Bible Thoughts

July 7, 2002

Each person has a choice when it comes to the service of God. One can decide to follow the ways of the world, the ways of error, or the ways of truth. The choice must be made by each person. The freedom to make choices does not guarantee that the chooser has made the correct choice. The Lord permitted Adam and Eve the power to choose. You know what happened! Joshua, on the other hand, decided to “serve the Lord.” If a soul desires to please God and go to heaven, he/she must resolve to live a life that is dedicated to the Lord, always following His commands in all areas of religion and morality. Make the right choice and heaven is your home. Make the wrong choice and hell is your abode in all eternity. It is up to you to choose!

“...they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord”(Proverbs 1:29).

It is unfortunate that the majority of the people do not study the Bible, do not know of its contents, and rely upon others to interpret what they are to believe. In a sense, such people experience a relief that someone else will spoon feed them with their biased interpretations of the scripture. The Lord expects each person to have the fear of the Lord and search the word of God to learn the truth. When a person becomes a careful student of God’s word, he/she can discern whether the truth is being taught or one is expressing error. Christians do not hate knowledge of the scriptures. They take every opportunity to study, individually and with other Christians, the revelation of God. Knowledge and fear of the Lord go together: one brings the other.

“Do not envy the way of the oppressor, and choose none of his ways”(Proverbs 3:31).

Oppression comes in many different forms. There is physical oppression in which a person does harm to a person’s body. Mental oppression can be used to force one to think as the oppressor desires them to think. Spiritual oppression can be used to change one’s reasoning and control his/her actions in matters that have to do with religion. While a person may be impressed by many of the approaches of false teachers in human churches, such teachers are guilty of being oppressors when it comes to the truths in the Bible. “Choose none of his ways” is the advice of the Proverb writer. Emotional trauma is often used to oppress listeners with false teachings and practices. One might even be heard to say, “Oh, how religious and pious is that preacher/teacher.” Those who teach denominational error from their creed books, disciplines, and manuals are oppressors! They choose to deceive the hearts of listeners while cultivating their senses with words and ideas that are not found in the Bible. To choose a denomination over the church of the Lord that is described in the New Testament is to surrender to the religious oppressor! You must make a decision whether to serve the Lord and follow His word or follow those who pervert the scriptures and lead souls away from God. As a free moral agent, the power of choice rests in each and every person. Study the scriptures and make the right choice.

"Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people..."(Exodus 18:25).

Whatever be the age in which men lived, God has expected(and commanded) that able and qualified men lead those who belong to the Lord. The lack of proper leadership has caused havoc in each of the periods of God's dealing with mankind. Choosing and supporting qualified and competent leaders to guide the Lord's people in our day will insure congregations that are sound in the faith while being aggressive against innovations and errors. It is certainly true that as the leaders go so go the disciples. Every apostasy that has occurred among the Lord's people has been caused by those who lacked a respect for the ways of God, leading the unwary into digression. The Lord's church needs men who will speak the truth, apply the truth, and demand the truth be respected by all under their influence and guidance.

"...but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord"(Acts 15:40).

Paul knew the value of proper companionship, even in the work of the Lord. Those with whom we have a lot of contact will become influential in our lives. They can encourage, strengthen, and build up each disciple or put doubts and fears in the hearts of those with whom they associate. Silas was a strength to Paul; Paul was a strength to Silas. So it should be in our day. When each of us stand strong for the truth, live righteous lives, and faithfully follow the ways of righteousness, the church will be strong and the effect upon friends, upon relatives, and upon the community will be positive. Cultivate the companionship of those who are faithful Christians and you will become stronger for the truth and the Lord's church each day. Take advantage of every opportunity to be with those who are faithful. Try it--you will like it!

Such teaching ignores what the Bible reveals-or-they are not familiar with the Bible. Why would the Lord give commands if they are not to be respected? There is no such thing as a non-essential command. In reality, it does not make sense to argue one does not have to obey commands. If one refuses to obey Christ, how can one say, "I believe in Christ?" A child ignoring parental instruction does not believe his parents. The criminal does not believe the government(or the rights of the government). Likewise, one who will not obey the Lord does not believe Him, or His rights as Supreme. Jesus asked, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"(Luke 6:46). The plain truth: "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him; the words that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day"(John 12:48). Are you obeying the Lord?