The Scripture Speaks

Ode of de TATT!

2012-04-28T23:07:29Z

Hebrews 5:13-14 – Identifies a process of growth accompanying the child of God, through life. It starts with what is commonly referred to as “milk,” and compared to a “babe.” As is true in life, milk is followed by “solid food.” The text of Hebrews 5 indicates that a full-grown man will, by virtue of use, have his “senses exercised to discern good and evil.” Discern is [1]“judicial estimation;” [2]“a distinguishing, discerning, judging;” [3]“a distinguishing,” and so “a decision.” Such being the case, given the right information, we are able to distinguish between the appropriateness of, and make a decision concerning, tattoos.

As for the “if it’s honoring God there’s nothing wrong with it:” [4]“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.” [5]“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.” There have been numerous acts concocted by man under the guise of honoring God. Nevertheless, hopefully we can look at the subject from objective, rather than subjective eyes, i.e., [6]“All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits.”

Classical and Hellenistic writers:

[7]“stigma is related to the vb. Stizō, to prick, to mark with a pointed instrument, and when applied to the flesh of men and animals, to brand, to tattoo.” “When stigmata were applied to the human body, this denoted a sign of disgrace, suitable for deserters (Herodotus, 7, 233, 2: “branded with the king’s marks”). Criminals were marked as a punishment (Plato, Laws 9, 854d) and especially slaves suffered this penalty if they ran away and were caught (Aristophanes, Birds 760; Lysistrata331) or broke the law in some other way (Diogenes Laertius, 4, 7, 46). The slave was called stigmatias, branded desperado, if he received this penalty (Xenophon, Hellenica 5, 3, 24) and it is suggested that the letters used as a brand on his hands or face were F(UG) for fugitives or FUR for thief. In the imperial period the branding of slaves as a mark of ownership was practiced. The Roman army received a tattoo mark, in the shape of the abbreviated name of the emperor, on their hand (Aetius Amidenus, Libri Medicinales 8, 12). Stigmata were also applied as sign of religious devotion to the gods (Herodotus 2, 113, stigmata hiera sacred marks; Lucian, Syr. Dea 59 “bearing stigmata” in honour of the goddess). OT Real stigmata were expressly forbidden in Israel according to the rubric of Lev. 19:28. Only in her apostate days did Israel borrow this practice from the Gentile nations (Jer. 16:6; 41:5; cf. Jer. 47:5: 48:37).”

Etymology:

[8]“Stigma is a Greek word that in its origins referred to a kind of tattoo mark that was cut or burned into the skin of criminals, slaves, or traitors in order to visibly identify them as blemished or morally polluted persons. These individuals were to be avoided or shunned, particularly in public places.” “Bruce Link and Jo Phelan propose that stigma exists when four specific components converge:

1. Individuals differentiate and label human variations.

2. Prevailing cultural beliefs tie those labeled to adverse attributes.

3. Labeled individuals are placed in distinguished groups that serve to establish a sense of disconnection between "us" and "them".

4. Labeled individuals experience "status loss and discrimination" that leads to unequal circumstances.”

[9]“the shame or disgrace attached to something regarded as socially unacceptable”

[10]stigma

1590s, "mark made on skin by burning with a hot iron," from L. stigma (pl. stigmata), from Gk. stigma (gen. stigmatos) "mark, puncture," especially one made by a pointed instrument, from root of stizein "to mark, tattoo," from PIE *st(e)ig- (see stick (v.)). Figurative meaning "a mark of disgrace" is from 1610s. Stigmas "marks resembling the wounds on the body of Christ, appearing supernaturally on the bodies of the devout" is from 1630s; earlier stigmate (late 14c.), from L. stigmata.

Hebrew:

Leviticus 19:28 – the term “mark” (Heb., ga ‘ăga’) is defined as “incision, imprintment, tattoo mark”

Isaiah 44:5 – “One shall say, I am Jehovah’s, and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob, and another shall subscribe with his hand unto Jehovah, and surname himself by the name of Israel” The term “subscribe” is, “to write”, used also Jeremiah 32:44, where it is used of a contract. Isaiah does not say he will write, “on his hand,” but would “subscribe with his hand.”

Exekiel 9:4 – the term “mark” (Heb. Tav) is defined as “mark (as a sign of exemption from judgment)” The reference in Ezek. 9, starts in chapter 8:1, was a vision of the abomination of Jerusalem and slaughter that would come upon the guilty, i.e., not literal, and a different Hebrew term from the “mark” of Leviticus 19:28.

Leviticus 19:26-28 – Have been identified with idolatry, but that, in and of itself does not invalidate the prohibition, today.

In Acts 15:29 – The Gentiles were told to “abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled…” Just because some prohibition is in the Old Testament, does not mean it does not have application in the New Testament.

We have to be careful with how we approach acceptance or rejection. Paul spoke of men who were [11]“bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves.” I’ve read several testimonies among “Christians” that have said, “Tattoos are okay. I’m a Christian and I have one,” i.e., therefore they are righteous. Would the tattooed individual follow the same reasoning of the non-tattooed person?, i.e., “Tattoos are not okay. I’m a Christian and I don’t have one,” i.e., therefore they are not righteous. The falsity of such an argument is evident.

So, let’s consider: What would motivate an individual to adorn a tattoo?

Vanity – [12]“Excessive pride in one’s appearance or accomplishments; conceit.”

Rebellion – [13]“And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hath rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

Conformity – “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2) Conform – “to conform one’s self (i.e., one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern, (fashion one’s self according to)

Idolatry – “Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face.” (Ezek. 14:3). What is it about the selected tattoo that gave the recipient the desire to adorn it?

Lust:

1. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other, that ye may not do the things that ye would” (Gal. 5:16)

2. “And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

3. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lusts, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is full grown, bringeth forth death” (James 1:13-16).

4. Hedone, delight in sensuality, hence, wicked pleasures (ISBE)

5. Epipotheo means to crave intensely the wrong possession (ISBE).

Lust of the flesh – Flesh, “human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), i.e., the lower desires that seek physical gratification

Lust of the eyes – “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of a man are never satisfied” (Proverbs 27:20). The avenue through which outward things of the world, riches, pomp, and beauty, inflame us

1. 2 Sam. 11:2 – “David…saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.”

2. Josh. 7:21 – “I saw among the spoil”

Vainglory of life – literally “arrogant assumption.”

1. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them” (Leviticus 10:1)

2. “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak…” (Deuteronomy 18:20)

3. “The other thing I found stated that there is no place in the bible that forbids it and that basically if it’s honoring God there’s nothing wrong with it.”

4. The Christian’s life is not lived by what the Bible does not forbid, but by what the word of God authorizes. The scriptures did not “forbid” the “strange fire” of Nadab and Abihu; what they offered was that “which he (Jehovah) had not commanded them.”

5. If you send a messenger to the store to purchase bread, and the messenger brings back a jar of peanut butter, but said, “you didn’t forbid it,” would you accept the explanation?

6. In Genesis 6:13-16 – God did not forbid:

a. Cedar – but commanded gopher wood.

b. A breadth of seventy-five cubits – but commanded fifty.

c. A door in the front thereof – but commanded “in the side thereof.”

7. If a father does not “forbid” his son the use of drugs, does he thereby affirm there is “nothing wrong with it”?

Paul said:
“Be ye imitators of me, even a I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Are we to assume that Christ bore a tattoo?

“Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

“In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

Modest apparel:
Modest - "The well-ordering is not of dress and demeanor only, but of the inner life, uttering indeed and expressing itself in the outward conversation" (Trench, Syn., xcii).

Apparel - "to send or let down, to lower" (kata, "down," stello, "to send"), was primarily a garment let down; hence, "dress, attire," (Vines)

The modest apparel under consideration is “shamefastness and sobriety.”

Shamefastness is “(through the idea of downcast eyes), bashfulness.”

Sobriety is “soundness of mind.” (Strong’s)

The contrast is:

“not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.” (1 Timothy 2:9)

“beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:2-4).

What saith the scriptures? [14]“Jehovah is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, And saveth such as are of a contrite spirit.”

Jesus did not say, “By this (a tattoo of a cross, or that says Jesus) shall men know that ye are my disciples” …rather, “if ye have love one to another.”

Thought you might find this interesting:
www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/tattoo.html?c=y&page=1

Ross
02.09.2011

[1] Strong’s

[2] Thayer’s

[3] Vines

[4] Proverbs 12:15

[5] Proverbs 16:25

[6] Proverbs 16:2

[7] Dictionary of New Testament Theology

[8] Healthline Network Inc., 2007

[9] Encarta Dictionary

[10] Online Etymology Dictionary

[11] 2 Corinthians 10:12

[12] American Heritage Dictionary

[13] 1 Samuel 15:22-23

[14] Psalm 34:18

Are We Standing Idly By?

2012-04-16T16:25:47Z

If salvation were a laborious process and men were compelled to wait their turn before they could become reconciled to God, a million years might not suffice for the salvation of the whole world. But in this electrical age when the enthusiasm for some worthy cause may sweep over the earth in a single day and the text of a new religion of an honest love for God and a genuine human Sympathy can be made known to every civilized man within a week, it is folly to stand idly waiting for the centuries to bring a Heavensent, wizard-like reformation into men's hearts and lives. (William Henry, 1896)

Conflict Between Truth and Error

2012-01-15T16:00:00Z

Friction and strife are always amazing. People expect other people to follow their line of reasoning and path in life. In the New Testament, Paul said, “Seeing that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:22). Both schools of philosophy demanded that others follow their line of reasoning. Today, segments of our society are continually fighting for the survival of their philosophy, and willing to force others to follow it. The recent vote of a Texas school board to add an elective Bible class to its high school curriculum has created quite the stir with the ACLU, “saying its materials promote religion” (Associated Press). On the other hand, the ACLU is representing a Wiccan because she was “excluded from a list of religious leaders allowed to pray at Board of Supervisors meetings,” saying, “A bedrock principle of American religious freedom is that government will in no way, shape or form show preference for one religion over another” (AP, Simpson vs. Chesterfield County). Is that not exactly what is being done when opposition is raised concerning a study of the Bible in school? School curriculum includes Greek Mythology. Was not, and is not, Greek Mythology a religious study? Science classes teach the theory of evolution, as if it is a proven fact. They start with a theory and end up with a religion, i.e., “A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.” Religion is taught in school, and supported openly. In one report, a school in Byron, CA, required students “to attend an intensive, three-week course on Islam; a course in which students are mandated to learn the tenets of Islam, study the important figures of the faith, wear a robe, adopt a Muslim name and stage their own Jihad” (Allan Dobras, article “Islam in California public schools). “When Mrs. Lemings [7^th grade teacher] reportedly asked the principal of Intermediate-Excelsior School of Byron, Nancy Castro, if she could teach Christianity in the manner that Islam is taught and for the same length of time, Lemings was advised it would have to be after hours as a Christian club — and voluntary. Castro informed her that to do otherwise would be a violation of the separation of church and state.” Restricting “religious studies” is selective: the Judaeo-Christian culture cannot be taught, or even mentioned, but other faith based religions are not only taught, but required.

Personally, I don’t believe the public schools are equipped to teach religion of any kind, except historically. Universities teach from the Bible under classes labeled “Western Civilizations” and it is a required course. But even under such a label, it is difficult for a teacher to refrain from injecting their faith into the curriculum. No matter what the society or the government may attempt to do, there will always be bickering about religion. Don’t get me wrong: In reference to man’s reconciliation to God, I believe that “in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), and that name is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Yet, recorded history (secular as well as divine) tells us that the forcing of religious beliefs, either for or against, will not stand. Religious devotion comes from the heart, not from the legislation of man. The Law of Moses hinged on two points: “The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). God gave man freewill, and that is something that God will not, and man cannot, force. Joshua told the children of Israel, “if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah” (Joshua 24:15). I appreciate the fact that parents do not want their children indoctrinated with idolatry and have a responsibility to protect them from it. However, Christianity has nothing to fear from idolatry or perversions from the truth. The truth will always be the truth, and those that have a love for the truth will not be separated from it. No man, group, organization or government can stop the spread of religion, good or bad. Jesus said, “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. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). He didn’t say force them to enter in. When the apostles of Jesus Christ taught the gospel, they didn’t call for government intervention to prohibit idolatrous practices. It was the idolaters that did so. The reason the ACLU and like organizations oppose Christianity is because it exposes the immoral, and godless lifestyles they have chosen. Anti-religious organizations have duped the American public into believing the constitution actually calls for the “separation of church and state.” The problem our society has is not constitutional, it’s moral. When Noah built the ark at God’s direction, “he condemned the world” (Hebrews 11:7). When Jesus of Nazareth exposed the error of the religious leaders of His day, he didn’t appeal to the government for relief. Those in error did because their beliefs were not strong enough to stand on their own. When Jesus of Nazareth exposed the error of the religious leaders of His day, he didn’t appeal to the government for their death. Those in error cried for the death of Jesus, because they couldn’t silence the truth of his message. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord…If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household” (Matthew 10:24-25). You cannot force people to follow your path in life, nor can they force you to follow them. They may try to find fault in your life, undermine your faith, or cry to the government for your death, but they will not be able to stop the truth.

Satan and Sin

2012-01-08T16:01:00Z

If you believe in God, and you believe the Bible is the word of God, then what the Bible says about Satan and sin will help prepare you to deal with sin. The Bible that reveals God, and tells us about Satan and his attempts to wage war against the people of God, is the only means through which Jehovah has chosen to reveal what sin is, and how to overcome it. As we consider the subjects of Satan and Sin, let us keep our conclusions within the bounds of God’s revelation, and not any previous conceived ideas we may have been taught or developed on our own.

The scriptures describe Satan in numerous ways: Satan is referred to as Belial, i.e., worthlessness or hopelessness. When Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:3), Satan was referred to as the devil, i.e., an accuser, slanderer: the enemy of God and man. Most people presume Satan is a fallen angel, however, God does not reveal the exact nature of his origin, but does warn us of his characteristics and desire to destroy the works of God. Having such information will help us understand our struggles and teach us how to overcome them.

When dealing with the subject of Satan and Sin it is imperative that we understand what sin is and how Satan uses it to tempt us. Sin is “literally, a missing of the mark” (W.E. Vines). Missing the mark can been seen in a symbol of an archer. When the arrow strikes on either side of the bull’s eye, it’s a missing of the mark. As opposed to society’s attempt to make the mark (bulls eye) bigger, God is the one that establishes the mark and determines if we hit or miss. Sin can be the result of “omission or commission, in thought and feeling, or in speech and action” (Thayer’s). We either don’t do what we’re supposed to do, or do what we shouldn’t. The Bible defines sin as: a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4); all unrighteousness (1 John 5:17); failing to do good (James 4:17); conceived lust (James 1:15) and that which violates the conscience (Romans 14:23). Satan uses his devices to tempt man through three avenues (1 John 2:15-16): The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. When Satan tempted Eve, she saw the fruit was good for food, it was pleasant to the eyes, and it was desired to make one wise. When Satan tempted Jesus he also appealed to the lust of the flesh, “command that these stones become bread,” the pride of life, “If thou art the Son of God,” and the lust of the eyes, “All these things will I give thee” (Matthew 4:1-9). These same ploys are utilized today to get men and women to turn away from God, and serve Satan.

The characteristics of Satan are exposed in God’s word. The scriptures tell us that Satan can quote scripture, appeals to human wisdom, takes advantage of man’s weaknesses, desires the souls of man, and does anything in his power to draw people away from God to worship and serve him.

The consequences of sin are physically devastating. When we look to the scriptures we see how sin resulted in the death of the son of David and Bathsheba. The sin of Herod, when he took his brother Philips wife, resulted in the murder of John the Baptist, and ultimately the sin of Judas Iscariot, after he had betrayed Jesus, resulted in him committing suicide. As devastating as sin is physically, the far more significant devastation is spiritual. Sin separates man from his Creator. The scriptures tell us, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Death is a separation. Physically: “the body apart from the spirit is dead” (James 2:26). Spiritually, “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

God is concerned about His creation. So concerned, that his Son “became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and suffered death on our behalf that we might be reconciled to God through him (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). God also tells us that “in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Satan would have us believe that any religion is fine, or that good moral living will suffice. God however requires two things: that we know him, and obey him. Paul referred to “the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, 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” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

The next time you think about sin, remember that it was sin that caused the death of Jesus: our sins. It is sin that causes broken homes, crime, and war. And remember that Satan is the father of it all. Whom do you want to call Father.

Genealogy of Jesus Christ

2012-01-01T16:00:00Z

Why does the gospel according to Matthew record the genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth? What does the genealogy tell us? When considering the Word of God, it is interesting to consider why God revealed what He did. Nothing was by accident or without purpose. Though we may not be aware of that purpose, we can rest assured that there is something about the information that God wanted us to know. In the gospel according to Matthew, the reader is immediately presented with the lineage of Jesus Christ from Abraham to "Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ" (1:2-16). There are several interesting aspects of this genealogy, in areas of what it says and what it doesn’t say and what it infers.

The genealogy begins with Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. God’s scheme of salvation hinges on the promise given to Abraham that stated, "I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). The scriptures also tell us that this prophecy was to be fulfilled in one individual: "Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). The genealogy of Christ is important on the one hand because it connects Jesus with Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Not only so, but the genealogy also connects Jesus with David, king of Israel. Connecting Jesus with David does two things: 1. It fulfills the prophecy of Jacob, that "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh come" (Genesis 49:10), and 2. It connects Jesus with the promise Jehovah made to David, when He said, "When thy days are fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, that shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Samuel 7:12-16). In response to this promise, David said, "Who am I, O Lord Jehovah, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And this was yet a small thing in thine eyes, O Lord Jehovah; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant’s house for a great while to come; and this too after the manner of men, O Lord Jehovah" (7:18-19). When Jesus asked the Pharisees, "What think ye of the Christ? Whose son is he? They say unto him, "The son of David" (Matthew 22:42). That the Christ was to be of the seed of Abraham, through the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David is well documented. Matthew’s reference to the lineage of Jesus gives him a legal right to the throne. The importance of establishing the Messiah’s legal right to the throne of David infers that if Jesus was not the Messiah, then there is to be no Messiah. Since the Messiah was to come through the lineage of David, it would be necessary to prove it. In 70 A. D., the Roman general, Titus, defeated the nation of Israel, burned their city, their temple, and their genealogical records along with them. From that time, no one in the nation of Israel could prove what tribe they came from, much less what family. The nation of Israel ceased to exist. Today, an individual may know they are of Hebrew descent and may know what tribe they came from, but they could not prove such in a court of law. Our own society requires proof of citizenship, residency and in some cases, age before certain offices can be occupied. And though the individual, the family, the community may know that the individual is a citizen, and resides in a certain geographical area, and is of the right age, without sufficient "proof" they will not be allowed certain privileges or offices. The records that verify such proof must be of a legal nature. The same would be true of the Messiah. Thus, it is adequately inferred that the Messiah has come into the world and Jesus of Nazareth has shown his credentials and "was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4)

Birth of Christ

2011-12-25T16:00:00Z

The Bible tells us, "The righteous shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11), a principle echoed by the apostle Paul when he said, "for we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is not a matter of believing something without evidence. The scriptures also reveal that "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Many look at faith as something an individual follows blindly. Jehovah does not expect us to follow blindly in areas where the truth can be verified. In areas that cannot be verified, God gives us ample evidence of the reliability of His word. It is foolish to argue the subject of faith, because everyone applies it in life. Even the atheist that believes in the "Big Bang" theory accepts it by faith. Any belief that is not based upon empirical knowledge is based upon faith. A recent article was published that affirmed the "current theory holds that the universe began with the Big Bang, an event that caused space to expand in a fraction of a second from a tiny speck to an immensity bathed in heat and radiation. It took an estimated 300 million years for the universe to cool and for the first stars to form from hydrogen and helium" (Paul Recer, Associated Press Writer). The same astronomers that contrived their admitted "theory" would possibly laugh at someone who held the position "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Yet, they cannot tell you where their "speck" came from nor what caused it to explode into "an immensity bathed in heat and radiation." Regardless of the position a person holds regarding creation, it requires "faith." This article isn’t intended to debate, nor address the skeptic. It is to affirm, out of faith (that comes by hearing the word of God), how God brought His Son into the world.

The scriptures tell us, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:18). The scriptures say, concerning the Messiah, "Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body didst thou prepare for me" (Hebrews 10:5). When Jesus said, concerning the Messiah, "If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his Son" (Matthew 22:45), he established the fact that the Messiah pre-existed David. Matthew chapter one expresses how the body came to be that the Messiah would utilize to the glory of the Father, in the giving of himself for the salvation of mankind. The scriptures tell us how this came about. The apostle affirms that the statements of Isaiah, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (7:14), applied to the Messiah. The virgin birth of Christ is not something that can be proven by empirical knowledge. But prophecies necessitated that such was to be the case, and it should not seem impossible, even to the atheist that believes the universe grew from a speck to "an immensity bathed in heat and radiation" in "a fraction of a second," that a God, who is purported to have created the heavens and the earth in six days could cause a virgin to bring forth a child. Other prophecies related to the birth of Christ foretold where he was to be born. When Herod the king heard that the King of Jews had been born, he made inquiry of the scribes, and they directed him to the scripture, saying, "And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come forth a governor, who shall be shepherd of my people Israel" (Matthew 2:6; Micah 5:2). What brought Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem was the enrollment: "And it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled…And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered" (Luke 2:1-6).

The particulars of the birth of Christ are not only interesting but also a matter of prophecy. The birth of Jesus was well-planned and well-executed by God, that He could bring about salvation for all mankind. Have you thought about your relationship with God, in connection with Jesus of Nazareth?

Memorials to Christ

2011-12-18T16:00:00Z

During the holiday season, there is much to do about goodwill toward man and an attitude of giving, rather than receiving. It is in this time of year that many retail stores will either flourish or fold. Holiday shoppers have been flooding the market place in an effort to find that perfect gift for the perfect person. The holiday has a religious base in the sense that it is called Christmas. Which actually comes to us from Catholicism and Christ’s festival or Christ’s Mass. It is defined as, "A Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus." When an individual goes to the sacred writings they will not find the term Christmas, or anything like it. Christmas is described as "an annual festival, held on December 25, to celebrate the Nativity, or birth of Christ. The origin of the festival is unknown. Scholars believe that it is derived in part from the pre-Christian rites of Germanic and Celtic tribesmen held in celebration of the winter solstice. Christmas festivals, generally observed by Christians since the 4^th century, include a number of heathen customs such as the use of holly, mistletoe, Yule logs, and wassail bowls. The use of Christmas trees probably originated among the Romans of pre-Christian times from whom it spread to the Germanic peoples and thence to the peoples of the British Isles. In later times Christmas celebrations acquired a wide secular and social significance, expressed in many countries in the exchange of presents, the sending of greeting cards, and the suspension of school and work. Early Dutch settlers brought to the New World the custom of celebrating St. Nicholas’ (Santa Claus’) day on Christmas Eve" (Universal Standard Encyclopedia). Historical evidence reveals that Christmas was not something practiced by Christians for three centuries following the death of Christ. Such being the case, what is it that the sacred writing has to say about how Christians are to remember Christ?

Jehovah established a number of memorials so man would not forget important events. The first festival given to the nation of Israel was the feast of the Passover and unleavened bread. When Jehovah delivered Israel from the Egyptian bondage, God slew all the first-born of Egypt but passed over the first-born of Israel. Throughout Israel’s biblical history, the Passover was kept in remembrance of that event. Jehovah told Israel, "this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to Jehovah: throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever" (Exodus 12:14).

The Christian era is no different. The scriptures reveal, "For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ" (1 Corinthians 5:7). But what is it that Jehovah has placed as a memorial, to be observed by those benefited by the Christ? Is it His birth? If it were, then the scriptures would have identified it as such. The very silence of such a memorial is evidence that God did not intend for His worshippers to observe the birth of Jesus as a memorial. When worship is offered unto God, it must be according to His will and His standard. Jesus said, "God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). In like manner, the apostle Paul, said, "Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written…" (1 Corinthians 4:6). If an individual is devoted to worship God in spirit and truth, they will abide by the commands of the Lord.

The memorial that God would have his followers to observe was instituted by Jesus, the night he was betrayed and the apostle Paul referred to it as the "Lord’s Supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20), when he said, "For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). This memorial is to be observed not once a year, or once a quarter, but once a week. The scriptures reveal, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7). In connection with this, the apostle Paul, said, "If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:34). As important as the birth of Jesus was to the world, it does not compare to the value of his death, for it was not his birth that saves us, but his death upon the cross. Let us keep the memorial that God has given unto us to observe.

Plan of Salvation

2011-12-11T16:00:00Z

“Plan of Salvation?”! God had a plan to save mankind from the consequences of sin? Yes, He did. The religious world is as much divided on God’s plan of salvation as it is on any religious question. Such being the case, it would behoove anyone to make inquiry into the word of God relative to this important subject.

It is the writer’s belief that religious division is the result of man’s tampering with the divine. Believing that the Bible, a collection of books containing the writings of the prophets, is the inerrant word of God, it follows that what it reveals is true. And, what the Bible reveals is that “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Bible affirms that it is “the” source in furnishing “completely” the man of God. Therefore, in determining God’s plan to save man, it must have a scriptural basis in order to be “good.” So, what does the Bible have to say about God’s plan of salvation?

A general principle in life is to investigate the success of any given action, based upon the success “stories” of those involved. The same principle can be utilized in determining God’s plan to save mankind. In order to find out what that plan consisted of, we simply need only to look at how individuals in the beginning of the gospel were added to the kingdom of God. One such success story involved the Romans. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans and related to them how the “gospel” of Christ is God’s power to save (Romans 1:16-17), indicating that it was and is through the gospel message that the lost can be reconciled to the Father through the sacrifice of Christ. What this gospel message contained is revealed in the Roman letter. The Roman letter tells us five basic principles of the gospel: 1) That faith, (believing that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him, Hebrews 11:1,6) comes from the hearing of the word of God, (Romans 10:17). Thus, no one can come to God without the hearing of the gospel message. 2) That those who hear the message must believe what they hear. The scriptures say, “if thou shalt…believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Jesus also affirmed the necessity of belief, when he said, “for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). One of the basic necessities of salvation is the ability to hear a message and believe it. 3) Those who believe the message must respond to it. It is possible for someone to hear the message, believe it, and yet not respond appropriately to it, i.e., “Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue” (John 12:42). A belief in anything that is lacking an appropriate response is vain. This is not only self-evident, but was also stated by the apostle Paul, when he said, “because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord…thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 4) Salvation also requires repentance. Repentance is a turning away from one thing, and turning to another. Paul stated the importance of repentance, when he said, “knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance” (Romans 2:4). The repentance of the Romans was expressed by the apostle Paul, when he said, “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” (Romans 6:17-18). 5) Paul also identified that all of the Romans (who had fulfilled the first four requirements) “were baptized into Christ Jesus”; they were “baptized into his death” (Romans 6:3). Paul further says, those who “become united with him in the likeness of his death…shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5). Paul affirmed that when an individual is baptized into Christ they “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). This “putting on” Christ makes them “sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26). Every conversion in the book of Acts involved these necessary elements. In each case you will find these elements either alluded to or specifically mentioned (in every case you will find the statement or necessary inference that baptism came before salvation was granted).

Following man’s revised plan of (God’s) salvation will not provide what God has promised, because man’s revised plan is different from what those in the first century did to receive the blessings and promises of God. Today, man will say, “receive Jesus as your personal saviour and say the sinner’s prayer, and you will be saved.” One of the problems with man’s plan is that you will not find that plan expressed anywhere in the Bible: there is no “sinner’s prayer” in all of the scriptures.

Where will you place your faith? Is your faith in God’s plan, or in man’s distortion of God’s plan. Paul said, “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” (Galatians 1:8).

Sin In Israel 1

2011-12-05T04:44:43Z

After Death, What Then?

2011-12-04T16:00:00Z

The living are curious about what happens after death. Each of us have had loved ones who have died, and know that we, too, will soon follow. Many speculate concerning what happens after death, but such speculation is vain since there is no physical evidence to support speculations. Such being the case, man’s only means of understanding is contained in the divinely revealed message of the scriptures.

The term death denotes a separation. Physical death is a separation of the body and the spirit (James 2:26). Spiritual death is a separation of fellowship between man and God. When God commanded Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He said, “for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). The day Adam and Eve transgressed the law of God, they died. There was a separation that took place, and “Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden” (Genesis 3:23).

The scriptures describe four possible conditions that exist after the death of the physical body. Two of these conditions deal with what immediately awaits an individual, after death, and the other two deal with post-judgment (we will direct our attention first to the condition of the spirit immediately following death). When Jesus dealt with the issue he spoke of two men: Lazarus and the rich man. Jesus said, “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23). The term Hades is described as “"the region of departed spirits of the lost" (but including the blessed dead in periods preceding the ascension of Christ)” (W.E. Vines Expository Dict.), or “that which is out of sight, a Greek word used to denote the state or place of the dead” (Easton’s Bible Dict.). So, simply put, Hades is the abode of disembodied spirits awaiting the resurrection of the dead. Two conditions exist in the Hadean realm: Paradise, or Abraham’s bosom, and Tartarus, or Torments. Of these two conditions, Abraham told the rich man, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us” (Luke 16:26). Of this realm, Jesus revealed that all those who abide therein will be brought before God, in judgment: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, even the lake of fire. And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:11-15).

The “lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8), corresponds to a third condition, that occurs to some after death. This condition is described by the Greek term Gehenna. The word itself comes from a Hebrew term denoting the “Valley of Hinnom.” The Valley of Hinnom was a place of worship to the pagan god Moloch. King Josiah had destroyed the worship, broken down the altars, and placed the remains of the dead upon them. As a result Gehenna became a dumping ground, a place that received the refuse of Jerusalem. In order to dispose of the refuse, fire burned continual: sulphur was also used to further accomplish the disposal of the refuse. Jesus described this condition, saying “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:43-48). The final condition is referred to by the apostle Peter, when he said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). This is the place of “the abode of God and of the hosts of angels” (International Standard Bible Ency.). This is the abode awaiting those who “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Are you ready for that day?

Spiritual Growth

2011-11-27T16:00:00Z

A well baby check up is a common practice in our society. Parents like to know that their new arrival is in top shape and growing according to schedule. Parents recognize the need to keep up with their child’s progress in life: mentally, physically, socially and spiritually. This physical truth is also a spiritual one. The scriptures tell us that spiritual growth is to be taken seriously. The apostle Peter addressed this issue in a number of scriptures. He said, “as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation” (1 Peter 2:2); as well as, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Just as growth is essential in life, so is spiritual growth.

As physical requirements are essential to physical growth, we understand that certain requirements are essential to spiritual growth. These requirements involve basic principles. Before life, a birth must of necessity take place, this is axiomatic. When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus, he said, “Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Once this new birth has taken place the child of God must keep itself from sin. Satan’s tools consist of “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life” (1 John 2:16). The flesh seeks to be gratified, the eyes see and covet, and the desire to be someone special has resulted in the fall of many. In order to keep ourselves pure we must develop an attitude of self denial: proper spiritual priorities must be established. Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall a man give in exchange for his life?” (Matthew 16:24-26). The apostle Paul said, “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). Denying oneself will keep the child of God free from sin. Just as disease will destroy the physical body, so also will sin destroy the spiritual: James said, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death” (James 1:12-15). Another facet of spiritual growth involves a balanced diet, of spiritual food. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:6): the spiritual man needs spiritual food. But food alone is insufficient to the obtaining of proper growth: man also needs exercise. The Hebrew writer said, “But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Another prerequisite of growth is a healthy environment. Paul warned Christians that “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). If the child of God does not endeavor to control their environment, they are in danger of corruption. All of these factors are necessary to the achieving of spiritual growth. All of which, takes time. The Hebrew writer rebuked his reader, when he said, “For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you” (Hebrews 5:12). Physical and spiritual growth requires diligence.

How does an individual know if they are spiritually healthy? What type of questions do we need to ask ourselves to determine our spiritual health? Here are just a few: “Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), Have you grown in the knowledge of God’s word? “That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), Do you behave as an adult, or as a child? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23), Are you producing godly fruit?

Spiritual growth will not happen by accident, nor is it something that happens overnight. Spiritual growth requires diligence and perseverance, and it requires action. How’s your health maintenance check?

Spiritual Stability

2011-11-20T16:00:00Z

The freedoms we enjoy in the nation are great. We’re allowed to come and go as we please, worship whom, what, why, when and where as we please without the fear of the government. Freedom as we understand it isn’t free. Lives were sacrificed in order to defeat the oppressors who would put others in bondage. Freedom also involves the accepting of responsibility: individuals talk about their right to do this or that, but seldom vocalize their responsibility to society. The freedoms we possess secularly and religiously are often abused to satisfy the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life.

In the secular realm we often mistake freedom for the ability to do as we please: speaking evil of our government officials, or violating the boundaries defined by law as if it’s no big deal. This concept is often seen in the religious world as well. There is a misconception in the religious world that a child of God cannot sin in such a way as to lose their salvation. The idea that an individual who is saved cannot “fall from grace” is all too prevalent.

Though there are numerous religious organizations, there are but two concepts that separate them all: doctrine and practice (what we believe and what we do). The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” stands in direct contradiction to the inspired word of God. The apostle Paul issued a warning to Christians, when he said, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12), as well as, “Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4). There are numerous scriptures that deal with the danger facing the child of God, to give credibility to a concept of “once saved, always saved.”

Christianity requires that the child of God maintains a condition of spiritual stability. Spiritual stability can only be maintained as it relates to the inspired word of God. The fleshly minded man says, “I don’t see anything wrong with it;” “It seems good to me;” or “It doesn’t say I can’t.” Mankind comes up with all sorts of reasons for doing as we please. Paul instructed the young evangelist, Timothy, and said, “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This passage not only affirms that the scriptures contain God’s plan for man, but also that the scriptures contain “every good work” that God intends for man to do. When doctrines are established, or works are introduced that God did not authorize, the child of God falls from grace. The history of the children of Israel speaks volumes in this area. When the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, “took each of them his censer, and put fire therein and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah” (Leviticus 10:1-2). What Nadab and Abihu did was introduce something into the worship that God had not authorized. There was no discussion of the matter, there were no excuses that would have sufficed: the fact is, when they “offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them” they failed to sanctify God before the people. As a result of this event, Moses said to Aaron, “This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified” (Leviticus 10:3). When the children of God fail to adhere to the scriptures, and introduce works that God has not commanded they fail to sanctify, they fail to glorify God. When they do so there is a death, a separation that takes place, they “fall from grace” as assuredly as Nadab and Abihu. Jehovah told Israel, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). Jehovah also told Israel, “What thing soever I command you, that shall ye observe to do: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). The same God that warned Israel not to diminish, nor add to what had been delivered, also said, “I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which 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 from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book”(Revelation 22:18-19). When John wrote this letter, he was writing it to Christians. These Christians were warned that “God shall take away his part from the tree of life.” It’s obvious that you can’t take from someone what they never possessed: The child of God can sin, so as to be lost. The danger is not imaginary: maintaining spiritual stability is a duty to which every child of God must attain.

Causes of Falling Away

2011-11-13T16:00:00Z

Numerous scriptures indicate that the child of God can fall from grace and be eternally separated from God: Jesus indicated such in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23), and the parable of the talents, (Matthew 25:14-30). The apostle Paul warned the Christians of Galatia of the danger, (Galatians 5:1-4), and Peter warned brethren, when he said, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22). Such being the case, what conditions arise in the Christian’s life that leads to drifting and falling away?

Materialism: The Lord said, “Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry. But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21). Materialism is a result of a worldly attitude. We can often get so wrapped up in day-to-day living that we are willing to sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the immediate. The lusts of the flesh want to be satisfied and we acquiesce. When that happens, the material things become more important, and we drift away from God.

Evil Companionship: The apostle Paul was plain when he said that avoiding the fornicators, covetous and extortioners of this world would require going “out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10) to do so. Therefore, the godly must be aware of the environment they are in. Paul said, “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Paul wrote this warning to Christians. Dealing with, and being in the world, is a necessary part of life, but becoming companions with them is a totally different matter. Paul warned, “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Marital problems: The husband/wife relationship is the first physical institution established by God. Throughout the scriptures there is mention of problems that existed between men and women as they endeavored to serve God and fulfill their various duties. When Job was being tried, his wife counseled him, “Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die.” To this, Job responded, “Thou speaketh as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:9-10). God warned husbands that their conduct toward their wives will affect their condition in the sight of God. Peter said, “Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of Life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). When a husband and wife do not share a unity in religious matters, difficulties arise. Many a young man and woman have thought to change their spouse’s mind in regard to religious beliefs. In some cases it actually works, but not in most. Concerning the nations of Canaan, Jehovah told Israel, “Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods” (1 Kings 11:2). The danger was so great, it is said, “Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him… nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin” (Nehemiah 13:26). This should be a solemn warning that marital problems can result in falling from grace.

Numerous reasons can be attributed to the falling away of many. The responsibility of the godly is to be aware of the avenues Satan will utilize to draw them back to perdition (Hebrews 10:39), and resist it.

Influence

2011-11-06T16:00:00Z

What type of influence are you having on society? Influence is defined as: “the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command…the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Webster’s). Statements such as “he/she is a good influence” or “he/she is a bad influence” or others, indicated the ability of one person to influence the attitude or conduct of someone else, even without direct contact. Adults and children alike are influenced by the media, whether it be in written or visual format.

The term “influence” is not utilized in the scriptures. It is, however, a well established principle. Of Solomon, king of Israel, God said, “I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee” (1 Kings 3:12). Even though Solomon was the possessor of such great wisdom, “his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:4). The power of influence is very strong.

Influence is seen in two avenues: The outside influence that others have upon us, and the influence we have on others. In either capacity, we can readily see that no man is an island; what we do has an effect upon the outcome of our lives: our influence is either for good, or for evil. You’ve heard the rationale of “as long as it doesn’t affect others, we should be able to do what we please.” The error in that premise is that there is nothing we do that does not affect others; either by “apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command, or the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways” (Ibid.).

Influence is not inherently good or evil. But influence that does not lend itself to the physical and spiritual good of mankind is destructive. Evil influence can destroy individuals, homes, and nations. The apostle Paul wrote, “Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). When Solomon was instructing his son, he said, “My son, if sinners entice thee, Consent thou not. If they say, Come with us (companionship, ret), Let us lay wait for blood…walk not thou in the way of them; Refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood” (Proverbs 1:10-11, 15-16). Individuals want, so very much, to be accepted by their peers. They know certain conduct is wrong, illegal, or immoral. Yet, they do not want to be rejected by their friends, thus, they are influenced to do evil. An individual would be hard pressed to find one person that has not been influenced by others to do something they did not later regret.

The other influence exerted in life is that which we have on others. That’s one influence we have control over. When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets” (Matthew 22:36-40). When man is motivated by the principle to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Ibid.), there will be a conscious effort to be aware of actions. The apostle Paul told Timothy, “be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Should not that be the desire of all men? Think about the influence we have upon the people close to us: Husbands and wives influence each other every day. Parents influence their children to either good or evil. It has been said that actions speak louder than words. It’s not what parents tell their children, as much as it is what the children see in their parents. Have you ever met a parent that wanted their child to reach maturity, only to be incarcerated for violating the law? Yet, parents will often show a disregard for authority in their own lives, and the children learn the lesson well. Parents that say, “you shouldn’t do that,” yet, they do the very thing they tell their children not to do. By what influence do you think the children will be affected, the verbal admonition, or the physical action of the parents?

Regardless of a separatist attitude that we may support, the fact is, we are all in this together. We will either be a good influence on those around us, or we will allow those around us to corrupt the good morals we desire to achieve. It’s true that there are wicked people in the world, determined to do their very best to destroy others; but as a rule, most people do not consciously set out to destroy, they are just unaware of the influence they exert.

Mankind can be an influence for righteousness, when following righteousness. And in that vein, the only righteousness that will accomplish good is the righteousness of God: God’s standard of good (Romans 10:2-3). What type of influence are you having on your family, friends and nation?

A Godly Home

2011-10-30T16:00:00Z

“If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?” (Psalms 11:3). Foundations consist of those things that give support. Houses are placed upon foundations to give them strength and stability. Relationships must have a good foundation in order to meet hard times. It matters not what the topic is: if the matter under discussion is worthy, it must be built upon something solid for it to last. When thinking about our society, our homes, our government, what can the righteous do if the foundations are destroyed? When you move into a new home, you assume the foundation is secure. You begin with a preconceived idea that the foundation that supports the house will always remain the same, and take little thought to the fact that shifts in the earth can change the stability of the foundation. What would you do, if the foundations be destroyed? Now, let’s apply that question to the home.

When God created man, He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him a help meet for him…And Jehovah God…made he a woman, and brought her unto the man…Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 22, 24). Marriage was God’s answer to the question of man’s loneliness. The marriage relationship was second only to man’s relationship to God, and the home was the first institution God established between mankind. This relationship was included in the statement, “And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

The perfection God saw with the husband/wife relationship was tainted by the work of Satan. When Eve yielded to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, and subsequently Adam did also, the devastation of sin began to affect every relationship of man. Every sin of man is a result of selfishness: Eve “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). It was because of what Eve wanted that ultimately resulted in all the heartache, death, and spiritual separation that exist in the world today. In regard to the marriage relationship, the scriptures reveal a potential for problems: Paul warned husbands to “love you wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19). This indicates a potential for bitterness: a tendency to treat the wife in an inappropriate manner. Peter warned husbands to “dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). When these factors are not adhered to, then problems arise in the marriage. The reasons marriages fail cannot be limited to one factor: there are usually an array of reasons. A lack of communication; incompatibility in social and religious convictions; wrong expectations; a lack of commitment or a conflict in spiritual goals and values. When all of these factors are taken into consideration, selfishness will raise its ugly head and destroy what could have otherwise been “very good.”

What can we do to achieve a godly home? Respect and fulfill our God-given role in the marriage relationship: “Wives be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it.” (Ephesians 5:22, 24-25). When confronted with problems and difficulties, utilize God’s word to know which way to turn: “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

God created the man and the woman. He knows what we need and has given us laws to govern our lives. When we stay within the boundaries prescribed, apply the scriptures in a proper manner, and build upon God’s foundation, then we will have a home that is a haven of rest and peace.

What would you do if the biblical foundation of a God-authorized marriage was destroyed? What would you do if the godly foundation was destroyed and what remained were unions spawned by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life? “If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do?”

Last Worse Moment

2011-10-23T16:00:00Z

A couple of years back a former governor of Connecticut pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing honest service, or some such. It appears he was/is being charged with misusing his office for personal gain. The Associated Press indicated that the governor told reporters, “Obviously mistakes have been made throughout the last few years, and I accept responsibility for those.” This acceptance of responsibility for wrong doing was followed by a plea of, “But I also ask the people of this state to appreciate and understand what we have tried to do over the past 25 years in public service” (Ibid.).

It’s always interesting the way we word things when we get caught with our fingers in the cookie jar. We use phrases such as “mistakes” or “I accept responsibility for those,” after we get caught, and understand that it cannot be covered up. Webster’s, defines “mistake” as, “to blunder in the choice of,” “to misunderstand the meaning or intention of,” “to make a wrong judgment of the character or ability of,” “to identify wrongly: confuse with another.” This type of “mistake” is referred to in the scriptures as “unwittingly.” Simply, the individual did not know what they were doing, or the error involved in what they were doing. In reference to rulers, the law required, “When a ruler sinneth, and doeth unwittingly any one of all the things which Jehovah his God hath commanded not to be done, and is guilty; ²³if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, be made known to him, he shall bring for his oblation…” (Leviticus 4:22). In contrast to the commission of a sin “unwittingly,” God said, “But the soul that doeth aught with a high hand…, the same blasphemeth Jehovah; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of Jehovah, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him” (Numbers 15:30-31). Law, as well as society, measures penalty, in some regard, based upon the transgressor’s knowledge during the commission of the act. And to “accept responsibility for” something, after all avenues of covering it up have failed, sounds noble but is, in most cases, an endeavor to present ourselves in a better light. It’s not my intention to make a judgment in regard to the guilt or innocence of the violator. My intention is to shine some light on the thought processes of man, in regard to sin. When an individual is incarcerated for crimes committed, they are not accepting responsibility: they are being forced to suffer the consequences of their actions: big difference! The ex-governor also asked “the people of the state to appreciate and understand what we have tried to do over the past 25 years in public service.” No one wants to be branded with being no good at all. Sure, we say, “I did this or that, but I’m not a bad person.” Even in one notorious crime of the year, and appeal was apparently made to a jury that was considering the death penalty, that the individual convicted of the crime was fun-loving, innocent, compassionate, and all sorts of descriptive terms that revealed his good characteristics. In addition, the media and the police department were accused of twisting and turning things to portray the defendant as a devil. The maxim, “there are no guilty people in prison” is true, as far as the guilty and their families are concerned. There are probably very few that escape the reality of trials, a family member being charged with a crime, even if it’s on some court TV show. The fact is, there’s not one of us that hasn’t violated the law in some fashion: whether we get caught or not. The fact is, we’re not real good people. We have our good sides and our bad. We want to be remembered for what we do well (as in the case of the ex-governor), and we do not want to be remembered by what we did badly. With both of these factors in mind, let’s see what the scriptures tell us about the reality of sin, and how God and man view it. In reference to the nation of Israel, God said, “When the righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth therein; in his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die… Return ye, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, wherein ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.” (Ezekiel 18:26-32). Once an individual has been “caught,” any avenues to turn so as not to die are exhausted. God would have us to turn from our iniquities before they get to that point. In essence, penitence shall be rewarded. On the other hand, “when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” (Ezekiel 18:24). Man is indeed remembered for his last bad decision, deed, action or sin. Out of all the good that king David did, from the slaying of Goliath of Gath, to God’s statement concerning him, “a man after my heart, who shall do all my will” (Acts 13:22), David is equally, if not more so, remembered for taking another man’s wife and ultimately having him put to death. The only way to avoid such is to “accept the responsibility” and turn from transgression. Otherwise, we stand in danger of “enduring the consequences” resulting from the sin.

Life Expectancy

2011-10-16T16:00:00Z

Another year! My time in the flesh has amounted to fifty-nine years, today. To some it is young, to others it is old; to those of my own age it is perhaps middle age. It’s difficult to figure out exactly what middle age is. If an individual is middle age at fifty, shouldn’t they live to be a hundred? Determining life expectancy has been a matter of public record over the years. According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, life expectancy in 1900 was 48.2 for a male and 51.1 for a female. That number gradually climbed over the years and by 1960 it reached a whooping 66.6 and 71.1, respectfully. Then, by 1996 the number had grown to 73.0 and 79.0. By 2000 the numbers had risen to 74.1 for males and 79.5 for females. 286,196,812 individuals lived in the U.S. according to the 2000 census. The 2010 census has raised it slightly. Will we make the average?

Whether it is the U. S. Census, or the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, keeping a close eye on life expectancy, we can see that, though it has fluctuated from time to time, it hasn’t changed much for thousands of years. In the book of Psalms (90:10), a psalm attributed to "Moses the man of God", says, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore years." A score is 20 years, thus the days of our years are sixty years and ten, or even by reason of strength eighty years. Hasn’t changed much, has it?

All that being said, it is evident that life is short. Whether we live eighty years or eighty seconds, the same comes to us all, "And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this cometh judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). David, King of Israel, petitioned Jehovah, and said, "Jehovah, make me know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as handbreadths; and my life-time is as nothing before thee: surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity" (Psalms 39:4-5). We all live with knowledge that we will one day die, yet we all live with the hope that we have one more day. The day of death is a day over which no man has power. Neither wealth, fame, power nor ingenuity will be able to overcome the day of death. Solomon, King of Israel, said, "There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power over the day of death…" (Ecclesiastes 8:8). The truth of that statement is reiterated on a daily basis.

There are only two approaches we can have to life: we either view our existence as purely mortal, or we view our existence as being physical and spiritual. If you choose the mortal option, one, you better be right then, as the apostle Paul said, "If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (1 Corinthians 15:32). If, on the other hand, you choose the dual nature of man, then the words of Job ring loud, when he said, "And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, then without my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:26). Choosing the latter should bring us to the point of asking ourselves, "Where will I be in relation to my condition before God?" Job was confident that he would be well received, for he said, "Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger" (Ibid., vs. 27). On the other hand, Jesus revealed that "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" (Matthew 7:21). The basic criteria is pretty simple, "And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35). Righteousness is a standard by which an individual lives. But it is not just any standard. As the apostle of Jesus Christ, Paul identified the condition of his countrymen when, he said, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3). If we are ignorant of God’s righteousness, we will not be able to affirm the position that we are acceptable to Him. Jesus "said to those Jews that had believed him, If you abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). There is no freedom without truth. Truth is found in Jesus and accomplishes its work when we abide in it. In addition, the apostle Peter said, "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jehovah has warned us that the earth has "been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men" and that day "will come as a thief" (2 Peter 3:7, 10). Even if we beat the average, we will one day die. So, what do we do? That question is also answered in the scriptures: "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" (Acts 2:38). That gift is salvation. Those therefore, who have "turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10), will be found acceptable to God. What provisions have you made for life and eternity?

Dying and Living

2011-10-09T16:00:00Z

As the apostle Paul was approaching the end of life, he said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul was a man of conviction and had a definite goal in life. He boldly proclaimed his goal, when he said, "Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death; if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead" (Philippians 3:8-11). The goal Paul chose is one that Jesus said would only be achieved by a few (Matthew 7:13-14), and thus Paul understood it required discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27). A discipline he achieved and was thus able to say he had fought the fight, and he had finished the course. What a marvelous way to end one’s life. How would you like to be able to say that, at the end of your days?

There are two aspects of Paul’s life that will help us achieve the same goal. The first of which is, "If I want to die like Paul died, I must live like Paul lived." Paul affirmed this truth, when he said, "Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample" (Philippians 3:17). Paul further affirmed the necessity of obedience, when he said, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). We can go through life, do what we want, and live as we wish, but if we want to stand at death’s door with the same hope as Paul, then we must live as he lived. The second aspect affirms that, "If I want to live like Paul lived, I must die like Paul died." One of the reasons Paul had confidence in his preparedness is because his life was not his own. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20). Every aspect of Paul’s being was devoted to God, in Christ. Paul said, "Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8). The concept of dying in this life so we can live, is one that Paul repeatedly expressed. To the Colossians, he said, "If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God." To Timothy, he said, "For if we died with him, we shall also live with him" (2 Timothy 2:11), and to the Romans, he said, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin. But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace" (Romans 6:1-14). If we fail to die as Paul died, we cannot hope to live as he lived. If we fail to live as he lived, then we will not be prepared to die as he died.

Jesus once said, "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. 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23). This admonition definitely emphasizes the requirements of obedience. Many attempt to remove the necessity of obedience by saying, all that’s necessary to salvation is faith. But they fail to heed the words of James, which says, "Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own self…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" (James 1:21-22, 25). And again, James says, "Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect" (James 2:18-22). Warnings are too numerous for a successful contradiction of these facts. If we hope to "die the death of the righteous" (Numbers 23:10), and our "last end be like his!" we must "Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; ⁶for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience" (Colossians 3:5-6), and "walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called" (Ephesians 4:1).

Have you died like Paul died, that you might live as Paul lived? If not, you are encouraged to heed the words of the Holy Spirit and be "buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; for he that hath died is justified from sin…Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:4-7, 12-13).