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| Volume 22 Number 12 December 2020 | Page 13 |
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| Volume 22 Number 12 December 2020 | Page 13 |
D. Gene West
Since we are about to begin a new year, it may be appropriate to think of challenges that will present themselves to us as a people in the coming year. Of course, it is not possible to think of all, and even if that were possible, there is neither the time nor the inclination even to list them. Nevertheless, to look at a few will, it is hoped, do some good.
The word “challenge” is defined as a call or summons to engage in any contest. The contest may be physical, such as sports or carnal warfare; mental, such as learning more truth from the Word of God so the faith of Christ does not become tiresome; emotional such as keeping on an even keel by refusing to go beyond reason. When confronted with spiritual challenges, such as remaining faithful to the teachings of Christ, our Lord’s apostles and evangelists remained vigilant for the Christian faith, about which one can read in the New Testament, which was once for all delivered. There are other spiritual challenges such as the temptation to sin or to give up when the trials of life come along. Perhaps, there are more spiritual confrontations than any other because Satan does not intend to make life easy for the Christian.
Everyone will have Goliaths to conquer. Furthermore, having to face up to all the Goliaths is not always pleasant. For this cause, effort is sometimes made not to pick up the sling and go to battle. Yet, the Bible itself teaches that such may be necessary, and with the help of fellow Christians, a child of God can arise to the occasion. Solomon said, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). Steel will bring a knife to a much better edge when properly whetted against it. This we understand in sharpening tools; it is likewise true in men.
What are some of the challenges that the Christian is likely to face in the future? One is our right to exist. Christianity, real and false, is being confronted today by powerful forces in our world as never before. There is a movement in our nation to effectively destroy our guarantee of freedom of religion and give it to every pagan religion in the world. This is approached legally, such as the removal of the word “God” from all things federally owned or by passing laws that say the mere quoting of a passage of Scripture against the sin of homosexuality is hate language. It is done psychologically (political correctness) by insisting we must be tolerant to all, resulting in a lack of justice for all. It is done educationally by teaching such things as evolution in the school, and insisting that all accept it, with no true evidence for it.
What can we do? Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, we can educate ourselves, thus alerting ourselves to these dangers. In addition to the Bible itself, there are other important sources, such as Apologetics Press and Focus Press, that speak to these concerns. Secondly, we can accept the challenges, make adequate preparation to meet them and confront them, lovingly, head on! Remember, this coming year will also belong to our Lord!
Easter, Christmas and the Sabbath
Terry Wheeler
Most of us love holidays and festivals – the glitter, the colors, the presents, the special schedules, and of course, the Peanuts TV specials! What is wrong with these things? In principle, absolutely nothing at all. Special days on the calendar give us opportunities to celebrate our lives in particular ways, and half the fun is in the anticipation and preparation.
A point to note is that “holiday” comes from the phrase “holy day.” Many of our fun days we celebrate started as religious observances. For many, that religious connection is real and still relevant.
There’s the rub [problem]. Special days are fine as long as we don’t confuse our calendar with God’s calendar. There are two concerns here. First, in the Old Testament, there were many special days of religious significance that God ordained, such as the Sabbath, Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, Atonement and others (Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 16). While the Old Covenant was in force, God expected the Jews to follow such a calendar.
However, now, we are under the New Testament exclusively (Romans 10:4; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Colossians 2:13-17). The New Testament has no such calendar, and we are forbidden to create one (1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 4:8-11).
So, commands today for the Christian to keep the Sabbath are false. Also, to teach that manmade holidays are to be kept as holy to God, such as Christmas and Easter, is to teach falsely (Colossians 2:20-23). Personal devotion to a particular day is to be kept private and personal (Romans 14:5-6, 22).
What is the conclusion, then? Enjoy each day. Count each day that God gives you as holy to the Lord. Whatever special celebration you wish to practice on a particular day is up to you. Yet, be sure not to confuse your personal calendar with God’s schedule. Beware of any practice that advances false teaching.