Bible Thoughts

March 17, 2002

The words of Christ are similar to what a parent might ask a child when the offspring fails to follow instructions. The adult understands they have the responsibility to instruct their child in the ways the parent believes to be right. Over a process of time, the teachings and examples of the parent will mold a child into a responsible human being. As they grow in years, the offspring begins to recognize and accept the instructions of truth from the parent.

Is it so difficult in religion for those who would follow the Lord to understand this principle? Jesus challenged the Jews to accept and obey the truth. Many of them, however, were so wedded to the traditions of their day that they refused to listen and follow the plain instructions of Jesus Christ. Many did not believe the Lord. It is not different in our time. The truth can be presented to one who does not follow the Lord, but the person who is addressed must be willing to accept the Word of God.

Even when the disciple reads the truth from a plain passage of scripture, it is sometimes rejected even though no addition has been made to the passage. Perhaps it was as one person was said to say, "But the way you read it is the problem!" If you just read it from God's word, whatever be the pitch or pronunciation, it is still the truth.

One who searches for the truth must have an open heart to receive what is contained within the scriptures. Such requires an attitude of openness and fairness with the inspired word. This is as true for the disciple as for the unbeliever. Our spiritual growth is determined by our respect for the teachings of Jesus Christ. We must lay aside our personal opinions and prejudices since they often interfere with the understanding of God's way.

"For what saith the scripture? And Abraham believed God. and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness"(Romans 4:3). The example of this friend of God should inspire each of us to find out what is taught in the Word of God and apply the truth to our thoughts, our lives, and our positions.

God’s plan is for His children to be guided by men of spiritual maturity and discretion. To that end Paul instructed both Timothy and Titus regarding the qualifications of the overseers of Christ’s church (Titus 1:7-9, 1 Tim 3:1-7). One of those requirements is inherent in the word “elder” itself. The word elder means “old” and suggests wisdom and good judgment. Men appointed as elders should demonstrate these qualities. Just as the Greek word used for deacons implies service, the word used for elders implies spiritual maturity.

Also, what Peter says regarding the attitude elders should have cannot be ignored. He says that elders should not act “as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” This is a crucial point and one that is often misunderstood or ignored. Many in the religious community think in terms of “clergy” and “laity." The term “clergy” means “invested with priestly functions” while the term “laity” means “body of religious worshipers distinguished from the clergy." These concepts are foreign to Christ’s church because every Christian is a royal priest in the kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:9). Within Christ’s church all members are clergy, there is no laity. Peter’s exhortation reveals the wisdom of God regarding this question: how does someone lead if all are equal? The answer is, they lead by example. Those leading must recognize that the only way they can lead is by providing sound teaching and by setting a Godly example. In turn, those being led must recognize that it is their responsibility to God to respond positively those who are attempting to lead.

More importantly, the obligation of teaching sound doctrine and providing Godly examples is not limited only to those who are specifically appointed as overseers. Paul wrote to Titus: “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things"(Titus 2:1-3). There is a principle at work here: ability dictates responsibility. As mentioned earlier, the word “elder” implies wisdom and good judgment. All overseers must be elders and have those qualities. However, while not all elders are appointed as overseers, an elder person who has those qualities has an obligation to God and their fellow Christians to use their abilities for the good of all. Christians must be willing to embrace the responsibilities that come with the blessings God has bestowed upon us.-Scott Huston

There is no cause for "highmindedness" among Christians. Every other person knows something that I do not know.

Only the Lord's church does not change since she follows a divine standard, not a human. When disciples surrender to the commandments of men, only disaster results.

You don't have to be a sanitation engineer to recognize moral and/or religious garbage.

Preach only if you have to!

Did you know the word fellowship is never used of social functions, fun, frolic, entertainment or recreation in the New Testament?

We have a "fellowship hall" in our building. We most often refer to it as the auditorium.

An older preacher observed: "The Bible sure sheds a lot of light on commentaries."