Bible Thoughts May 9, 2004
"Now when Jehoiada reached a ripe
old age he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old at his
death. They buried him in the city of David among the kings, because
he had done well in Israel and to God and His house"(II Chronicles 24:15-16).
There are certain lesser known men in the Old Testament who are worthy saints of God in their generation. Such a one is Johoiada, a man who lived 130 years. His status was such that he was buried in the city of David among the royalty of the nation of Israel. What is it that makes this man of God stand out as a dedicated servant of God? Let us note the following:
"He had done well in Israel" are appropriate words for one who cared about others. His allegiance to God moved him to be of the nature that he would stand up for the people of God in that day. Johoiada did not hesitate to seek the best for those who belonged to Jehovah. This quality could well have been one of the factors that he lived such a long life. Do you remember what Peter reminds us from the Psalms? "He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that he speak no guile. And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it"(I Peter 3:10-11).
Doing what is well is not confined to those
who are leaders of nations, but should be the goal of all those who
would please the Lord. We need to do well within our family unit; we
need to do well among the saints of God; we need to do well with our
neighbors; we need to do well with those who are casual acquaintances
and seek to do well in every opportunity that is available to us.
Out of the Past
Our
risen Lord gave one charge to the disciples. The work they were
charged to do was to evangelize the world. They were not to turn
every one from the error of his way, but to preach the gospel to
every creature. This is the work of the church. As individual
Christians we are to make our own calling and election sure. We are
to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting sanctification in the fear of God. But when we have done
all that we can do to make our characters perfect, we must not think
that we have done our whole duty. We are to work out our own
salvation, not that we may selfishly enjoy the blessing of
redemption, but that we may aid in the conversion of the world. As
members of the body of Christ, we are to provoke one another to love
and to good works. We are to edify one another. But that is not
all; nor is it the chief thing. The evangelization of the world
ought to be our supreme concern.-Archibald McLean, 1891, The
Evangelization of the World, page 382.
The Bible Says: "For thus saith the
Lord, Who created the heavens. Who is God, Who formed the earth and
made it; Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who
formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is no
other"(Isaiah 45:18).
If many of our scientists would believe
that, it would save the government a lot of money. This passage
implies that there is no life on any other planet!-Eugene Britnell
Only A Step
Yet David vowed again, saying, "Your father knows well that I have found favor in your sight, and he said, Do not let Jonathan know this, or he will be grieved. But truly as the Lord lives, there is hardly a step between me and death"(I Samuel 20:3).
The reality of the uncertainty of life and the eminence of death came closer and closer to David as he fled from Saul. Although Jonathan attempted to persuade him to return to Saul's household, David knew of Saul's anger toward him and refused to do so. As he was being pursued, he felt the closeness of death in each movement. As a result of David's feelings, he was able to realize "there is hardly a step between me and death."
There is no doubt there are fewer lessons harder learned by the majority of people than that of the fine line between life and death. Only a thread that can be broken by one breath can end one's existence on this earth. Life is much like the web of a spider, easily broken and cast away. Such facts should cause all people to be more conscious of life and it's worth. Alas, there are but a few who take the steps to prepare for the "breaking of the thread." The last "step" comes too soon. This is the picture of life and death. One heart beat, one breath, "one step" and we are no more in this life. Should this not impress each of us?
As surely as David took the "step" between life and death, so must we. There is a proper way to take such and an improper way. The proper way is to be prepared for the inevitable. "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour"(Matthew 25:13). Since we do not know when we shall take our last breath, be prepared through obeying the gospel and living a life of righteousness. "Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation"(II Corinthians 6:2).
Why wait another day? Obey the Lord before
it is too late. Make each day count by living a life of
righteousness. Remember, "There is but a step between me and death."
If the Lord chose to return on Sunday night between 6 and 7 or on
Wednesday night between 7:30 and 8:30, where would He find me?
Strictly for the
birds: "A new note of harmony was
added to a recent Sunday service at the First Christian church in
Falls City, Nebraska. At the Pastor's request, canary-owning members
brought along their birds to join the organ, choir and congregation
in hymn singing."(in 1959)
Since there is no authority for the use of instrumental music in worship, those who reject the Bible pattern in worship can do as they please. When any person or congregation rejects the teachings of the New Testament on worship, work or organization of the church, there is no limit to what a group(or individual) can engage in for their religious practices.
The denominations are not the only religious folks who reject the teachings of Jesus Christ, but even many of those who will put the sign "church of Christ" on their buildings do not respect the New Testament pattern. When any congregation sets aside the respect for the teachings of Christ, they have taken on the attitude of the denominational world and join hands with those who ignore the truth that is found in the book of God.
There is a sadness when those who have been taught the truth through the Bible classes, preaching, and teaching, ignore the patterns set forth in the New Testament and join with those who no longer follow God's word.