The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
May 27, 2007
In
This Issue:
Ready
to Fly?
by
Steve Klein
Are
You Fully Committed?
by
Tim Johnson
Ready to Fly?
It is spring, and the birds around the Klein plantation have been busy building nests, laying eggs and rearing young. We even have a nest full of baby birds in the wreath that hangs on our front door. But sadly, not all the baby birds will make it to adulthood. This past week, I found two dead blue jays and a dead robin in the backyard - all young birds that had apparently left their nests before they were ready.
At this time of year, we also have a lot of young people who are graduating from high school and thinking about the possibility of leaving home eventually. It's all part of the natural process of growing up, and it's a good thing. But, it's important to be ready. Just as a little bird needs to be strong enough to learn to fly on its own when it leaves the nest, even so a young person must have developed strong character if they are to make it on their own.
If a young person is anxious to leave home in order to be free to do what they want, commit sin when they feel like it, and not be bound by the rules of parents or the laws of God, that young person IS NOT ready to leave. Take a lesson from the prodigal son. He wanted to leave. He thought he was ready. He selfishly demanded his father's financial support. And then he flew out of the nest and landed beak down in a pig sty of immorality and misery (Luke 15:11-32).
A young person is only ready to leave a godly home when they respect what has been taught them there, and they are willing to use it to help them make their way in the world. In Proverbs 6:20-22, Solomon says, "My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you."
More importantly, the young adult who leaves the security of their childhood home must do so with the desire to rely on God daily. Rather than seeking opportunities to violate God's law and flee from His presence, getting out of the nest should motivate one to seek security in a close relationship with God. This approach to flying out of the nest virtually guarantees success. "Those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31)
-- Steve
Klein
Commitment - what does this word mean to you? I think of high school players who sign letters of commitment to play football at various colleges or universities, or a person who makes a commitment to serve in the armed forces. What about a commitment to serve God? Is this not what we do when we obey the gospel and become a Christian? How serious are we about this commitment?
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Some never make such a commitment. Their attitude is one of "All of self and none of thee." They live for the moment, seeking pleasures of the world - whatever "feels good." They never think of their eternal destiny. They have no commitment of service to God.
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Others make the commitment to serve God. They follow His commandments concerning obedience - believe, repent, confess, be baptized. However, that's the extent of their commitment. Their attitude is "Some of self and some of thee." They still dabble with things and pleasures of the world and never follow through to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). They become those who "by this time&ldots;ought to be teachers, but have come to "need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God." They "have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12).
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Still others will make the same commitment to serve God, following His commandments concerning obedience, and will make more of an effort to grow as newborn babes in Christ (I Peter 2:2). Their attitude is "Less of self and more of thee." This is evident when they are seen choosing to attend a gospel meeting instead of going to a ballgame, reading and studying their Bibles instead of watching their favorite TV show, etc. But there is still something missing about this type of people. They are hesitant to give their all, because that would require more work and responsibility.
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There are those who make a complete and full commitment to serve God with the attitude of "None of self and all of thee." These people are not only present at every service, but are fully prepared for the Bible study and worship service, and enter into both whole-heartedly. You'll never see an incomplete Bible study lesson and they're always willing and eager to participate in each class. These people will never be seen with closed mouths during the song service, because, even when they're sick, they still want to praise God and will try to do so to the best of their ability. Those who have made a complete and full commitment to serve God will be known in the community because, when there is a gospel meeting or singing at a neighboring congregation, they will support it. When they know of others who are in bad health, they visit and offer assistance. When others are bereaved over the loss of loved ones, those who are fully committed to serving God will be seen offering words of comfort. When others fall on bad times, they will come to their aid when possible. This type of people will be among the sheep on our Lord's right hand and will receive the promised inheritance (Matthew 25:31-40).
Which of these commitments describes you? That high school player who committed to a specific college or university can change his mind and play football at a different school. It's a bit more difficult for that person who changes his mind about his commitment to service in the armed forces. It's impossible for the one who has changed his mind about his commitment to serve God (Hebrews 6:4-5). What about you? Are you fully committed?
-- Tim Johnson