The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
October 24, 2004
In
This Issue:
Beware
of Normal
by
Larry Walker
You
Have Two Choices
by
Jacob Gwin
Beware of Normal
According to a humorous television commercial, one of the first signs of termite infection in your home is that "everything looks perfectly normal." It is their way of convincing us that a lot of damage can be done before you even notice it. The ad might serve to remind us of problems that can occur in our spiritual house if we do not take protective measures. The very foundation can be destroyed while everything on the outside seems to be normal by the standards of our day. When our lives are comfortably blended into the society we live in, when there is nothing unusual about our moral or religious principles, when our priorities are the same as the great major-ity of our neighbors, then things are dangerously "normal." The problem is that "normal" is a term that is determined by man's standards, and though measuring up to it may provide a degree of comfort here, it falls far short when it comes to laying up treasures in heaven.
Paul warned the Corinthians of some who "measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding." (2 Cor. 10:12.) It is God's yardstick that matters, not that of the "mainstream of society." God has always required His people to be separate (Isa. 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:17 - 7:1) - not physically withdrawn, but distinct in conversation and conduct, not fashioned according to the world. (Rom. 12:1,2.) It is a sobering Biblical truth that few will be saved; the majority will enter the broad way that leads to destruction. (Matt. 7: 13, 14.) It is strange, then, that we should be satisfied with attaining a status accepted by society. What value is it, if we lose our souls?
Friend, if your life seems ''normal" enough by man's standards, it may be that your spiritual house is caving in. It will not be shored up by man's money or man's tools, but by the Word which framed the worlds. (Heb. 11:3.) The answer is some honest, objective study of it, for it is the standard which will judge us (John 12:48).
By Larry Walker,
via The Graphic Evangelist, Nov. 27, 1983
Throughout our life, we are forced to make many decisions. Some decisions that we must make are relatively insignificant, while others will have life-long consequences. Without a doubt, the most important of the decisions that we face is the choice of whether or not to serve God. This is a decision that every individual must make and one that will have life-long as well as eternal consequences.
God has always given humans the choice of whether or not to serve Him. He has made the options clear and has outlined the consequences of the decision that is made. The decision that we face (and the decision that all others have faced before us) is whether to serve God and be blessed or serve the devil and suffer. God placed this decision before the Israelites in the Old Testament many times. In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, the Israelites were given the following options: "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods you have not known."
Today, we are given the same two options. Jesus illustrates our two choices by comparing them to two possible paths that we can follow. He says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13,14). Here, our options are clearly stated as well as the consequences for the decisions that we make. The correct decision is obvious. Who would want to follow a path to certain destruction? No one! Yet, often we travel the path that will ultimately lead to eternal punishment. Why? There may be many reasons for making the wrong decision, but often it may be simply because it seems so difficult to do what is right. The Bible, however, gives us help in making the right decisions.
First, the Bible tells us that we can live like we should by renewing our minds. Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, by be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." This verse tells us that we will not be conformed to the world (or do the evil things people of the world do) if we renew our minds. One way to do this is by diligently studying the Bible (Colossians 3:10, II Timothy 2:15). As we learn more about God's will for us, we will be less likely to make the wrong decisions and do things that are against His will.
Secondly, the Bible instructs us that it is important to associate with people who will influence us to do good instead of evil. I Corinthians 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits." This verse says that if we associate with evil people then we will be affected negatively. If you think you can associate with those who are evil and still live like you should, you are "deceived." On the other hand, if you associate with good people, you will be encouraged to do what is right (Hebrews 10:24, 25). In our effort to do right and make the right decisions, we should make sure that our associates will be a help and not a hindrance.
Life is full of choices. Making the right choice may not always be the easy choice. In fact, the right choice often is the more difficult choice. As we make decisions everyday, we need to understand the eternal impact that our decisions have on our soul. Determine today that you will serve God to your greatest ability. You'll never regret it!
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by Jacob Gwin