The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
May 8, 2005
In
This Issue:
Don't
Put a Question Mark Where God put a Period
by
Steve Klein
The
Work of the Lord
by
Joe R. Price
"Bare"
Season is Here Again
author
unknown
Don't Put a Question Mark
Where God Put a Period
God placed man in the Garden of Eden with the following rule: "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17).
When the serpent came to tempt Eve, he said, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of every tree of the garden?'" Notice what is at the end of that sentence. Satan put a question mark where God had put a period. Because of Satan's influence, first Eve and then Adam wound up violating God's rule, treating it as a question in their minds instead of a command.
Men often make the same error today -- we put question marks where God put periods. Here are some examples:
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In His word, God said, "in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day" (Exodus 20:11). Men ask, "Do we really know how long it took to make the earth?" "Could God have used evolution over millions of years to create life as we know it?"
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God said, "Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1). And, "Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly." (Proverbs 23:31). Men ask, "What's wrong with taking a drink now and then?"
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God said, "Baptism doth also now save us." (1 Peter 3:21, KJV). Men ask, "Do I have to be baptized to be saved?"
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God said for us to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25). Men ask, "Do I have to go to church?"
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God said, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16). Men ask, "Can we play instruments of music in worship?"
The mistake of putting a question mark where God put a period is as old as the Garden of Eden. Let's resolve that we are not going to make that mistake. If God has said it, let's believe and obey it, no questions asked!
-- Steve Klein
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58)
There is work for every Christian to do. Each Christian is to be involved in faithful activity. God has prepared "good works" in which we are to walk (Eph. 2:10; Col. 1:10). But, opportunities to do good do not just happen. We should look for and make opportunities to do good for others (Gal. 6:10). Teach the lost, help the weak, visit the sick, cloth the naked, attend to the helpless (Jas. 1:27). What we do for others is what we are doing for (and to) Christ (Matt. 25:38-40, 44-45).
There is work for every church to do. The Lord has given this congregation the following work to do:
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This church has the work of spreading the gospel among men (1 Ths. 1:8). This work is done as each member teaches the gospel to others (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 8:4). It is also accomplished when we as a congregation, according to our resources and opportunities, either sends and/or supports preachers in their work (Acts 13:2-3; Phil. 1:5, 4:14-16; 2 Cor. 8:11). We must remain committed to seeing that we actively promote the preaching of the gospel among the lost.
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This church has the work of building up the spiritual strength of our members (Acts 2:42, 46; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 14:26). Christ has each congregation spiritual work to do. This is reasonable since the nature of His kingdom is spiritual, not physical "eating and drinking" (Jno. 18:36; Rom. 14:19). The work of spiritual edification placed upon local churches is accomplished through spiritual means - not pot lucks and bowling leagues. It is the word of Christ which gives us spiritual nourishment (1 Pet. 2:1-2; Matt. 4:4). This church's charge is to teach and preach "the whole counsel of God," thus fortifying the body of Christ.
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This church has the work of helping to relieve the needs of the saints (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6). The local church is not charged with caring for all the poor in the world. (It is not even charged with providing for all of its own who are in need, 1 Tim. 5:16). It is not charged with providing food for those who can work but who choose not to (2 Ths. 3:10). But, we are to always be ready and willing to aid brethren who fall into destitute circumstances (Acts 11:27-30).
Your labor is not vain in the Lord. Work is, by definition, laborious. But its reward is sweet (Eccl. 5:12). Spiritual work brings eternal reward (2 Tim. 4:7-8). If you are not working for the Lord, why not?
"Work for the night is coming, when man works no more."
-- Joe Price
No, not the furry creature. That's spelled b-e-a-r. "Bare" season rolls around every summer, when the weather gets real hot. It's called "bare" season, because men and women, in an effort to keep cool, will "bare" more of their skin. Bathing suits, short shorts, and low-cut tops become the order of the day. Little, if any thought is given to what God says on the matter.
According to God, licentiousness (or lasciviousness) is a work of the flesh, a sin (Galatians 5:19-21). What does this have to with how we dress? Consider the following definition of lascivious: "Tending to excite lustful desires." So anything that might excite lustful desires could be called "lascivious." We know that certain types of clothing can excite lustful desires, or else all those TV ads wouldn't be so successful. Proverbs 7:21 speaks of "enticing speech." Just as surely as there is enticing speech, there is enticing clothing. In other words, clothes, or the lack thereof can seduce people.
What kind of clothing could be labeled lascivious, or enticing? What about short shorts and short skirts? Can they excite lustful desires? We know the answer to that, don't we? What about bathing suits? Or tight-fitting clothes? Or outfits which can be easily seen through? Tops which expose cleavage? What about men who go without a shirt?
The opposite of lascivious is chaste (see Titus 2:5 where this word is used). Consider these definitions of chaste: "Pure, decent, or modest in nature, behavior, dress, etc. Behavior, dress, speech, etc., that exhibits morality or purity." So our dress should not be lascivious or enticing. It should be chaste. We should put more emphasis on concealing than revealing.
"Bare" season is here. Let's make sure we don't bare too much.
--From Miscellaneous Articles, Prattmont church of Christ