____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ March 9, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Blessings in Adversity (Tom Edwards) 2) The Smudge on Your Face (Steve Klein) 3) The Importance of Words (Gilbert Alexander) ____________________________________________________ -1- Blessings in Adversity by Tom Edwards First of all, I don't want to come across as sounding callous or uncaring toward human suffering in considering this topic. Some hardships, such as the loss of a loved one, can be a difficult thing to bear and certainly not something we could get through without grief, sadness, and many tears -- perhaps even feeling lost, hopeless, and forsaken at times -- along with many other negative and difficult-to-bear emotions. But let us realize that even when the child of God is feeling like he is in the pit of the lowest despair and lost in the dark caverns of overwhelming depression, that regardless of how low he goes, no matter how adverse the circumstances, there is a God who cares more deeply for that suffering individual than any of us can fully fathom; and the Lord can use the hard times that ailing one goes through -- letting him grieve, as he needs to -- and through it all, mold him into being a better and stronger person as he looks to God for his comfort and help and to be lifted out of the pit. For he also knows that the light of God's word will always triumph over the darkness of his soul -- if he lets it -- filling even its nooks and crannies with a comforting illumination to eventually quell every despondent crevice to even the inner depths of his soul. Adversities come in various forms and many sizes. None of them are ever pleasant or what we would enjoy, for if they were they would not truly be an adversity. They produce trying times -- ordeals to contend with. Some of them emanate from evil, while others do not; but we generally think of all of them as being a "bad" experience. However, in this article, let us focus on how even times of trouble can be used for our good. The Old Testament implies metaphorically toward God using trials and tribulations as a refinery in which He rids His people of their dross and purifies them into being of better quality. Concerning this, the Psalmist writes, "For You, O God, have proved us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment" (Psa. 66:10-12). Also, through Isaiah, the Lord states, "Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it..." (Isa. 48:10,11). Corresponding to this, in the New Testament, Peter exhorts the brethren who were undergoing a "fiery ordeal" for the cause of Christ to think it not a "strange thing," but rather view it as a means whereby their faith could be tested -- and, therefore, rejoice to the degree that they had shared in the sufferings of Christ (1 Pet. 4:12). It is very possible that this "fiery" trial -- at least at times -- was a literal one: that in being persecuted for his faith, the Christian was burned alive, such as had been done in Nero's reign, during the 1st century, who made human torches out of Christians for his garden (Foxe's Book of Martyrs, p. 13). Peter tells us, though, that one who suffers for being a Christian doesn't have to feel ashamed; but, rather, he can "in that name...glorify God" (v. 16). Earlier in this epistle, Peter points out that though the brethren had been distressed by various trials, they still greatly rejoiced -- "that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:6,7). In knowing these truths, we can better understand James' instruction to "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jms. 1:2-4). This does not mean that we rejoice in the trial per se -- but we can rejoice in spite of it. Similar to this is Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians that "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:18). Again, this is not instructing us to be grateful for all the wickedness that happens in our world -- for love does not rejoice in iniquity (1 Cor. 13:6) -- but it does show that we can be thankful in spite of the evil things that occur, realizing that God can use even them for our personal spiritual development; and, therefore, not even the abounding evil can thwart the continual growth of a Christian who truly loves the Lord. So this also indicates that God is not always the one responsible for the adversities that befall us. For if they have arisen due to sin, for instance, then surely the Lord would not be the promoter or instigator of that. What this article points out, however, is that God -- regardless of the origin of the tribulation (even if sin from another) -- can use any circumstance for our good. For example, one of the most evil events in the history of our world is when wicked men coldly, insultingly, and shamefully put to death the innocent, perfect, and divine Son of God. Sinful man was crucifying his Creator. Satan probably gloated over it as his triumph. But out of that darkly stained atrocity came the resplendent victory and the greatest blessing this world has ever been given: an atonement for sin that can save a soul from the torments of eternal hell, make him a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17), deliver him from Satan's domain, translate him into God's kingdom (Col. 1:13), and lead him to the endless bliss of heaven itself. Therefore, of all people, Christians should be the most optimistic. For we realize that there is nothing that could ever happen to us that could separate us from God's love or hinder His work with us -- with the exception of personal sin (Rom. 8:31-39). As Paul tells the Romans, "...And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). The key to all of this is that one truly loves the Lord, and that includes submitting to His commandments (John 14:21,23,24) -- and doing so when it is even a challenge or inconvenient. In realizing these truths, we can see that even in adversities there are blessings that we need to be thankful for unto God and continue to look to Him and walk in His narrow pathway that leads to eternal comfort and joy without end. So let us also remind ourselves that when things seem to be going so wrong in our lives -- everything breaking down, nothing working out right, being slandered and misrepresented, suffering rejection, beset with temptations, losing a job, being terribly heartbroken from an unrequited love, loss of health, bills piling up, suffering the loss of a loved one, or experiencing other trials and struggles of life -- God can probably do more good for us during these times than when everything seems to be going so well in our lives. For, as we have seen, He can use tribulations for our good. So, with all this in mind, we can view these difficulties in a different light -- in a better and a positive one -- realizing that blessings for our betterment can prevail even in adversities. ____________________________________________________ -2- The Smudge on Your Face by Steve Klein Have you ever had a friend tell you that you had a smudge of grease, food, or make-up on your face? What did you do? If you're like most folks, first your mind races with questions like "How did that get there?" "How long has it been there?" and "Who else has seen it?" Then, if you are caught in this kind of situation without a mirror, you rub your face at the point you estimate the blot to be and ask, "Did I get it?" Your friend responds, "No, you smeared it!" You roll your eyes, rub again and ask, "How about now?" "OK, you're fine," you're told; and you believe it. We often deal with sin like a smudge on the face. At first we don't realize it's there. Then we're not sure how it got there. Next we blindly try to rub it off before too many others see it. Our inability to see ourselves and our pride combine to make our spiritual faces into messy smears of sin. Folks tell us we're OK, and we believe them without checking a mirror. God has a solution to the smudges of sin. He has given us a Mirror. God's word is like a mirror in which we can see our spiritual selves. It ought always to be with us -- in our hearts. As it guides our steps, it can even keep us from getting sin smudges to begin with. "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). He wants us to look into the Mirror regularly. When we look into the mirror of God's word, we can clearly see the smudges of sin. If you want to keep smudges off, you must be one who "looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it" (James 1:25). He expects us to clean ourselves up accordingly. God has provided the means for us to clean ourselves through His word and His grace when we see that we have been stained by sin. When the Psalmist asked, "How can a young man cleanse his way?" They answer was, "By taking heed according to Your word" (Psalm 119:9). By following the instructions of God's word, and taking advantage of the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, we can cleanse away the smudges of sin. "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). The Lord has provided the means for us to see ourselves and be cleansed. We must take advantage of what He is provided. He is not like some overzealous grandmother with a wetted handkerchief who is always daubing at the grimy faces of unwilling grandchildren. He pleads with us to "cleanse ourselves." -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ in New Georgia, January 26, 2003 ____________________________________________________ -3- The Importance of Words by Gilbert Alexander Words are the stuff language is made of. They are the vehicles of thought, the structural blocks of communication. They can turn away wrath or stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Deceitful words are sometimes smoother than butter (Ps. 55:21), deceiving the hearts of the simple (Rom. 16:18). Careless and unguarded speech gets people into trouble. It is better to be a man of few words than to sin through a multitude of words (Pro. 10:19, Eccl. 5:2,3). Words of truth give light (Ps. 119:130), and the words of the wise are like goads and nails which urge obedience to God and fasten securely our hope and faith. Empty words are vain and, in some cases, profane. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Ps. 19:14). God chose the words used in the Scriptures. He gave names to people and sometimes changed their names to convey a message. In expressing His will to us and giving His commandments to us, He used the words He chose because they conveyed the message He wanted to deliver. Jesus was so named because He is the Savior or Deliverer. He was called Christ because He is the Messiah, the anointed One. Every word in the Lord's commands is significant. "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation" tells us that we must express our faith with words and that such confession is a part of God's plan of salvation since it is unto salvation. When God commanded that people believe and be baptized, He coupled faith and baptism (immersion, not pouring or sprinkling) for salvation. Men have fought against this simple truth with every stratagem they can conceive, but God meant what He said. When teachers of God's word point out that the way of salvation is for all, everyone, whosoever and all men everywhere they are using words that God chose to declare who can be saved. Since all words have meaning and significance, it is essential that we understand the meanings of words in order to understand the message and to know what to do (I Cor. 14:9-11). Teachers must use understandable words, and hearers must ask about things they did not hear well or did not understand, if teaching is to be accomplished. Even simple words like meet, let, prevent, hell and others may be confusing if one does not recognize that they have more than one meaning. The language of the Scriptures is not intended to be vague, but to be clear and direct in thought. Finally, our words are important -- even enough to justify or condemn us (Matt. 12:37). We must be careful about what we say and how we say it. We must use sound words that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:8). We must speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). We must be swift to hear and slow to speak, to give proper thought as to whether to speak and what to say. Let us never underestimate the power and importance of words. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________