____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ August 22, 1993 ____________________________________________________ Why The Adversities? by Tom Edwards A common question often asked today is, ``If God loves me, why is everything working out so wrong in my life?'' This seems to epitomize the attitude of many people in our society who base God's love for them only on that which they consider the ``good things'' that happen to them. As long as everything is going ``OK,'' the Lord must be on ``their side''; but as soon as adversities arise, they hold a feeling that God has forsaken them. Many of the religious broadcasts today are instilling this concept into the hearers: that God wants every Christian to be in perfect health and have an abundance of material prosperity. If this were true, however, why do we find so many believers throughout the Scriptures who were faithful people of God, yet suffered much adversity and affliction?--sometimes even having their very property seized from them! (See Heb. 10:32-34.) Furthermore, what's a person to think of his relationship with the Lord if this modern ``gospel of perfect wealth and perfect health'' be true--but he be poor and/or sickly? Would it not cause him to feel that he is spiritually lacking or of weak faith?--when, in actuality, that might not be the case at all. Paul commended Timothy for his great faith in the Lord and commitment toward serving Him. He said there was no one else ``of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth...'' (Phil. 3:20-22); yet it was also this same Timothy--though a diligent worker for the Lord--who had been afflicted with a stomach problem and frequent illnesses (1 Tim. 5:23). Certainly, we would not use these infirmities to detract from Timothy's loyalty to God. We must realize that just because misfortune comes to an individual, it does not necessarily mean that he is being punished by God for his sins. This was the fault of Job's three friends, when they accused Job of incurring such suffering due to his unrighteousness. It's true that he lost virtually everything he had, was stricken with boils, and nagged by his wife that he would simply curse God and die; yet it was all brought upon him, not due to any sin which he had committed, but merely as a testing of his faith and devotion to God (Job 1). The Lord Himself speaks of Job as being His ``servant''; and He declares that there is ``no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil'' (Job 1:8). Both Job and Timothy were men of great integrity, an enduring faithfulness, and a loving spirit toward the Lord; but they still met various adversities. I once was reading in a Humanist magazine a sarcastic article that prompted the question to the following effect: ``Was it wrong for the Christian to have used a lightening rod?'' It wasn't too long ago that lightening rods were very common, but the barb made by this humanist is that if lightening was a means whereby God would inflict His wrath upon the wrongdoer, using a lightening rod, therefore, would be an obstruction toward God's chastisement or punishment. It would be as if the Christian were saying ``No'' to the will of God. This satire was probably made in view of the fatalistic belief that many adhere to: that everything that happens does so because God planned it to. Or perhaps the derision was made in view of the often-heard response when calamity grabs someone in its clutches, that ``God must be punishing them.'' But as we have seen, this is not necessarily so. The Bible shows that often times in this life it is the ungodly who prosper and the righteous who suffer (Jer. 5:26-29; 12:1; Psa. 94:3-6). Was it the rich man or Lazarus, who enjoyed the pleasures of his earthly existence? It certainly wasn't poor Lazarus--who had longed to be fed by even the crumbs that fell from the rich's man table--as he gazed from a distance, while remaining at the gate, covered with sores and tormented by the dogs that would come and pester him. As the account shows, it was the rich man who had ended up in torment--while Lazarus was taken to ``Abraham's bosom,'' a symbolism of blessing in Paradise (Luke 16:19-31). Because man has a free will, the Lord allows many things to happen today that He does not approve of. Every time someone steals, murders, lies, cheats, or abuses his fellowman in some other way, God is totally opposed. It is not the Lord who makes the wrongdoer commit these acts of sin--nor does He tempt or encourage one to do so (Jms. 1:13). But one day the transgressor will have to stand before God to give an account of these sinful deeds (2 Cor. 5:10). But getting back to those whose suffering is not as a consequence of sin, it is comforting to know that God can even use adversity for our good, as long as we are striving to be faithful unto Him (see 1 Peter 1:6,7; 4:12-16 and James 1:2,3). Perhaps if Lazarus had been a wealthy man, he would have never made it to Paradise, but rather have joined the rich man in that unbearable place of torment and from which the destinies of each soul become forever sealed. We need to remember, especially when we're enduring trying times, that God loves us just as much then as He always will, and that sickness or misfortunes are not always an indicator as to one's spiritual relationship with the Lord. May we each learn as the apostle Paul had, to be content in whatever circumstance we are in (Phil. 4:11). We would like to mail to you one of our free Bible courses that will help you in forming a relationship with our loving, almighty, and eternal God. To receive this, simply mail us your name and address, along with your request; and we'll have lesson one in the mail for you promptly. ___________________________________________ The Plan of Salvation * Hear the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 10:17) * Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38) * Acknowledge your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38) * Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Rom. 6:3,4) * Keep faithful in your service to God (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 10:36-39). * Enjoy your new life in Jesus Christ!!! -- Tom ___________________________________________ RECONCILIATION by Jerry F. Bassett Judah was beset by her enemies and threatened with destruction. What, she wondered, had become of God? God responded emphatically that the problem was not of his making. He yet existed and was more than able to deliver his people. Instead, the problem lay with Judah herself in the fact that she had not fulfilled her promise to keep God's covenant. Consequently, God said, ''...your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear'' (Isaiah. 59:2). This has always been the result of man's failure to observe God's law. Remember that Adam and Eve were warned they would die in the day they disobeyed God. This is precisely what happened, not by physical death, but in their being driven from God's presence (Genesis 3:22-24). What was true of them, and of God's people under the Law of Moses, was true also of everyone else. Writing primarily to Gentiles, Paul said, ``And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works...'' (Colossians 1:21). Notice, too, a parallel statement by this apostle in which he described man's alienation from God by sin as death (Colossians 2:13). Again, this has no reference to physical death, Paul wasn't writing to folks in Colossae's cemetery. Rather, it describes man's wretched and woeful state when he bears the guilt of sin, that of utter separation from God. Tragically, those who choose to remain in sin will bear this state, and its consequences, eternally. Again, we quote the apostle Paul who said, the disobedient ''...shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power'' (II Thessalonians 1:9). However, no one need bear this burden who chooses to follow Christ. IN HIM is reconciliation to God (Colossians 1:21-22). IN HIM is salvation from the death of sin through God's tender forgiveness (Colossians 2:13-14). IN HIM is certain hope obtained by obedience to his gospel (II Thessalonians 1:7-8). __________________________________________ THE WORD OF GOD For feelings come and feelings go, And feelings are deceiving; My warrant is the Word of God Nought else is worth believing. I'll trust in God's unchanging Word Till soul and body sever: For, though all things shall pass away, His word shall stand forever. -- Selected ___________________________________________ "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness...." (Isaiah 9:6,7). ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________