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| Volume 19 Number 5 May 2017 | Page 9 |
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| Volume 19 Number 5 May 2017 | Page 9 |
The Importance of
Being Tied into Christ
Mark T. Tonkery
True story. One time when I was a kid, my mom and dad took my sister and me camping and fishing on the backwaters of the Tygart Lake. When it was time to go fishing, I rigged my fishing line and decided that since it was a big lake, I was going to cast my line as far as I could. So, I put all the fishing sinkers on the end of the line that it could hold, along with my bait. Once I did this, I was ready to cast and to catch that elusive, giant fish in this large lake. As I cast my fishing pole, the line kept going, going and going up into the air. About that time my sister said, “Hey Mark, that is pretty cool, how did you do that?” I said, “Do what?” She said, “How did you put all those spirals in your fishing line?” I replied, “I didn’t put any spirals in my line.” Then it was at that moment I realized my fishing line was so weighted with sinkers that it took all the line off my reel and the knot that I had tied was not tied tightly enough. This allowed my hook, bait, sinkers and line to go flying out in to the lake—lost and never to be seen again. Needless to say, the fishing for that day was over.
I learned a very valuable lesson that day; when using a knot, one must make sure the knot is tied tightly—especially when fishing. If one does not have his knots tied tightly, they could lose his fish when it bites and starts struggling on the hook, or it is possible, one could even lose his whole line, like I did. Fishing line and lures are only as strong as the knot one uses to attach them to the reel.
There is a similar principle in our daily lives with Jesus. It’s important to always be “tied” into Christ. When we are “tied” in and connected to Christ, we have strength to do His will and overcome the struggles that life brings our way.
The power we need in order to live the Christian life depends on each one of us being tied into Christ. It may be that you are not “tied” into Christ. If so, then, the Bible tells we are lost, like my fishing line that was not tied onto my fishing reel. Yet, we do not have to be lost forever. We can be “tied” into Christ; how? The Bible teaches we can be “tied” into Christ when we repent of our sins and are baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Acts 2:41 continues by adding, “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” In other words, they were “tied” into God’s family, and they continued being “tied” to Him each day of their lives.
How do we continue to be “tied” into Christ after our baptism? We continue to be “tied” into Christ when we have a living faith. James 2:22 reminds, “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” Romans 10:17 tells us that our faith will grow and mature as we study the Word of Christ. So, along with an active faith, we must have a growing faith “tied” in a daily study of the Scriptures. We must worship with and study the Bible with the saints (Hebrews 10:25).
We also are tied into Christ when we spend time in prayer. Romans 12:12 reads, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” We are tied into Christ when we obey God’s Word in our everyday lives. First John 5:2 states, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” We are tied into Christ when we have the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Don’t be lost! Get “tied” into Christ, and I promise that you will “knot” regret it. Are you “tied” into Christ? Think about it!
Ronald D. Reeves
The ideal congregation appreciates the biblical work of elders, even though a congregation may presently lack qualified men to serve as elders in the body of Christ. Their many labors make them worthy of double honor (1 Timothy 5:17). They function as overseers or bishops (Acts 20:28) as they watch and protect the flock and as they exercise administrative oversight. This oversight should be received submissively by each member of the Lord’s church. They function as shepherds or pastors (1 Peter 2:25) as they care for the well-being of those under their charge. Thus a body of elders functions as a presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14) and deserves respect for their maturity and experience. Elders face challenges that are weighty and consequential. May we have the courage to stand by their side, assisting them in the challenges they face and spiritually embrace these men and their work. Let us, as men of old, lift up the arms of “Moses” so that we may change the destiny of God’s people in a positive manner. May the Lord richly bless faithful elders, and may the Lord bless us with men who will arise and be able to so serve in a qualified and effective manner.