Thought of the Week: Reason for the Season

During this time of year I always hear people say, “Remember the reason for the season.” The reason is Christ and the season is the “Christmas” time of year. While it is admirable to try to remind others of the importance of Christ I have to ask one simple question. Why just give Him a season? Why not give Him your life? “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). He’s not the reason for the season. He’s the reason for salvation. He’s the reason for sanctification. He should be our everything and not someone we give special place to for one month out of the year.

Thought of the Week: Don't Judge a Book

A person may go to a bookstore and buy something solely based on the cover. There is no knowledge of the author or the content. The outside looks good. To quell the practice of buying books based solely on the outside cover some bookstores have begun wrapping books in brown paper and writing the genre on the outside. It keeps individuals from passing unnecessary judgment on otherwise good books. This should serve as a reminder that while someone can look one way on the outside the heart of that person could be completely different. Do not allow the color of one’s skin, the sex of a person, the family tree, physical stature, or otherwise cause you to place a unjust judgment on an individual. We are not the ones who automatically know what is inside. “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;  for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7).

A Love Letter

A preacher once spoke to his students about “love letters.” He spoke of a soldier aboard a ship in the middle of the sea who received letters from the woman he loved. He asked his students this question, “When the soldier would receive a letter would he read it quickly and discard the letter as soon as soon as he was done?” The students readily agreed the soldier would not. The soldier would keep the letters, read them slowly and carefully, and reread the letters at every opportunity. He then asked the students how they treated God’s Word. It may be easy to ask, “What does this have to do with ‘love letters’?” The answer is everything.

From cover to cover the Bible speaks of God’s love to mankind. This is His “love letter” to His creation. It is within its pages that we read of God’s Love being showed in different ways:

Through His Son: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:24-25).

By Being a Father: Although He was spurned by them, He was a Father to the Israelites. “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hosea 11:1). He is the Father of Christians. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (1 John 3:1).

By Guiding Us: This book tells mankind everything one needs to know in order to live a right life in the sight of God. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). That includes His warnings.

By His Willingness to Forgive: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

How do you treat the Bible? Do you treat it like a love letter or the daily paper? Something you cherish or something to be discarded? God has shown His love for you. Will you show yours for Him?

Thought of the Week: End of the World

Many have tried guessing the time when the world would come to an end. The guesswork comes from trying to piece together different scriptures together to fit a definite place and time. The reaction from the general public has varied. Some have doubts. Others show great fear. Sadly, some have even gone as far as to spend their life savings before the “return” occurs. In the end, the same thing always occurs. Many have tried guessing the time when the world would come to an end. All have been incorrect. We should remember the word of Christ as He said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Even when someone makes the statement, “I know what Christ said but I think…” there is no need to worry. The Father knows when the time is right. It is not up for us to try and figure out when. We should live our lives in such a way that we are ready when that time comes.

Adding Fuel to the Fire

This author can remember back to a time when he was in high school. He can remember back to many things in which he was involved such as competitions, clubs, and fights. The first two are things of which we normally speak but not the last. No, this author is not claiming to be a high school pugilist although he was involved in one or two. This author preferred to be in the audience rather than part of the show. Thinking back to those times in the audience, he can remember what really sparked those fights. It usually was not the two who throwing punches but those who stood nearby. In fact, students who disliked each other usually kept a safe distance just in case. Instead, those who had a hankering for strife would start rumors which added fuel to the fire. “Did you hear what so and so said about you? I would not take that!” If it were not for statements such as these, the fights would not have begun.

The Proverbs writer “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth” (Prov. 26:20). What is it that helps a fire as it does? The three basic elements needed are oxygen, heat, and fuel. If you want a large fire you need the first two and a lot of fuel. What happens if you stop adding fuel to a fire? It slowly dwindles away before it burns out. The same applies in the instance in many of the heated moments of life. Remove those who thrive on drama and strife will slowly dwindle away before it burns out. In fact, it would be best to remove those things which cause stress in our lives.

Eternity is a Long Time to be Wrong

Would you rather listen than read?

Driving affords one the opportunity to do many things. The most important thing is to pay attention to what one is doing. Some choose to talk on the phone for hours on end. Others make the (dangerous) decision to partake in texting while driving. Some enjoy listening to music and singing along with their favorite artists. Recently, this author made the decision to spend much time in silent reflection. Thoughts bounced around many different subjects from the upcoming sermon on Sunday to random things seen and overheard while on the trip. That is until the author saw a sign in front of a Baptist church which read, “Eternity is a long time to be wrong.” Think about eternity for a moment. Truth be told, it is a place where time does not truly exist as eternity is without beginning or end. It just is.

For the Christian eternity is a great thought. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4:17). An eternity with Christ in Heaven does not make eternity such a bad thing.

Now, think about eternity in reference to those who are wrong. That is, those who, like Naaman, had the “Behold, I thought…” mentality to the Bible and religion (2 Kin. 5:11). For those who, like Demas, knew what was right but loved the present world more than God (2 Tim. 4:10). For those who, like Felix, wanted to wait for a convenient season but waited too long (Acts 24:25). For those, who like the Athenians, heard the gospel of Christ but mocked those who preach it (Acts 17:32). Eternity is a long time to be wrong. The Bible gives Hell this terrible picture: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). How long does this last? “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 24:46). Eternity is a long time to be wrong. It is a place with no beginning or end. It just is. Therefore, it is imperative that one look at his life and compare it to the life of Christ and His Word (1 Pet. 3:21; Jam. 1:25). Are we truly walking in His steps or have we been wrong all along?

If one reading this has not already done so, obey the gospel of Christ today. Having heard God’s Word (Rom. 10:17), having a firm believe on that Word (Mark 16:16), repented of one’s sins (Acts 2:38), and confessing Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37), one must be baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Eternity is much too long for us to be wrong.