Bible Thoughts December 12, 2004
Out of Control
"Now it came about on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword and...killed every male"(Genesis 34:25).
A prince of the land forced himself upon Dinah, Jacob's daughter, committing a terrible sin. Two of Jacob's sons "took" their "swords" and inflicted death upon "every male." "Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought trouble on me by making me odious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and Perizzites; and my men being few in number, they will gather together against me and attack me and I will be destroyed, I and my household"(Genesis 34:30).
Proper punishment of the guilty parties of defiling Dinah should have been administered. Apparently, Simeon and Levi were out of control, causing them to go beyond simply punishing the guilty parties, but even those who were not involved in the terrible sin. Jacob feared what would happen due to their actions. Jacob decided to "go up to Bethel and live there"(Genesis 35:3).
There are many situations in which a lack of control has caused many difficulties for mankind. The Bible clearly teaches that one is to be subject to the Gospel of Christ and learn to control ones emotions and actions. It is not an easy task, but it is right!
It does not take a great amount of observing to know that much in our society is out of control. All one has to do is pick up the morning newspaper and just peruse the headlines. There is no doubt that, in general, there are a host of our citizens that fail to be in control of their thinking and action. Murders, rapes, beatings, cheatings, lying, thievery, and all sorts of iniquities make the front page. Our society, as those of the past, pursue a life style that is described in II Timothy 3:2-5, "For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanders, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Christians, however, take control of their passions and live a righteous life.
There are even congregations that are out of control. Some brethren have abandoned the scriptures in various areas and refuse to change the route to apostasy they are encouraging and following. The control book for the Lord's church is the New Testament. The instructions, examples, and admonitions identify the work of the church of Christ and the patterns that are contained in the Law of Jesus Christ. Those who refuse to search the scriptures and follow the instructions revealed in the Lord's word will someday answer for being out of control due to their departure from the truth contained in God's book. Elders, teachers, and preachers(and all saints) must follow closely what is happening in the congregation and make every effort to keep the saints under control of the Gospel. It is their duty to guide as well as to see that the word of God is respected in very area. Elders must "exhort in the sound doctrine...and...convict the gainsayers"(Titus 1:9).
The failure to be controlled by the book of
God was obvious in the apostasy of the Roman Catholic Church, and,
several centuries later the Christian church--think about it!
Out of the
Past(To young people)
Parents can have a godly home. Such a home is a great blessing to them and to their children. Children can be a great help in making their home what it ought to be. Unless children lend a hand, parents cannot do very much. We must receive the training that they give us. We must put it into our lives. We can help our parents by living in such a way that they will not have to worry about us. If they can know that we have high principles and that we will do right, even when we are away from home, that will help a great deal.
Then we can study our Bible. We can learn the Lord's will. We can do our part to improve our homes. In a certain home, where there had never been a family prayer, one of the boys, after supper one night, asked the family to come into the living room. Then he read a Scripture. His brother led a prayer. The father was not a Christian. He determined that night to be a better example to his sons. Soon he obeyed the Lord. His sons led him to Christ. Now they have prayer every night in that home. The father takes part in the worship.
Our parents are human. They sometimes make
mistakes. It is not right as children to criticize them when we see
their mistakes. But we can talk with them about such things. We can
set a good example in such things. When all the members of the
family do their part, homes will be what God wants them to be.-Gospel
Advocate, April 7, 1932.
"But Peter and John answered and said
unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto
you rather than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the
things which we saw and heard"(Acts
4:19-20). Would it not be wonderful if all preachers would speak that
which is contained in the scriptures? Peter and John had been
commanded "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus."
Without any hesitation, they said they would speak the truth as it
came from God. Do you wonder why so many preachers preach so many
different doctrines? Is it not because some are not speaking as the
"oracles of God?" Their lessons may be based on what some worldly
minded authority had to say or be a pleasant address that offends no
one or material taken from a human creedbook, but, unfortunately,
none of these reflect the teachings of Christ and the apostles. If
you visit with the church of Christ, we will speak and teach, not the
doctrines of men, but the doctrine of Christ.
"And the multitude of them that
believed were of one heart and one soul; and not one of them said
that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had
all things common"(Acts
4:32).
The early Christians felt for the needs of others. They willingly sacrificed to see that other disciples were properly clothed and fed. Their actions were motivated by the love they had for each other. They were of "one heart and one soul." Whatever they possessed, they shared. This unity of spirit characterized Christians in the early church; it characterizes those who are Christians at the present. Individuals who love the Lord love those who belong to the Lord. When opportunity presents itself to help, they are willing to sacrifice. The real spirit of giving is demonstrated in this example among the early Christians. Even in our day Christians will sacrifice in order to see to the needs of others. Personal concerns and personal action is a way of life for those who follow the scriptures.