____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ February 1, 1998 ____________________________________________________ Applauding The Practice by Joe Fitch Long ago at the Olympic Games in Athens, it is said a feeble old man came in late. No seats were left. As he passed their seats, the Athenians laughed at him. Then he passed two Spartans. Quickly they rose to offer him a seat, for they had been trained to be modest and courteous. When the Athenians saw this, they cheered the Spartans. ``Ah,'' said the old man, ``The Athenians admire what is right; the Spartans practice it.'' (Story courtesy of that prolific writer, brother "Selected"). A godly man died suddenly. People were shocked -- stunned by the unexpected. Brethren in Christ felt keenly the loss of a dependable worker and companion. Men of all classes and persuasions gathered in small groups to sadly shake their heads, recall the past, and applaud a good man. ``He was sure a hard worker -- always tried to do more than was expected.'' That was true. He exemplified Paul's admonition: ''...let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth'' (Eph. 4:28). It was not the statement that was amazing but who said it -- a lazy fellow who did nothing he could get out of. Another added, ``He was surely honest -- as honest as the day is long.'' A thought flashes to mind: ``Provide things honest in the sight of all men'' (Rom. 12:17). No one disagreed, but these words of praise fell from lips skilled in lies wherever a dollar is at stake. The applause continues: ``He was a church-going man. Surely if there was ever a Christian, he was one.'' Heads nod agreement, but neither they nor the speaker are accustomed to filling a pew when people gather to worship. They are more in the habit of walking roughshod over the principles of Christianity than in keeping them. A preacher spoke to mourners of his dead friend and the Bible he lived by. ``What a beautiful eulogy.'' Yet many who were impressed by the words spoken refuse to live so that such can honestly be said of them. When the applause subsides, an observer is compelled to add a final word -- ''Go, and do thou likewise'' (Lk. 10: 37). No greater tribute can be paid a good man than to imitate his devotion to good. ``That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises'' (Heb. 6:12). I can't help thinking as a result of listening and observing: Many people pay little attention in life to the things that are so important when it comes time to die. We are so prone to compliment others for the very virtues which we carefully avoid cultivating in ourselves. A godly man commands the admiration of all -- even the vile and irreligious. There are far more people willing to applaud a good life than are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to live one. Some folk are content with the office of spectator -- applauding good but not practicing it. -- Via Plain Truth, vol. 6, no. 12, February, 1970 ___________________________________________ What Must I Do To Be Saved? 1). Hear the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 10:17). 2). Believe in the deity of Christ (Jn. 8:24). 3). Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38). 4). Confess your faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38). 5). Be baptized in water (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; 1 Pet. 3:21). 6). Be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 10:36-39). ___________________________________________ Carnal Weapons by Robert F. Turner In a fit of anger, being highly provoked, Joe lashed out with his fist. The blow had scarcely fallen when Joe regained control of himself, was shocked that he had so reacted, and apologized for his rashness. Considering the public nature of the deed, Joe publicly acknowledged his sin at the first opportunity and asked both man and God for forgiveness. He now endeavors to live a quiet, godly life, ``forgetting those things which are behind'' (Phil. 3:13). But Joe had struck with his fist, and that is a ``carnal weapon''--so Bill spreads the news. The Bible says, ``the weapons of our warfare are not carnal'' (2 Cor. 10:4), and Bill can quote it word for word. He ``uses'' the incident time after time to discredit Joe. He ``uses'' it to cast reflections upon the church of which Joe is a member. He ``uses'' it in place of scriptural authority for his own faith and practice. ``Just look what Joe did!'' And it never occurs to Bill that the incident has become his carnal weapon. He is blind to the fact that he wields, day after day, deliberately and maliciously, a weapon every bit as carnal as the one Joe used in an unguarded moment. If Joe was in error--and he certainly was--Bill is in error and compounds the error day by day. Carnal weapons are not limited to guns and clubs. In fact, the ``war after the flesh'' which provoked Paul's statement in 2 Cor. 10 was one waged by his spiritual enemies--the false teachers who made light of Paul's bodily presence and questioned his authority (Vs. 7-18). It is sectarian and carnal to ridicule, quarantine, or by other like methods seek to overcome those who differ with us religiously. ``Party'' battles may be fought with prejudice-producing labels, but one does not ``fight the good fight of faith'' with such weapons. And this applies as much to conservative brethren as to the more liberal. Will we never learn? One error can not justify another. I am not a big man, physically or spiritually, because I call--or even prove--another to be small. -- Via Plain Truth, vol. 5, no. 9, November, 1968 ___________________________________________ ''Hereby We Know--'' by Dan S. Shipley To know God in the ultimate and saving sense involves the keeping of His commandments. In fact, as John points out in 1 Jn. 2:3, this is the only sure mark by which one can truly be certain of ``knowing'' God: ``And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.'' In commenting on this verse Lenski says, ``John takes up the question that troubles the mind of so many young people. Is our certainty better than the certainty of men in other religions? Are we Christians merely because we are born in Christian families? If we had been born Jews or Mohammedans would we not feel just as certain and be just as right in feeling that we truly know God? Or is the certainty of the skeptic not as good as the one we claim? Is the whole of religion not a mere subjective matter, unproved and unprovable, especially to a real thinking, scientific mind?'' ``Here is the answer,'' he continues. ``God has revealed himself, has made himself known. Those have known and know him, those know that they have known him, who are keeping his commandments'' (Interp. of l Jn., p. 404). Herein lies the difference between professed and true disciples. Many say ``Lord, Lord,'' yet do not the things which he says (Lk. 6:46). The doing demonstrates the allegiance. Thus, ``be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only...'' (Jas. l:22). He who claims all authority says that men are to be taught to ``observe all things whatsoever I commanded you...'' (Matt. 28:20). Such passages (and many, many others!) clearly show that to truly know and please God means something--but that's not all. Equally important is what we do. Many have substituted religious activity for keeping His commandments. To be sure, they are busy, busy, busy with their various ``church''-related programs, but being doers of these projects is often far different from being ``doers of the word.'' The only acceptable doing in the name of religion is God-directed doing and any claim to ``know'' Him apart from this is false and futile. We live in an age in which religion and religious activity has been accorded an undeserved dignity and respectability. The popular notion that a man can please God while believing and practicing what pleases the man is absurd because it is neither faith nor obedience! Regardless of how many churches may practice a thing (including ``OUR'' church); regardless of how many ``big'' preachers and elders may endorse it; regardless of how much good it may seem to accomplish, if it is not doing HIS COMMANDMENTS (truth), it is sinful and divisive! Naturally, most assume themselves to be doing God's will. However, men of conviction will "prove all things'' (l Thes. 5:21); know His commandments; do them and thereby know Him. Indeed, there can be no substitute for God-directed doing. Rightly viewed, such doing not only does not contradict faith and grace, but rather complements them. God's grace teaches man how to live and serve; through faith man appropriates and applies His word. Thus, it is never a matter of grace only, faith only, or works only, but by grace through obedient faith (Eph. 2:8-10). Do you KNOW that you know Him? -- Via Plain Truth, vol. 18, no. 3, p. 3, May, 1981 ___________________________________________ Non-Working Wife? Did you hear the one about the husband who, apparently, didn't believe in his wife working? He said to her, "Honey, you stick to washing the clothes, ironing, grocery shopping, cooking, washing the dishes, dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, raising the kids, helping them with their homework when they start school, and driving them there and back. No wife of mine is going to work" (selected and modified). ___________________________________________ Who Are You? by Forrest D. Moyer We are all familiar with the story of the good Samaritan. The wounded man was robbed and left for dead. The priest passed by on the other side. So did the Levite. Then came the Samaritan. He had compassion on him and helped him. This story sets forth principles governing each person in the world. Some are like the thieves; some are like the priest and Levite; a few are like the Samaritan. Who are you? Today a man stumbled and fell into sin. We saw him, but did not help him obtain salvation. Who were we? It seems that we were as the priest and Levite. Yonder is a kindly old couple. Their lives are not vile at all; however, they have not obeyed the gospel. Thus, they are now wounded and dying. What are you going to do? Who are you? The priest? or the Samaritan? There stands a fellow I work with. He is a good friend of mine. Yet, he is not a Christian. Who am I? Am I going to let him think that he will eventually go to heaven without obeying God? Or, am I going to be the good Samaritan and teach him what he must do to be saved? Am I the Levite? or the Samaritan? Soon we shall all stand before Christ, the Judge. He is going to make a separation. Some will be on the left, some on the right. Those on the right are those who have helped ``the least of these, my brethren.'' Those on the left have not. They have passed by on the other side. Which side will you be on in the judgment? Who are you? -- Via Focus Magazine (article originally written in 1955) ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Congratulations to Greg and Debbie Frazier in the birth of their first grandchild: Hannah Lynn Batten. She was born last Sunday morning, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce; and 20 inches long. Let us be praying for Carol Music's mother, who has recently been hospitalized and also moved to a convalescent home for physical therapy. She has been very weak and not able to walk. Greg Frazier's mother can also use our prayers. She, too, has been hospitalized due to her health. Free Bible courses are available upon request. Why not ask for one today? Greetings to each of you who are visiting with us this day. Your presence is greatly appreciated. Please come again. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, 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 ________________________________________