Bible Thoughts

January 25, 2004

Friendship with Christ is conditioned upon one's attitude toward Christ's will. Because one considers himself to be the Lord's friend does not make him such. A follower of Buddha may view himself as a friend of Christ, but even a casual reader of the Bible can learn such is not true.

Jesus did not leave us without guidance in determining whether we are his friends. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you"(John 15:14). Nothing short of obedience to the commands of Christ can place one on a friendly basis with the Master.

When one refuses to obey the Son of God, he is not being Jesus' friend. When one obeys doctrines not commanded by Christ, he is not Jesus' friend. One who follows the teachings of great men of this world instead of the New Testament is not Jesus' friend. When the creedbooks of denominationalism take the place of the New Testament, one is not being Jesus' friend. One who accepts the instructions of an earthly pope instead of the instructions of Christ is not Jesus' friend. Is this being harsh? Perhaps in the eyes of some, but it is the truth!

Now you must face the question: Are you Christ's friend? Are you following His instructions(the New Testament)? You can know whether you do or do not.

Be a friend of Christ: obey him.

All healing is divine healing. When God, through Elijah, restored a boy to life(I Kings 17), we see divine healing. When the body heals itself without outside help, it is divine healing. When the physician, applying his knowledge, helps bring a cure, divine healing has occurred. If a person is healed, it can be said that God heals him.

God does not heal miraculously in the present day. Miracles were limited in their purpose. Signs/wonders proved the words spoken by inspired men(John 20:30-31). Paul said when the "perfect" was revealed miracles/signs would cease(I Corinthians 13:8-12). The "perfect" (complete) law of liberty has been revealed(James 1:25). With the completion of that revelation, the necessity of miracles ceased.

Miracles of the apostolic age were not limited to disease, but covered a rather large variety of manifestations(Jesus stilled the storm and Paul blinded a man). Everything from raising the dead to paying taxes with money found in the mouth of a fish evidenced the power. Not only do fake healers stumble when it comes to disease(a few years ago, a "healer" disappeared after a child died when the parents took away needed insulin, after the "healer" convinced them God had healed their son), such "healers" will not attempt to work miracles where inspired men had no difficulty.

God does heal through natural means; God does not heal by miracles today. This is evident when those who claim the power cannot use the power. Have you seen any dead people raised to life lately?

Laws do change. Even God's law changes. On one occasion, a man was instructed to build an ark. Another time, God told a man to lead his people out of his home country into a foreign country. Neither of these laws apply to those who live today. Laws needed and applied under previous ages do not constitute standards(laws) for the present.

God gave a law to govern the descendants of Abraham(Deuteronomy 5:2-3). God did not give this law to continue throughout all generations, without end(Hebrews 8:7). This law included what men call "The Ten Commandments"(II Corinthians 3:7-18). Of this law, it was said, "He taketh away the first that he may establish the second"(Hebrews 10:9). This law was not intended for all times and it "made nothing perfect"(Hebrews 7:19). When any part of the old law is bound on God's people, it causes them to "fall from grace"(Galatians 5:4).

Jesus Christ is the author of the law under which we live(Hebrews 7:22). It is a New Testament(Hebrews 9:15), by which all men(Jew and Gentile), can be subject to God(Galatians 3:27-28). Faithful obedience to Christ's law will insure one a home in heaven(Revelation 2:10).

Men who teach people to observe the Sabbath, practice tithing, use musical instruments in worship, burn incense in services, and insist on following the "Ten Commandments" are ignoring Christ's law.

What law are you following?

Far too many people associate religion with parties, prizes, fairs, food, fun, and frolic. One person was led to observe that the smell of coffee and doughnuts put him in a religious mood. One has only to read church advertisements to see how often these practices are found.

The church of Christ meeting at Santa Fe Hills uses no gimmicks. Sure--we want a crowd(at every service). We do not, however, want a crowd influenced by the offer of those items named in the previous paragraph. When such enticements are given for attendance, they fall far short of inspiring people to spiritual service and dedication to Christ. Some in the Lord's time followed him for "loaves and fishes." They "dropped out" when the fish was gone.

We offer to this community the gospel of Christ as the power of God unto salvation(Romans 1:16). Since we accept the church as a spiritual institution, we work to keep her free of activities that rob her of any spirituality(Ephesians 5:27). The kingdom(or church) was designed to praise God(Ephesians 3:21). This can be accomplished only by respecting her nature.

When you search for a group of people intent upon studying the Bible, praising God, respecting spiritual things, and saving souls, you need to investigate the church of Christ at Santa Fe Hills.