Bible Thoughts

October 22, 2000

How many times, when someone has been given a plain Bible passage, has it been said, "That is your opinion." Paul had not taught his "opinions"; he taught the word of God. It was not messages he created, but what he received by divine revelation.

It is not a human opinion that comes from a Christian when the word of God is taught. It is the revelation from God and is intended to be preached as God intended, that is, without addition or subtraction. Many times, when a passage is presented without comment, one responds, "That is your opinion."

Is it a human opinion when the very words of Christ are read? Is "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"(Mark 16:16) one's opinion or Christ's teaching? It is not human opinion to teach the necessity of faith and baptism: that comes straight from Jesus Christ. It is, however, a human opinion to say, "I believe a sinner can be saved without being baptized."

Is it a human opinion when one can read of his/her religious practices in the Bible? When noting that the early church engaged in evangelism(I Thessalonians 1:8), edification(Ephesians 4:16), and benevolence(Acts 6:1-7), is it a personal opinion to so state? It is human opinion to try to justify adding to the practices for the church described in the New Testament.

Is it a human opinion when one can read in the New Testament of the church of which one is a member? Like the one at Corinth(I Corinthians 1:2), or at Philippi (Philippians 1:1), or the ones mentioned in Romans 16:16, "The churches of Christ..."?

Is it a human opinion to teach that Christians are to engage in worship on the first day of the week that includes singing(Ephesians 5:19), praying(Acts 12:12), giving(I Corinthians 16:2), and partaking of the Lord's Supper(Acts 20:7)? Is it not a man's opinion to say such words as, "I see nothing wrong with instrumental music in worship"...or..."you do not have to observe the Lord's Supper each Sunday?"

Who is depending on opinion? The person who gives Bible authority(book, chapter, and verse) for one's teaching and practice, or the one who says, "I think this is all right?" The answer is obvious, isn't it?-jy

Jesus was talking about the man who built bigger barns, because he had a good crop and because of this he thought he could take it easy, he could rest. But God did not accept this. And Jesus tells us in the above verse, that no matter how much we have if we are not rich towards God then we are like the man with the barns.

We have to ask ourselves what is it to be rich here on earth, and what is it to be rich towards God. This treasure here on earth that Jesus talks about, is it just money and earthly possessions, or is it more than that? You could probably go out and ask a number of people what their definition of being rich is, and many of them would say that it is not just your possessions, but how you live your life. They would say that they are rich because of the family they have, or they have friends who love them and that’s why they are rich. And most people would agree if they live a life where they help others, they are rich and they even believe because of the good they have done on this earth they will get to heaven.

Since the beginning man did not and does not realize that this will not get us to heaven. We can live a life where we help the sick and give to the poor and we can have many friends and a perfect family. We can do so much good that our names will live on for many years, but without God it means nothing, when we die we still end up in hell. But being rich towards God is serving him first, and then if we follow his word completely it will lead us to do all the above good works here on earth. We just need to remember that God comes first, and without him there is nothing.-Vaughn Botha

Complacency is an all too frequent problem within the church. The tendency for us to become comfortable with our situations and no longer strive for the upward calling is a dangerous trend that can affect every individual within the body of Christ.

In Chapter 2 of his letter, James speaks of a spiritually deficient condition. One in which our actions are not evidence of our faith. James says this is not to be so and that it is impossible for this situation to exist. True faith without works cannot be. “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).

How do we fix this plaguing mindset? A deep, and true self- analysis must be done. Let a person so take account of themselves so as to find where they are spiritually lacking in order that they may grow. The question must be asked, “Am I acting as though I am a Christian?” or “Am I a Christian in name only?” Though it is difficult and often times painful to search within for answers that we may not wish to find, it is necessary and we have a God who helps us in this. Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”(Philippians 4:13). We must develop the dogmatic determination to quest to continually do good, not only just for a short while but for our entire lives.

James links our righteous deeds to our faith, indicating a direct relationship between the two with each feeding off of the other. If we wish to have the true faith that can move mountains and give us the hope of heaven then we will heed his words. Ultimately then we will be considered faithful as Abraham was “...his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did”(James 2:22). It is this approval that every child of God longs for and it is this favor that we all can receive.-Joe Cook