The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 16, 2001
In
This Issue:
"The
Effect of the Gospel"
By
Bob West
"Need
a True Friend?"
By
W. Frank Walton
The gospel of our Lord is "the power of God unto salvation" (Romans 1:16). It has been often observed that the word translated "power" comes from a Greek word which is similar to the sound of our word "dynamite."
No one can remain the same after exposed to God's dynamite - the gospel. If he believes it and applies it to his life in humble obedience, it will save him from sin and further advance him along the road to spiritual life. On the other hand, if he rejects it, it will have a disastrous effect in his present life and in Eternity. It has been our unpleasant experience to see men who are horribly scarred and deformed by various kinds of explosions. But the effects upon the life of an individual who mishandles or rejects the gospel explosive are far more terrifying. These miserable souls are seen hobbling through life with shattered convictions, a heart insensible to love, a seared-over conscience, silent and unaccusing, and a will so accustomed to choosing evil that it seems incapable of any other choice.
So, you see, the gospel has a two-fold effect. The light that emanates from it can melt our hearts like wax. But at the same time, that light can harden a rebellious heart as the hardest clay. WE have heard the gospel. It has changed our lives - one way or the other! We need to ask ourselves: What effect has the gospel had on me?
Bob West, Milpitas Messenger, May 1997
"No one is concerned for me...no one cares for my soul" (Psalm 142:4).
David knew long ago the sadness we have all felt. Our world seems hard, cold and uncaring. People go through life surrounded by people but never really getting close to anyone. We all need a true friend.
1. MY BEST FRIEND. My best friend has died. Let me tell you about him. Even though he has left this earthly life, he still lives within my heart. He is the best friend a person could ever have. Over the past several years, I have come to love him as no other.
I can share with him all my secrets, hopes, joys, fears, disappointments and problems. He knows all about my dark corners and hidden faults, yet he still loves me dearly. He accepts me as I am, while helping me to become better. He knows what it is like to be tempted, to be misunderstood and mistreated. He always has the right words to help my problems. I never tire of reading the words He has written to me. He is always there to listen to me and to comfort me. He is so forgiving whenever I wrong him. He encourages me to be my best. He hasn't ever given up on me, even when I felt like giving up on myself. The beauty of his character exceeds all others. I love him because he first loved me. He loved me enough to die for me that I might live. He not only lives within my heart -- HE LIVES! He has been raised from the dead.
Sound strange? His name is Jesus! My best friend has changed my life. My friend I recommend to you. He wants to be your friend too. "A true friend is someone who believes in you, even when you have ceased to believe in yourself" (W. A. Ward).
All earthly friendships with imperfect people can often be painful failures. Larry Crabb observed in Inside Out: "We constantly put pressure on other people to never disappoint us -- to always understand our struggles, to always respect our efforts, to always support us, to always come through. Deep in our souls, we desperately long for this understanding from others."
2. JESUS, A FRIEND TO EVERYONE. Only Jesus gives the relationship we need. Jesus was "the friend of tax collectors and sinners" (Luke 7:34). He befriended the morally down and out people of His day. Jesus' life says, "I never met a sinner I didn't want to befriend." Jesus loved the sinner but hated the sin. He treated all people as individuals of great worth. With Jesus, everyone is someone special. "A true friend is someone who comes in when the rest of the world goes out."
Jesus is our true friend by the price He personally paid to save us. "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). Jesus did not die for the weak or innocent who made just a few harmless mistakes. He showed the greatest love ever known by dying for sinners. We caused His pain. Jesus on the cross paying for our need is our friend indeed!
A friend always acts in our best interest. He loved us the most when we deserved it the least but needed it the most. He loved us even when we were unlovable rebels lost in sin. "Reconciliation" is the restitution of a broken relationship. Former enemies can become friends. Enmity can be changed to friendship. "Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends" (John 15:13). Who couldn't love such a friend as that? The test of friendship's response is obedience to the risen Christ. "You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:14). Jesus gave His all so you could become His friend. You cannot do too much for Him. If we really love Him, we'll do exactly what He says (John 14:15).
Some people look at religion as a bunch of harsh rules and rituals. Yet, obedience to His will is but a means to an end. The essence of religion is a right personal relationship with the Lord. Abraham, who is the model of obedient faith for us to follow (Romans 4:12), was paid the highest compliment when called "the friend of God" (James 2:23). Obedience is a means to the end of maintaining and improving the closeness of this relationship. Someone has said, "A real friend is one who helps us to think our best thoughts, to do our noblest deeds, and to be our finest selves."
3. WILL YOU BECOME JESUS' FRIEND? In this world, you face a great adversary, but greater is your ally in Jesus. Will you make Him your friend? You never have to be lonely or without a true friend again. Read and obey the gospel record of how Jesus can become and remain your best friend (Mark 16:16; John 3:5). As a faithful Christian, you can always turn to Jesus for advice in times of decision, comfort in times of sorrow and strength in times of weakness. No one knows us better or loves us more. He intercedes for each Christian in heaven (Heb 7:25). The best news you'll ever hear is that you can find a true friend in Jesus.
By W. Frank Walton