____________________________________________________ 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 13, 1995 ____________________________________________________ Commit__nt Requires Me by Dan S. Shipley There is an old story with a good moral about Henrietta the hen and Pattie the pig, who, while walking in the countryside one day, happened about a weary and half-starved traveler. After pondering the situation for a moment, Henrietta (being a benevolent sort of a hen) suggested to Pattie how nice it would be for them to provide this hungry stranger with a meal of bacon and eggs. To which the astonished Pattie sqealingly replied: Henrietta, that may involve a small sacrifice for YOU, but for ME that's total commitment!'' In Henrietta and Pattie are pictured popular attitudes that hinder would-be followers of Christ. Whether in ministering to the needs of others or otherwise serving the Lord, many are inclined to give that which costs the least. There are the ``Henriettas'' who crow of their willingness to give the very clothes off their back. And they will--after they have become worn out or out of style. And sometimes then only after removing the buttons and zippers! (I have heard of some poor Mexican brethren who were recipients of such ``benevolence''). Then, as Pattie, too many of us are reluctant to give of self. True, some will provide the ``eggs'' of a limited involvement, but like Henrietta, most are selfishly willing (if not expecting) that others furnish the ``bacon'' of total commitment. The difference between this total commitment and something less is the difference between living for self and giving self. As a holy priesthood, God's people first present their own bodies as living sacrifices, ``holy, acceptable to God'' (Romans 12:1). Self, then becomes the altar upon which every acceptable sacrifice is offered unto the Lord. Apart from this altar what sacrifice could please Him? To put it another way, self must be the ``firstfruits'' sacrifice from every child of God! Think about it! When the greater is freely given the lesser will not be withheld. This is nowhere better exemplified than in those poor and afflicted Christians of Macedonia...(II Cor. 8:5). However, the supreme example in such giving is to be seen in Christ himself. With Paul, we must see what he has done as having a personal significance; that He ``loved me, and gave himself up for me'' (Galatians 2:20). Truly appreciating that helps us to see that no commit--nt to the Lord is total with me! -- Via The Dewey Avenue Bulletin, 3/27/94 ___________________________________________ OBEDIENCE? by T. Doy Moyer A French officer once asked George Washington's mother how she managed to rear such a splendid son. She simply replied, ``I taught him to obey.'' Obedience is something that must be taught. Characteristic of the perilous times in the last days is that there will be those who are ``disobedient to parents'' (2 Tim. 3:2). The whole idea of rebellion against parents and authority is ungodly. Children are told to honor their father and mother, obeying them in the Lord (Eph. 6:1-2). If they refuse to obey, they will answer for it. As children of God, it is our duty to obey God (Heb. 5:9). Really, to those who love God with all of their hearts, obedience to His commandments will not seem burdensome (1 John 5:3). We are a people who seem to want to get our own way in all things. However, without submission to God and His will, we will find sorrow and destruction. Let us resolve to be what God wants us to be. -- Via Centerview Tidings ___________________________________________ DO YOU DISAGREE? by Greg Gwin It is inevitable that in the course of dealing with other people certain disagreements will arise. It happens in business, among friends, in the home, at school, and it certainly happens in the church. So, the question is not: Will we disagree with other Christians from time to time? Of course, we will. The real question is: How will we handle these disagreements? Here are some suggestions. First, analyze the problem. Do you disagree with some decision the elders have made? Is it something that the preacher taught that has you concerned? Have you had some problem with a particular Bible class teacher? Is there some brother or sister in the congregation with whom you have a difference? No matter who it may be, take care to be sure that you are being fully objective in the matter. Too often we allow our own prejudices and preconceived ideas to interfere with our evaluation of a given matter. Next, ask yourself if the difference is a matter that relates to scriptural soundness. If so, yield not an inch. When false teachers were involved, Paul ``gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour'' (Gal. 2:5). We should imitate his example. But, be honest enough to admit if your problem is not a scriptural one, but rather simply a matter of judgment. Perhaps no sin has occurred. If this is the case, then we urge you to ``be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you'' (Eph. 4:32). Far too many church problems have gotten completely out-of-hand because brethren were willing to fight when they should have been longsuffering with one another. In matters of judgment, ``let each esteem other better than themselves'' (Phil. 2:3). If you determine that this disagreement must be pursued, then be sure that you follow the proper procedure as outlined in God's word (Matt. 18:15-17). Do not compound the problem by back-biting, rumor spreading, or gossip. Go directly to the parties involved and work tirelessly for a resolution of the disagreement. If you are unwilling to do this, you are violating God's law and you have no right to even open your mouth. In other words, do what's right or keep quiet! Finally, pray that God will give you wisdom to do the right thing (James 1:5). If all Christians will follow these Biblical principles, there is no problem that cannot be resolved according to God's will. Let's have enough faith to follow His plan. -- Via Good News ___________________________________________ CONDITIONS vs. MERIT by Larry Ray Hafley One error that blinds many to the truth is the concept that conditions equal merit. If a blessing has terms or conditions that must be obeyed, it is considered as being earned, deserved, merited. But conditions do not equal merit! Our ``daily bread,'' our food, ``is the gift of God'' (Eccl. 3:13; Matt. 6;11). Yet, there are conditions to be met before we receive it. Eating, drinking and enjoying the benefits of ``labor'' are called ``the gift of God'' (Eccl. 3:13; cf. 2 Thess. 3:10). Note another example of the point above. God gave Jericho to Israel, but there were conditions attached (Josh. 6:2-5; Heb. 11:30). Israel had to be obedient in order to be blessed (Deut. 28-32; cf. Matt. 7:21-28). God said, ``I have given into thine hand Jericho,'' yet ``they took the city'' (Josh. 6:2,20). After meeting the terms, the conditions necessary to secure it, the land was not earned. Conditions do not equal merit. Years later, God said: "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them...Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou has saved us from our enemies" (Psa. 44:1-3,5-7). Despite required acts of obedience, the blessings were not earned. So, too, of spiritual blessings. ``Salvation is of the Lord'' (Jon. 2:9); ``It is the gift of God'' (Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 6:23). Though one must believe, repent and be baptized in order to be saved (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 8:24; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38), these terms of pardon do not nullify grace. ``Conditions equal merit'' is a monstrous lie! -- Via Good News ___________________________________________ Being A Friend of God by Tom Edwards Surely, one of the beautiful phrases that depicts the faithful believer's relationship with God is that he or she is a "friend of God." Abraham, that great patriarch of old, is spoken of as having been a "friend of God" in James 2:23; and the Lord Himself also referred to him as being "My friend" in Isaiah 41:8. As we consider Abraham's life of faithfulness, it is easy to see why he was referred to as such. It is also said of Moses that the Lord spoke to him "just as a man speaks to his friend" (Exodus 33:11). If we want to be friends of God, we must turn from sin and submit our lives totally to Him (James 4:4). As Jesus states, "You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves...but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from the Father I have made known to you" (John 15:14,15). ___________________________________________ The Ten Men Most Wanted 1. The man who puts God's business above any other business. 2. The man who brings his children to church rather than sends them. 3. The man who is willing to be the right example to every boy he meets. 4. The man who thinks more of his Sunday school class than he does his Sunday sleep. 5. The man who measures his giving by what he has left rather than by the amount he gives. 6. The man who goes to church for Christ's sake rather than for himself or someone else. 7. The man who has passion to help rather than to be helped. 8. The man who can see his own faults before he sees the faults of others. 9. The man who stands firm in his convictions, based on the word of God, i.e. a "backbone" Christian. 10. The man who is more concerned about winning souls for Christ than he is about winning honor. -- Selected ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________