The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
September 16, 2007
In
This Issue:
One
Grape at a Time
by
Frank Jamerson
It
is Time to Wake Up
by
Randy Cavender
One Grape at a Time
In the Williamsburg, Virginia welcome center, there is a movie shown about the period leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Patrick Henry was advocating union of the colonies and describing the danger they faced if they did not stand together in these words: "I have never seen the most ravenous of men devour a cluster of grapes in one mouth full, but I have seen many, already fat with food, achieve the same result by plucking the fruit one by one!"
There are many application of this principle in the spiritual realm. First, notice a good application. The gospel is to be preached to the whole world, but it is most effectively done "one grape at a time." One who is taught is to teach another (Matthew 28:18-20). Paul told Timothy, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2). The "each one teach one" principle cannot be improved upon!
The same principle applies to departures from the truth. When people leave the authority of God's word in one area, then begin comparing themselves with themselves, one departure leads to another. When elders began extending their oversight to more than "the flock among them" (I Peter 5:2), one departure lead to another until one bishop declared himself the "universal bishop" (Pope). When people begin appealing to present practice as their authority to do something else, rather than going back to the Biblical pattern for everything, they get further and further from the truth.
It is amazing how much good can be good "one grape at a time," and it is also amazing how much evil can be done by the same process. Beware of the little things!
-- Frank Jamerson
Via the Midway Messenger, 2/25/2007
In Romans 13:11, Paul exhorts the Romans, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." Those who are Christians sometimes leave things undone they shouldn't. Many find time to do everything they want in this life but seem to close their eyes to the Lord's work. As you know, if you leave your eyes closed long enough you will go to sleep. This apparently is what happened to the Roman Christians. The church at Rome was not alone, for the church at Cor-inth slept also. Paul charged the Corinthians to, "Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame." (I Cor. 15:34). It is easy to see why Paul would speak to the Corinthians in this manner after reading the letter he sent to them. You will notice these brethren closed their eyes to divisions, fornica-tion, discipline, taking brethren to court of law, marriage, divorce and remarriage, and abusing the Lord's Supper. These were just a few of the problems they had. These brethren needed to wake up to what was right and stop sinning against God and themselves.
With all that is going on in the church today, I believe these words should serve as a warning to all Christians. We need to wake up and do the things the Lord would have us do. We need to heed the words that Paul penned to these two local churches at Rome and Corinth and "Awake to righteousness&ldots;" Brethren, it is now time to awake out of our spiritual sleep and live for God. Let us notice a few things Paul said do.
In Romans 13:13, Paul instructs us to "walk properly." How are you walking? Are you walking by faith or sight? (2 Cor. 5:7) Are you walking in the truth, which is the word of God? (3 John 4) Are you walking in the light as He is in the light? (1 John 1:7) Brethren, if we are sleeping, there is no way we could be walking. Granted, some might be sleep-walking, but they have either fallen into the ditch, or they will, if they continue (Matt. 15:14). That is not walking properly. We must live holy lives, basing everything we do on the word of truth, and living righteous upright lives in the sight of God, our Savior.
Paul also teaches us, "make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Romans 13:14). In Galatians 5:16, the same apostle teaches us how to make no provisions for the flesh by "walking in the Spirit." Worldliness among the people of God is the cause of much heartache, and it grieves the Holy Spirit of God. I know those who profess to be Christians who drink socially, dance, curse, dress immodestly, divorce and remarry without scriptural cause. Congregations of "God's people" engage in such sin to the point that it is increasingly difficult to tell any difference in them and the ungodly world around us. Many have closed their eyes to such sins to the extent that they have fallen asleep and do not care. They need to heed the command of Paul to wake up and "do not sin" (1 Cor. 15:34).
Brother and sister in Christ, are you sleeping? If so, you need to wake up and live for God in all things always. Let us never close our eyes to the "&ldots;sin which so easily ensnares us" (Heb. 12:1).
-- Randy Cavender
Via Pathfinder, Vol. 27, No. 4, October 15, 1993