____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ September 13, 1997 ____________________________________________________ Looking In the Right Direction by Tom Edwards Mankind has always had a need for vision, and one which cannot be enhanced or remedied exclusively by a mere upgrade in one's bifocals or glasses; but rather it is a betterment in our spiritual eyes of faith that becomes paramount--lest we lose sight of the great beyond or become blind to the truth of the gospel and our responsibilities before God. As Solomon wisely expressed, about 3,000 years ago, ``Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.'' Interestingly, this ancient sage indicates a necessary connection between vision and keeping the law. Surely, to neglect and violate God's righteous requirements would be, by far, the greatest oversight of all; and a manifestation of one's vision being aimed in the wrong direction. Peter warned the Christians of the possibility of becoming ``blind or short-sighted'' (2 Pet. 1:9) if they would lack in the needed virtues of diligence, faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Pet. 1:5-7). If such be the case, one will become unmindful of even ``his purification from his former sins'' (2 Pet. 1:9). As Christians, we are to be ``fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith....'' (Heb. 12:2) and to ''...keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God'' (Col. 3:1). Naturally, this requires more than the mere use of our physical eyes; and we, therefore, must look to Him by faith. Because of this kind of faith, the Hebrew writer was able to say--in the present tense--more than thirty years after the ascension of Christ, ``But WE DO SEE HIM who has been made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone'' (Heb. 2:9). How did they see Him? It was through a spiritual vision made possible by their faith in the gospel. And let us be mindful of the fact that this was not a mere ``glimpse," but their eyes were to be FIRMLY FIXED ON HIM as Hebrews 12:2 exhorts. Unfortunately, there are many today who want to look in two different directions simultaneously: with one eye, they look to the Lord of righteousness; and with the other, to the world of sin. What does this produce? By so doing, man becomes spiritually ``cross-eyed'' and will not be able to focus properly on the reality of God. One cannot be for and against the Lord at the same time. A young child, who apparently had been hearing some of the Bible, was once asked why a man could not be a bigamist. After having given this question some thought, the child responded by saying, ``Because no man can serve two masters.'' Though we find this humorous, the actual meaning which the Lord intended by the phrase ``no man can serve two masters'' is of a very serious nature: we cannot live righteously unto God and live wickedly unto the world in the same instance. Let us, therefore, center our focus on Jesus Christ and not only learn through His word how to serve God, but also how to best be while living in this temporary world with its wide gamut of experiences. How we can greatly commend the faith and zeal of those earlier followers of the Lord who kept on that heavenward trail in spite of the nettles of opposition and the dark discouragements heaped upon them by those of little faith or no faith at all. We, too, need to keep our sights locked-in on the target. The Hebrew writer cites some of these great exemplars of childlike trust and willing obedience, by saying, ``All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own...they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one'' (Heb. 11:13-16). Is heaven the goal you have your sights on? If not, there is nothing else that can even come close to its magnitude. Let us, therefore, give ourselves a spiritual eye-checkup. Can you read the chart of God's word and see what it says? It is more than mere letters; it is a message that if taken into one's heart by faith and acted upon by obedience will lead to eternal glory in the blissful realm of God's heavenly domain. Now that's something worth looking into--and looking in the right direction! ___________________________________________ THREE CROSSES Three crosses on a lonely hill, A thief on either side, And, in between, the Son of God.... How wide the gulf--how wide! Yet one thief spanned it with the words, ``Oh Lord, remember me''; The other scoffed and turned aside To lost eternity. Forsaken is the hilltop now, And all the crosses gone, But in believing hearts of men The center cross lives on. And still, as when these sentinels First met earth's wondering view, The presence of the Lord divides-- Upon which side are you? -- Selected ___________________________________________ Whithersoever He Goeth by Raymond Harris In Revelation 14:4 there is a sentence which reads: ``These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.'' This verse speaks of souls who were redeemed, without guile and without fault. We are impressed with the fact that these had not followed the Lamb with reservation or in just those areas where they were pleased to go. No, these went whithersoever the Lamb went. This total commitment to Jesus reminds us of Enoch, Noah, Moses, Abraham and others who walked with, before and after the Lord. As we further consider this matter of following the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, we would do well to consider well the clearly defined pathway that our Saviour trod. If we determine to follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth, we will: 1) Endeavor To Fulfill All Righteousness: In Matthew 3:15 Jesus explained to John the Baptist that, even he, had the responsibility to obey all the commandments of God. Likewise, we should strive to know and carry out all things that God, through His word, declares to be right. 2) Be Baptized: Even though John the Baptist baptized for the remission of sins (Lk. 3:3), and Jesus had no sin, it was needful for Jesus to be baptized so it could be said that He obeyed the commandments of God (Heb. 5:8-9). Today everyone who reaches the age of accountability is a sinner and needs to be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37-38). If we wish to follow Jesus we will be baptized. 3) Go To The House Of Worship: A careful study of God's word will indicate that Jesus carefully fulfilled all the commandments regarding worship to God (Lk. 4:16-21; Lk. 22:7-15). Hence, those who are determined to follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth, will put forth every effort to sing, pray, give and commune with the saints. Such is not a matter of choice but a matter of loving obedience. 4) Go Into Fields Of Service: Just as Jesus came not to be ministered unto but to minister (Matt. 20:27-28), so the conscientious follower of Jesus will also be about the Father's business. Our motto should be ``I have been saved - to save!'' ___________________________________________ DOUBT AND FAITH Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way! Doubt sees the darkest night, Faith sees the day! Doubt dreads to take a step, Faith soars on high! Doubt questions, ``Who believes?'' Faith answers, ``I!'' -- Author unknown ___________________________________________ Write for our Free Bible Course Today! ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________