Looking At Ourselves: Using Scriptures as the Mirror - Part 1

By Tom Rose

As nearly as I can tell, most Christians as well as secular people today are goal-oriented. It fits the American style. The less popular option is to be process-oriented. Just getting there is not all that counts, because how you get there and what happens to you and to others along the way are at least equally important.

Consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Lk. 10:25-37. The priest and Levite on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho were goal-oriented. On their minds were things other than a mugging victim, perhaps important things. The Samaritan of the parable was process-oriented. He, too, was on his way to Jericho, but for him getting there was not only less than half the fun but three-quarters of the pain. He saw not only the road, but the ditches alongside. He didn’t pretend that he had not seen what he saw. He didn’t try to convince himself that his goal down the road was more important than a deed of mercy to be transacted then and there. In stopping and stooping, he was not taking time out of his life; he was living life. Goals are points in time; process is time itself.

In one of his books, William Barclay tells the story of a group of people who were talking about heroism. Everyone, they said, sooner or later must practice some kind of heroism. A brash young man in the group turned to an old woman who looked ordinary and serene; he did not know that life for her had been a series of tragedies. “And what kind of heroism do you practice?” he asked lightly. “I?” she replied. “I practice the heroism of going on.” Recall that Jesus told Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you to become. ...fishers of men.” (Mk. 1:17), it was not an overnight transformation. Every step along dusty Galilean roads, every encounter with need, every response to happenings, would be a bit of “becoming.”

We generally demonstrate so little staying power. Most often what we do is to leapfrog, bypass the difficult or messy things in life in order to get on with it, when the process of everyday living is what life is mainly about. Even in our attempts to shortcut or anesthetize ourselves, we are “becoming.” When we shut our eyes, stop our ears, try to shield ourselves from feeling our own pain or that of others, we are “becoming.” By the road they traveled and their unique reaction to events along the way, the priest, the Levite–as well as the Samaritan–were in the process of becoming and thereby being shaped into their own respective personalities.

So where does individual responsibility begin? And end? When I look at the way Jesus ministered, He, like we, lived in a sea of need. In that hot land of Palestine, blindness was common, leprosy was a feared scourge, and sickness, hunger and sorrow abounded. Yet, Jesus did not heal all the sick, feed all the hungry, and raise all the dead. Surely Jesus knew He was only scratching the surface of need. How did He live with that knowledge? In searching for an answer, I find it instructive that in all the Gospel accounts, Jesus never turned away anyone who came within the scope of His awareness and ability to help.

Scope of awareness. It was this which placed an inescapable compulsion upon Him, and which places it upon us. When I see, when I hear, and when I know, then something happens to me that has not happened before. It is then that the problem, the concern becomes mine. When the knock comes to my door. When the empty hand reaches toward me. When the eyes look into my eyes. Then I must do something or surrender some piece of my Christian credibility.

Fortunately, awareness is an ability that can be cultivated. We hear what we need to hear, what we want to hear, in the same way that a mother immediately catches the first cry of her awakening baby. However, there are those who are afraid that they will hear something, who avert their eyes lest they see something. How lonely to walk the streets of life, afraid to look up, afraid of what might be seen in even a fleeting glance at another face. In truth, we avert not only our eyes, but also our hearts, lest some compulsion leap across the gap and forever bind us together. For, even from our own small experience, we know deep down that having seen, we cannot ever again unsee. Having heard, we will never again be able to unhear. And unless our conscience is dead, we will have to act.

Consider two scriptures: one paints a negative picture “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” Jas. 4:17. On the other hand, Jn. 3:16 reminds us of a singular, supremely positive event that changed everything, “For God so loved the world that He gave. . .” Let us continue to become and to give of ourselves, as unto the Lord, as that is the penalty, and the incomparable reward, for being a follower of His Son.

Lovers of Light and Lovers of Darkness

By Paul Earnhart

If you go into an old barn on a dark night and turn on a bright light, you will see two different reactions.  The rats will run, but the candle flies will soon be swarming around your light.

Jesus came into the world as the light of the world.  And there were two different reactions.  Some hated Him and began almost immediately to plot His extermination.  Others, however, were drawn to Him and became completely loyal to Him.

In John 3:19-21, He explains these two reactions.  “And this is the judgment that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest their deeds should be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

The true character and teaching of Jesus serve as a judgment on the deeds of evil people.  Once they truly understand Him, they react against Him; and, in so doing, they actually pass judgment on themselves.

In our generation, however, Satan has confused the issue.  He has made Jesus out to be a very broad-minded and tolerant individual who will accept most any kind of conduct.  Satan has also led many to think that believing in Jesus is simply accepting the fact that He lived and died for mankind; and if one believes that, one can live any way they want to live.  Those who are deceived by Satan in this manner do not truly know Jesus.

Jesus condemned sin in all forms, and He demands that we live as pure a life as we can live.  Nothing in the life or teaching of Jesus encourages sin.  And just as belief in a doctor means following the doctor’s instructions, so belief in the great physician means living as He directs.  He asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things that I say?” (Lk 6:46)

A Salute to the Faithful

By Norman Pence

Much of the writing, preaching, and visiting that is done today is directed toward the weak and unfaithful. Too often, we do not take time to salute those who are faithful to Christ and His teaching.

There is no sufficient way to show appreciation to those members who have remained “steadfast and unmovable” (1 Cor. 15:58) throughout the years. But you are to be commended for your faithfulness and attendance, even when other activities are taking place that you would normally attend. Whenever work needs to be done, we have come to know that, regardless, you will make the necessary sacrifices to be there and help in any way you can. It is a joy to be around and worship with Christians who display that loving willingness that says, “I am willing to do any and everything I can to help.” Your active desire to grow spiritually has encouraged others to have the same desire. Your love for lost souls has provided ways for many to be taught the truth and become active citizens of the Kingdom of God. Your faithful life has helped weak Christians to wake up, confess faults, and once again become not only hearers of the word, but doers also. You are the ones that constantly encourage the faithful teachers and preachers to remain firm in the truth, and we thank God for people like you.

You are also appreciated because you demand no special attention or praise to keep you happy and faithful in your service and assemblies for Bible study and worship. It’s not necessary for you to have your name mentioned from the pulpit or even written in the bulletin in order for you to make visits, help with the sick and shut-ins, or to invite friends to worship. You count it a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the Lord. You are a shining example to all that see you. And we believe it can be said of you that you are sincerely “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Mt. 6:33).

May God continue to bless you who labor so faithfully. The church will continue to grow because of you. Please don’t give up and thank you for your enduring efforts for Him.

Do Today’s Youth Accept Absolute Values? - Part 2

By Tom Rose

In part 1, the author presented evidence that many of today’s youth do not accept absolute truth.  Because of this, many youths are making wrong choices.  Part 2 presents a classroom illustration of this issue and provides some action steps parents and religious educators can take to address this problem and why it is extremely important.

Consider an activity in which a group of high school Christians were challenged to grasp the reality of Jesus’ resurrection as objective truth. A jar of marbles was placed in front of the class and students were asked, “How many marbles are in the jar?” They all respond and record their different guesses. The jar was then emptied, and the marbles counted. They quickly determined who had the closest guess and that the number of marbles was a matter of fact, not a personal preference. Next from a bag of Starburst candies, one was given to each student, and the question posed, “Which flavor is right?” The students saw this as an unfair question because each person had a preference that was right for him or her. The class all agreed that in this situation it was a matter of subjective opinion, not objective fact. The teacher then asked, “Is the resurrection of Jesus like the number of marbles in the jar, or is it a matter of personal opinion, like candy preferences?’ Most students concluded that the question of the resurrection belonged in the category of candy preference.

The instructor then concluded the activity by talking about the nature of Jesus’ physical death and resurrection. He proposed, “If we had been present at the cross, we could have felt the warm blood of Jesus trickling down the wooden timber or even watched Him take His last breath (Jn. 19:29-35). And if we had been at the tomb on Sunday morning, we would have seen the stone rolled away and the loincloth of Jesus laying inside (Jn. 20:1-7).” The teacher then reminded the class that while many people may reject the historical resurrection of Jesus, it is not the type of claim that can be “true for you, but not true for me.” The tomb was either empty on the third day, or it was occupied – there can be no middle ground.

What should be done to help our youth become healthy and mature relationally, morally, and spiritually? Josh McDowell in his research identified four components listed in order of importance. Parents (and religious educators) should see that:

1. Teenagers experience a transformed life in Christ.

2. They know why they believe what they believe.

3. They develop healthy relationships with faithful Christians of all ages.

4. They learn to resist ungodly influences and learn how to make right choices.

In closing, we must ask, “Why is this important? What difference does it really make?” Consider that most religions of the world are based on philosophical propositions or theological ideologies. Their observance usually centers around a creed book, catechism, or mantra. Remove its founding prophet or guru and that religion remains essentially intact. That is because these religions are largely based on the teachings, not upon the founding teacher. That is not true of Christianity; it is unique. Christianity isn’t a mere religion. It is not simply based upon various teachings. Christianity is based on the life, character, and identity of a person – Jesus Christ. Christ did not come to earth to teach Christianity, Christ is Christianity. (“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6). And to us and our loved ones as believers, that makes all the difference both in this life and the next…for “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).

Born To Stand Out - Part 2

By Tom Rose

To gain further insight into the distinction of being Godly as portrayed in Psalm 1 and what it would 'look like' in real life, consider the true story of an early Christian.  It was the middle of the second century, during the reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius. Christianity was illegal, and believers throughout the Roman Empire faced the threat of imprisonment, torture, or death. Persecution was especially intense in southern Europe, where Sanctus, a deacon from Vienna, had been arrested and brought to trial. This young man was repeatedly told to renounce the faith he professed, but his resolve was undeterred. No matter what question he was asked, he always gave the same unchanging answer. According to the ancient church historian, Eusebius, Sanctus "girded himself against [his accusers] with such firmness that he would not even tell his name, or the nation or city to which he belonged, or whether he was bond or free, but answered in the Roman tongue to all their questions, 'I am a Chistian.'" For Sanctus, his whole identity – including his name, citizenship, and social status – was found in Jesus Christ.

This same perspective was shared by countless others in the early church. It fueled their witness, strengthened their resolve, and confounded their opponents. At the moment when life itself was on the line, nothing else mattered besides seeing themselves as His servant. For these faithful persons, the name "Christian" was much more than a general religious designation. It was an entirely new way of thinking – one that had serious implications for how they lived – and ultimately how they died. The label underscored their love for the Savior along with a willingness to follow Him no matter the cost. It displayed the wholesale transformation God had produced in their hearts, and how they had died to their old way of life, having been born spiritually into the family of God.

The conclusion of this psalm as well as this article can be summed up by observing: when we call ourselves Christians, we proclaim to the world that everything about us, including our very self-identity, is found in Jesus Christ. We can choose to stand apart from the world, as "a people for God’s own possession" (1 Pet. 2:9). As people of God, we can deny ourselves in order to follow and obey Him. He is both our Savior and our Sovereign, and our lives should center on totally pleasing Him. Contrary to much current religious thinking, there are no relative or half-measures of a righteous life. Rather, the scriptures (including Ps. 1 :5-6) portray a judgment with no in between points. It will either be "God’s Way" or "No Way At All." One will either prosper or perish.

People frequently ask me why I work so hard on preparing my comments when presiding at the Lord’s Table. I always offer the same answer, "I want people not to observe out of habit or ritual, rather I want them to think about what they’re doing." Today millions of Christians live in a sentimental haze of vague piety. Their religion is a pleasant thing: divorced from the will, divorced from the intellect, and demanding little except lip service to a few platitudes. I suspect that Satan has called off his attempt to convert these people to agnosticism. It’s much safer, from Satan’s point of view, to vaccinate a man with a mild case of Christianity so as to protect him from the real disease!