It is easy to get caught up in accumulating wealth and possessions in this life. Many around us are prosperous and have lots of things we would like to have. So we are tempted to pursue those things. While there is nothing wrong with possessing some of this world's goods, if those things are our aim, we will be as unfruitful as the thorny ground in the parable of the sower. The "worries and riches and pleasures of this life" (Lk. 8:13) will choke out the word and leave us in a sad condition before the Lord.
So what is the solution? Instead of the endless pursuit of physical things, we must learn to be content with what we have. Paul said, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Phil. 4:11). The next verse states that this meant at times getting along with humble means and at other times living in prosperity. There is nothing wrong with being prosperous. But whether we have abundance or suffer need (Phil. 4:12), we must be content.
Paul told Timothy, "if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim. 6:8). Paul goes on to warn, "But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Tim. 6:9-10).
Notice Paul does not say that those who are rich fall into temptation, but those who want to get rich. One may be poor and still have the love of money that will destroy his soul. Let us not be led away from our devotion to Christ by the things of this world. Rather, let us be content and serve God regardless of our circumstances.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
The Free Gift of God
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).
Many use this verse to show that we are saved by the grace of God and that there is nothing we can do to affect our salvation. That is, works (acts of obedience) are not necessary for salvation. We all recognize the fact that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," so it is true that all are deserving of spiritual death. But those who say grace is unconditional try and say that those who believe it is conditional believe they can earn their salvation.
Let's assume for a moment that it is possible for one to live his entire life without sinning. Has that person earned heaven? Since he has not sinned, he is not due the wages of sin; therefore he does not deserve to go to Hell. But that is all. He has not earned eternal life. That is still a "free gift of God."
We must realize that we will never earn a home in heaven. But that does not mean God's grace is unconditional. He expects us to be obedient to him (yes, that means "works") in order to be saved. Jesus is "to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9).
Let us obey God faithfully in order to receive the free gift of eternal life. But when we obey him, let us not think we've earned anything. Instead, let us have the servant's attitude commended to us by the Lord. "So you too, when you do all that things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done'" (Lk. 17:10).
Many use this verse to show that we are saved by the grace of God and that there is nothing we can do to affect our salvation. That is, works (acts of obedience) are not necessary for salvation. We all recognize the fact that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," so it is true that all are deserving of spiritual death. But those who say grace is unconditional try and say that those who believe it is conditional believe they can earn their salvation.
Let's assume for a moment that it is possible for one to live his entire life without sinning. Has that person earned heaven? Since he has not sinned, he is not due the wages of sin; therefore he does not deserve to go to Hell. But that is all. He has not earned eternal life. That is still a "free gift of God."
We must realize that we will never earn a home in heaven. But that does not mean God's grace is unconditional. He expects us to be obedient to him (yes, that means "works") in order to be saved. Jesus is "to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:9).
Let us obey God faithfully in order to receive the free gift of eternal life. But when we obey him, let us not think we've earned anything. Instead, let us have the servant's attitude commended to us by the Lord. "So you too, when you do all that things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done'" (Lk. 17:10).
Sunday, May 6, 2007
BOTC - May 2007
The new issue of Banner of the Cross is now online and contains the following article:
Why the School Shootings? by Tim Haile
Banner of the Cross
Why the School Shootings? by Tim Haile
Banner of the Cross
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
PBT - May 2007
The May issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:
Why The School Shootings? by Tim Haile
Romans 14 by Andy Sochor
Fellowship Questions and MDR by Andy Sochor
Is Gambling Wrong? by Andy Sochor
You can read these articles by clicking on the link below. I hope this material is helpful to you.
Plain Bible Teaching
Why The School Shootings? by Tim Haile
Romans 14 by Andy Sochor
Fellowship Questions and MDR by Andy Sochor
Is Gambling Wrong? by Andy Sochor
You can read these articles by clicking on the link below. I hope this material is helpful to you.
Plain Bible Teaching
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
"O how I love Your law!"
The psalmist wrote, "O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Ps. 119:97) He goes on to say the law of God had given him wisdom, insight, and understanding. He abstained from evil and practiced the ordinances of God. He concluded this section by saying, "From your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way." (Ps. 119:104)
Notice the contrast. He loved God's law and hated every false way. Because he understood God's precepts, he hated everything opposed to and out of harmony with them. Why? For the same reason we might. Sin separates man from God and ends in eternal death (Is. 59:2; Rom. 6:23; James 1:15). Teaching something other than God's truth causes one to be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9). Understanding these things should cause us to "hate every false way" as well.
Do we love God's truth and hate every false way? We might all say we love the truth. But would we use language as strong as David, that we hate that which is false?
Are we set for the defense of the gospel, rising up when it comes under attack (Phil. 1:16,17)? Will we stand up for the truth, even when we have to stand alone (2 Tim. 4:16)? Will we confront the preacher who is influencing others toward sin (Gal. 2:11-14)? Will we resist the lead of the elders who are leading us away from Christ (Acts 20:29-30)? Are we willing to forsake family and friends in order to remain true to the Lord (Mt. 10:34-37)?
If not, can we say we hate every false way like David did? If we don't have that attitude that David expressed, perhaps we don't love God's law as much as we think we do.
Let's each examine ourselves in light of God's word.
Notice the contrast. He loved God's law and hated every false way. Because he understood God's precepts, he hated everything opposed to and out of harmony with them. Why? For the same reason we might. Sin separates man from God and ends in eternal death (Is. 59:2; Rom. 6:23; James 1:15). Teaching something other than God's truth causes one to be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9). Understanding these things should cause us to "hate every false way" as well.
Do we love God's truth and hate every false way? We might all say we love the truth. But would we use language as strong as David, that we hate that which is false?
Are we set for the defense of the gospel, rising up when it comes under attack (Phil. 1:16,17)? Will we stand up for the truth, even when we have to stand alone (2 Tim. 4:16)? Will we confront the preacher who is influencing others toward sin (Gal. 2:11-14)? Will we resist the lead of the elders who are leading us away from Christ (Acts 20:29-30)? Are we willing to forsake family and friends in order to remain true to the Lord (Mt. 10:34-37)?
If not, can we say we hate every false way like David did? If we don't have that attitude that David expressed, perhaps we don't love God's law as much as we think we do.
Let's each examine ourselves in light of God's word.
Monday, April 23, 2007
New Study Material Added
I added a new study section containing the material from a booklet I wrote on the recent marriage, divorce and remarriage controversy. You may click on the link below to go directly to the material. I hope you find this to be a profitable study.
Understanding the Putting Away Controversy
Understanding the Putting Away Controversy
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Merger
The Christian Chronicle recently reported that the Highland Oaks Church of Christ has recently merged with the nearby Pitman Creek Church of Christ. [You can read the story here.] Yet what is unique about this merger is that each congregation is going to remain where they currently are. They will now be "one congregation meeting in two locations", sharing "a common staff, eldership, budget and vision."
The obvious error in this is the disregard of local church autonomy and the over-extension of the rule of elders. But I want to notice something else right now that the article mentioned.
The Highland Oaks church has 2000 members. The Pitman Creek church, which has just been taken over, has 200 members. The Pitman Creek church was described as "struggling" and "small". It is difficult for me to see how a 200-member congregation can be described as small and struggling. What does this say about much smaller groups?
The Bible teaches that the church is fully sufficient to do the work God has given it to do. 1 Timothy 3:15 says the church is "the pillar and support of the truth." The context indicates that this is the local church. The local church has the responsibility of upholding and proclaiming the truth.
Each congregation, whether it has 10, 200, or 2000 members, is fully capable and equipped to do what God intends for the local church to do. Let us not be discouraged by those who want to improve God's plan by leading us to believe that we cannot do what God wants us to do without doing it their way. Let us do things God's way. His way is, and always will be, the best way to accomplish His goals.
The obvious error in this is the disregard of local church autonomy and the over-extension of the rule of elders. But I want to notice something else right now that the article mentioned.
The Highland Oaks church has 2000 members. The Pitman Creek church, which has just been taken over, has 200 members. The Pitman Creek church was described as "struggling" and "small". It is difficult for me to see how a 200-member congregation can be described as small and struggling. What does this say about much smaller groups?
The Bible teaches that the church is fully sufficient to do the work God has given it to do. 1 Timothy 3:15 says the church is "the pillar and support of the truth." The context indicates that this is the local church. The local church has the responsibility of upholding and proclaiming the truth.
Each congregation, whether it has 10, 200, or 2000 members, is fully capable and equipped to do what God intends for the local church to do. Let us not be discouraged by those who want to improve God's plan by leading us to believe that we cannot do what God wants us to do without doing it their way. Let us do things God's way. His way is, and always will be, the best way to accomplish His goals.
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