The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
September 19, 2004
In
This Issue:
Are
You in the Path of the Storm?
by
Steve Klein
A
Good Answer
by
David Thurman
Are You In The Path of The Storm?
The powerful destructive force of Hurricane Ivan was witnessed by many in Alabama and Florida this past week. Thousands upon thousands fled coastal areas to avoid the storm's path. But a few foolhardy individuals did not. Some actually traveled great distances in order to get in Ivan's way and experience its fury firsthand. We're made to wonder about the sanity and sense of those who would make such a choice. Yet, in the spiritual realm, many make similar choices everyday.
In Proverbs 1:27-30, Wisdom warns that those who reject her have chosen a disastrous destiny indeed. They have placed themselves in the path of a terrifying storm with little hope of rescue. Wisdom says,
"When your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke."
My friends, when we reject instruction, correction or rebuke that is based in the wisdom of God, we are choosing to be destroyed by the storms of life.
But it is so easy to dismiss criticism and rebuke. We rationalize our actions. We justify ourselves. We may do this whether it is that we've been told that we need to attend assemblies of the church more faithfully, or study our Bibles more frequently, or stop smoking, or stop speeding, or stop gossiping or any other of 1,000 rebukes we might need to hear. All too often we choose to stay in the path of the storm.
A day before Ivan hit, the weather was beautiful. It might have been easy for those in Ivan's path to convince themselves that no storm was coming -- that they could continue as they were, where they were. If that's what the news and media outlets had been saying, many would have stayed. It is easier and more pleasant to be told what we want to hear. But, "It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools" (Ecclesiastes 7:5).
Be wise. Flee the storm. Listen carefully and humbly to rebuke. Make corrections in your life where they are needed. "Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool" (Proverbs 17:10).
By Steve Klein
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conver-sation in Christ- (1 Pet. 3:15-16). What is the best way to share your faith in Jesus Christ? With a rapidly changing world how can we best represent the message of Jesus to others? Peter answers this question in these verses.
First, Peter assumes the fact that the unbeliever would notice a difference in the Christian and would ask about the hope within the believer. The first step in sharing Jesus is to live like Him so consistently that others can't help but see the contrast between our lives and theirs. Too often, we try to force the message to people who have not noticed a difference in us. Or, we try to take the message to those who have not asked. Peter wants the horse before the cart. Live so others will ask.
Then, when we are asked about our faith, we are to have a ready answer. There should be little doubt about what we believe, or why we decided to follow Jesus. This is a personal answer based on each person's faith in the gospel of Christ, not some church position or creed. If others ask us about our faith, we should be ready with scriptural responses that tell not only what we believe, but why we act the way we do. Simply put, others should recognize the authority that governs our lives.
Next, Peter says that our answer must be more than Biblically accurate. This answer must also reflect the spirit of Christ. We cannot properly repre-sent our faith if we live so as to discredit it. Our response to any inquiry should be done with gentleness and respect. In this way others will see not only the authority that governs our lives, but will see that this authority changes our inner nature. We must also answer with a good conscience. To do this we must be free of ulterior motives when we speak with others about Jesus. We must be more interested in saving a soul than in being right on an issue. A clean conscience insists that we be honest with others. Even as we encourage them to leave sin and follow Jesus we must be willing to share our own sinfulness with them. If they can see that God has forgiven one sinner they will be more likely to accept God's grace. If they hear that believers are real people with real problems, they will more readily come to a real God.
The end result is simple. We gain credibility by being true to our calling regardless of the response we receive. Even if others fail to accept our faith as their own, our lives will be above reproach. Peter tells us to live in such a way that even if they speak evil of us, the evidence will be against them. Our lives are to reflect the will of Jesus in such a way that no charge can be proven against us.
To be what Jesus was and to be as effective as Jesus was, the world needs to see Him within us. As we share the good news of the gospel with others, they need to see the gentleness of Jesus. If we are abused because of our faith, the world needs to get a first hand lesson in cheek-turning. If others are critical of us for any reason, the world needs to be able to see who is true and who is false. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should. follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Pet. 2:21-23). This altitude challenged the shallow legalism of the Pharisees. This gentleness called the most wicked of sinners to leave sin and live righ-teously.
As we recapture the lifestyle of Jesus we can do what Peter says. Others will seek us out and ask us concerning our faith, just as they mobbed Jesus for His answers. The world may reject us, but in turning away will be seen for what they are, false accusers, just as they accused Jesus falsely. Finally, the world will turn to God in our day, just as they did following the death and resurrection of Jesus. The world will respond because God's people reflect the mind of Jesus today. What is a good answer? A life that constantly reflects the teaching and attitudes of Jesus, the Christ.
By David Thurman