MORE ON GRACE: Thank you Richard for your comments regarding grace! For too long many have let others intimidate them into silence in regard to thoroughly biblical subjects. The fact is everyone who is saved is saved completely by the grace of God. The use of the word “completely”, does not rule out man’s response of faith and obedience. The statement simply refers to the basis or ground of our salvation: it is entirely of God. Ephesians 2:8 teaches that salvation is “not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Yet in the same verse Paul also says it is “through faith”, a response man gives. A Calvinist says man cannot have faith unless God provides it. But this disallows man’s free agency. What the apostle is saying is that salvation is a gift and therefore without the grace of God no one would or could be saved. I believe, consequently, it is improper to compare God’s part or side and man’s part or side of salvation, as if each contributes to a man being saved. Cecil May described one congregation divided over whether god contributed 50% and man 50% or God 90% and man 10%. Neither was right! Salvation is of grace; it is a gift. That means it is 100% of God and once we have done everything we are supposed to do to receive this gift (faith and obedience), we still declare, “We are unprofitable servants! Let God receive all the praise and glory!”
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Ed Boggess
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Stephen R. Bradd
Obeying God’s commands
Our job is not to reason why.
Our job is not to make reply.
Our job is but to do and die.Like this:
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Ron Thomas
I like the saying, though I am not sure I would entirely accept its sentiments.
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Stephen R. Bradd
Hi Ron. Let me elaborate and see if I can get you on board completely. :) The ambiguity of brevity makes you cautious; I understand.
When God issues a command:
(1) Our job is not to figure out the rationale behind His command (in many cases, the rationale may be apparent to us, but it is not our JOB to understand why or even agree with it).
(2) We don’t need to make reply to God regarding His commands (e.g., argue with Him, ask for another way, beg for an exception, etc.). That’s not our job either.
(3) Our job IS to obey Him for life and die faithfully. That’s what a good servant does in respect to His Master.I use this little poem (not original with me, by the way) when teaching from Gen. 22 (although it can be well applied all over the Bible, I think). Abraham didn’t need to understand the rationale behind the command to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham didn’t need to argue with God or ask if there was something else he could do. He got up early and did it! Why? Because God said so–end of story.
If more folks were like Abraham in this, we wouldn’t have problems with commands pertaining to singing, divorce & remarriage, immersion for the remission of sins, etc.
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Ron Thomas
No fussing from me! good thoughts. I have been brought on board – or sold a bill of goods, but I like the former better. :)
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Don Ruhl
I like that, Stephen! I will use it for my “Ruhl’s Rules,” in our bulletin, and then next week it will appear on our web site.
Don Ruhl
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Don Ruhl
In fact, the more I think about it, I will use it for a sermon. Thanks, brother.
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Don Ruhl
Stephen, if that poem is not original with you, do you know who wrote it?
I am preaching a sermon on this for this coming Lord’s Day.
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Stephen R. Bradd
I’m sorry to be so slow, Don. I saw your post and got distracted & just thought of it again now.
I found this on the net regarding the poem–Few people remember that the Crimean War was triggered by an argument over whether the Catholic or the Orthodox church had the right to guard the Christian holy places in Palestine. Tennyson praises the soldiers who fought bravely, while criticizing the order as a “blunder.” Nevertheless, he says, the soldiers did their duty: “Their’s not to make reply, Their’s not to reason why, Their’s but to do and die.”
This is helpful, I think. We are soldiers, as you well know.
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Don Ruhl
Thanks.
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John Henson
According to the National Sleep Foundation more than…
According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than $14 billion (yep, that’s billion with a “b’”) is spent on drugs and other preparations designed to assure a good night’s sleep.In addition, the foundation reports 48 percent of Americans have insomnia while 22 percent experience the problem almost every night.
Here’s the Bible’s prescription for sound sleep, and is given to you free of charge. It’s in the book of Proverbs which says, “By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet,” (Proverbs 3:20-24).
Obedience to the commands of the Lord will help you to have the sweetest sleep you’ve ever had. Obedience to the gospel clears the conscience and unburdens the mind.
You may not sleep peacefully every night, for there will always be cares. But, obedience to the Lord’s commands keeps one’s heart clear of the things of this world.
The prescription is yours. What will you do with it?
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Mike Riley
Great advice, John!
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Eugene Adkins
I had forgotten about that verse in Proverbs! Great verse. Loved talking about it when while going through Proverbs in our adult class.
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J. Randal Matheny
Great reminder, John. I’ve been a bit absent from TFR the past week, hadn’t caught this post.
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John Henson
Thanks, brothers. I’m humbled. Put it in the bulletin yesterday. Even a blind hog can find an acorn every once in a while.
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J. Randal Matheny
The imperatives of Christ
I’m looking at doing a quarterly study for Bible school in SJCampos on “The imperatives of Christ.” Or call it “The commands of Jesus.” A restricted list, obviously. Maybe with an introductory lesson on the nature of the imperative in the gospel, necessity of obedience, something along those lines.
There’s no attempt here to make Christ’s words weightier than his words through the apostles and prophets, no two-tiered canon, no red-letter Bible ideas. Though his actions and teachings, since he is our Lord and Savior, while he was on the earth, do hold a special interest for the disciple, don’t you think?
I’m making my list of commands. So here’s my question: What imperatives or commands of Christ would be of special interest to study in a congregation, for Christians today?
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andrewphallenbeck
In my view, Randal, there is a misconception concerning what the Lord taught regarding prayer. Often some teach vigorously a view based upon, not Scripture, but rather what they have been taught. Thanks for your commitment to our Lord!
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Ruth Atnip
God’s commands on marriage, how to be what God wants men and women to be as husbands and wives. The total message, beginning with what Jesus says about marriage and divorce. Helping Christians to see that marriage is FOR LIFE, and the God Himself does the binding! Nothing short of ‘breaking those vows’ to God and your spouse is even to be thought of as a reason for divorce, not even an abusive husband or wife. Christ tell us that if we live godly in Christ Jesus we will suffer persecution, so any abuse from a husband or wife must be viewed in that light. Also making sure that God does say we can ‘part’ if that abuse gets too severe, but not divorce, but come back together and try to make the marriage a better one. However, it should be pointed out that sometimes during that period of separation, spouses will find that there has been a reason for the abuse. Much to the hurt of a spouse, they may find that they have been being treated abusively because of another man or woman in the picture. All of this needs to be brought out, so that faithfulness can be stressed, to make marriages work, and not fail., This is a huge problem in the church today, even among preachers and elders, and involves also with homosexuality. All about sexual sins is what the church needs most today, in my opinion. The world has gotten almost like Sodom and Gomorrah, and is surrounding the church with much influence coming in with new members. This is why were needs to be a ‘nursery’ – if you will – to immediately ‘feed’ those new ones with the truth of God’s Word IN LOVE, to keep them from slipping right back out into Satan’s grasp again! Make sure ‘evil’ is ‘evil’ int their sight, and ‘good’ is ‘good’ – according to that Word of God, which will feed them from the ‘milk’ stage to the ‘meat’ stage. These are some of the thoughts I had when you presented the question about what to teach a congregation. There should be classes for the different ‘ages’ IN CHRIST – just as where are classes which take into account physical ages. The elders need to drop the ‘title’ ‘feeling’ and ‘adopt’ the ‘work’ —–
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J. Randal Matheny
Thanks for the comments. I need specific passages and commands, in view of what I’m looking at doing.
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Butch Adams
Matt 4:17 – Repent for the Kingdom is at hand. Matt 7:12 – Golden rule. Matt 18:3- become as children.
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J. Randal Matheny
Butch, we’re thinking alike. Mt 4.17 is on the list. Actually, I taught the whole chapter last night in our home reading group. Golden rule, too, though I had Luke’s version in mind. Will look at Mt 18.3. Thanks for these good suggestions. Not counting the Introduction, I have seven lessons/commandments chosen already, after just a quick thought. Need more though. Thanks again.
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John Henson
Matthew 22:37; Mark12:30; Luke 10:27: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
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J. Randal Matheny
My heart says to go with this one, even though he’s quoting OT.
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Ron
I think John’s reference is good because it transcends covenants. The first one that came to my mind is John 15:12, which fits nicely with Matthew 22:37. Also, I think John 3:3-5 is tremendously important. Emphasis needs to be on conversion, not baptism.
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J. Randal Matheny
Thanks, Ron, I’ll look at those. You’re right about emphasis needed on conversion. Although this will be for Christians. Last night I added John 13.15.
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Stevelucas and 
John Henson
Components of Obedience
Why is it that some people say they just can’t be faithful to God? “I try,” one person told me, “but I always go back to what I was doing.”
Perhaps those who have this difficulty don’t understand what obedience is or what its component parts are. Problems with faithfulness are really problems learning how to obey God. So, what are the component parts of obedience?
Humility must be one of the basic building blocks of obedience. Jesus Christ, exalted in heaven and worshiped by myriads of angels, humbled himself and became obedient even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5ff). If it was necessary for the Lord Christ to humble himself and obey, shouldn’t it be necessary for us?
Determination is also a component of obedience. Some people have difficulty quitting smoking. The reason they do is that they haven’t decided they’ve smoked their last cigarette. A person must determine to turn from sin and walk away from worldliness.
One must also understand Jesus is Lord. In Isaiah 38:3, Hezekiah told God his had followed him with “wholehearted devotion,” He meant there was no divided loyalty. We call Jesus Lord and we are right because that’s what he is ( John: 13:13). But do we pick and choose which commands we’ll obey?
Trust is an important part of obedience. We must trust God for every need in life. We must learn to devote ourselves to him and trust him. Humans, however, believe they’re better at controlling their lives than anyone else, sometimes even including God. But, God has proven time and again that man does not know how to direct his steps. We must follow Jesus and trust him.
Implanting these components of obedience into our lives will help us become more faithful to the Lord. May God help us as we give our lives to him.
TFRStaff
Hugh Fulford: What’s the least I can believe and still be a Christian?
According to a recent story in The (Nashville) Tennessean, the “Reverend” Martin Thielen’s atheist friend asked the preacher, “What’s the least I can believe and still be a Christian?”
Currently serving as minister of the First United Methodist Church in nearby Lebanon, Tenn., Mr. Thielen soon will become the pastor of the Brentwood United Methodist Church in an affluent suburb of Nashville. Brentwood United Methodist, with 7,600 members, is the largest Methodist congregation in Tennessee and the fourteenth largest in the United States.
Challenged by his atheist friend’s question, in January of this year Thielen published a book by the title of his friend’s question. The 10,000 first-print run has been a big hit, with a second printing on the way. According to the news story, Thielen used the book to outline the message he has used to double the size of his present congregation and the message he will take to a much larger audience. During the past decade, First United Methodist in Lebanon has added about 800 members and attendance has grown from 300 to 640. (More …)
Richard Mansel
Love and Obedience
Love and obedience are inextricably linked and any doctrine that tries to separate them is dangerous. I discuss in my article today why this is true and what they say about our relationship to the Lord.
Some think today that if love and obedience are combined, it is a denial of the grace of God. We have to depend completely on Him for everything. Obedience would then constitute meritorious religion. This doctrine is proof that they do not understand God’s will.
It is interesting that 1 John discusses love and obedience more than any book of the New Testament. If they cannot be combined, then 1 John must be removed from the canon.
What thoughts do you have on love and obedience?
Oh, and I hope you will read my article. :)
Ron Thomas
Compare John 5:47 and 6:30. If I have compared correctly, I understand the Lord to say that when one believes that one obeys the Lord from the heart (John 3:36; Romans 6:16-17). Those who do not obey do not believe. This shines a light on those who have expressed belief, but have not obeyed the Lord. Those who live this way call the Lord a liar by the life lived (John 3:33).
So empty it is when people say they believe in Jesus, but they refuse to hear what He says about the life that is to be lived.
TFRStaff
Hugh Fulford: Stop!
The sign said “STOP.” I didn’t. So I said to the judge …
1. I think every person has the right to choose his own interpretation of this word.
2. My mother did not believe in stopping. If I were to stop, I would be condemning her.
3. My family never stopped. If that was good enough for them, it is good enough for me.
4. I have gone so long without stopping, I don’t think I can start now.
5. My preacher says I don’t have to stop.
6. My parents made me stop when I was young, so I don’t do it now. (More …)
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Stanley Adams is discussing. -
Stanley Adams
I think that this says a lot about a lot of things going on. I learned my Covenants and Testaments and when the kingdom of Christ began over 45 years ago. In fact, using the old Tisdale Charts for personal work proves the point. There are a lot of divisions for us to learn, and there are a lot of things to learn about the gospel of Christ and His kingdom that were slowly being dispensed during his earthly ministry that did not make it happen. The Kingdom of Christ and of His God occurred in Acts 2 and it will continue until the Kingdom of the Church is swallowed up into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Richard Mansel
Lessons From the Garden of Eden
My Forthright article today uses the story of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3) as a backdrop to teach some valuable lessons about Biblical authority. The failures of Adam and Eve are cautionary tales for us as we move through our own lives. I hope you will read, Biblical Authority and the Garden of Eden and gain a deeper appreciation for God’s will and our relationship to His divine utterances.
Glenda Williams
Generic Christian?
Yesterday my husband was studying with someone who said he considered himself a “generic Christian.” He can worship anywhere, it doesn’t matter, yet he hates denominations because they cause division. He can worship with instrumental music, or without, it doesn’t matter to him. He can take the Lord’s Supper each Sunday, quarterly, yearly. It doesn’t matter to him. He thinks the New Testament is not a blueprint for us to follow. Just as the Ten Commandments were not ten suggestions, the New Testament is not a list of suggestions, but rather a pattern for us to follow.
Webster defines generic as “general, not specific.” Generic medicine is usually less expensive than regular, or name brand medicine. It is a substitute for the original medicine. Generic food is no brand name food. Generic churches are no name churches. Their signs are no name brand signs. The Community churches, the Crossroad churches, the Meeting Places, etc., without further identification, are generic names. You see their name and ask, “What kind of church is that?” You can’t find by their name what they teach and what they believe. They are generic churches.
Generics quality are questioned as being as good as the original. They are less expensive. Those who support generics will say they are just as good, but they are missing some qualities of the original product.
Is that what we are coming to with all the changes taking place in the church? Are we becoming generic Christians? Just so we love each other, accept Jesus Christ, don’t stick to a set of rigid rules, have no disagreements, anything goes as long as it attracts people. What is taught or practiced does not matter. Is the Bible no longer our authority for a thus saith the Lord? What is our standard? Where and on what do we stand? Are love and belief in Jesus enough?
Are we a Christian, or a substitute Christian? Are we the real thing or generic? Joshua said in the long ago, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). To me that means following after the pattern in the New Testament, not adding to nor taking from it. That is the pattern by which we will be judged (John 12:48). That is not generic.
Linda Sartain are discussing. -
Linda Sartain
Outstanding article! Thank you for writing this because so many need to give serious thought to this current trend. I was not familiar with the term generic Christian. When I heard it I thought, yes, that describes the watered down version of those we see who profess “love only” actions. The Lord did stress love as the greatest commandment, but he also said to keep my commandments.
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Mike Riley
Glenda, thank you for the good article, as it makes us think. Along similar thoughts, I wrote about what a true Christian is: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2007/10/27/are-we-a-true-christian/
Can God designate us a “true” Christian? Something to also think about.
Mike Riley
Summing Up The Bible In One Sentence
The Bible is about the coming of Jesus as our Savior, His teachings, & our necessary obedience to those teachings in order to attain heaven.
TFRStaff
Will my child be lost, too?
The bulletin of the Southwest church has a good article that reminds us that God’s truth doesn’t change, even when it concerns our children. It seems hard at times, but God’s love doesn’t have soft spots. Since it takes a while to get the bulletins and articles up on the site, and since the mind won’t remember to link to it later, we’re posting it here. Their bulletin and the school’s paper are worth signing up to.
"I Just Don’t Know If He Will Be Lost, If…"
Marvin L. Weir
Many parents abandon logic and reason when sinful situations occur that involve their children. They convince themselves that the Scriptures are not clear regarding the matter and question whether or not God’s grace will surprise some with what it covers. We need to be very careful lest we accuse God of failing to supply us with a clear roadmap to heaven. The Psalmist did not hesitate to exalt God’s Word as a clear and adequate guide. He said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psa. 119:105). It is also very clear that God’s grace will never cover sin when one refuses to repent (Luke 13:3). Let us consider several statements I have heard brethren make over the years.
"I just don’t know if my son will be lost if he is not baptized."
The Word of God clearly states that salvation is located in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10). Where is the Scripture that states that hearing, belief, repentance, or confession puts one into Christ? You will search in vain for such a Scripture. But listen as Paul speaks to the Galatians in saying, "For as many as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ" (Gal. 3:27, emphasis supplied). One is not in Christ who has not been scripturally immersed for the remission of his sins (cf. Acts 2:38). Belief does not wash away one’s sins. Baptism will, however, wash away sins of one who has repented. The bible gives us such an example in Paul’s conversion. Ananias goes to Paul and says, "And why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and was away thy sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16, emphasis supplied). (More …)
Ron Thomas
Evil in the Heart
Why do you think evil in your hearts? That was the question Jesus asked those who knew well what He did, but refused to accept His testimony (Matthew 9:4). Evil in this context is refusing to act on the Lord’s word. How often are we guilty of the same? The Lord clearly expressed His will, and yet many are guilty of thinking evil because there is a refusal to accept His testimony. The challenge for us is to accept what the Lord said and implement these words into our lives. If we do not, are we not thinking evil? Whether we believe this or not, the Lord makes it clear we are. If you say you do not understand it, then will you pay special attention to the words of Jesus in order to try and understand (Matthew 13:19)? It is a challenge for each of us.
Mike Riley
Favorite Verse From 1st and 2nd Corinthians
1) Today’s Nudge: “From 1-2 Corinthians, choose a favorite verse or short passage and explain why it’s special to you”:
My favorite verse in 1-2 Corinthians is 2 Corinthians 10:5:
“casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
This verse provides us the key to living a successful Christian life. We must be willing to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Paul obviously employed this principle in his life, for he stated in Galations 2:20:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2) “Name a commentary or book on some part or the whole of these two letters that you find especially helpful”:
I’ve used the Bible as its own best commentary in this article http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2006/01/09/the-6-8-10-principles/, emphasizing the “6-8-10″ principles found in 1st Corinthians Chapters 6, 8, and 10.
Mike Riley
What is my favorite book in the Bible to teach?
The book of Romans, because it emphasizes obedience, from the beginning of the book to the end of the book (Romans 1:1-5; Romans 6:16-17; Romans 16:25-26).
J. Randal Matheny
When you should stop praying
Two items here. One, Steve Higginbotham’s excellent devotional today:
MercEmail A Weekly Devotional by Steve Higginbotham
Stop Praying!
October 29, 2010Stop praying? Now, that’s not what you typically hear, but that’s exactly
what God once told Moses. Not that God was frowning on prayer, but the time
for praying without action had passed. It was time to act. God told Moses
to tell the children of Israel to “move forward!” (Exodus 14:15).Friends, could it be time for you to stop praying and “move forward?”
Understand this one thing; many of the prayers we have prayed to God have
already been answered. He has said “yes.” Yet, we remain in a quandary,
not because God hasn’t answered, but because we haven’t “moved forward.” My
point is, “Don’t just sit there and continue to simply pray when you can
“move forward” and receive God’s answer to the prayers you’ve been praying.Copyright C 2010, Steve Higginbotham. Permission is granted to copy these
articles.
Two, this is exactly what I’ve said we ought to understand in Ananias’s words to Saul in Damascus, where the preacher found the persecutor praying and fasting:
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name. (Acts 22:16 NET, emphasis mine)
What should Saul get up from doing? From praying and fasting. It was time to stop praying and time to obey the Lord by being baptized to get rid of his sins.
Can you imagine some other moments when it would be appropriate to say, “Stop praying”?
Laura
Self-Destructive Behavior
Self-destructive behavior is all around us. I think one of the most commonly seen forms of this is the act of failing to take personal responsibility for our own actions or lack there-of. Why might this be self-destructive? Because people engage in self-deception when they do this, which impacts subsequent behavior. Until people see and admit their own faults and short comings, they simply will not change. Change is required to be truly happy in this world.
But more importantly, change is required to be pleasing to God. People who will not accept personal responsibility simply will not repent of their ways. Without repentance, there is no hope of eternal life. There can only be certainty of eternal punishment. This is the ultimate form of self-destructive behavior, IMHO.
I think one of the best examples of this behavior is found in Genesis 3. In verses 9-13, we see that Adam, upon being called out for disobeying God, blamed Eve, his wife. Eve subsequently blamed the serpent. However, upon close examination, we see that Adam actually did something worse. Much worse. He said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” Adam in essence blamed God because God was the giver of Eve, a point which Adam was careful to make. Adam and Eve had it made in Eden. The place was a paradise. God walked with them in the garden. Yet when Adam failed on the one and only command given him, he “passed the buck”. The end result was being kicked out of the garden and being forced to a life of hard labor and toil.
I find it interesting that the account of this behavior is the very first inspired account of man’s failings. Perhaps it was placed up front and center for a reason… We should take note.
John Henson
Saul of Tarsus
I believe Saul of Tarsus to be the most striking example of conversion in the New Testament.
He clearly did not believe Jesus as the Christ. We are allowed, by inspiration, to look into Saul’s mind. The account says, “Saul still breathing threats and murder,” (Acts 9:1 ESV). Literally, Saul was threatening and murdering Christians with every breath he took. That shows his mind. He was 100 percent against Jesus.
But something happened to change that. That something was seeing the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus. Seeing Christ alive after Saul knew he had been crucified made an indelible impression on him. The text says, “And immediately he (Saul) proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God,” (Acts 9:20).
The change wasn’t temporary; it was lifelong. People will sometimes have a “change of heart” when they become afraid or threatened with eternal punishment. Saul, however, repented and remained a faithful child of God even though he was beaten, left for dead and imprisoned (2 Corinthians 11:24).
I thank God he included Saul in the scriptures as an example of conversion. Saul’s obedience strengthens my own faith and resolve and reassures me because of what he had seen and done.
Richard Mansel
Are We Hiding From God?
“The little boy stood very still in the corner of the living room with his eyes closed. His mother passed by a few times, curious. Finally, she asked and he said nothing. She went over and asked sternly. He whispered, ‘Momma, you can’t see me. I’m invisible.’”
How silly of that little boy. Is it, really? It must not be. People do the same thing to God every day. Read More
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Mike Riley
Richard, yes many people think they are invisible to God – it’s a futile effort to think that God doesn’t see or know everything we think, say, and do.
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Richard Mansel
Thanks, Mike.
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Laura
Daily nudge: did you delay?
I didn’t really delay of my own free will. When I decided that’s what I needed to do, I went to my parents immediately. They thought I was being emotional because I had just returned from Bible camp, and there were quite a few baptisms that week. I was also a young but rather precocious child. So they put me off, wanting to test me. A week later, I was pestering them again after Sunday evening service. We sat down and studied and then went back to the church building that night.
J. Randal Matheny
Daily Nudge — delays to obedience
How long did it take you to become a Christian? The question doesn’t so much ask your age or time in life, young or old, when you became a Christian, but if you delayed to obey the Lord.
This comes to mind since our NT reading today is from Acts 26, which includes King Agrippa’s famous line to Paul, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” (Acts 26:28 NET).
I know a young man who obeyed the very first gospel sermon he heard. He heard it once, and that was all he needed. Today he’s a gospel preacher.
I was different. Growing up in a Christian home, I heard what must have been thousands of sermons and classes, on Sundays and Wednesdays, in gospel meetings and Vacation Bible Schools, before I overcame my timidity and was baptized.
How about you? How long did it take you?
Richard Hill
My favorite verse, actually, my favorite book on obedience
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (Net Bible) What a beautiful picture! What a wonderful gift! “Walking in the light,” that is, obedience, results in fellowship and cleansing.
Many call 1 John the apostle’s letter of love. Love is certainly one of the major ideas of the book. Yet I think we overlook the dominant idea of the book. Obedience. The topics raised in the book from fellowship to truth to love are framed in this idea of obedience. John addresses these subjects in the form of commands. He speaks of sin and lawlessness–disobedience. He speaks of those who practice righteousness–obedience. One might not agree this is the dominant idea, but everyone who actually reads the book cannot ignore the frequency of occurrences.
Actually, I guess they can and do. They condemn older preachers of hammering obedience and ignoring love. Does that mean we preach only love and ignore obedience? Do we have to choose? Can’t we, shouldn’t we, preach both?
Climbing down from my high horse now.
John Henson
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,” (Hebrews 5:8-9 NASU).
Mike Riley
There are two verses about obedience in Romans 6:17-18-NKJV that are significant:
“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
We must obey “from the heart” that form [pattern] of doctrine that Paul preached and taught (1 Cor. 2:1-2; cf. Gal. 6:14; Philippians 3:7-10). What was the pattern? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-4). We die to sin, we are buried in the watery grave of baptism, and then we rise to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-4).
What a beautiful picture of salvation!
Ron Thomas
Favorite Passage on Obedience
Passages of obedience always start with self. In apply Scripture to myself, I think not of only one. “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Cor 16.13, ESV). Another one that quickly comes to mind: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13.5. ESV).
Reflecting on Job (once again), I am sure to apply these sentiments to myself. Where do I stand in relation to the Lord? After I answer that, then, perhaps, I can help one who is struggling in their own spirituality. The friends of Job were sure that Job’s experience was the result of a hidden wickedness within; consequently, in their “knowledge” they knew nothing at all.
Randal’s remark about how some brethren look at obedience as legalism is very true. It appears they fail to see the difference between commitment to the Lord and self-interest. The former does not struggle with “legalism,” while the latter, on occasion, does.
J. Randal Matheny
Daily Nudge: obedience — and news
Share one verse about obedience with us, urges the Daily Nudge. There are so many, and the church rightly teaches obedience for salvation, so this is a weighty subject both in Scripture and among us.
Most of us, anyway. The Tulsa workshop is going on this week, and should probably be known as the Tulsa church-bashing workshop. The event was supposed to be about soul-winning, but turned into a celebration of ecumenism in the name of unity and libertinism under the guise of grace. Obedience doesn’t figure into their language.
Like the religious world at large, many of our brethren now consider obedience a legalistic trap.
But Jesus’ word still counts that “[obeying] his commandment is eternal life” (John 12:50). That’s my verse to share today in obedience to the Daily Nudge. (If there’s time today, I’ll do more on it.)
What’s yours? Along with some news …
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Weylan Deaver
Since you mentioned Tulsa and their compromising posture, Dad has an excellent article on “When Grace Is No More Grace” in the upcoming (final) issue of “Biblical Notes Quarterly.” I got an advance peek since I have to proofread it. It decisively answers those who deny the necessity, or even possibility, of obedience. There’s also an outstanding article by Kerry Duke on “The Meaning of Adultery in Matt. 19:9,” which shows why various non-literal definition positions cannot be right, why it is wrong to say Matt. 19:9 applies only in the church, why a marriage begun as adultery cannot be continued without sin. Kerry is Dean at Tennessee Bible College and writes things worth reading.
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J. Randal Matheny
I’ll look forward to reading that, Weylan. Both articles. Again, I hate to hear that BNQ is publishing its last issue.
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Weylan Deaver
But, with biblicalnotes.com, the project will live on. Amazingly, I’m pretty sure there are already more Facebook fans of the paper than there are current paid subscribers to it. So, my thought is that we’ll be far more accessible online than we have been in print.
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J. Randal Matheny
Yup, that’s good. As much as I use the Internet, however, I still love to hold a book or magazine in my hands. But I gotta get rid of a lot of my paper and books, time to start downsizing, so I guess the Internet has come along at a good time.
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John Henson
Trade you some of your heat for some of the cold we’re having. It’s supposed to be spring, but it doesn’t feel like it, yet. It was in the teens this morning!
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J. Randal Matheny
You gotta deal! Looked like rain clouds were going to cover us and dump some wet stuff while bringing down the temps, but it must have gone around. “Nothing but blue skies!”
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Laura
If Jesus is Lord
… then I better act like it.
Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21, KJV) Yet there are so many who have bought into Satan’s lie, just as Eve bought into the lie in the garden. Satan inserts that one 3-letter word, “not”. Sadly, that’s all it takes.
Ed Boggess
Ends up in an outhouse! – JAM
The Bible commends obedience but it can be taken too far. A German motorist followed the GPS voice command “Turn right now!” and crashed into an outhouse by the side of the road about 30 years too soon. The overly submissive 53-year-old from Freiburg drove his sport utility vehicle off the road onto into a building site, up a stairway and into the small toilet shack, the German phrase for outhouse. Instead of praise for supreme obedience, he was fined 35 euros and had to pay damages. Actually obedience is a virtue when it is mixed with discernment. This is Just-A-Minute with Ed Boggess
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Randal Matheny
Excellent example and application, Ed! Thanks for posting these.
Stephen R. Bradd
I think this is the one I struggle with the most:
“in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil. 2:3).
Loving one’s neighbor as himself is one thing, but to esteem others as better? I know I fail at this regularly.
J. Randal Matheny
Nudge: What commandment do you struggle most to obey?
So asks today’s Daily Nudge. I thank one of the Fellows for the suggestion of the question. Since this might be considered a tad sensitive, I’ll go first this time. (Oops, I see two have beat me to the draw. Good for them!)
“Finish what you start.” That’s a principle and in the Corinthians’ goal of contributing to help the Jerusalem saints, it’s a command:
“Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have” (2 Cor 8:10-11 NLT).
I’m creative and like to initiate projects. I have many (I try to not count) books, projects and ideas languishing for lack of attention. So I struggle to finish what I start.
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Barbara A Oliver
“Pray without ceasing” catches me short. When I think of all the strength and power that slips by each day, it pains me.
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Randal Matheny
Amen to that, Barbara. That’s a big one, too. Glad you’re showing your face on TFR.
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John Henson
Rich beyond belief
Suppose you were walking down the street one day and someone approached you and gave you every penny he ever had plus all the riches anyone could imagine. You’ve never met him; there’s no reason you would deserve the wealth you’ve just received, except that the person you’ve just met wants you to have it.
This kind of thing would never happen, would it? There’s not one chance in a billion of anything like this.
But, it’s already happened. Listen to Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 8:9 which says, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.” The phrase, “through his poverty,” is in the instrumental case, which means this is how you became rich.
What Paul is talking about is how Jesus gave up his place in heaven with God the Father to come to earth, debase and humiliate himself as a traveling, impoverished preacher, and suffer, bleed and die to redeem us all from our sins. In doing this, Jesus gave us the richest gift anyone could ever have ― salvation from sin and the possibility of heaven ― giving us wealth untold.
If you have obeyed the gospel, you might have left home this morning with only $5 lunch money in your pocket, but you have wealth untold. If you’ve never obeyed God, then it’s time to recognize the forgiveness Jesus labored to give you.
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Mike Riley
John, there used to be an old T.V. program, years ago, entitled, “The Millionaire”: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047758/usercomments
Here’s the gist of it: John Beresford Tipton (voiced by one of TV and film’s best-known voice actors, Paul Frees), would dispatch his associate, the ever put-upon Michael Anthony (Marvin Miller, in his best-known role), carrying a tax-free cashier’s check for a million dollars, made out to ‘random’ individuals, on condition that they never attempt to discover who sent it, or reveal where the money came from, except to their husband or wife.
But you are right – this scenario more than likely wouldn’t take place in today’s economy! And on top of that, our soul is far more valuable than any amount of money would provide.
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Randal Matheny
John, it is indeed wealth beyond belief. That verse is a favorite. The mention of the phrase being in the instrumental case is fascinating. Thanks for the good reminder.
J. Randal Matheny
My parents taught me
The Daily Nudge asks who taught us the gospel. I’m thankful to God to have been brought up in a Christian home. My parents are devoted Christians and were serious about their faith. There was never a moment, never a question, never a doubt, about participating in the meetings and activities of the church. And when a preacher in our rural congregation stated publicly that we could fellowship denominations, we, and all the Mathenys, left and went over to the next city to meet with a faithful church there. When teen pressure moved me to request exceptions to church attendance, my dad was firm. Whenever someone would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my dad beat me to the answer, “We hope he’ll be a gospel preacher.”
There were, obviously, other godly influences in my life, but none so constant nor consistent as my parents.
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Mike Riley
Randal, and we thank God for providing parents like yours! May He grant us more of them, in Jesus’ name, Amen!
John Henson
I grew up in the church of Christ and attended Bible study and each service of the church. I could recite the plan of salvation was I was eight years old, but never understood that I should obey the gospel until I was 12. Ronnie Wilkins, preacher for the Hickerson Station Church of Christ, at the time, reached me with his preaching and baptized me. He taught a sense of urgency to obedience that touched my hear
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Mike Riley
John, a sense of urgency is what we as Christians need to have in reaching the lost for Christ, just as the preacher that baptized you had. Millions die every day, entering into the eternal realm, without Christ. One of the things the Lord will judge us on, is whether or not we took advantage of every opportunity that came our way to teach others of the Lord’s saving grace.
It’s something for us as Christians to seriously think about.
Mike Riley
Romans is my favorite Bible book, because it tells me that God’s infallible standard of righteousness is the righteousness we all need to obey and adhere to. It is superior to any standard of right that fallible and sinful man can come up with (Romans 1:1-5; Romans 16:25-26; Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:1-4). By adhering to the authority found in God’s truth, I can be saved (Romans 10:13; cf. Psalm 145:17-18).
jimnewy is discussing. -
jimnewy
Good choice Mike. I thought of the book of Romans also, as it is one of my favorites and for some of the same reasons.
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jimnewy
I’ll take my flight to heaven rather than just to space and back.
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jimnewy
Sorry, my mouse was over the wrong comment.
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Mike Riley
A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful, and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life.
John Fischer
Richard Mansel 9:35 am on March 28, 2012 Permalink |
Good thoughts, Ed. The problem is often a lack of precision in our language. If we would all be precise, we would not have to be frightened of the concept of grace.
Stevelucas 12:08 pm on March 28, 2012 Permalink |
Amen Ed!