Articles Archives - Page 96 of 114 - Flatwoods church of Christ

The Path to Citizenship

May 27, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (NKJV). Whatever our earthly situation, Christians can rejoice in the fact that we are citizens of heaven. Before we were in Christ, we were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, but contact with His blood changed all that (Eph. 2:12-13). Now God has gathered people of all nationalities into His Son and made a holy nation (1 Pet. 2:9), Christ’s church, the true Israel of God (Gal. 6:16).

How do people become citizens of heaven, so that their names are written there (Heb. 12:23)? Well, by birth. Citizenship has always had a connection with birth. Birth was how the apostle Paul became a Roman citizen, “Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born” (Acts 22:27-28).

baby

While the path to becoming a citizen of an earthly nation can be by birth or through naturalization (which may involve applications, waiting lists, and various other prerequisites) the uniqueness of citizenship in heaven is that everyone today must be naturalized by birth. Nicodemus was born an Israelite, and through hard work had become not only a Pharisee, but also a ruler of the Jews (John 3:1); thus, he probably thought he would certainly be a citizen of heaven because he was a descendant of Abraham (cf. Mt. 3:7-9). However, when Nicodemus approached Jesus one evening, he heard the truth, which radically challenged his beliefs. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This new birth was not a second physical birth, as Nicodemus obtusely queried (John 3:4), but is a spiritual birth of water and Spirit (John 3:5).

When one is ready to submit to the Savior, water baptism brings new life (Rom. 6:4), makes one a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27), washes away sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and saves (1 Pet. 3:21). Truly baptism is this new birth, the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5), at which point one becomes a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus is the one and only path to the Father (John 14:6), and baptism puts one into Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27); thus, the one path to heavenly citizenship is defined.

While many may give most of their time and effort to the affairs of earthly commonwealths, trying to make their government the best it can be according to their views, the Christian must always place citizenship in heaven first. Are we working to help people become citizens of heaven? Christ is our loving monarch, who rules in righteousness as Isaiah 32:1 prophesied. His is the only perfect kingdom, and the only one that will matter in the end (1 Cor. 15:22-24).

-Mark Day

Responding to Individuals Within the Congregation

May 19, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Christians are to be concerned about how they respond to various members of their local congregation. The exhortations of this verse are not solely given to elders, but to all members. While elders play an important role in caring for the local congregation (v. 12), the burden of maintaining spiritual health in the local community of Christians is a shared responsibility of all; every member of the church ought to help other members to be built up in the faith (v. 11).

To do this the congregation must extend help to meet particular needs of each member. Within a congregation there are a variety of dispositions and we must respond in kind. Wisdom dictates that we not “warn the weak” nor “encourage the unruly.”

Instead we must “warn the unruly.” These are those who are literally “out of step,” or insubordinate to the commands of Christ. All too often congregations remain passive in the face of disorderly members who repeatedly flout the commands of Christ. The Scriptures teach the proper response to their conduct is admonition (cf. Rom. 15:14; 2 Thess. 3:15; Tit. 3:10).

A second group needing a particular response is the “feebleminded.” These are the timid and faint of heart. They may be discouraged and are in danger of giving up the Christian faith because they have suffered some sort of adversity. These individuals need a different response from the congregation than the first group. Rather than being warned, they must be persuaded not to give up. The response the congregation must make to these is to “comfort” or encourage them. Encouraging a brother or sister in Christ can go a long way toward helping them not to lose heart in the midst of worries.

Thirdly, Paul instructs the congregation to “support the weak.” These may be those who are weak physically. The sick among us are to be cared for (Matt. 25:43-44) and prayed for (James 5:14-16). The weak could also be those who are spiritually weak. The distinction from the second group would be that these are those who have scruples in regard to some externals. There were those weaker brethren in the first-century church who had hang ups about eating certain foods or keeping certain days (Rom. 14:1-12; 1 Cor. 8:7-13). The church’s response should be to help such people by taking an interest in them rather than walking all over them.

Finally, we are to “be patient toward all.” This call to be longsuffering would transform many congregations of the Lord’s church if it were practiced. Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). We have already mentioned that within the church there are a variety of people with a variety of dispositions and a variety of needs. Instead of responding curtly towards others, each of us can develop and exercise patience. Patience is needed with all these groups: the unruly, the feebleminded, and the weak. Whatever the situation or problem, patience is to be used at all times toward all people.

May each member of the Flatwoods congregation improve in responding to the spiritual needs of others.

-Mark Day

The Words of My Mouth

May 12, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22); thus, he prayed “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD” (Psalm 19:14). Controlling our thoughts and words is one of the most demanding, but essential endeavors we must pursue if we will be pleasing to God. Certainly one leads to the other, for as Christ noted, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Mt. 12:34).

words

There are certain words that a Christian should never use. God does not specify a list in the Bible because meanings of words in different languages and cultures change throughout time. God’s word could not possibly list all the words that constitute profanity for all cultures for all time, but in principle the Bible gives some guidelines. Christians are not to allow “corrupt communication” to proceed out of the mouth (Eph. 4:29). These words are evil or corrupt in a moral sense. We know what these words are, and the righteous will know what is acceptable to God (Prov. 10:32). “Foolish talking and jesting” are also off limits (Eph. 5:4). This would include stupid speech and vulgar, off-color jokes. No filthy communication should come out of our mouths (Col. 3:8). Any obscene speech that disregards social and moral standards is shameful. A Christian should be ashamed to ever utter such language.

James 3:5 instructs us that the tongue, though a little member, can do great damage. While many members of the Lord’s church would never use a curse word or tell a vulgar joke, gossip is so tempting and seems so innocent. It is passed along many times without a second thought. But it is a spreading fire and deadly poison (James 3:6, 8). A church member by the name of Diotrephes wanted to put himself first (3 John 9). Because he was power hungry, he resorted to verbally attacking the apostle John, “prating” against him with “malicious words” (3 John 10). The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly” (Prov. 18:8). We must be careful not to spread lies, even if we do not know it is a lie. A “lying tongue” is one of the things the Lord hates (Prov. 6:17). “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” are two others (Prov. 6:19). What we must ask ourselves before we say anything is: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it needed?

Since I will give an account of every word I choose to let out of my mouth in the Judgment, I must exercise extreme caution with my speech (Mt. 12:36). It is wise for me to watch my mouth, because God certainly is.

-Mark Day

After Graduation, What Then?

April 29, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecc. 12:1).

This is the time of year when students in schools and colleges look hopefully forward to being graduated and thus end the arduous years they have spent in preparing themselves to face the business world and the time of putting into practice all that they have learned.

At the graduation exercises a speaker usually commends them for their having successfully studied and earned their diplomas. But he also might point out to them that they have only learned the rules and standards that permit them to look for gainful employment. Should they fail to take advantage of what they have learned, their graduation will mean little to them. Graduation is only the first step into a new and exciting world.

Graduates will be called upon to remember a great number of things that they have been taught over the previous years. But the text that we have cited (Ecc. 12:1) is certainly one that should be read, re-read and studied diligently by all who are “going out into the world on their own.” You may forget some of the things that you studied in preparation for life, but if you “forget thy Creator” you will have left behind the important thing in life. You may remember how to make a living, but if you forget how to live you will never be a success. Paul said, “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” (Gal. 2:20).

As graduates step into the days that are before them, there is nothing as important as remaining faithful to God. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). With these principles as their guide, our graduates have a great deal in store for them. Their lives will be filled with the joy that belongs to the child of God.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 clearly gives the formula for success. Remember that God is the strength and hope of all who will truly succeed. “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth” (Psalm 71:5).

-Author Unknown

LET GOD BE YOUR WHOLE LIFE AND YOUR TRUE GOAL.

–submitted by Jerry Sturgill

The Christian’s Vigil

April 21, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Last week a FedEx hub worker fell asleep in the process of loading an aircraft in Memphis, TN. He woke up and was startled to find the plane was flying over Texas. While the thought of this man mistakenly nodding off and travelling hundreds of miles unbeknownst to him is humorous, there is a sobering spiritual lesson that came to my mind when I heard this news.

airplane

Perhaps, we have all heard the adage: “sin will take you farther than you want to go and make you pay more than you want to owe.” Sin surrounds us, and, if we are not alert, we can be lulled to a spiritual stupor where we no longer think sin is a big deal. While today the world may look at things that were considered unthinkable 50 or 100 years ago as “no big deal,” God’s word is timeless. Long after our short time on this earth is expired, if the world still stands, God’s word will still say the same as it always has regarding the works of darkness and light.

Consider Ephesians 5:3-14:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Christians are called to be awake and ever vigilant to the spiritual dangers the world poses. If we do not keep our eyes out, we may well end up some place we never intended to be: in the place of God’s wrath. Let our sleep come at the end of life’s day when we can rest in Jesus:

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him (1 Thessalonians 5:5-10).

-Mark Day