A Minute With The Bible Aired during February, 2002
The Hebrew writer warned, "Be not carried away by divers and strange
teachings"(Hebrews 13:9). The world
is filled with "strange teachings." It does not cease to amaze us how
many different doctrines and teachings can be found even among
religious teachers. Many, who claim to believe the Bible, invent to
themselves ideas that have no foundation in the Word of God. Our
community, as all others, is affected by those who want to invent
something new, something different, or even--something strange. The
unwary are fascinated by such teachings and led into all sorts of
cults and organizations. All teachings that contradict the New
Testament of Jesus Christ are "strange teachings." Such may not seem
to be "far out" as some would state it, but they are "far out" from
what the Bible teaches. Each of us should be willing to question what
is taught by our preacher or teacher. If it is the truth, accept it;
if it is "strange," reject it.
"Every one therefore who shall
confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who
is in heaven"(Matthew 10:32). In
order for one to please the God who created each of us, we must be
willing to acknowledge His existence and His power. A confession,
however, is much more that saying the words. A true confession of
faith involves accepting that which is commanded by the Lord. If one
has the courage to stand up for the Lord and His word in this life,
he will be rewarded in the next life. One who serves the Lord should
not be ashamed of the ways of truth and righteousness. Jesus did not
hesitate to die upon the cross for every human that has ever lived or
will live. The Lord will stand beside us and uphold us as we profess,
and live, the life of a Christian. He will, in the presence of His
Father, be willing to confess the faithfulness of his disciple(s).
The Lord was not ashamed to die for us. Are we willing to live for
him?
Jesus told his disciples, "Think not
that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but
a sword"(Matthew 10:34). Jesus
was(and is) the Prince of Peace. How then, does this passage
complement that truth? The peace that Jesus proclaimed required a
price. Evil must first be conquered before there can be real peace
among people and in the hearts of those who are human. We have strife
in our land, among our families, and in almost all types of
associations. We are saddened that men cannot solve their
differences. Yet, one can still have peace through following the
words of Jesus as found in the New Testament. The peace of Jesus
Christ can bring happiness to a person's soul, calm to a family, and
freedom from strife in a nation. The peace that comes to the soul is
the result of the sword of the Spirit(the word of God-Ephesians
6:17). When we study and apply the word, we will be able to conquer
conflicts.
Jesus said, "And he that doth not
take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of
me"(Matthew 10:38). There is a song
that states, "Must Jesus bear the cross alone?" He did when he died
on Calvary. The Lord did such willingly and lovingly. He wanted men
to be righteous; he wanted men to love others; he wanted men to love
truth. In order for men to have these qualities, they must learn to
follow the Lord and make the sacrifices necessary to please him who
died for each of us. There is a cross that each of us must bear.
There are troubles for each of us; there are problems that arise in
our lives; there are disappointments that plague us. One may even
have to bear the suffering and death as a disciple. Only a
willingness to stand up under these trials can make one "worthy" of
being called a Christian, a disciple of Jesus Christ. Each must bear
his own cross; each needs the Lord's help to do so.
The Lord said, "And ye shall be hated
of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the
same shall be saved"(Matthew 10:22).
Through the centuries, there are many who have not liked Christians,
yea, even hated them. It is possible that they would like Christians
even less if they knew what they believe and teach(what the Bible
reveals). Men have, from the day of Pentecost, despised those who are
Christians. Yet, all the disciple of Christ ever wanted to do was to
live a righteous life that pleases Jehovah. They were beaten,
imprisoned and killed for what they believed and practiced. Our
country offers safe refuge to those who are Christians. Not all
countries offer such protection. We are thankful that we can practice
the religion of Jesus Christ and live in a country where we are free
to do so. Whatever the conditions, however, Christians endure to the
end!
A wise man said, "The mouth of the
righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals
violence"(Proverbs 10:11). Words are
powerful forces. They can uplift the soul or destroy the mind. They
can provide hope or lead one to despair. They can teach and build up
or they can tear down. Words can start a fire in the human heart or
ease the pain one is suffering. Good words bring hope and love;
unpleasant words bring strife and misery. Men can express their
hearts through words or conceal their feelings through hypocrisy.
Each one of us has the power to use our words as "a fountain of life"
or a means of concealing the hatred and animosity within our hearts.
Let each of us resolve to say a kind word to one who is despondent;
an encouraging word to one who is downtrodden; a word of sympathy to
those who suffer. Let our words always be with grace, seasoned with
salt.
"Riches do not profit in the day of
wrath, But righteousness delivers from death"(Proverbs 11:4). Wealth cannot buy a home for the
soul. Only righteousness can deliver one from eternal death. There
are many things that wealth can do in this life, but it cannot
prepare one for the next life. No person, however wealthy, can escape
the inevitable decree: "death passed unto all men." Physical death,
however, is not the worst thing that can happen to a person.
Spiritual death is the penalty for not being faithful to God during
this short life. The practice of righteousness, living the life of a
Christian, delivers one from spiritual death. All of the wealth one
can accumulate, all of the power one can acquire, and all of the
secular knowledge one may pursue cannot, and will not, keep one from
death nor keep a soul from eternal separation from God. Only by
righteousness can one have eternal life.
The Proverb writer stated, "The
merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself
harm"(11:17). The quality of mercy
is evident throughout the Bible. It was the mercy of God that spared
Adam and Eve. It was the mercy of God that he permitted the
rebellious Israelite nation to continue to exist. It was the mercy of
God that sent His Son to die upon the cross for all of humanity.
Mercy is a characteristic of those who desire to please the Lord in
the present. This world needs more who will do good through mercy.
There has been enough cruelty; there has been enough harm. The writer
states that the "cruel man does himself harm." How I treat others and
how I react to others will decide my fate. Jesus Christ is the
epitome of mercy as he asked the Father, while being crucified,
"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." How merciful
am I?
"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it
down, But a good word makes it glad"(Proverbs 12:25). Worry takes its toll on any human.
It costs him sleep, rest, and energy. Many of our society have a
difficult time because we are anxious about that which belongs to
this life. We are anxious about our families, our jobs, our nation,
our health, and a host of other cares with which we are burdened.
When you are anxious, have you not been lifted up when someone spoke
a word of encouragement? Perhaps by knowing people care, we begin to
feel relaxed and realize that our situation is not as bad as we
assumed. We should not only receive a "good word," but we need also
to give a "good word" to those who are having difficulties and
problems. Much of the time we will find that our circumstances are
not as bad as we thought. A kind word, a pleasant thought, and a
smile can bring gladness.
"Beloved, while I was giving all
diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, I was
constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for
the faith which was once for all delivered unto the
saints"(Jude 3). Honest men contend
for the truth. This is true in everyday life; it is true in religion.
The faith of which Jude writes is the gospel of Christ. It was
complete when the last inspired man laid down his pen. There has been
no latter day revelations for Jude said it was "once for all": Not
later on, not additional, not to be abridged, but ONCE FOR ALL. The
New Testament supplies everything that we need in order to please the
God who made us. Whatever we say, however we live, and whatever hope
we have must be based on that faith which was "once for all delivered
unto the saints."
Jude 16 reveals, "These are
murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts(and their mouth
speaking great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the
sake of advantage." The writer is
addressing those who did not follow the will of Christ in regard to
conduct. They used their speech to murmur and complain. They desired
to have their own way, regardless of the outcome. They followed their
own lusts and used "great swelling words" to promote themselves. They
took advantage of others by showing "respect of persons."
Troublemakers of this sort harm the family, the neighborhood, the
government, and all associations of society. Such disruption is
created and maintained by a lack of respect for the word of God and a
life of righteousness. It even happens in religion.
Jude encouraged, "But ye, beloved,
remember ye the words which have been spoken by the apostles of our
Lord Jesus Christ"(Jude 3). The
writer would then explain that some would try to harm them
spiritually. His remedy: remember what the inspired men taught them.
The same is true for those who have lived since the time of Jude. We
are to follow the words of the apostles of Christ as set forth in the
New Testament. If we take the time to study and meditate, then apply,
what we find in the will of Christ, we can be righteous in God's
sight. Of course, there are many books of religion that are published
by men. None, however, can take the place of the words of the
apostles as recorded in the New Testament of Jesus Christ. Let each
of us search the divine record and follow the teachings of God's Son.
"But ye, beloved, building up
yourselves in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life"(Jude
20-21). What an encouragement to those who desire to do what is right
in God's sight. When I keep myself in the "love of God" I will be
anxious to learn about his holy faith. As I learn about the death of
His Son and what it means to those who are sinful, the mercy of God
is extended to me. Through learning the requirements of the "holy
faith," the honest person will respond to the requirements for
eternal life. That mercy is applied to the heart that believes in
Christ, repents of one's sins, confesses Christ before men, and is
buried with him in baptism, followed by a life of faithful service.
Have you claimed this mercy?
An inspired man wrote, "And this is
love, that we should walk after his commandments"(II John 6). It would be difficult to express it any
plainer than this inspired writer. He tied following the commandments
of God with love. He tied love with the following of the commandments
of God. Love is expressed through the trust that one has in another.
If I love God, then I will trust in Him. I will take the time to find
out His will, accept and obey what is commanded, and walk a life that
demonstrates the love I have for the creator of all men. This
principle is found not only in this passage, but throughout the New
Testament. The affection that I have for Jehovah will be measured by
the willingness that I have to follow what he commands. Let each of
us ask ourselves, "Just how much do I love God?"
An inspired man wrote, "And hereby we
know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I
know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth
is not in him"(I John 2:4-5). The
writers of the New Testament were plain spoken men. They told it like
it is! The honest person respects such individuals. Do you want the
truth from your physician, from your lawyer, from your teacher, from
your parents, ad infinitum? Then why not demand truth from those who
propose to speak in the name of Christ? Should we not ask for Bible
proof when they claim to speak in the name of Christ? Or, is the
appeal to the writings of inspired men? Those who speak for Christ
prove their sincerity by always appealing to the New Testament for
every teaching and practice. They keep his commands!
I John 2:9-10 states, "He that saith
he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even
until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there
is no occasion of stumbling in him."
Hatred has caused many conflicts; love has settled many conflicts.
When hate dominates a person's heart, he lives in darkness. When love
dominates a person's heart, he lives in the light. As one loves
another, he does not want to harm that person, nor does he wants
others to do so. Hatred has caused many wars; love has settled many
differences. Hatred has brought much misery; love has produced much
happiness. The greatest example of love was in the death of Christ on
the cross. He gave His life that each of us might have life. Let each
of us remove hatred and embrace love. It really works!