The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 6, 2009
In
This Issue:
The
Last Fight
by
Robert Turner
Three
Benefits of Bible Class
by
Sam Stinson
The Last Fight
On the ruins of a theater in Ephesus there is a memorial to an athlete of the 2nd century A.D. which reads: "He fought three fights, and twice was crowned." Watch out for that last step! You see, those athletes fought to the death. A man's last fight was always fatal.
So, the crown meant only that one changed opponents; and sooner or later the last would slay him. What a difference in this crown, and that of the apostle Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul did more than fight "unto death" -- he fought unto life, eternal. If his fight of faith cost him his earthly life, it only meant he was now free to claim the crown that counted most (Revelation 2:10, 2 Cor. 5:6ff.). How different from those who die without hope.
Paul sought an enduring victory -- one that could not be taken from him. He exhorted Timothy, "Lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:12). This called for training, perseverance, and above all, self control (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The athlete trained his body only to prolong the day when it would fail him; but Paul trained his that it might the better serve the Lord, and thus serve his eternal purposes.
We are all engaged in some sort of battle, and in a very real sense it is "unto death." The fatalist, the fool, resigns himself to shortchange. Though he fights 3,000 times, he can expect but 2,999 temporal crowns, not one of which he can take with him beyond that last fight. The futility of it all is enough to make a man throw in the towel.
The Faith gives purpose to life. The Christian fights, hard and often. But he has submitted himself to God's will, "strives lawfully" (2 Timothy 2:5), and his fight is never in vain. Jesus Christ has provided for him a crown and not for him only, "but unto all them also that love his appearing."
-- Robert Turner
"A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel." (Prov. 1:5, NASB)
Perhaps you've heard a brother or sister make a comment to the effect that continuing in Bible classes, attending and participating, is not helpful. For instance, this particular brother grins and whispers in my ear, "Sam, I've been a Christian for forty years and I've been in Bible classes all that time since then. When do I get to graduate?"
While it is true that study of God's word requires investment of energy, it is an eternally helpful task. I did not have the heart to say that one thing happens to each of us, we die! When we each graduate from this mortal coil, it is then that we will truly reap the benefit from a lifetime of studying God's word. Nevertheless, there are great benefits to be had in this lifetime by increasing our learning and continuing in the acquiring of wise counsel from God's word.
1. Bible class assists in continuing education. Continuing education is essential in any discipline. Would you trust a doctor who has not recently questioned his long-held assumptions? Our trade is the very living of a Christian life to draw all people to our Lord. Becoming a lifelong learner keeps our abilities fresh and active. Ezra the priest was such a person as set his heart to study God's word, to perform it, and to teach it to others (Ezr 7:10)
2. Bible class is a great opportunity for self-directed education. Becoming a self-teaching student is a wonderful objective. Paul exhorted Timothy to be a good priest of God and guard the true knowledge of Christ he had learned. (1 Tim. 6:20; cf. Mal. 2:7). How much better do we do of guarding knowledge as God's people, God's priesthood, when we personally desire to grow and learn? I want to be such a student as learns on his own outside of Bible class so that I might better examine and accept the premises of truth presented in study with others.
3. Bible class provides us an opportunity to be an example for other Christians. It was also written of Ezra that he gathered together with all the heads of the houses of Israel to study God's word. (Neh. 8:13) What a great example of a godly man teaching the other leaders of Israel! I want to set an example of diligence for others that they might also grow in this desire. When we show up to Bible Class with answers written in the blanks of our worksheets, ready to jot down any helpful notes, and willing to share an insight we might have into the topic, others will see this example. Lord willing, they will not see me arguing over words but actively striving to build up my sibling in Christ. (2 Tim. 2:14)
-- Sam Stinson