____________________________________________________ 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 18, 1994 ____________________________________________________ Determination by Tom Edwards Sometimes the key between success and failure is simply a little determination. Perseverance, therefore, will take us beyond the distance of knowledge, for one doesn't arrive at his destination by merely knowing the road to travel--the road must also be journeyed. The great inventor Thomas Edison expressed a similar thought by saying, "Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." In other words, excelling in this area also involves much determined effort. When encouraging others toward success, how many times has that little phrase been hurled out like a life preserver tossed to a drowning man, ``You can do it, if you try''? This is because it's in the trying that we frequently find the major factor. Often, success is not so much a case of ability as it is of desire and determination. As Henry Ward Beecher observes, ``The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.'' Determination and Perseverance walk hand in hand, down a road that leads to a town called Accomplishment. They are closely related and enjoy helping others to keep on the right track. They also are often seen rolling up their sleeves and lending a helping hand toward getting various jobs done. What great friends they are to have! Josh Billings illustrates this by bringing to our attention the small postage stamp: ``It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.'' Should not this also be true of us? Even monumental undertakings can be achieved if we just keep at them--not by trying to do everything at once, but gradually. Illustrating this, someone once said, ``Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. He that shall walk, with vigor, three hours a day will pass, in seven years, a space equal to the circumference of the globe.'' The point being: much can be accomplished if we are determined to keep at it. It was ``stick-to-it-ness'' that helped William Shakespeare, who lived from 1564 to 1616, produce numerous plays and other writings that have made an indelible impression upon the literary world. The Britannica Encyclopedia devotes about 20 pages to him--his fame continuing 378 years after his death. Who has never heard of this man's name? His writing achievements have found their own timeless niche among the great literature of the world--accomplishments that indicate in themselves of his determination to complete a work begun. But what is really amazing is that this man, who is known for his great literary achievements, did it all on less than seven years of school. Determination, however, must be able to see a purpose--a basis or reason for perseverance. Can a person, for example, be determined to change if he really sees no need to change? Must not the alcoholic first realize that he has a problem? the drug addict? the one suffering from schizophrenia? Similarly, those who are blind to their own sinfulness, remain out of the Lord's reach; but those who are well aware that they are poor in spirit and in need of God's saving grace can have hope, when by their determination they respond to the gospel (Luke 5:32; Matt. 5:3). Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego illustrate for us persistence in the face of extreme adversity (Dan. 3:15-18), as well as many of God's people in days gone by (Heb. 10:32-34). It was their faith in God and love for Him that enabled them to persevere at any price. They were truly ``sold'' on God's word. This makes for having the right type of attitude--and how important that is for maintaining a certain cause. In Nehemiah 4:6, the people were determined to complete the re-building of the wall of Jerusalem because they ``had a mind to work.'' They saw the purpose; they had the right attitude: they were determined to get the job done--and all of this in view of the fact that they were being taunted and even physically threatened by their enemies for manifesting this kind of perseverance (Neh. 4:7-9; 16-18). What they had was definitely determination. Paul, who has much to say about the constant battle that exists between flesh and spirit, declares in Romans 7:25, ``Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.'' Paul isn't saying that he served God and sin at the same time, for ``No one can serve two masters'' (Matt. 6:24). One cannot serve the Lord and Satan simultaneously. Apparently, Paul is indicating his need for determination to continually follow after Jesus--or else his flesh would dominate and lead him into the paths of sin. The Christian cannot be wavering between God and the world (James 1:6-8; Josh. 24:15). The gospel is something that everyone can be 100% sold on. It gives us much to believe in, and a substantial basis for our faith. It is through God's word that the Lord can work in us for spiritual improvements and to instill within us an even greater incentive in our service to Him (Phil. 2:13). By faith in Jesus, a love for Him, and a determination to serve the Lord, anyone can change. As John Dewey once said, ``The good man is the man who, no matter how morally unworthy he has been, is moving to become better.'' God can help us each to make the change by our faith, love, and obedience. What greater improvement can there be than in a sinner becoming a saint! Let us close by considering the lyrics of a popular hymn that well express a life-changing determination. The song is entitled, I Am Resolved. May we each have the kind of determination that will make the sentiments in this song true for us as well: I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight; things that are higher, things that are nobler, these have allured my sight. I am resolved to go to the Savior, leaving my sin and strife; He is the true One. He is the just One. He hath the words of life. I am resolved to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day. Heed what He sayeth. Do what He willeth. He is the living way. I am resolved to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin; friends may oppose me. Foes may beset me. Still will I enter in. I am resolved, and who will go with me? Come, friends, without delay. Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit. We'll walk the heavenly way. Chorus: I will hasten to Him -- hasten so glad and free. Jesus --greatest, highest -- I will come to thee. ___________________________________________ -- The Way of No Regret -- Determine today to give yourself to Jesus by obeying His word, and continue in faithfulness to Him throughout your life. ___________________________________________ ``WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?'' by Jerry F. Bassett This question came from the lips of Paul and Silas' jailer in the ancient city of Philippi (Acts 16:3). He had been convinced that these men were truly sent from God to declare eternal salvation. Now, he wanted to know what God required of him to be numbered among that blessed throng of redeemed souls. The words of the question are themselves thought provoking and helpful to those who now ask the same thing. What one must do is not left to man. Rather, it is determined by God and expressed through His Son, Jesus Christ. Referring to Jesus, God said, ``This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him! (Matthew 17:5). Must clearly implies that what one hears from Christ is not optional but imperative; it must be done to obtain the salvation God provides in him (Acts 3:22-23). I is a personal pronoun and points to the fact that one's salvation is a matter of personal responsibility. Having told the multitude of Acts 2 what they must do to be saved (verses 37,38), Peter then exhorted them, ``Save yourselves from this untoward generation'' (Acts 2:40, KJV). Do implies action on the part of the one being saved. Salvation requires a faith expressed by obedience to the Lord (James 2:24). The jailer of Acts 16 understood this. So must we. To be saved is the object of this question and by far the single most important matter of human concern. ``For what is a man profited,'' Jesus asked, ``if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?'' (Matthew 16:26). Regardless of how much or little one gains materially, eternally he has gained nothing. Worse, if he fails to save his own soul, he will have lost everything. So, how did Paul and Silas answer the question? They told the jailer to believe on Jesus Christ. They taught him the word of the Lord so that he might know what to believe. Then they baptized him in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins (Acts 16:31-34; Acts 2:38). This was the answer to this vital question then. The answer has not changed one syllable for you and me even to this present day. -- Via God Hath Spoken, Vol. 5, No. 2 ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________