A Minute With The Bible
Aired during July,
2001
"Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the
countenance the heart is made glad"(Ecclesiastes 7:3). How different
from the way most folks look at life. Our age has more activities to
bring more fun in more different ways than any before us. The aim of
the majority is to have a good time; a time full of laughter that is
not tainted by any disappointments or sadness. The writer is not
saying laughter has no value. He is saying that sorrow has a greater
impact upon one's attitude and conduct than laughter. When touched by
sadness, there is a time for meditation and reflection. Sadness will
cause one to realize his/her own littleness. It will also lead one to
a greater dependence upon others, and especially, upon God. Laughter
has some value; sadness has a great value. If you were never sad, you
would never appreciate the laughter.
"Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in
the sight of all men"(Romans 12:17). It is not easy for humans to
take mistreatment. The natural reaction is to "get even." However,
the inspired apostle Paul stated that such a behavior is not
acceptable to God. To be able to take evil and, in turn, to do good
to the evildoer is the mark of a Christian. Jesus demonstrated such
an attitude as he asked Jehovah to forgive those who crucified him.
The second part of the read verse points out the proper conduct for
one who is a disciple of Christ is to act honorable toward all men.
If one does you a wrong, repay in kindness. If one curses you, do not
curse back. When others mistreat you, this is no license to repay
them in mistreatment. In fact, that makes the offended one no better
than the offender. The righteous person does not repay evil for evil.
"If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all
men"(Romans 12:18). Jesus was the prince of peace and he desired that
all men live in peace. By his death on the cross, he brought forth a
way of peace through his gospel. It is his desire that Christians
live in peace with one another and with all men. It is not easy to
do. There are those who provoke our passions and cause us to be angry
often. Yet, it is one's responsibility to seek peace and pursue it.
There are times, however, when it is not possible to be at peace.
Exposing immorality, challenging false doctrines, and teaching the
principles of truth will make some angry. And yet, it is not the aim
of righteous people to deliberately make others angry. The gospel of
peace is practiced by those who follow the prince of peace. Do you
have peace with God and with others?
"Whoso loveth correction loveth knowledge; But he that hateth reproof
is brutish"(Proverbs 12:1). All of us, as humans, need correction at
times. In fact, correction is a form of teaching. It is bringing one
to truth rather than error. The one who hates reproof is "brutish,"
that is, insensible to the teachings andn practice of righteousness.
Think: When I fail, do not I need instruction? When I make a mistake,
do not I need correction? The very nature of the human makes one
fallible, that is, subject to mistake and errors. One of the kindest
acts toward another is to correct a person when they sin. This also
applies to the teaching of false doctrine. If I am teaching and
believing something that is not true, should it not be called to my
attention? If you went to a physician, would you not expect all of
the truth? Or a lawyer? Yet, people in religion become angry when the
word of God is taught in plainness and simplicity.
"The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue
is but for a moment"(Proverbs 12:19). Truth is not bound by time, nor
by human nature. Truth is truth at any time, in any age. Lies
however, are not lasting. In fact, one lie often brings on others.
Our world is so filled with lies that is it difficult to know whom to
believe. In some areas, it is extremely difficult to get one to tell
the truth. One person spoke of "political lies." That is, lies that
are not offensive(?) and do little harm(in their eyes). The truth is:
A lie is a lie whether told by you or me or a government official or
a religious teacher. There is no way to justify telling untruths. It
not only hurts when it is told, but will continue to harm as it is
repeated and believed. The Proverb writer stated that lying was but
for a moment. Wasn't he saying that one lie has to be supported by
another lie? Just tell the truth in religion, in politics, in
government, in the home, in the school and in every place.
"A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up
anger"(Proverbs 15:1). It is not easy to control the anger of
another. However, Solomon is giving a method that will work. Have you
not, at some time, by a "soft" answer calmed an angry person? Most
have. Proper response to one who is out of control can produce a
positive affect. Only a few words can soothe one who is upset.
However, to demonstrate anger in return, will often stir up more
anger. Hardly an adult lives that has not experienced both of these
responses and both of these approaches. Anger brought on by inflamed
speech has caused many a politician to fall. Anger in a parent may
cause a child to suffer. Anger in a mate could end up in separation.
One who is controlled by anger is out of control and will, in some
way, bring harm to self or to others. If you become angry, remember,
"Let not the sun go down upon your wrath"(Ephesians 4:26).
"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full
of feasting with strife"(Proverbs 17:1). Living in a house of turmoil
is an unpleasant experience. However wealthy and accomplished may be
its members, a family that is continually at strife is a miserable
condition in which one lives. It would be better not to have so much
of this world's goods. Peace is not really found in materialism, but
in following the commands of Jesus Christ. Too many believe that if I
only had this or that, conditions would be better. In many cases, it
is worse. The more wealth, the more fighting. Material substance does
not bring the peace that men need. Sacrifice will, in truth, cause
one to realize how badly one needs the Lord and needs to follow his
ways. A house cannot long stand when only strife and bitterness are
its assets. How is it where you live?
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may
bring forth"(Proverbs 27:1). Men plan. In fact, many have great
plans. They are going to do this and do that. Not all ambitions are
realized. As the writer points out, you do not know the future. You
may plan for a long life; however, such is not promised. You may have
great ideas; but they may only live in your mind. Whatever some may
boast, there is no predicting the future in humans. Do you know for
sure what will happen in the next hour? next day? next year? One man
that Jesus told about thought he did, but he didn't! Solomon is
encouraging one not to be boastful; one's plans may never be
realized. There is a plan that will be fulfilled: If you obey the
gospel of Christ and remain faithful, you will have a home in heaven.
"It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear
the song of fools"(Ecclesiastes 7:5). Only a wise man could fully
realize this truth. Because someone praises you does not mean that
you have accomplished anything worthwhile. Your friends often do not
want to embarrass you; your relatives do not want to shame you.
So--many of them will pass you compliments to avoid hurting your
feelings. They do not want to hurt you; but they do not tell you the
truth. Always be aware of WHO is doing the praising. On the other
hand, the wise person will point out, to those whom he cares about,
faults that need to be corrected. A true friend will go so far as to
"rebuke" you. Do not be upset when someone corrects you; they are
showing how much they love you. Accept it with gladness; apply it
with diligence.
"Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who
knoweth not how to receive admonition any more"(Ecclesiastes 4:13).
Whatever one's age, it is appropriate to be admonished(taught). Young
people need instruction; older people need instruction; and all of
those in between need such as well. No man knows everything,
especially about righteousness. One must grow through study of the
word of God. When one is willing to listen, the stage for learning is
set. If a person reaches the state that he/she quits learning, or
seeking to learn, only misery will follow. The very idea behind
spiritual growth is that one continues until the end of life to
learn. However powerful, however wise or however wealthy, an open
mind to receive truth is a blessing. The young man or woman who will
seek and learn the truth is closer to God than the older person who
rejects instruction. Think: Are you still learning?
"Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter
any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth:
therefore let thy words be few"(Ecclesiastes 5:2). The writer is
addressing what one should do when he makes a promise in the house of
God. If one cannot fulfill a vow, it should not be uttered. A
person's promise should be sacred to the individual and be performed
if at all possible. There are many folks in our time who make
promises, but do not fulfill what they say they will do. Men may look
upon such a matter as trivial, but God considers one's words to be
the mark of one who pleases Him. It is easy to make a promise; it is
more difficult to fulfill promises. Even if it is inconvenient or
costs me time and money, do what you say you will do. In a few words,
speak the truth while doing all within your power to live up to what
you promise.
"Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for
them that see the sun"(Ecclesiastes 7:11). The wisest of mortal men
spoke these words. Solomon valued learning and sought such with all
of his power. His wisdom was respected not only within Israel, but
even foreign leaders would come to listen to the one who spoke so
accurately about the ways of men. People like to receive
inheritances. But Solomon stated there was something better: wisdom.
He searched for more learning and understanding; so should each
individual. Wisdom will assist you in dealing with life and enable
one not only to help self, but will enable one to help others in
their needs for knowledge. We note much of Solomon's wisdom in his
writings. However, the wisdom that is gained through the Testament of
Jesus Christ outweighs all of the wisdom of Solomon for it contains
the knowledge that leads to heaven. Be wise: study the word of God.
"Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright: but they
have sought out many inventions"(Ecclesiastes 7:29). Most are
acquainted with the events that took place in the Garden of Eden. The
first couple chose to eat of the forbidden fruit and were cast forth
from the garden. They had been upright(pure and holy) to that point.
When Satan tempted, they yielded. Since that many ways in which men
seek to follow the lusts and passions of the flesh, resulting in more
sins. Satan has made his way attractive to mankind. The enticements
offered will lead to seeking even more "inventions" by which one
sins. Man can be upright, but each person must make a solemn resolve
not to follow the many inventions that are offered by the god of this
world. My friend, do not seek out the inventions of Satan; seek the
peace and happiness of the gospel of Christ.
"What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the
sun?"(Ecclesiastes 1:3). Men strive for many different goals in this
life. If one desires riches, he will spend his time seeking wealth
and ways to increase that wealth. When a person wants fame, his
interest and time is spent in pursuing such. When one desires the
things of this life and the sensual pleasure that comes from such,
this is how he will spend his efforts. Yet, what does it all profit?
Not one single item that we mentioned will spare a person from death.
Men waste their years in the pursuit of pleasure, satisfaction of the
flesh, and other goals that have no meaning beyond this life. There
is a life, however, that can be lived and will result in a happiness
that cannot be found in any other relationship or pursuit. It does
profit under the Sun to be a faithful Christian. Would you like to
learn more?
"By faith we understand faith the worlds have been framed by the word
of God,so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which
appear"(Hebrews 11:3). No human was present when the earth was
brought into existence. The only way that we can learn what happened
is by divine revelation. Men speculate as to the origin of the
universe; the Bible answers their inquiries. God spoke; it happened.
Not all of the wisdom of men can create life; not all of the wisdom
of men can bring matter into existence from non-matter. Whatever may
be the claims of those who profess how "learned" they are, only God
has the power to create. Man only discovers and must start with what
already exists in order to progress in this life. The evidence speaks
for itself: man cannot create, only improve.
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God
bearing witness in respect of his gifts; and through it he being dead
yet speaketh"(Hebrews 11:4). The difference in the offerings was that
one followed the instructions of God and the other did not. When one
has the type of faith of Abel, he will seek to do as God has
commanded. Cain followed his own will and failed to be approved of
the Lord. One of the problems of our religious world is that they
seek out many inventions. Men take liberty with the instructions of
God and change it to suit their own fallible ways. Cain was cursed
for his failure to follow the Lord as well as his violence in killing
his brother. Is that not a lesson for us? Should we not be careful to
find out what the New Testament teaches and follow it? You know the
answer, don't you?
"By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as
yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his
house..."(Hebrews 11:7). Noah was concerned about two things:
pleasing God and saving his family. Noah was a righteous man, that
is, one who followed and worshipped Jehovah. God chose to save Noah
and his family on the basis of Noah's faith. The Lord knew his life;
the Lord knew his willingness to follow God's commands; the Lord knew
that Noah was the hope for the future. Noah was moved with "godly
fear." Not a fear that characterizes those who are not righteous, but
an awesome respect for the one who created him. When God spoke, Noah
listened. When God directed; Noah followed. The result: he saved his
household by faith. Noah's trust in God did not make him question
what was right: he just followed what the Lord said and built the
ark. Would you have done as Noah?
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the
patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit"(Ecclesiastes
7:8). Satisfaction is gained in the completion of a task. One may be
enthusiastic about a work to be performed, but when it is finished,
it is time to rejoice. Patience enters into completing any ambition.
The word literally carries the idea of perseverance. Or, keeping on
keeping on. When it comes to spiritual matters, patience is the
quality that every disciple must acquire. For the end of patience is
a home in heaven. The rejoicing of one when he/she first obeys the
gospel is overshadowed by the joy that is ahead at the end of life.
This goal of heaven is ever on the Christian's mind. Through patient
endurance the disciples will find that the "end is better than the
beginning."
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual service"(Romans 12:1). The world knows little about
sacrifice. We live in an age of abundance. It is almost unimaginable
that so much wealth is available to so many people. Yet, even one who
has much of the world's abundance can follow and obey the Lord. The
way in which one is devoted to God is outlined in this passage when
Paul said, to "present your bodies a living sacrifice." For the
majority, such is not easy and, hence, often rejected. Yet, to obtain
a home in heaven, one must be willing to give up any teaching,
practice, or behavior that conflicts with the gospel. This type of
willingness will bring one to the "living sacrifice" of which the
apostle Paul speaks. What have you given up for Jesus Christ?
"And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and
acceptable and perfect will of God"(Romans 12:2). The apostle Paul
had just addressed how Christians are to be living sacrifices. He is
teaching in this passage that we cannot let the world decide for us
what is good and acceptable in God's sight. The only source of
learning for those who would please Jesus Christ is the New
Testament, for it is the "perfect will of God." The word perfect
literally means complete. If something is complete, it needs nothing
else. When one wants to prove in his/her life "the good and
acceptable and perfect will of God," the will of Jesus Christ must be
respected in all areas of morals and religion. A transformation from
unrighteousness to righteousness takes place when one obeys the
gospel of Christ.
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to
that which is good"(Romans 12:9). No one appreciates a person who is
guilty of professing love while not practicing such. That makes the
love hypocritical. The Lord expected the disciples of Christ to love
with an open and honest heart. Hence, Paul is encouraging them to
follow the commands of the Lord. One would be guilty of hypocrisy
when, while claiming to follow the Lord, does not "abhor"(shudder at
its practice), those things which are evil. The Christian will
cleave(glue) himself to that is good, that is, right. Following the
Lord involves supporting all of those good things described in the
word of God while abhorring that which is from Satan, that is, the
practice of sin. Living as God desires is a matter of attitude. What
is your attitude toward sin? What is your attitude toward
righteousness? Do you love good and hate evil?
"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full
of feasting with strife"(Proverbs 17:1). It is unfortunate that our
world finds itself so often in strife and war. Such is not limited to
what exists between nations, but can be found in homes, in schools,
in businesses, and government agencies. Too often, such strife is
over material wealth. It could be that we might do better with less
of this world's goods. A home, for instance, that has only the meager
necessities of life yet has happiness among its members is better
than one that possesses much of this world's material possessions.
Strife often comes from those who want more than they need and seem
never to be satisfied with what they are granted. Quietness and peace
are of great value to those who desire to live a tranquil life.
Solomon had experienced the wealth and fame of this world. He
understood there was something better. Material wealth can never take
the place of kindness, goodness, and mercy.
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