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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
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"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).
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November 30, 2003
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Contents:
1) HIV and AIDS (Tom Edwards)
2) Homeward Bound (Gary Ogden)
3) Teens and Trust (David Johnson)
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-1-
HIV and AIDS
by Tom Edwards
A recent Associated Press article by Jane Wardell points
out that there have been more infections and deaths in 2003 of
HIV and AIDS than ever before. More than 3 million people died
of it this year; and about 5 million more acquired HIV, making
the total number of people who are now living with the virus to
be between 34 million and 46 million, worldwide.
Wardell shows that whereas this was once viewed as a male
homosexual problem, it is now more typified by the young,
African woman. For while Australia and New Zealand gained 1,000
newly infected with HIV this year; Western Europe, 40,000;
North America, 54,000; North Africa and the Middle East,
67,000; the Caribbean, 80,000; South America, 180,000; East
Asia (and Pacific), 270,000; Eastern Europe and Central Asia,
280,000; and South, South East Asia, 1.1 million; Sub-Saharan
Africa, however, the leader in this epidemic, gained 3.4
million new cases for 2003, which gives that small part of the
world a total of 26.6 million people who are now living with
HIV. That area alone, therefore, has 58% to 78% of all the
people in the world who are infected with this virus.
Even as we knew before, but now much more so, another
stereotype that we know is not true is the thinking that all
who are infected with HIV or AIDS have incurred it due to their
immorality or contaminated needles in illegal drug use. For how
often has the faithful spouse been infected by his or her
adulterous mate; or the drug-free partner been infected by his
or her drug-using spouse; or the innocent babies contracting
the virus through their mothers, who, in turn, might have also
unknowingly contracted it through their husbands?
But for those who would live a promiscuous lifestyle,
engaging in immorality without any serious regard of the
consequences, if the thought of contracting HIV or AIDS doesn't
serve as a deterrent to you, how about 1 Corinthians 6:9,10? It
states: "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither
fornicators...nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
homosexuals...shall inherit the kingdom of God."
When people were talking of "safe sex" several years ago,
I thought instead of this above passage. Immorality can never
be made "safe." You can lose your soul for all eternity over
it.
This is not to say, however, that one who has transgressed
God's law cannot be forgiven. For he can, if he will meet God's
terms of pardon. As Paul went on to say to those Corinthians
(to whom he mentioned other specific sins, as well, that would
keep a person out of heaven), "And such were some of you; but
you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the
Spirit of our God" (v. 11). Yes, they once were guilty of these
very sins -- but not any more! They had repented, given their
lives to Jesus Christ, and had been cleansed by His blood. The
people of Corinth, in general, were some of the most immoral
people in the world at that time. But through Jesus Christ,
there was hope for them -- and there is hope for all. If one
will simply turn from sin and turn to the Lord.
May a cure be found -- and for which Christians should
pray -- that HIV and AIDS can be eliminated from our world. Our
hearts go out to those who have been innocently infected; and
even to those who incurred this by their own wrongdoing, we
pray not only for their healing, but also that it will bring
them to humble repentance and the reception of God's mercy and
grace that their souls will be saved in the great judgment day.
For even more important than the healing of our bodies is the
healing of our sin-sick souls that will perish eternally
without Christ. Let us, therefore, not let that happen. For God
has certainly gone to the extreme to make a way of salvation
possible for every transgressor -- regardless of what kind of
sin a person has committed or how many. So don't let His
sacrifice become a vain thing in your life (cf. Heb. 10:26,27).
Rather, let the power of it cleanse you of your every sin and
make you a new creature in Christ as you fully yield yourself
to the Lord by your faith and obedience to His word. For there
is hope in Jesus -- and exceedingly much more than this world
has to offer. And remember, too, that not even death can
separate the faithful Christian from the love of God. (See
Romans 8:31-39.) For it will eventually lead to the bliss of
heaven itself, and that forevermore!
Every person on this planet who has reached an age of
accountability has messed up his or her life in one way or
another, due to transgression (cf. Rom. 3:10, 23); but Jesus
Christ can solve our problem of sin, if we will simply come to
Him, meeting His conditions for our salvation. Whoever you
are, why not humbly come to the Lord today (if you have not yet
done so)? He will not turn you away. The Bible shows how we are
to give ourselves to Christ. It is by our faith that comes
through God's word (Rom. 10:17; Rom. 1:16), our repentance
(Luke 13:5), our confession of faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10;
Acts 8:36-38), our being baptized in water (Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38; 6:3,4; 1 Pet. 3:21). And then, as a child of God, by our
striving to remain in a harmonious relationship with the Lord
by our faith and obedience (1 Jn. 1:7; Jn. 15:1-6; Rev. 2:10).
HIV and AIDS are serious problems in our world today, but
the problem of SIN is even greater -- for it can keep you
separated from God for all eternity, whereas nothing else can.
We must, therefore, each focus on the spiritual above the
carnal, on the eternal above the temporary, on the Lord's will
above our own will, and to be truly concerned with fully giving
ourselves over to the Lord and living for Him daily that heaven
will be our home in the great by-and-by, where our bodies will
be as perfect as our relationships will be in that blissful
abode that shall never cease. May the good Lord help each one
of us to strive for that; and may He also meet whatever our
particular needs are -- whether physical or especially
spiritual.
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-2-
Homeward Bound
by Gary Ogden
"For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek the
city which is to come. Through him let us offer up a sacrifice
of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which
make confession to His name. But to do good and to communicate
forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased"
(Hebrews 13:14-16).
Is it true that we have no abiding cities on this earth?
Does history bear this out? Sodom and Gomorrah certainly were
not abiding cities. Jerusalem exists today but it has been
destroyed and rebuilt time and again. Babylon, one of the
greatest and most magnificent cities of ancient times, is
nothing but a rubbish heap. San Francisco was once completely
demolished by an earthquake and Rome isn't really an "eternal
city." Yes, God is right again; we have here no abiding city.
We had better set our sights on another home, a heavenly city.
Abraham, the father of the faithful, has led the way. "By
faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a
land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city
which hath foundations, whose builder and make is God" (Heb.
11:9-10). Abraham knew this world was not home, but that he was
a pilgrim passing through. Until we recognize this truth, we
will be longing for the wrong things.
A characteristic of those who are seeking that heavenly
city is the offering of sacrifices of praise to God continually
(Heb. 13:15). Part and parcel of our existence upon earth is
to worship. "True worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit
and truth; for such doth the Father seek to be his worshipers"
(John 4:23). Such worship is offered through Jesus Christ for
"no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
God doesn't ask us to sacrifice animals as He demanded of
the ancients, but "the fruit of lips which make confession to
His name."
In our sojourn we are to confess to others our belief in
God and His Son. "Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth
Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised
Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Don't
think of confession as a one-time act, but a continual
sacrifice of praise.
Seekers of that heavenly city would offer the fruit of
their lips by singing the praises of God, Christ and Home. We
are called to "make melody in our heart unto the Lord" (Eph.
5:19). How could someone who is Homeward Bound refuse to sing?
"Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God!"
Would not Homeward Bound people be a praying people?
Prayer is depicted in the Bible as "incense" (Rev. 5:8). "Pray
without ceasing" is not simply an easy verse to memorize, but
it is a way of life for those looking above. How in this world
are we going to make it to heaven without a constant prayer on
our lips for help, guidance, strength, forgiveness?
Teaching the word of God would certainly qualify as a
sacrifice of praise. Not everyone has the ability to teach in a
formal way, but each can find a way to influence others with
truth. When a parent teaches his/her child about God and His
ways, that's a sacrifice of praise.
Not only are we to offer the "fruit of our lips" but those
who are "looking for a city" have their mind set on "doing good
and communicating" (Heb. 13:16). Doing good takes in a large
territory and involves the active doing of all of God's will.
To neglect to do good is sin (James 4:17). Our whole life
should be spent in doing good and not evil. Evil is a sacrifice
to the devil and too many are bowing down to that idol!
"To communicate" is a specific kind of "good." It means to
share our material means with those who are in need. "Charge
them that are rich in this present world, that...they do good,
that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to
distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for
themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that
they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed" (I Timothy
6:17-19).
How easy it is to become self-centered as we rack up and
stack up possessions. We can lose our perspective. We can lay
up treasures in a place where we have no abiding city. It makes
no sense. We forget to share, to sacrifice. Such failure,
according to Jesus, bars our entrance into that eternal city
(Matthew 25:41-46).
Are you in love with this world, or is your true
"affection on things above, where Christ is"? We don't need to
get too comfortable down here. There's a better place awaiting,
a heavenly city, prepared by God. He prepared it for people
like Abraham, and like you and me.
Abraham set his sights pretty high. Heaven's about as high
as you can get! Do you remember where Home is? Are you
praising? Are you sacrificing? Are you communicating?
Are you Homeward Bound?
-- Via Gardendale church of Christ bulletin
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-3-
Teens and Trust
by David Johnson
One of the most important things that you can have from
your parents is their trust. When your parents trust you, you
will find it is much easier to get permission to do all those
things you want to do. But when they don't trust you -- you can
just about forget it!
You should do everything humanly possible to protect that
trust. How? Let me give a couple of suggestions. First, be
willing to answer their questions about who, where, and what
concerning your activities. I know you think they are being
nosey, but that's a parent's job. When you act like you don't
want to answer or you resent their questions, they begin
thinking you must be involved in something that is wrong.
Their trust begins to waver.
Secondly, be honest. If you tell them you are going to a
ball game -- be there. If you say you got back from a school
activity at 10:00 p.m. -- be sure it's true. If you say you're
attending a special church service -- be there. When parents
catch you in just ONE lie, it makes them very reluctant to
trust you next time.
Parents, unless your child has given you reason to believe
otherwise, trust in them must be automatic. Teens, if you have
your parents' trust, protect it at all costs. Your happiness
may depend on it.
-- Via Gospel Truth, February 11, 1996
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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
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