Bible Thoughts

September 2, 2001

Agrippa had heard the truth. Now it was his choice: obey or not obey. The apostle had preached in order to bring conviction to this ruler. It was now up to Agrippa to decide his own course in life: live in rebellion to Christ or obey the truth and be a Christian. It was his choice. The same is true of each person who hears the gospel. Each individual must ask the question, "Do I want to be a Christian?"

Living a life of a Christian will not take away the desires of the flesh. They must be fought, daily. James would point out, "...but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed"(James 1:14). Satan does not sleep but continually attempts to entrap the faithful. Yet, one can be comforted by the words of Paul, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it"(I Corinthians 10:13). The flesh, with all of its weaknesses can be conquered by faithful living. Do you want to be a Christian?

When one becomes a Christian, suffering for the cause of Christ can, and does, occur. "...but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name"(I Peter 4:16). The Lord is always with the faithful disciple, assisting him in enduring the sufferings that occur in this life. Whatever may come into the life of one who is a Christian, the Lord will take care of Christians. Do you want to be a Christian?

When the apostles and disciples preached the message of Jesus Christ, the gospel, they persuaded men to accept the truth and obey the word, thereby becoming Christians. There were no promises of escaping persecution, for many were persecuted. There were no promises of protection from one's enemies, for many were put to death. There were no promises of ease in this life, for many faced all kinds of trials. Even in our day, while we do not usually face the same type of oppositions faced in the early church, nonetheless, somewhere during the life of a disciple, there will be persecution. The child of God accepts such, knowing that they will pass, enabling the disciple to look forward to a life free of harm and hurt. Do you want to be a Christian?

Those who choose to follow Christ will find that sacrifice is necessary in order to live a faithful life as a disciple. The apostle Paul is a classic example of suffering for the cause of the Lord. He stated that he had been "in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft...beaten with rods...stoned...suffered shipwreck...in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness"(II Corinthians 11:23-27). We think we have it rough! Paul endured it all because he was a Christian. Do you want to be a Christian?

All of those who are faithful and true to the Lord and His cause will accept the woes of this life, the heartaches, the mistreatment, the unkindness, the accusations, and whatever Satan may attempt during the life of a faithful disciple. The Christian endures all of the opposition, persecution, and criticism in order to reach the ultimate goal: heaven. Paul assured us in these words, "Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing"(II Timothy 4:8). The apostle also assured the brethren at Colosse "of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens"(Colossians 1:5). Do you want to be a Christian?

"Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me"(John 5:39).

The leaders of the Jews did search the scriptures to try to find some way to prove they were right in their teachings and practices. Jesus pointed out to them that, in proper searching, they would find that they told of the coming Messiah, Christ Jesus himself. Searching the scriptures is a great mental exercise. Paul told Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"(II Timothy 2:15-KJ). The route to learning the word of God is in this passage: study. With an open and receptive heart, the diligent searcher for truth will glean the truths of God from his/her study and apply such to one's own life.

Men search the scriptures for different purposes. Some do so to justify themselves; some to condemn others; some to support false doctrine; some to satisfy their conscience; and various other motives. The honest person searches in order to find the truth and follow the commands of God. One must search the scriptures with a sincere desire to find what God expects of mankind. The attitude of the person who opens the Bible determines what will be found in the searching.

The Pharisees of Jesus day were blind to the scriptures(Matthew 14:15). The multitudes of any generation close their eyes to the gospel. Such blindness is brought on by such things as self-satisfaction, prejudice, dishonesty, closed minds, and like attitudes. How difficult it is to try to open the eyes of many to the truth of God's word.

Men are willing to search for truth in practically all other areas. You want the truth from your physician; you want the truth from your attorney; you want the truth from your school teacher; you want the truth from government officials(including the president); ad infinitum. Hence, why cannot a person understand that truth in religion must be sought and the only way to find that truth is in searching the word of God, finding what is commanded, and obeying its precepts?

Do you search the scriptures daily?