____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ January 3, 1999 ____________________________________________________ It's Not Good For Us To Be Alone by Al Diestelkamp We live in a cultural setting that stresses self-reliance and independence. In fact, some are inclined to make a ``god'' of independence. This emphasis on individuality has been adopted by the various ``movements'' for men's or women's rights and has contributed to distrust and dissatisfaction between the sexes. While a certain amount of independence is good and necessary, it shouldn't be hard to see that God never intended for men and women to be independent of one another. The very fact that He made us ``male and female'' (Gen. 1:27), and set up His laws of human reproduction the way He did, ought to give us a clue. To remove all doubt, God revealed through the apostle Paul that ''...neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as the woman was from the man, even so the man also is through the woman; but all things are from God'' (1 Cor. 11:11-12). Though God created both male and female on the same day, the male was ``formed'' first (1 Tim. 2:13). It didn't take the Lord long to determine that ``It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him'' (Gen. 2:18). The record shows that God brought all the animals before Adam for the purpose of naming them, ``But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him'' (Gen. 2:20). Then, the Lord caused Adam to take a nap. This had to be God's easiest act, for surely by this time of the day, without a woman to even think about, Adam had to be pretty bored! When God was finished, Adam woke up to view the finishing touch on His ``very good'' creation. It is, doubtless, no accident that both Moses (as he penned Genesis) and Jesus draw the same conclusion from this event. Because man needed a suitable partner in life, God made woman, and ``For that reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'' (Gen. 2:24, as quoted in Matt. 19:5). Jesus was answering a question about divorce when He used this proof-text. His answer to the question was, ``So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate'' (Matt. 19:6). According to Jesus, just as God had joined Adam and Eve, He joins a man and woman today. They are no longer two because He has made them one. Therefore, for a man to divorce his wife is as much a violation of God's sovereignty as if Adam had rejected Eve. The only exception Jesus offered to this rule was in a case where the putting away was brought on by the sin of fornication (Matt. 19:9). Though it was Adam, a male, about whom God said loneliness was ``not good,'' that is also true about women. In fact, it is an interesting side note that the word ``man'' in that verse (Gen. 2:18) is translated from the Hebrew word, adam, which is defined as ``a human.'' Thus had God chosen to make the female first, there still would have been the need for a partner suitable to her. In this study we are focusing on that human need from the male point of view. The conclusion our Creator has reached is that a man needs a woman. This truth is universal in one sense, for no man can be born into this world without a woman, and even after the birth process he needs his mother to satisfy both his physical and emotional needs. Later in life, as his needs change, it is likely he will seek out another woman to help him lead a fulfilled life. Notice that I say that it is ``likely'' (the rule) that he will seek a mate in life. There are some exceptions to this rule. Certainly, even though the vast majority will marry, it is not wrong if a man chooses not to do so. Jesus is the most obvious example of one who did not take a wife, and proves beyond a doubt that celibacy can be a noble choice. On one occasion when His disciples were about to conclude that ``it is better not to marry,'' Jesus explained that celibacy was not for everyone. He revealed (in Matt. 19:11-12) that there are three types of men who can accept the unconventional lifestyle of celibacy: 1) He speaks of those who are born eunuchs. He is including not only those who are incapable (because of a birth defect) of sexual function, but also those who have no desire for sexual relations; 2) He also refers to those who are ``made eunuchs by men.'' Man has long been capable of surgically rendering a man unsuitable for marriage; 3) Then there are the ones who ``have made themselves eunuchs,'' a phrase which lends itself to those who, by will-power, choose a life of celibacy. The great apostle Paul never married, but indicated that he had a right to do so (1 Cor. 9:5). This would suggest that he fell into the third category mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He was so busy in the work of the kingdom that he didn't want to be put in the position of caring ``how he may please his wife'' (1 Cor. 7:33). He was not hesitant to recommend his choice to others, even expressing his wish that ``all men'' were like him in this respect (1 Cor. 7:7). However, it was he who wrote that it was ``because of sexual immorality'' that men were to marry (1 Cor. 7:2), and he advised those who did not have his will-power (which is most of the male population) that ``it is better to marry than to burn with passion'' (1 Cor. 7:9). Recognizing the truth that marriage is God's prescription to help men and women avoid fornication is important. As a man, it should cause you to have a greater appreciation for your wife. You should look at her as a highly-prized, valuable (and nicely packaged) gift from your Creator. He knew just what you needed to help you go to Heaven. STUDY & APPLY Matt. 20:25-28 Who did Jesus say was ``greatest'' in His kingdom? Who, in your home, is the one who best fits this description? Eph. 5:25-33 The Bible teaches that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. If Christ showed His love for the church in a manner like you show your love for your wife, would you want to be in the church? PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS Make it a practice to thank God for your wife and for the marriage relationship. Avoid jokes and remarks which insult wives. When others belittle the marriage relationship, respond by praising your wife. Praise and thank your wife for being your lover and friend. Avoid situations and comments which might create jealousy. Make it clear to her and others that you belong to her. --Via Think on These Things ___________________________________________ Charting a Course by Polls by Jere E. Frost Men without moral compasses may read the polls and take a public stand accordingly and be said to be good politicians. Successful politicians may do it, but true leaders do not. Popular preachers may do it, but lovers of truth do not. He who charts his course according to polls declares a lack of honor by that very fact. A poll does not tell you what is right or wrong. It does not tell you which way one should go. It only tells you what people have already decided. He who takes his stand on the basis of what people already think is not really a leader at all, but a self-serving opportunist. The story is told of the Roman general who was in an upstairs salon being preened by a hairdresser and manicurist. A roar from below was heard. He rushed to the window and saw the army marching by. He grabbed his coat and hat as he bolted out the door. Asked where he was going, he replied as he rapidly descended the stairs. ``I've got to get in front. I'm their leader!'' Some ``leader.'' A leader does not wait to see which way the crowd is going and then work to ``get in front.'' He determines the way they should go, and heads that way. The preacher of truth does not poll and then take the result as his belief. He searches Scripture for truth. He determines what the truth is without knowing or caring what the majority thinks. He often takes a stand in spite of, but never because of, the polls. In the nature of the case, truth is often unpopular, and the way of truth commonly lags in polls. Men love darkness rather than light (John 3:19). Jesus plainly said the gate was strait and the way narrow that led to life, and that the broad way, where the many were, was the avenue to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). ``But what about majority rule?'' someone asks. Well, what about it? It is understood that the majority rules in the democratic process, but that does not mean the majority is right. Sodom's majority decided on unnatural vice as a lifestyle, Absalom ascended the throne because people were charmed and pleased by his promises, and Jeremiah's popularity sadly lagged behind that of the false prophets. Poll approval was never an evidence of being right, and poll disapproval never was an evidence of being wrong. Regardless of polls, righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Is the world round or flat? Never mind the polls. What's the fact of the matter? Is adultery a trivial matter? Do not keep score of how the politicians, preachers or lawyers decide. Their opinions do not constitute truth, one way or the other. Besides, the Lord has plainly said, ``My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways'' (Isaiah 55:8-9). So we are safe only as we rely on what He says. Noah ignored the polls when he built the ark. Joshua made his decision as to where he would stand without thought or knowledge of where others would stand. That's what true leaders and men of honor do. -- The Bulletin of The North Courtenay Church of Christ, Oct. 25, 1998 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Congratulations to Rick and Kelli Fleeman in the birth of their first child, Noel Elizabeth! She was born December 29. Providing the roads remain good, Rick Fleeman will be preaching for us tonight--since it is the first Sunday of the month. John Pitman will be preaching next Sunday at the Daugherty Street church of Christ in Charleston, West Virginia. Free Bible courses are available upon request. Please continue to remember the following people in prayer: Joe Music, Les Atkinson, and Greg Frazier. Greetings to each of you who are visiting with us this day! We are glad to have you with us. Please come again. ___________________________________________ Daily Bible Message #13 The eagle is the national emblem of our United States. It's a big bird with broad wings and strong feet. The eagle flies very high, and even it's nest is high off the ground in inaccessible places. Isaiah compared the righteous person to the flight of an eagle in Isaiah 40:31 when he said, ``But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles...'' We learn a lot from this beautiful word picture. Man was not meant to live a low life of sin, and to set his sights on the ground. Christianity gives a loftiness to life. The height of sight seems to characterize the followers of Jesus, and the Bible is filled with passages that teach us to look upward. ``Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth'' (Colossians 3:2). ''...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal'' (Matthew 6:20). ``I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus'' (Philippians 3:14). Soaring high allows us to see things in perspective, to get a feel for the larger picture, and to understand the really important issues of life. We need to concentrate on the higher things in life. We need to look at the stars and not at the dirt. Let us seek to know more about the God of heaven who lifts us up out of the muck and mire of sin, and gives us the ability to mount up with wings as eagles. (Originally Written and/or Compiled by Tom Sutherland for Brief Phone Messages.) ________________________________________ 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 ________________________________________