Month: September 2020

ByEdd Sterchi

To start off this article, I was going to make up a joke about social distancing, but this was as close as I could get! (Give it some thought, it will come to you.)

Now that we are starting to get more and more out into society, we are asked to pay special attention to the social distancing measures that are in place. This is to prevent viral contraction of COVID-19 and becoming infected. The recommended distance to stay away from others is 6 feet. This is common sense.

There is another “social distancing” that God wants us to do. He wants us to social (and private) distance from sin. God knows that if we get too close to sin’s fire, we will get burned. Satan wants us to sin and turn our backs on God. That’s why he tempts us so – for he knows that temptation can lead to sin and sin to spiritual death (James 1:14-15). That’s why God wants us to practice social distancing from sin – so that we do not become spiritually infected.

The Bible is replete in warning us to practice social distancing from sin:

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Pro. 4:14-15).

“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God…Therefore do not be partakers with them.” (Eph. 5:5-7) “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11).

“Do not…share in other people’s sins” (1 Tim. 5:22) “Flee also youthful lusts” (2 Tim. 2:22)

“Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thess. 5:22)

By Joe Slater

I suppose you’ve seen those obnoxious insurance commercials insisting that you should switch to that company because you’l only pay for what you need. Unless your name is Rip Van Winkle, you know that all insurers let you select the coverage you want. If your vehicle has no loan against it, you aren’t required to have full Not right? exactly coverage. news, How does “only pay for what you need” apply to our relationship with God? Just how much religion do you need, and what will it cost you?

Some would say they don’t need much at all. “I’m a good person. I don’t drink or cuss or smoke or … (you extend the list as far as you like). So why would I need religion?” Let us be reminded: “There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). I doubt that you’re any better than Cornelius (Acts 10), who needed to hear “words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). Cornelius needed full coverage; so do you!

As to what it will cost you, the premium is astronomical. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn’t start to commence to begin to make a down-payment on the interest! Fortunately for us, Jesus paid the price for our blood redemption: His (1 Peter 1:19)

There is a sense, however in which it will cost you everything. Jesus said, “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). We’re not talking dollars-and-cents here. We’re talking about dedication and willing surrender to the will of Christ – not half-hearted lip service, but genuine commitment to the Lord.

Jesus paid for everything you need. Do you mean it when you sing, “I surrender all”?

by Joe Slater Church of Christ in Justin, TX

Does having a “religious experience” save you (or prove that you are saved)? Some religious groups require one to relate a religious experience; then they decide whether that experience shows the person is saved and should be granted membership. How does this compare to the New Testament record?

In Acts 2, the Jews in Jerusalem definitely had a religious experience! “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they (the 120) were sitting … And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language” (2:2, 6). But even though it was supernatural, that “experience didn’t save anyone! When the apostles preached the gospel, 3000 believed and responded in repentance and immersion, thus receiving salvation.

Who can deny that Saul of Tarsus had a religious experience in Acts 9? “Suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, ‘Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’” (9:3-4). Contrary to popular belief, this experience didn’t save Saul. God sent Ananias to tell him what to do; Saul “arose and was baptized” (9:18).

Cornelius certainly could lay claim to having a religious experience. An angel of God appeared, telling him to send for Peter (Acts 10:1-6). But that experience didn’t save him! Peter told him “words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). Cornelius and his household obeyed the 10:47-48).gospel just like all the others (Acts 10:47-48)

Even if you had a supernatural experience today (which you won’t), that wouldn’t save you! “Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord!” (Acts 22:16)

What do you see when you look at the word “America?” What mental pictures do the seven letters create in your mind?

To me the capital letter “A” suggests our magnificent snow-covered mountain peaks, and the wigwams of the original Americans.

The letter “M” symbolizes the broad shoulders of our pioneers; shoulders-to-the-wheel pushing our frontiers westward; broad shoulders swinging axes, building a Nation.

The letter “E” might be the lariats of the cowboys riding the plains; lariats of Kit Carson or Buffalo Bill.

The letter “R” is a man with hand outstretched in friendship and cooperation toward all who love freedom, justice and peace.

The letter “I” represents the individual American with his rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The letter “C” is a bent bow from which an arrow had just sped toward the stars of mankind’s highest ideals.

The final letter “A” is a man on his knees in prayer, symbolizing a Nation which recognizes its Creator and gives thanks for His blessings.

Yes, America is a beautiful word!

Via Beech Grove church of Christ. Spring Hil, TN

It is generally thought that the Christians in Colossae  were being pressed upon by external forces to follow  fallacious teachings regarding the worship of angels,  spirits, demons and other objects of God’s creation.  Burton Coffman describes Colossians 1:16 as the verse  that was “the divine thunderbolt that cleared the  atmosphere and let the light of God shine in”. 

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on  earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones  or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things  were created through him and for him. (Colossians  1:16) 

G.G. Findlay said, “By this the apostle declares that  the invisible beings of the world above us, however  lofty their names or mighty their powers, are Christ’s  creatures as much as the lowliest objects within our  sight” 

David Lipscomb said, “This certainly means that  Christ created the whole universe,”  That being the case there is no room for anyone to  worship any  lesser  being than the Creator  Himself…Jesus is truly the Pre-Eminent Creator.