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DAILY BIBLE STUDY
May God bless each of us during the coming New Year! --- 2010 ---
OUESTIONS ABOUT SALVATION FROM SIN Study compiled by Garreth L. Clair Revised October 5, 2000 {1} Why are there so many different views about salvation from sin in the religious world today?
ANSWER: The many views about how one may be saved from sin originated in the mind of various men.
Today many religions were formed by individuals as is obvious from the following partial list:
1. Adventism - William Miller 1831 2. American Baptist - Roger Williams, 1639 3. The Baptist Church - John Smyth, 1607 4. Christian Science - Mary Baker Eddy, 1879 5. Church of England - King Henry VIII, 1535 6. Four Square Gospel - Aimee S. McPherson, 1917 7. Freewill Baptist - Benjamin Randall, 1780 8. Full Gospel Church - R.H. Askew, 1935 9. Jehovah's Witnesses - Charles T. Russell, 1874 10. Lutheran Church - Martin Luther, 1530 11. Methodist Church - John Wesley, 1729 12. Mormon Church - Joseph Smith, 1830 13. Nazarene Church - P. F. Bresee, 1895 14. Presbyterian Church - John Calvin, 1535 15. Roman Catholic Church Organized under Boniface III, 606 AD 16. Salvation Army - William Booth, 1865 17. Seven Day Adventism - Ellen G. White, 1846 18. Unitarians - Faustus, Socinus, etc., 16th Century 19. Universalists Church - John Murray, 1770 20. The Church of Satan - Anton Szandor LeVay, 1966
NOTE:
The 20 religions listed are all the product of human invention. Since the organizers of most religions movements are human it is obvious that human ideals and concepts are their authority, doctrine, and manner of life.
From our observation it is obvious that man cares more for his own ideas about religion than he does about the Lord's will. Indeed, there are many churches today and there are almost as many views about salvation from sin as there are churches. These many churches and these many ways to salvation are human not divine. There is only one way to acquire salvation from sin, cf., Heb 5:8-9 {8} though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; {9} and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation; (ASV). Note also the passage in John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (ASV). See also John 10:1, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (ASV)
{2} Does the Bible give an exclusive formula that everyone must follow to attain forgiveness of sin or does the Bible contain multiple methods for acquiring salvation from sin?
ANSWER:
Indeed, how does one arrive at the "Truth" with regard to salvation from sin? The only truth about man's spiritual relationship to God is found in the Bible and no where else, cf., Ps 18:30, "As for God, his way is perfect: the word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him." (ASV) Ps 19:7, "The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple." ASV). James 1:25, "But he that looketh into the perfect law, the (law) of liberty, and (so) continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be blessed in his doing." ASV
CONSIDER THIS:
God's plan for man's salvation is clearly documented in an understandable manner within the pages of the Bible. God's plan for man's salvation may properly be referred to as "The Plan of Salvation." Whenever the plan is formulized it is as follows:
--- GOD'S THE PLAN OF SALVATION ---
1. One hears the gospel: Rom 10:17, "So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." ASV
2. One then believes the gospel: Rom 10:17, "So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
3. One then repents of past sin: Acts 2:38. "And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
4. One Confesses Christ: Rom 10:9-10, 9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus (as) Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
5. One is then Baptized: Acts 2:38, "And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
After one has complied with the instruction from God relating to acquiring salvation he is then added to the church by the Lord, cf., Acts 2:47, "praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved." ASV
{3} Is there an understandable formula in the Bible that is easily understood or is the concept too deep for mankind in general to comprehend?
ANSWER:
See "PLAN OF SALVATION" under the 2nd question. Yes, there is a definite formula revealed in the Bible for salvation. The plan applies to everyone in all nations.
{4} Why is there so much division over what one is to do in order to receive salvation from sin?
ANSWER:
There are so many conflicting formulas in the religious world because of human wisdom. Far too many people will not follow the simple formula revealed by the Lord and that is discussed in question 2 above. If all men would accept the simple Biblical formula for salvation there would be unity on the matter of salvation from sin. The reason that division does exist is that many will not accept the Bible formula.
{5} What is sin?
ANSWER:
SIN (NOUN AND VERB)
1. hamartia NT:266 is, lit., "a missing of the mark," but this etymological meaning is largely lost sight of in the NT. It is the most comprehensive term for moral inclination. It is used of "sin" as (a) a principle or source of action, or an inward element producing acts, e. g., Rom 3:9; 5:12,13,20; 6:1,2; 7:7 (abstract for concrete); 7:8 (twice), 9,11,13, "sin, that it might be shown to be sin," i. e., "sin became death to me, that it might be exposed in its heinous character": in the last clause, "sin might become exceeding sinful," i. e., through the holiness of the Law, the true nature of sin was designed to be manifested to the conscience; (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Rom 14:23, "But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because (he eateth) not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
James 4:17, "To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
1 John 3:4, "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness."
1 John 5:17, "All unrighteousness is sin … " ASV
{6} Who needs to be saved from sin?
ANSWER:
Everyone that has attained an age where they are accountable to God for their actions. A person is accountable to God whenever they have reached the point where their mind is capable of accepting and/or rejecting their Savior. Scriptural references: John 12:48, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day." ASV
Rom 3:23"for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;" ASV 1 John 1:10, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." ASV
{7} At what point can I be sure that I am saved from my sin?
ANSWER:
One may be sure that their sin has been forgiven after they have complied with the conditions of salvation from sin, The person that has accepted God's grace through humble obedience has the assurance from the Lord that he has been added to the church, cf., Acts 2:47, "praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved." ASV Indeed, one can know when they have the right relationship with their Lord because they know God has bestowed His Grace and they have complied with the conditions of pardon.
CONSIDER THIS:
It is possible to have a clear conscious about ones salvation from sin even though one is in error - Saul of Tarsus is a good example of this, cf., Acts 23:1, "And Paul, looking steadfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." ASV
NOTE HERE: In the statement here in verse 1 Paul is saying that even when he was persecuting Christians his conscience was clear.
SO:
Just because one may think that they are right with God does not make it so, in order to be right with God one must be able to establish that he is saved from sin by the Scriptures, "RIGHTLY DIVIDED". Here again in Titus 1:15-16 Paul makes it clear that not everyone that claims to be saved from sin is in fact saved: "To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. --- They profess that they know God; but by their works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." ASV
AGAIN JESUS SAID:
Matt 7:21-23, 21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
{8) When I am saved from sin can I fall again into sin and be lost?
ANSWER:
YES! It is very important that the Christian understand that they are forgiven for past sin but that they must continue to be faithful throughout their life. Please notice the following Bible references that establish this point, The statements are instruction to those that are already Christians: Phil. 2:12, "So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" ASV
YES ONE MAY FALL AWAY FROM THE FAITH AND BE ETERNALLY LOST THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH -- "Once saved always saved"
SOME SCRIPTURES THAT TEACH A CHRISTIAN MAY FALL (i.e., backslide) AND BE LOST UNLESS HE/SHE REPENTS OF THE SIN:
John 15:3-7 3 Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. ASV 1 Cor. 9:27 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. ASV 1 Cor 10:12 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ASV 1 Cor. 15:1-2 1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. ASV Gal. 2:17-19 17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. ASV Gal. 5:4 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. Col. 1:21-23 21 And you, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, 22 yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before him: 23 if so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister. ASV 1 Thess. 3:7-8 7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: 8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. ASV Heb. 2:1-3 1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away (from them). 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 3 how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; ASV
CONSIDER THIS: Even with the vast number of Scriptural passages that teach that a person can fall we have these today who are so indoctrinated by the Calvinist philosophy that they will not give a serious consideration to the passages. This condition in religion today is similar to the Jew’s attitude toward their Messiah when He came among them to fulfill their Law of Moses. They did not seriously consider Him because He did not meet their expectations.
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 3:5, 6; 3:12; 3:14; 4:1; 6:4-6; 10:24-27; 10:38 2 Peter 1:10; 3:17 - 1 John 2:24-26 - Rev. 2:5; 3:14-18
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MANY PEOPLE TEACH THAT ONE IS SAVED FROM SIN BY FAITH ALONE --- BUT … LOOK AT THE IMPORTANCE GOD PLACES ON OBEDIENCE
WITHOUT OBEDIENCE:
1. WE CANNOT BE MADE FREE FROM SIN: Romans 6:17, 18, But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; - and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. ASV
2. WE CANNOT HAVE PURIFIED SOULS: 1 Peter 1:22, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:" ASV
3. WE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN: Matthew 7:21, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." ASV
4. WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS: 1 John 3:22, "and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight." ASV
5. WE CANNOT HAVE ETERNAL SALVATION: Hebrews 5:8, 9, "though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; - and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;" ASV
6. WE CANNOT KNOW GOD: 1 John 2:3, 4, "And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. - He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;" ASV
7. WE DO NOT AND CANNOT LOVE GOD: John 14:15, "If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments." ASV
8. WE RENDER FAITH BARREN AND DEAD: James 2:17 "Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself." James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?" James 2:24 "Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith." ASV
9. WE SHALL RECEIVE WRATH AND INDIGNATION: Romans 2:8, "but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, (shall be) wrath and indignation,"
10. WE SHALL SUFFER PUNISHMENT, EVEN ETERNAL DESTRUCTION: 2 Thess 1:8, 9, "rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: - who shall suffer punishment, (even) eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,"ASV
LONG AGO GOD'S PROPHET SAMUEL STATED HIS WILL PERFECTLY TO SAUL 1 Samuel 15:22 "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams." NKJV
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THE TWO SIDES TO MAN'S SALVATION FROM
According to the apostle Peter {cf. 2 Peter 3-5}, there are two sides to salvation from sin, "GOD'S SIDE and MAN'S SIDE". Please read the text: "To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: -- Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, -- as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, -- by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. -- But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge," NKJV
THE TWO SIDES TO MAN'S SALVATION FROM SIN ARE:
1. GOD'S SIDE -- Those things that God has done in providing salvation. 2. MAN'S SIDE -- Those things man must do to acquire forgiveness of sin.
1. GOD'S SIDE:
A. GRACE {i.e., Unmerited favor} Eph 2:4-5, "even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)," NKJV B. KEPT BY GOD'S POWER {i.e., preserved} 1 Peter 1:5, "who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." NKJV C. GRANTS REPENTENCE. Acts 11:18, "When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." NKJV
2. MAN'S SIDE:
A. OBEY THE GOSPEL, Hebrews 5:8, 9, "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. -- And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him," NKJV B. ADD THE CHRISTIAN GRACES, 2 Peter 1:5-7
VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE TEMPRENCE PATIENCE -----------------------------------------------------Christian Growth GODLINESS BROTHERLY LOVE LOVE {i.e., unrestricted}
C. GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE, 2 Peter 3:18, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." NKJV D. REMAIN FAITHFUL FOR LIFE, Rev 2:10b, "… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." NKJV
In conclusion, let us understand that there is something that we must do to acquire salvation from sin even though God has done everything for us that we could not do for ourselves. It is untrue to suggest that salvation is entirely God's part or to suggest that salvation is entirely man's part. Salvation from sin is acquired by the sinner whenever he does all that God requires, realizing that God will forgive him of his sins if he does - cf., Hebrews 5:8, 9; John 14:15; John 14:21; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 1 John 2:3, 4; 1 John 5:2; 2 John 6
THIS SPECIAL STUDY DEALS WITH "SALVATION FROM SIN" AND RELATED SUBJECT MATTER
The subject matter discussed within the pages of this study deal with salvation from sin and other helpful material within the boundaries of salvation. It is important to know about the teaching of the Bible on the subject of salvation because there is much false teaching available on the subject. Any teaching about salvation that cannot be maintained by the Bible is to be rejected - 2 John 9-11, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. -- If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting: -- for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. From these three verses of Scripture in 2 John 9 several facts are established:
1. "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching {i.e., doctrine} of Christ, hath not God…" The truth contained in this statement is: anyone who does not stay within the boundaries of the New Testament {properly interpreted} in their teaching about any subject, have not God {i.e., their teachings are not acceptable to God}. Any views advanced about salvation from sin unsupported by the Scripture must be soundly rejected by anyone that has a desire to become a Christian. One must reject the views of John Calvin, Martin Luther, Roger Williams, John Smyth, Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, Aimee S. McPherson, Oral Roberts, Charles T. Russel, John Wesley, William Booth, Ellen G. White, Herbert W. Armstrong, etc. about salvation from sin because they are not found in the Bible.
2. "… he that abideth in the teaching {i.e., doctrine}, the same hath both the Father and the Son." The truth contained in this statement is: those that pursue and abide within the boundaries of the teachings of Christ {example - Hebrews 5:8-9, "though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; -- and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;" {ASV} are acceptable to the Father and the Son. Any teacher that points you to the Written Word of God {i.e., the Bible} for information about your salvation and continued good relationship with the Godhead are following the teaching put forth by the Holy Spirit in 2 John 9 and the greater context. John has stated the facts about the truth of God exceptionally well in John 8:32, "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." {ASV}
3. Unless the "Truth" is the basis of ones information about salvation from sin one cannot be saved. Any attempt to please God without subscribing to His Written Word for information will result in a failure to receive forgiveness for sin. Note the following Scriptural references: Colossians 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." {ASV} Galatians 1:6-8, "I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; -- which is not another (gospel) only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. -- But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema." {ASV}
Seek salvation from sin according to God's Word!
Also printed in the booklet AN EXAMINATION OF "SALVATION FROM SIN" FROM THE BIBLE'S PRESPECTIVE.
Compiled by Garreth L. Clair July 03, 2007 I DID NOT KNOW THAT {A Look at the word Autonomy} Not long ago a person I was working with in an attempt to convert him from a false religion stopped me while I was presenting a statement about the independence of each congregation by exclaiming ”I did not know that.“ After some consideration it dawned on me that there may be many people who are seeking true Biblical doctrine who were unaware of the independence of each congregation of churches of Christ. For that reason this article has been written. I do pray that some will examine my reasoning and exegesis of the Bible texts to follow and find satisfaction (i.e. acceptance) of the Biblical doctrine of local congregational autonomy. What does the word autonomy mean? - (Autonomy: "self-law", hence, self-governing...the right of self-government...a self-governing community.) -Autonomy = Independence & self-government. CHURCHES IN THE EARLY N.T. ERA WERE AUTONOMOUS: The Biblical pattern of the early church (i.e. independent congregational government) is the only way a congregation may organize to this very day. There is no other organizational structure reveled for the local congregation found in the New Testament. Each Local Church Is A Complete Organization Within Itself Acts 14:23 - And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. KJV Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. KJV Phil. 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: KJV CONSIDER THIS: The organizational structure of a congregation is revealed in the three references sited above; the Biblical organization for local congregational function consists of elders, deacons, and other members. This concept will work perfectly with each congregation wherever the congregation exists in the world. The congregation has no organizational function beyond its own ability. The ability of each congregation is determined by the size, spirituality of its members (i.e. maturity), and its financial strength. Each congregation is responsible to God in three area of work: Eph. 4:10-16 - 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 >From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 1. Evangelism - spreading and supporting the teaching of Christ. 2. Benevolence – Taking care of the congregation’s needy. 3. Edification of itself – building up the membership of the congregation (i.e. aiding the members to grow – mature in the faith). The above three areas of work assigned by the Lord for the congregation when performed to the extent of their ability with their resources is authorized, pleasing to the Lord, and completely acceptable to God. Through the above process each congregation is acceptable to God. I know of no Biblical teaching that authorized a plurality of elders in one church to assume or accept the responsibility of a sister congregation’s work; either in part or the whole. The concept of sponsoring elderships, congregational interlinking such as is current in the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, and many others religious organizations pursuing unauthorized means and methods to activate the universal church (i.e. all the members throughout the world or all the churches throughout the world) is without Biblical support. CONSIDER THIS: Any system or any organizational arrangement that is not authorized by the Bible is unacceptable to our Lord. Anything that is unauthorized by our Lord via the Holy Scriptures that is practiced by man is sinful. There is no other statement that will adequately define this departure from the Biblical pattern; this is transgression of God’s instruction. SEE ALSO THE FOLLOWING BIBLICAL REFERENCES: Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Universal Church and has not delegated any authority to any man or men to take His place while he sits at the throne of the Father in Heaven. Matt. 28:18-20 - And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. KJV Eph. 1:22-23 - 22 and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all. KJV Col. 3:15-17 - 15 and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. KJV glclair@aol.com - October 8, 2009 ANOTHER QUESTION REGARDING THE WORD … AUTONOMY … Number 1
Question by JES Garreth Clair please tell me why you have ignored the great famine and the uniting of all churches in the New Testament to send help to the church in Jerusalem to distribute in your previous article? Apparently you have overlooked this occasion of activating the universal church in the book of Acts.
ANSWER by glclair@aol.com The reference by the questioner is a good question but I did not conceal this situation for the purpose which he seems to imply. The truth about the case regarding the famine in Judea has no bearing on the subject of my first attempt to clarify the nature and work of the congregation. I understand that our questioner here accepts the fact that the congregation is autonomous but wants to know if perhaps in our haste to explain the nature of the congregation’s work we forgot or overlooked this situation.
The case referred to here is first revealed to us in the Book of Acts as follows - Acts 11:27-30 - 27 and in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (27) ”In those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, (28) and one of them, named Agabus, arose and signified through the Spirit that there would be a great famine throughout the whole world, which also occurred in the days of Claudius. (29) Then the disciples, every one according as he was prospered, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea; (30) which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.“ (KJV)
COMMENTARY NOTE: ”This is the first account we have of the gift of prophesy among the disciples, but Agabus and his companions appear to have been already known as prophets, doubtless from previous exercise of this gift. The brethren, therefore, did not hesitate to give full credit to the prediction, and knowing that such a famine must cause peculiar distress among the extremely poor in Judea, they were prompt to supply their wants even before the period of distress arrived. Their benevolence is not less remarkable than that of the Church in Jerusalem at the beginning. The poor for whom that Church provided were in their midst, and suffering from present want; but the disciples in Antioch anticipate a state of distress yet in the future, on the part of brethren to whom they are personally unknown, and provide for it in advance. No more striking evidence could be given, at once, of their benevolence, and their confidence in the predictions of their own prophets.This benevolent supply was sent to the Elders, by whom, we are to understand, it was distributed to the final recipients (i.e. The persons that NEEDED THE ASSSITANCE --- even in DIFFERENT CONGREGATIONS – SEE Acts 6:1-7-glc). This is the first time that elders, as a distinct class, are mentioned in connection with the congregations of disciples. They are mentioned, however, as a class of officials then well known, and, consequently, we must infer that they had been appointed in the Churches at a still earlier period.“ (From Acts of the Apostles)
Glc COMMENTS: The commentary points directly to the exact points that I discussed earlier regarding the nature of congregational autonomy. The receiving church (i.e. Jerusalem) received the benevolence from the various congregations and the elders of the congregation in Jerusalem distributed the gifts. There is no departure from the autonomous congregational design that we discussed in the previous article ….
CONSIDER THIS: Since the New Testament teaches us that each congregation is autonomous, why would we alter the teaching in order to support activating the universal church with some super addition to distribute to needy brethren in far away places when the method (i.e. pattern) has been established for this work by God via the New Testament? Indeed, the Divine Pattern is for each congregation to send to the emergency need in another congregation or congregations and send the needed supplies to the needy congregation’s elders - one at time for distribution by their elders without any sponsoring or intermediary distributing point (i.e. another organization). glclair@aol.com October 12, 2009 QUESTION AGAIN – NUMBER TWO It seems to me that by your last comment you maybe you have confused the benevolent case of the famine in the Province in Judea (Acts 11) with the later famine just in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16; 2 Cor. 8 and 9; Rom. 15). In the first case the distribution was made to the "churches of Judea" (Gal.1:22). Then those churches had elders and the distribution was made to those elders for the distribution to their needy members. Jerusalem was not a sponsoring church for the churches of Judea.
ANSWER by glc This benevolent supply was sent to the Elders, by whom, we are to understand, it was distributed to the needy (i.e. The people that NEEDED THE ASSSITANCE --- even in DIFFERENT CONGREGATIONS – SEE Acts 6:1-7 for an example - glc). This distribution of the bounty was given to each congregation in the area of the famine not to the church of Jerusalem or any single congregation in either of the two cases mentioned in Acts. The very idea of suggesting that one church became s distribution point for other congregations is a violation of the Biblical doctrine of autonomy. --- November 8, 2009 INDIVIDUALS AND BENEVOLENCE
When we open the pages of the Bible Early New Testament Churches did not pool resources together to build hospitals or orphans' homes. There was no centralized authority that handled all financial resources to distribute them. Instead, God called upon individuals to take care of others, as it is written in 1 Timothy 5:16: If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. The church is seen as the option of last resort for supporting believing widows, and even then, such involves an individual local congregation, not a large religious collective. Throughout the New Testament, in fact, the emphasis is on the individual. The parable of the Good Samaritan is used to demonstrate how people are to "love their neighbor as themselves:" they feel compassion on their fellow man and attend to his needs (Luke 10:25-37). The judgment scene of Matthew 25:31-46 is envisioned on the basis of how people have assisted their fellow man in his time of need, not as providing assistance to a system which then helps people, but as directly meeting the need of the hour. Actually visiting widows and orphans in their distress is considered part of "pure and undefiled religion" in James 1:27, not spending money so that others could do so. The responsibility of taking care of the family-- both the young and the aged - falls upon fellow family members (1 Timothy 5:8, 16). Some people may declare that all of these truths are incidental: there were no systems then, and therefore, everything fell upon the individual. Yet perhaps these truths are not incidental but quite deliberate. Maybe, in the end, systems can be as problematic as the challenges they are intended to solve. People favor personal care and consideration, despite its limited scope and inefficiency. The practice of Christianity is in fact dependent on constantly showing this type of personal care for others: we can only be the light of the world when we reflect Christ's love toward our fellow man (Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 13:8-10). There are people who are in difficult situations that do not need the bureaucratic red tape of systems but someone who follows Jesus Christ and who can provide a pattern for a more responsible and godly life. People in distress need a lot more than just money for meals or rent and a program to learn how to hold down a job: they need someone to encourage them, to work to hold them accountable, and to show the type of love and concern that Jesus showed to others. A system designed to promote the Gospel cannot demonstrate how to live the message of the Gospel in word and deed (Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 1:16, Galatians 2:20). Systems cannot accomplish these things. Only individual people, motivated by their love of God and love for their fellow man, can (Philippians 2:1-4, Galatians 2:10, 6:10). It is easy to bash systems and to expose their failures, and these challenges have led many to call for their complete abolition. Yet we have to recognize that we ourselves bear at least part of the responsibility. Systems were put in place, in many respects, because of the failures of people to accomplish the objectives themselves, and there is wide dependence on them. It is easier for individuals or congregations to direct people to the systems in place than it is to invest the time and resources to truly assist them. Many do not feel the imperative to provide assistance for the elderly or the poor since there are so many entitlement programs designed to provide a level of assistance. Nevertheless, in the end, God intended for people to help people, not for systems to help people. It may require a lot of financial and temporal resources to help people in need, and yet that is what God expects of all who would call upon Him (Luke 10:25-37, Galatians 6:10). Only people can truly show compassion on others and reflect the light of Christ to them (Matthew 5:13-16). Let us, therefore, no longer look to systems to provide all the answers to our difficulties, but instead find opportunities to serve our fellow man! - Ethan R. Longhenry - September 20, 2009
HAVE YOU BEEN DESENSITIZED?
A major cause of many people’s failure to understand truth is often a matter that is unknown because they have been ”desensitized“. Today, men and women are exposed to so much fiction, and unproven suppositions that they cannot rationally think about altering some habits or lifestyle activities that may be damaging their health or preparing them for depression and unhappiness in their relationships and manner of life (i.e. daily living).
The word ”desensitize“ or ”desensitized“ is unknown to many people today. The definition of the word will shed some ability to realize that it may be something that has happened to me or us.
The word means --- de·sen·si·tize tr.v. de·sen·si·tized, de·sen·si·tiz·ing, de·sen·si·tiz·es 1. To render insensitive or less sensitive. 2. Immunology To make (an individual) nonreactive or insensitive to an antigen. 3. To make emotionally insensitive or unresponsive, as by long exposure or repeated shocks: "This movie in effect may resensitize people who thought they were desensitized to violence" (Steven Spielberg). 4. To make (a photographic film or substance) less sensitive to light.
As we digest the meaning of the word it is apparent that some people and perhaps some of us in the church of Christ are ”desensitized“. The possibility that we will not understand some point or points of truth may be attributed to our senses being over exposed to some false and/or damaging doctrine other than the pure and accurate intention of the author of the Bible. This assumption in no way excuses the person that is ”desensitized“, rather it condemns his/her conclusions even though thy have allowed their mind to be polluted by the advocates of error – cf. Matt 15:14-18 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. 15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. 16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? 17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. KJV
John 9:39-41 39 And Jesus said, for judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, if ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, we see; therefore your sin remaineth. KJV
COMMENT FROM MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY FOLLOWS: John 9:39-41 "But now you say, We see; now that you have knowledge, and are instructed out of the law, your sin is highly aggravated; and now that you have a conceit of that knowledge, and think you see your way better than any body can show it you, therefore your sin remains, your case is desperate, and your disease incurable." And as those are most blind who will not see, so their blindness is most dangerous who fancy they do see. No patients are so hardly managed as those in a frenzy who say that they are well, and nothing ails them. The sin of those who are self-conceited and self-confident remains, for they reject the gospel of grace, and therefore the guilt of their sin remains unpardoned; and they forfeit the Spirit of grace, and therefore the power of their sin remains unbroken. Seest thou a wise man in his own conceit? Hearest thou the Pharisees say, we see? There is more hope of a fool, of a publican and a harlot, than of such. (From Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible; New Modern Edition, Electronic Database, Copyright © 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
CONCLUSION: Do not allow the purveyors of misinformation (i.e. false teaching and false advocates) of misinterpreted passages of Scripture; ”de·sen·si·tize“ you! glclair@aol.com --- Dec. 1, 2009
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Matthew 5:1-7:29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BEATITUDES
Matt. 5:1-12 INTRODUCTION: All of the qualities mentioned by the Lord in the greater contexts here are qualities that are expected to reside in the citizens of the Lord’s Kingdom [i.e. the church]. From these words one gets a glimpse of the nature of the individuals that will make up the future church – that institution that Jesus promised to build in Matthew 16:18. Matthew 5:1-2, ”1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,“ ASV Matthew 5:3, ”3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“ ASV Matthew 5:4, ”4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:5, ”5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.“ ASV
Matthew 5:6, ”6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.“ Matthew 5:7, ”7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.“ ASV
Matthew 5:8, ”8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.“ ASV
Matthew 5:9, ”9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.“ ASV
Matthew 5:10, ”10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“ ASV Matthew 5:11, 11 Blessed are ye when (men) shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.“ ASV
Matthew 5:12, 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.“ ASV NOTE: Similar passage recorded in Luke 6:20-31.
I. SALT OF THE EARTH – LIGHT OF THE WORLD:
Matthew 5:13-16, 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. II. THE END OF THE LAW OF MOSES PREDICTED: Matthew 5:17-18, 17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
III. FAILURE OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES TO ATTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE RIGHTEOUS STANDARD:
Matthew 5:19-20, 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed (the righteousness) of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:21-26, 21 Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire. 23 If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24 leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing. ASV IV. The Law of Moses were civil and state laws; the teaching of Christ regulate the inward man as well as the outward.
Killing is still condemned – but even the inward disposition which provokes the outward sin of murder is now condemned. Degrees of hatred: nward-hatred, railing speech, bitter reproach 1 John 3:15, [The sin of hatred]: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. ASV Some people think they can get away with hatred so long as they remain silent – sometimes they even deny the word ”hatred,“ preferring a phrase of ”intense dislike“, thinking that avoiding the use of the word ”hate“ will moderate the fact that this is the true condition of their heart. V. THE SIN OF LUST:
Matthew 5:27-30 27 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell. 1. Again, the contrast between the outward manifestation of sin and the inward condition which provokes it. Each condemns. 2. ”To lust after“ involves more than merely admiring an 3. attractive person. Involved is a willingness to commit 4. sin, given the opportunity. Sometimes people would commit 5. sin or lawlessness, all they lack is sufficient opportunity. Then, they mistake this for righteous self-control on their part, not control at all – all that is lacking is opportunity. 6. The sin has been committed, though not enacted. 1 Corinthians 6:18, Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. ASV 4. To drastically emphasize the importance of inward self- control, Jesus employed HYPERBOLE {i.e. a figure of speech in which the expression is an exaggeration of a meaning intended to be conveyed, or by which things are represented as much greater or less, better or worse, than they really are. [e.g. Numbers 15:17-19, 17 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 18 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land whither I bring you, 19 then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up a heave-offering unto Jehovah. Deuteronomy 1:28, Whither are we going up? our brethren have made our heart to melt, saying, The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there. 5. Since sin originates in the mind [cf. Matthew 15:17-19, 17 Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings:] VI. THE SIN OF INFIDELITY:
Matthew 5:31-32, 31 It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery. ASV 1. Jesus teaching here is contrasted with Deut. 24:1ff. 2. Moses writing of divorcement was given to prevent ”greater evils“ [cf. Matthew 19:9, 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery. ASV], but God’s original plan was not so, nor does the gospel of Christ condone it. EXAMPLE - Romans 7:1-3, 1 Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth? 2 For the woman that hath a husband is bound by law to the husband while he liveth; but if the husband die, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 3 So then if, while the husband liveth, she be joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if the husband die, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she be joined to another man. Matthew 19:8, 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. KJV VII. THE SIN OF FORSWEARING:
Matthew 5:33-37, 33 Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil (one). ASV 1. ”Swearing“ does not refer to ”profanity,“ but to oaths and promises. 2. ”Forswearing“ refers to nullify one’s oath or promise. [i.e. Perjury]. 1 Timothy 1:10, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine;
3. THE JEWS ATTITUDE TOWERD THESE THINGS: Matthew 23:16-21, 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor. 17 Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor. 19 Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. ASV NOTE: The Jews determined their intention of keeping their promises upon the basis of whether what they ”swore by“ was important. Personal integrity was nor sufficient motive to keep promises. [Lev. 19:12 is contrasted with Christ teaching]. 4. ”Swearing“ contemplates ”calling to witness“ various things to make a promise more binding. Jesus says there is no need for this ”calling to witness“ by his followers – their word is enough.
*** It seems here that Paul is acknowledging his awareness that he is saying a certain thing in the presence of God and will be judged accordingly. There is no indication that he is ”swearing.“ VIII. THE SIN OF RETALIATION:
Matthew 5:38-42, 38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. ASV 1. Exodus 21:24 is compared with the teaching of Jesus. 2. ”Resist“ involves the idea of aggressive action, not merely putting up a defense. 1 Peter 2:19, For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 3. The concept is, rather than mistreat another, allow self to be mistreated. 4. This does not include setting by and allowing self and family to be physically molested. I may interfere with evil action against my family without being vindictive and attempting to return evil for evil. 5. Without the right to protect self and family from physical abuse, how are we to understand 1 Peter 2:13-14, 13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. ASV *** How? In consideration of 1 Peter 2:13-14, are we to punish evil-doers to protect those that do well, and at the same time ”resist not evil doers.“ 6. One can be punished without being malicious or revengeful about it, cf. Hebrews 12:5-14, 5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him; 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom (his) father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened (us) as seemed good to them; but he for (our) profit, that (we) may be partakers of his holiness. 11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, (even the fruit) of righteousness. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed. 14 Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
IX. THE SIN OF CONDITIONAL LOVE:
Matthew 5:43-48, 43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more (than others?) do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. ASV 1. Jesus teaching compared to the Jews teaching: Leviticus 19:18, 18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah. ASV
2. The followers of Christ are to love everyone without discrimination. Love for others is to be non-dependant upon whether they love us or whether they do not. 3. We are to love enemies for their welfare [v. 44]. 4. We are to love for our own welfare [v. 45 – to be imitators of the Divine nature, ”remember Christ suffering“] 5. We are to love others so that we will be seen as different from them, ”their evil“ [v. 46-48]. 6. Compare Romans 12:10, In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; 7. Compare Matthew 5:43-44, 43 Ye have heard that it was said; Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; ASV
================================================= THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Number 2
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS Matthew 6:1-34
RELIEVING THE POOR:
Matthew 6:1-4 1 Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 2 When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.
PRAYER: Matthew 6:5-15 5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee. 7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil (one.) 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. FASTING: Matthew 6:16-18 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen of men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; 18 that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee. TRUE VALUES: Matthew 6:19-24 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also. 22 The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ABOUT UNNESSARY WORRY:
Matthew 6:25-32 25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? 28 And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, (shall he) not much more (clothe) you, O ye of little faith? 31 Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING:
Matthew 6:33-34 33 But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.“ ASV
============================================== THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - Number 3
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS Matthew 7:1-29
ABOUT JUDGING OTHERS:
Matthew 7:1-5, ”1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. ABOUT THE PRECIOUSNESS OF GOD’S WORD:
Matthew 7:6, 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. CHRIST SAYS ASK FOR HELP:
Matthew 7:7-10, 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone; 10 or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? THE GOLDEN RULE:
Matthew 7:12, 12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
THE NARROW AND THE BROAD WAY:
Matthew 7:13-20, 13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do (men) gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. EVERYONE WILL NOT BE SAVED IN THE END: Matthew 7:21-23, 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH MAN: Matthew 7:24-27, 24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. 26 And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof. CHRIST’S TEACHING ASTONISHED HIS HEARERS:
Matthew 7:28-29, 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: 29 for he taught them as (one) having authority, and not as their scribes.“ ASV CONCLUSION: Some of the great teaching of Jesus is found in the Sermon on the Mount. As we study these three chapters of Matthew they make us more familiar with Jesus desire for HIS followers to follow a, ”not of this world“ lifestyle – cf. John 18:36, ”36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.“ ASV glclair@aol.com --- Tuesday, October 20, 2009 REQUESTED MATERIAL: In the distant past some questions were raised in one of the publications about the antichrist. These notes were sent to the questioner to help solve the question. Again, the question has been resurrected by some who think there is some person who is the antichrist. The Bible tells us that the antichrist is anyone who is against or in the place of Jesus Christ. The notes follow:
THE ANTICHRIST Two articles - Some helpful notes
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IDENTIFYING THE ANTICHRIST On page 181 of a book entitled World War III, John Wesley White writes,
"The prime mover in the events that will march man into World War III will be the Anti-Christ...a terrible personification of evil who will work more wholesale havoc than any other human being in the history of the world."
White, Hal Lindsey (author of The Late Great Planet Earth, There's a New World Coming, et al.) and other dispensational premillennialists have done their work well in convincing a religious, but biblically illiterate, "Christian" community that such a person as described above will indeed torment the world and hasten the start of the much-feared Battle of Armageddon. Let us examine these claims under the perfect light of God's word.
ANTICHRIST IS IN THE BIBLE Following is every occurrence of "antichrist" in the Bible:
* "Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour" (1 John 2:18).
* "Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22).
* "And every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world" (1 John 4:3).
* "For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist" (2 John 7).
In my experience I have noticed that when most people discuss the antichrist they confine their discussions to wild misunderstandings of the imagery in the book of Revelation. Even when I have shown others the above passages, they scurry back to Revelation--a book that never uses the term!
It is also interesting to note the glaring differences between the premillennialist's description of the antichrist and the Bible's description. (1) According to the Bible there were many antichrists, not just one. (2) Those antichrists already existed in John's day, as opposed to being yet future to us. (3) These antichrists were false teachers in the church, not political dictators. (4) Anyone that denies that Jesus is the Christ, that He is the son of God, and/or that he came in the flesh can rightly be called "antichrist".
ANTICHRISTS AND GNOSTICS
There is little doubt that John had some specific people in mind as he wrote, else he would not have warned the brethren as thoroughly as he did. John may well have been warning his readers about the early signs of a system of thought that would plague the church in the latter part of the first century and into the second. This doctrine would come to be known as Gnosticism.
Space will not allow an exhaustive treatment of the origin and teachings of Gnosticism. However, its basic tenets were these: all things spiritual were wholly good, while all things material were wholly evil. Because God is spirit, he is unable to have physical contact with matter (since matter is evil). To create the world, then, God sent out emanations (spirit beings) from himself, each one more ignorant of and hostile to Him. Finally, one of these emanations was so far removed from God that he could make physical contact with evil matter. This emanation was responsible for the creation of the world.
From these beliefs, two views of Jesus emerged: some Gnostics viewed him as one of the emanations that came from God. In this view, therefore, Jesus was not divine. Others among the Gnostics believed that he was divine, but never actually took upon himself human form. In fact it was impossible for him to become human, for humans are made of evil matter. To them, Jesus was merely a "phantom". (Consult any standard Bible dictionary or encyclopedia for more information on Gnosticism.)
If one compares the basic doctrines of Gnosticism with John's description of the antichrists, one finds compelling similarities. There were many, not just one. They existed in John's day. They were religious false teachers. They denied the humanity and/or the deity of Christ. Therefore, it is this writer's conclusion that John was cautioning his readers to watch for those who brought with them some of these early Gnostic tendencies. CONCLUSION The antichrist is not a political dictator that starts World War III. When John wrote of the antichrist, he was addressing something that his readers could and would recognize--something that was a threat to them. Anyone who denies that Jesus is God's Son, or the Messiah, or that he came in the flesh could rightly be called an antichrist. May we not be swayed or frightened by the voices of error as the vast reaches the religious community that seem to be working overtime to "draw away disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:30) by "wresting the scriptures to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16). -Eddie *** The Beacon of Brown Trail
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Origin and meaning of Antichrist by Garreth L. Clair
The English word Antichrist is taken from the Greek a?t????st?? antíkhristos, which literally means "instead of Christ". The words "Antichrist" and "Antichrists" appear only five times in the Bible - in two of the Apostle John's three letters in the New Testament, 1 John and 2 John: Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22, ESV) --- glc - This passage gives us the answer to the age old question, The text here says the antichrist is anyone who denies that Jesus Christ is the Messiah [i.e. the Son of God].
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. (1 John 2:18, ESV) --- glc – This passage tells us that antichrist is coming in the last hour {i.e. The last hour or dispensation began on Pentecost, ACTS 2}, all those that denied Christ during this time were antichrists as well as those in the future from that time until the end of the world.
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3, ESV) --- glc – there is little to doubt about who is meant in this verse, surely the Gnostics which surely were many during the early period of the church after Pentecost are intended here. The Gnostics were a religious group that denied the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, they believed that Divinity could not reside in flesh and blood because of the physical body ability to decay and go back to dust.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7, ESV.) --- glc – In this verse we have a further description of antichrist, antichrist is one who denies that Jesus Christ is the Messiah [i.e. Divine]. This is a good description of the Gnostic religious philosophy and they are surely included in this description.
CONCLUDING NOTE [glc]:
Antichrist is therefore anyone who denies that Jesus Christ is Divinity or denies that Jesus Christ of Biblical history has not come. This idea of limiting antichrist to one person [i.e. a particular person in history is without Biblical support. Because of these facts we conclude that antichrist is [1] any person who denies the Biblical - historical Jesus Christ [i.e. God’s Divine son] in any age or [2] any group of any size consisting of a movement that denies the Biblical Jesus Christ and His Divinity … glclair@aol.com
The Unseen Reality {The Army of God} The situation seemed dire. The prophet Elisha had helped the king of Israel three times now. The Arameans king was very distressed that he could not get the advantage against Israel, and he had learned that Elisha was the source of the problem. A good part of the army of the Arameans now surrounded Elisha and his servants. One of Elisha's servants saw the great army of the Arameans. What were they going to do? The city of Dothan was not that large, and Elisha surely did not have that many men. Elisha, however, was not disturbed. When the servant informed Elisha of the matter, he simply responded, "do not fear; there are more that are for us than there are for them." Surely the prophet was mad! There before them was the army of the Arameans, with horses and chariots no less, and all that could be found were a few servants of Elisha. How could it be that there were far more on the side of Elisha than on the side of Aram? And Elisha prayed, and said, O LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). We have here narrated the events of 2 Kings 6:8-17, and they serve as important reminders for us in our own lives. We live in a day and age that focuses almost exclusively on what can be perceived: in the eyes of many, if it cannot be seen, smelled, touched, felt, or heard, it does not exist to them. Human beings, however, are fallible and limited: while we have great brains and brainpower, the brain is a finite organ, and without a doubt there are realities beyond its ability to perceive. There are many animals who have more developed senses than humans, and as humans increase their technological abilities, more and more of the universe can be perceived than ever before. The Bible reveals for us, however, that there is a reality within our own that we do not perceive: the spiritual world in our midst. We see this with the servant of Elisha: where there seemed to be nothing there appeared chariots of fire. Reality had not changed-- the servant's perception changed! We can be confident, then, that all around us right now is a spiritual reality that is left unseen to human eyes. We may not know exactly what is around us, but that does not mean that it is not there. Nevertheless, this reality is left hidden from our eyes; this is not some trick of God, but the presentation of the opportunity to believe without having seen (cf. John 20:29). Right now you may be in the presence of angels, God Himself, or perhaps even a host of flaming chariots. A mere glimpse of this reality would leave you awestruck. The challenge posed to us is to live our lives always realizing by faith that this spiritual reality is in our midst (Hebrews 11:6). We must live as if we are always being seen, for indeed we are always being seen, and all that takes place will be exposed (Luke 8:17). Now is the time to believe in the unseen reality. If you wait, the unseen reality will be made manifest, and it will be too late (Matthew 25:1-13). Believe and obey God today! Ethan R. Longhenry
THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTERISTICS [On being an influence for good in spite of personal tragedy] Garreth L. Clair One of the reasons that so called Christians are not influencing their neighbor, acquaintances, and other associates is their raunchy personality [i.e. the way that they are perceived by others]. In recent years some have been through difficult encounters with hateful people, others have had to deal with sickness and ill health that has caused deep depression’ Yet these are human problems that are common to all of us on this planet. To feel that you are the only person that has suffered, been snubbed, been ignored, miss-treated by others, and have been the object of falsehood, hateful and ugly rumors, etc. --- is to be naive. Everyone has to deal with these common problems in our life, we must not allow these events in our life dictate our personality or our attitude toward other people. God gave us the ability to develop qualities of character that are lovely; please notice the following Biblical references that tell us this truth. Indeed, we can be influential with others if we will do so, but we must be a developing Christian with desires that are Biblically motivated. 1. INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST [i.e. having been born again] ARE CALLED CHRISTIANS: Acts 26:28, ”And Agrippa (said) unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian .“ ASV 1 Peter 4:16, ”but if (a man suffer) as a Christian , let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.“ ASV 2. WHENEVER THE JEWISH AND GENTILE DISCIPLES WERE BOTH ASSIMILATED INTO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST [i.e. Jews on Acts 2 – Gentiles on Acts 10-11] both together in the mostly Gentile church at Antioch of Syria they were designated as Christians: Acts 11:26, ”and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.“ ASV 3. CHRISTIANS LOVE ONE ANOTHER: All Christians will practice brotherly kindness – 2 Peter 1:7a, NOTE THE DEFINITION, The Greek word for brotherly kindness is transliterated "philadelphia," a compound involving two words: "phileo" (love) and "adelphos" (brother). It literally means "the love of brothers." As used in the New Testament, "philadelphia" describes the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren (Thayer). Romans 12:10 reveals that it is through brotherly kindness that we can have "kind affection" toward one another. It is brotherly kindness, therefore, that provides a true sense of family in our association as members of the Lord's body.
THINGS THAT HINDER By Garreth L. Clair
It is possible to be hindered as one attempts to sincerely serve God correctly. As some live their life in this world they are so severely hindered that they find service to God difficult and some quit altogether because of hindrances. In reading the text found in Gal 5:7, "Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?"(ASV) it is apparent that the people of God can be hindered, even to the point of backsliding. There are many people today that fit this situation, many of us are too easily distracted from the pursuit of faithful living and we need to know why this occurs.
TWO TYPES OF HINDRANCES:
As we examine the concept of hindrances we find that they fall into two distinct categories. The first category may be called "Internal Hindrances"; the second may be called "External Hindrances." Let us examine these two means that the Devil uses to hinder God's people today.
I. INTERNAL HINDRANCES:
In this category let us look within (i.e., internally) the congregation, we may discover that there are hindrances within it (ex. Heb 10:30, "For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." 1 Pet 4:17, "For the time (is come) for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if (it begin) first at us, what (shall be) the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" (ASV) These two references indicate that God will judge His people too. As we consider this fact it becomes apparent that some that consider themselves part of a congregation have been hindered so badly that they will be lost. We know from other passages of Scripture that there will be those in the end time that will come to the Judge with the mistaken idea that they did right while living in this life -- cf., Matt 7:21-23, 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) What a sad situation to contemplate, people may be hindered so badly that they will be honestly deceived to think that they are right with God when in reality they are lost. Let us look at some of the internal things that may hinder God's people.
1. Untrained Members:
This is surely a major hindrance in Many congregations that cause some to fall. There are at least three reasons for untrained members -- they are:
A. The member is a new convert. B. The member refuses to accept instruction. C. The leadership is not providing an acceptable format for the growth of the membership.
All of the above areas need attention in each congregation. The church (i.e., each individual member) will mature as it receives the correct nourishment from God's Word and puts it into use in their lives.
2. WORLDLINESS (i.e., materialism, modernism, covetousness):
These characteristics may reside in some of those that attend the congregation, if so these people may hinder many. Some of the manifestations of this problem in a congregation may be observed as:
A. A failure to apply 1 Thessalonians 5:2 -- "…shun the appearance of evil..." B. This kind of attitude destroyed Demas, cf., 2 Tim 4:10, "for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia." C. This attitude may drive out the love of God, cf., 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (ASV) D. May destroy our influence for good and cause others to fall.
3. INDIFFERENCE:
This characteristic may hinder more people than all the rest combined, one possessed of this characteristic will:
A. Never study God's Word. B. Never visit those that are in need of visitation. C. Never does any personal work of any kind. D. Talks a lot but produces no fruit. E. Always resist helpful changes in their own life. F. Be easily offended.
4. UNBELIEF:
This characteristic hinders the seekers of truth and the growth of the congregation. Those afflicted with this characteristic will demonstrate the evil fruits in a number of ways, note the following:
A. Will not place the things of God first in their life, cf., Matt 6:33, "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and B. all these things shall be added unto you." (ASV) C. Will not do what they can do in God's service, cf., Matthew 25:14-31 -- the parable of the talents. D. Will not contribute to the "… unity of the spirit in the bond of peace…" cf., Ephesians 4:1-3 and Proverbs 26:30.
CONSIDER THIS:
There are other internal hindrances that create problems for God's people; these mentioned are a sampling of some of the most common.
II. EXTERNAL HINDRANCES:
External hindrances are many and hinder many people from serving God correctly. The greatest of all hindrances outside the church is false religions both local and throughout the world. The term false religions refers to every false way, every man originated religion, every religious philosophy that is not approved by the God of heaven and earth. The very idea that man has a choice in religious affiliations is contrary to the nature of the one church philosophy taught by our Lord, cf., Matt 16:18, "And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Eph 4:3-6, "giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. -- (There is) one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, -- one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." Col 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." (ASV) False religions outside the church continue to hinder people from following the "TRUE WAY" that leads to eternal life. Look again at the text in Galatians 5:7!
SALVATION FROM SIN
The greatest possible benefit to man in this world is to acquire salvation from sin. Knowledge of this fact ought to stir the most hard hearted person to obey God's plan for man's salvation, but in far too many cases this knowledge is insufficient to melt the heart of some sinners. Truly, today is the acceptable time; today is the day of salvation[1]. On the Day of Pentecost[2] nearly 20 Centuries ago the church of our Lord was established,[3] this is man's last opportunity to acquire a good relationship with God, there will be no other covenants.
Today, many reason that God will somehow make allowances for their failure to be a Christian, to serve God and worship Him only[4]. The Lord, Jesus Christ has complete power today [5]and has required that men obey him in order to be saved from their sin -- have you obeyed his commands[6]?
Please know; in order to become a recipient of the hope of eternal life one must obey God's plan of salvation that includes:
1st. Hear the gospel, Romans 10:17 2nd. Believe the gospel, Mark 16:15, 16 3rd. Repent of sin, Acts 2:38 4th. Confess, Romans 10:9, 10 5th. Be baptized, Acts 2:38
One must, after becoming a Christian[7], live a life of continued faithfulness to the Divine Instruction (i.e., found within the pages of the Bible -- the Written Word).[8] You should be a Christian today; won't you consider today your eternal soul and do whatever is necessary? 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (KJV)
Room for everyone in heaven!
Don't worry about space in heaven, Jesus indicates that there is plenty of space for all the saved. John 14:1-3, 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
"ONLY ONE GOD!" 1 King 8:60, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other." -- Dan 2:47, "The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery." Jesus says, He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end -- the first and the last, truly there is only ONE GOD. Rev. 1:5-8. Indeed, there is no other like the God of the Bible, man therefore ought to serve HIM! Revised: September 8, 2008
REFERENCES [1] 2 Cor 6:2 "(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
[2] Acts 2:1-47
[3] Acts 2:38, 39
[4] John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ASV)
[5] Matthew 28:18, 19
[6] Hebrews 5:8, 9
[7] Acts 11:26
[8] 2 Timothy 4:7, 8: Revelation 2:10b
Consider Magazine is an independent work by Garreth L. Clair Garreth has over 50 years experience as a preacher, and is currently the preacher for the church that meets at 4840 Cemetery Road, in Hilliard OH. http://www.cemeteryroadchurchofchrist.org/ Copyright 2005, All Rights Reserved. (Please contact us for permission to reprint.) Please help us show up on search engines, by putting a link to http://www.considermagazine.com on your website!
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