Articles

Holding Firm

2 Thessalonians 2:15 reads, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” Notice that the Apostle Paul promised that the words that he and other inspired men received from Jesus Christ, and taught in either spoken or written form, would last forever. Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” In John 12:48 Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge us in the last day.”  And Revelation 20:12 tells us “that all will be judged out of the things which were written in the books.” Now since Holy Scripture tells us that one day all be judged by the words that Jesus taught and spoke, we must of necessity study those words, live by them and teach them to others.

We must not fall for the temptation to leave the written word and follow the dictates of our culture. Nor can we seek to change the church so that it becomes like other religious groups. Faithful Christians must hold firm to the teaching of the apostles and other inspired men of God that is contained in the New Testament.

There is but one gospel, and there cannot be another. This is the very message of Paul in Galatians 1:6-9 when he said, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

We must hold firmly to the gospel of Christ and never distort it. That is, we must abide in the teaching of Christ and not fall short or go beyond them. 2 John 9 reads, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”  Notice that the Apostle John said that to go beyond or fall short of the teaching of Jesus Christ will cause one to lose his relationship with God.

Therefore, let us go to God’s word, and hold firm to it, for all that we believe, practice and teach. We must neither add to nor take away from God’s word. Revelation 22:18-19 reads, “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Now while these verses speak specifically of the book of Revelation, we can apply this truth to every book that God caused to be written.

In 1 Timothy 3:16 Paul instructed young Timothy to “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” It is certainly our intent to teach nothing but the truth. And we must do so without compromise and yet, in simplicity and in love. Man’s greatest need today is the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it, and it alone, can lead to salvation and eternal life when this life is over. But we must hold firm and remain faithful to the teaching found in the written word of God if we are to expect salvation.

It all starts with an initial response to the Gospel Call. If you have never obeyed the Gospel of Christ, why not now. Don’t wait another minute!

Sin Is No Laughing Matter!

In Hebrews 3:13 the Hebrew writer wrote about being “Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” And Paul penned these words in Ephesians 5:6, “Let no man deceive you with vain words.” And John said in 1 John 3:7-8, “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that commits sin is of the devil.” Now that is to say that the devil is actively deceitful, and wants to lure everyone into his camp. The Apostle Peter warns of this in 1 Peter 5:8 when he wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” And the Apostle Paul admonished the brethren in Ephesians 5:3-4 to be careful and not let, “fornication, or uncleanness, or covetousness, be named among you; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient.”

With these Scriptures in mind, let us think for a moment about the things that people in the world all too often laugh or jest about. Have you noticed that sin is portrayed as funny and humorous in the media today? Homosexuality is being sold as a harmless lifestyle, practiced by “cute” and “nice” and “funny” people. Couples living together and practicing fornication are placed in a humorous setting and are glamorized in story lines of countless movies and television programs. And unfortunately many Christians watch these episodes containing such sinful behavior without one thought of objection. “Reality shows” and “talk shows” openly present fornication as acceptable to people who are “enlightened.” And what passes for “comedy” these days is punctuated by cursing and suggestive routines.  

What is the purpose of all of this? The devil knows that what we consider funny will soon begin to be accepted.

There was a time when decent people cringed at the thought of homosexuality, and if mentioned, it was whispered in private. Now that is to say that it was a shameful disgrace to have one of these perverted people in your community, and for society to openly accept it. Now people say, “You shouldn’t say things like that. You might offend someone.” Well, let me read to you what Paul wrote by inspiration. Romans 1:24-27 reads, “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” And what did the Apostle Paul say the consequences were for doing those things, and also for those that tolerate them, or just laugh about it? Verse 32 of Romans 1 reads, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Don’t you see that according to Divine Revelation those who commit such thing are worthy of death and also those that have pleasure, or put up with such behavior are worthy of death.

Unfortunately today godly people are bombarded with this sinful behavior constantly. But notice that according to Holy Scripture, fornication (whether homosexual or heterosexual) is a sin. Galatians 5:19 reads, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Now sin separates one from God. Isaiah 59:2 reads, “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” And the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23, reads, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Sin is not a laughing matter, it is serious! Laughing at sin is a sin. Ephesians 5:11 reads, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” And 2 John 9-11 reads, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

We must be careful what we laugh at! Sin is no laughing matter! Both John and Paul said that when we bid someone in sin God’s speed (that is, we do not reprove them, but just laugh or jest bout it) we are a partaker of those evil deeds and worthy of death.

What is your relationship to sin?

Have you had your past sins washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ? If not, why not do it now? After being baptized for the forgiveness of your past sins, have you allowed sin to creep back into your life? Why not repent and ask God for forgiveness? Do you laugh or jest about sin rather than reprove it in others. If so you are a partaker of those deeds. Why not repent and ask God for forgiveness?

Have You Been Saved?”

Jesus gave the Great Commission in Mark 16:15-16 when he told his Apostles to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” To be “saved” from sins means to have the “remission of sins.” Listen to the words of Jesus recorded in Luke 24:47 just before his ascension. He said, “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name (by his authority) among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Now according to Ephesians 1:7 our sins are forgiven through or by the blood of Jesus Christ. And it occurs when we have faith in Jesus Christ (John 8:24), when we repent of our sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38), when we confess our faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and when we are immersed in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16).

The gospel message is the same regardless of who we are, where we live, or our economic status. And there is only one road to Heaven. Jesus said in John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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. And in His “Sermon on the Mount” recorded in Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  

Unfortunately, today there are people who know they are lost and have not made any effort to obtain salvation in Jesus Christ. And there are others that have been deceived by false theories and false teachers into thinking they are saved when they are not. That is why there is not a more urgent question than “What must I do to be saved?” Now that is to say, that nothing is more important than for each one of us to ask ourselves the question, “Have my sins been forgiven by the blood of Christ, and have I truly availed myself of the salvation that Jesus offers through the gospel?”

You know, the world today wants to fight against God’s plan and deny the simple statement of Scripture that says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” as recorded in Mark 16:16. Sadly, this simple statement has been distorted by many through the years.

Let’s briefly contrast what the world teaches and what the Bible says one must do to be saved. Mark 16:16 teaches us that “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” The ATHIEST says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall NOT be saved.” Atheism doctrine projects that there is no sin, there is no Hell to shun, and there is no Heaven to be gained because God Himself does not exist. This doctrine stands in direct opposition to the Bible. Jesus said in John 8:24, “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”

And then there is the UNIVERSALIST who teaches, “He that believeth not and is not baptized will still be saved.” This doctrine teaches that everyone is going to Heaven regardless of what one does or does not do. Universalism says God will accept everyone in Atheism, Judaism, Mohammedism, Buddhism, Satanism, Idolatry, or anything else one wishes to follow. Jesus taught just the opposite. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” And in John 3:5 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

And then there is the CALVINIST who teaches, “He that is saved shall believe and be baptized.” Now this theory claims that God personally chose people to be saved and to be lost, before they were even born. The Bible does not teach this doctrine. Jesus commanded that the gospel be preached to all the world and every creature who obey the gospel could be saved. He did not teach that the “elect” or saved people were chosen by God before the world began. Jesus instructed his Disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” And in Mark 16:16, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

And the CATHOLIC teaches that “He that is baptized as an infant shall be saved, then he can believe at age 12 in a special confirmation service.” When we study Scripture, we learn that an infant is NOT a sinner, but is born pure and innocent. Jesus expressed this very truth in Matthew, chapter 18 and verse 3, when he said, “Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  Also Jesus said that no sinner can be saved unless he first believes the gospel. Jesus very words in Mark 16:16 were, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” We all know that an infant cannot believe what it cannot comprehend.

You know, the theory of inherited sin has been passed down for years by several religious bodies (Episcopalian, Lutheran and others), but it is not the gospel of Christ. Jesus taught that infants are innocent and remain so until they become accountable by understanding the difference between right and wrong. But when they “grow up” and reach an age in which they realize that they have yielded to temptation and sin then they must do those things essential to obtain salvation. James 1:14-15 reads, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Now when sin enters one’s life, that one is lost until he does those things that are essential for forgiveness. In Acts. Chapter 2 we see where those responsible for crucifying Jesus were convicted to the heart by Peter’s sermon, and cried out, “What must we do?” Peter told them in Acts 2:38 to “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

And then lastly, the PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONALIST contradicts Mark 16:16 by teaching, “He that believeth shall be saved immediately at the point of faith, and can be baptized later as an act of obedience.” Their popular preachers have taught this human doctrine throughout the years. And these popular religious bodies are holding out the same false hope as the others groups that we have been talking about. And this false teaching is not the gospel of Jesus Christ which saves by the authority and blood of Jesus Christ.

You know, we are warned about preaching any other gospel than that preached by Jesus and His Disciples. Galatians 1:6-9 reads, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

In Conclusion:

Some folks might say that we can choose from any of these theories and find “peace” and “salvation.” Yet, Jesus said that there is just one gospel and one way to accept that gospel! The gospel is the same for “all the world” and “every creature.” Therefore, we ask in love, kindness, and deep concern for your soul, “Have you been saved from your sins?”

Press On to Maturity

Hebrews 6:1, “Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection (NIV-maturity); not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.”  It is clear from the message in Hebrews, chapter 6, that Christians are to move on to maturity.

In Galatians 5:6 Paul stressed the importance of “faith working by love” in times of difficulty and distress. These basic teachings are intended to spur us on to righteous living and encourage us not fall back because of inactivity, or pressure from others, or the allurement of a popular lifestyle.

Some New Testament Passages That Emphasize Growth

1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

1 Corinthians 14:20, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature.”

2 Peter 3:17-18, “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

2 Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

CHARACTERISTICS OF MATURITY

The fruit of the Spirit (indicators of maturity) is listed in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The levels to which we possess the fruit of the Spirit reflect our maturity:

Love – affection; benevolence

Joy – cheerfulness; gladness

Peace – quietness; rest

Patience – forbearance or fortitude; longsuffering.

Kindness – usefulness in character or demeanor; gentleness

Goodness – honorable; decent; upright

Faithfulness –steadfast; unfaltering; fidelity

Gentleness – humility; meekness

Self-control –restraint; temperance; orderly

In order to mature one must continue to develop his faith.

A well-developed faith is an obedient faith; one that doesn’t question, argue or gainsay-- Romans 1:5, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.”

A well-developed faith is a working faith; One that is active, lively, energetic-- Galatians 5:6, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”

A well-developed faith is a steadfast faith; one that is not easy shaken by trial or opposition-- Colossians 2:5, “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

A well-developed faith is a perfected faith; one that has reached a level of consistency in deeds--James 2:22, “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect.”

To perfect our faith we are told in 2 Peter 1:4-7 to add some things to our faith:

Virtue -- Moral excellence; righteousness

Knowledge – the act of knowing; familiarity; understanding

Temperance -- self-control; restraint; self-discipline

Patience – Perseverance; diligence; endurance

Godliness –holy; piety; devoutness

Brotherly Kindness –gentleness; compassion; love of the brethren

Charity (Love) – adoration; affection; fondness; benevolence

EVIDENCES OF MATURITY 

Jesus said in Matthew 15:18--“Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart.” Therefore, we can rightfully conclude that one’s maturity level can be determined by one’s words.

To demonstrate maturity one must:

 Be careful when speaking--Proverbs 12:23, “A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.”

Not be hasty with words--Proverbs 29:50, “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Learn to control the “door” of the mouth--Psalms 141:3, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Bridle the tongue-- James 1:26, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” 

Carefully choose our words--Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Use Appropriate speech--Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Speak the truth--Ephesian 4:25, “Speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor.”

Refrains from participating in gossip--Proverbs 11:13, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals the matter.”

We are Not to be overly disturbed by what others say.

We must realize that some people will always find fault in us and use their tongue to afflict us. David suffered with this problem and prayed to God about it in Psalms 64:1-6, “Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words,”

What can we do about it?

First, we can do what is right and lets God judge. This was the strategy that Paul exclaimed in 1Corinthians 4:3-4 when he said, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Some other things that Holy Scripture tells us that we can do:

Give free and impartial praise to those deserving--1Timothy 5:21

Appreciates the efforts of others--Philippians 4:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 9:1-2

Do not take credit for another’s efforts--Galatians 6:4

Do not do good to receive praise--Matthew 6:1

Sees others as more important than self-Philippians 2:3-4

Understands that greatness is achieved by serving, not being served—Galatians 5:13

Genuinely interested in the affairs of others--Proverbs 26:17

Attend to your own business--1Thessalonians 4:11

Willingness to share others’ burdens, grief and happiness--Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2

Quick to hear, slow to pass judgment--James1:19

Do not condemn, sentence, and execute before hearing--Proverbs 18:13

Slow to anger--Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 26:21

Be content in all circumstances--Philippians 4:11; 1Timothy 6:6-10

Able to admit one’s own faults--James 5:16

Realize that for sins to be forgiven sins must be acknowledged--1John 1:8-10

Understands the characteristics of sin--James 1:14-16

Realize that one’s sins are enticed by lust in the heart--James1:14-16

Recognize that no one is exempt from being tempted--1Co.10:12-13

Know that “to flee” is often the best course of action when tempted--1 Timothy 6:11

Results of Maturity

Ephesians 4:14-16, “We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” 

Not Enough Time for God

In the book of Haggai a vivid picture is painted of a time in the history of God’s people. The year was 536 B.C. At the merciful allowance of Cyrus, the ruler who had united the Medes and Persians, Zerubbabel led a group of Jewish exiles on a return journey to the city of Jerusalem.  When this band of exiles arrived at Jerusalem, they found a city devastated and ravaged by both man and neglect. The houses and city lay in ruin, the walls were torn down, and the land had been neglected for several decades.  And according to the picture that was painted, it had to have been a discouraging time for the returning exiles.

Upon returning to Jerusalem, the people quickly restored the altar and laid a foundation for the temple. At this point, the Israelites shifted their interest and concerns to their own needs. In the manner of their ancient forefathers, whom God delivered from Egypt, the Israelites soon lost sight of their commitment to serve God above all else. The people of Israel spent their time rebuilding their own homes and cities while neglecting the house of God. Sixteen years after the Lord liberated the Israelites, He sent a strong word of rebuke and warning them through the prophet Haggai. Haggai 1:2 says “Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” The Lord said in Verse 4, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” Notice that the problem faced by Israel was not the building of their own homes. The problem Israel faced was that they had neglected the Lord’s house. The Israelites should have spent their time first rebuilding the Lord’s house; then, the people could have focused on their own houses.

And for 16 years the Israelites suffered because they neglected the Lord’s temple while focusing on their own houses. Finally, the Lord told the people of Israel to consider their ways. The Lord said in Verses 5-6, “Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.” Now the reason for this calamity was that the Lord had withheld the produce of the ground from Israel. The Lord kept back the dew, the rain, the crops, the grain, the new wine, the oil, etc. Now that is to say that those whom the Lord had delivered from exile could have been enjoying bountiful harvests during those 16 years, had they only put the Lord first. And then finally after receiving the message from the Lord, Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, along with Joshua the high priest and the rest of the remnant of Israel came together to work on the house of the Lord. We are told that on the 24th day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, the people heeded the message of the Lord.

Now the application for us today is just like the Israelites, Christians can often find their lives too busy to serve God.  It seems that every generation of man brings more challenges and obstacles to the lives of Christians.  Businesses require many hours a week from their employees.  School systems require more in homework, school functions, and sports activities.  Families also have to factor in time for their vacations, hobbies, recreational activities, etc. With such busy lives, who has time to worship God and study the Bible?

The Israelites suffered greatly because they neglected God’s business.  And Christians will likewise suffer when they neglect their service unto God.  You know, the Hebrew writer addresses the neglecting of Bible Study. Hebrews 5:12 reads, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Notice at this time the recipients should have been teachers of God’s word; however, their spiritual growth suffered due to their lack of studying God’s word.

Another area often neglected by Christians is the worship service.  The church in Corinth was neglecting to observe the Lord’s Supper in the manner which Jesus commanded.  And as a result, the apostle Paul wrote the following in 1 Corinthians 11:28-30, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”  Don’t you see that it is “God’s Will” that the worship services, which are to be in spirit and in truth, edify or build up the members of the church?  According to Hebrews 10:24-25, “It is through the worship services, that Christians provoke one another to love and good works.”  

Brethren, think on these things! If we can be of assistance let your wishes be know and we will pray with and for you.