A Minute With The Bible Aired during October, 2000 "Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints"(Jude 3). How different it is in our religious world. There are thousands of different groups that contend for thousands of different doctrines. In the time of the apostles, there was one faith--delivered and intended for all who would live thereafter. The common salvation is the New Testament. Any additions or changes to that one faith, makes it another faith. We need to base all of our beliefs and teachings on what is revealed in the New Testament, as once revealed for all. Only in this way can we solve the divisions of the religious world and be united to fight the evils of Satan. When we contend earnestly for the one faith of the New Testament, we will be united under Jesus Christ.
"And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments"(II John 9). The apostle states plainly the source behind obedience to the Lord's will. Love is the motivation that will cause one to follow the will of Jesus Christ. In the absence of that noble affection, one cannot walk pleasing in God's sight. This love will lead one to study and obey the commands to become a Christian. This same love will keep one on the paths of righteousness through the desire to always please the Lord. Love for the Lord does not lead one to obey self, but Jesus Christ. Love for the Lord does not lead one to follow the teachings of men, but the teachings of Jesus Christ. Do you love the Lord? Are you willing to do as he commands? The desire to please Jesus Christ must be present in order for one to walk in a way that pleases the God who created us. This is true love.
"For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, even they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-christ"(II John 7). No one likes to be deceived. It upsets most people when they have been led to believe in a product only to find out the salespitch was deceptive. How about religion? Would it upset you to discover your preacher was not teaching the truth, but deceiving you into believing something that is not true? The early church was warned concerning those who deceived by not confessing that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, walking among men and experiencing the ways of humans. Of course, he was God at the same time for he never lost his divinity. Even in our present religious world, there are those who would deny the deity of the Son of God. Such teachers base their faith, not on the word of God, but on human speculations.
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error"(I John 4:6). There is only one source to determine religious truth: the New Testament. God's will was revealed to those inspired men and the Lord has preserved that will to the present day. In the days of the apostles, one could decide what was truth by weighing each teaching by the words of those inspired men. The same New Testament was used to determine if one was teaching contrary to the will of Christ. The same standard works for today. We can take the words of the inspired men found in the New Testament and determine religious truth thereby. It will be necessary to set aside the speculations of men, however sincere be those who teach such, and simply weigh everything in the light of the teachings found in the will of Christ. Are you willing to do so?
"Herein was the love of God manifested in us, that God hath sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him"(I John 4:9). For whom would you be willing to give your Son? For a relative, for a friend, for a casual acquaintance, or for someone you do not know? God sent His Son into a world that would refuse him. He was "despised and rejected" by those whom he tried to teach. They would put Him to death because he taught the truth. He had done them only good; they did him evil. He had healed many of them; they caused him to suffer. They listened to the crowd; he died for the crowd. Even as he was being crucified, he requested His Father that they might be forgiven, "for they know not what they do." He died for you: what have you done for him?
"Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools"(Ecclesiastes 7:9). There are those who would tell us that anger is primarily responsible for so many being in our prisons. Uncontrolled anger has mastered and defeated many people. It is the fuse that ignites a murder, mistreatment of a child, and the rejection of a loved one. Uncontrolled, it makes one "beside himself." When one is under the spell of anger, he acts like a fool. The angry person will be led to take actions that would never have happened under normal conditions. Do you become angry when a person tells you the truth? Do you become angry when you realize you are wrong? Do you let anger cause you to hurt others? Anger seldom solves a problem; uncontrolled anger creates more problems. Hear the advice of the New Testament: "Be ye angry and sin not."
"Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun"(Ecclesiastes 7:11). The wisest among men of his time, Solomon was rich in material substance. Yet, he realized that wealth was not the answer to man's needs. Men rejoice over an inheritance, especially if it is substantial. But wisdom offers more. Those who acquire wisdom have something "more excellent." They are seeing the "sun," or in our words, they "saw the light." When one acquires the wisdom of God through a knowledge of the word of God, he is able to face life and the problems of life with answers that far exceed any material substance. While men look upon wealth(inheritances) as being of great value, Solomon knew that wisdom(the proper application of knowledge) far exceeded anything of a material nature. Solomon was blessed with riches and with wisdom. He knew what was best: wisdom.
"Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions"(Ecclesiates 7:29). When the Lord created the first couple, they were placed in a paradise prepared by God. They had everything that humans would need. Perfect food; perfect climate; perfect atmosphere; and a perfect relationship. But...they listened to a deceiver and sought out a forbidden fruit. Tempted, they ate. Now they were not upright; they had sinned and stained themselves with the sentence of death. Denied further residence in the Garden of Eden, they were cast forth to pay the consequences of transgression. Since that time, mankind has sought out "many inventions" that keep people from following a path of righteousness. All hope is not lost: one can cease to follow after the "many inventions" and resolve to follow Jesus Christ through obedience to His gospel.
"I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure; and, behold, this also was vanity"(Ecclesiastes 2:1). Solomon could have anything that his heart desired. He tried it all, including "having fun." Even entertainment and recreation did not satisfy his need. What he learned was that such was "vanity," that is, it did not meet the true needs of mankind. We live in a world given to pleasure. Countless billions are spent to try to have a "good time." To find satisfaction in such pursuits, one becomes involved in an endless circle of activities, only to find that there must be something better. And so, they seek greater thrills in the hope that they can be happy and contented. When Solomon finished the pursuits of pleasure(and other desires), he concluded that to "fear God and keep his commandments" is the right pursuit for mankind. He did it all; he found the answer!
"What profit hath man of all of his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?"(Ecclesiastes 1:3). How many have asked, in pursuing a secular activity or job, was it worth it? Lasting satisfaction is not gained by earthly tasks. Boredom and unhappiness affect many. And so we ask, "Is it all worth it? Where does it lead?" Even when if one is satisfied with secular pursuits, where will it end? Someday, you will not be able to go to the job. A new generation will take your place. Then what? Sure, you were able to live a decent life in this world, but what about the next life? Did you spend so much time trying to satisfy yourself in earthly activities that you neglected to think about what would happen after you die? When one stands before God, it matters little how many cars you assembled or how many houses you built, what did you do to prepare for the judgment?
"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one"(Colossians 4:6). The world needs righteous speech. Speech that will guide in the paths of righteousness. Speech that will benefit and uplift the hearers. Speech that is true and righteous has a savoring(saving) quality about it. Such speech builds one spiritually. The speech of the righteous will give Bible answers to those who inquire. All such speech is built upon the principles taught in the Bible, the Word of God. The person so speaking will strive to say the right words at the right time. After all, speech is a gift from God that allows us to communicate with others. The use of righteous speech will please God and teach others the ways of righteousness. How do you speak?
The apostle Paul said that we are to have "sound speech that cannot be condemned"(Titus 2:8). The word sound can also be referred to as healthy. Healthy speech builds a person's character; sets a proper example; assists others; and--pleases God. Sound speech is built upon the instructions found in the word of God. Such guidance will lead one to speak in a manner that edifies(builds up) others, not tear down. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver"(Proverbs 25:11). Few actions are more refreshing than speech that conveys needed instruction. The world is filled with words; many of them have little or no value in improving an individual. To find appropriate words, turn to the Word of God. The speech of the righteous is truly "like apples of God in pictures of silver." Does you speech build up or tear down?
"And my speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God"(I Corinthians 2:4-5). The preaching of Paul was not based upon the theories of men. His speech was guided by what is revealed in the Bible, the scriptures. He did not depend upon man's thinking or wisdom for his faith: his truth was in the words that came from the Spirit. The wisdom of men has its place. Yet, when such conflicts with the wisdom of God that is revealed in the Bible, the one who would please Godputs his/her confidence in the scriptures. Over the years, many have weighed the Bible in the light of man's wisdom. The correct approach is to weigh the words of men in the light of God's word. Paul recognized that God's will comes not from men, but from the Almighty himself.
"Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"(Psalm 27:1). The Psalmist had a complete trust in Jehovah. He recognized the guidance of Jehovah and the strength that he gained from his trust in the Lord. Due to his recognition of the Lord and His power, he could deal with fear. He was not afraid of the darkness, for the Lord was his light. He was not afraid of weakness for the Lord was his strength. What do you fear? Facing danger? Facing life? Facing problems? Facing opposition? Facing temptation? Every fear that one has can be resolved by full and complete trust in the Lord and His word. With God on your side, there is not a problem that cannot be faced(and solved); there is not a temptation that you cannot endure; there is not a sin that you cannot avoid. How? Trust in Jehovah.
"If any man speaketh, speaking as it were the oracles of God"(I Peter 4:11). The pulpits of men are filled with all kinds of nice stories, earthly illustrations, and human wisdom. When Peter preached, he based his remarks on the word of God. When Paul preached, he did the same. All of the apostles and inspired men had one goal in teaching: "the oracles of God." While some preachers are entertaining: do they teach what God has revealed? Others have a gift of speech that entices the minds of the audience: yet, do they teach what God has revealed? This Sunday, open your Bible while the preacher is speaking and determine if what he is saying can be proven from the scriptures. Paul and the early disciples spoke not the wisdom of men, but the power of God as revealed in the gospel. How is it where you attend?
"But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of the Lord"(I Timothy 5:4). The early disciples were taught the value of the family in many different ways. From teaching to guidance to assistance, they were instructed in how to care for their own. Outside of the church, the greatest relationship in this life is the family. It is has been used, abused, discussed, cussed, criticized, and abandoned, but, thank the Lord, it has survived the onslaughts of Satan and stands today as a monument to the wisdom of God for mankind. Every person is a member of a family: whether that family is righteous or not. Large or small, since Adam and Eve, the family has stood the test and still exists. Each one of us needs to give attention to this relationship and make the family a place of joy. What do you contribute?
The apostle Paul instructed the aged women to be "teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children"(Titus 2:3-4). There is a song, "What the world needs now is love" that expresses the sentiments of this verse. No home can be pleasant without love. No relationship in the home can be productive without love. Every home must have love in order to survive. How miserable is a home where love is absent. Such a home lacks the courage to survive in a world that often does not love. We need to remember, however, that saying, "I love my husband or wife or children," does not mean that such exists. Love is demonstrated through action. In a home where love exists, respect and care for each family member will be evident. To teach love, one must first learn to practice love. What kind of example do you set in your home?
"The wicked are overthrown, and are not; But the house of the righteous shall stand"(Proverbs 12:7). Amidst a world that often cares little for those who practice righteousness, we need to be reminded that our homes can survive when they uphold righteousness. The difference: a righteous home has God on its side; an unrighteous home does not. Since the home is the center of our civilization, when the home is strong, it strengthens our community and nation. When our homes are not what they should be, our society is in trouble. Each member of the home must learn to contribute to the success of that home. It is up to husbands, wives, parents, children, and other relatives to do what is right. Respect and love must be apparent. Kindness and goodness must be practiced. You have the power to make a pleasant homelife, but it is up to you.
"And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick of a fever"(Matthew 8:14). The Lord touched Peter's mother-in-law and she was immediately healed and begin to minister to the Lord. This is what Jesus found when he came into the apostles' house. A question: What would the Lord find in your home? Would you be willing for the Lord to come into your abode? Would you be embarrassed by what he saw? Would you welcome him as easily as you would one of your close friends? Just what would Christ find in your home? It is sad that many homes would not welcome the Lord. Many would feel uncomfortable in the Lord's presence. The Lord would not be fooled. He would immediately determine whether the house was a home full of love and righteousness or one that was full of hate and envy. How would it be at your house?
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of Jehovah"(Psalm 122:1). The Psalmist was delighted that he could go to the house of the Lord and honor and praise him who created him. There was no heaviness of heart with the attitude, "Why do I have to go?" He was glad to be able to worship the Lord and serve him. The Psalmist recognized the source of all good things. He knew the creator through his faith; he knew righteousness through the Lord's word; he knew about dependence upon God because of his life. What a lesson for us. We should delight in the opportunities to serve God. As David said, and as those who approached the place of worship would say, "I was glad when someone encouraged me to worship God." With that same type of gladness, Christians worship the Lord today.
"Judge me, O Jehovah, for I have walked in mine integrity; I have trusted also in Jehovah without wavering"(Psalm 26:1). Learning to trust is not easy. A baby is taught from birth to put confidence in the parents. They learn by the handling, feeding, and care that they can trust their parents. Parents want to retain that trust so long as the child is in the household. Trust must also be a part of one's religious life. The Psalmist stated his trust in the Lord would not waver. His integrity would not let him deny the Lord and His word. We need this kind of trust today: trust that motivates one to seek the ways of God, settles for nothing less than the truth, and instills one with a determination to never give up his faith in the Lord by following the ways of sin. You must ask yourself this question: In whom do I trust? In myself? In mankind? In materialism? Or--in God?
"Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"(Psalm 27:1). The Psalmist had a complete trust in Jehovah. He recognized the guidance of Jehovah and the strength that he gained from his trust in the Lord. Due to his recognition of the Lord and His power, he could deal with fear. He was not afraid of the darkness, for the Lord was his light. He was not afraid of weakness for the Lord was his strength. What do you fear? Facing danger? Facing life? Facing problems? Facing opposition? Facing temptation? Every fear that one has can be resolved by full and complete trust in the Lord and His word. With God on your side, there is not a problem that cannot be faced(and solved); there is not a temptation that you cannot endure; there is not a sin that you cannot avoid. How? Trust in Jehovah.July, 1999 August, 1999 September, 1999 October, 1999 November, 1999 December, 1999 January, 2000 June, 2000 July, 2000 August, 2000 September, 2000 November, 2000 December, 2000 January, 2001 February, 2001 March, 2001 April, 2001 May, 2001 June, 2001 July, 2001 August, 2001 September, 2001 October, 2001 November, 2001 December, 2001 January, 2002 February, 2002 March, 2002 April, 2002 May, 2002