A Minute With The Bible Aired during April, 2002 The Hebrew writer stated, "It is appointed unto man once to die..."(9:27). The inevitable decree for all humans is death. Should one reach the age of 100, most consider that almost unbelievable. After all, man is fallible and his spirit inhabits a mortal body. Hence, humans eventually die. Death is not the worst thing that can occur to a person. Failing to live the proper life as a Christian is the worst thing. When we have the knowledge that we are but mortal and that someday, the sentence of death will be upon us, we should give thought to our own lives and how we have lived(and are living) each day. What kind of behavior identifies me as a person? Am I useful to others? Do I care about my family? Have I guided those whom I love in the right way by the example that I set? While I am alive, use the power that was endowed by the Creator and live right!
The Hebrew writer said, "And inasmuch as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment"(9:27). All men are subject to death. All men are subject to be judged by Jehovah, the righteous judge. Judgment will not be as men define or practice it. Judgment will reveal the thoughts and actions of humans and sentence will be passed by the only one who can know all of the thoughts and intents of one's heart. So, my friend, you and I will someday answer for our conduct in this life. The lesson is simple: we must prepare for that judgment through our own attitudes and conduct. The word of God, applied to our hearts and practiced in our lives will prepare us to be ready when we stand before the righteous judge. While one may escape the consequences of one's thinking and behavior in this life, it will not happen in the day of judgment. All things will be revealed on that day.
"And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell"(Matthew 10:28). The subject(and the idea) of hell is not popular with a large portion of mankind. Nevertheless, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed that such exists. Furthermore, he identified those who would be in an eternal hell. It is not difficult to understand what the New Testament says about eternal punishment. It is difficult for men, even religious teachers, to accept what the Lord taught. For those who put their trust in Christ and His word have no doubt about the existence of hell. They also understand that those who refuse to obey and follow the commands of Jesus Christ will suffer the eternal punishment of hell. There is no reason for one to be lost in such a place. The Lord shed his blood so that through obedience to his will, we will not suffer eternal punishment.
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven..."(Matthew 5:12). The result of living a righteous life through obedience to the Law of Jesus Christ is heaven. Not a paradise on earth, since the earth will be destroyed at Christ's coming, but an eternal home for the soul. As Jesus pointed out, it will be "great!" Disciples of Christ want all people to go to heaven. They sacrifice in order to influence them; they live righteous lives in order to guide them; they study the word of God in order to teach them. They want their friends, their neighbors, and yes--their enemies to go to heaven. Christ died that mankind might have the hope of eternal life in heaven. In order to have that life, one must follow the Lord's commandments. When the gospel is heard, belief is to follow, repentance must be evident, after confession one is buried in water baptism. The remainder of one's life is to be dedicated to the service of God. The reward: an eternal home in heaven!
"Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil"(Matthew 5:17). When Jesus Christ walked among men, he lived under the law of Moses. He lived a life that fully complied with the requirements of that law. He fulfilled the prophecies of a Messiah and He lived as a Hebrew during his earthly sojourn. When he completed his life and his sacrifice, the law of Moses was abolished. Today, we live under a new covenant, the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are worthwhile lessons to be gleaned from that old testament, but the requirements are not bound upon any since the day of Pentecost. Sabbath observance, tithing, and other commands of Moses are not part of the law of Christ. Christians are free from the bondage of that law and submit themselves to the teaching of Jesus Christ as revealed through inspired men in the New Testament.
Jesus commanded his disciples to "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation"(Mark 16:15). Since the law of Moses was nailed to the cross, it was imperative to seek the salvation of mankind through the gospel of Christ. The source of religious truth today is the New Testament. Such is what inspired men revealed and taught. When the last inspired man died, the gospel was completely revealed. We have that gospel in the New Testament of Jesus Christ. When the one who desires to please God searches the New Testament, he can find the requirements of God for those of us who live today. It cannot be found in the creedbooks and manuals of men, nor uninspired "prophecies,"--it is in God's book. For almost 2000 years, the New Testament has stood the test. Why? It is God's book. It reveals the will of God for all who lived since the day of Pentecost, AD 33.
Jesus said, "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets"(Matthew 7:12). This statement is often called "the golden rule." It is golden because of the message. If this principle is applied in every life, there would be no thefts, no murders, no wars, no cheating, lying, or sins that injure mankind. When one is decent and caring, the example helps others to practice the same. When one is energetic and dedicated to relieving the pains of others, it helps the one who is in pain as well as the one who helps to relieve such. If you do not want someone to hurt you, do not hurt them. If you want someone to be civil toward you, be civil toward them. If you desire someone to speak kindly of you, speak kindly of them. The Lord knew best; he knew mankind; and he knew how to instruct others on how to treat their fellows. Make ours a better world: follow the Lord's teachings.
Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father who is heaven"(Matthew 7:21). Simply saying the name of the Lord is not enough for one to be acceptable to God. The one who truly wants to serve the Lord must also do his will. There are those who teach that one has only to believe and the Lord will give them salvation. It is obvious such is false. The read passage makes it clear that, to be acceptable to the Lord, one must do "the will" of God. No one has a right to take away any of the instructions of the New Testament and no one has the right to add to what is revealed therein. The interest of Christians is in adhering to the word of God, without change or altering that word. When a garden is planted, pure seed is sown to produce the proper plant. When the seed, which is the word of God, is planted in a person's heart, it will produce a Christian, nothing more and nothing less.
The apostle Paul observed, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned..."(Romans 16:17). The early churches had problems with those who would divide the body of Christ. Religious division has been continued to be a problem since those early days. Division is caused by those who refuse to follow the word of God. Human disciplines and manuals contribute to such divisions. Paul was plain: what is "contrary to the doctrine" is divisive in nature. There are thousands of religious groups in our nation, divided one from another. The cure for such confusion is to open the New Testament, study what is taught therein, and apply it to every teaching and practice. There can be unity among religious peoples if we are willing to accept what Christ revealed in His word.
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness" (Romans 10:10). There are many who will claim they have "heart-felt religion." Some would even pat the chest and say, "I feel it in my heart." Unfortunately, the heart of which Paul speaks is not the physical blood pump, but the reasoning part of man, the mind. The Lord's word is reasonable; the process by which one becomes a Christian is reasonable; the manner in which Christians live is reasonable. All of such is motivated in the spiritually minded person. It is not physical feelings that assure one of salvation. Rather, it is the belief in one's heart(mind) in the word of God. The Lord did not state that one has some kind of mysterious experience that makes the fleshly part of man to be agitated or given a "feel-good" state. When the gospel is taught, a person will become persuaded through sound reasoning to accept the word of God, not some "better felt than told" reaction.
Saul of Tarsus said, "I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth"(Acts 26:9). The apostle Paul is reflecting upon his past conduct. His feelings had led him to persecute Christians. He did not hesitate to put them into prison and consent to their deaths because he felt that he was doing God service. When Saul of Tarsus understood that he was wrong, he changed, and the apostle Paul was the result. One cannot depend upon human feelings when it comes to religion. In fact, each of us respond a little differently from others when we depend upon human feelings. The Lord revealed a standard by which all of us can be acceptable to him: the New Testament. All of our beliefs and practices in religion must be based upon the revealed word of God. To find the truth, search the scriptures.
"And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"(II Thessalonians 2:11). When one does not possess an open mind to the truth, they are easily deceived. The condition of which Paul speaks is not limited to the days of the apostles. Through the centuries men have been deceived into believing what is false. Persuasive speakers with deceptive manners present error in such a way that many are led into false ways. No person accepts what is wrong unless he is willing to be responsive. If one desires the truth, he can discern between what is right and what is wrong. If one is filled with the teachings of those who do not respect God's word, they will believe a lie. Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:32). Are you free?
Solomon observed, "...of the making of books there is no end..."(Ecclesiastes 12:12). Even in the days before the printing press, there were many books available. Solomon, the wise man, knew the nature of man and what he was capable of accomplishing. From the first written book, to the last one off of a printing press today, the shelves are filled. There are books on every subject, some good--some bad--and some that only occupy space. The book of books, however, is the one that God authored. The statement from Solomon is in the book of books. The Bible will acquaint you with the history of God's people; the Bible will teach you how to live a righteous life; the Bible will instruct you on how to get to heaven. It is the book of books because the instruction is an appeal to the soul of man. No other book exists that can prepare you for the next life. Have you studied your Bible today?
Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah as he spoke, "But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men"(Mark 7:7). Substitutes for the word of God have been in existence almost from the beginning of the world. Men are not happy with what God has revealed, so they take the liberty of writing human creedbooks and manuals. When one is satisfied with the revelation of Jesus Christ, he feels no need to devise precepts and doctrines of man's own invention. The word of God is not difficult to understand when we are willing to accept what it says. Human disciplines and manuals confuse people. They add to and subvert the word of God. That problem existed while Christ was on the earth; it exists in our day. Vain worship is the result of the doctrines of men. Weigh all that you hear by what is revealed in the New Testament. This is the infallibly safe way.
Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away"(Luke 21:33). The Lord prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem; it came to pass. The Lord stated that he would build His church; it happened in AD 33. The Lord stated that this world would someday come to an end; it will occur. The world in which we live is bound by time and material. It is not eternal--it will someday be no more. The word of God, however, continues to live whatever may be the disasters of this earth. This word, the Bible, contains the message of salvation and hope to all mankind. There is no other book that can give this assurance. This book, however, is of no use to you unless you are willing to follow the commands contained therein. The New Testament, God's standard for today, is Christ's word: it will not "pass away."
A master said, to one who had wisely used his talents, "Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord"(Matthew 25:21). The reward for following the commands of Jesus Christ is Heaven. Faithfulness, however, is the condition. While some of our neighbors teach and believe that "belief only" will save one, the Lord does not teach such and the New Testament does not approve such. If one desires to please God and go to Heaven, he must be faithful to the commands of Jesus Christ. A "good and faithful" servant seeks to learn the will of the Lord and to follow what is commanded. Many may have some kind of faith; few have the courage to have the faith of which Jesus speaks. Such faith will lead one to obey the gospel of Christ and to walk day by day in the path of godliness.
The Proverb writer advised, "My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent"(1:10). The expression "just say no" is appropriate in regard to temptation. When one is young and vital, temptation is strong. The inspired man encouraged the offspring to avoid those who would lead them into sin. "Entice" is the way the author stated such, for one is attracted by sin, then he is enticed, and then he consents. A New Testament writer points out that "...each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is full-grown, bringeth forth death"(James 1-14-15). Such happens not to the young only, but to all ages. It behooves each person to stand firm when Satan tempts to entice into sin. Be strong enough to "just say no."