The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
December 25, 2005
In
This Issue:
"Like"
and "As"
by
Steve Klein
Two
Choices
Tim
Johnson
"Like" and "As"
A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared to another using words such as like or as. Similes are designed to inform us of a fact and to illustrate just how true that fact is. For instance, if someone says that they are "as busy as a bee," we understand that they are not only busy, but that they are constantly very busy. The Bible contains many similes. These statements help us understand simple truths on a deeper level. The Book of Proverbs is filled with them. Here are some simple statements of truth enriched by the similes of Proverbs:
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It's irritating to trust a lazy unreliable person with responsibility. "As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him." (Proverbs 10:26)
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A person with outward beauty can still be ugly. "As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion." (Proverbs 11:22)
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Laughter is good for you. "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
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People love gossip and will usually believe it. "The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body." (Proverbs 18:8).
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Money disappears quickly. "For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:5)
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God's precious law should be carefully kept. "Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye." (Proverbs 7:2)
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Making a person angry is a good way to start a fight. "For as the churning of milk produces butter, and wringing the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife." (Proverbs 30:33)
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Your true self is on the inside. "As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man." (Proverbs 27:19)
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Good friends improve one another. "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)
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It's disgusting when a person does the same foolish thing over and over again. "As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." (Proverbs 26:11)
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There's no figuring out world leaders and politicians. "As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable." (Proverbs 25:3)
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It's easier to start a quarrel than to stop it. "The beginning of strife is like releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts." (Proverbs 17:14)
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Drinking will hurt you eventually. "Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper." (Proverbs 23:31-32).
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It hurts when people lie about you. "A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow." (Proverbs 25:18).
--Steve Klein
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. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus compares our two choices 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." 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 simply be 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 (II Timothy 2:15; I Timothy 4:13, 15-16)). 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. Have you made the choice to serve God or the devil?
-- Tim Johnson