Bible Thoughts

July 25, 2004

A few years ago, a respected author wrote a book about "our naked society." However, he was addressing the problems and difficulties of those who live/lived in the present. The topic, however, could well describe a heap of folks in our time. It would not be a surprise to learn that nudity becomes the standard(except in cold weather!) in the future. There are many people who would not have much to take off!

When the first couple was created and placed in the Garden of Eden, they had no problems with their nakedness for they were free of ungodly thoughts. However, Satan persuaded them to eat of the forbidden fruit. A problem now arose. They realized their own nakedness and Eve became the first seamstress when she sewed fig leaves together for clothing. Such a garment(s) was not acceptable and "the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them"(Genesis 3:21). Fig leaf clothing was not acceptable in the Garden, and it is not acceptable today.

The apostle Paul wrote, "...that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety..."(I Timothy 2:9). The problem addressed in the time of Paul was the over adorning with "gold or pearls or costly raiment." These early saints were having a problem concerning what was important and should be emphasized as a disciple of Christ. One's actions and attitudes should reflect the righteousness of a godly person without an undue emphasis upon one's apparel or jewelry.

Christians are not to be imitators of the world's near naked(or outright nakedness). What will it be like in the future?

The only source that we appeal to is the New Testament. We do not deny the Old Testament, but use the lessons and examples to learn more about the Lord, His word, and the history of God's people. The Law of Moses was given to the Hebrews, not to Gentiles. It was a means to keep the Hebrews as a peculiar people.(However, many of them departed from the instructions of God in that day.) They lacked the dedication that should have been apparent in the people of God. Only the patience of the Almighty God allowed the nation to exist. In all of their mistakes and departures, they should have been different from the world about them--however--they became as the nations round about. Had their loyalty been to the God who created them, they would have a history far removed from what occurred within the nation of Israel. The Jews did not keep the purity of that which God desired of them under the old law.

Christians are different. Each disciple stands upon the faith that one has in the Creator of mankind. The loyalty to the God of Heaven is shown in the life of each Christian. They are disciples because they want to do God's will. They are the chosen people of God in our day because they walk in the paths set forth in the New Testament. Each disciple of Christ searches the scriptures, finding the instructions in the word of God and, from the heart, seek to obey what the Lord has set forth in this age.

Disciples of the Master want to know what is right in religion and morals. There is no other source in this generation. When one visits this local congregation, they will find that all that is taught, believed, and practiced is scriptural in every assembly. The Lord's church is not attractive to the majority of the world.

What is important to the world is not always important to those who compose the Lord's church. "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works"(Titus 2:14). Christians belong to the Lord. They have obeyed the gospel and put aside the world with all of its iniquities and misgivings in order to be dedicated to the Lord. Even the Lord knew that not many folks will seek the truth and obey the commands therein. The few who respond to the call of the gospel have given up the attractions of the world that cause men to be lost.

The few who will respond to the Gospel and become disciples of Christ are described in terms that should cause all men everywhere to seek the truth and obey the commands of the Almighty God. Peter stated, "But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"(I Peter 2:9). How great is the mercy of God to make possible the saints that are described by the apostle.

Why, then, do men not respond to the Gospel when the word is presented to them? Jesus presented an answer that will apply to this question. Many will hear the word of God, but "the cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful"(Mark 4:19). What was apparent in the Lord's day is apparent in our day. Too many, even among Christians, let the cares and concerns of the world interfere with one's responsibilities to his/her own soul. Heaven is for those who are diligently serving the Lord, sacrificing their very lives in the service to the Almighty.

A large part of the world rejects the absolutes of the Lord. Christians, however, realize that the Almighty Jehovah can and does have absolutes. The American Heritage Dictionary defines absolute as: "1. Perfect in quality or nature; complete. 2. Not mixed; pure. 3.a. Not limited by restrictions or exceptions; unconditional." God is an absolute being, there is none other like him. Only perfection and righteousness can describe Jehovah, His Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Since the Lord is absolute, so is His will. Men who want to be saved must submit to His commandments. There is no other way to Heaven. Every person who has reached the point that he/she can understand the commands of the gospel are to respond by obeying what the Lord revealed to us. Upon obedience, one becomes a Christian.

There are many religious teachers who preach doctrines that cannot be found in the New Testament. No man nor any group of men have any right to alter, change, or adjust the Scriptures. The doctrines of men are taught by some churches of Christ(unfortunately) and all denominations. The very idea of simply opening the teachings of the gospel and following such is foreign to the sectarian world. The only guide for Christians is the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The Lord built only one church(just one). "Upon this rock I will build my church"(Matthew 16:18).