Beware the Extremist
By Barney Keith
A
very versatile word in the English language is "extremist." Much like
"legalist," "radical," and "hobbyist," it can be called into play
whenever desired. It would seem that any man could be called an
extremist — it just depends on who is doing the calling and where he
stands at the time. A sure way to prejudice unthinking people against a
certain viewpoint or matter of doctrine is to charge, "That is an
extreme view!" An effective tool for poisoning people against a
preacher is to claim, "You know, he is an extremist!" Immediately
the dull-witted close their ears to what he says. They make no effort to
investigate the Word of God to determine whether it is the truth. All of
us need studious minds, desire for truth, willingness to study for
ourselves, and fair-mindedness in considering any matter. Above all we
need respect for God’s Book!
Strange but Often True
Some very significant factors enter
into this matter of irresponsible use of words, "He is just an
extremist."
a. Somehow it is always the other fellow who is extreme –
never the speaker.
b. Frequently it is used by very "pious" men as a weapon to destroy
another – as a prejudicial epithet.
c. Often the speaker may not be overly-concerned with the basic question
of right and wrong. Yet it is better to be extremely right by following
the truth than to be extremely wrong by rejecting it.
(click
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"The House Church
Movement"
By Wilson Adams
That
which has been is that which will
be, And that which has been done is
that which will be done. So there is
nothing new under the sun. Is there
anything of which one might say,
"See this, it is new?" Already it
has existed for ages that were
before it.
—
Ecclesiastes 1:9-10
The wise
man was right. Each generation
possesses an adventurous spirit for
the discovery of things unique;
believing they have found what no
one else was smart enough to think
of. Alas, in the passing of time and
the gaining of wisdom, most discover
the truth of Solomon—there is
nothing new under the sun.
I am
especially troubled these days by an
attitude I see espoused by those who
seek to mimic the house-church
movement of "non-denominational"
evangelicals. Some among us have
discovered a "new and exciting"
brand of Christianity that rises
above the bland and boring worship
they believe most of us experience.
There are several underlying causes
for the popularity of these groups
that seem to thrive in areas where
there is a large contingency of
vulnerable college students—
-
There is the seed-thought
planted by LaGard Smith (Radical
Restoration) and other
writers who raise more questions
than answers and who seem to
enjoy sarcastic jabs at anything
that smacks of local-church
tradition,
(click
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Peer Pressure
By Bob Waldron

Much of God's
covenant with Israel of old dealt with human relations. Various and
sundry laws pointed out how the Jew was to conduct himself among his
peers. One of these admonitions was, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude
to do evil"
(Ex. 23:2).
This was a very important decree; it showed the danger of peer pressure
and pointed out very explicitly the dangers of being led astray by evil
men. Peer pressure was an important factor in their lives; it has been
from that time to the present. And perhaps as never before, peer
pressure is an issue we have to wrestle with.
A leading educator
noted that peer pressure is the strongest influence exerted on young
people today. He stated that in most cases it is twice as strong as the
influence of home and family, and yields a far greater influence than
religion. I share this educator's convictions. All young people want to
be accepted by their peers. And if to do so means disobeying parents and
selling out personal convictions, some are willing to do so just to
be a part of the bunch. In dealing with young folks and their problem of
peer pressure, we often quote and expound on
1
Corinthians 15:33
-- "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." I contend this is a very
important verse dealing with this subject. This admonition does caution
against the dangers of peer pressure being exerted by those who are void
of spiritual convictions and virtues. Let us continue to warn our young
people of the dangers of their associates that rob them of their
virtues.
But is all peer
pressure centered in young people? Does this pressure cease when we
become adults? Well, certainly at all stages of life there are peer
pressures put on us by those with whom we mix and mingle day by day. The
Bible is not silent on this matter. Men and women of God have always
faced immense pressures in dealing with their peers. And when God has
spoken, He has always done so with a stern warning against letting our
associates rob us of our moral integrity.
(click
here for the entire article...)
Two Men Attend Worship
Services
By
Bill Hall
Two
men attend worship services. The first man attends wholly out of a sense
of duty. He understands the teaching of Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together,” and is determined to obey
faithfully that teaching. He will not allow any-thing within his power
to stand in the way of his attending the worship periods of the
church.
The second man
recognizes his duty in this matter, too, but his primary motivation in
attendance is his love for the Lord and his joy in blending his voice
and heart with other Christians in praise and adoration to the Lord. He
delights in worship and the spiritual strength he derives through
worship.
The first man is
mentally passive throughout the worship service. If the words of the
song happen to catch his attention, he observes and appreciates them;
otherwise, he just sings along with little concern for what he is
singing. If the sermon is interesting, he listens; otherwise, he just
relaxes, and hopes the time won't drag too badly. He does meditate
briefly concerning Christ's suffering and death as he partakes of the
supper, for somehow the importance of the memorial feast has been
impressed upon his mind.
(click
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The Thief on the Cross
By Larry Rouse
What
kind of power does it take to change a man’s heart? Our society may pass
all the hate laws they wish, and seek out political and university
leaders who claim they can change men, but in the end it is the power of
God that must be used to achieve this daunting task.
One of the greatest examples of change in
the Bible, the apostle Paul, started a trip from Jerusalem to Damascus
with a heart that was “still breathing threats and murder against the
disciples of the Lord”
(Acts
9:1). By the time he returned
to Jerusalem he was now a Christian, motivated by the grace of God
(1 Tim 1:12-14).
A great example of such a change in the
ministry of Christ came during the final hour of Jesus’ life. Jesus was
placed upon a Roman cross to suffer a shameful and torturous death in an
execution that was reserved for only the vilest of criminals. Two other
men were executed along with Jesus. They were described as “criminals”
and “robbers”
(Luke
23:22; Matthew 27:38).
In the beginning of these executions both
thieves heard the Jewish leaders taunting Jesus and they too “reviled
Him with the same thing”
(Matthew 27:44).
No doubt these men had
hardened hearts, having come from a background where they would rob and
harm others without a second thought. They were likely being executed
that day because their presence on either side of Jesus would give an
appearance of guilt to our Lord. These thieves were filled with anger,
bitterness and cursing. The hearts of these men did not seem to be a
place where change would come.
Examples are often more powerful than words,
especially when you can be certain of the example. The news of the
rushed, unlawful trials of Jesus was widely known. The mob that heard
the innocent verdict of Pilate and then by their tongues successfully
intimidated him into executing Jesus would have talked freely. How could
an innocent man be executed? All it took was a washing of the hands for
Pilate. These thieves would see Jesus’ reaction to these injustices.
(click
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Have You Heard?
By Hiram Hutto
Have
you heard about the group of Christians in this community that is not at
all like the denominations so often encountered? Some have wondered
about this difference and even remarked about it. This group is
different in a number of ways but space permits us to consider only a
few, and that but briefly.
1. Different, in attitude toward the Bible.
These Christians believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible,
complete, authoritative word of God, and that the New Testament is the
final expression of that word. This faith is based upon such scriptures
as
2 Tim. 3: 16; 2 Pet. 1:3, 4, 21; Rev. 22:18, 19; Jn.
10:35.
But, do not all Protestant denominations believe this? There was a time
when they did, but now many of them will tell you unhesitatingly that
they no longer do. Even those denominations which are known as
"Fundamentalists" are guilty of dividing the commandments of Christ into
"essential" and "non-essential" commands. This, in effect, nullifies the
authority of the scriptures because it will let every man decide for
himself what is essential and what is not. But not these Christians!
They believe that man shall live "by every word that proceedeth out of
the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Is this what you believe?
2. Different, in attitude toward how to become a
Christian.
Since their faith in the scriptures is such that it will not allow them
to divide the commandments of Christ into essential and non-essential
commands, this group of Christians insists that because every man has
sinned and separated himself from God
(Rom. 3:23; Isa. 59:1, 2)
man's only hope of benefiting from the blood of Christ is to do all that
Christ has commanded men to do in order to reap these benefits. This, of
course, involves faith in Christ as the Son of God
(Jn. 20:30, 31; Mk. 16:16).
But since the scripture says that our faith avails only when it works by
love
(Gal. 5:6; Jas. 2:24)
they also
repented of their sins
(Acts 17:30),
confessed with their mouth what they believed in their heart
(Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10)
and gladly obeyed the command of Christ to be baptized, i.e. immersed
(Rom. 6:3,4; Col. 2:12),
in water
(Acts 8:36)
for the remission of their sins
(Acts 2:38; 22:16)
or to be saved
(Mk. 16: 16; 1 Pet. 3:21).
When one has done all these things--and not until then--the Bible
reveals that he is saved, a child of God by faith
(Gal. 3:27),
and a
member of the Lord's church
(cf. Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:1, 2).
Is this what you did?
(click
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Selecting A Companion
By Bill
Hall
A happy home being with
a wise choice of a marriage partner. We therefore submit the following
questions as a guide for our young people as they seek out their companion
for life.
1. Is this person eligible for marriage?
There are those who have a right to marry according to the laws of our
state, but who do not have a right to marry according to the law of God.
God's authority is supreme, and the Christian must abide by His law whenever
there is a conflict between His law and governmental law.
God's law is that only those who are divorced
for the cause of fornication have a right to remarry. "And I say to you,
whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries
another, commits adultery, and whoever marries her ho is divorced commits
adultery" (Matthew 19:9). If one's marriage partner is guilty of
marital infidelity, he can put that partner away for that cause, and marry
another. If the divorce is for any other cause, he is ineligible for
marriage.
2. Is this person a Christian? Many
problems can arise when a Christian is married to a non-Christian,
especially when it is the wife who is the Christian. Before any young lady
marries a non-Christian, she should consider the following problems which
often face the Christian in a mixed marriage.
Problems in attending services
She should ask herself, "What will I do if my
husband some Lord's day drives away in the car, leaving me with no
transportation to the services?" "What will I do if my husband announces
that his company is moving us to some city where no church of the Lord
meets?" Many women have faced these problems.
Problems in giving
The young lady loves the Lord and His work, and
wants to give liberally in support of it. Her husband, however, does not
share her convictions. He feels that a dollar is plenty to give.
(click
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There's
More to it Than That
by Dee Bowman
The Bible is a book about people. It uses
the lives of people to teach and illustrate truth and righteousness,
rebellion and impiety. People are the ultimate products of God’s creation,
the only part of His creation blessed with a sense of ought–the will to
determine which way to go, what path to choose. He has set before man a
blessing and a curse–a blessing if he seeks after the good, a curse he seeks
after his own desires in preference to what God has commanded (see
Deut. 11:26-28).
Jesus spoke of this choosing when He described the two ways a man may
choose: a broad way that leads to destruction, or a strait way that leads to
life eternal (Matt.
7:13-14). It’s people who make these
choices. They do it of their own free will.
God has given us great illustrations of
faithfulness, couched in the character and personalities of men. For
instance, have you ever considered:
The
faithfulness of Abraham?
Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees of
his own free will, choosing deliberately to go out, “not knowing whither he
went.” Think about that.
You want to talk about faith? “By faith he
sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,”
(Heb. 11:9), “for he looked for a city which hath
foundations whose builder and maker is God”
(11:10). He saw, by the eye of faith, something
better. Do you reckon we would have the courage to do as he did? Abraham’s
faith is a model for us today. God treats our willingness to obey in the
same way He did that of Abraham.
(click
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The Foundation of Spirituality -- Honesty
by Larry Rouse
Why does
the preaching of the gospel seem not to be effective in our society today?
We know that God’s word has not changed, nor has its power
(Rom 1:16). We
are assured by God that His word will never return to Him void, but it will
always accomplish the purpose for which He sent it
(Isa 55:11).
Today, with this present generation, as it has in past generations, the word
of God is able to expose hearts and allow men to choose light or darkness
(Jn 3:19-21).
This choice depends upon the kind of heart a man possesses.
When Jesus
described the kind of heart in which the word of God would be received and
would prosper, He described it as “good and honest” (Lk 8:15 KJV).
Will a man choose light or darkness, honesty or dishonesty?
If a man decides that he
“hates the light” then God will let him “believe a lie” and will not do
anything further other than the presentation of His word (2 Thess
2:10-11).
We must
fight the temptation to be dishonest
The battle
for honesty lasts a lifetime. God emphatically warns the Christian to guard
his heart and to keep it pure. “Do not lie to one another, since you have
put off the old man with his deeds”
(Col 3:9). God has plainly told us: “He who works deceit shall not
dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence”
(Psa 101:7).
(click
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When May a Christian Woman Speak?
by Tim Nichols
I have been asked to address
this topic and I am pleased to do so. It may be that this will not answer
some more specific questions that some would like to have answered. Although
I am aware that questions exist in the minds of some, I have not yet been
made aware of precisely what those questions are. So I will begin with a
"shotgun" approach to the broader question in the hopes that more specific
questions will be answered in the process. If questions remain I hope that
they will be asked in more specific terms. We will be pleased to attempt an
answer when such questions are received.
Women spoke with Divine
approval on several occasions during the life of Christ. The woman of Canaan
had a verbal and public exchange with Christ that demonstrated her faith and
won the approval of our Lord (Matthew
15:21-28). Martha
spoke to him in the context of a "Bible study" and received instruction
(Luke 10:38-42). Jesus
had another "Bible study" with the woman at the well in which she was free
to ask and answer questions (John
4:7-29). Jesus had a
verbal exchange with Mary Magdalene in which He instructed her to go and
tell the brethren of His ascension (John
20:11-18). Many others
could be mentioned (Mark
5:25-34; 7:25-30).
(click
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Unity
Through Restoration
by Colly Caldwell
"Unity through
restoration" is a phrase which Christians have used to describe
agreement to share spiritual relationship and activity based upon mutual
understanding and acceptance of truth as taught in the Scriptures.
"Restoration" is a word we have adopted to signify the recovery of first
century faith and practice in later centuries. We unashamedly believe
that the faith and practice of Christians in the first century, when
recorded in the New Testament with Divine approval, forms the pattern
for God's people until Christ returns
(1
Cor. 4:6; Phil. 3:17; 4:9; 1 Tim. 4:6; 6:3-5; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:2; 3:10,14;
Tit. 1:9; 2 Jn. 9-11).
"Unity in diversity," on
the other hand, is a phrase which has been used to identify agreement to
share spiritual relationship and activity while disagreeing on what the
Bible teaches about mutually shared items of faith and practice. The
phrase often describes denominational acceptance of totally divergent
and even contradictory positions considered significant enough to
separate people into different "fellowships" or denominations. Baptists
and Methodists, for example, consider one another Christians and share
some activities (such as Easter sunrise services). They recognize that
their faith and practice are sufficiently different to keep them from
being together, yet they claim to be united. The phrase has also been
used to call for the uniting of those who hold differing views in
"Christian churches" and "churches of Christ." For example, advocates of
"unity in diversity" want those who believe in using mechanical
instruments of music in worship to join with those who do not, working
and worshiping together in spite of their differences.
I have been asked to
discuss which of these two approaches is biblical when we confront
questions concerning divorce and remarriage.
(click
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The
Greatest Victory
by Cled E. Wallace
History abounds in its
records of great achievements and victories of human celebrities. None
excels the triumph of Paul, the apostle, described by himself on the eve
of his "departure."
I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but
also to all them that have loved his appearing."
(2
Tim. 4:7, 8)
"I have fought the good
fight." Men have fought for liberty, to satisfy selfish ambitions for
conquest, to accumulate wealth and its attending power, and for other
causes more or less great. Some have attained fame as heroes while
others reaped a reward of infamy. Paul fought. He is not much of a man
who will not. The kingdom of God is not a drilling ground for pacifists.
It is organized for conquest. "The good fight" of Paul is the best sort
of fight and challenges a most careful examination. The weapons of that
warfare clearly exhibit the character of it. "For though we walk in the
flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our
warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down
of strongholds); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is
exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge
all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full."
(2
Cor. 10:3-6)
The
fight must be carried on by those of like mind with Paul as long as the
imaginations, thoughts and plans of men mark out paths of disobedience
to Christ, the Lord.
(click
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The Folly
of Worldliness
by Jere Frost
God
calls upon us to be spiritually minded, to abhor what is evil and to
cleave to what is good
(Romans 12:1, 2).
Yet temptations, both brazen and subtle, seek to steal away our hearts
from the beauty and simplicity of divine truth and holy living. It was
love for this present world that caused Demas to forsake the right way
(2 Timothy 4:10).
Many
professing Christ have been similarly enticed and enthralled by worldly
desires. John gives us five reasons why it is sheer folly.
``Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
forever'' (I John
2:15-17).
1. He
alienates himself from God.
``If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in
him.''
It is
impossible to love God and the world at the same time for they are
utterly incompatible. Though we have the capacity to love either, seeing
we have the power of choice, there is no way we can love both. The love
of one precludes love of the other. The language can be even stronger.
When we
walk in sin we not only demonstrate a lack of love for God, but we make
ourselves an enemy. Note in the following passage that God is not set
forth as the enemy of the sinner, but rather the sinner in his own mind
is set forth as the enemy of God.
(click
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Why Did
You Send for Me?
by Connie Adams
On the
instruction of an angel of God, Cornelius, the Roman centurion, sent men
to Joppa to locate Simon Peter and bring him to the house of Cornelius.
Peter himself had received a vision in which he was told not to call
common or unclean what God had cleansed. The next day, Peter and six
Jewish brethren accompanied these messengers to Caesarea to the house of
the centurion. Upon arrival, they found a collection of kinsmen and
friends of Cornelius. Peter said, "Therefore came I unto you without
gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent
ye have sent for me?"
(Acts 10:29).
That
was a fair question then and it is a fair one now when brethren send for
a preacher either to come and live along them or for a gospel meeting.
Sometimes the expectations of the preacher and those of the people who
sent for him are not the same. Therein lies the cause of
misunderstandings, friction, and sometimes division.
Why He Did NOT Send For Peter
Peter
did not come to be idolized and venerated and to establish a cult built
around his personality. In fact, when Cornelius fell down before Peter
when he arrived, Peter quickly told him to "stand up; I myself also am a
man" (v. 26).
There is no indication that Peter delayed for a few moments to savor
this adulation. If a preacher comes to a place expecting to be put on
some sort of pedestal to be adored but never questioned, then there are
going to be some rough times. There is something wrong with the general
view that the preacher alone is responsible for the success or failure
of the work. He may well be a contributing factor in either case, but
the work must not be built around him. Peter was a messenger of the
gospel. The message was not his. He was obligated to deliver it without
change.
(click
here for the entire article...)
"Forbid
Him Not"
by Tim Nichols
These
verses are in the context of a discussion that Jesus was having with the
twelve apostles. They had been arguing among themselves about who among them
"should be the greatest"
(Mark 9:34). Human ambition was even a problem among those closest to
our Lord. Jesus explained to them that those who would be "first" would have
to give up all effort and desire to be elevated above others and, instead,
become the servant of all. To illustrate the point, Jesus set a child in the
midst of them, took the child in His arms, and said,
Whosoever
shall receive one of such children in my name , receiveth me: and whosoever
shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me
(Mark 9:37).
This scene
ought to have a great impact upon our own minds. Those who would seek to
become "big men in the brotherhood" should either change their goal or leave
the brotherhood of God's children. The world has corporate ladders to climb,
fancy titles to offer, lofty positions for which to compete, and abundant
opportunities to become distinguished above your fellow, -- but the ground
is level at the foot of the cross. All available positions are positions of
humble service. Those who stoop to help others are those who stand tallest
in the sight of our Father. Selfish ambition must be surrendered at the door
of the kingdom for selfless service.
(click
here for the entire article...)
Awareness
of Weakness is the Key to Strength
by Tim Nichols
The world has
it all backwards. Most seem to think that we can accomplish great things
when we become the strongest, wisest, smartest, and most beautiful. Worldly
achievement may well depend on some of these things to some degree. Even
there, however, there is room for using the principles that we will discuss
here.
Our work for
the Lord is not in the same category and the approach that we take in that
work is altogether different from what many would commend in worldly
pursuits. Here, the principle might be stated something like this: Recognize
that you are weak and unable to do it alone, trust God, and set out to do
it.
The notion
that we ought to wait until we, ourselves, are wise enough or strong enough
before we set out to obey God is simply unbiblical. Although it is right and
reasonable to obtain training and to prepare ourselves as best we can, it is
also true that the time to begin doing the will of God is the moment we
learn what that will is regarding any matter. God will guide, strengthen,
and comfort us by His word, assist us by His providence, and bless our
efforts with success. He will give the increase.
When God told
Moses leave the desert to go back to Egypt and lead the children of Israel
out, Moses protested that he was not equal to the task. God did not argue
with that point. Instead, He promised to go with him and assured him of
success. In effect He said, "I will meet you back here with My people!"
But Moses said
to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the
children of Israel out of Egypt?'' So He said, "I will certainly be with
you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have
brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain''
(Exodus
3:11, 12).
Joshua, as
great a man as he no doubt was in his person, was not equal to the task of
conquering the land when that assignment was given to him. God seems to have
suggested that inherent in the command to act is the promise of aid.
(click
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The Light
Near Damascus
by W. Curtis Porter
Not long after the church was established in Jerusalem a
great persecution arose that scattered the disciples abroad. The opposing
Jews wished to stamp out the religion of Jesus Christ, and they expected
persecution to accomplish their desires. But the dispersion of the church
meant the increase and growth of the Lord's cause.
In the work of persecution no name is more prominent than the
name of Saul of Tarsus.
"He made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and
women committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3). He was not content to
persecute the Lord's disciples in his own city, but went even to strange
cities. On a mission of persecution we find Saul, with some companions, on
the way to the city of Damascus. As they neared the city, there was a great
demonstration. In the language of Saul himself, we have it related this way:
"And it came to pass,
that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon,
suddenly there shone from heaven a great light about me" (Acts 22:6).
With respect to this heavenly light, the questions are often
asked, "What was its purpose? Why did this light shine about Saul?" Some
have thought it was evidence of his salvation and they have often insisted
that such has been experienced by them. This, however, is a mistaken idea.
The light did not shine around Saul as an evidence of his salvation. Neither
did it appear for the purpose of saving him. I know that this heavenly light
led, even directly, to his conversion, but that was not the purpose of the
light. To understand the purpose of this light, we must keep some divine
statements in mind. These may be found in the following:
(click
here for the entire article...)
Do We
Love Each Other as we do Ourselves?
by Chris Carter
In today’s church there is increasing
evidence that spiritual love is in serious decline among the brethren. Our
attitude toward one another should one be of deep concern and love, for our
brethren are a spiritual family and worthy of this honor
(Rom 12:10).
By frequently and sincerely demonstrating love we not only edify ourselves
individually and each other collectively
(Rom 15:2) but also perform an important work expected
of the Lords church. As members of His church we set an example to each
other and to ourselves that builds us up in the kind of love that God showed
towards all men, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for our
sins. We know that God showed His love for man by
sending
His Son to die for all, and Jesus showed His love by
suffering and
dying for all. What then can
possibly be expected of God’s children other than to treat each other and
those outside of salvation with the same love God showed to us, who also
once were without hope? If we set the proper example through sincere love
(Rom 12:9)
not only will we be built up and edified
(Rom 15:2)
but the world will “see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16).
We should have the willingness to drop our
schedules to aid, teach and edify each other, the courage to confess our
sins one to another or pluck one from the fire if they are lost, and to
esteem others greater than ourselves, as we are commanded to do. We must
want to know our brothers and sisters, and be willing to pray without
ceasing for them, and serve them without thought of recognition. In doing
these things we will give and receive all the benefits that come from Godly
behavior, and glorify His name.
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