I Was Just Thinking…

October 1, 2012

Weylan Deaver By Marlin Kilpatrick, General Leave a comment

By Marlin Kilpatrick

One of man’s attributes is the ability to think. God created man as a rational being. The ability to reason through complex problems separates man from the beast of the field. The beast operates by instinct, but we operate as rational beings. The ability to think does not guarantee we will always be rational. Sometimes we fail to think rationally. When this happens, we get into all kinds of trouble.

The Bible obligates each of us to think correctly. The apostle Paul said, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess. 5:21). He also said we are to “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). In the preceeding quotations the word “prove” means “…to test, to prove with expectation of accepting” (Vine’s, p. 146). The same word is translated try as in “…try the spirits whether they are of God, for many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). We are to try or test every doctrine to determine if it is from God or man, and the standard by which such trying is done is the word of God.

The obligation to think correctly implies we, among many other things, should study our Bibles daily. After developing a knowledge of what the scriptures say, we must reason correctly about those scriptures. The apostle Peter wrote, “…and be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). The word answer is translated from a word which means to make a defense of our hope, but how are we going to be able to make a defense, if we do not know how to reason correctly about the scriptures? Here is where the study of the elementary rules of logic becomes useful.

I was just thinking, how wonderful it would be if all people thought correctly about the scriptures. If everyone thought correctly about the scriptures, all the religious confusion in today’s world would be eliminated. A failure to think correctly about the scriptures will cost many sincere people their home in heaven.

No one will enter heaven just because he was lucky. No one will make it to heaven just because he happened to guess right. Only those who know and obey the truth and who can think correctly about the scriptures, have the hope of being with the Lord in eternity. Think about it.

The Fullness of Time!

August 30, 2012

John Henson By John Henson, General Leave a comment

By John Henson

Since mankind is lost and is headed for eternal punishment if it dies in that condition, then mankind needs a savior and a plan of salvation.

This is exactly what God provided for ever since the fall of man into sin in the Garden of Eden. Through history God has been working out the plan of salvation to save man from sin.

The apostle Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Do we realize all the things God did to send Jesus? To send a descendant of David in the tribe of Judah, God had to preserve Judah through hundreds of years. Although Israel was sent into Assyrian captivity and Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity lasting 70 years, God preserved Judah and David’s line all the way to the birth of his Son.

In order to give people the fullest opportunity to hear and obey the gospel, God gave the Romans control of the world. During its domination of the known world, the Romans provided roads throughout its territories. People were free to travel from one place to another. Not only was this beneficial for commerce, but also it was beneficial for the gospel and those who would preach it.

During Greek and Roman rule, Koine Greek was practically the universal language of the world. Almost everyone understood and spoke Greek during the days of Jesus and Paul. One of the advantages of this was that the average Alexandrian in Egypt could read the Old Testament in Greek and come to an understanding of the prophecies concerning the Son of God.

Having a language understood by almost everyone was handy in teaching the gospel, wasn’t it? With a common language, there would be few mistakes in translation and no misunderstandings over what something would mean. God did that; his providence brought the Greek language into existence and into general use.

Understanding all that God did to save mankind helps us appreciate Paul’s statement, “But when the fullness of time was come….” The birth, life and death of Jesus was not an ordinary occurrence. It was divinely planned and divinely executed at just the perfect moment. And all this was done by the Father so you and I might hear the gospel and obey it.

What a wonderful opportunity we have this week to tell others about Jesus and give them this opportunity to obey the gospel!

Listen to God

February 5, 2012

John Henson By John Henson, General Leave a comment

By John Henson

My father had a piercing whistle. He’d use it to call us home to dinner. Of course, we didn’t want to come home because we were deeply involved in the biting drama of sandlot softball.

My sister and I believed we could safely ignore the whistle when we heard it the first time, but we couldn’t ignore the second one.

Human beings, however, learn to ignore things. It begins when we refuse to heed Dad’s call to dinner. Later, we learn to ignore our parents. Then, with the help of some educators, philosophy and science books, we learn to ignore God.

The inspired ruler wrote, “Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, ‘I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you,’” (Proverbs 8:1-6 NLT).

There is certainly a vivid picture here, isn’t there? We see the wisdom of God’s word shouting at the top of “her” voice, in full public view, calling for people to LISTEN! How foolish and naïve we humans are listening to voices that have no wisdom at all, and how we give credence to ideas that are nothing more than fables.

People listen to the voices saying, “There can be no God.” They listen to the ones who say, “Jesus was a great man, but he wasn’t the son of God.” There are so many wrong voices in the world when all we need is to listen to one, the right one.

Listen to this advice: “Hearken unto my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people; and walk ye in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you,” (Jeremiah 7:26 ASV). Listen to true wisdom. Let the words sink in. Listen to God in the Bible.

“No Matter What…God Is Not Mad At You!”

November 22, 2011

Weylan Deaver By Weylan Deaver, General 1 Comment

By Weylan Deaver

I saw a bumper sticker that read, “No Matter What…God Is Not Mad At You!” I couldn’t help but think that someone has a misconception about the nature of God. Now, it is true that God does not get mad like men often do, by losing his temper, becoming flustered, turning red in the face. In the heat of an angry moment, many a man has done a thing he later regretted. God does not do that. God is always in complete control, always takes the right action, always acts in harmony with his infinite nature. If God were ever to get angry, it would be a perfect anger, for just reasons, executed in a perfect way. God does not throw temper tantrums. But, is it possible for God to be mad? A quick word search reveals that the phrase, “anger of the Lord” occurs 36 times in the Old Testament. The similarly worded “wrath of the Lord” is found 14 times in the Old Testament. In the first person, God speaks of “my wrath” 44 times and “my anger” 31 times in the Bible. Speaking of God’s anger in the third person, “his wrath” occurs 20 times. “Wrath of God” occurs 11 times in the New Testament. In Jeremiah 49:37, God even refers to “my fierce anger.” Doubtless there are other passages that express the same idea, though worded differently. Surely this is enough for us to understand there is such a thing as divine anger at a man or mankind. Many want to perceive God as a grandfatherly figure in the sky who is rather harmless and doesn’t have the will to mete out genuine punishment which lasts for eternity. They think like that, not because the Bible teaches it, but because they do not know what the Bible teaches. The New Testament puts us on guard against such delusions. Every right-thinking man wants to “avoid God’s wrath” (cf. Romans 13:5), and living every day as a Christian is the only way to do so. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31), “for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). The true God both commands and deserves our utmost respect.

Test All Things

October 17, 2011

Weylan Deaver By Charles Ivie, General Leave a comment

By Charles Ivie

“Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Such a familiar verse, but do we really always obey this command? Or do we simply accept, as having already been tested, many statements by well-known brethren from the past? Acceptance of any view, simply because it was set forth by a respected brother, is very dangerous to the Lord’s church. This is the very attitude that has furthered denominationalism.

Let us consider two passages that have been lightly considered in the past. It is not my purpose to bring reproach upon anyone, nor to impugn the motives of those advancing the false views. My purpose is to point out how carelessly some views have been accepted as fact. There are other passages that could be used, but these will suffice.

1 Peter 4:11, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” This verse is often used to teach we must speak according to God’s word. Certainly, there is no problem with this idea. We are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15); God’s word is truth (John 17:17). We also are not to follow empty deceit or traditions of men, but to follow Christ (Colossians 2:8). However, is this the idea Peter is putting forth in 1 Peter 4:11? The context shows that it is not. If one speaks by the power of God, he is to give God the credit. Herod did not and died of worms (Acts 12:21-23). If one ministers, he is to recognize it is of God’s ability, thereby glorifying God.

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” This passage is often used to show that we, as Christians, are to do good works. It is true that we are to do good works. We are commanded to walk worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). But, is this the idea being taught in Ephesians 2:10? Paul was inspired to use the Greek word “epi,” which is translated for or unto in the phrase for good works. This word basically means: upon, or on the basis of. Therefore, we understand that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), on the basis of good works (continued obedience to the gospel, Romans 2:7,8).

These ideas are mentioned, not to spark controversy, but to point out that our first  understanding of a passage is not always the correct one. Part of the problem in understanding the Holy Spirit issue is the acceptance of well-known views as truth. Faithful Bible students have misunderstood (and others will misunderstand) verses of God’s word. Therefore, let us be diligent to “test all things,” no matter who speaks them.

A Prophet Like Moses

October 11, 2011

Weylan Deaver By Weylan Deaver, General Leave a comment

By Weylan Deaver

Fourteen centuries before Jesus was born, Moses told the Israelites, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen” (Deut. 18:15, ESV). After the church was established (Acts 2), Peter hearkened back to the prophecy of Deuteronomy and identified the prophet when he said, “Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you’…God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness” (Acts 3:22,26). Indeed, Jesus and Moses bear many striking similarities.

Both were Jews. Moses was a descendent of Levi (Exod. 2:1) through whom God delivered the Old Testament law. Jesus was a descendent of Judah (Rev. 5:5) who was born under that law (Gal. 4:4).

Both escaped death in infancy. In Moses’ time, the wicked Pharaoh (likely Thutmosis I) ordered all newborn baby boys to be thrown into the Nile River to drown (Exod. 1:22). In God’s providence, the baby Moses was rescued from such a fate. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Herod—perceiving a future threat to his power—commanded the murder of all boys two years old and under in the vicinity of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16). Yet, the young Jesus was kept safe.

Both were deliverers. Moses delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery (Exod. 3:10). Jesus delivered spiritual Israel (Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 3:29) from the slavery of sin (Matt. 1:21).

Both knew God face to face. Among all the Old Testament prophets, Moses was uniquely near to God so that the Lord spoke to him as a friend, face to face (Exod. 33:11; Deut. 34:10). Of course, Jesus knew God on a level far superior to that, being himself God’s only begotten Son (John 1:18).

Both were prophets. A prophet was one who spoke on behalf of God. God sent Moses to Pharaoh with the promise that he would be with Moses’ mouth and teach him what to do (Exod. 4:15). Later, Jesus would repeatedly stake the claim that he was only teaching what he had received from his Father (John 8:26). So, the words of Moses and Jesus both originated with God.

Both were law givers. The law that God gave at Mt. Sinai after the Exodus was given through Moses (John 1:17). It was Moses who furnished the Lord with tablets of stone on which were written the divine commandments. Christ fulfilled all the Old Law (Matt. 5:17), nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:14), and inaugurated a New Covenant (Matt. 26:28), which is also called the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2).

Both worked miracles. By divine power, Moses turned the Nile into blood, initiated the other plagues, parted the Red Sea, and brought water from a rock at Kadesh. Jesus performed so many miracles that John reminisced—should they be all written down—they would fill too many volumes for the world to hold (John 21:25).

Both were mediators. Moses stood between Israel and the Lord to declare God’s word (Deut. 5:5). Moses mediated for Israel after the golden calf fiasco (Exod. 32) and saved thousands of lives. Now Jesus is mediator of a better covenant (Heb. 8:6). Paul wrote, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5).

Both suffered disrespect. Several men launched a rebellion against Moses’ authority, which the Lord put down most effectively (Num. 16). Jesus—in spite of his miracles—was still not believed (John 12:37). “And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household’” (Mark 6:4).

Both had family who temporarily failed them. Even Moses’ brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, complained against him (Num. 12:1). Jesus had several brothers and sisters who—at least initially—rejected his claims (John 7:5).

Both were present at the Transfiguration. This event is recorded in Matthew 17. Though their earthly lives were separated by centuries, for a brief moment they were in each other’s presence: Moses with the prophet he foretold, and Jesus with the prophet who had written about him (John 5:46).

Both were baptized. Though we may not picture the Red Sea crossing as a baptism, the New Testament does. “For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor. 10:1-2). Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:13-17).

Both prepared men to carry on their work. Moses readied Joshua to assume the mantle of leadership (Deut. 34:9). Jesus groomed a handpicked cadre of men whom he would send into all the world to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15).

Though their similarities run deep, God made clear who it is we are to obey when he made an announcement to the mountaintop gathering of Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James and John. “He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matt. 17:5).

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