THANKFULNESS

by Wayne Rodgers

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:4,5 NKJV).

While the Bible is full of commands to be thankful, the Psalmist gives reasons why we should praise God and be thankful.

First, “the Lord is good.” To say that the Lord is good might seem like an understatement. This statement is obviously in direct opposition by those who say that God is evil. Others claim that God is manipulative and cite Job as their test subject, but forget or fail to read the fact that God asked Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:1, 8). These statements imply that this “servant” of God shunned evil and served God.

There are some who claim that because God took away Adam and Eve’s “eternal life,” He committed the first “evil.” This is just not true, because sin is evil and unrighteousness (1 John 3:4; 5:17). As the Psalmist claims, “the Lord is good.” James reminds us that “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13, KJV). He then tells us that sin (a.k.a., evil; unrighteousness) is born in the lusts (desires) of men, not God.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15).

Second, “His mercy is everlasting.” Mercy is defined as (1) leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; (2) a disposition to be kind and forgiving; (3) the feeling that motivates compassion; something for which to be thankful; (4) Alleviation of distress; (5) showing great kindness toward the distressed [WordWeb]. Because we (mankind) have offended the goodness and righteousness of God through our sins, we stand as condemned. However, because of the compassion, kindness and love of God, those who follow His plan can find leniency in the justice of God. Paul explains in the letter to the Ephesians:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7, emphasis, WR).

“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:9-11, emphasis, WR).

All of this is accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Notice the phrases, “…his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7) and “…which he purposed [planned] in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:11). The Psalmist reminds us this great “mercy is everlasting,” and may we ever praise God for it!

Third, “His truth endures to all generations.” God has always given direction to His creation. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Throughout creation’s history, God has given His truth as that direction. The Hebrews’ writer recorded: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…” (Hebrews 1:1-2a).

Jesus in His prayer to the Father explained, “thy word is truth” (John 17:17). It is through our obedience to that “truth” that will “direct” us in His “mercy.” Luke records the apostles preaching on the Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus:

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:37-40, emphasis, WR).

The apostle Peter spoke of the endurance of God’s Word [a.k.a. “truth”]:

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:18-25, emphasis, WR).

May we ever thank and praise the God of Heaven who loved us so much and has made a way that we might be saved from our sins. The implication from the Psalmist is that because of the goodness of God, His mercy and His truth, we should be motivated to worship Him. Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

THE REDUNDANCY OF BEING A "BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN"

by Todd Clippard

It is not uncommon to hear the term “born again Christian” in religious discussions today. Such language reflects a misunderstanding of the Scriptures and what it means to be “born again.”  In truth, when one is born again, he is a Christian.  If one is a Christian, he became one by being born again.  Conversely, one cannot be a Christian without being born again, and one cannot be born again without becoming a Christian.  Thus, the term “born again Christian” is a redundancy. (A redundancy is unnecessarily saying the same thing twice.)

In like fashion, one does not anywhere read in the New Testament of an unbaptized Christian. Obedience to the gospel requires baptism (immersion in water) to receive remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).  Disciples are made by the means of baptism (Matt 28:19-20).  Acts 11:26 says “the disciples were called Christians at Antioch.”  So, when one finds disciples, he finds Christians, and when he finds Christians, he finds those who have been baptized to receive the forgiveness of sins. When one finds different terms used to describe a similar or identical result, it should be assumed the terms are synonymous.  The following examples are noteworthy:

Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Jesus clarified in verse 5, “Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” This being the case, two things need to be understood: 1) being “born again” is the same as being “born of water and Spirit.” There is not one birth in verse 3 and two in verse 5. “Born” is singular in both verses; and 2) to “see the kingdom of God” is the same as to “enter the kingdom of God.” However, this does not fully answer what is meant by being born again / born of water and Spirit.  We must further search the Scriptures for clarity.

In Titus 3:5, Paul declared our salvation is according to God’s mercy “by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.” The word regeneration literally means “new birth.”  So we find similar terms used in the two passages, “water (John 3:5) and “washing” (Titus 3:5); we also see born again (John 3:3) and new birth (Titus 3:5). Thus, the results are also to be considered the same; seeing / entering the kingdom of God is equal to being saved by God’s mercy.

In 1 Peter 1:22, God says our souls are purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit. In verse 23, that process is described as being “born again” by the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God (cf Lk 8:11).  Likewise, Ephesians 5:26 says that Jesus sanctifies and cleanses His church “with the washing of water by the word.” Mark 16:16 says we must be baptized in order to be saved, and Acts 2:38-47 teaches that only those who are baptized for remission of sins are saved and added to the church by the Lord.

In understanding these texts in harmony with one another, we can know that being born again is the same as: (1) being born of water and Spirit; (2) the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit; (3) the washing of water by the word; (4) purifying our souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit; and (5) baptism (immersion) in water to receive remission of sins.

Have you truly been born again? 

Todd Clippard

Hamilton AL

Todd’s Bio:  Todd Clippard is married to the former Rhonda Bridges of St Louis, MO. They have two children, Shelby and Jeffrey. Todd has served as the preacher for the Burleson Church of Christ near Hamilton AL since February, 1996.  

Links:

www.burlesonchurchofchrist.com 

www.housetohouse.com

PURE AND UNDEFILED

by Scott Cain

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).  Pure and undefiled religion is the goal of every fervent and faithful follower of Jesus Christ.  James’ summary description of religion as authorized by God divides the Christian’s responsibility into two categories: compassion and cleanliness.  God does not present Christians with the option of practicing pure or undefiled religion, but with the obligation and opportunity to practice pure and undefiled religion.  The Christian who fails to practice both compassion and cleanliness has failed to practice pure and undefiled religion. 

Consider the cleanliness that God desires.  This is the “undefiled” aspect of pure and undefiled religion.  God’s people are to remain unspotted from the world’s influences (James 1:27).  Of course, this truth runs directly contrary to the world’s social philosophies as well as the prevailing belief of many who claim to be Christians.  God’s Word, however, remains firm.  Christ’s followers hold to God’s standards, not the world’s (I John 2:15-16; James 4:4). As such, true Christians strive to keep the world’s corrupting influence out of their worship (John 4:24; Matthew 15:9).  True Christians avoid sin by striving to keep the world’s corrupting influence out of their hearts, minds, and lives (Romans 12:1-2; Proverbs 4:23; Psalm 119:11).  For true Christians, God’s Word is their source of instruction (II Timothy 3:16-17), not their family’s opinions, societies preferences, or personal emotions and feelings.    

Consider the compassion that God desires.  This is the “pure” aspect of pure and undefiled religion.  God’s people are to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).  The meaning of the word translated “visit” goes beyond merely the idea of going to see someone (although this idea is certainly included).  The word indicates a bringing of relief.  Christians are to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15).  True Christians fulfill the law of Christ by bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).  True Christians help as much as possible when they see others in need, especially when the one in need is a fellow child of God (I John 3:17; Galatians 6:10). 

This truth can be applied in numerous ways, but consider the simplest description as James gave it: “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  Often the greatest affliction for such people is loneliness.  Receiving cards is uplifting, receiving cash is helpful, but receiving company is the real visit that such souls need.  What if the tables were turned?  What Christian man wants to spend his days sitting in an assisted living facility wondering why his old friends from the congregation never come see him?  What Christian woman wants to stare out the windows of her room and her soul and watch what is left of her life pass her by without a warm visit from her dear Christian friends?  A congregation that does this to its members is missing something: the love of God.  “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (I John 3:17).

No right-thinking soul wants to stand before Christ in judgment and say, “Lord, I served you with pure religion, but I could not keep it undefiled”?  Jesus’ answer to all who do the world’s will instead of the Father’s will is, “…I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).  The same destination awaits a soul that would stand before Jesus and say, “Lord, I served you with undefiled religion, but I just didn’t have time to show compassion.”  To those who fail to practice compassion, Jesus says, “…Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41-45)

Brethren, let us practice both pure and undefiled religion.

Scott's Bio: Scott and his wife Melissa have been married for ten They have three sons: Walker, Tanner, & Hunter.  Scott started preaching regularly in 2005 in Crossville, TN. Since then he has worked with congregations in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, & Louisiana. He has been with the DeGaulle Drive Church of Christ in New Orleans since 2009.  Scott is a 2009 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching.

Link:

http://www.degaulledrivecoc.com 

UNITY

by Steven Ford

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).  

With it we can glorify God and do much good in the world.  Yet, without it our progress is stymied and our overall effectiveness is hampered.  Of course, I am referring to unity. Unity is fundamental in realizing the great potential for all true believers in Christ.  Its importance is such that the apostle Paul, in some way, mentioned UNITY in nearly every one of his inspired letters.  In one such letter he wrote. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

In an effort to highlight its significance, three questions need to be answered.  The first question is, “Why should one seek unity?”  To begin, it follows a divine pattern.  As recorded by John, our Lord prayed that we might be one.  “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).  There is no division within the Godhead.  Thus in seeking to be shaped into the image of our Lord (Romans 8:29), we follow the divine pattern of being “one” or unified.

We should also seek unity because it is a blessing to all involved.  “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion...” (Psalm 133).  In this Psalm, unity is referred to as being both good and pleasant.  There are some things in life that are good, but not pleasant.  Still others may be pleasant, but not good.  Unity meets both criteria.  Not only is unity good and pleasant, but it is “precious.”  Its quality is compared to the anointing oils running down onto the beard of Aaron and the life giving waters that descended from the peaks of Mt. Hermon.  True unity is precious and should be sought after diligently.

Finally, we should seek unity because it allows for focus and stability. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).  The answer quite obviously is, no. Yet, to the contrary when the two are agreed, they can walk hand in hand to accomplish the goal that is set before them.

Further where there is NO UNITY, there is NO STABILITY.  “But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth” (Luke 11:17).  Now knowing its benefits, HOW is unity ACCOMPLISHED?  First, by all men walking the same godly “walk.”  “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye WALK worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).  The apostle Paul encourages us to walk a “WORTHY” walk and NOT a “WORLDLY” walk. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world...” (Ephesians 2:1-2).  One must also “walk” in good works according to the eternal plan of God.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

The second question to be answered is, “how is unity achieved?” We achieve unity by having the right attitude.  “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). There must exhibit an attitude of lowliness.  That means we should be humble; recognizing that it is not about us, but our Lord.  Further, we should have an attitude of meekness.  We should be gentle, kind, and under control.  This would make us like Christ himself.  For it was He that said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart...” (Matthew 11:28-29).

In achieving unity Paul says we should be longsuffering.  We should be patient with each other.  To compliment the longsuffering, he says we should “forbear one another in love,”  [literally to hold up, endure, and tolerate each other].  We should not be so quick to write someone off just because they don’t act like we would hope they would.  Consider the ways of God, “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).

Finally, unity can be achieved by making the effort to do so.  “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3).  Unity will not be achieved by sitting idly by and wishing for it.  By use of the word “endeavoring,” Paul indicates that we should exert ourselves, strive for, and make an earnest effort to be one through Christ.

Having noted the benefits and methods for attaining unity, the final question to answer is, “in which we are to be unified?”  Brother Winston Temple noted that Paul knew that on the divine side (the Godhead), there was perfect unity.  However, he also knew that to bring such a great number of people with different backgrounds into one body, the Church, could cause divisions. Therefore to curb these potential divisions he presented the perfect standard of unity as recorded in Ephesians 4:4-6.

1. There is “one BODY” - Therefore we have unity in ORGANIZATION.
2. There is “one SPIRIT” - Therefore we have unity in GUIDANCE.
3. There is “one HOPE” - Therefore we have unity in ASPIRATION.
4. There is “one LORD” - Therefore we have unity in AUTHORITY.
5. There is “one FAITH” - Therefore we have unity in DOCTRINE.
6. There is “one BAPTISM” - Therefore we have unity in OBEDIENCE.
7. There is “one GOD” - Therefore we have unity in WORSHIP.

We do not strive to accomplish “uniformity” wherein we all dress alike, have the same hobbies or interests, or even think alike on trivial matters. Yet, as it relates to all things spiritual, believers must be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement” (1 Corinthians 1:10).  

We should seek unity because it follows a divine pattern, blesses those involved, and gives us focus toward our spiritual goals.  Unity is accomplished by walking the right “walk,” having the proper attitude, and exerting oneself.  Finally, we are unified by appealing to the sacred standard as presented in Ephesians 4:4-6.  

When Christians stand as one, arm in arm, upholding the truth, and contending for the faith without any divisions, we can do exactly what the church should to do: Bring glory to God through faithful service in the name of Jesus the Christ.  “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).

Steven's Bio: Steven Ford is the local evangelist for the Highway church of Christ in Benton, Arkansas. Benton is located in Central Arkansas just minutes from the capitol city of Little Rock. Steven is also a 2013 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. He, along with his wife Carlisa, and two daughters Savannah and Summer are originally from Detroit, Michigan. While in Michigan Steven was blessed to serve with two faithful congregations both both in the pulpit and with their youth.

Links:
http://www.highwaycoc.com