The New Life
Only a Christian can experience two lives – the old and the new. Jesus told Nicodemus that to enter the kingdom of God one “must be born again.” He then explained that the new birth comes about by “water and the Spirit.” (John 3:3-5) The new birth is followed by a new life. According to the Spirit’s directions, through the Word, one is buried with Christ by baptism and raised with Christ “to walk in newness of life.” (Rom.6:4) This…
The Principle Of Sowing And Reaping
Sowing and reaping are principles we live with daily. Seed produces after its own kind. (Gen. 1:11,12) When the farmer sows wheat, or plants cotton, he knows what to expect. This principle is stated in regard to the use of the tongue. “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:11,12) Jesus…
Epistles Of Christ
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart”. (II Cor.3:2,3) God’s word, translated into human life, is a most important epistle, “known and read by all men”. People…
A Good Motive For Living For Jesus
The Bible gives us numerous motivating reasons for living for Jesus and being submissive to the will of God. (1) It is our duty. “….When you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10) (2) Fear of losing our soul. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Matt.16:26) (3) Love for…
Living For Jesus
It has never been easy to live for Jesus. It was not easy in the first century, and it certainly is not in the twenty-first. But it is easier than dying for Him, regardless of the century in which one lives. He died for us, and many have died for Him. Stephen, James, Peter, Paul, and most of the other apostles died as martyrs in one way or another. Yet, in doing so they were only following the example of…
Helpers Of The Truth
In Johns third epistle he commended Gaius for helping traveling brethren, such as providing lodging and helping them on their journey, saying. “We therefore ought to receive such that we might be fellow helpers to the truth” (III John 8) KJV/ The NKJV uses the term “fellow worker.” Of course, the truth does not need our help to make it better, or more complete and sufficient, or more acceptable to man. (II Tim. 3:16,17) But it does need our help…
Personal Involvement In The Lord’s Work (Part 2)
In the first segment of this article last week five biblical reasons for personal involvement in the work of the church were considered. They were… Because we love the Lord. Because it pleases God. Because of the importance of the Lord’s work. Because it is good. Because of our influence. Please consider four additional reasons for the importance of personal involvement. Because it helps the church. Every member is important in the work of the church. Scripture empha-sizes this fact…
Spiritual Inflation
In 1945 a loaf of bread cost 9 cents, a gallon of gas 15 cents, a new car $1,025, and a new house, $4,625. These prices doubled by 1955. We all know the price of them today. Inflation affects most everything of value, except those things that are the most valuable. Air is still free. We may pay to filter it, cool it, or heat it, but air is free. Water is free. We may pay t o filter it,…
Focus and Stay the Course
As a little girl, I can remember how happy I was when I learned to ride my bike. If I was riding on a flat smooth surface, riding was easy and enjoyable. I remember the first time I tried to ride my bike on the gravel roads in our neighborhood with some of my friends. I fell several times. One of my neighbors said “Debbie you have to follow the tire tracts and follow the smooth path in the road,…
The Motivation for Good Works
Serving the Lord, being faithful, doing good works, etc. requires motivation. We may realize the need, and we may know how, but until we are motivated, the good works will not be done. What gets us involved in doing good works? What drives some people to abound in the work of the Lord, while others cannot seem to get started? It is motivation. Some have it while others do not. What then is the Christian’s motivation? The greatest and most…
Our Suffering and Sinless Savior
The suffering of Christ was necessary to provide the means for our salvation from sin. No amount of money could purchase it. The precious blood of the Son of God was required. (I Pet. 1:18,19). Our Savior also had to be sinless. How could a sinful man be the ultimate sacrifice for a sinful people? Both in Prophecy and in fulfillment the death of Jesus of Nazareth, God in human form, was to be that perfect sacrifice for the sins…
Repentance and Forgiveness
Jesus often taught on the importance of forgiveness in his personal ministry. Following his model prayer in which He mentions forgiveness as an important petition to the Father, He said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if, you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:12,14,15) Some of our Lord’s parables emphasized the importance of forgiveness. (cf. Matt. 18:21-35) Jesus also exemplified the spirit…