The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
October 16, 2005
In
This Issue:
Trip
to Mississippi
by
David Cox
You've
Only Done Your Duty
by
Jim R. Everret
The
Real Test
by
Phillip Mullins
Trip to Mississippi
Bobby Graham, Mike Johnson, Jeremy Paschall and I made another trip to pass out Bibles to people in the gulf area affected by Hurricane Katrina. We first went to Pascagoula, Mississippi where we had such great success the week before, but the relief center was closed down. We then went on to Gulfport and found a relief center there and passed out a few Bibles, but officials were beginning to close the center, so we could only stay for a short time. We then went over to Biloxi and found a relief center that was to open on Friday morning. At this point, we began to make our way back to Mobile, Alabama for the night. We stayed again in the home of Steve and Casey Graham and their children. On our way to Mobile, we found a relief center at Moss Point, Mississippi and decided that we would leave early enough on Friday to check this place out as we went to Biloxi. Friday morning, we arrived at the Moss Point, Mississippi relief center about 30 or 45 minutes prior to the opening of the center. We told the officials that we wanted to pass out Bibles and they were thrilled to have us do so. So we started getting the Bible and tracts together with a contact number for the Chicot Road church in Pascagoula. In about 2.5 hours, we passed out around 340 Bibles and tracts to people that wanted them.
It is sad to see the living conditions of so many people and the devastation that they have suffered, but in the last three weeks that I have been down there, many things have improved and things are slowly getting much better. However, there will be many obstacles and difficulties that these people will continue to face over an extended period of time. I am so thankful for the generosity of so many brethren in this area and the many prayers that have been extended for these people. Please continue to pray for them.
--David Cox
When Jesus had used an illustration about that which is expected of a servant (slave) in the normal course of his duties, He explained that the master owed the slave, not even so much as thanks, for he had done what was his duty to do. By comparison he said, ``So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do'' (Luke 17:7-10). "Command" from a master is his inherent right while "obedience" conveys the necessary, positive, slave's response in the relationship between a master and his slave.
A centurion came to Jesus asking that his servant be healed. Jesus said, ``I will come and heal him. But the centurion felt unworthy of Jesus' presence and, based upon his profound respect for Jesus and a clear understanding of authority, said, "Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." Jesus commended his great faith (Matthew 8:5-10). However, when the centurion explained why he believed that the word of Jesus was sufficient, he paralleled it with his own circumstance. He was under authority, hence understood what it meant to obey commands. He was also over soldiers and they obeyed his commands. That is the very nature of such relationships -- the master commands; the servant obeys. It is inconceivable that slaves would ever entertain the thought that they could earn the things given them by their masters -- as slaves they can only do that which is their duty.
Christians are slaves -- Jesus is the master (Acts 16:17; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 2:16. Christians have been made free from sin in Christ but they are not free from obedience to Christ's commands. They want to obey their master for they know that the Master said: "If ye love me keep my commandments" (John 14: 1 5); "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love..." (15:10); "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (15:12); and, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (15:14).
And John, who wrote so much about love, also had much to say about keeping God's commandments: "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him'' (1 Jno. 2:4); "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments" (5:2-3). From which command are we slaves exempt? Which one may we choose not to do? Nary a one!
-- Jim R. Everett
It is always easier to walk with the crowd, to agree when everyone else is agreeing, to go with the flow. However, it is how we stand when we have to stand in opposition that is often the real test of our faith in God.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). To be a true Christian means to oppose evil. To stand with Christ often means to stand against people and ideas that are set against Him. While a Christian is to be patient and loving, he or she is not to be passive. A Christian is a soldier in a war.
Christ displayed such a character. While He was meek and gentle, He could also be aggressive and bold:
"I tell you, no: but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
"For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men..." (Mark 7:8).
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves" (Matthew 23:15).
It was not that Jesus was trying to be offensive, but in standing for what was right it was necessary for Him to oppose certain beliefs, teachings, and even people. It was necessary to tell people what they needed to hear rather than what they wanted to hear.
Some religious people who claim to follow Christ are not willing to oppose anything or anybody. They believe the way of Christ dictates a totally positive approach where one never challenges any belief or practice, even if it is in clear opposition to the way of Christ.
How much do you believe in God? How much do you trust the Bible as God's word? How convinced are you that Jesus is God's Son? How committed are you to the Bible's standard of righteousness? If you are truly faithful to God and firm in your devotion to His will, then y6u must stand against whatever opposes these things.
It is easy to speak up for Christ when others are doing the same. The real test, though, comes when we must speak for Him when others are speaking against Him or His word. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7).
-- Phillip Mullins
Via The Manslick Road Speaker,
Manslick Road Church of Christ, Louisville, KY