____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ May 10, 1992 ____________________________________________________ "Beware of the Dogs" by Tom Edwards In Philippians 3:2, Paul warns the brethren to ``Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision." Who are these "dogs" whom Paul makes reference to? According to Unger's Bible Dictionary, ``In the East, `dog' is used for impure and profane persons, and was used by the Jews respecting the Gentiles (Matt. 15:26).'' In addition to this, it also stands for false teachers, as we can see in the very context of our passage. Here it is used as a way of censure toward a certain group of Jewish people--the Judaizers. The descriptive phrase ``of the false circumcision'' is pertaining to this same group; it alludes to their misconception they had toward the keeping of the Law of Moses. As recorded in Romans 10:3, these Jews, who had been guilty of ``not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own....,'' had believed that the Law of Moses was still in effect and, therefore, bound its requirements upon anyone who would want to be saved (Circumcision having been just one aspect of that Law. See Acts 15:1,5 and Gal. 5:4). These are referred to as being of the ``false circumcision'' because those of the true circumcision, as we see in Philippians 3:3, are the ones who ''...worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.'' As Paul elaborates on this in Romans 2:28,29, he shows that one ''...is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.'' The circumcision Paul has in mind is a spiritual circumcision that metaphorically cuts away the sins in one's heart and can only be done by the Spirit of God--not by human hands. Tragically, it appears that some of these Judaizers had been extremely influential (just as many false teachers are today). Their very presence had compelled Peter to act hypocritically for a moment and withdraw himself from Gentile fellowship (Gal. 2:12,13)--and for which Paul rebuked him face to face. Apparently, having learned his lesson, Peter is never seen making this mistake again. False teachers abound in our day (and some of these are also very persuasive); we must be on guard against them by giving earnest heed to the word of the Lord. May we each continue to abide in the Lord Jesus that His joy may be our strength and that the wisdom of His Spirit, as received through the Scriptures, will help us from having our faith shook by the "barking" of the erring. Remember, false teaching cannot lead to a true heaven; nor will there ever be any ``dogs'' there (Rev. 22:15). ___________________________________________ The Eternal Value of Not Giving Up by Tom Edwards As we considered last week, there are probably many reasons--though unjustifiable--why some people do not want to obey the Lord. For instance, sometimes it is because of peer pressure or the threat of social ostracism (John 12:42,43) or perhaps--as in the case of the early church--the fear of torture or death could also serve as an overwhelming deterrent. To comfort those who would face the latter, Jesus says, ``And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell'' (Matt. 10:28). Also in Revelation 2:10, the promise of an everlasting life is given to those who would remain true to God during their endurance of much tribulation: ``Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life'' (Rev. 2:10). Also in Luke 21:19, this same reoccurring thought is exclaimed: ``By your endurance you will gain your lives.'' Again and again, we are made aware of the need for the Christian to persevere in his faith and obedience; but just how important is this? God, through the writer of the book of Hebrews, clearly shows of this by warning, ``For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised...But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul'' (Heb. 10:36,38,39). Eternal salvation is contingent upon our perseverance in living for God (Rom. 2:7,8). To ``shrink back'' can only lead to destruction. We must, therefore, ``contend earnestly for the faith'' (Jude 3) and not stray from it--for that would result in eternal ruin (James 5:19,20). There is great reward for the one who will remain true and faithful to the Lord Jesus. In speaking to His apostles, the Lord encouraged them with the following chal lenge: ``And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved'' (Matt. 10:22). Will you be one who will also endure to the end? If you are not a Christian, we would like to help you become one. And if you are a Christian who has ceased enduring for the cause of Christ, we would like to encourage you to pick up your cross again and follow after Jesus. Do so now, while you have the time. Tomorrow might be too late. Now is the time for each of us to live faithfully and endure whatsoever may befall us for the gospel's sake. Whatever your lot in life will be, your perseverance in Christ can help you through, fill your life with purpose, and lead you to a blissful eternity that will make you forever glad that you did not give up. ___________________________________________ SEVEN FACES OF FAILURE by John Clark In their book The Conquest of Frustration, Maxwell Maltz and Raymond C. Barker list seven facets of frustration that produce failure. I am listing them below along with a text of scripture that contains an answer to the problem. Fear: ``There is no fear in love; but perfect love cas teth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love'' (1 John 4:18). Aggressiveness: ``Be not overcome of evil, but over come evil with good'' (Romans 12:21). Insecurity: ``I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me'' (Philippians 4:13). Loneliness: ``For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me'' (Hebrews 13:5). Uncertainty: ``For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day'' (2 Tim. 1:12). Resentment: ``And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you'' (Ephesians 4:32). Emptiness: ``But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus'' (Philippi ans 4:19). It is not so much a matter of doing as the old song said, ``powder your face with sunshine, put on a happy face.'' It is more a matter of power your soul with God's help and you'll have a happy face! ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 1314 Montgomery Avenue, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@zoomnet.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.zoomnet.net/~tedwards/go ________________________________________