A teenager walks home from school wearing a t-shirt that features the sentiment: “It’s all about me.” Born years after the Kennedy administration, this young girl is not interested in what she can do for her country, but rather, she is solely interested in what others will do for her. During her lifetime abortion and gambling remain legalized, and same-sex marriage has become an accepted (and even legal) “norm.” She has been indoctrinated through years of public education that the only real “sin” is the sin of intolerance, and thus, she should be accepting of everything that comes her way.

She walks into her parents’ six bedroom, four-car garage home—a home that exudes wealth and materialism. As she enters the family room she decides to spend a few minutes finishing up her science project. This year’s topic is “The Evolution of Man,” and she has collected dozens of pictures of alleged missing links. She knows she’ll have no problem demonstrating an evolutionary progression from apes to man.

One might think that this young girl has been isolated from the religious world, but the truth is she attends a local “Christian” church every weekend with her parents. So at exactly what point did she lose sight of what was really important in life? At what point did she abandon God? This young girl (and thousands like her) would argue that she has not abandoned God. In fact, she and her friends consider themselves very religious. The problem lies in the fact that God has been recast in their eyes. In her mind, God is simply a loving grandfather-like figure who is full of love and grace. After all, that is the message she has heard on countless occasions from the pulpit. This young teenage girl, and millions just like her, has cultivated an incomplete portrait of God. They have replaced righteous judgment with unconditional acceptance and have completely ignored His holy sinless nature, His commands, and His ultimate will for mankind.

In teaching future generations about the nature of God, we need to give careful consideration to His attributes and qualities that are found in the Bible. Yes, God loves us—we were the pinnacle of His creation (Genesis 1:26-27) and He lovingly sacrificed His own Son for our sins (John 3:16). But this does not mean that God will overlook sin (Galatians 6:7) or subdue His wrath against disobedience (Ephesians 5:6). In order to love and obey our heavenly Father, we need to fully comprehend His all-powerful nature. Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:8; Psalm 33:8).

James Denney, a Scottish preacher and theologian, used to warn his students against thinking they could learn all there was to know about God during their university and seminary studies. “Gentlemen,” he would tell them, “to study infinity requires eternity.” His point is well taken. It would be impossible to give every characteristic of God in just a few short paragraphs. However, thanks to His Word we can acquire a better portrait of who God really is. Consider the following brief survey:

 God Is Eternal

God is the only eternal being—He has been called the alpha and the omega. If there was a time in which absolutely nothing existed, then we can rest assured nothing would exist today. Simply put, nothing produces nothing. But we know that the Universe does exist, so logic follows that something must have always existed. That “something” is God. Moses wrote: “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His Excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you” (Deuteronomy 33:27). We serve an eternal God.

 God Is The Creator

Even though atheism, evolution, and humanism are actively promoted within schools and the media, the complexity of life clearly points to God as Creator. Evolution cannot explain how life allegedly evolved from non-life, or how irreducibly complex systems could have arisen from some cosmological accident. The most logical explanation is that God created the heaven and the earth precisely as it is described in His Word. The inspired psalmist described Him in the following manner: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth . . . For He spoke and it was done, He commanded and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9). We can also read: “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created” (Psalm 148:5). Moses wrote: “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11). God is the creator and giver of life (Acts 17:28-29). Indeed, everything around us is a product of His handiwork.

 God Is Alive

During natural disasters or times of crisis many individuals question the existence of God. Many would argue that He either never existed, or that He is now dead. Inspired biblical writers confirmed otherwise. “There it shall be said to them, you are the sons of the living God” (Hosea 1:10, emp. added). “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12, emp. added). Jesus, in responding to the Sadducees observed: “But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living” (Matthew 22:31-32). Additionally, we know that unlike human beings who are clothed in a mortal fleshly body, God is a living spirit. “But the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). The eternal nature of God demands that we are the servants of a living God.

 God Is Love

Thanks to God’s incredible love (1 John 4:8), humanity has been endowed with free will (see Genesis 2:15-17; Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 7:15; John 5:39-40; 7:17; Revelation 22:17). We read: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 3:7-10). His love has also provided a means of salvation for all men (John 3:16; Hebrews 5:9). In addition, His love can strengthen and sustain faithful men (Matthew 6: 26-33). The love of God has been demonstrated for all men. One cannot read the account of the crucifixion without coming to a knowledge of just how much God loves humanity.

 God Is Holy

After Isaiah described the Lord and the seraphim surrounding Him, he concluded: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). We know that God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and that sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The holiness of God is frequently referenced in the Bible. The inspired psalmist observed: “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel” (22:3). Additionally, we read: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy” (Psalm 99:3). The prophet Isaiah noted: “But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness” (Isaiah 5:16). He also stated: “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘For your sake I will send to Babylon, and bring them all down as fugitives—the Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King’” (Isaiah 43:14-15). Moses wrote: “For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves and you shall be holy; for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). The acknowledgement of the holiness of God is one of the first keys to obedience.

 God Is Longsuffering

Thankfully, the Lord is also longsuffering. We read: “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth’” (Exodus 34:6). Moses also recorded: “The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression” (Numbers 14:18). This characteristic is reiterated in the New Testament: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He truly wants all men to be faithful servants.

 God Is Just

Fortunately, God is a righteous judge. Unlike some judges adorning courtroom benches today, God cannot be bought, swayed, or tricked. Revelation 16:7 records: “And I heard another from the altar saying, ‘Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.’” Additionally, God is not a respecter of persons. In Acts 10:34-35 we read: “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.’” It is this just God who we will face on that appointed day (Hebrews 9:27) to be judged (1 John 4:17). His judgment will be just and final—something that we should all reflect upon daily.

 God Is Omniscient (All-Knowing)

In accordance with his judgment, we need to fully comprehend that He is all-knowing. The psalmist wrote: “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:4-5). In the New Testament we find that “known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:18). Nothing is hidden from the eyes of the Lord. The writer of the book of Hebrews observed: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (4:13). These words should be extremely sobering to those who do things in secret thinking they will never have to give an account of evil doings.

This has not even touched the hem of the garment on the nature of God, but one can rest assured that an accurate portrait of God produces knowledge and obedience.  Had that teenage girl comprehended the true nature of God, her t-shirt would have read: “It’s all about Him.”  Because, indeed, it is all about God!

Article Adapted

It has been a while since I’ve written an article under the above title. Here lately, however, I’ve read some things that are very revealing because they expose a false doctrine for what it is. The following “items” demonstrate that some brethren’s view of grace is a perverted one, even reminiscent of how some in Jude’s day were “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (verse 4). When it is argued that God’s grace is a license to live an ungodly life or to go “beyond the things which are written” (1 Cor. 4:6/ ASV), surely a perversion of the truth has taken place!

Some who should know better are claiming that we don’t preach God’s grace in the churches of Christ. The charge is grossly unfair, a shameful attack against the Lord’s people, and is easily demonstrated to be false. No, we don’t proclaim the cheap, denominational version of grace, but that should not be confused with “the true grace of God wherein ye stand” (1 Pet. 5:12). Lynwood Smith, for example, had a sermon on the cross that would literally bring tears to your eyes. Wasn’t that a proclamation of God’s grace? Sure it was (Heb. 2:9)! Also, when the sinner is told of his need of Christ’s blood and how to receive the remission of sins, the gospel is being preached just like it was in the first century (Acts 2:38).

If we present “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) the way that Peter did on the day of Pentecost, people will be led to be baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:41). Shame on the preacher who claims to be a champion of grace while he won’t preach on all the things that are divinely linked with the generous grace of God! While we expect such from denominational preachers, men who have had an association with the Lord’s church should know better. We are ready now to look at some “items of interest” that demonstrate how a perverted view of grace leads to all kinds of error:

“OLD GUS”

The first item comes from the pen of Leroy Garrett. In a “newsletter” sent out by another brother, the following is found: “I told my own favorite story, which was about Carl [Ketcherside] and ‘old Gus’ at the Cornerstone, an inner-city ministry in St. Louis where Carl ministered the last years of his life, serving street people with food, clothing, and fellowship. Gus was a homeless wino whose tragic story as a loser touched Carl’s heart. Carl tried to rescue Gus by pointing him to Jesus, but Gus would say that his case was hopeless, that he had tried everything, including religion, and that he was destined to die as a drunk. And so it was. One morning he was found dead in an alley, frozen to death drunk. As Carl told that story at one of our last meetings together, he paused and, as if talking to himself, said, ‘I wonder what God will do with old Gus.’ Afterward I put an arm around him and said, ‘Carl, when I first knew you, you knew exactly what God would do with that old drunk. But now you’re not so sure.’ When our hearts are touched by God’s grace, our judgments are tempered.”

After reading what Leroy Garrett wrote, get ready now to read the following comment from the author of the newsletter: “Beautiful, Leroy. True, we don’t know for certain what God will do with old Gus, but we do know His grace is deeper than the deepest ocean and higher than the highest star. So, yes, old Gus has a chance! God may just ‘dry him out’ and give him a voice with the heavenly choir. Then old Gus will be singing, not drinking.” There you have it! According to this perverted view of grace, a man can reject the Lord Jesus Christ and “die as a drunk,” but he still has a hope of going to heaven.

Certainly it is a noble thing to be compassionate and to try to help someone like Gus, so that part of the story is commendable. But where do we get the right to imply that such a one might go to heaven? If a preacher is serious about leading sinners to repentance (Acts 17:30), why would he want to leave an impression like that? The simple answer is that their perverted view of grace has led them to question what they once knew to be true (even as Leroy Garrett admitted). Although these men want to lecture us on the subject of grace, claiming that they have a deeper understanding of it than we do, the truth is that they know very little about grace as it is presented in the Scriptures.

Consider these simple facts: (1) God’s grace to save is found in Christ (2 Tim. 2:1; Rom. 3:24)– If we reject Jesus and His gospel, we have rejected the means of our salvation, (2) God’s grace teaches us that we should live righteous and holy lives (Tit. 2:11-12)– It is not a license to live as we please without consequences, and (3) Paul declared that “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10)– He specifically applied this to “drunkards.” A view of grace that compels a man to climb out on a limb and contradict these discernable facts is obviously a false and dangerous position. But if you need more proof that it leads to all kinds of error, consider the second item . . .

“CHURCH OF CHRIST FELLOWSHIP”

The following comes from an e-mail that was given wide circulation for any and all to read on the Internet. It’s really not worthy of a lot of consideration, as far as I can tell, except that it uses a phrase that the reader needs to be aware of. Calling himself “a disgruntled minister of the Church of Christ sect,” the man states that “we, who have come to Christ within the Church of Christ fellowship, have been duped.” He asserts that “the theology, the terminology, the doctrines, and the practices” that he was “taught over the years are just flat, outright wrong.”

I find it interesting that while he complains about unscriptural terminology (as he sees it) being used in the Lord’s church, he turns right around and uses an expression that is found nowhere in the word of God– “Church of Christ fellowship.” What did he mean by the above expression? It’s obvious that he meant that the church is a “sect”– it’s just happens to be our denomination among many. [Incidentally, when you hear brethren among us use this expression, perhaps even applying it to their congregation that should send up a red flag in your mind!]

If this “disgruntled minister” gave an accurate description of the church, did he actually “come to Christ” (his words) by obeying doctrines and practices that are “just flat, outright wrong?” The truth is that he couldn’t write a simple e-mail without talking out of both sides of his mouth! On the other hand, this false view of grace asserts that men are right with God regardless of all the error that one might embrace in matters of theology, terminology, doctrines, and practices. After all, if “old Gus” has a chance, surely the Lord wouldn’t ban someone from the “heavenly choir” simply because he was sprinkled for baptism, would He? Brethren, what we are dealing with here is nothing more than subjectivism and denominationalism, pure and simple!

Does it really matter if we maintain purity of doctrine and life? Here’s the answer that Paul gave: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Article by: Billy Dickinson

Matthew 23 shows a side of Jesus that many people refuse to recognize.  When it came to exposing error, our Lord did not beat around the bush, nor did he take the politically correct route.   If a preacher today were to fight false doctrine the way that Jesus did in this chapter, there is no doubt in my mind that he would be accused of being “too harsh.”  Ironically, someone would probably say that such a preacher did not portray the “Spirit of Christ.”

In this account, Jesus brings one scathing rebuke after another to the scribes and Pharisees.  Matthew 23:13-32 shows Jesus pronouncing a series of eight “woes” upon these religious leaders.  These “woes” expose their pride, hypocrisy and unscriptural teaching.  This article will be looking specifically at the rebuke found in verses 23-24.

Matt 23:23-24   “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”

What is Jesus condemning in these verses?  Is Christ condemning the scribes and Pharisees for their scrupulous observance of the Old Law?  Many seem to think so.  When I hear someone accusing a preacher of  “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel,” they are usually criticizing that preacher for teaching some specific doctrine that they just do not want to obey.  It seems that many people want to use these words of Jesus as a proof-text against “legalism,” or a strict adherence to the Word of God.  They misuse these verses to say that we don’t need to be overly concerned with following all of the little details of worship or Christian living.  Others say that there is no need to spend much time teaching and preaching on the specific details of the New Covenant.  A lot of folks put their own spin on these words of Christ and say, “Instead of focusing on all of the minor details of God’s Law, we just need to focus on the major doctrines of love, faith, justice, and mercy.”

Let it be known that Christ does not support that way of looking at the scriptures.  When Jesus gave His great commission to the disciples, He said in Matthew 28:20, “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”  Disciples of Christ were expected to teach and obey all of Christ’s commands, and the same is true for us today.  James 2:10 says, “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”  Clearly, we cannot pick and choose our way through God’s word.  Regardless if His will is expressed in general principles or specific commandments, God expects and deserves total obedience.

In Matthew 23:23-24, notice that Jesus did not tell the Scribes and Pharisees to only focus on the general principles of justice, mercy and faith.  He did not condemn them for being strict in their obedience to Leviticus 27:30, which commanded a tithe of the “seed of the land.”  In fact, Jesus encouraged them to continue to keep God’s tithing law to the strictest degree.  He said, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”  In other words, Christ is saying, “Keep on obeying the minute details of God’s law, but do not fail to also observe the weightier matters of justice, faith, and mercy.”

In verse 24, when Jesus condemned them for “straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel,” He was not rebuking them for straining gnats out of their drinks.  Since gnats were considered unclean (Leviticus 11:23), they were right to strain out gnats to prevent ingesting them.  Jesus was simply exposing their hypocrisy by giving the humorous picture of them straining out a small unclean animal like a gnat while at the same time gulping down a camel, which was a large unclean animal (Leviticus 11:4).

What was the problem with the Scribes and Pharisees?  Simply put, while they possessed commendable strictness regarding the details of the Law (like tithing herbs and straining out gnats), they were rebelling against some of the foundational principles of God’s Word (like justice, mercy, and faith).  Jesus wanted them to obey both the specific details and the “weightier matters” of the Law.

Why would Jesus identify some of God’s laws as “weightier matters?”  Our Lord explains this in Matthew 22:37-40.  In this context, a lawyer asked Him, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?”  Christ responded by classifying loving God and loving our neighbor as the first and second great commandments.  Obviously, these two commandments are “weightier matters of the law.”  Jesus then explains their significance by saying, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  In other words, our respect for these weightier matters compels us to obey all of the other commands of God.  The commands to “Love God,” “Love your neighbor” and the “weightier matters” mentioned in Matthew 23 are general foundational principles.  They cover more territory than a specific law of God.  Paul illustrates this concept in reference to loving our neighbor:

Romans 13:8-9 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.  For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

As Paul says, if we sincerely respect the general principle of, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” then we’ll also obey the specific commandments that forbid adultery, murder, stealing, lying and covetousness.  If you murder your neighbor, steal his property or slander him, then you are proving that you do not respect God’s general principle that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Here is the main point to remember about the weightier matters of the law:  Jesus calls these general principles, “weightier matters,” not because we are to obey them to the exclusion of more detailed commands, but rather because they serve as the foundation for these detailed commands.  We are sadly mistaken if we think that we can honor the weightier matters of the law while rejecting God’s specific laws about how to be saved, how to worship and how to live.  The scriptures prove that our faithfulness to the weightier matters must be displayed through our faithfulness to God’s specific commandments.

It is an abuse of Matthew 23:23-24 to say that Jesus is apathetic about the specific commands of God.  This passage actually shows just the opposite.  It displays God’s desire that we follow and teach all of His will—the specific details and “the weightier matters of the law.”

Article by: Brandon Stephens

We hear it everywhere we turn, “I just don’t know what to believe!” and, “I am so confused religiously!”  It should not be surprising to observe such reactions from the masses when there are literally hundreds of denominations all vying for attention and recognition as being the church that Jesus established.  The Bible student who is honestly seeking for the church of the New Testament is aware that something is drastically wrong with what you see in the world of “Christianity” today.  Nearly two millenniums ago, however, the apostle Paul said, “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33).  Near AD 33, Jesus fulfilled His earlier promise to build His church (Matt. 16:18).  His apostles referred to it as “the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27), of which Paul said there is one (1 Cor.10:17; Eph. 4:4; Col 3:15).  So then, why so many “churches”?  The simple answer is found in man’s unwillingness to adopt the New Testament as his only guide in faith and practice. When men depart from the teachings of the Bible, division ensues (1 Kings 18:17-18).  Hence, we see more than 1000 denominations all teaching doctrines that conflict with one another and with the teachings of Christ.  Surely, this is not pleasing in the eyes of God!  So, what is wrong with denominationalism and what is its cure?

“Denomination” – A Nonbiblical Term and Concept

The word denomination is not to be found in the Bible.  The term “churches” as referring to conflicting religious organizations is also foreign to the word of God.  It is not only absent in the sacred writings but is contrary to what is revealed therein.  The word church is only mentioned in two ways.  Universally, it occurs in respect to every saved individual throughout the age of grace.  (Matt. 16:18)  Locally, it refers to congregations of “like precious faith” throughout the world (Rom.16:16; Rev. 1:4).  Any ecclesiastical organization larger than the local church but smaller that the universal church is unscriptural.  Denominations claim to be smaller than the universal church because most acknowledge other denominations as being acceptable to God.  On the other hand, they are larger than the local unit because it takes many congregations to form a denomination.  You will only read about congregations of the Church of Christ in the New Testament.  (Rom. 16: 16)

Division Is Condemn By God

The Bible not only demands unity among Christ’s followers, but also gives a platform upon which to unite.  “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor.  1: 10).  (Also note Rom. 15:6; Phil. 1:27, 2:2).  We are to be of the same mind, which is the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5; 4:2).  His mind is revealed to us through the teachings of the apostles (1 Cor.  2:16). Therefore, Christians are to be unified upon the doctrines of the Bible.  To be otherwise is to be carnal and not spiritual (1 Cor. 3:3).  Denominationalism teaches just the opposite!

Denominationalism Exalts Men Rather Than Christ

The sovereign rule of Christ finds its throne in heaven.  After completing His earthly work in the scheme of man’s redemption, He ascended to Gods right hand in heaven where He sat down to rule and reign over the church, His kingdom.  Paul said, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).  Denominationalism refuses to allow Christ to sit in his rightful place of authority over his kingdom.  Christ built his church.  Denominations were founded by their reformation leaders who introduced new theologies upon which those organizations were formed.  Men such as Martin Luther, John Smith, John Wesley, and others began many mainstream denominations.  They are governed, not by the Bible only, but by conventions, creed books, catechisms, and disciplines.  The doctrines of those men who rule over them are emphasized over the teachings of Jesus Christ.  If this were not true, then you would not see these denominations in existence, but rather, one body of believers united upon the words of the New Testament.  Paul accused the Corinthian brethren of honoring men over Christ and spoke divine words of disapproval toward them (1 Cor. 1:12-13).  The church of the Bible finds its source of authority in heaven and not in an earthly place of ecclesiastical headquarters.

Denominationalism Substitutes Human Names For Christ

In reference to Christ, Peter declared that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  Paul concurred by stating that the family of God is named of Christ (Eph. 3:15).  For every denomination, there is another name introduced.  Names mean something in every respect in which they are given.  Some denominations are named after some practice they embrace, some man that they honor, or some extraordinary doctrine that they emphasize.  However, Christ’s church is not identified by any of these designations.  His church honors Him as their head, recognizes Him as its builder, trusts Him as their savior, and remains faithful to Him as His bride.  Therefore, she wears His glorious name (Rom. 16:16).

The Church Of Christ Is Not a Denomination

We who are identified with the church of Christ do not consider ourselves a denomination.  We were not established by man.  We have no creeds or practices not authorized by the New Testament.  We wear no human names.  Our simple plea is to restore New Testament Christianity in every aspect.  Our directive is only to “speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11).”  The unity for which we strive finds its basis in the teachings of Christ and his apostles (Eph. 4:3-6; John 17:20-21).

The malady of denominationalism will find its remedy only when men one by one lay down the doctrines of men and return to the teachings of God’s book.  We humbly plead with you, dear reader, to do just that and strike hands with us upon the Bible and return to primitive Christianity!

Article by: Kevin Presley

The holy kiss has been a subject of puzzlement for many in the Lord’s church (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26).  Misunderstanding abounds on the subject in regard to its practice and whether it has a role in the church today.  Many write it off as a cultural practice or ancient tradition without approaching the subject with an open mind.

Kisses Mentioned In Scripture

Opening the Word of God, one very quickly notices several different types of kissing mentioned.  Each has its purpose and place.  Early in the Biblical account one discovers kissing as a family greeting.  When Jacob first met his mother’s family, it reads, “And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house” (Gen. 29:13).  The same type of greeting is found in the famous parable of the prodigal son.  The lost boy had squandered his inheritance in riotous living. Coming to his senses he returns home to be graciously welcomed by his father with compassion and kisses (Lk. 15:20).

Solomon, known for his great wisdom, also contained a very romantic and passionate side to his personality.  He was a true “ladies’ man” who understood the need to fulfill the desires of those he loved.  In the steamy exchange found in the Song of Solomon, his lover expresses her passion: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine” (1:2).  This kind of kiss is an expression of love and respect in the proper relationship.  It plays an important and wonderful role in one’s life-long marriage bond.

Just as the kiss can be an intimate expression of love and nurturing in a sanctified relationship, it can be seductive as well.  Proverbs 7:12-13 states, “Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.  So she caught him, and kissed him…”  Within the context of this passage the woman, whose husband was gone away conducting business, plays the harlot.  By the manner of her dress and actions she found one she could seduce to fulfill her sinful desires.

Perhaps the most famous kiss of history is one of betrayal.  The proverb writer remarks, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (27:6). The kiss, as a sign of friendship, can be hurtful, even detrimental, when an enemy bestows the action, for it is a deception.  The deception fosters a false sense of security and at a later time the treachery is revealed.  Judas chose this means to identify and betray the Savior.  “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.  And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.” (Mk. 14:44-45).  Jesus questioned Judas, “…betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” (Lk. 22:48).

The New Testament also mentions another kiss practiced by first century Christians.  Paul instructs, “Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.” (Rom. 16:16).  Similar statements are found in 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:26.  Peter mentions a “kiss of charity” (1 Pet. 5:14).  These five references have prompted many questions as to what it is and how, if at all, it should be practised by Christians today.  Let us examine the holy kiss further.

What Is The Holy Kiss?

The first step in determining the meaning of a subject is to grapple with basic definitions.  In the Scriptures detailing the holy kiss all state to “greet” or “salute” with a “holy kiss.”  The term “greet” and “salute” both come from the same Greek word, aspazomai, which Thayer defines as, “to salute one, greet, bid welcome, wish well to.”  It is the general acknowledgement of another upon meeting.

The prerequisite for the kiss is to be “holy.”  The word “holy” (hagios) is defined by Thayer as, “pure, sinless, upright, holy.” He goes on to state, “…such a kiss as is a sign of the purest love.”  Such a definition declares the action to be pure and sinless, devoid of any romantic emotion.

The term “kiss” (philema) is defined as, “a kiss.” Thayer comments, “…the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companion in the faith.”

Thus, one can reach the conclusion the holy kiss was an action by which Christians would, in a sincere and pure motive, greet one another.   Historically, such kissing was practiced by early Christians and is still practiced by many in Eastern cultures today.

Is The Holy Kiss An Exclusive Greeting?

Is the holy kiss an exclusive greeting for the Christian today?  In other words, must I, as a Christian, greet another brother or sister in Christ with a holy kiss whenever we meet?  If the holy kiss is the exclusive greeting, then one commits sin every time they greet another Christian without performing a holy kiss.  The answers to such questions are found in the Biblical “Law of Harmony.”  The Law of Harmony teaches us to harmonize the entirety of New Testament teaching before reaching a conclusion on any given subject.  The Scriptures will never teach less than what we find in one passage, however, may teach more or provide qualifiers elsewhere.  When other teaching on a subject is ignored we are not rightly dividing God’s Word.

A simple illustration from the modern religious world will suffice in showing this law.  It is believed by many in the denominational world that salvation comes by faith.  Any good Bible student cannot deny salvation based on faith for the Scriptures are full of teaching concerning faith and redemption (Rom. 5:1, Jn. 3:16).  Many, from the bottom of their hearts, believe faith is all that is necessary for eternal redemption.  The problem is not with the Biblical teaching of faith; rather, it lies with those promoting the “faith alone” or “faith only” position.   When teaching about faith and salvation is harmonized with the remainder of the New Testament, it is clear that faith saves in conjunction with repentance (Lk. 13:3), confession (Mt. 10:32-33) and baptism (Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

If one can study the Scripture and find any other greeting or salutation then it can be rightly concluded the holy kiss is just one option and not the exclusive manner.  Thus the question must be proposed, “What saith the Scriptures?”

Paul authored thirteen epistles directed to early congregations as well as particular individuals.  Found nestled in these writings are a handful of greetings or salutations of various sorts.  As we read the letters to the Philippians and Colossians, we understand Paul offers greetings through ink on parchment without being present.  Philippians 4:21-22 reads, “Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.  All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.”  We also read, “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” (Col. 4:14).  Both instances record greetings sent on behalf of others who were not present.  Thus, we can conclude it is acceptable to greet each other through the written word.

From the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, until the conversion of Cornelius and his house in Acts 10, the gospel was preached to the Jews.  However, with Peter’s vision and the events that transpired around Cornelius (Acts 10), the gospel was made available to the Gentiles.  Paul was selected to take the gospel to the Gentiles, “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…” (Rom. 11:13).  According to Galatians 2:7-8 “…the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles).”  Paul’s mission was primarily to the Gentiles while Peter’s was to the Jews.  They recognized it as such, and “when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Gal. 2:9).  Here we read of “the right hands of fellowship” or an exchange of shaking hands.

The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote, “But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name” (3 Jn. 14).  At the conclusion of this short letter John mentions greeting the friends by name.  To greet by name is to acknowledge the other party by mentioning their name.  This indicates an individual acknowledgement and effort on part of the Christians.

Demetrius the silversmith, concerned his livelihood could be at stake, started a riot.  What could have been a very unfortunate circumstance was defused by the town clerk and Paul was able to escape Ephesus.  On his departure Luke writes, “…Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.” (Act 20:1).  As Paul parted from this great city he embraced the disciples.  The term “embraced” (aspazomai) is described by Robinson in his Word Pictures as, “to greet, to draw to oneself in embrace, either in greeting or farewell.”

Through the written word, calling by name, extending the hand, embracing and kissing, Christians found themselves greeting in a variety of ways.  Noting the various manners in which Christians greeted or parted one can rightfully conclude the holy kiss is just one of many ways Christians can greet one another.  To claim it is an exclusive greeting is to ignore the harmony of the New Testament Scriptures.

Is The Holy Kiss Binding Today?

Inquiring minds often ask if the holy kiss is binding today.  If so is it to be an act of worship or just an everyday event.  Let us consider each separately:

1. Is The Holy Kiss An Item of Worship?

In the passages mentioning the “holy kiss” or “kiss of charity,” there is no indication that it has to do with worship or is an item of worship.  The contextual settings for all five passages fail to apply such a command to the worship services.  In order for something to be part of worship we must know when and how to perform the action.  In all five items of worship: singing, praying, teaching, giving and communing, we have a specific pattern set forth.

Consider the example of the Lord’s Supper.  The church knows when to set the Lord’s table: “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” (Act 20:7).  The Scriptures plainly teach such an action is to happen on the first day of the week.  Through the hermeneutical principal of “necessary inference” we rightfully understand such an action must take place on the first day of every week.

The church is also instructed how to set the table.  Following the example of Jesus we use one loaf of unleavened bread and one cup containing unfermented fruit of the vine.  Jesus instituted as so, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.  And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.” (Mk. 14:22-23).  The usage of singular pronouns in this and all other passages describing the institution of the Lord’s Supper leaves no other acceptable manner to fulfill this item of worship.

On the other hand, in regard to the holy kiss, the questions of “when” and “how” are impossible to answer.  When would the church practice the action? Lord’s Day only?  Every time the doors are open?  How would it be implemented? A kiss on the hand, on the cheek, or on the lips?  Would men only kiss men while women only kissed women or would men and women kiss each other?  Such questions cannot be answered from Scripture. Therefore, to implement the “holy kiss” as part of the worship service would be going beyond the Word of God.

2. Is The Holy Kiss An Everyday Event?

If the holy kiss is not to be an item of worship then would should it be practiced? Any and every time two Christians meet?  The answer is found in the example found in Scripture.  We only have one instance in the New Testament where Christians are seen putting the holy kiss in action.  “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.” (Act 20:36-38).  At a very sorrowful parting, realizing they would never meet again, the Ephesian elders put the holy kiss into action.

Is it appropriate to practice the holy kiss?  Yes, not only appropriate but scriptural, if the situation calls for such. However, implementation does not have to happen every time two Christians meet.  The reality is that there are several ways in which Christians can scripturally greet and salute each other; the holy kiss is just one.

Article by: Brad Shockley

Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:3, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Surely we all agree that unity is a wonderful thing and should be desired in the church. As David observed in Psalms 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” However, it is not only something that is worth seeking, but it is actually the Lord’s will “that there should be no schism in the body” (1 Cor. 12:25). Hence anything that is a barrier to peace must be discarded and rejected. Paul says that it is something that we must be “endeavoring to keep.” Here we have the idea of “haste” and “giving diligence.” Yes, it takes effort to have unity in the church; we must work at it and never take it for granted.

A PARTICULAR KIND OF UNITY

Paul is not discussing just any kind of unity that permits us to pursue it at any cost, but he specifically makes reference to the “unity of the Spirit.” This is the unity that is wrought by the Holy Spirit [See Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament]. That fact alone tells us that we should never strive to have unity at the expense of truth! After all, such action would be contrary to the mission of the Holy Spirit: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13).

The following is found in a sermon by R.E. Elmore: “There may be a sort of superficial union of heterogeneous elements, but this is not Christian unity. Christian unity is the oneness which results from the common possession of the ‘like precious faith,’ and from the practice of that faith. We keep the unity of the Spirit when we keep the Spirit’s teaching without addition or subtraction. It is superficial and self-contradictory to talk of ‘spiritual unity’ in the midst of denominational and doctrinal diversity. This is not true and never can be true.  The unity of the Spirit is the unity of the truth.” This preacher of yesteryear hit the nail on the head, didn’t he? [I found this sermon in a book published back in 1930] We need to realize that unity based upon error is not the solution to division!

SCRIPTURAL UNITY VS ECUMENISM

Ecumenism is defined as “a movement seeking to achieve worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding.” We must not confuse the “unity of the Spirit” with a “union” devised by man for the purpose of minimizing important doctrinal differences that might exist. As we have already noticed, Jesus referred to the third person of the Godhead as “the Spirit of truth” (John 16:13). He is obviously so designated because of His relationship to the truth. As Guy N. Woods noted in his commentary on the Book of John, He is styled “the Spirit of truth” because He would teach the truth, all of the truth and nothing but the truth in the revelations promised. Also, Paul went on to declared in Eph. 6:17 that the “sword of the Spirit” is the word of God.  If we’ll all walk according to the truth (as inspired by the Holy
Spirit), we’ll have the unity that He gives, enabling us to “speak the same thing” in matters of faith (1 Cor. 1:10).

One man wrote the following: “The majority-view today holds that the way to produce unity is not to discuss and consider doctrine, but rather to work together and pray together. The slogans include ‘doctrine divides.’  This becomes serious when applied to the question of evangelism. The most common argument used is that evangelism is impossible apart from this unity, that a divided church is an offense to the world, and that while we are divided the world will not listen to us. During an evangelistic campaign in London, a Christian newspaper carried the headline: ‘Let us have a theological truce during the Campaign’.” Brethren, where are we authorized in the Scriptures to have a “theological truce” with error and to allow false doctrine to go unchallenged? The same Spirit that inspired Paul to write Eph. 4:3 also inspired Jude to say that we “should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints” (Jude, verse 3). A compromising of the truth has nothing to do with the “unity of the Spirit!”

“THE BOND OF PEACE”

Please observe that Paul said we are to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit– “in the bond of peace.” As I understand it, this means that a bond exists between brethren which is peace. In his epistle to the Ephesians, Paul has emphasized that the enmity between Jew and Gentile has been abolished in Christ (Eph. 2:13-16); there is now a bond of peace that should unite them in the one body. In a very real sense that bond is love– the “bond of perfectness” referred to in Col. 3:14. The truth is that we can all believe alike in matters of doctrine, but if we don’t treat each other with love and respect, the result is not going to be unity. Indeed, we all know of congregations that divided, not because of doctrinal differences, but because of personal conflicts.

Brethren, unity is desirable and must be maintained, but “unity-in-diversity” is not the answer. Joining hands with heretics and false teachers, all in the name of pseudo-unity and so-called love, is obviously not the solution. In the book of sermons I’ve already referred to, Isaac Errett said, “In the essentials of faith in the Christ, the Son of God, and the keeping of His commandments, the apostles were the farthest possible from the sickly ‘liberalism’ of the present time. They knew no compromise here; they would tolerate no differences; they would have no fellowship with any who denied the faith or refused to keep the commandments of Jesus.” Did you get what this preacher of yesteryear said? He called it “sickly liberalism!” It looks like to me that things haven’t changed all that much in the last 80 years are so. In fact, the “sickness” has been spreading and the result has been only more division. That is true because the unscriptural movements of men have nothing to do with the “unity of the Spirit.”

Article by: Billy D. Dickinson

In the long ago, God spoke the following tribute of Abraham: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment” (Gen. 18:19). Many years later, Moses instructed Israel: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:6-7).

Abraham faithfully did what God said he would, and Abraham was blessed for it. The Israelites, however, did not always teach and instruct their children, not to mention themselves, in the Word of God. As a result, they often erred from God’s Will, and were chastised severely by Him. In summing up their transgressions against God’s Will, Scripture says,

“And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.  Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand”  (2 Chron. 36:15-17).

Our Situation

Not only in the home, but in the church at large, there is a great dearth of Bible knowledge. What ruin will fall upon us and our children if we fail to instill in them a lively love for, and obedience to, God’s Will! This situation must be remedied or there will be disastrous consequences! Many of us do not study the Bible as we should. Of course, our children do not study the Bible as they should, because we do not. We are ignorant of God’s Word, and our children will be even more ignorant. This portends a day when another dark cloud of apostasy and digression will sweep away many.

The Sunday school or “Bible class” arrangement must be rejected as unscriptural. All through the years that we have fought this innovation, we have steadfastly and scripturally maintained that the responsibility of teaching children God’s Will was the home’s. It is up to fathers and mothers, not Sunday school teachers, to train up children in God’s Will (Eph. 6:4). “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). We know that this is a home duty.

But, I ask, who will be judged with greater severity in the Judgment Day? The Sunday school enthusiast who is ignorant and untaught about God’s arrangement, or those of us who know the truth, but do not practice it? We are guilty of the Pharisee’s hypocrisy “for they say and do not” when we tell the Sunday school supporter that it is the home’s job to teach the children, and then we do not do so.

One of the most helpful things we can do, for our family’s spiritual welfare and the church’s, is to engage in regular Bible study in the family circle. It is my observation that those Christians who have been most successful in keeping their families in the Lord, are those who have made a diligent effort to read the Bible and pray regularly with their families.

Helpful Suggestions

First, you must decide on a regular time for Bible study in the family circle. Ideally, you should read and discuss the Bible together on a daily basis. Christians should form the habit of daily Bible study, for this is the example of Scripture (Acts 17:11). The lifelong habit of daily Bible reading and study is best formed in childhood. There are few things you can teach your child more important than this. Set a regular time, of thirty minutes to an hour, and adhere to it as faithfully as you would to your dinner schedule. Usually, it is parents who get too busy and neglect gathering the family for Bible study. So it is primarily incumbent upon them to adhere to the schedule. It is important for parents to be enthused about the Bible study. If the parents approach it as a chore, then the children will too.

Second, include prayer and singing in the time you take for family Bible study. Allow children who are able to read to take turns at reading portions of Scripture. Select verses from time to time for memorization. Memory verses from the Psalms and Proverbs, as well as the New Testament, are especially appropriate for young people.

Third, ask questions during your study. Encourage the children to ask questions and do your best to answer them. A Bible handbook, dictionary, or other reference material needs to be at hand to use. Also, ask questions for the purpose of reviewing the reading. Questions can be tailored to the age level of the participants. Also, get in the habit of asking the following general questions of each passage and formulating brief answers. In one sentence, what is the key idea of the passage? Who is speaking? Who is being addressed? What persons are mentioned here? What places? (Look up any that are unfamiliar). Are there any words that you do not understand? (Be especially aware of the need of younger children to have words or terms explained.) What does this passage reveal about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? The church? etc. Is there any sin mentioned to avoid or repent of? Is there any example here to imitate? Is there a bad example to avoid? Is there any prayer to echo? Is there any promise to accept in faith?

Finally, remember the words of Moses to Israel cited above (Deut. 6:6-7). Be ready to talk to your children about God and His Word at any time. Look for teaching opportunities.

The key to success in family Bible study is very simple. Resolve to make it a priority. Make time for it! Do not treat it like a chore. Be inquisitive with the Scriptures. Seek out the answers to questions. Ask questions about the reading for the purpose of review. Put some preparation into leading the studies. The results will pay dividends both here and in eternity!

Article by: Smith Bibens

Supposedly, most accidents occur either in, or relatively near, home.  That’s rather intriguing, since most people feel safer at home than almost anywhere.  The truth is, no matter how much attention is given to safety, wherever one might be, there’s no way to completely avoid all potential danger in this life.  When every possible safeguard is taken, any number of possible dangers still exists.  There’s always the unforeseen.  That’s why people buy all kinds of insurance policies.

Since some danger is a reality that we have to live with virtually all the time, how much danger becomes too dangerous?  Obviously, we must resign ourselves to living with some risk, but how much is too much?  Where should we draw the line?  Different circumstances will dictate different conclusions.  But a rule of thumb should be to take as little risk as possible.  Don’t be careless.  Only a small percentage of the contents of rat poison is actually poisonous, but that little bit is deadly!  A foot of water isn’t very deep, but it’s enough to drown in!  Being too casual about how much danger you allow yourself to be exposed to can lead to utter disaster.

Nowhere does this principle have greater application than in our spiritual life.  Paul made a basic statement to this truth when he said, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22  KJV).  He did not say to simply avoid all evil.  He instructed us to avoid even the “appearance” of evil.  The translation by Knox renders this verse: “Rejecting all that has a look of evil about it.”  If we will diligently avoid “all appearance of evil,” then we will be much less likely to find ourselves actually involved in evil situations.

Of course, we’re talking about sin.  Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and can lead to our ultimate spiritual death (Romans 6:23).  Sin is so serious that God sacrificed His Son as our Savior to pay the price for the guilt of our sins (Romans 5:8; Hebrews 7:27; 9:26-28).  If sin is so destructive, then how much sin should we allow ourselves to participate in?  The answer is obvious, isn’t it?  We should stay away from sin, all sin!  We do not want to place our soul’s salvation in jeopardy.

If we start flirting with sin, dabbling in sinful situations and practices, we run the risk of becoming desensitized to the danger that sin poses to us (Ephesians 4:18-19).  We don’t want to run the risk of letting our lives become overwhelmed with sin to the point that God gives us up (Romans 1:24) and let’s us believe the lie that sin is good (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Simply put, any sin is too dangerous to play with!

Article Adapted

Sven Kramer would be labeled by some as the fastest man on ice. His home is Heerenveen, Friesland, Netherlands. Mr. Kramer has a heritage of skating. He is the son of former speed skater Yep Kramer, and has a four year older brother, Brecht Kramer, who is a speed skater. Sven holds the world records in both the 5000 m. and the 10,000 m. distance speed skating.

As the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada approached, Sven Kramer was expected to take the gold medals in both of the distance races. In the 5000 meters race Kramer took the gold setting a new Olympic record. The following Tuesday he entered the 10,000 meter race. He was feeling good; he was skating well. He had not lost a 10,000 meter race in three years. He was clearly the favorite in the race.

In the 10,000 meter speed skate every lap a skater moves from the outside lane to the inside lane, or vice versa, for a changeover to make sure everybody skates the same distance. Usually there is never a problem. But sometimes a skater becomes very focused on the ice or his method of skating that he forgets where he has been. Thus, the skaters each have a coach on the sideline to remind them when they should be making the change. Sven Kramer had a comfortable lead over his competitor. With eight laps to go in the race he made his mandatory lane change. His coach Gerard Kemkers was writing on his note pad. When he looked up he saw Kramer nearing the red cone and indicated that he should change lanes, not realizing that the skater had already done so. The coach made a mistake. Kramer listened to his coach and switched back to the lane he had been in. Continuing to speed around the track he crossed the finish line well ahead of the skater behind him. He raised his arms in victory. Moments later Sven Kramer’s celebration was shattered when he was told he had been disqualified from the race. Even though he had skated faster than anyone else that day, he had not skated according to the rules.

Our life as a Christian is compared to a race. The writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).

The spiritual race in which we are running also has rules. Paul wrote to Timothy, “if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim 2:5).  The 10,000 meter speed skate event at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics illustrates that for us quite well. Sven Kramer thought he had won the race. He  had skated well. There will be those who think they should be admitted into Heaven, but they will be disqualified. Jesus taught, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mt. 7:21-24).

Sven Kramer lost the speed skating event because he listened to his coach who was wrong. The coach had good intentions and was well meaning, but he was wrong. Jesus warned of false teachers that would lead men astray. On one occasion He pointed out, “They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch” (Mt. 15:14).

There are many today who want to do away with rules, but Jesus condemns lawlessness. Some would say that it was not Kramer’s fault that he failed to change lanes, but really it is. It was his responsibility to know the rules and to follow them. No one can stand before God on that great and final Day and blame someone else for his or her lack of obedience.

As Sven Kramer skated around the track his friends and family watched with heavy hearts. They could see what he could not. They were aware that he was in the wrong lane, but there was not anything they could do about it. Sometimes it seems that way in life. We see family members, friends, and loved ones who are in the wrong lane, maybe even on the wrong track. We feel helpless, because our loved ones are not listening to us as we cry out to them.

There are some differences in the Olympic speed skating race and the Christian’s race. The very moment the Sven Kramer chose to skate down the wrong lane he was disqualified. There is no grace in Olympic speed skating regardless of how graceful the skater himself may be. In the race in which we run God is gracious. If we find ourselves in the wrong lane, on the wrong track, or going the wrong way God allows us to get in the right way. While we are in this life we are given opportunity to get headed in the right direction and to finish the course. Another difference is that there was only one gold medal awarded in the 10,000 meter speed skating event. Paul made a similar observation when he was writing to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27). He makes it abundantly clear to Timothy that everyone who finishes the race lawfully (or according to the rules that Jesus has given) is a winner. “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

The stakes are much higher for us than a gold medal. Those who failed to win the gold at the Olympics were no doubt disappointed, but those who fail to win the crown of life will be devastated for eternity. Consider again the Hebrew writer’s admonition (Heb. 12:1-2) and run as if your life depends on it, because it really does.

Article by: Richard Bunner

The possession of the land of Canaan demanded great courage from the Israelites because it involved the removal of seven dangerous nations that stood in their way.  It was actually God’s intention that they should “utterly destroy” them (Deut. 7:1-2), causing some people to question this harsh command. After all, how do we explain a loving and merciful God having His people to obliterate several nations from the earth (even including their children and little ones)? As we ponder the answer to that question, there are at least three things that must be kept in mind.

(1) The destruction of these nations was not just to make a place for Israel, but it was actually God’s judgment upon them. Deut. 9:4 makes that plain by containing the following statement: “But for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee.” The peoples of Canaan were in a very degraded condition morally, having progressed so far in sin that they needed to be removed from the possession of the land. (2) The Canaanites were hardened idolaters and the pollution of heathen worship threatened to weaken the resolve of God’s people in their devotion to Jehovah. Since God knew that this evil would be a constant source of temptation to His people (Deut. 20:17-18), the destruction of these nations was for the self-preservation of Israel. (3) The deaths of the children and little ones can actually be viewed as a merciful act on God’s part toward them. As adults they would have also given themselves to idolatry, so the Lord simply took them out of a bad situation and rescued them from eternal damnation.

I believe that there is a spiritual principle in all of this that we need to understand today! As “spiritual Israel” (Gal. 6:16; Rom. 2:29), the church, our warfare also involves enemies that must be opposed if we expect to possess our heavenly Canaan (Heb. 4:1). Our warfare, however, is not a carnal one (we don’t seek to harm anyone in a physical sense), but it is spiritual in nature (John 18:36). Yes, there is a sense in which the church is facing some dangerous “nations” that we need to be opposing. If we are not careful, these “nations” will invade the borders of Zion and create havoc in our lives, destroying the church from within. Let’s notice a few of them . . .

STAGNATION

Here is something that we must guard against because it is the very opposite of what God demands of us. [The following definitions demonstrate why this “nation” is so destructive: Stagnate- “To be or become stagnant; to fail to progress or develop”/ Stagnant- “Not moving or flowing; motionless; foul from standing still; stale; lacking liveliness; sluggish”] When we take a really good look at our spiritual lives, can we honestly say that we are on the move, growing in faith and character, and pressing toward our heavenly goal (Phil. 3:13-14)? Or is it actually the case that we have reached a point of stagnation in our service to God?

It is said that one time Jack the Frog got stuck in a rut while he was playing with a friend. After jumping and jumping and trying to get himself out, his friend finally went to get some help. When the friend returned, he was shocked to find Jack sunning himself on a log. “Jack,” his friend inquired, “who helped you out of the rut?” “No one,” said Jack. When he was asked how such was possible, Jack responded, “A car was coming and I had to get out!” Likewise, when we find ourselves in a spiritual rut, we will not have the incentive to repent and start moving in a different direction unless we first see our need to do so. That need becomes obvious when we realize that it is our spiritual survival that is at stake (Rev. 2:4-5).

This “nation” often occupies territory in our lives because of apathy– a lack of interest and not being zealous of the things of God (Tit. 2:14). It can also be the result of resigning ourselves to failure, so we simply accept mediocrity as our fate. Wasn’t that the problem with the one talent man in Matt. 25:14-30? His real problem was not only slothfulness, but a lack of courage and faith to face up to his duty. If we have a problem with lukewarmness, the Lord tells us what we need to do . . . “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:19).

CONTAMINATION

Since the church is only as pure as those who make it up, each member has the responsibility to keep himself “unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). Sometimes it is through contamination that impurities find their way into our lives and even spreads among brethren. This suggests an influencing for evil that comes through contact with something that possesses a polluting effect. Remember that we are warned that “evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33/ASV).

Also, when it comes to contamination, don’t underestimate what we might view as “little things.” Simply a bad attitude, for example, can contaminate us like radioactive material, causing the problem to spread into other areas of life. Did you know that the famous Cuckoo bird never builds its own nest? When it finds another nest with eggs in it and no mother bird around, it quickly lands, lays its eggs and flies away. The Thrush, whose nest has been invaded, comes back and hatches the eggs. What happens then? Among four little thrushes, one large cuckoo hatches and a battle begins. As the cuckoo grows even larger, he eventually throws the smaller birds out of their nest. That is a perfect picture of how sin often works! It enters into our lives, deceiving us into thinking that it is a small and insignificant matter, but then it grows like a cancer until it consumes us. Indeed, it is a dangerous thing to ever “give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27) because all he needs is a foothold to bring hurtful things into our lives.

DENOMINATION

When the church is viewed as just another denomination, people fail to appreciate it for being the divine institution that it is. That is exactly what is taking place, as we see the efforts of some to “denominationalize” the church. However, if we truly view it as the Lord’s church (Matt. 16:18), we will understand the need of following the divine pattern in all things pertaining to it (1 Cor. 11:2). Indeed, when we borrow from denominations their unscriptural practices, the church is robbed of its distinctiveness and other glorious features that make it the unique organization that it is. How sad!

Some have drifted so far from the truth into ultra- liberalism that they have no legitimate claim to any connection to the Lord’s church. For one thing, they really don’t believe that baptism is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). One such man is on record stating that baptism is essential to salvation “if a person knows that God wants him to be baptized.” What a pitiful position! I could just as well argue that repentance is essential to salvation if a person knows that God wants him to repent. No, repentance is necessary because God has commanded it of all men (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3). Likewise, baptism is essential because the Lord has commanded it as a condition of salvation in His gospel (Mark 16:16; Acts 10:48).  Just as God demanded that Israel separate themselves from those idolatrous nations (Deut. 7:5-6), that same principle of peculiarity applies to the church (1 Pet. 2:9).

Let us beware of these dangerous “nations” facing the church today!

Article by: Billy Dickinson