Bible Thoughts

March 10, 2002

Demas was a companion of Paul. He is mentioned among those who were Paul's fellow-workers in Philemon 24. He was, apparently, enthusiastic and supportive of the gospel of Christ and of Paul, the apostle. His name appears alongside that of Luke, the beloved physician, as one who saluted the brethren at Colosse(4:14). The meaning of his name could not be found(perhaps short for Demetrius), but it is inscribed in the annals of history as one who was unfaithful to the cause of the Lord.

What was Demas' problem? He "loved this present world" so much that he forsook the apostle and the way of righteousness. Demas was a dropout! When one loves the world too much, he loves the Lord too little. Many have been captured by the attractions of this life and walked away from the path of godliness.

There are, however, dropouts that can be admired and respected. When one drops out of the ungodliness of the world and walks the path of a disciple of Christ, the person is to be commended. When one drops out of the confusion of denominationalism and becomes only a Christian, the person is trying to please God. When one drops out of an unscriptural position concerning Bible truth, he is to be respected and blessed by those who follow the Word of God.

When you drop out, be sure you are dropping out of that which endangers the soul of man. Do not drop out of the fellowship of the saints, the praising of God, the companionship of the righteous, the joy of salvation, the support of those who are doing good, the happiness of knowing that the faithful are going to heaven, and the path of those who please God. Drop out of sin; never drop out of the "race that is set before us" as disciples of Christ!

Forgiveness is an interesting thing. Sometimes it is easier to forgive others for what they have done to us than it is for us to forgive ourselves for what we have done. This passage gives us insight into the nature of forgiveness. Here, Christ is speaking to His disciples about forgiving others of the sins that they have committed against them. If you are Christ’s disciple the principles expressed here apply to you. You should be willing to forgive others of the things they have done to personally offend you, because the sins that you have committed against God were personally offensive to him. It is easy to forget that the whole point of religion is to build a personal relationship with the Lord of Creation. Religion’s purpose is to reveal God to those who seek Him and to reveal those seekers to God.

Sins committed against God are a direct and pointed rejection of Him. Unlike a speeding violation, which is merely the transgression of an arbitrary standard, the violation of God’s laws are a rejection of God since His laws reflect His nature and who He is. Christ is the standard for which Christian’s reach; if He was willing to forgive those who personally did Him wrong, then His people should be willing to forgive those who have wronged them. The warning of Christ is quiet clear, “…if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive…”. By refusing to forgive others the Christian is purposely rejecting Christ and Christ’s nature. Christ has demonstrated great patience to us because He is “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”(2 Peter 3:9). Christ was content to leave judgement and the attending punishment to His Father and so He was willing to forgive. When we do not forgive, we step on God and elevate ourselves above Him. Not forgiving is a proclamation that the wrongs committed against us are greater than the millennia of wrongs committed against Him. We are saying that it is a worse thing to offend us than it is to offend God. That magnifies us and reduces God.

There is something else to considered as well--when we are unwilling to forgive ourselves of the sins we have committed, we are saying that the grace of God is not capable of assuaging our guilt. It is a statement that our sins are darker and more diabolical than the murder of Christ on the cross. Christ desired that even his murderers be forgiven, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”(Luke 23:34); yet we are unable to forgive ourselves? We must trust in God and forgive where He has forgiven. We must forgive others just as He forgave us, by doing so we demonstrate that God’s way is the best way. When sacrifices are made for His sake and by His will God is glorified. That should be the goal of every Christian.-Scott Huston

The offering of prayers unto God is a privilege to be enjoyed and shared by all obedient believers in Christ. The individual disciple has the opportunity of lifting his voice to the Creator as he takes note of the needs of the supplicant. Under any, and all, occasions the Christian can pray to God for help, assistance, and care(see I Thessalonians 5:17).

A woman can lead others in prayers when it involves other women. They may also lead children who have not yet reached the age of maturity and obeyed the gospel. Mothers should teach their children to pray, instruct other women in how to pray, and be willing to learn everything possible about prayer.

Leading a public prayer is a responsibility of a man. "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting"(I Timothy 2:8). We have no instruction, and no example in the New Testament, of a woman leading a public prayer. In fact, Paul's instruction is very plain in I Timothy 2:11-12, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." Women who take positions of leadership in public prayers, preaching, and other religious activities do so in direct violation of the instructions of God.

Beware of a man with an open mouth and a closed pocketbook.-B. C. Goodpasture