him. Just look at Psalm 5:4 above.

Consider how evil played out in the life of King Saul. The king was not accustomed to sharing the spotlight. Then a young whipper-snapper named David showed up and killed the big, bad Goliath. Suddenly, David took center stage and Saul was demoted to supporting-actor status. Saul’s insecurity planted jealousy in his heart which grew to fill him with evil. It was then, the Lord departed from him.

Saul allowed jealousy over David’s popularity to take up residency in his soul, consume his thoughts, control his actions, and crowd out the spirit of God. Saul’s story confirms goodness and evil are incompatible roommates.

So, friend, stop and ponder a few hard truths about the evil that jealousy plays in our own lives. Jealousy grows if we allow it to remain in our hearts. It will eat away at our desire to be who God planned us to be and eventually, as with Saul, the Spirit of God will depart from us. So, friend, if your desire is to possess God’s Spirit, flee from evil, (and that includes jealousy) for God simply cannot co-exist with it.

Father God, fill our hearts to overflowing with your love so no room is left for any type of evil.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

“Only the strong survive.” With a few notable exceptions, this could be my garden motto. I have given away dozens of yellow flag irises this year. It’s not like I want to get rid of them, or that I’m trying or can’t get rid of them, but they’re such a strong and vigorous plant that they just keep multiplying.

They always look marvelous, even when they’re not blooming. The stately, sword-like foliage is a great vertical point of interest toward the back of the border as the summer perennials take over the color show. They grow thick and lush, no matter what soil or moisture they get. They’ll even grow in a pond! They’ve grown behind the white myrtle trees where I once plopped a hunk of their roots until I could figure out what to do with them.

Oh, to be that strong! Other plants may even be stronger and hard to kill — bamboo and houttuynia come to mind. So far I’ve resisted the temptation to plant either of these beauties in the landscape lest they become like the invasive Showy Primrose, which I cannot seem to eradicate. Yeah, that’s a little too strong.

Samson, one of the judges of Israel, was said to be the strongest man who ever lived. As the Bible begins the narrative about him as a judge, it starts off with the relatively smaller task of dispatching a live lion.

“And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand” (Judges 14:6, NKJ).

My very strong husband said he probably couldn’t tear a goat, never mind a lion. Maybe people had to be stronger back in the Bible days! I’m sure if we could afford to eat goats they would be butchered with machinery these days, and not torn apart.

Samson’s superhuman strength was a unique gift from God, however. Our lion-tearing aspirations will just have to be directed into something more attainable, like growing some flowers.

Just because we don’t have the strength of Samson doesn’t mean we are not strong! No matter what our physical capabilities are, we have unlimited strength in a spiritual sense. We need only to tap into it, because our own powers are often woefully inadequate.

Trials of an emotional or spiritual nature are going to shape us by the way handle them. It’s not exactly true that “what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger,” but we do grow and mature by correctly handling these stresses.

“She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms” (Proverbs 31:17).

The source of our strength is key. Anger, frustration, or hatred shouldn’t be the driving force behind our resolve to get something done. We must carefully examine our motives and our goals. When Miriam and the women of Israel saw the hand of the Lord deliver them from Egypt, their song reflected a basic truth; that God is the source of true strength.

The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
He is my God, and I will praise Him” (Exodus 15:2)

Christine (Tina) Berglund

When our children were small, we made a trip to Disney World. We were all excited about visiting such a wonderful place and anxious to see everything we possibly could.

One day while we were waiting on one of the trams, we met a family with a little boy. His mom called him Mr. Mischief. The child could not be still. He wanted to hurry to do everything. He was impatient waiting for the tram, and he was into everything.

His mother told me that “Mr. Mischief” was so named because he was always getting into trouble. She told me this in front of him, while she was constantly stopping our conversation to correct him.

It occurred to me as we talked, that this child was responding to his mother’s expectations of him. She expected him to always be difficult, and so he was. She expected him to constantly get into trouble, so he did.

I wonder how different our lives would be if our expectations were different. Would it change the way we treat others? Would it change the way we look at our own lives? Would it change the way others respond to us?

I think we tend to go from day to day, expecting the worst in people. We expect someone to hurt our feelings. We expect someone will cheat us. We expect that our friends will let us down. Some people expect their spouse to be unfaithful. Parents expect their children to do things they shouldn’t.

I believe Jesus gave the benefit of the doubt to those He met during His ministry on earth. Let’s look at some of His encounters and see.

When Nicodemus came to Jesus, he came at night. After all, he was a Pharisee; and the other Pharisees might not have understood why he was paying a visit to Jesus.

When he approached Jesus, our Lord didn’t expect Nicodemus to be there with ulterior motives. He had a conversation with him about being born again. Later, Nicodemus defended him at a meeting of the Sanhedrin (John 7:50) and even helped Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus (John 19:39).

From their conversation, Jesus obviously talked with Nicodemus as though there was a chance he would do the right thing.

When Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He knew that Lazarus was dead. Mary and Martha couldn’t understand why Jesus had delayed and why He had not arrived in time to heal Lazarus. Their expectation was not unnatural. After all, they had probably seen the Lord heal others or maybe raise someone from the dead. They expected Jesus to come immediately.

Of course, we know that when Jesus arrived, He went to Lazarus’ tomb. There He called Lazarus to come forth, and Lazarus did. Mary and Martha received what they expected, just not when they expected it.

Jesus knew He was fighting an uphill battle during His three-year ministry. People expected Him to defeat the Romans in battle and restore the Jewish nation. They expected Him to reign as an early king, but He reigned then and now as the heavenly king. They expected Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom, but He set up a spiritual kingdom, the church.

What do we expect? Let’s look at a few things some might expect:

· Do we expect God to reward us for our good deeds when our hearts are evil?

· Do we expect God to let us believe whatever we want and still have a place in His kingdom?

· Do we expect to go to heaven without taking anyone with us?

· Do we expect to never attend worship and God take us to the home He has prepared where we will worship Him forever?

· Do we expect to keep making more and more money and never give any of it back to God?

What does God expect? He expects obedience, just like He expected of the Jews on Pentecost in Acts 2. He expects the same thing He expected from the Eunuch in Acts 8, Saul in Acts 9, Cornelius in Acts 10, and all the others that responded to His Word throughout the book of Acts.

Simply stated, God expects our obedience to His commands, just as He expected obedience from His people in the Old Testament. We need to do as Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 2:15, “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (ASV).

We need an open mind and a heart willing to accept the Word of God. Then we need to obey what the Lord commands.

Sandra Oliver

In Scripture, not one account of sexual relations outside of marriage has a happy ending. Shame is heaped upon the parties who willfully participated in fornication. Lot’s daughters chose wrongfully – to their shame, and thus they brought about two nations who were at odds with Israel (Genesis 19:30-38). Sarah encouraged Abraham to take a second wife, and it brought about strife within the family, which brought about another nation that would trouble God’s chosen people later (Genesis 16). Shechem fell in love with Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He took her and had relations with her outside the bond of marriage. This act brought about his death and that of his father and all of the men of his city (Genesis 34). One widely known narrative is that of King David with Bathsheba. He saw her; he desired her, and he took her. The end result was a man murdered and a child who died in infancy (2 Samuel 11:1-12:23). I could go on and on. God has made it clear from the beginning that the sexual relationship is a special one which should be treated as such.

Read Deuteronomy 22:13-21. Were the woman and her parents to be prepared to defend her claim of purity (Deuteronomy 22:15-17)? Once false charges were proven as false, was the husband allowed to do this to her again at some time in the future (Deuteronomy 22:18-19)? If the charges were proven to be true, what would happen to the woman (Deuteronomy 22:20-21)? Why? What did this accomplish?

Read Deuteronomy 22:22-30. What would happen to a man and a married woman (not his wife) found having relations together (Deuteronomy 22:22)? What did this accomplish? If a man found an engaged girl in the city and laid with her, what was to be done with them (Deuteronomy 22:23-24)? Why? What did this accomplish? If a man found an engaged girl out away from the city, forced her and laid with her, what would happen to them (Deuteronomy 22:25-27)? How does this compare to verse 26? Was there any sin in her in this instance? Did God make a distinction between the woman who tried to stop such a thing but was unable to find help and the woman who could have found help and did not seek it? If a man found a virgin girl who was not engaged and laid with her, what would happen to them (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)? Having started their relationship this way, could he ever put her away?

There were protections for a woman who did not choose to have relations outside of marriage. When she chose to violate that purity, she was condemned to death. There’s no comment of how many times she had done such a thing for her to be said to have “played the harlot.” One time, by choice outside the bonds of marriage, is the same as many times and resulted in her being a harlot. God puts a great value on our purity. He condemns men who will take it forcefully away, and He condemns the woman who willingly gives it away.
The Shulammite woman in the Song of Solomon called herself a “wall” (Song of Solomon 8:10). Her brothers said, “We have a little sister, And she has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister In the day when she is spoken for? If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; And if she is a door, We enclose her with boards of cedar” (Song of Solomon 8:8-9).

Until she was of age, her brothers were her defense. If she were already a sturdy wall, they would supplement that. However, if she was a door, then they would board her up with strong boards. When she was older (“my breasts were like towers”), she called herself a wall. She protected herself. Her breasts were not welcome signs, but instead, they were towers. Towers on buildings are designed to keep people out and to make it hard to get to the top. She protected herself after it was no longer her brothers’ responsibility.

Tamar kept her head when she was in a frightening and distressing circumstance (2 Samuel 13:1-23). She did everything she could to prevent what Amnon intended. She knew that no matter how much he said he loved her (2 Samuel 13:1), if he would do such a thing before making her his wife, he was disgracing them both (2 Samuel 13:11-13). His true desires were shown after he violated her. He could have still married her, but he threw her away without any care for her. This was an even greater disgrace and misuse of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:15-16). She valued her purity, but he did not.

There are many places in the Bible where one can study this topic. For instance, Proverbs 5 is all about avoiding the pitfalls of fornication and adultery. Just because it’s written to a male does not mean that the same principles do not apply to a female!

Proverbs 6:20-29 is much the same as chapter 5. Wise King Solomon obviously saw the dangers of the flesh as something to instruct and to warn his student! The one committing adultery is compared to a thief. If you know it’s wrong to steal a candy bar from a store, then you should also know that it’s wrong to take away from a married woman what is rightfully hers – her husband’s attention (1 Corinthians 7).

Remember Philippians 4:8-9.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

James 3:16-18 expresses the same exhortation.

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Temptations stay furthest away when one is too busy doing good to give the temptation any time to fester in the heart. “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Beth Johnson

The phrase “Love you to death” is common in American vernacular. It is used to convey the utmost love for another – until death do us part – if you will. It has become a light-hearted idiom that is often stated with no real thought behind it and even while saying something negative afterward. One example is, “I love him to death, but he makes me so angry.” I was thinking about this expression one day and realized that spiritually, we are loving people to death! As Christians, we are letting those whom we know are lost pass us by in this life without teaching them the truth. We avoid talking with erring brethren, never reminding them of what the Word says and never pleading with them to return to God. We claim to love them, but in reality, we are letting them stay on the path to spiritual death. Why is this, and what can be done?

Sadly, the world around us has become increasingly more tolerant of sin. So much so that if you speak out against it, you are labeled “judgmental” and “intolerant.” Ironically, those who do such name-calling are being judgmental and intolerant. This has crept into the Lord’s church, and now, some have “grown-up” in the church never having heard certain truths from God’s Word because elders or preachers didn’t want to offend anyone in attendance. Many have never witnessed church discipline conducted properly when there is a member in need of being corrected. Several Christians fear losing friendships or family relationships over sin in one’s life, and thus, they maintain the status quo by never mentioning one’s sin.

Of course, who likes controversy? Maybe there are a few in the world who enjoy arguing and heated discussions with others, but for the most part, everyone avoids controversial topics if they can. We find it uncomfortable to do what Nathan did for David (2 Samuel 12:1-12). Would we go before a king to remind him of sin in his life? The prophet Nathan did because he was obeying God, and he loved David. We should have a heart that longs for souls to return to their Lord. We should be people willing to discuss uncomfortable issues regardless of our own feelings or what we think the outcome will be.

Paul addressed a difficult subject in 1 Corinthians 5. In addition to the fact that there was a fornicating brother, the congregation had done nothing about it. Reproving was in order. “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:4-5 NKJV). Notice the purpose of discipline in verse five. Many will object to this, claiming that it will push the erring one away further. The fact is that the sinning Christian already separated himself or herself from the fold by living contrary to God’s law. If one continues in sin, God has already withdrawn fellowship from him or her (Isaiah 59:2; Hebrews 7:25-27; 1 John 1:7). Properly carrying out church discipline makes what has already occurred known to all in the congregation so that the “leaven” will be cut off and not spread (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). It is not love to ignore sin and act like nothing is wrong. An erring brother or sister is not an enemy, but we must be willing to admonish fellow Christians when necessary (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15), in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Sometimes, a Christian sins against another in a more personal rather than in a public manner. Jesus spoke of such a circumstance in Matthew 18:15-17. The process is laid out, beginning with going privately to the individual, but finally bringing the matter before the congregation if the erring child of God refuses to repent. Sadly, many times the reverse occurs as we are quick to tell others what a fellow Christian did to us. Some even publish posts on social media! May it not be brethren! May we be people following the Lord’s instructions so that we may “gain our brother” (Matthew 18:15).

 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Our Lord spoke the above words toward the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount, reminding His followers of their purpose. Don’t skim over this passage. We should read it again and ask ourselves, “Am I being a light to the world? Am I bringing glory to God?” The nature of light is its expulsion of darkness (Ephesians 5:13). If we are not shining light on darkness, then can we really be light? Paul, in Ephesians 5, may have had the Lord’s message in mind when he wrote, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8, 11). In verse 14 of that same chapter, Paul told those Christians who are asleep to wake up! Likewise, some of us need to wake up, receive the light of Christ and shine that light on those who are in darkness.

Some exclaim, “You are judging me!” The Lord covered that subject toward the end of His sermon.

 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 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 7:1-5)

Many quote only verse one leading people to think we can never judge another, but notice verse five. We are to point out sin in others after we have taken care of sin in our own lives. It is hypocritical to expose other’s failings while we live in sin. Christ said to judge righteously (John 7:24). We can only do this if we ourselves are living righteous lives.

Love for the church – love for souls – should motivate us to lead pure, faithful lives and to bring others to Christ (1 Peter 4:8; Jude 20-23). We must check ourselves first (2 Corinthians 13:5), and then, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Let us not be people who are “loving” others to spiritual death, but rather, let’s be people of the true love of God, “pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 23).

Emily Fisher

Acts 15:30b-31 “And when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.”

It was a difficult day. The eulogies had been delivered and the task of cleaning out mother’s belongings lay ahead. Focusing through tears, we uncovered keepsakes hidden for decades. Occasionally, an unexpected piece of memorabilia would gift us with much needed laughter, and more than once, we joked that just perhaps mother had some hidden treasure waiting for us to discover.

We worked our way around to mother’s desk, where for years she sat in prayer and Bible study. The top two drawers held no surprises: pens, note pads, and a plethora of name and address labels. But the bottom drawer was filled with old, weathered cards, notes, and letters from friends and family, along with stacks of crayon-scribbled drawings from her children and grandchildren. Each one bore sentiments of love, encouragement, and gratitude. Each one, she had carefully folded and dated. As we removed them piece by piece, we quickly realized we had discovered Mother’s hidden treasure.

What we uncovered lacked the glitter of gold or the sparkle of diamonds. Instead, her unconventional treasure from the bottom drawer was yellowed pieces of paper bearing simple strokes of pen, ink, and crayon. It was evident that Mother had cherished every single word.

The value of the written word has long been acknowledged. In Acts 15, as the church in Antioch struggled through the difficulties of being a church plant, a letter arrived from the more established Jerusalem church. The letter was brief but encouraged them to hold to what was most important to God. What a treasure this was to the Antioch church, for they had been torn by conflicting requirements of worship. They craved this godly advice.

The Antioch letter held no monetary value. It was simple sheets of paper bearing simple strokes of ink. Yet, it offered priceless peace, guidance, encouragement, and great joy. Just envision this letter being read and received through tears of happiness and celebration. Certainly, no one in Antioch could ever have fathomed that their letter would remain a treasure to this day.

We need not look far to find those who crave joy, for the world is filled with the discouraged, ill, lonely, and bereaved. Words hold the power to heal hearts and souls. Simple words recorded on paper can become someone’s glitter of gold and sparkle of diamonds. So, Sisters, make time to send that encouraging email. Or, better yet, dust off your cards and envelopes, grab a pen, search out a stamp, and bless someone today with simple strokes. You never know in whose treasure drawer it will one day be discovered.

Father God, may we never overlook the power of healing and joy our words can offer.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Our minister recently posed a situation to our congregation. He asked all of the young people from seniors in high school down to stand. If the children were too young to stand on their own, he asked the parents to stand with them. Then he went through the audience and asked certain children to be seated. When he finished, there were about 10% of the children in our congregation still standing. “These,” he said, “are the ones that will remain faithful when they leave for college.”

As we looked around the building, the reality of what he was saying was incredibly obvious. Yes, according to statistics, we are losing 60% to 90% of our young people.

When all the children were seated once again, our minister then asked, “What is the difference between those who leave and those who stay?” The answer is discipleship. Put aside this article and read John 6. Read the entire chapter and then consider the following example.

Jesus had fed 5,000 men. He took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes, and turned them into a meal for thousands. Jesus left the crowds and sent His disciples away in their boat. Early in the morning Jesus appeared walking on the sea, and Peter made his famous unsuccessful attempt at walking on water too. These were two miracles that offered a sample of what Jesus had to offer.

The next day, the crowds searched for Jesus, and knowing the disciples had entered their boat without Him, they boarded boats and headed for Capernaum. They found Him, but Jesus was wise to their motives. They had come for food, not because they sought the message. But the real “food” was in the message and not in the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

There among those who had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus gave His famous lesson on being the bread of life and their need to eat His flesh and drink His blood. He identified this analogy as spiritual rather than physical, but the crowd couldn’t bear it. They left Him. Though the disciples remained, He questioned their desire to stay and revealed that one of them was the devil.

So, what does that chapter have to do with our losing 60% to 90% of our young people? It’s simple. The crowd was not willing to hear what they needed to hear. They were not willing to be disciples. Jesus lost thousands, while only a small number stayed.

Now, back to our minister’s lesson. In Matthew 19:13-15, parents were trying to attach their children to Jesus. They brought them to Jesus, but the disciples were trying to keep them away. The consequences of one who does this is found in Matthew 18:6. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

We would never actively, intentionally cause a child to sin (at least most would not), but parents are passively keeping them away from discipleship. Here is how it happens:

• Negligence—Jesus is at the bottom of the parent’s priority list.
• Parents are not helping children move toward a faith of their own.
• Jesus is not important to show up on the parent’s priority list.
• Children see a lack of character (drinking, smoking, cursing, gossiping etc.)
• They see a lack of Bible knowledge. Parents don’t teach the Bible at home.
• Children have unfiltered influences. Children are in charge of where they go, what they watch, their choice of friends, etc.
• Parents just stand back and let other things slide in between.

This passive attitude is Satan’s tool for capturing our children. We see it happen with the disciples. Luke 22:3 says that Satan entered into Judas. That is exactly what happens with our children. If they are not well-grounded in the faith, they will be easy prey for the roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

The formula for solidifying a disciple is found in Matthew 28:19-20. Make disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the things Jesus commanded. That is a true solid foundation.

Sandra Oliver