____________________________________________________ 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 20, 2005 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Self Control (Olen Holderby) 2) Cliques (Steve Klein) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- Self Control by Olen Holderby Self-control is urged upon us by the Word of God, and for obvious and good reasons. Through many years of working with people in varying situations, I have observed what a lack of self-control can do. Few indeed are the faults of a man that can cause more difficulties than a lack of self-control. Self-control is not to be confused with self-esteem, self-devotion, self-determination, or self-defense. Neither does self-control always suggest independence. Through a study of God's word we can come to understand that self-control is a must for the Christian, and advisable for all. What, then, does God's word teach on this subject? The word "self-control" comes from a Greek word (Kratos) meaning "strength." God has given man various powers and these can easily be abused. Proper use depends, to a great extent, upon self-control. In Paul's discourse with Felix (Acts 24:25), "self-control" follows "righteousness" (ASV). In this case, it would seem that the word "righteousness" represents God's claim on man, and "self-control" would be man's response to God's claim. In 2 Pet. 1:6 (ASV) it follows "knowledge," suggesting that what is learned is to be put to practice. Here, it should be noticed, "self-control" is one of nine things of which it is said, "He that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." Paul gives "self-control" as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Gal. 5:23, suggesting, to me, that one who follows the instructions of the Spirit will be practicing self-control. It is used as an adjective in reference to certain individuals: elders (Tit. 1:8), older men (Tit. 2:2), older women (1 Tim. 3:11). In 1 Cor. 9:25, it is used, as a verb, in reference to the athlete with a view of winning the prize. In this passage Paul affirms that he practices "self-control" to win the "incorruptible" crown. These references are enough to clearly establish the fact that "self-control" is required by God, for all who would faithfully serve him. There are three basic areas in which self-control plays an important role: thoughts, words, actions. And, in each case the control can be seen to be both positive and negative. Aspects of Life Affected by "Self-Control" Control of our thoughts can be seen to be both positive and negative; there are some things that we are not to think and some things which we are to think. Love "thinketh no evil" (1 Cor. 13:5) well establishes the negative aspect. In Phil. 4:8, we have fully stated the positive, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Most will recognize that right here is where a great deal of difficulty begins; the thoughts running astray from these divine principles. Jesus, of course, taught this same truth in Mk. 7:20-23. As it is in the case of our thoughts, so it is with our words. There are some which we should say and some which we ought not to say. The Psalmist said, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer" (Psa. 19:14). "A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul." These statements of wisdom are in Prov. 18:6-7, and are in excellent parallel with James 3, that excellent New Testament commentary on the proper use of the tongue. The seriousness of proper control of the tongue is well expressed in James 1:26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." In Christianity, every man is to speak as the oracles of God (1 Pet. 4:11). However, it was left to Paul to lay down the crowning principle for all our speaking: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:6). The control of our actions is no less important. If the reader will notice such passages as Rom. 12:2; Rom. 14:13; or 1 Thess. 5:22, he easily will notice the negative feature. 1 Thess. 5:21; Eph. 4:1-3; and Phil. 1:27 will just as easily set forth the positive aspects. Every Christian recognizes that there are some things which he should not do and some things which he must do. Application Having noticed, briefly, some things concerning self-control with reference to our thoughts, words, and actions, we are now ready to state more precisely the application of the meaning of self-control. Self-control is not just refraining from thinking wrong things, but the thinking of right things; it is not just refraining from saying wrong things, but the saying of right things; and, it is not just refraining from doing wrong, but the doing of right. Who, then, has self-control, according to the Bible? It is not an impossible feature, for we are instructed to possess it. Wherever and in whatever circumstances a Christian may find himself, he is under obligation to practice self-control. According to Rom. 6:16, there are two powers to whom we may yield ourselves to serve. A failure to obey the Lord is to place oneself under the control of Satan. On the other hand, to obey the Lord is to practice the self-control taught in his word. This is why it was stated near the beginning that self-control did not always suggest independence. Soul-saving self-control is submission to God's Word. We need to believe that Word so strongly that we find ourselves in somewhat the same condition as Joseph in Egypt when he saw his brothers for the first time in many years; he "could not refrain himself" (Gen. 45:1). When this is really so, we shall willingly embark upon that never-ending task of maintaining that self-control taught by the Almighty. -- Via Truth Magazine XIX: 8, p. 125, January 2, 1975 ____________________________________________________ -2- Cliques by Steve Klein Are you part of a small close-knit group of people at work, school or within the church? If so, some might say that you are in a clique. The question is "Is it sinful to be a part of such a group?" A clique is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "a narrow exclusive circle or group of persons, especially one held together by a presumed identity of interests, views and purposes." In this definition, the words "narrow" and "exclusive" are important. It is one thing to have a few friends with whom you are especially close; it is quite another when those friends become narrow, exclusive and separatist. One thing is plain from the example of Jesus' life; there is nothing wrong with having a close-knit group of special friends. Jesus picked twelve men to "be with Him and that He might send them out to preach" (Mark 3:14). I wonder if the rest of His disciples thought that this group was a clique? From among the twelve, Jesus singled out Peter, James and John for special attention. Only these three went in with Him when He raised the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:51), when He was transfigured (Mark 9:2), and when He prayed in the Garden (Mark 14:32-34). Did Jesus play favorites? Was this special group of three disciples a "clique"? Some might say so. Whatever it was, we know that it was not sinful, because our Lord participated in it! I conclude that it is not wrong to have a close-knit group of friends -- at work, at school, or in the church. It is not sinful to spend more of your time with some of your friends than you spend with others. But care should be taken, because such close-knit associations can become sinful. Here's how: 1) By caring about the welfare of those in your group, but not the welfare of those outside it. Philippians 2:4 commands each of us to "look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." When I only show love and concern for the few who are closest to me, I am sinning. Jesus may have had those who were closer to Him than others, but He had the same love and concern for everyone. 2) By developing an "us" against "them" mentality. When your definition of a friend is "someone who dislikes the same people you dislike" you are probably in a clique that is sinful. As Christians, we are "all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). We are different in form and function, but we are all part of the same body and should work together as such (1 Corinthians 12:13ff). 3) By thinking that your group is "superior" to others. Exclusive groups that are formed around such things as material wealth, social status or ethnicity have no place among God's people. Partiality and prejudice based on such things is completely contrary to the most basic principles of God's law. In James 2:8-9 the Scripture says that "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors." In the church, there will naturally be some that we are closer to than others. Perhaps we share the same secular interests, are related by blood, went to school together, live closer to one another or are near the same age. Closer friendships based on these things are natural. But let us never allow the closeness we have with some in the church to become a barrier between others and ourselves. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, February 20, 2005 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Let those of us who are Christians be remembering the following in prayer for their health problems: Joe and Maxine Pine, Joe McGregor, Luther Shuff, and June Farmer. Others to also be praying for: * Sheila Watts' brother of Denham Springs will be undergoing surgery this coming Tuesday (March 22). * Nancy May (Barbara Eiland's sister) will be having surgery in Minnesota for a rare illness called "Cushing Disease." "A Day with Christ" will be the theme for a special series of lessons this coming Saturday (March 26) at the Northshore Church of Christ that meets at 67288 Armel Road in Mandeville, Louisiana. There will be 5 different speakers: 10 AM: Birth of Jesus (Roy Fenner) 11 AM: The Beatitudes (Tom Edwards) 12 PM: Great Faith (Bill Crews) 2:30 PM: The Rich Young Ruler (Don Davis) 3:30 PM: The Second Coming (R.J. Evans) Directions are available at the church's website (www.northshorechurchofchrist.com) or call (985) 871-0099. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________